Dark Matter Zine

Star Trek: Section 31 (2025)

Nalini — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 22:31:00 +0000

Section 31 is a Star Trek spin off movie. It’s 95 minutes long although a standard episode length might have improved it. IMDB gave it 3.8. Hubby and I are cynical about ratings in the current environment, where movies and TV series are “review bombed” for featuring women and minorities. However, this rating is about […]

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Nautilus season 1

Nalini — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 21:41:13 +0000

Years ago hubby and I heard about the impending Nautilus tv series from Disney. Then Disney “cancelled” it in 2023 although it appeared finished. They sold it. AMC made it available this year on Stan. When the distributor offered a review screener, I jumped at it. Nautilus is based on Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the […]

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Mother Tongue by Naima Brown

Nalini — Fri, 16 May 2025 02:13:26 +0000

I love Naima Brown’s debut novel, The Shot. Mother Tongue is a stand alone story with similar themes: Brown questions the place of women in the world. This story reminds me of a book I borrowed from Tasmania’s state library in the 1990s, a collection or anthology of short stories that I think was called […]

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Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods

Nalini — Fri, 16 May 2025 01:33:54 +0000

Upon a Starlit Tide is a retelling and mashup of many different fairytales, woven together seamlessly to create a compelling overarching story. This is author Kell Wood’s second novel but both are stand alone stories. Her first, After the Forest, is adult in content although Upon a Starlit Tide is, I think, a fabulous read […]

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Raelke Grimmer on writing White Noise and autism

Nalini — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 23:59:12 +0000

Raelke Grimmer is a writer, analogue photographer and linguist living on Larrakia Country in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. She writes creative nonfiction, young adult fiction and poetry. Her debut young adult novel White Noise was published by UWA Publishing in September 2024. Raelke’s creative nonfiction has been published in Australian literary journals Griffith Review, Westerly, Kill Your Darlings and Meniscus, […]

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Writers organisations

Nalini — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 01:59:43 +0000

This list is for aspiring and emerging writers seeking to connect, find professional development opportunities, writing competitions and so forth. This specific list is of writing organisations. Coming soon: Writers Australia. As always, please comment to add to the list. Organisations, many with newsletters: Aniko Press ASA – Australian Society of Authors has a member only […]

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Writing: point of view

Nalini — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 01:08:26 +0000

This is a fledgling list of resources for aspiring and emerging writers to develop their skills regarding writing point of view (PoV). I welcome suggested additions; please comment below. Please note: I don’t guarantee the quality of each suggestion because I haven’t had time to read everything yet. I urge writers to read Some Kind […]

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Professional development for writers

Nalini — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:42:19 +0000

Here’s a list of articles available online for writers seeking to hone their craft. Feel free to comment. And please (!!!) comment with suggested additions. Over time I will edit this and separate this into lists like podcasts, story arcs (eg heroine’s journey), writing point of view, marketing your book to publishers/agents and so forth. […]

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When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker

Nalini — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 20:00:03 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Raeve has no past and a doubtful future. She lives secretively, protecting the one person she cares about while also trying to help the dispossessed. However, her thieving violent ways catch up with her. And then her forgotten past catches up too. When the Moon Hatched is an epic fantasy […]

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Seven Faceless Saints by M K Lobb

Nalini — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:39 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Captain Damian Venturi is too young to be head of security in the palace, headquarters of the religious order worshipping the seven faceless saints. But nepotism bought him his place. Now he might lose it all, because he was at the market while the head of one religious faction was […]

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Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt by Mark Mupotsa-Russell

Nalini — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 23:25:08 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes In recent years I discovered a love of vigilante fiction: fiction where anti-heroes mete out justice because social systems have failed. In this vein I adore The Change by Kirsten Miller and Seven Sisters by Katherine Kovacic. When I read the blurb for The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt, […]

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Protected: Writer’s resources

Nalini — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 22:55:34 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

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SpellShop by Sarah Beth Durst

Nalini — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 20:37:51 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The SpellShop is a cosy fantasy story where low stakes provide escapist comfort for readers struggling with the trauma of the real world. Kiela’s parents moved to the city when Kiela was a child because they wanted opportunities and variety their island home could not provide. They died, leaving Kiela […]

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White Noise by Raelke Grimmer (an ND novel)

Nalini — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 04:18:16 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Emma is 15 and in grade 10 in a Darwin (Australia) high school in this contemporary young adult novel. In the opening scene, she climbs in to bed with her father who just had a nightmare. This intimate moment emphasizes the healthy safe relationship between father and daughter in White […]

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Kara Chen is Asking for a Friend

Nalini — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 09:17:42 +0000

DMZ welcomes author Kara H L Chen. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Introducing author Kara H L Chen Kara H L […]

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Making the Harry Potter albums

Nalini — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:14:08 +0000

The iconic and amazing Bloggess asked how I made these Harry Potter albums. I figured others might also be interested so I’ve compiled notes. (These albums are a birthday gift and are in no way an endorsement for any human-rights-violating views of anyone associated with any franchise or company.) The first ever album I made […]

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The cost of Dark Matter Zine

Nalini — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 07:05:25 +0000

I’ve been running Dark Matter Zine for over 13 years now. There has been an enormous personal and financial cost associated with this endeavor. Let me explain. Financial cost Everyone who’s run a website understands at least some of the financial costs associated. The domain name and hosting are, generally, small ongoing costs. However, when […]

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Louisa Bennet on dog detectives and puppy farms

Nalini — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 02:24:05 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is author Louisa Bennet. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Introducing Louisa Bennet Louisa studied Literature at the University […]

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Andrew Undi Lee on Queer Korean Australian horror

Nalini — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 06:21:29 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is author Andrew Undi Lee. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Introducing Andrew Undi Lee A graduate of both […]

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John Harrison: from Romero to solo author

Nalini — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 00:29:05 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes horror creator and storyteller John Harrison. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders […]

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Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

Nalini — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 02:36:46 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Kel is an orphan living a happy-ish life in the orphanage until Legate Jolivet takes him to the palace to serve as bodyguard and body double for Prince Conor. Kel becomes the Sword Catcher. Now Kel is out of touch with himself. He doesn’t even know what he wants as […]

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Promise by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams

Nalini — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 01:51:34 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Bridget Hodder was a guest on DMZ’s International Women’s Day 2022 podcast, talking about her collaboration with award-winning Muslim author Fawzia Gilani-Williams. (Time zones and Fawzia being a busy woman meant she could not join us). Hodder talked about how our differences should excite us not divide us. Now Hodder […]

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Starling House by Alix E Harrow

Nalini — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 03:58:12 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes I adored the Ten Thousand Doors of January and the Once and Future Witches so I expected to love Starling House. Then I read the author’s note included prior to the story opening. I usually skip over these because I want to approach a book without forming prior opinions. But […]

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Kell Woods

Nalini — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 03:07:18 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is author Kell Woods. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Introducing Kell Woods Kell Woods is an Australian historical […]

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Copycat: another PAX Australia 2023 game

Nalini — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 02:09:01 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes Sam and Kostia from Spoonful of Wonder to talk about their PAX award-winning game Copycat. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of […]

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After the forest by Kell Woods

Nalini — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 06:10:08 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Hans and Greta survived the forest and the old witch who tried to fatten up Hans. After the forest, they became adults, living with and living down their past. Greta uses the witch’s grimoire to bake the best gingerbread that can tempt a body. Meanwhile, Hans drinks and gambles away […]

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A Dead and Stormy Night by Steffanie Holmes

Nalini — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 20:00:59 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Mina needs a job DESPERATELY. She was a successful student then an intern for a famous fashion designer, destined to secure the one paid job available to one of the interns. Then her eyes caused problems, she literally couldn’t see when she should have been able to. A trip to […]

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Bone Ranger by Louisa Bennet

Nalini — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 02:29:48 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Monty and Rose from Monty and Me return in this second instalment of the series, The Bone Ranger. Rose’s near death experience left her traumatized and on stress leave. Monty wants Rose to get better. He believes Rose’s best chance of recovery is to reclaim her confidence via success. So […]

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Steffanie Holmes is the blind leading the visually impaired

Nalini — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 01:47:36 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is author Steffanie Holmes. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Introducing Steffanie Steffanie Holmes is the USA Today bestselling and […]

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Comet Squid on their card game Alien Frenzy and PAX’s 10th anniversary

Nalini — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 20:00:11 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes Baden and Jye Stone from Comet Squid to talk about their award-winning card game Alien Frenzy. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians […]

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Monty and me by Louisa Bennet

Nalini — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 00:06:48 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Monty is a failed guide dog whose post-guiding-career master was murdered. Rose rescues Monty from the vet and gives him a home. Rose is, presumably, the “me” in Monty and Me. A constable in training in the Major Crimes unit in a small town, Rose is accustomed to being the […]

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Quokka Games on Yum Cha and Boba Master

Nalini — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 23:09:37 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes Jono from Quokka Games Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present […]

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A handsome and symmetrical mud-crab is Dungeon Master in Dungeon Experience

Nalini — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 06:01:13 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes game creator Jacob Janerka to talk about his PAX Showcase winning game, Dungeon Experience. This interview is in podcast and video formats so you can see the Trailer and the Very Handsome Mud Crab with No Traces Of Asbestos. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges […]

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Amanda Hampson: cosy murders during the swinging sixties

Nalini — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 06:02:52 +0000

Today’s guest is cosy murder author Amanda Hampson. Acknowledgement of Country (the short version) Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Introducing Amanda […]

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Never A Hero by Vanessa Len

Nalini — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 07:37:38 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warning: torture and other forms of violence Joan stalks Nick because she’s in love with him from a previous time in a different timeline that only she can remember. Strangers try to kidnap her, Nick is caught up, then they flee together. But Joan is a monster and a […]

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The Sun and The Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz

Nalini — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 07:18:30 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Sun and the Void are symbols representing the gods of the native nonhuman species and races in this fantasy world that strongly evokes South America. Reina is Nozarel so was rejected by her father’s race, the humans. She flees a harsh life where she is ostracized. Reina runs towards […]

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When one of us hurts by Monica Vuu

Nalini — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 06:23:11 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes When One Of Us Hurts is written about a small town in rural Tasmania by an author whose bio implies she doesn’t like living in Tasmania. In the interests of full disclosure: I hated this book so much it took a couple of weeks to get around to writing the […]

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Wendy Orr’s Honey and the Valley of the Horses launch

Nalini — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 01:55:30 +0000

Wendy Orr’s latest book, Honey and the Valley of the Horses, launches in Australia. The American and Canadian launch will be around Easter 2024 although the book might have a different title there. Just watch for a new Wendy Orr book! Antipodes Bookshop and Gallery hosted the launch with Andrea Rowe, another award-winning writer, as […]

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Jeffe Kennedy on feminism, fantasy and sexytimes

Nalini — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:08:35 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes author Jeffe Kennedy, a prolific author with opinions on sexual roles in fantasy worlds. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this […]

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Minds of Sand and Light by Kylie Chan

Nalini — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:41:48 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Ruth and Carrie run a small indie journalism outfit while trying to break the big stories. Zeng is a brain-in-a-box switching from chassis to chassis to fight Britain for their country, the Greater Far East (GFE). And a council of AIs fight the GFE. While planning the destruction of humanity. […]

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Face your fears and the truth will set you free: podcast

Nalini — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:10:22 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today’s guests are Wendy Orr and Kimberley Kenna. Their books are for children, beautifully and discretely written. Between them, we’ll be discussing facing our fears and the truth setting us free. However, this is a podcast aimed at carers, teachers and librarians, […]

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Prince and the Apocalypse by Kara McDowell

Nalini — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 06:47:01 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Prince and the Apocalypse reads like fanfic of the British Royal family – with Prince Harry, the nice one, as heir but as a young single man – running concurrently with Armageddon or Space Cowboys. And with a touch of Mama Mia towards the end. Wren Wheeler is on […]

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Hilarious but true: TwitterX news.

