anniemuffybone
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“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
Starkly definitive words that one may readily associate with World War Two are often ‘defiance’, ‘stoicism’ and ‘courage’. Words not always used in reference to this time are ‘beauty’, ‘friendship’, ‘love’ and ‘kindness’. All of these timeless, and timely, nouns… Continue reading
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“Finding Grace” by Larry Randolph and Jennifer Marshall Bleakley
One of the undeniably beautiful and endlessly mysterious facts of this life is the strong bond we share with our dogs. We humans, as a species, began to domesticate dogs thousands of years ago. Now they are a non-negotiable (for… Continue reading
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Farewell to a Special Friend
Just before Christmas 2025, I lost a dear friend. A friend who greatly embodied the infinitely noble virtues of kindness, love, compassion and loyalty. A friend who always brightened my day and who lived each day to the full. And… Continue reading
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“Your Friend and Mine” by Jessica Dettmann
One of the most assured blessings of this life is a best friend. A person who always has your back, wants the very best for you and is with you throughout the many vagaries that this life throws at you.… Continue reading
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“Last One Out” by Jane Harper
Australian country towns are often veritable paradoxes of varying shades. On the one hand, they are (to those looking in from outside) frequently carefree and even whimsical utopias where everyone knows each other and everyone knows everyone’s secrets (or do… Continue reading
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“Mad Mabel” by Sally Hepworth
The marginalised and oppressed in our society frequently ‘fall through the cracks’ and are frequently judged harshly (and unjustly), even invariably pitied. Often they are simply forgotten. Or we try to forget them. If any of this unenvied cohort are… Continue reading
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“Nesting” by Roisin O’Donnell
There are two dark, dank and soul-destroying ‘clubs’ in this world that nobody wants to be a member of. These unenviable cohorts are those living the experience of domestic violence (aka victims/survivors) and those enduring homelessness. Individually these harsh and… Continue reading
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“My Name is Emilia Del Valle” by Isabel Allende
The diminutive, in terms of land mass (756, 102 km squared) and population (some 17.5 million), yet robust and loud in terms of culture and intense and earnest emotion, the country of Chile is an often forgotten utopia, as far… Continue reading
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“See How They Fall” by Rachel Paris
The eternally wise and classy English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616), had vehemently deep insight into the human psyche and condition. Of the immoral, yet cunning, use of money and power held by some of those in… Continue reading
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“The Unquiet Grave” Dervla McTiernan
Who doesn’t enjoy a good story (told via either book or film) that is set in the verdant and meandering environs of Ireland? A land of hearty warmth (in terms of emotion) and cold climes, where history abounds and people… Continue reading
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