FIONA STAGER

Owner of avid reader bookshop

THE YIELD by Tara June Winch August Gondiwindi returns from overseas for her beloved grandfather’s funeral. She’s surprised to find that he’d been writing a dictionary of the local language and that her community is threatened by a mine. Beautifully written and deeply moving, this novel is a celebration of Indigenous language, country, history and storytelling in all its richness. THE WEEKEND by Charlotte Wood

Sylvie’s death reunites three old friends for one last holiday at the beach house where they enjoyed so much time together. But without her, their relationships start to fray, tensions rise, and the comfort of friendship is questioned. Charlotte has crafted a striking novel for our times – it’s startlingly honest and compulsively readable. THE WIFE AND THE WIDOW by Christian White Set in a small island town in the dead of an Australian winter, this thriller is told from the perspective of grieving widow Kate, and Abby, a local who must confront the evidence that her husband could be a murderer. It has the best twist ever! IT SOUNDED BETTER IN MY HEAD by Nina Kenwood Nina has written a big-hearted romantic comedy that perfectly captures the awkward teen in all of us. Whether you’re a teenager now or were many years ago, all readers will relate to Natalie’s quest to understand her parents’ pending divorce, her friendships and herself. It’s both laugh-out-loud funny and poignant. My young adult book for 2019! YOUNG DARK EMU: A TRUER HISTORY by Bruce Pascoe Bruce Pascoe’s Young Dark Emu has transformed our understanding of Indigenous history, culture, economics and land management. His work is vital reading for all Australians, and this beautifully illustrated version has been written for younger readers, but can be enjoyed by everyone.