Nalini — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 04:02:36 +0000

This story is the gift that keeps on giving. I’ve been laughing ALL MORNING, which is quite a feat considering I’m unwell and in pain. If I can laugh through that at the TwitterX farce then I’m going to help others laugh too! How it began… Elon Musk and his puppet – I mean new […]

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Kingston Libraries Presents Crime Chat (with authors)

Nalini — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 01:25:54 +0000

On this mild July evening, Sisters in Crime gathered in darkness in a room hidden away on the first floor of the Kingston Arts Centre for a crime chat. I say “hidden away” not because they intended to hide but because the first few buildings after Siri said I’d arrived were for sale or lease. […]

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Silkie reviews Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

Nalini — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 01:33:15 +0000

A review by Silkie When my pack sat down to watch TV the other night, I lay beside Human Number 1, leaning against her, while I watched the movie with them. They put on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. Cosmo, the Russian cosmonaut dog from decades ago, is the Most Important Character (MIC). She […]

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I S Belle (GenZ) on social media for authors

Nalini — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 01:43:47 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. In this podcast a GenZ author, I S Belle, tells us about social media for authors. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of […]

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Suzy Zail

Nalini — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 06:56:44 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes back author Suzy Zail with her new book Inkflower. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to […]

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Kara H L Chen

Nalini — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 05:52:06 +0000

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Noah Lemelson on evolution of the novel Sightless City

Nalini — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:03:45 +0000

Guest blogger author Noah Lemelson Evolution of a novel: The Sightless City “I thought as an exercise I’d sketch out, rough and quick, the evolutionary story of my own debut novel, The Sightless City” DMZ editor here, I couldn’t help myself. I interject. Once started, I thought WTH, let’s giphy this post up. If I […]

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DMZ new version coming soon – it’s here!

Nalini — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 02:40:01 +0000

Dark Matter Zine new version arrives sometime this week! is here! If anything is broken, PLEASE TELL ME. In the new version, all pages, posts and podcast urls will remain the same and on the website. Once the migration is complete, DMZ will look fairly similar but not identical to the current version. We’re keeping […]

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I S Belle on a fun coming of age, fleeing small town YA story

Nalini — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 01:21:13 +0000

DMZ welcomes Isabelle, who writes funky LGBTQIA+ fantasy/dark-fantasy/fun-horror like Zombabe under the name I S Bell. Note: post updated to include Zombabe playlist and Isabelle’s best links. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. […]

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How To Kill Men And Get Away With It by Katy Brent

Nalini — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:00:41 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Kitty Collins accidentally kills a stalkery entitled dipshit who threatened to rape her. Boo hoo. It’s ruled an accident and no one even looks at Kitty as the perpetrator. The thrill, the rush, is apparently addictive. She decides to do a Dexter and hunt down men who rape women. It’s […]

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Gail Carriger on writing and archeology

Nalini — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 07:35:27 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes Gail Carriger, an author who, if you’re a fan of steampunk, I’m sure you already know! Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians […]

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Charles Soule

Nalini — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 20:00:25 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I interview Charles Soule, author, comic book creator, Marvel and Star Wars guy. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. […]

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The Shot by Naima Brown

Nalini — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 07:19:51 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes 21 year old Kristy lives in a trailer park in Florida, USA, with her parents and works at a local department store owned by her ex’s parents. Kristy’s ex, Max, broke up with her upon graduation before leaving for college. Kristy had no expectations of attending college because she “wasn’t […]

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S E Tolsen on horror and the human condition Part 2

Nalini — Sun, 28 May 2023 20:00:48 +0000

Introduction This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today’s podcast is part 2 of my conversation with the husband and wife team who are S E Tolsen. Part 1 of this conversation is here. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong […]

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Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman

Nalini — Wed, 24 May 2023 04:15:29 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Selly is running away from home, the Lizabetta, a tall ship. Her father left her with the captain as a kind of apprenticeship to train her to become first mate. But Selly is over it. Problem is, the docks are full of Queensguard so she can’t get to the ship […]

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Nightbirds by Kate Armstrong

Nalini — Wed, 24 May 2023 03:43:22 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Nightbirds are teenage girls who sell magical abilities via a kiss. They are daughters of the Great Houses, protected by their privilege from the church that wants them dead. These three Nightbirds are Matilda, a Great House daughter; Saya, a bastard daughter of a disgraced Nightbird and a Great House […]

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Katherine Kovacic talks about Australia’s Dogs

Nalini — Mon, 22 May 2023 02:17:54 +0000

Australia’s Dogs was a long time in the making. It took about five years of research and work for me and the team at the National Library of Australia. However, it was more than a century of work by enthusiastic photographers – professional and amateur – and ardent dog lovers that made this book. I […]

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S E Tolsen on horror and the human condition Part 1

Nalini — Mon, 22 May 2023 02:07:34 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today’s guests are the formerly comedic duo and current screenwriting and authoring duo who write under the pseudonym S E Tolsen. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as […]

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Kate Heartfield

Nalini — Sun, 07 May 2023 20:00:18 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Wikipedia Of the […]

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Naked Ambition by Robert Gott

Nalini — Mon, 01 May 2023 20:00:47 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Gregory Buchanan is a government minister in a state cabinet. Regardless of (Western) country, readers can probably translate that role to their system of government. Premiers in Australia are kind of like governors in the US while the prime minister, colloquially called “the PM”, is Australia’s equivalent of the president. […]

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Endless Vessel by Charles Soule: promo

Nalini — Mon, 01 May 2023 02:20:07 +0000

Below is a promotional release from HarperCollins. I don’t usually publish these but I love The Endless Vessel. I’ve interviewed the author Charles Soule for this podcast (available on 5 June 2023 unless HC says I can publish sooner). And, as always, when I love a book I want ALL THE SHINY FABULOUS PEOPLE to […]

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Robert Gott

Nalini — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 20:00:54 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I’m talking to cartoonist and author Robert Gott. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to […]

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DreamHack 2023

Nalini — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 09:46:15 +0000

Finding DreamHack 2023 when there are TWO Melbourne Parks in iMaps After the comedy of errors that was yesterday, the minion returned to Melbourne to seek out and find DreamHack 2023 today. These are the best of the photos he took. If you’re in these photos or if you know someone who is, please comment. […]

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Photographing cosplayers wasn’t on my bingo card for today

Nalini — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 07:56:22 +0000

The backstory Silkie, my seeing eye dog, is recovering from an ear infection so she’s banned from the beach. She’s not allowed to get wet for THREE WHOLE WEEKS. I can only imagine what she’ll be like – tearing up the beach – when we return. Also, I’ve been sick so we haven’t been much […]

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Falling Hard for the Royal Guard by Megan Clawson

Nalini — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 20:00:35 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes While dodging her ex and working, Maggie Moore spends her days and nights with the 50-something friends of her father. Or reading history books. Passionately. How can you be passionate about a history book, you ask. She notates the books. No library books for her! Especially not the secret ancient […]

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Voice acting choice for audiobooks

Nalini — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 05:27:19 +0000

Audiobooks or stories in spoken word format have been around since the dawn of humanity. Recordings of stories for children have been around since the phonograph probably, but at least since the 20th century. And Radio presents audio stories, both narrated and as dramatic presentations, and has done since the 19th century. Now we’re living […]

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Children of Time inspired card

Nalini — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 02:20:35 +0000

Recently Children of Time author Adrian Tchaikovsky was a guest on Dark Matter‘s podcast. Above is a picture of the thank you card I made him, which he’s just posted to social media so I’m not spoiling the surprise. Making the card – step 1! So I had a basic idea, which is more or […]

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Book Eaters inspired card

Nalini — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 01:03:50 +0000

Thank you card Sunyi Dean was a guest on Dark Matter’s podcast, talking about her book The Book Eaters. So I made her a thank you card. Google decrees that you’re not an expert in your own content unless you include your own images in blog posts. Between rants and teeth grinding, I’m making some […]

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Luminaries by Susan Dennard

Nalini — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 20:00:41 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes I can’t believe it – I’m back in Hemlock Falls for another novel! Each story, every author, tells a different story set in their own world but SO MANY AUTHORS use Hemlock Falls as a location! It’s hilarious. Anyhoo, Winnie Wednesday… Yes, that’s her name. Apparently Americans are pretty staid […]

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The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais

Nalini — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 00:55:28 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes There are six witches of Moonshyne Manor. Like a honeycomb that starts as a circle but resolves into a hexagon, they are strongest together. (I did not know this prior to reading this book!) A wrecking ball threatens their home. A LITERAL wrecking ball. A decades old family feud, men […]

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Anna Snoekstra and Ilsa Evans in conversation

Nalini — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 00:10:51 +0000

Robinson’s Bookshop in The Glen launched Ilsa Evans’s 16th novel, Family Baggage, in March 2023. Anna Snoekstra and Ilsa Evans are in conversation and audience members ask questions. The podcast is at the top of the post and on all good podcasting platforms. The video is below. Anna Snoekstra Anna Snoekstra’s latest book, the thriller […]

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Esta Spalding on adapting Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches for television

Nalini — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:30:10 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I interview Esta Spalding, co-creator of the television series Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. […]

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Adrian Tchaikovsky talks Children of Time, Doctor Who and 20th century SF

Nalini — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 20:15:38 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is Adrian Czajkowski. (Spelt Adrian Tchaikovsky for publication.) He is a British fantasy and science fiction author. Readers know best for his series Shadows of the Apt, and for his novel Children of Time. Adrian studied zoology and psychology at the University of Reading. Then he qualified as a legal executive and worked […]

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Dark Mode book launch

Nalini — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:40:51 +0000

Ashley Kalagian Blunt’s book launch is available in podcast format above and on all good podcasting platforms. It’s also available in video format below. Ashley said her mum will be pleased to be able to “attend” Dark Mode‘s book launch via this video so HI ASHLEY’S MUM from the Dark Matter Zine crew. Lyn Yeowart, […]

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The Library of the Unwritten by A J Hackwith

Nalini — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:00:15 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Claire is a librarian but it’s a library with a difference. It’s a library of the unwritten books, and it’s located in Hell. Occasionally a book comes to life in the form of one of its characters. Often it’s a hero, seeking out its author in an attempt to inspire […]

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Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Nalini — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 01:13:54 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes A group of scientists are terraforming a planet in a solar system about 20 light years from Earth. At home, MAGA-types are fighting against science and they’re happy to destroy the planet to prevent scientists from sciencing. (Cue eye roll at “unbelievable” stupidity.) Anyhoo, Avrana Kern sees that everything is […]

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Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

Nalini — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:24:05 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Mackenzie wakes from a nightmare, holding part of a crow. (My stomach clenches. Is this THAT kind of book? THAT kind of horror?) She worries that she’s a bad Cree, a Cree who left her family in mourning, who didn’t return for her sister’s funeral. Now she dreams of her […]

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International Women’s Day panel 2023 discusses murdering women and grannie kidnappers

Nalini — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:00:03 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I’m talking to authors Ilsa Evans, Katherine Kovacic and Victoria Helen Stone for Dark Matter Zine’s 2023 International Women’s Day podcast. Acknowledgement of Country First Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong […]

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Callum McSorley

Nalini — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 19:00:56 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I’m talking to author Callum McSorley, author of detective novel Squeaky Clean. Introducing Callum McSorley Callum McSorley is a Glaswegian who graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2013 with a degree in English, Journalism & Creative Writing. In 2014 he […]

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Bianca Marais

Nalini — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 19:00:59 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I talk to author Bianca Marais about her book The Witches of Moonshyne Manor. First Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians […]

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Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Nalini — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:00:40 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Viv is an orc who, with her bad back, wants to retire from a life of adventuring. She seizes her prize from her band’s latest quest, a stone embedded in the skull of a monster, then leaves. In a new city she uses some kind of divining rod to find […]

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Seoulmates by Susan Lee

Nalini — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 00:02:05 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Hannah Cho lost her best friend Jacob Kim 3 years ago when he moved to Korea. A year ago, she acquired a new boyfriend but he just broke up with her. The reason? He’s a white American into K-pop and K-drama. He says they have nothing in common because she’s […]

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Naseem Jamnia on their book, Queer and Persian representation and more

Nalini — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 19:00:35 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I’m talking to author Naseem Jamnia about their book the Bruising of Qilwa. My review for this book is here. Acknowledgement of Country First, Dark Matter Zine acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of […]

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From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper

Nalini — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 19:00:35 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes In Payback’s a Witch, the scion of the necromantic Avramov family, Talia, falls in lust with the scion of another family. Now, in From Bad to Cursed, Talia’s younger sister, Isidora, holds a grudge against Rowan of the Thorn family, a green-focused witch. And, consistent with this genre, we just […]

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Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Nalini — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 19:00:44 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Never mix magic and vodka. Especially not curses. A young woman just learnt that the love of her life – or, at least, her love of that summer – is betrothed. She and a dear friend play at hexing the creep. When the candle flame burns ridiculously high, it’s a […]

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Seven Sisters by Katherine Kovacic

Nalini — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 05:37:34 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Naomi is seeing Mia, a therapist, as part of recovering from the trauma of her sister’s murder. Mia suggests Naomi attends her group session. Naomi is skeptical. Then the group of seven sisters starts talking about murdering the men who murdered their sisters. Everything changes. For those outside Australia, this […]

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Jessica Johns on being Cree, Queer, and representation

Nalini — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 01:04:10 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I’m talking to author Jessica Johns. Introducing Jessica Johns JESSICA JOHNS is an award winning interdisciplinary artist (that’s code for poet, author and visual artist), a Nehiyaw aunty and member of Sucker Creek First Nation in Treaty 8 territory in Northern […]

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Simone Campos: writing autism was too easy so… #podcast

Nalini — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:38:08 +0000

Brazilian author Simone Campos is DMZ’s guest in this podcast, which is part of a blog hop. I believe the below image for the blog hop includes all Twitter handles. Acknowledgement of Country I have occasionally Acknowledged Country in podcasts. This year I aim to lift my game in many areas, so now I plan […]

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CoOp by Tarah Dewitt

Nalini — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 02:14:53 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes LaRynne is a train wreck, returning to the “scene of the crime” because she inherited half an apartment that she needs to sell. Deacon is her ex from her teen years. Something happened way back then, which remains rather vague despite being pivotal to this entire story. Suffice to say, […]

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Katherine Kovacic loves dogs. Her murdering characters love dogs.

