18 Comments
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Peta trendall's avatar

I can highly recommend a book by a Vietnamese Australian author Tracey Lien. Her book is "All that's left unsaid". I couldn't put this book down.

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Alicia's avatar

This is the only other post I've seen here about Mongrel, and I'm so glad you love it too.

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Meagan's avatar

I'm so glad you've done a review of Nesting. I grew up in domestic violence and really struggle reading this sort of material so I just couldn't bring myself to read it. I'm glad to hear the resilience of the main character comes through. I'll purchase it and read it when I'm feeling brave enough.

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

I think you sound plenty brave; and you're right to protect yourself. There's no hurry to read it, or any book, for that matter - the beauty of books is that they can wait there, patiently, for when we're ready to read them.

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Amy's avatar

The Afterpains by Anna J Stainsby was another quiet release about motherhood/grief/displacement. Couldn’t recommend it more!

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

Oh thank you for this reminder, I will dig it out from my proof pile 😊

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Nicolle Sloane's avatar

Welp! I just pre-ordered Nesting. Your write-up about it was soo good, I could not resist. And I am rarely one to purchase a book based on one write-up. I cannot wait for it!

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

Oh that’s lovely to know — enjoy!

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Ophelia's avatar

It is very good, hope you think so too.

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Tate Tullier's avatar

Got The Book Of George on my shelf waiting to be read from your recommendation! I just submitted Mongrel to my library to stock - let's see if they approve it! Added Nesting to my library list!

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

Love you submitting to the library — a great plan!

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Anu's avatar

That’s so funny that you mentioned All Fours in your review and compared We Were the Universe to it, because before I got to that part of your review I was thinking - wow, seems similarly intense and all-consuming like All Fours (which I loved) and immediately added to my to-read list for that reason. Hoping I love this one too!

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

Would love to know what you think, readers being such different energy to the material, it might be that you don’t see the synergy at all and it was my projection… It’s so different in so many ways (the financial and creative privilege, age and lack of trauma of AF vs WWTU) but I felt like there was a real shared energy. They both pulse!

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

Such a beautiful reflection on all three books. All of them sound incredible and I love your comparison between All Fours and We Were The Universe. It always is so interesting to look at which books reach commercial success and which don't. There are so many incredible, undiscovered books out there! Thank you for sharing some of the lesser known titles, Pandora!

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Sarah's avatar

Have immediately added all of these books to my “to read pile”.

All of them sound like interesting characters I’d like to know better, I’m far more interested in the complex world of mothers since became one (funny that)

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Laionie's avatar

Ohh I have Nesting, your review has convinced me to pick it up as my next read! I adored Mongrel so much, one of my favourite debut reads from last year! We Were The Universe has now been added to my list, it sounds brilliant!

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Martha's avatar

I love the sound of Nesting - thanks for sharing! I have been waiting for Mongrel to come out in paperback (for what feels like an eternity, but I think it now is?) and I really enjoyed the way you spoke about it.

I love nothing more when the books you have been reading manage to come together with an accidental theme!

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Ochuko Akpovbovbo's avatar

obsessed with these roundups always. I just ordered mongrel and can't wait to read. also that interview of Hanako Footman you linked was so good.

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