Cirrus@Austlit

'Suffering with chronic asthma during the first few months of life, and growing up in one of only two Lebanese families in a tough suburb of Sydney, Billy Dib was a fighter from the day he was born. Afraid to go to school because of the constant bullying, with the strength of his faith, he learned to fight with resilience and humility. His destiny was paved from the moment he walked into the boxing gym at Sutherland PCYC.

'Two-time world champion boxer, Billy Dib, relates his journey from triumph and victory to the depths of despair, from jubilation to heartbreak, in this candid and vulnerable account of the highs and lows of his life. In this book, Billy shares with you the elation of becoming a world champion, his stories of international rock stars, friendships with some of the most iconic boxers in the world and his pure bliss on the birth of his son. But his emotional journey takes you deeper, through his sorrow at the passing of his first wife to cancer, and the ‘hardest fight of his life’ – surviving cancer himself.

'There were many days he could have given up, but his surrender to his faith and the ultimate need and longing to be the best father to his son kept the fight, and himself, alive!

'Join Billy on his emotional roller-coaster of life in the autobiography you won’t be able to put down!' (Publication summary)

'Loxley goes through the day feeling ALL the BIG feelings that bubble up inside him, making him cranky and grumbly in his little tummy.

'Sometimes Loxley is sad, angry, frustrated, embarrassed, and even overwhelmed.

'But his Mum and Dad have some helpful tricks up their sleeves to help Loxley’s grumbly tummy disappear.

'This sweet and funny story shows how our LITTLE people are just trying to be BIG people, butthey are still learning how to express how they feel in a grown up way.

'Learn how to pause and be calm with your little loves, with a special set of hidden affirmation cards inside.

'Let them feel empowered and embrace each of their BIG feelings.' (Publication summary)

'Alaska has a superpower; she uses magical words to help her through the day. When Alaska is confronted with difficult obstacles or overwhelmed with big emotions, she recites her magical words and they encourage self-love and positivity. She wants to teach YOU her superpower too. Encourage your child to feel positive, capable, independent and loved EVERY DAY. Inspire their growing minds with powerful affirmations as part of their daily routine. Let your creative little sponge soak up all the positivity and watch them flourish.' (Publication summary)

'Navigating conflict is hard, it often takes up too much time and money, it reduces innovation and productively and impacts relationships and reputations. So, we avoid it.

'In late 2019, COVID emerged, bringing with it a whole new set of problems, conflicts and confusion that we all had to deal with. For leaders across disciplines, it required a different sort of response; they have had to develop the capacity to rise above the crisis and provide safe ways forward. Conflict didn't go away, it changed, and in many instances, grew, with differences dividing workplaces, communities and families.

'In 2020, a small group of mediators gathered on Zoom to share stories as they struggled to adapt, adjust and survive whilst supporting people through conflict. Over a glass of gin, laughter and sometimes tears, we learnt a lot, and I wanted to find a way to share our insights with others.

'This collection brings together professionals across disciplines who are experts in dealing with conflict, confusion and change. From mediators, lawyers, HR, marketing and executives - they are sharing their insights to help you better manage the complexities of negotiation, conflict and problem-solving.

'We hope these real-life stories of gritty leadership and hard conversations, spiced with touch of humour, will make it easier to talk about conflict. We want to help you navigate this space with clarity, confidence and some fun. So, pour yourself a gin and be prepared to discover that hard conversations don't have to result in a fight. With a little preparation, some key skills and a growth mindset, peace is possible.' (Publication summary)

'Fly out day is never fun! Luckily for these kids, they have discovered some fun adventures to go on whilst their parent is away working FIFO jobs. According to the author, Azelia Walter (6), the real adventures begin when you are missing someone special. AGES: 3 plus' (Publication summary)

'Your horror becomes so much a part of you that it doesn't seem like horror anymore. Believing she had found the love of her life, the man who would be the father of her child, Lucy took off to share what she imagined would be the ideal existence on his farm. The once-independent, vivacious young woman was to discover the man she thought she knew, was in fact a total stranger, someone she had no idea existed in the person she first met. Trapped on an isolated property in an abusive and controlling relationship, living in denial and cover-up, she somehow finds the woman who was always within her, the resourceful survivor she had lost sight of.' (Publication summary) 

'What's it really like to live a FIFO lifestyle? How does it feel to leave your partner for weeks at a time and miss out on all the family birthdays and activities? Is all that money really worth it? And how does the partner at home honestly feel, waiting for the next phone call or airport run? What strategies do people use to cope? And, are they sustainable strategies?