Nalini — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 04:26:42 +0000

In this podcast Nalini talks to author Katherine Kovacic. Katherine Kovacic was a veterinarian but preferred training and having fun with dogs to taking their temperatures. She seized the chance to return to study and earned an MA, followed by a PhD in Art History. Katherine spends her spare time writing, dancing and teaching other […]

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Everything’s Changing by Chelsea Stickle

Nalini — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 07:02:21 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Everything’s Changing is a collection of weird very short stories. Possibly flash fiction depending on your definition. Supernatural stories featuring everyone from Medusa to women repressing their screams while vying for perfection while wasting away. From a family huddling down in a bath tub hiding from a hurricane to a […]

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Picard season 2

Nalini — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:32:15 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Picard season 1 saw an ancient Picard head off on an adventure, revisit old friends and save the day. Season 2 picks up again with Picard in his home in France, working his vineyard, with a backstory explaining his British accent and French origins. However, this time his emotional journey […]

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Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt

Nalini — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:05:55 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Farley is a comedian about to embark on a tour as warm up for a couple more established women. The publicity team want Farley to have a fake romance to increase interest in her personally. Apparently women need a man to promote their careers in comedy, hence the funny feelings. […]

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Kimberly Kenna on communities for kids

Nalini — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 22:26:34 +0000

Kimberly Kenna studied psychology and trained as a counsellor while working as a breakfast cook whose poached eggs are still a disaster, a detective’s assistant hunting errant husbands and insurance scammers and a martial arts instructor. Then, for something different, she retrained to become a teacher. After teaching she left to study creative writing. And […]

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DMZ censors Sunyi Dean!

Nalini — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 03:14:24 +0000

In this podcast Nalini Haynes talks to Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters. Sunyi Dean is a biracial fantasy author who was born in Texas, grew up in Hong Kong, and now resides in the UK. She writes speculative fiction with a weird slant, and has both too many books and too many children. […]

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Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Nalini — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 02:32:25 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Love Hypothesis is another romantic comedy recommended during a Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) romance writers’ event. The full list of recommendations is here. Olive Smith is a postgrad student at Stanford, with a “chosen” family of two: Anh and Malcolm, the latter of whom is her roommate. […]

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Wednesday season 1

Nalini — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 19:00:30 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Addams Family was originally a series of unrelated cartoon panels, which became a tv series 1964-1966. Movies followed in the 90s when Hollywood started recycling stories with nostalgia. Wednesday is the eldest child of this family, a goth girl whose origins precede and, perhaps, influenced contemporary goths. Now Wednesday (Jenna […]

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Black Adam (2022)

Nalini — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 19:00:34 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Dwayne Johnson plays Black Adam, originally Teth-Adam. As a former wrestler – the performative kind not the “real” kind – he’s been typecast as an actor. He’s more likely to star in cheesy schlock like The Scorpion King and Jumanji than serious movies. And I am here for that. However, […]

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Payback’s a witch by Lana Harper

Nalini — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 01:52:21 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Last weekend I attended a SFWA romance writers’ event where we compiled a list of speculative fiction/fantasy stories featuring romance. Afterwards, on the “high” of such a lovely event, I decided to read some more of these stories. I feel the need for some fun reads, some R&R without super […]

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Deluge by Stephen Markley

Nalini — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 19:00:37 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Deluge is a CliFi (Climate Fiction) doorstopper at about 900 pages. Nearly the first 100 pages read like short stories, encounters with individuals, setting the stage for each. As the novel progresses, we return to these characters intermittently over decades. The prelude introduces the research scientist whose book was […]

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SFWA Nebulas attendee romance recommendations

Nalini — Sun, 18 Dec 2022 02:48:24 +0000

Today I attended a post-Nebula Conference romance writers meetup, which was interesting and enjoyable. Apart from encouragement to continue writing and anecdotes from those who, despite their ages, may be considered elders of this tribe, the best takeaway was a list of romance recommendations. So, speculative fiction (may include fantasy) romantic recommendations include: Ocean’s Echo […]

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Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

Nalini — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 01:35:33 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes I read the Bruising of Qilwa before moving interstate. Although I intended to write this review in Canberra – a month ago – life got in the way. I still haven’t found the book so I’m writing this from memory without notes. My apologies if I miss anything crucial. Onions […]

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Animal Life by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir

Nalini — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 19:00:07 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Animal Life is touted to be in a similar vein as The Animals In That Country. I disagree. As I loathed the latter, this is a good thing. I have pondered this novel and yet struggle to start describing it, so I’ll quote the publisher. In the days leading up […]

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Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Nalini — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 01:52:59 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Once upon a time a teenage girl, Bee, had a crush on a boy in a boy band, Noah. That girl became a porn star called Bianca von Honey. Then Noah’s secret passion, his self-care during hard times, was to watch HIS crush, Bianca. Bianca’s porn producer, Teddy, tries to […]

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Clare Niederpruem on Christmas movies, Vince Vaughn v Hallmark

Nalini — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 00:58:56 +0000

In this podcast, Nalini Haynes interviews Clare Niederpruem. Clare has a history of acting in sci fi and fantasy. She was in Zombie Hunter, Mythica and My Brother The Time Traveller. Her writing and directing encompasses sci fi, romance, historical fiction and more. For this Christmas she directed two seasonal romantic comedies that are strikingly different. […]

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Small Town Big Magic by Hazel Beck

Nalini — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 06:07:28 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Emerson is an OCD woman in her twenties running a bookstore and elected as a town councillor. Her family abandoned her years ago and don’t even check in. But her school friends are her “family by choice”, surrounding her with love and support. Then one day something weird happens, blood […]

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Vision Australia interviewed me as a seeing eye dog handler

Nalini — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:36:27 +0000

A few months ago, Harriet from Vision Australia interviewed me over the phone for Vision Australia’s radio program that is also published as a podcast. Vision Australia says On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show Harriet interviews Seeing Eye Dogs handler Nalini Haynes talking about her life, work at Dark Matter Zine enjoying and […]

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Noah Segan loves vampire movies

Nalini — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 03:22:38 +0000

In this podcast I talk to Noah Segan whose extensive list of acting credits started when he was 7 years old. Now he’s extended into writing and directing. His current genre-busting movie, Blood Relatives, is available on Shudder. And, in case you missed it, Noah was also a rebel pilot in Star Wars! (I totally […]

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I am not fine thanks by Wil Anderson

Nalini — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:23:35 +0000

I am not fine thanks begins with the pandemic. Comedian Wil Anderson quit his radio job to tour a few shows in 2020 because what could possibly go wrong? Despite his anxiety and possible depression dripping off the page, or perhaps because of it coupled with his usual comedic style, I laughed and cackled my […]

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Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

Nalini — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 03:50:28 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Devon is one in a family of book eaters. They might look human at first glance but they have “book teeth” for eating books not food. Living in relative seclusion, the family’s strict gender divide ensures Devon is ignorant and vulnerable. The book eaters learn by eating books but the […]

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Wolfsong by TJ Klune

Nalini — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 05:21:00 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Ox is a lonely teenager with an undisclosed disability working part-time in a mechanical garage while at high school, cared for by his single mom. One day he meets a primary school aged boy who takes him to meet the family who moved in to the house at the end […]

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How many more women by Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida

Nalini — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 04:28:37 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes How Many More Women: exposing how the law silences women is an important non fiction expose of how women are currently fighting for their rights. And contending with powerful perpetrators who seek to silence them. Using the authors’ histories of legal practice and other women’s stories, they discuss how perpetrators […]

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Silkie and the Vet

Nalini — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 19:00:43 +0000

On the 15th of October we took Silkie to the vet for her follow-up leptospirosis vaccine. I’d never heard of leptospirosis before but the vet recommended it because a local dog died of it recently. And that dog hadn’t been interstate, which implies that the bacteria is in the environment. Now, about a month after […]

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2021 CripLit Key winners

Nalini — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 06:26:00 +0000

In 2020, Dark Matter Zine announced the inaugural CripLit Key winners, authors who wrote excellent representation of disability. During the inaugural ceremony I confess I was SO stressed – especially after the Zoom fail so we switched to Skype after the ceremony start time – that I didn’t manage to communicate effectively. This impacted, for […]

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Silkie flips the bird part one

Nalini — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 19:00:47 +0000

As a seeing-eye dog, Silkie is incredibly well trained. She’s also been personality tested so she’s not a threat to anyone. However, she has opinions and she communicates effectively. And I swear that sometimes Silkie flips the bird but in “doggish”. Two doors up from us there is a dog that I call the Yapinator. […]

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Upwelling by Lystra Rose

Nalini — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 01:46:10 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Upwelling has a bit of a back story, at least for me. It arrived as an unsolicited review book without explanation. I looked at it. The cover says “Black&Write writing fellowship winner” so, for some completely inexplicable reason, I thought it was US or Canadian. Publicists often send me […]

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Yesterday is history by Kosoko Jackson

Nalini — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 04:37:19 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Yesterday is history is a young adult queer romance crossed with the time travel story. It’s very much feels like a young adult version of the Time Traveler’s Wife, which is even mentioned in this book. But they only mention the MOVIE, never the BOOK. (To be honest, I’ve never seen […]

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The difference between cats and dogs

Nalini — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 02:57:18 +0000

The difference between cats and dogs A friend on Facebook – possibly a punster like Paul Mannering? I forget who now though – posted the above image with 6 signs you are actually a cat. I laughed. And couldn’t help but compare with Silkie who seems to be very cat-like at times. So I thought […]

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A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

Nalini — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 19:00:40 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Prince Kadou is terrified. All the time. But especially right now. His sister, Zeliha the Sultan (NOT Sultana!) has just given birth to her first child. The princess’s body-father doesn’t have claim to the child but Zeliha likes her lover so she may bestow that privilege upon him. Meanwhile, the […]

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Catherine Raphael on mind, body and spirit in humanity

Nalini — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 00:29:30 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is author Catherine Raphael who grew up in a suburb of Pittsburgh, United States, and graduated from Syracuse University with a major in metalsmithing. She worked as a jeweler for sixteen years, first in Philadelphia and then back in Pittsburgh. During that time she also worked on Arcosanti, Paolo Soleri’s ‘city of […]

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Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone

Nalini — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 01:18:06 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Violeta Graceling and her brother Arien are orphans living with “Mother”, a woman who repairs and creates religious icons. As you’d expect, she’s judgmental and severe, of the “spare the rod, spoil the child” category and she does not believe in spoiling the child. Arien is haunted by Shadows with […]

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Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

Nalini — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 00:34:41 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Solange Pereira is not quite a wedding crasher: she’s helping out her wedding planner cousin when she overhears the bride talking to man – not the groom – in a stairwell. Shocked, she can’t decide what to do. Then she hears Dean’s, the groom’s, personally written wedding vows. She can’t […]

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Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Nalini — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 05:40:19 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Spoiler warning – to skip what could be a spoiler, go from the first section right to The Verdict. In the very beginning, some girls are about to swear oaths to join Her Majesty’s Royal Coven. 25 years later, they mostly survived a war. Their friendships have suffered due to […]

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Garth Jones storks strine with DMZ

Nalini — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:18:06 +0000

Today’s guest, Garth Jones, hails from Mad Max Land. Garth is a stereotypical Australian: an irreverent larrikin from out in the sticks absolutely MARINATED in car and footy culture as well as Australiana of yore. He designed ads for phone sex lines, wrote for a church newspaper and drew a few comics for David Lee […]

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Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay

Nalini — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 05:57:54 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warning: a pandemic. The Animals In That Country was published in 2020, so the first year of the pandemic. When I first heard about it I thought I should read it but, when push came to shove, I just couldn’t. So it’s been floating around my TBR (To Be […]

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Path of Thorns by A G Slatter

Nalini — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 08:34:13 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes This novel acquires its name from a short myth told within about a woman’s path being a path of thorns. Asher Todd, a woman in disguise with many secrets, arrives at an estate ostensibly to care for the children. However, we soon learn she was sent there to investigate a […]

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Silkie and the staffers

Nalini — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 07:14:23 +0000

Silkie and the staffers were match made in heaven. So this is that story. In recent months I neglected DMZ while trying to cope with the aftermath of bullying, harassment and – most recently – medical dramas. My apologies for not sharing my Silkie stories! She is adorable and has had many adventures to warm […]

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I aten’t dead. A post in part about Asshat and the Ableists.

