Cirrus@Austlit

'The story of two women living very different, heroic lives in two very different Australias.

'Jess, circus-raised, is a stunt-rider who can outride any man. In the early days of film she finds her calling, playing wild outlaw women who answer to no one. However, when her Chinese circus-owner husband is killed she is left pregnant and vulnerable and, after suffering the cruellest betrayal of all, she finds herself closer to the outlaw's life than she had ever imagined.

'Rose goes to Australia from England in the 1950s, in search of a new life. But neither the new country nor motherhood is what she had expected and, very quickly, she finds herself estranged from those she loves, incarcerated and terrified. Yet Rose is strong, and she will manage not only to save herself, but also to shed new light on Jess's story in a moving and deeply satisfying way.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Life in a seaside suburb on Sydney Harbour appears idyllic from the outside, but cracks are appearing in the lives of five well-heeled, mismatched friends. Brought together by compassionate Kristen in her quest to help refugees, they share a passion for poker. Every month, they gather in each other's houses to gamble on cards and each other.

'Affairs, fraud, betrayal and greed....their 'first world' problems are suddenly challenged when their lives collide with an embattled Afghani family trying to make it in a hard-arse Australia.

'Smart, taut and sexy, the action in "Poker Protocol" unfolds over one year, putting the life of contemporary middle Australia under a microscope with humour and suspense.

'Using journalistic skills honed over decades, Anne Maria Nicholson tells the story through the cleverly interwoven perspectives of five men and women craving love and friendship while coming to grips with a moral crisis.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'I'm no author. I don't know how to structure my "story" in a conventional way, though I am now inclined to tell it. If you possess sufficient patience and a willingness to forgive my amateurish storytelling, I'll explain to you how I came to be in a small Paris apartment on my eighteenth birthday, with only my faithful black cat and a bottle of Domaine Leroy Richeborg 2000 for company. My mother insists that I record my feelings and experiences from the past five years. I have been told that the exercise may be therapeutic.

'When Eskar and his mother travel from Australia to France for his father's funeral, no one suspects that the four-day stay would turn into months, then years. Eskar is perplexed by the circumstances surrounding his father's untimely death - circumstances that fuel his suspicions that his father was a spy, or worse, an assassin. Then, there is the discovery that his father purchased a family plot at the Pere Lachaise and was to be buried there, not to mention the large gathering the funeral attracted - eighty or so mourners, most of whom Eskar does not know. Who are they? And who is the stately old Madame Marbot, who turned her chilling glare upon Eskar? Then there is Brie, the far-from ordinary kitten whom his friends believe embodies the spirit of Eskar's father. All the while, Eskar can't help but maintain an excruciating conduct in denying and suppressing his deep love for his dear, eccentric friend, Sophie. 

'Filled with rich descriptions of Paris and Vaucluse, the French culture, and the divine food, wine, and bistros, Eskar's account is stylistically complex and hauntingly beautiful in the way bittersweet youth memories are. Follow him as he delves into his father's past and unravels the mystery of his life and death. 

'Filled with unpredictable turns, witty humor, and a dash of magical realism, The Memories of Eskar Wilde is the perfect modern escape for anyone who has enjoyed the works of classic authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Irving, Jane Austen, and Gabriel Garcia-Marquez.' (Publication summary)

'In 1786 Elizabeth Fitzgerald, a 26 year old woman, became involved in England's brutal justice system and found herself exiled from her homeland to Botany Bay in the antipodes where she had to endure brutality, near starvation, love and a shipwreck off Norfolk Island with her friend Jane Fitzgerald. She bore twin girls to a marine William Mitchell while on the island and began her own family in this strange new land, as she never expected to ever see her family members, or friends, ever again.

'On her return to Sydney she began a new life with another soldier, Thomas Wright, with whom she had another child but was imprisoned again for selling her children's rations to purchase rum where she met a strange cockney woman named Margaret, who was in charge of the prison and who changed her life.

