Book Review Articles

Summary:  The early days of Barack’s life, including how he got into politics.  Ends with his marriage to Michelle, but no details about their relationship.

Thoughts:  Beautifully written, insightful, powerful, thought-provoking.   I didn’t understand much of the American racial issues, but that didn’t matter.  Barack’s writing is just gorgeous.  What a clever, intelligent, good man.  Someone I respect, admire, look up to, and there’s not many people in today’s world who I can say that about.  I was eager to read about how he met Michelle and their flourishing relationship, but there was none of that!  Very disappointed in this small lack of content, but I loved the book despite this major omission.

Summary:  Several inter-twining stories, including Sarah and her daughter Marni who are living on the breadline until an unexpected lottery win catapults them into financial freedom; the Detective who is investigating a series of abductions; and a smarmy barrister.  All who end up coming together in a fairly unlikely scenario.  All loose ends are neatly tied together with a ‘happy-ever-after’ ending.

Thoughts:  I’ve read all of Joy Dettman’s books.  Her first few were amazing – detailed, insightful, unexpected.  Jacaranda Blue remains one of my favourites.  But her Woody Creek series was too much.  If she’d stopped after the first two or three, then fine.  But to continue on a long-winded, rambling, completely unbelievable and ridiculous story…   She lost me after that, so I read this with some trepidation.  A light, fluffy, easy read.  Don’t expect to be kept awake with deep thoughts afterwards.

Summary:  Autobiography which takes up Deborah’s story after she flees Kabul.  She is traumatised and lost after her recent experiences, and describes her road to recovery, which culminates in her buying a house in Mexico and setting up a beauty salon which sponsors young Mexican girls to go to hairdressing college.

Thoughts:  Interesting, adventurous, slightly self-indulgent, skipped over some potentially good bits, which resulted in a bit of missing story line.  But fine for a light, easy read.  Her willingness to help disadvantaged women in poorer countries is admirable.