Nalini — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 08:25:43 +0000

Trigger warning: mental health and suicide ideation Discworld fans know Granny Weatherwax’s hitchhiking pastime and her “I aten’t dead” sign. Granny used the sign because she looked like she might be dead while hitchhiking in the minds of living creatures. My lack of activity on DMZ in recent months could have led people to a […]

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AViVA

Nalini — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:38:34 +0000

Dark Matter Zine welcomes special guest AViVA. Aviva Anastasia Payne, professionally known as AViVA, is an Australian singer-songwriter and author, a multidisciplinary artist with international success, garnering more than three billion global streams of her music to date. Having always been a lover of stories and made-up worlds, she has fed her passion for self-expression […]

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Menna van Praag

Nalini — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:20:39 +0000

My special guest for this podcast is Menna Van Praag who was born in Cambridge, England and studied Modern History at Oxford University. And who sets her novels in Cambridge. Need I say more?! Yes? Ok. After studying Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford, Menna returned home to Cambridge to study creative writing and work […]

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Kirsten Miller on witches, women and justice

Nalini — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 06:24:04 +0000

My new favorite novel is The Change by Kirsten Miller. Think Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld witches but written by a woman and set in contemporary New York, so it’s more magical realism than fantasy. In this podcast I chat to the author, Kirsten Miller, who is herself a Granny Weatherwax in the making! Kirsten Miller […]

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Liz Hyder on women with wings who are not angels

Nalini — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 01:28:40 +0000

This year so far I’ve been privileged to read and review some FANTASTIC books, of which The Gifts by Liz Hyder was one. In this podcast I interview the author! Liz Hyder is a writer, experienced workshop leader and award-winning arts PR consultant. She has a BA in drama from the University of Bristol and, […]

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The Change by Kirsten Miller

Nalini — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 07:48:41 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Change’s cover features a woman’s face with a bee below her mouth, subverting Silence of the Lambs’s official movie poster, which has an insect covering the woman’s mouth. All I can say is THIS. COVER. IS. LEGENDARY. But you may get this cover instead if you’re living overseas: thistles […]

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A Lady’s Guide To Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin

Nalini — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 07:11:31 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes With both parents dead, the extended family estranged and creditors at their door, Kitty Talbot decides to travel to London for the Season. And to marry a rich man. Hence she is the Lady Fortune Hunter of the title. Kitty Talbot is the eldest of five girls. She was engaged […]

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With This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Nalini — Wed, 18 May 2022 20:00:51 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Lorelai works at an old-fashioned cinema while secretly writing screenplays for books that haven’t been converted to movies yet. But with this kiss – with any kiss – she sees the way the person she kisses will die. To date everyone she’s kissed has died a violent death, causing nightmares […]

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The Suicide Squad (2021)

Nalini — Wed, 18 May 2022 07:13:29 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The original Suicide Squad was SO BAD that I decided not to watch any sequel. However, Daniel Haynes raved about Peacemaker the TV series so much I watched the pilot. Peacemaker’s pilot includes a recap from The Suicide Squad (the second movie) because the movie is pretty much a pilot […]

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The Gifts by Liz Hyder

Nalini — Tue, 17 May 2022 07:11:57 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes It is 1840 in Shropshire, England, when Etta spontaneously grows wings only to be shot by a surprised young man. A corpse salvaged from the Thames is a winged woman. The fisherman sells her to a a surgeon with entitlement issues. The surgeon’s wife, Anna, is a gifted painter. Etta […]

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Donkeys vs dogs

Nalini — Tue, 17 May 2022 06:50:17 +0000

I’ve been distracted lately by my housing estate’s executive committee and strata manager escalating their bullying and harassment into what I believe is defamation in meeting minutes sent to all owners. Plus a couple of owners threatened Silkie with their animals, one of whom told me repeatedly to “leave”. So I’m back to not sleeping […]

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Kee Chan on being Russell Tan in TV series Kung Fu

Nalini — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 03:19:14 +0000

A few weeks ago I was jaw-droppingly surprised when a publicist emailed me and offered an interview with Kee Chan. Although I’d noticed the TV series Kung Fu in the pop culture zeitgeist, I hadn’t started watching it. I promptly said “YES PLEASE” to the interview and binged all of the series that’s currently (legally) […]

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No Hard Feelings by Genevieve Novak

Nalini — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:31:19 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes No Hard Feelings is a rom-com featuring lots of common tropes but, in an absolute win, left me wanting to hug the author instead of throwing the book across the room. Full disclosure: I loathe the tropes in stories like You’ve Got Mail. But it depends on how these tropes […]

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Silkie arrives and training begins

Nalini — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:36:25 +0000

This post talks a little about my training with Silkie. It might help people who are training their own dogs although my focus is really “OMG SEEING EYE DOG. PLUS LEARNING CURVE.” Just the basics took a while to write so the training will take at least a few more posts. Coming soon: handle walk […]

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My second NDIS application

Nalini — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 02:10:07 +0000

This post is intended to help people applying for NDIS support (Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme). Some of what I learnt on the way through can be applied to any application for support, not just for a seeing eye dog. Following on from my post earlier this week, my head is clearer. And I’m REARING […]

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One year anniversary

Nalini — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 02:22:02 +0000

It’s roughly the one year anniversary of someone on the SFWA board emailing me to tell me about the internet pile on of which I was a target. Up until then I’d been blissfully oblivious. My twitter settings were such that I didn’t see notifications except from followers. And the people who were attacking me […]

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Lies my memory told me by Sacha Wunsch

Nalini — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 01:01:04 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes From the title, Lies My Memory Told Me, the reader assumes Nova has false memories. This is somewhat spoilery. However, the mystery is what are the false memories? Who and how they were planted is less of a concern than why. Nova seems too good to be true, too much […]

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Gallant by V E Schwab

Nalini — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:26:19 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Gallant usually refers to a behavior or personality trait but not so in this story. Um… How do I write a review without resorting to clichés? And without giving away spoilers? Here goes… Olivia Prior is a teenager in an orphanage. She cannot speak although she understands language and can […]

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Nalini — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:00:04 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Elizabeth Zott is a chemist determined to research abiogenesis, the chemistry version of researching the big bang. However, as a woman in the 1950s, she faces insurmountable hurdles. Society’s lessons in chemistry included her rape (backstory only) then expulsion from a PhD program in retaliation for complaining about the rapist. […]

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Murder Most Fancy by Kellie McCourt

Nalini — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 05:00:44 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Indigo of the multiple-hyphenated-names is an heiress who, in the first novel, proved she wasn’t guilty of murdering her husband. Now, in her second adventure, Dame Elizabeth (Indigo’s grandmother’s best friend and neighbor) asks Indigo to identify a corpse found in Grandmother’s back yard. It appears a Murder Most Fancy […]

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Bridget Hodder: The things we share unite us and our differences should excite us

Nalini — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 04:30:45 +0000

This year’s International Women’s Day podcast is an interview with Bridget Hodder who co-wrote a cross-cultural novel with Fawzia Gilani Williams. Cross-cultural novel Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams wrote an unforgettable tale of cross-cultural interfaith friendship for kids. The Button Box is a middle grade time-travel novel following Ava, a Sephardic Jewish girl, and Nadeem, […]

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Seeing Eye Dogs Australia SEDA Assessment

Nalini — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 07:14:23 +0000

In my last installment of the Furbaby Diaries I reached the point where Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) was about to assess me for suitability as a dog handler, aka a human who partners with a seeing eye dog. Due to the pandemic, SEDA organized the assessment around lockdowns. Two staff had to come from […]

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Manifest seasons 1–3

Nalini — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 04:35:14 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Warning: because I’m reviewing 3 seasons of Manifest in one review there are some spoilers. A plane leaves the Caribbean bringing a lot of American nationals home to NY. Only it disappears for 5 years en route. When it finally arrives, officials divert the plane to another airport where the […]

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Resident Alien season 1

Nalini — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 19:00:40 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes An alien spaceship crashes on Earth. The alien kills a human and shape-shifts to take his place while searching for missing equipment, becoming a resident alien. While also searching for his human victim’s body before humans find it. Then the local doctor is murdered so the mayor asks the alien, […]

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King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St Clair

Nalini — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:09:22 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Isolde is princess of the House of Lara. Her father is about to surrender to the Blood King to save lives. The Blood King is a vampire and king of a vampire kingdom. Previously a king under threat from the Blood King planned to entrap and murder him. The King […]

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Midnight in Everwood by M A Kuzniar

Nalini — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 04:27:30 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Midnight in Everwood is a fantasy novel set in a non-magical world where Marietta lives with her parents who plan to force her into marriage very soon. She’s a ballerina, rehearsing in her home studio when she first sees Dr Drosselmeier on the street. This is no Romeo and Juliet […]

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Furbabies: NDIS application plus two ginger rescue kitties

Nalini — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 19:00:12 +0000

Note: I wrote about this article about my NDIS application towards the end of 2021 while Silkie was in foster care and I worried the pandemic might delay her arrival. It’s been a hot minute. Further installments coming soon. 2021 has been yet another year of incredible stress when, at times, I thought I was […]

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Furbaby Diaries

Nalini — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:44:43 +0000

Over the past year, many people asked that I tell the story of applying for NDIS funding for a seeing eye dog, the application process, and that I tell stories about my furbabies. I have a confession to make. Although I think I acquired the Terrible Twins, my cats Meteor and Aurora, before I received […]

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Heather Mateus Sappenfield on River Between Hearts

Nalini — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:36:58 +0000

In this podcast, Nalini talks to award-wining author Heather Mateus Sappenfield whose latest novel, River Between Hearts, is a heartwarming middle school novel suitable for adults. Heather Mateus Sappenfield’s writing explores the adventures that fill life, often set in the Rocky Mountain landscape that has been her lifelong home. She explores the many selves each […]

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Cults of Death and Madness

Nalini — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:00:43 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Doctor Archibald Shaw arrives in India as a young man in 1878 during the British occupation. He’s assigned to an outpost that appears quite pointless unless the local Raj intends them to be sacrifices. The doctor Shaw is replacing died, allegedly of suicide. However, that doctor was too afraid to […]

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The Chase by Candice Fox

Nalini — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 06:46:17 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Prison warden Grace Slanter receives a phone call telling her a bus full of security guards’ family members is a mile away in the Nevada desert. A sniper is ready to fire after already killing the bus driver. While Grace grapples with the phone call, at first fumbling then engaging […]

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The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker

Nalini — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 05:55:51 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Ren is a Reaper living in London in a society of Reapers. The problem is, she’s also half-Japanese, which makes her a Shinigami or Japanese death spirit too. And the London Reapers are RACIST. With the focus on anthropomorphic “deaths” (yes, multiple deaths with one Death), the title The Keeper […]

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The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

Nalini — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 03:13:08 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Anna Sun needs to learn the Heart Principle. She gives her boyfriend Julian a blow job although she doesn’t like doing that. What’s worse is he expects her to swallow and she HATES that. Then she walks into the bathroom, brushes her teeth REALLY thoroughly, agonizes about “blow job face”, […]

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October 2021 top ten on JustWatch

