Best books to read this week: God’s Teeth and Other Phenomena; Formula One Down Under; The Only Suspect
Infertility, true love and Formula One feature on our recommended reading list.
Irish genius, infertility, true love and Iceland all feature in our list of books to read this week.
God’s Teeth and Other Phenomena
Superb. This is absolutely superb. It’s the story of Jack Proctor, a “celebrated older writer” who is also a curmudgeon – because of course he is! – heading grumpily to a residency, where he is due to teach, and give lectures. He finds a world he doesn’t recognise; has everyone gone mad? The publisher says it’s a “brilliant satire of contemporary literary culture”, but there’s also fun to be had as Proctor tours pubs and theatres and parties, where he’s billed as the “Banker Prize Winning Author”. Kelman is perhaps most famous for winning the Booker Prize for How Late It Was, How Late, which apparently had 4000 swear words in it, which gave some people conniptions.
Formula One Down Under: Australian Grand Prix History
Almost half a million people attended the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in 2022; crowd numbers were up again this year. This book, Formula One Down Under, covers the Australian history of the event, features the superstars of F1 including current heroes Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, former greats Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, and Australians Daniel Ricciardo, Mark Webber and Alan Jones. It’s for people who love the sport: there are 400 colour photos of the Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren and Williams teams.
The Only Suspect
Louise Candlish is the bestselling author of 15 novels, including The Other Passenger and The Heights. In The Only Suspect, she explores the familiar territory: domestic noir and the darker side of human relationships, in very ordinary, middle-class settings. This time it’s Silver Vale, where the big news is that the local council has finally given the go-ahead for a nature trail. Beth was on the committee and has no idea why her husband Alex might be terrified by this turn of events. This adds to the tension, which Candlish dials up as the story progresses, making this a perfectly executed thriller that will enthral both fans and new readers alike.
Fed to Red Birds
Rijn Collins’s captivating debut leads us to ponder our histories and genealogies, and how we hold on to the past through our obsessions and compulsions. Elva, obsessed with Icelandic fairytales, comes to Iceland to escape her present, and discover her past. Her grandfather, a children’s author, lives there. The novel is a tender ode to the wonder in the macabre, and an evocative portrait of an enchanted mind in an enchanting place. While the story leans into dark themes, there is a warmth in Collins’s meticulous prose and in the sincere relationships that Elva forms with her Icelandic friends, colleagues and classmates.
A Country of Eternal Light
Paul Dalgarno’s absorbing debut, Poly, offered readers an authentic take on love, sex and 21st-century masculinity. Dalgarno could easily have produced a few more books in the same vein, but instead, proving his versatility as a writer, he’s delivered the inventive and moving A Country of Eternal Light. The story follows Margaret Bryce, who has been struggling a bit since she died in 2014. Yes, since she died. She now has no body, no head and no heart, and spends her time with her children and ex. She also travels across time, from 1959 to 2021. Sound unusual? It is superb. Really worth your time.
Becoming Mrs Mulberry
Jackie French’s books have sold millions of copies and won more than 60 awards in Australia and internationally. Her latest novel for adults, Becoming Mrs Mulberry, has Agnes Glock enter a marriage of convenience with a man scarred by war. There is a colourful cast of characters across an inclusive spectrum, which is unusual for a historical. But this is the beauty of this tale; it’s delightfully quirky with richly depicted Australian settings, including some amusing wombat action – for what is a Jackie French book without her beloved wombats? You’ll also find some dingoes in this quintessentially Australian story.
Inconceivable
Alexandra Collier is a playwright whose award-winning plays have been produced off-Broadway. Inconceivable is her memoir, and it explores the path she took to motherhood. Collier grew up in Australia, but after travelling the world and experiencing the ups and downs of modern dating, she eventually decided to embark on motherhood solo, conceiving using donor sperm. But Inconceivable is more than just a memoir about pregnancy and motherhood. Particularly moving is how she describes her parents accepting and supporting her decision. Inspiring, challenging, and often very funny, Inconceivable is an important read about one woman’s choice to become a parent.
Duck à l’Orange for Breakfast
Karina May is a journalist and digital marketer who is making a name for herself with travel-themed romantic comedies. Her digital debut Under the Influence was published late last year, and she’s followed it up with the absolutely charming Duck à l’Orange for Breakfast. Maxine “Max” Mayberry is an ad executive who dreams about writing. She’s been nursing a broken heart after her boyfriend Max cheats on her. The perfect distraction is a Tinder flirtation with Johnny, and a “Fork Him” project using her ex’s family cookbook. Yes, it’s a love story but it’s also witty, and wise, and brilliantly written. Bravo, Karina.
Which empire introduced coffee to Europe?
What fish is used in Worcestershire sauce? Which two film sequels have starred Robert Carlyle? Test yourself.
Mahabharata’s tales as old as time at Perth Festival
A single theatrical show attempts to give voice to a sprawling ancient Hindu text about what it means to be human.