Book Readings

Let us read to you

Morning Book Reading

Bruny, by Heather Rose

Reader: Lyn Muir, 7RPH
Commenced: Wednesday, 12 April 2023

How far would your government go? In this political thriller set on Bruny Island in Tasmania, Heather Rose imagines a future scenario not a million miles away from the recent past.

A right-wing US president has withdrawn America from the Middle East and the UN. The terrorist group Da’esh has a thoroughfare to the sea and China is Australia’s newest ally. When a bomb goes off in remote Tasmania, Astrid Coleman agrees to return home to help her brother before an upcoming election. But this is no simple task. Her brother and sister are on either side of politics, the community is full of conspiracy theories, and her father is quoting Shakespeare. Only on Bruny does the world seem sane. That is, until Astrid discovers how far the government is willing to go.

Bruny tells a dramatic story about family, love, loyalty and the new world order, and creates a believable female character in narrator Astrid.

Afternoon Book Reading

Treasure and Dirt, by Chris Hammer

Reader: Sue Farrelly, Radio 1RPH
Commenced: Monday, 6 March 2023

In the desolate outback town of Finnigans Gap, police struggle to maintain law and order. Thieves pillage opal mines, religious fanatics recruit vulnerable young people and billionaires do as they please.

Then an opal miner is found crucified and left to rot down his mine. Nothing about the miner’s death is straightforward, not even who found the body. Sydney homicide detective Ivan Lucic is sent to investigate, assisted by inexperienced young investigator Nell Buchanan. But Finnigans Gap has already ended one police career and damaged others, and soon both officers face damning allegations and internal investigations. Have Ivan and Nell been set up and, if so, by whom?

As time runs out, their only chance at redemption is to find the killer. But the more secrets they uncover, the more harrowing the mystery becomes, as events from years ago take on a startling new significance. For in Finnigans Gap, opals, bodies and secrets don’t stay buried for ever.

Chris Hammer was a journalist for more than thirty years, dividing his career between covering Australian federal politics and international affairs. In Canberra, where he still lives, he worked as chief political correspondent for The Bulletin, current affairs correspondent for SBS TV and a senior political journalist for The Age. His first book, The River, published in 2010 to critical acclaim, was the recipient of the ACT Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Walkley Book Award and the Manning Clark House National Cultural Award.

Children / Young Adult Book Reading

Finn Family Moomintroll, by Tove Jansson

Reader: Michael Bushby, Radio 4RPH
Commenced: Monday, 13 February 2023

A reading of the much-loved children’s story, first published in 1945. Cheerful Moomintroll lives in the magical Moominvalley with his mother, Moominmamma, his father, Moominpappa and all of their friends. One spring he wakes up to find a big hat – a magical Hobgoblin hat, no less, that mysteriously transforms anyone – or anything – that falls into it . . .

Tove Jansson was born in Finland in 1914 and lived in Sweden for much of her life. She began her career as a cartoonist and went on to write and illustrate many books for adults and children. She received many prestigious awards during her lifetime, including the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal. She died in 2001, aged 87.