Nalini — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 05:16:41 +0000

JustWatch asked me nicely if they could give me monthly top ten charts. They don’t pay me but I thought why not post it? I’m curious too to see what’s trending. Last month, October 2021, the top ten were Halloween Free Guy Dune The Addams Family 2 The Addams Family Venom Scream Spectre Ghostbusters Casino […]

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David Verbeek on Art House and horror

Nalini — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 19:58:55 +0000

David VERBEEK (1980, Netherlands) studied film, photography and philosophy at the New School University in New York, and film directing at the Netherlands Film Academy, where he graduated in 2005. During his studies he completed his first feature, Beat (2004), selected for IFFR. Many of David’s films screened at prominent film festivals. They’ve also been […]

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Starlight Enclave by R A Salvatore

Nalini — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:00:48 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes HarperCollins Australia says of Starlight Enclave: From New York Times bestselling author R A Salvatore comes a new trilogy and adventure of Drizzt and fantasy’s beloved characters from Dungeons & Dragons’ Forgotten Realms. After the settling dust of the demon uprising and two years of peace, rumblings from the Menzoberranzan drow have […]

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Neodymium Exodus by Jen Finelli

Nalini — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 19:00:06 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Neodymium Exodus’s Goodreads blurb is as follows: A universe of sentient insectoids, purple jungles, and insane electromagnetic fields. A mace-wielding teen space-ninja who is kidnapped by a vengeful zealot who forces her to choose between the fate of the Universe, and the ones she loves. A blend of hard biomedical […]

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Anna Hopkins on being a journalist and a villain

Nalini — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 04:50:55 +0000

In this podcast Nalini talks to actor, screenwriter and director Anna Hopkins. Anna is famous for her 3 roles as a journalist on Defiant, The Expanse and now in the horror short V/H/S/94, launching today on Shudder. She also won an award for her role as the villain Lilith on Shadowhunters, a role Anna relishes. […]

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Ilsa Evans on humor and book launches in lockdown

Nalini — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 06:31:30 +0000

Nalini Haynes talks to author and academic Ilsa Evans. While bringing up her children solo, Ilsa completed an honors degree in Women’s Studies, for which she won the Dissertation Prize. During this time she also rose to the rank of Sergeant in the Army Reserves. These achievements were separate. Ilsa completed a PhD at Monash […]

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Tim Ferguson on writing comedy, disability, and tap water

Nalini — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 21:25:54 +0000

You may recall the sensation that was the Doug Anthony All Stars musical comedy trio. You don’t even have to be old: they reformed in 2013 and toured the UK again! In this podcast I have the privilege of talking to one of the members, Tim Ferguson. Although I had a swag of questions to […]

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Unworthy Duke by Charlotte Anne

Nalini — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 00:35:43 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Ellen flees a domestic violence situation with her brother to pose as a Miss Smith, lady’s companion. When arriving in London she finds the dilapidated mansion to which her new employer, Lady Faye, directed her. After standing in the rain with no one answering the door, a drenched Ellen climbs […]

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Wolf’s Curse by Jessica Vitalis

Nalini — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 20:00:11 +0000

A review of a middle school fantasy novel Twelve-year-old Gauge lives with his grandfather behind a carpentry shopfront. Years ago Gauge told people he saw an invisible wolf so the townspeople believe he’s a Voyant. Because of this wolf’s curse the mayor sentenced Gauge to death. Grandpapa bribed the guard who came to take Gauge […]

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A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

Nalini — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 00:35:20 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The slow fire burning in this story is the rage of women whose power men stole. Men stole stories and ruined lives, and now the women are coming for them. Miriam lives on a houseboat, watching her neighbors. She notices a neighbor’s door has been open for a while so […]

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Here in the After by Marion Frith

Nalini — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 04:21:35 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Terrorists hold Anna hostage in a travel agency in Sydney. Nat, a veteran who toured Afghanistan, watches, feeling responsible. He and his army buddies chat on social media, talking about going in to rescue the hostages. In the end the police rescue Anna. Seriously injured but alive, Anna, the sole […]

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Marion Frith on trauma and healing

Nalini — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 23:17:12 +0000

In this podcast Nalini talks to Marion Frith, a former journalist, senior communications specialist and political speechwriter. Since her political career, Marion retrained as a registered family mediator. She’s written and worked for major Australian newspapers and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as a social and political commentator. In 2019 Marion released a board book for toddlers, which […]

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Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Nalini — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 05:50:12 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The reader discovers a magical circus, a night circus only open under cover of darkness and laid out in circles or a spiral. Thus Morgenstern foreshadows her manner of storytelling, circling around the whirlpool before taking us down, down, to the resolution. Prospero has an unexpected daughter. He invites a colleague […]

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You’ll Be Fine by Jen Michalski

Nalini — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 19:06:33 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Alex is in a kind of limbo. She’s still grieving her ex leaving abruptly. Then her mom dies. She flies home to help her brother, Owen (failure to launch type), manage the funeral and sort through the house. People say “you’ll be fine” but Alex isn’t so sure: she feels […]

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Lockdown, re-opening and streaming services

Nalini — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 04:59:24 +0000

It’s been a truly weird 2 years. I’m desperately trying to avoid the word “unprecedented” because I’ve come to LOATHE it. Anyhoo, here we are in Lockdown Land again in Australia while the US is having covid spikes, hospitals overloaded and a high death toll, including a remarkable death toll among anti-vaxxer “celebs”. Streaming entertainment […]

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The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer by Ilsa Evans

Nalini — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 20:00:22 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes I have a confession to make. Spin Cycle inspired my love of Ilsa Evans’s writing. And I’ve loved her work ever since. Having said that, somehow I missed several of her books including the Nell Forrest Murder Mysteries and her YA. I have some catching up to do! Anyhoo, I […]

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Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis

Nalini — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 06:02:48 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Lights of Prague is a historical fantasy novel. Set in gaslight era Prague where monsters roam freely, with a team of gaslighters (literally, they light the streets’ gas lights) fighting the monsters. Domek Myska is a monster hunter who, after vanquishing a vampire, finds a wisp trapped in a […]

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Fading Fame: Women of a Certain Age in Hollywood by Pam Munter

Nalini — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 23:00:32 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Fading Fame is a shocking historical fiction collection of stories told in different media – short stories, poems, plays – about women in Hollywood. While the author stresses these stories are fiction, she appears to have researched her subjects and written plausible stories to explain pivotal moments in their lives. […]

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Barbara Crampton talks about feminism in horror

Nalini — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 00:43:42 +0000

Cult icon and horror legend Barbara Crampton built a formidable career in a tough industry, and a dedicated fanbase. Jakob’s Wife is her latest starring role. And Barbara also produced the film. Barbara’s career to date Barbara made her TV debut with a recurring role on Days of Our Lives, followed by a brief but […]

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Paula Brancati on Slasher: Flesh and Blood

Nalini — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 23:52:54 +0000

Nalini Haynes talks to Paula Brancati from the new Shudder Original Event Series, Slasher: Flesh & Blood. This series will premiere exclusively on premium genre streaming service Shudder on August 12. A diverse ensemble cast with faces both fresh and familiar join horror legend David Cronenberg (The Fly, Videodrome). Many actors return to the series […]

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The Inheritance by Gabriel Bergmoser

Nalini — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 00:24:58 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Well, it’s getting harder to get access to my computer to write up reviews lately. Admittedly that’s partly my compulsive news-watching, but it’s also due to hubby working from home in my study. Not to mention having the Pfizer jab and not feeling the greatest afterwards. But hey, I’M FULLY […]

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Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows by Denis Knight and Cristy Burne

Nalini — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 03:18:44 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Wednesday Weeks is struggling in school. She’s in year 6 and is terrified her teacher will fail her because whenever Wednesday is stressed her magic causes a disaster. Today she has to program her robot to navigate a maze. Computers tend to go haywire when she’s near so this is […]

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The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

Nalini — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 02:57:14 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes One night Tallula Murray went to a party at a friend’s place and didn’t come home. A year later, Tallula’s mother, Kim, is raising her teenage daughter’s son Noah, while grieving for her daughter. The Night She Disappeared shuffles forwards and backwards through the timeline from 2016 to 2018, carefully […]

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The Therapist by Helene Flood

Nalini — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 23:08:08 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Sara’s husband Sigurd goes away for the weekend. She is a therapist so sees her Friday clients before expecting a weekend to herself. But, on Sigurd’s first evening away from home, his friends call to say he never arrived. She veers from worried to angry. It appears Sara is trying […]

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The Husbands by Chandler Baker

Nalini — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 07:47:40 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Nora is a full-time lawyer, has one child at home and another on the way. Meanwhile, her husband Hayden pulls a disappearing act or wants to be directed then applauded if he does anything inside the house. Nora wants a larger house to accommodate their growing family so they look […]

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The Dark Lady by Akala

Nalini — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 07:16:15 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Henry is an orphan raised by an (unofficial) foster family who use his magical gift of reading any language to make money. He’s also a pickpocket who roams the streets with his foster cousins. However, tensions mount between the children. Meanwhile the foster mother Joan tries to protect Henry from […]

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The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry

Nalini — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 20:00:13 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Madison May is a real estate agent with acting aspirations. Then Clayton Hors murders her. Felicity Staples is a political reporter. Her crime writing colleague isn’t available so she receives a tip and visits the crime scene. Suddenly she’s hooked: Felicity needs to know why. Then she discovers Clayton Hors […]

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I write “all the feels” romances – Paige Toon

Nalini — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 02:28:32 +0000

Nalini Haynes talks to Paige Toon about romance, “all the feels”, research and more in this podcast. Paige Toon grew up between England, Australia and America and has been writing books set in sun-drenched locations around the world since 2007. She has written fourteen women’s fiction novels, a three-part spin-off series for young adults and a collection […]

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An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi

Nalini — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 19:11:14 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Shadi is a Muslim teenager living a couple of years after 9/11 while America gears up for war in the Middle East and hate crimes are on the rise. Wearing the hijab means she cannot hide. Others take off their hijabs, earning scorn from their religious community. But Shadi has […]

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Someone I Used To Know by Paige Toon

Nalini — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 18:43:48 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Someone I Used To Know centers Leah, whose parents foster troubled teenagers and, when necessary, some gorgeous little children too. Two such children are with the extended family, including two other fostered teenagers, when George arrives. Desperate for a placement, social services overloads the family. George must sleep in the […]

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From Murder and Mayhem to Romancing the Reader: Rob McDonald and Anna Foxkirk

Nalini — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 04:45:37 +0000

Welcome to another Dark Matter Zine podcast, I’m your host Nalini Haynes. In this podcast I’m talking to two award-winning romance writers, Rob McDonald and Anna Foxkirk. If you enjoy this podcast, you might enjoy the Romancing the Reader podcast featuring Anne Gracie, Sarah Mayberry and Kate Cuthbert. Rob McDonald Rob McDonald is a Kiwi […]

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The Other Side Of Perfect by Mariko Turk

Nalini — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 20:00:47 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Alina, a Japanese American ballet dancer, had an accident. The resulting damage to her ankle prevents her from ever dancing pointe again. Her entire life she’s worked and trained for ballet, vying for perfection, and now, the other side of perfect, she needs to rebuild her life. Allen and Unwin’s […]

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Raising Hell by Bryony Pearce

Nalini — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 20:00:28 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Ivy is a security guard in a high school, endeavoring to save hormonal magic-using teenagers from murdering each other. Today is not a good day – unless you count any day you can limp away from, using a crutch, to be a good day. These are the consequences for a […]

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All The Murmuring Bones by Angela Slatter

Nalini — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 20:00:30 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Miren O’Malley’s home is set in a fantasy world evoking Ireland, possibly in the 19th century. Her family has a long prosperous history of trading and pirating on the seas without suffering the losses normal to those professions. All the murmuring bones tell stories… After generations of giving one true-born […]

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Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker

Nalini — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 06:04:29 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” quoth Juliet, who’s writing the play (not THAT one) in 2083 to exorcise the ghost of the comatose Romeo. However, Heathcliff Ellis has come from the past to the end of the world to 2083 to complete her story by waking Romeo. How to […]

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Now That I See You by Emma Batchelor

Nalini — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 23:54:22 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Emma and Jess have been in a long-term relationship – six years, 3 living together – when Jess admits to cross-dressing. This quickly evolves into Jess becoming trans. The transition is difficult for both of them, told at length in Now That I See You. This novel is written idiosyncratically […]

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The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