'William Mitchell, who returned to England carried out an investigation into who Margaret really was as she had now died, and in doing so came up against Irish rebels who threatened his life but finally gave him a sealed letter as to her true identity, that could not be opened by anyone other than one of the two Fitzgerald women.' (Publication summary)

'Silver Linings is a smorgasbord of rich and varied offerings. The choices include poetry, essay, memoir and fiction. Texture and taste is enhanced by the literary influences of the authors places of origin including Rumania, Malaysia, Vietnam, Scotland, Russia, New Zealand and, of course, Australia. Each nibble will leave you hungry for more. So settle down with a cuppa, or something stronger, and enjoy the meal!' (Publication summary)

'Memories and Places in Time is a collection of poetic stories and recollections which celebrate images of the author's travels to various overseas destinations since 1977, visiting, in turn, Italy, the Greek Islands, Morocco, India, Africa, Vietnam and Cambodia. Ranging from Italy's romantic Florence and the stunning Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and Northern Italian Lakes to the iconic Greek Islands of Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Rhodes and Crete; experiencing the spectacle of Marrakesh and the beautiful oases, souqs, river gorges and mountains of Morocco; visiting the teeming alleyways of India's Old Delhi and the majesty and colour of Rajasthan; recalling game safaris in Africa's Maasai Mara, Samburu and Ngorongoro Crater and a visit to the Spice Island of Zanzibar; then finally a South East Asian journey to Vietnam's Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta and on to Cambodia's famous temple ruins and Tonle Sap Lake, these poetic stories, together with the many beautiful accompanying photographs, transport the reader to exotic and memorable places and share with the reader the author's cherished travel recollections and experiences.' (Publication summary)

'A story of triumph over tragedy that will inspire you to move from blame to accountability. From victim to victorious.

Australian born psychic medium and counsellor Ros McMaster's memoir came about after a series of tragic life events forced her to question the relationships around her - none more so than the relationship she had with herself. At the age of 54, her 30-year marriage to Andrew ends, leaving her to deal with years of suppressed anger. One year later, she is diagnosed with a rare form of stage four bowel cancer. The very next year, her karmic journey with Andrew comes to a head after he too is diagnosed with cancer and passes away - 5 weeks after his diagnosis. With her background in psychology, she becomes both counsellor and client in this deep psychoanalysis of her entire life. Exposing and understanding her shadows, and Andrews', which are rooted in a complex web of co-dependence, addictions, deep-seated fear of abandonment, and a complete lack of self-worth. Ros takes the reader with her as she begins healing the past and taking responsibility for the role she played in her years of unhappiness.

'While Andrew's personality, and the motives for his behaviour, are clearly revealed, the sensitive topic of his passing has been treated in a masterly fashion, added to by the loving impressions of his children in their moments of grief.

'Ros's writing appeals to both the emotions and psyche in a compelling and cohesive story taking the reader on a transformational journey to letting go of past conditioning, false beliefs, self-doubt, and fear, giving thought-provoking tips and tools for beginning your own journey to healing.' (Publication summary)

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'A jewel of a novel by New York Times bestseller Claire Messud.

'When the Armstrong family moves from New York at the dawn of the 1970s, Australia feels, to Alice Armstrong, like the end of the earth. Residing in a grand manor on the glittering Sydney Harbour, her family finds their life has turned upside down. As she navigates this strange new world, Alice must find a way to weave an existence from its shimmering mirage.

'Lies and self-deception are at the heart of this keenly observed story. This is a sharp, biting and playful tale with a cast of unscrupulous characters adrift in a dream life of their own making. Written with the characteristic delicacy of touch, humour and emotional insight that make Claire Messud one of our greatest writers.' (Publication summary)

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'Empire, war, and Spanish Influenza meet youthful naivete.

'Set in the political melting pot of Australia's early Federation, a nation and its youth must overcome personal and global adversity to build a life of integrity, justice and a fair go for all.

'Joseph Hill is a passionate idealist. He believes in socialism and peace. But life is complicated. Joe Hill is also in love with his best mate's girl, friends with the 'treacherous' Russian emigres and firebrand trade unionists, is a pacifist fighting the forced conscription of men to the army, the son of radical Socialists and, in spite of all, needs to keep believing that only the Revolution can heal the planet.

'As old world certainties crumble around him, Joe Hill must try to make sense of the maelstrom of social and personal change, insecurity and betrayals that the First World War and its aftermath brings.'  (Publication summary)

'Like the old 'Bed-time books' Small Pleasures gives you variety selection of short fiction, non-fiction and poetry from by the members of Boroondara Writers. In genres ranging from personal essays to crime, and from humour to fantasy there is something for everyone to enjoy regardless of age, gender and reading preference. Dip in and find your favourite.'   (Publication summary)