“Lost Letters from Vienna evokes several different epochs: the grand life of wealthy Jewish families in Vienna before the First World War; the coming of the Nazis and the desperate efforts to find a way out; and life as refugee immigrants in Melbourne. Sue Course’s story parallels, in many ways, that of my own family; but by weaving it into candid accounts of her personal life and those of her relatives, she has written a lively and engaging book.”

“Sue Course’s book is a unique insight into the discrimination and suffering of generations of Jewish families in Europe in the first half of the 20th century. It is drawn from 86 years of letters between members of her family who fled the Nazis and sought refuge in four continents. As one of the last remaining members of the migrant Jewish families born in pre-war Vienna, Sue tells a refugee family’s story of love, heartbreak, death, amazing escapes, hard work, success, love and ultimately happiness and fulfilment.”

“When I read Rod Moss’s masterpiece The Hard Light of Day, I marvelled at the wonderful goodness and profound humanism of the man who wrote it. Ditto when I read One Thousand Cuts. Where could such a man come from, I wondered. Many readers who felt as I did will look eagerly for answers in Crossing the Great Divide. They won’t be surprised that Moss’ rich life confirms the ancient insight that wisdom comes only to people who were neither wise nor prudent when they were young. In his early and middle years, Moss’ ferocious hunger for experience – physical, intellectual, artistic and spiritual, in their many forms – was tempered by a sense of humanity as it existed in himself and others that went deep even then. The idiosyncratic, gritty but sensuous, realism of Moss’ paintings shows also in his prose, enlivening while disciplining its attention to the details of events, persons and places he describes. I know of no one like him.”

“Crossing the Great Divide is a monumental achievement. Epic in scope, it encompasses a life-journey recorded in luminous detail, driven by an unwavering intellectual curiosity, and graced by unsparing self-reflection and humanity. It is both a portrait of a young man as aspiring artist, working his way towards his calling, and the reflections of the mature artist, who has truly crossed the divide between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, and found a way to express his findings, and his vision, as a painter, craftsman, lateral thinker and writer.”

“A warm, honest and deeply personal account of the new parenthood rollercoaster, canvassing all the joys and unvarnished challenges it can bring. It is a testament to the power of individual stories in breaking down the stigma that persists, for some, around postnatal depression and mental illness.”

“Motherhood is hard. Read this book. It will help. And if you still need more help, please please ask. It’s out there. ”

“Megan Blandford has penned a raw and visceral account of living with depression, told with powerful honesty and beautifully crafted words that will linger long after you turn the final page.”

“Blood Sisters tackles the difficult material of sex-trafficking and exploitation of women with both a sensitivity and a forthrightness that is hugely admirable. Deep characterisation, shifting points of view and skilful plotting make Blood Sisters a deft and fast-paced crime novel that is a cut above.”

“De Costa has created a unique and engaging character in Cass Diamond. Tough, funny, and multi-layered, Cass has quickly become one of my favourite detectives in Australian crime fiction.”

“An engrossing complex tale weaving crimes of the past with those of the present. Whether it is in the lush surrounds of Cairns and the suburbs of Brisbane, Detective Cass Diamond never ceases to sparkle as she searches for the truth.“.

“Tjanara: a warrior whistleblower, a hero. You can only admire Tjanara when you read her story. A Long Way from No Go, it’s a must-read for all.“.

“Olfat Mahmoud has long been a passionate, compassionate and articulate voice for Palestinian refugees. Her account of the agony of dispossession and exile – not least the horror of the murderous assaults on the Sabra Shatila and Borj el-Barajneh camps in Lebanon in the 1980s which she so bravely lived through – is both scarifying and deeply moving. No one of any humanity could fail to be touched by this book.“.

“For too long, Palestinians have remained largely invisible in our media and demonised as terrorists. It’s therefore wonderfully refreshing to read the history, reflections and passions of Olfat Mahmoud and understand what exile still means for millions of Palestinians around the world, refused access to their former homeland. I commend this book for its humanity and quest for justice. The Middle East will not see peace until these issues are resolved.”

“Delightfully engrossing page-turner that provides a fascinating insight into Nagaland, its rich tapestry of legends, history and culture. Ben Doherty’s intimate understanding of the Naga people is evident in the flair and passion of his writing. A riveting and poignant read”.

“I have come across some extraordinary real life stories of inspiration, love, and tragedy with my travels in India as a journalist. But NAGALAND is exceptional. Ben’s skilful storytelling engages emotionally in the life of an amazing man, his defiance for the sake of love, and his devotion to place and to culture. In my opinion, it is a must read.”

“This book captures the gritty reality of the life of Brian ‘The Skull’ Murphy, almost the last of the ‘old school’ coppers. The legend of ‘The Skull’ lives on in this unique book.”

“There is a sage-like quality to Fein’s stories: a deep commitment to tradition, mingled with moral fury and a complex understanding of our world as it spins out of control.”

“Every Australian should read this book, so they can understand the horrors which cause people to flee…”

“I was swept away by [this book]. In fact it reminded me of what a book can be – how it can devastate you and console you simultaneously – and I loved the thread of philosophical questioning throughout. I couldn’t start another book afterwards, for days. I had to think, to let it all sink in.”

“It is incredible. It reminded me of Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, but altogether different. I have never read such a voice before. It is playful, poetic and deeply melancholy at the same time. Azar writes about the blunt force of Iranian history with the lightness of a feather’s touch. Transcendental, brilliant and beautiful.”

“A ripped from the headlines plot…meticulously researched…”