Nalini — Mon, 31 May 2021 20:00:19 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Once upon a time Red Riding Hood’s cloak wasn’t red. And Red Riding Hood was the wolf. Who lived in fear of the Woodsmen, who are coming to steal away a wolf-girl on the king’s orders. The village women are tying down the trees to prevent them fleeing from the […]

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Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai

Nalini — Wed, 26 May 2021 20:00:41 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes In the interests of full disclosure: I am not Indian although my name hints otherwise. Mini is an Indian American whose sister, Vinnie, announces her engagement and a speedy wedding. Their mother died several years ago so Mini is determined to give Vinnie a good Punjabi wedding. Thus the Sister […]

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Nancy Business by RWR McDonald

Nalini — Tue, 25 May 2021 08:18:03 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Nancys introduced Chinese Kiwi Tippy Chan, her white uncle Pike and his boyfriend (and possibly a person of color) Devon. They formed the Nancys to investigate a murder in the small town of Riverstone. Well, several months later there’s another murder so Nancy Business is afoot. Yoast and Google […]

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Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (2021)

Nalini — Tue, 18 May 2021 20:00:10 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Looking for something easy to watch while my eyes recover from yet another trip to the ophthalmologist with even more bad news, I wanted something light and fun. I tend to get bored with TV series so I don’t even know why I found myself watching the pilot episode of […]

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Lovebirds by Amanda Hampson

Nalini — Mon, 17 May 2021 00:20:50 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Lovebirds as a title may be a little misleading; it certainly didn’t align my expectations with the novel. However, the cover page also says “Not all marriages end in happily ever after…” The only love birds in this novel are not the feathered kind. And Hampson has written eloquently, realistically […]

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Stowaway (2021)

Nalini — Mon, 10 May 2021 01:31:04 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warning: spoilers and ranting about Stowaway. By me. You have been warned. The Hyperion takes off for a two year mission to Mars with 3 personnel on board, Captain Marina Barnett (Toni Collette), Doctor Anna Levenson (Anna Kendrik) and the science guy David Kim (Daniel Dae Kim). During launch […]

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“I discovered I was invisible” says Amanda Hampson #Podcast

Nalini — Mon, 10 May 2021 00:48:10 +0000

Today I’m talking to an invisible woman, Amanda Hampson. She grew up in rural New Zealand. Then she spent her early twenties travelling, finally settling in Australia in 1979 where she now lives in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Writing professionally for more than 20 years, Amanda is the author of two non-fiction books, numerous articles and […]

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A Class Full of Lizards by Alison Hart

Nalini — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 05:32:52 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Josh and friends are back for the last term of grade 6 while deciding on high schools for next year. Mum puts the family on a “healthy” diet that sounds dreadful. (It IS possible to do a healthy diet that is actually edible, you know!) And some rangers visit, creating […]

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Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood

Nalini — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 05:45:48 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warning: rape Eleanor is a servant in a Victorian household where maids are dismissed after evidence of the master raping them becomes visible. (Harwood does not actually describe rapes.) Eleanor used to be the kind-of-adopted daughter of the house but, after the mistress of the house died, Eleanor was […]

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Stealing time by Rebecca Bowyer

Nalini — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 23:58:27 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes I read Stealing Time in a few chunks because I can’t read for very long at a time without a break and – during that break – I was distracted by “interview this” and “review that”. Distractions, shiny toys, etc; I might just be part cat. However, Stealing Time stole […]

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Amazing Grace: mother and daughter webseries creators

Nalini — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 22:26:13 +0000

A podcast interview of mother and daughter creative team Julie Money and Grace Truman This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Today I am interviewing the star Grace Truman and director Julie Money of the much-awarded webseries Amazing Grace. Jeff Truman was a writer and actor who worked on […]

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Me: Don’t be a hypocrite, own your identity or don’t. Pick one. INTERNET: PILE ON!

Nalini — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 22:20:11 +0000

About a year ago I wrote a blog post titled “Defining Own Voices, Authors: you can’t have it both ways“. I thought the title was self-explanatory. The blog post repeatedly says words to the effect: “don’t claim to be an ‘own voices’ author when it might make you money then deny that identity to ward […]

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The Nancys by R W R McDonald

Nalini — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 19:00:49 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Tippy Chan’s uncle Pike comes to stay while her mum goes on a cruise that she won. Pike and his boyfriend, Devon, are colourful characters. Shortly after Tippy’s mum leaves, Tippy’s BFF falls from a bridge landing in hospital in a coma then someone murders and decapitates her teacher. As […]

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Centre of My Everything by Allayne Webster

Nalini — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 19:00:47 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warning: drug & alcohol use including by teenagers and preteens; domestic violence; rape Centre of My Everything has several point of view characters who are all either teenagers or in their early 20s. Justin is an ex-meth-head, trying to dry out without support so he’s returned home to his […]

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Ruby Tuesday by Hayley Lawrence

Nalini — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 05:15:23 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warning: rape Ruby Tuesday Matthews (not the model) lives in the bush near a small town where her mother grew up. Nana just died. Ruby’s mum, Celeste, is a paraplegic after a horse riding accident. Celeste is also incredibly secretive about her past, not wanting anyone to know she […]

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Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim

Nalini — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 04:52:26 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warnings: domestic violence (depicted), depression, and suicide (not depicted but discussed) Wen is the Tiger Daughter of two Chinese immigrants, one of whom was a surgeon in China. His frustrations at not qualifying in Australia ended with him working at a restaurant. And taking his frustrations out on his […]

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Witness Infection (2021)

Nalini — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 19:00:29 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Two guys sit in a tent. It looks like they’re supposed to be hunting and it’s a sort of hide. One of them is eating a meat roll and starts to fart. AND FART. The other goes for a walk to escape THE STENCH. When he returns, the other guy […]

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Shadow and Bone (Book 1: The Grisha) by Leigh Bardugo

Nalini — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 06:11:05 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes After reading The Ninth House, I promised myself some more Bardugo books. Then came her Wonder Woman story. Now Rule of Wolves is coming out, I decided to take some time out and catch up on Bardugo’s stories that made her so popular. Shadow and Bone appears to be her […]

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Sing The Four Quarters by Tanya Huff

Nalini — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 19:00:03 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes If you’ve bitched and moaned about authors sidelining pregnant women, this is the story for you. Annice is a Bard. She walks – and Walks – the country, a messenger service and entertainer and spy in her home country. She sings to elemental spirits; because she sings to all of […]

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World Between Blinks by Amie Kaufman and Ryan Graudin

Nalini — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 19:00:24 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Marisol is half-American and half-Bolivian but lives in Bolivia with regular visits to LA, where her Nana lived. Now the extended family is assembling at Nana’s house to pack it up to put it on the market. She and her cousin, Jake, are grieving. They take the family boat, a […]

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The Gaps by Leanne Hall

Nalini — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 06:00:50 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warning: there are no actual depictions of rape or murder but characters contemplate these possibilities and live under the threat of a serial rapist/kidnapper. Chloe is a scholarship student in year 10 at Balmoral College. It’s not going well but she’s surviving. Natalia is an entitled rich kid with […]

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Dispossessed by Piper Mejia

Nalini — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 05:15:27 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Slate is a dispossessed foster kid in LA when Malice collects him to take him to his family in New Zealand. Apparently Malice only just found him after looking for years. Within an hour of his departure, agents arrive to abduct him and murder his foster parents. (Mejia never explains […]

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What do you call your grandma? by Ashleigh Barton and Marina Heiduczek

Nalini — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 04:49:06 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes What Do You Call Your Grandma? uses rhyming poetry, with one verse on each illustrated double page dedicated to one grandma. We’re treated to a quick trip around the globe, with imagery reflecting various cultures and diverse grandmas. One even corresponds via snail mail with her grandchild, a reflection of […]

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Good Grief: IWD podcast with Tabitha Bird, Wendy Orr and Elizabeth Knox

Nalini — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 19:00:45 +0000

Today’s podcast celebrates International Women’s Day and can be found at the top of this post and on all good podcasting platforms.. Dark Matter Zine chooses to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements by interviewing 3 prominent women authors, Tabitha Bird, Wendy Orr and Elizabeth Knox. Furthermore, in their latest novels each of these authors […]

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Elizabeth Knox

Nalini — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 06:14:14 +0000

In this podcast (link above and on all good podcasting websites), Nalini Haynes interviews Elizabeth Knox. Knox, a New Zealand author, was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 for her services to literature then was promoted to Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literature, and […]

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Emporium of Imagination by Tabitha Bird

Nalini — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 07:00:42 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes For those who’ve read my review of A Lifetime Of Impossible Days or listened to my podcasts featuring Tabitha Bird as a guest, just run along and buy The Emporium of Imagination, ok? It doesn’t take much imagination to anticipate this review. You’re still here? Ok. What can I say? […]

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Cuckoo’s Flight by Wendy Orr

Nalini — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 19:00:41 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Clio lives in ancient Mesopotamia Crete (I am geographically ignorant) on a Mediterranean island with her family. When returning from checking on her horse – who is about to foal – Clio sees raiders practicing maneuvers in the bay. She runs into town as fast as she can using her […]

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Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox

Nalini — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:05:09 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes A fairy tale unfolds in contemporary England… Taryn Cornick wrote a book about library fires, burnings and conversion to toilet paper. A footnote about a box dubbed “the Firestarter” included in her book sets events in motion. Demons want the Firestarter. The Sidhe want the Firestarter. Taryn wants libraries to […]

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Dragon and Her Boy by Penny Chrimes

Nalini — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 08:09:28 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes TRIGGER WARNINGS: SUICIDE, DISABLED ABUSE WARNING: SPOILERS. This is a children’s book. I feel very strongly about some of the tropes in this CHILDREN’S BOOK so this review includes END OF STORY SPOILERS. The story starts hopefully with the dragon and her boy – Stick – in close proximity but […]

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Last One At the Party by Bethany Clift

Nalini — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:58:43 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes A woman is the last person alive. The Last One At the Party. She goes on a drug-and-alcohol binge for a month then, after the electricity grid fails, she wanders down to the BBC broadcasting station to broadcast a call for help. Because everyone will be watching the TV with […]

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Witch by Finbar Hawkins

Nalini — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 19:00:19 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Evey and Dill, two sisters, watch as a group of men murder their mother. They flee to their mother’s coven to seek safety. Then Evey sets out to murder those who murdered her mother for being a witch. Point of View Evey’s point of view narrates Witch. She’s not an […]

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Gender-swapped Fairy Tales by Karrie Fransman and Jonathan Plackett

Nalini — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 19:00:26 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes A husband-and-wife/wife-and-husband team created Gender-swapped Fairy Tales. Plackett wrote an algorithm to change male pronouns to female and vice versa. They plugged this algorithm in to some of Andrew Lang’s fairy tales then fixed some of the linguistic problems that arose. However, according to their Author’s Note, they did not […]

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In My Past Life I Was Cleopatra by Amal Awad

Nalini — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:49:52 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes In My Past Life I Was Cleopatra: A sceptical believer’s journey through the New Age is part memoir, part caution, part sales pitch. Part of “The World of Woo Woo” chapter includes a table to define your level of “woo”. I find myself in the second column, “Woo-curious”. However, I […]

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Rise of the Mythix: Flight of the Griffin by Anh Do

Nalini — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 19:00:57 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Rise of the Mythix tells the story of humans becoming reincarnated personifications of formerly mythical animals. There’s a prophecy and an evil dictator with magical powers pursuing them for his “collection”. In Flight of the Griffin, the griffin-human, Jimmy, shows up to rescue the “unicorn” Kelly, Minotaur Minh (who is […]

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Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Nalini — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 19:00:08 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Deka has lived her whole life in a village in the North although she has her Southern mother’s dark complexion. The village is suspicious of her. And her purity test approaches. If she bleeds golden blood, she’ll be exposed as a Gilded One and sentenced to death. The day of […]

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Outlawed by Anna North

Nalini — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 06:26:07 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Outlawed is a change of pace from my recent reads despite the feminist theme running through all the shiny books right now. Outlawed is historical fiction and alternative history. Ada is a midwife’s daughter learning to be a midwife herself. However, after a year of marriage at the age of […]

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Hero Is A Four Letter Word: a short story collection by J M Frey

Nalini — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 05:05:44 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Hero Is A Four Letter Word features characters and romances of all kinds. Probably the only consistent thread between the stories is that they’re all subversive in one way or another. Arthur returns in Albion’s hour of greatest need – but not as you might expect. A dragon-man who looks […]

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Would you like Fry(s) with that? J M Frey