'This collection of twenty-two real-life stories will give you an inside look at the good, the bad, and the really ugly side of FIFO life. Each story was carefully selected to expose everything, and we mean everything, that affects FIFO families today. We want to spark some honest conversations, as well as bring support, guidance and real-life experience to current, past and future wives, girlfriends, sisters, daughters, and mothers-in-law, and to those doing it tough, so they know they are not alone, and that there is support available.

'When we put out the call for real-life FIFO stories, we had over 300 expressions of interest and throughout all the stories there was a common theme; that FIFO is absolutely not for everyone, but it can be rewarding if you can get the balance right!

'From tears of joy on fly-in day, to on-site affairs, substance abuse and everything in between, these stories will inspire, support and encourage open communication.' (Publication summary)

'Love, Bruises & Bullsh!t is a touching compilation of true stories of survival. Over twenty women pour their hearts onto paper to share their experience with family and domestic violence. Some stories are shared from the survivors' perspectives, some from the children who grew up in homes filled with violence and even those who have lost family members at the hands of their partners.

'These riveting encounters will inspire, support and encourage women around the world to speak up and save lives. Our mission is to make a difference and lead the way for a positive change to occur. We hope to raise the vibration for future generations and educate women to identify what a healthy loving relationship is.

'Domestic violence shouldn't be a taboo topic. We need to strip shame away from it and have those heavy conversations to make a difference.

'While the topic is difficult and the content is distressing, it is both morally necessary and time appropriate.' (Publication summary)

'A mother wakes to a nightmare and is thrust into a race to save three lives.

'Rose thought she had it all, then she discovered her husband's hidden life. The revelation crushed Rose, and the breakup shattered her family. Battling through heartbreak and betrayal, she thought the worst was behind her, but nothing could prepare Rose for what came next.

'In this raw and confronting story, we follow three years in Rose's life. With a rare honesty, she reveals the painful emotions of a mother watching helplessly as her daughter battles a tormenting secret. It will push her to the edge, but just as the nightmare promises to end, Rose's family is haunted by a new and more ominous threat. Will the intense pressure tear her apart, or can she find the strength to face her demons and save the ones she loves?

'Carbon Under Pressure is based on real events. Rose's story is shocking, riveting and unforgettable, and what happened to her could happen to anyone.

'Carbon Under Pressure is the first book brought to life by Meg Heart for an author who would otherwise remain silent.

''Rose' cannot speak out under her real name due to laws that forbid the public disclosure of certain information in her story. She faced three choices: stay silent; tell a lesser story; or share the raw and real events from her life in a new way.

'We are proud to bring 'Rose's' story to life.' (Publication summary)

'She really should know better…

'Lucy’s life was fun and uncomplicated. Nights were spent partying with best friend Em, doing what twenty-somethings do: dancing, drinking and ditching any men who wanted more than just a one-night stand.

'All Joe Morris wanted was for Lucy to be his devoted wife. Now two years have passed since Joe’s death and Lucy wakes at sunrise reliving the events of that fateful night harbouring a guilty secret she knows will cause her house of cards to tumble.

'When Em suggests a holiday to the clubbing island of Ibiza, Lucy jumps at the chance to escape her woes and reignite a lifestyle she’d long since left behind. Ibiza doesn’t disappoint and Lucy wants more, but is it all just a smokescreen? Lucy’s past won’t stay buried for long and she knows what she should do but at what cost?

'Can she figure it out before it’s too late, or will Lucy always be the sunrise girl?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Let's Go Home, Finding There While Staying Here is a timeless tale of love and loss,
truth, growth and spirituality that speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost.

'How do we find there while staying here - especially when darkness shrouds our
path?

'This is the central question of Let's Go Home, Bernadette O'Connor's debut novel.
It is the story of Halia, a beautiful free-spirited soul, and her quest to find there,
the elusive weird and wonderful world of her childhood and of snowy mountain
escapes.

'As she runs from her pain, Halia creates a façade to find acceptance in a world
where she feels lost, alone and misunderstood. She makes friends with Snow,
who promises to take her home, only to slowly steal her soul. To the outside world
Halia has it all, but she sees through the façade she has carefully constructed.
Knowing it can never be enough, she sticks a needle in her arm, desperately
seeking there, unable to find it here.

'On her journey back, her father, who abandoned her as a child, teaches her to
stop running and face her pain, and an enchanting wise woman, Tabitha enters
her life and guides her through her darkness and the hidden stories within her
soul. In voyaging beyond her comfort to reclaim herself and find her way home,
Halia discovers that there is a thin veil between joy and heartbreak, light and dark,
here and there - will she lift the veil and embrace what lies beyond?'  (Publication summary)