February has been all about spreading the love of books.
Did you enter our Giveaway? A HUGE thank you to everyone that did. The response was amazing!
Congratulations Mary and Stephanie who both won a copy of Emma the Eager Emu. I hope she has arrived safely on your doorstep.
I thought I would continue the love of books for one last blog, (even though most of my posts are about books in one way or another).
Below are my all time favourite books that I have loved to read and share. They are all well worth considering adding to your collection if you don’t already own them.
Picture Books
I can’t go past the “Diary of a Wombat” series by Jackie French. I know I’ve said it many times before but these are simply adorable and can be read to all ages, from birth to adults! I have used them in the classroom from Kindergarten to year 6. Everyone loves them! Packed full of fun, mischief and a massive dose of cuteness!
Diary of a Wombat
Baby Wombat’s Week
Christmas Wombat
The Secret World of Wombats
Chapter Books for Middle Grade and Tweens.
Harry Potter. What can I say, I am a huge fan! J.K. Rowling brought reading (and magic) back to a whole new generation when she released these. They will always be popular, in the classroom as well as on my shelf at home. I loved reading these aloud each night as my boys and I snuggled in bed together. They were so keen to hear the next absorbing chapter (or three).
The Philosopher’s Stone 
The Chamber of Secrets
The Prisoner of Azkaban
The Goblet of Fire
The Order of the Phoenex
The Half-Blood Prince
The Deathly Hallows
Adult Books
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. It took a couple of years to read through this marvelous series. Gotta love a Highlander in a kilt! Add history and romance and you have an unputdownable series. When I finished the final book it was like saying goodbye to two well known friends. I missed Jamie and Claire Fraser. It took me sometime to feel I could enjoy another series as much.
Outlander 
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
An Echo in the Bone
Written in my Own Hearts Blood
Then I stumbled across a local Australian Author, Liane Moriarty. Her novels are contemporary mysteries set in the northern suburbs of Sydney. Since I grew up Sydney, I really enjoyed reading these as the scenes are very familiar. They depict everyday suburban life with a twist. My favourite was Big Little Lies, (I couldn’t predict the ending it was a real wow moment for me!) I wrote a review on it, if you are interested the link is here –
By the way it is now being shown as a mini series on Foxtel. My only disappointment is they made it in California not Sydney, however having seen the first episode, I’d say, so far, so good.
Liane has also written children’s books however they are still on my “to read” list.
The Last Anniversary 
What Alice Forgot
The Hypnotist’s Love Story
The Husband’s Secret
Three Wishes
Big Little Lies
Truely Madly Guilty
Before I go, one last recommendation, if you like a story with environmental issues along with adventure and romance in a unique Australian setting Annie Seaton has it all in her recent series with –
Kakadu Sunset 
Daintree
My review for Kakadu Sunset is here –
Some books mentioned are missing from my photos, I have leant them to friends and family.
I could of course, mention many others, but then we would be here for a very long time. I enjoy reading many genres including autobiographies.
Anh Do’s “The Happiest Refugee” was particularly moving, insightful and funny. He takes you on a memorable journey from war torn Vietnam, escaping in a leaking boat to be raised in the Western suburbs of Sydney and finally becoming a successful comedian. I have now just started “Mao’s Last Dancer” by Li Cunxin. It is a memoir I have wanted to read for a long time. My husband and I saw one of his productions of The Nutcracker over Christmas by the Queensland Ballet Company. Li was sitting only a few seats in front of us. The ballet was superb! I was even more determined then to read his life story.
What are you reading at the moment? What would be on your all time favourite list of suggestions? I am always looking for more books to read and welcome any ideas.
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