Nalini — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 09:56:49 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is J M Frey, aka Jess. She is a Canadian science fiction and fantasy author as well as an actor and voice actor. With her MA in Communications and Culture she’s also a pop culture scholar. She calls herself a “professional geek” and even has an IMDB page (although theatre work isn’t […]

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Poo and other words that make me laugh by Felice Arena and illustrated by Tom Jellett

Nalini — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 01:45:43 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Poo! * and other words that make me laugh is a joyous exploration of the English language for younger children to read with a carer or older sibling. It reads like poetry, with alliteration and assonance as well as a few rhymes. Vivid illustrations depict children of all skin tones […]

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The Nobody People by Bob Proehl

Nalini — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 19:00:23 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Prologue. The Nobody People – or one, at least – saves the lives of his workmates trapped down a mine. To thank him, and because he’s different – superpowered – a lynch mob of 20 men come to his house to murder him and his family. Niiice. But believable, after […]

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Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

Nalini — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 00:24:18 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Nix Song lives on a time travelling tall ship (hence the title, the Girl From Everywhere) with her father and a small crew of misfits and runaways. Her relationship with her father, whom she usually calls ‘Captain’ or ‘Slate’, is tempestuous. Slate is an opium addict who lives in the […]

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What’s happening over here

Nalini — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 00:09:15 +0000

Hi Folks! This is a post to let you know what’s happening over here. Now the Inauguration is over and the day went peacefully, I have the headspace to update you about Dark Matter Zine‘s status. By the way: CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA! I followed a little of what was happening on Twitter. Wasn’t Michelle Obama FABULOUS? […]

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The Watch s01e01

Nalini — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 07:56:56 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes It’s New Years day and I discovered a TV series I liked – Siren – is on Stan. Hubby promptly subscribed for a month, only to discover The Watch, a Terry Pratchett story, is a tv series on Stan. Our viewing plans promptly changed. We watched episode 1. Over the […]

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E-Boy 2: Robofight by Anh Do

Nalini — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 19:00:32 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes E-Boy Ethan had a brain tumour but, thanks to Doctor Penny, he’s cured – or, at least, in remission. A lot seems to have happened in book 1! Suffice to say that, by book 2, Ethan is E-boy, a superhero or antihero on the run from the evil president of […]

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Influence by Sara Shepard and Lilia Buckingham

Nalini — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 19:00:16 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Delilah, Scarlet, Fiona and Jasmine are four famous influencers in Hollywood. They’re all around the same age – 16 to 18 I think – but are at different places in their careers. Some parents are protective in a “no way in hell are you making yourself vulnerable for your career” […]

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The Forest of Moon and Sword by Amy Raphael

Nalini — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 19:00:46 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Art hides in the attic with several women but escapes through a trapdoor into a room above the attic. There she hides while the Witchfinder General’s men drag the women away, killing all except Art’s mother. Soldiers take Art’s mom to the Witchfinder General’s castle for ceremonial execution on the […]

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Triantiwontigongolope Award: A Lifetime Of Impossible Days

Nalini — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 21:00:48 +0000

The 2020 CripLit Keys presentation video and podcast is here and on all good podcasting platforms. This post is about the Stella Young Award itself. Last but by no means least, is the Triantiwontigongolope Award for representation of disability with hope and joy. The background to this award: when I was about 4, my father bought […]

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Helen Keller Award: Benighted

Nalini — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 20:30:51 +0000

The 2020 CripLit Keys presentation video and podcast is here and on all good podcasting platforms. This post is about the Stella Young Award itself. The next award is the Helen Keller Award. I chose this name because, when I was in primary school in a mainstream school, I found a biography of Helen Keller for […]

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Stella Young Award: Daughter of Lies and Ruin

Nalini — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 20:00:57 +0000

The 2020 CripLit Keys presentation video and podcast is here and on all good podcasting platforms. This post is about the Stella Young Award itself. Next is the Stella Young Award. Stella Young was a disability activist who died too soon in 2014, aged 32. As an activist, Stella made quite the impact. Her TedX speech […]

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Paul Darke Award: Dawnhounds

Nalini — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 19:30:11 +0000

The 2020 CripLit Keys presentation video and podcast is here and on all good podcasting platforms. This post is about the Paul Darke Award itself. Disability Studies is a relatively new field, really only 30 years old and omitted altogether by many universities. In the 1990s, researchers and activists began discussing the prevalence of stories with […]

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Donna Haraway Award: the Cruel Stars

Nalini — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 19:00:15 +0000

The 2020 CripLit Keys presentation video and podcast is here and on all good podcasting platforms. This post is about the award itself. Wikipedia says of Donna Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto (edited and partially paraphrased): Donna Haraway wrote “A Cyborg Manifesto” and the Socialist Review published it in 1985. She uses the concept of the cyborg to reject […]

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2020 #CripLit Keys: winners and acceptance speeches

Nalini — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 15:24:35 +0000

Welcome to the first inaugural #CripLit Keys, awards for representations of disability in storytelling. This presentation is available in video (just down the page a little bit), podcast (above and on all good podcasting platforms) as well as in text format. (Acceptance speeches aren’t in text format at this time.) In 2016 I announced that […]

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Merry Christmas

Nalini — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 19:00:14 +0000

Merry Christmas! Back in October I attended a workshop at Wrapped In Paper (also on Facebook) where I started working on my first art journal. It was a fun gathering where we used alcohol inks and a Darkroom Door stamp set with a poinsettia stamp set (can’t remember which brand that was) to create this […]

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Merry Christmas cards

Nalini — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 19:00:18 +0000

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! I made these cards in a class at Wrapped In Paper in October. Current Covid guidelines apparently allow classes although I wear a mask as a precaution. Sadly this means I have to go outside to drink my coffee. About the Merry Christmas cards I made […]

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Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

Nalini — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 06:17:11 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Juniper limps towards New Salem, alone after murdering her father. Her sisters fled home seven years earlier, leaving her alone, stewing in her hatred and bitterness. Now she’s heading into the city to find a new place for herself. Little does she expect to become one of the Once and […]

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Future Friend by David Baddiel

Nalini — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 05:36:41 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Rahul Agarwal misses his best friend who moved to Scotland. He’s also lost his inventing mojo after she used his invention – a super wheelchair – to leave. But never mind, a new friend appears through a toilet seat portal in time. She’s his Future Friend. Pip lives in a […]

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All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace

Nalini — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 19:00:07 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Princess Amora turns 18 so faces a rite of passage where she must publicly kill a prisoner with magic. She does it at night, usually in secret as “benevolent” rulers do, and uses teeth, hence “all the stars and teeth”. Anyhoo, all the stars and teeth don’t save her, her […]

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Adam Egypt Mortimer

Nalini — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 08:20:28 +0000

Today Nalini Haynes talks to Adam Egypt Mortimer, the writer and director of superhero movie Archenemy. Archenemy is distributed by StudioCanal. In New York City, Adam played electric sitar in the subways and explored various forms of art. Then he gave away his musical instruments and moved to Los Angeles to become a filmmaker. As […]

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Code Name Bananas by David Walliams

Nalini — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 07:48:19 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes This is the story of a spy mission with the code name bananas. It all begins with Eric, who loves animals. So much so that his best friend is Gertrude the Gorilla. He teaches Gertrude to blow raspberries. So Grandma yells at him after beating people with her hearing trumpet. […]

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Wolf Girl 4: The Traitor by Anh Doh

Nalini — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 19:00:48 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Gwen is Wolf Girl: she can understand wolves, dogs and possibly some other animals. Gwen and Rupert are looking for their parents whom they carelessly lost during an invasion of their country. A dire wolf (a wolf as tall as Gwen), called Sunrise, and two dogs comprise the rest of […]

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Holly Godfree on why Students Need School Libraries

Nalini — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 22:51:48 +0000

This may shock you , but I am passionate about books, literacy and libraries. So, when I met teacher librarian Holly Godfree, we talked about her passion project. Inviting Holly to be a guest on DMZ’s podcast was inevitable. It was only a matter of time. This podcast is available at the top of this […]

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How To Make A Pet Monster: Hodgepodge by Lili Wilkinson, illustrated by Dustin Spence

Nalini — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 22:33:50 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Artie just moved in to a spooky house with his mom, stepfather and stepsister Willow. Mom is renovating the house so Artie takes refuge in the attic, where he finds the Big Boke that tells him how to make a pet monster. Willow is scary. She plays electric guitar, has […]

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Future Girl by Asphyxia

Nalini — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 19:00:07 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Piper is Future Girl and she is Deaf. The nerves to her ears stopped working when she was about 3 years old. She grew up in a hearing family with her mom, Irene McBride, desperate for Piper to Fit In With Normal People. Any admission of difference, any request for […]

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The ScoMo Diaries by Tosh Greenslade and Andrew Weldon

Nalini — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:30:22 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes In The Scomo Diaries, Scott Morrison is, effectively, Adrian Mole of Secret Diary fame all grown up and become prime minister of Australia. Scotty gave himself – in real life – the nickname “ScoMo” to try to be cool. Which only makes him LESS cool, but don’t tell him that. […]

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Tosh Greenslade and Andrew Weldon on The Scomo Diaries

Nalini — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:06:28 +0000

In this podcast Nalini has the privilege of sniggering and chortling with the mute button and/or her hand over her mouth while Tosh Greenslade and Andrew Weldon talk about their political satire The Scomo Diaries: My First Eighteen Months at the Coalface. Tosh Greenslade This bio is adapted from Wikipedia because I was rushing in […]

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Betrayals by Bridget Collins

Nalini — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 04:00:46 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Leo is a politician who, thanks to a passionate letter objecting to extreme bigotry in a bill under consideration in parliament, loses his position and power. He’s sentenced to exile at his old alma mater, Montverre, where all students study the grand jeu, the great game. It’s also where he […]

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School Rules Are Optional by Alison Hart

Nalini — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 19:00:09 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes School Rules Are Optional is a whodunnit for primary schoolers. Jesse McCann’s jumper is missing. Later they find the corpse. But whodunnit? Jesse is in grade 6 with old friends, old enemies and some new kids. Did any of the above do it? Jesse is not afraid to reach out to […]

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We’re gonna need a bigger cup: take two

Nalini — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 03:36:29 +0000

I have no idea who “We’re gonna need a bigger cup” is for. This card was a reaction to finishing my rocking card AND LEARNING THE SHARK WON’T ROCK WHEN THE CARD ROCKS. Damn! All those hours and hours spent making that card and it only half works! This card was quick, easy and fun. […]

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We’re gonna need a bigger cup: take one!

Nalini — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 03:33:14 +0000

We’re gonna need a bigger cup: take one! I spent several hours over the weekend making this card. SEVERAL HOURS. Then, this morning, I discovered the shark has flopped forward so doesn’t want to rock independently when the card rocks. Sigh. I’ll figure it out. Eventually. Still, hopefully my FIL (father in law) will enjoy […]

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The Dawnhounds: Against the Quiet by Sascha Stronach

Nalini — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 19:00:37 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Goodreads introduces the Dawnhounds: A ship rolls through the fog, its doomed crew fallen victim to an engineered plague. Yat Jyn-Hok —disgraced cop, former thief, long lost love to a flame-haired street girl — stumbles across its deadly trail, but powerful men will do anything to keep it secret. They […]

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Dead Man In A Ditch By Luke Arnold

Nalini — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 19:00:05 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Fetch Phillips is a detective living in Sunder City. Fetch Phillips is, ironically, a human living in a post-apocalyptic world where he is personally responsible for humanity destroying the magic. Now he’s trying to make amends by being a Man For Hire. Problem is, the jobs he’s hired for are […]

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A Wizard in My Shed by Simon Farnaby, illustrated by Claire Powell

Nalini — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 04:05:52 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes A warlock in the 6th century is wild – or, in this case, Wyld – and unkempt. He’s also committed offences so grave he’s about to be executed. However, the princess pleads for his life, begging her father to commute his death sentence into a 7-year sentence to purgatory. The […]

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Aliens thank Andrew Levins

Nalini — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 00:23:45 +0000

I’m rather behind in posting the cards I’ve been making. I posted this Aliens card IN AUGUST, got the street number wrong, it took about 6 weeks to return to me then I posted it again… This is a well-travelled card! Andrew Levins wrote Nelson: Pumpkins and Aliens, then appeared as a guest on our […]

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Garth Nix

Nalini — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 23:26:31 +0000

Nalini Haynes talks to fantasy author Garth Nix in this podcast, which is at the top of this post and available on all good podcasting platforms. Garth started in Melbourne, grew up in Canberra, moved around then returned to Sydney Australia. He worked as a literary agent; marketing consultant; book editor, publicist, sales representative; and […]

