Picking Cotton by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo

When Jennifer is raped when sleeping in her college room, she is shattered, but she insists on cooperating with the police to put her rapist in jail. She is able to get a good description and identifies him in a line-up. but did “pick” the right man (his name was Ronald Cotton.

The rest of the book gives information about the decades that pass and how the invention of a new forensic test helps find the answer. There are alternating chapters from Jennifer and Ronald. You really understand what Jennifer went through, but you also understand Ronald’s point of view. The book changed these two people and it will really make you think as well.

Bad Monkeys by Mat Ruff

The New York Times calls it “A science fiction Catcher in the Rye” and it certainly has elements of a rebellious teenager and a bond (though not as close here) with a younger sibling. Otherwise, it is pretty weird, though certainly entertaining. Bad Monkeys are evil doers, crooks – and Jane Charlotte spends quite a bit of her life in a strange organisation which tries to defeat these people. The novel is basically an interview between Jane and a psychiatrist who is questioning her after she was arrested for murder. You will laugh, be confused, wonder what is happening – lots of actions and twists. For mature readers only.

When you are engulfed in flames by David Sedaris

These are a collection of essays written by the American journalist David Sedaris. The title comes from the last essay that tells us about the time he decided to stop smoking by going to live in Tokyo for three months! Anyone who has followed the way that smokers have been affected by new laws against smoking.

Other essays range from a few pages to longer ones – with a great deal of humour and wit. He writes about his family, his home, his youth and much more about events in his life. I particularly liked the one called “The Understudy ” – the babysitter from hell who lives with them for a week while their parents are on holidays. You wouldn’t want this woman to babysit you or anyone in your family.

Dewey the Library Cat – YouTube Video

The book is so good – not just for librarians but people who love cats and know just how much they can be helpful for people. Dewey lived for 17 years in this library and people from all around the world came to visit him. True story!!

Riding the black cockatoo by John Danalis

Riding the Black Cockatoo

Sometimes sick days can be rewarding – it meant I could lie in bed and just read the whole of this well-written and totally engrossing book. John’s story follows him on his journey as he goes from a family man learning to become  a teacher, to a sincere supporter of reconciliation.

John makes a casual comment one day (in a class about Indigenous Writing)  about how his family had an Aboriginal skull on their mantelpiece for over 40 years. This is the start of his amazing journey to the return this skull to its rightful resting place. Along the way, he goes through attitudinal and mental changes.  I do wonder what his wife and kids thought of all the goings-on, but I suppose it was his story rather than theirs.

His recall of attitudes towards Aboriginal People in Australia over the last four decades reminded me of how far many of us have come (not far enough and not enough of us, however).