Great Reads Brought to you by Nicole and the team at Great Escape Books
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (Australian)
This is the much anticipated second novel from author of The Last Migration, which I rated as my book of the year for 2020. In Once There Were Wolves, McConaghy has avoided the dreaded second book syndrome and delivered another superb read. Inti Flynn is the leader of a team of biologists reintroducing wolves to the Highlands of Scotland. By rewilding the forests, the hope is that nature can achieve the balance it needs for the land to heal itself. Inty brings her broken silent twin sister, Aggie, hoping she can heal her too. There is resistance from all quarters though, leading to unimaginable consequences. McConaghy is a wildly imaginative writer who has stamped her place on the Australian literary scene. When you are reading both her books, you genuinely feel that you have made a discovery. If you are looking for a book that you can truly immerse yourself in and revel in the joy of great writing, Once There Were Wolves is it. Review by Marty (Nic's partner) @ Great Escape Books When The Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain (USA) Author of The Paris Wife, Paula McLain has turned her hand to crime and lucky for us she has produced this brilliant story. Anna is a detective specialising in missing children and is very successful and driven, despite the cost to her life and relationships. Exhausted, she takes a break in a cabin in her childhood home (ghosts and all). She is drawn unofficially into helping her friend, the local sheriff in a missing-girl case. They tie several cold cases together on a roller coaster ride. The danger is very close to home and there are some heartstopping near misses, complex but not enough to slow things down right to the dramatic end. Slick and fast tracked, this a satisfying read and McLain has nailed the crime genre. Can’t wait for more from this award-winning author. Review by Sue @ Great Escape Books
The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris (USA) — Booker Prize Longlist 2021
The country is in chaos. The Civil War between North and South has just resulted in the African-American slaves being freed. Plantation owners are bitter at the loss of labour and freed slaves are starving and homeless. Into this backdrop of the first days of freedom, we meet brothers Landry and Prentiss. Hiding out in the dense forest abutting their former plantation, they spend their days scavenging for food and shelter, when they come to the notice of George Walker, a neighbouring farmer reeling from the recent loss of his son in the civil war. He convinces the brothers to reside on his land as free men and help him rekindle the lifeblood of the neglected farm. But not all in the township take kindly to his enlightened views, and there is trouble brewing closer to home. Tender and beautiful, this is a stunning story of empathy, of human capacity for forgiveness and the great will to live. Five stars, an outstanding read. Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books So You Think You Know What’s Good For You? by Dr Norman Swan (Australian)
Dr Norman Swan believes we are all at risk of ‘knowing more and more about less and less’. In this no-nonsense book about health, he bypasses wellness trends and sticks to the science. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many turned to Dr Swan for simple, honest guidance when surrounded by hype and hysteria. This book is his response to a population overwhelmed by too much information regarding what’s good for you and what’s not. So You Think You Know What’s Good For You? explores the science behind a healthy diet, chronic and degenerative diseases, mental health issues, sleep, sex, and relationships, and the economics and politics surrounding public health. The overarching theme is that it’s better to look at health as a big picture rather than obsess over individual aspects. He encourages us not to think too much about nutrients and calories, but instead enjoy a home-cooked meal with loved ones, as social connectedness is just as important for good overall health. An accessible read with a good bit of wit and humour added in along the way. A great common-sense guide to health for all. Review by Belinda @ Great Escape Books
NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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