August marks the final month of winter and though we might be feeling more sluggish and sleepy, there are still plenty of incredible books to be read!
Let our two charismatic book club hosts, Vic and Lee take you on an enchanting literature tour of this month’s must-read titles. From suspenseful and heart-pounding crime thrillers to toe-curling romance – you are guaranteed to find a story that will captivate you.
Keep reading to discover our August book club picks and make sure to visit QBD in-store or online to get your copy and compare reviews!
August Fiction Book of the Month, Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor
Finn and her best friend, Daphne, have grown up together in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Bonded by both having lost a younger sister. Now in their twenties, their lives have finally diverged, with Daphne studying at university and Finn working in the mountains and falling in love. Unused to sharing Finn, Daphne tries to regain the control she relishes over her best friend.
Then, one fateful day, Finn, Daphne, and Finn’s new partner, Magdu, all go mountain climbing – and Magdu falls to her death. Is it suicide, or a terrible accident – or has something more sinister happened?
Hayley’s incredible storytelling skills are displayed deftly in this riveting new release with razor-sharp prose, a rich Australian landscape, and earth-shattering secrets, ‘Girl Falling” will leave you out of breath in the best way.
Dirrayawadha by Anita Heiss
Miinaa remembers the day when the white ghosts first arrived and claimed her people’s land. Now, she works for a white family and resides in Cloverdale. The Nugents are kind, but Miinaa misses her family deeply. Her brother, Windradyne visits her when he can, bringing news of discord and simmering tension.
Daniel O’Dwyer, an Irish convict arrives at the settlement and Miinaa’s life is turned on its head. The two are magnetically connected, and Dan understands what it is like to be displaced. Can their love endure their differences and the bubbling unrest threatening to destroy everything around them?
Anita Heiss passionately retells significant Australian history in a new, compelling light that helps the readers connect to the characters and plot. “Dirrayawadha” is a remarkable and fascinating story, essential to your August reading list.
The Bonus by T L Swan
This sizzling story focuses on Grace Porter, who leads a seemingly perfect life, an excellent job with great pay, a nice office, and everything she ever dreamed of. However, there is one small thing. She is hopelessly in love with her boss. Gabriel Ferrara is tall, handsome, and dreamy, but when he opens his mouth, she is abruptly reminded of how sarcastic and domineering he can be. But Grace is tired of wasting her time, daydreaming of an alternate reality with Gabriel, she is ready to start living her own life.
Determined to find happiness she hands in her resignation. Gabriel is furious and will not accept it. Desperate to keep her, he offers her a bonus…One that has blindsided Grace. Now, it is her turn to be the boss.
“The Bonus” will keep you warm during these chilly winter nights. TL Swan expertly creates lovable and complex characters that you are desperately finger-crossing to see have a happily ever after. Add this blistering and hilarious book to your reading list today!
Outrider by Mark Wales
After a devastating global conflict, foreign forces still occupy parts of Australia and have eliminated all but a few resistant groups. In 2034, Jack Dunne reignites this bloody conflict. Dunne is an Outrider, an elite special operations soldier in the Resistance. As the enemy rallies their forces to quash what is left of the freedom fighters, he is tasked with his final mission.
If Dunne and his young son can accomplish the insurmountable task ahead of them, they will be granted a secure future across the border in Free Australia. But the road to freedom will be bloody…
“Outrider” is a wildly thrilling rollercoaster filled with on-the-edge-of-your-seat action, meteoric tension, and a father and son duo you will be rooting for until the bitter end.
So You Want to Know What’s Good for Your Kids? By Dr Norman Swan
Dr Swan has over thirty years of experience monitoring and reporting on the latest medical research. He has an unparalleled practice in providing honest, unbiased, and commonsense health knowledge. In this book, the questions that parents need to be answered are provided and the information to raise happy and healthy children is laid out in a welcoming and easy-to-understand format.
“So You Want to Know What’s Good for Your Kids?” is a one-stop handbook that debunks myths and misinformation with helpful and factual parenting research. It is a must-have for any parent to help raise healthy and joyful children in their most developmental adolescent years.