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Hanna (TV series 2019-)

Nalini — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 19:00:00 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Hanna lives in the forest with her father, like so many stories involving hero’s journeys before her. She’s a teenager and restless. Wanting more from life, she emerges to befriend a boy, bringing human hunters down upon her father and herself. Cue an international escape and evade while the pair […]

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The Boys (TV series 2019-)

Nalini — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 19:00:03 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Hughie (Jack Quaid from Star Trek: Lower Decks) is in love. He holds his girlfriend’s hands while they kiss goodbye in a quiet street. She’s one step off the footpath. Then superhero A-Train (Jessie T Usher from Independence Day: Resurgence and Level Up) runs through the girlfriend, who explodes in […]

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House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess

Nalini — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 19:00:33 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Emilia hides a destructive power. If found out, authorities will torture her until she dies. Lucian was a soldier who committed war crimes under his father’s command. Now he wants nothing more than to enter into service in a religious order. Vespir is a servant, a dragon handler. Ajax is […]

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Left-handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix

Nalini — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 04:22:27 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Susan Arkshaw moves to London to attend art school but arrives early, allowing her to spend the holidays looking for her father. Problem: she’s not even sure what his name is. Following the leads her extremely vague mother has given her over the years, she contacts an underworld boss. While […]

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Nathan Makaryk

Nalini — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 11:02:37 +0000

This podcast features a guest who has written Robin Hood with a twist: King Richard is the sociopath he was in real life. This guest also criticises my FAVORITE superhero movie – Wonder Woman – and I agree with him! Furthermore, he tells everyone that the reason they hate the new Star Wars movies is […]

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Deadly Education: Lesson One of the Scholomance by Naomi Novik

Nalini — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 01:46:01 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Bram Stoker’s Scholomance provides a deadly education in the magical world existing alongside the ordinary non-magical world in this tale of demons, magic users and murderers. Galadriel Higgins (aka El) is ready to murder Orion because he saved her life. Again. She’s furious. (Novik reads the opening scene in this […]

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The Boy, the Wolf and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza

Nalini — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 23:19:43 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Bo is the titular Boy of the Boy, the Wolf and the Stars. He lives in the forest with his austere guardian. While he’s supposed to be doing chores, instead he’s watching the village children play. Although a child, he’s never been accepted by the villagers, he’s a complete outsider. […]

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Odds by Matt Stanton

Nalini — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 19:00:32 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Odds are invaders from another world. From your imagination. Kip is a quiet kid in a loud city. She’s easy to miss and that’s the way she likes it. Then, one day, Kip’s quiet life is suddenly interrupted. Ten of her favourite characters have stepped out of their worlds […]

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Wife and the Widow by Christian White

Nalini — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 07:48:19 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee The Wife and the Widow by Australian author Christian White is a thrilling murder mystery. Set on a small holiday island off the coast of Melbourne, it takes place during the frigid “off” season. Seriously?! Annabelle, YOU LIVE IN CANBERRA. At Melbourne’s coldest it doesn’t get down to the average […]

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“I am NOT a cat!” says Oswald from Dominique Valente’s Willow Moss series

Nalini — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 23:33:16 +0000

A million years ago back in August 2020, Dominique Valente came on Dark Matter Zine’s podcast (available here and on all good podcasting platforms free !) to talk about her Willow Moss series, representation of disability and Oswald who insists that “I am NOT a cat!” To prove his point, he turns orange and explodes […]

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What We’ll Build by Oliver Jeffers

Nalini — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 20:00:42 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton From acclaimed author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers comes the companion to the number 1 New York Times bestseller Here We Are! – What we’ll build. What shall we build, you and I? We’ll build a watch to keep our time. I’ll build your future and you’ll build mine. Inspired by the birth of his daughter, […]

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Great Realisation by Tomos Roberts

Nalini — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 20:00:34 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton First performed in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Tomos Roberts’ inspiring poem ‘The Great Realisation’, with its message of hope and resilience, has been viewed over 60 million times and translated into over 20 languages worldwide. Magical resonance From simple acts of kindness, to the creativity within us all, The […]

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The Breakup Artist (2009)

Nalini — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 20:00:23 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Britney (Amanda Crew) had a bad breakup when she was in primary school so now she runs a hugely successful business telling people their former partner has broken up with them. Because apparently texting and ghosting wasn’t a thing when this movie was made. I got maybe 20 minutes in […]

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Funny Kid Belly Flop (Funny Kid #8) by Matt Stanton

Nalini — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 20:00:10 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Max and Abby hardly ever agree on anything … until now! They are both desperate to get out of this Friday’s swimming carnival. A sea-monster, the maths Olympiad, spotty rashes, good twin versus bad twin and a swimming instructor named Chad are just some of the things in store for […]

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The Arrangement (2013)

Nalini — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 20:00:35 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Billy Whitley (Brian Greenberg), a Kennedy-type, needs a Latina wife to succeed as a politician, so his manager advises him to enter into an arrangement. Lourdes Nieves (Stephanie Sigman) has reasons for leaving Columbia, she’s bi-lingual and gorgeous so Billy brings her to America to get a green card. Alfred […]

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Santa and the Sugar Glider by Alexa Moses and Anil Tortop

Nalini — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 05:31:17 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton It’s Christmas Eve, and Snap the sugar glider is practicing his moves. He wants to be the greatest flyer in the rainforest but the other animals just laugh at him. When Santa makes an emergency landing, all the animals get a chance to audition to fill in for Comet, who […]

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Bookworm birthday card

Nalini — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 04:55:30 +0000

Life gets in the way Back in August while I was fighting figurative fires on many fronts, I kept making cards even though I didn’t post them to DMZ. A bit like I still have more of Ian Gunn’s Silly Illos to post but I’ve fallen behind. Soon, I’ll post more soon! Anyhoo, one of […]

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Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dangerous Animals by Sami Bayly

Nalini — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 00:07:28 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dangerous Animals is a nonfiction book about (surprise!) dangerous animals. Every double-page layout focuses on one animal. Of the double-page layout, one page features a gorgeous illustration of the animal while the other fact-filled page has a line drawing of some detail and a silhouette image […]

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Either Side Of Midnight by Benjamin Stevenson

Nalini — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 20:00:45 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Benjamin Stevenson is an award-winning comedian who has successfully made the transition to crime writing. The Ned Kelly Awards shortlisted his first novel, Greenlight. Either Side of Midnight is the sequel to Stevenson’s 2018 debut but can be read as a standalone release. I have not read Greenlight. This latest […]

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The German Midwife by Mandy Robotham

Nalini — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 20:00:18 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The German Midwife is a heartbreaking yet poignantly beautiful “what if” story. Anke is a German midwife who is in a Nazi work camp during World War Two. Anke is not Jewish but it is her beliefs about how all laboring women and newborn babies should be treated that lands […]

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Love Letter (1999)

Nalini — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 20:00:13 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes A small American coastal town has quirky characters played by big name actors. A bookshop owner, Helen MacFarquhar (Kate Capshaw) finds a love letter. It’s not addressed to anyone specifically nor is it signed but, sure, she decides it’s for her. She sets about trying to discover who it’s from. […]

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Hollowpox by Jessica Townsend

Nalini — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:34:02 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Morrigan Crow turns thirteen and still shows more maturity than many adults in her quest to study Wunder, the source of magic in Nevermoor. Battling superstition, politics and now a new twist: speciesism, aka racism. A new threat, a pandemic called Hollowpox, sweeps through the Wunimal community, anthropomorphic animals, sending […]

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Godmothers by Monical McInerney

Nalini — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 21:00:24 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Eliza Miller grew up an only child. Her only family was her mother and two godmothers. Jeannie, Eliza’s mum, moved around a lot and told a lot of tall stories so now no one is really sure what is the truth. Just before Eliza’s 18th birthday, Jeannie died. Eliza never […]

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From Snow to Ash by Anthony Sharwood

Nalini — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 20:00:17 +0000

A review by Emma and Nick Streeton Anthony Sharwood grew up with a view of the Brindabella Mountains, which lie to the west of Canberra. In the evening when the light catches them, they take on this beautiful glow. His attraction to this landscape undoubtedly goes back to his gazing out the window growing up. […]

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Tindims of Rubbish Island by Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry

Nalini — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 05:05:45 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The tiny Tindims do a very important job. They are keen recyclers, who turn what is thrown away by the Long Legs (us humans) into treasure. Mother-and-daughter duo, Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry, create a fun new world of characters and adventures in their empowering new series for 5-8 year […]

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Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend

Nalini — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 02:59:58 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes In the first Nevermoor book, Morrigan Crow is smuggled into Nevermoor to enter the Wundrous Society trials. We see Nevermoor through the delighted and frightened eyes of a snarky 11 year old whose attitude entertains even moi. Although this series is aimed at primary children, Townsend does not dumb down […]

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Naomi Novik

Nalini — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 21:04:10 +0000

In this podcast, Nalini talks to Naomi Novik, the much-awarded fantasy and speculative fiction author who also co-founded a FanFic organisation. Naomi Novik was born in New York in 1973, a first-generation American. She grew up with Polish fairy tales, Baba Yaga, and Tolkien. After studying English Literature at Brown University and doing graduate work […]

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What Zola did on Wednesday by Melina Marchetta

Nalini — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 20:09:58 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The What Zola did series is an adorable series about a primary school aged Italian Australian girl going about her daily life. In one book she meets her Muslim neighbors and becomes friends with the family. In another book, her Nonna has trouble knitting so starts a group for company […]

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Sad Mum Lady by Ashe Davenport

Nalini — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 20:00:21 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Ashe Davenport is the titular sad mum lady. She has childhood trauma coming to the fore while struggling with post-natal depression. It sounds like a recipe for a depressing, challenging book. For the most part, however, this book is hilarious. Each chapter is an anecdote strung together to form a […]

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Cobra Queen by Tara Moss

Nalini — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 20:00:18 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee The Cobra Queen is the fourth book in the Pandora English series by Australian author Tara Moss. Pandora has recently discovered she is a very important figure in the supernatural world, the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. It will be her job to stop the undead from taking over […]

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Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde

Nalini — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 02:40:28 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes It’s England in 2020 and there are over a million sentient anthropomorphic rabbits living in concentration camps – I mean “residential” camps – with some allowed to live in the human community. There are also a few other species but none suffer the derision heaped upon the constant rabbit. Some […]

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Self Help for Babies Series: Sleep 101 and Whine Guide by Beck and Matt Stanton

Nalini — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 01:31:14 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton You know babies don’t come with a manual. Well, now they do, in this self-help for babies (parents?) series. When we give birth, what tends to be the one thing that we wish our little darlings were clutching on their exit?! If your answer is a manual, then you would […]

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Olive by Emma Gannon

Nalini — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 20:00:29 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Meet Olive. Olive is Independent. Adrift. Anxious. Loyal. Kind. Knows her own mind. Olive has decided to be child-free by choice. Her three very close friends have not. As Bea, Cecily and Isla all settle down, marry and start their families, Olive feels herself helplessly cast adrift. Everyone thinks Olive […]

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Kokomo by Victoria Hannan

Nalini — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 20:00:54 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton When Mina receives an urgent call from her best friend back in Melbourne, her world is turned upside down. Her agoraphobic mother, Elaine, has left the house for the first time in twelve years. Mina drops everything to fly home, only to discover that Elaine will not talk about her […]

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My Year of Living Mindfully by Shannon Harvey

Nalini — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 01:18:52 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Preamble To be honest my usual method for reading anything non-fiction is to dip in and out and find the key information. With this book my non-fiction experience was totally and utterly different. Shannon Harvey had me hooked from the start and I have not stopped telling anyone who will […]

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Octavia Cade

Nalini — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 04:19:21 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is Octavia Cade, a New Zealand writer with a PhD in science communication and a particular interest in science history and marine studies. She’s also passionate about promoting other excellent authors. Late in this podcast she lists many quality works. Octavia has been researching the reproductive strategies of Zostera muelleri seagrass, and when […]

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Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour by Beck and Robin Feiner

Nalini — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:32:31 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton “Sydney Harbour is home to many amazing things, but polar bears are not one of them. Sydney is Down Under, and polar bears are from, well, Up over.” A polar bear in Sydney Harbour? When Hannah spots a polar bear in Sydney Harbour, she knows something isn’t right … But even […]

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Formative fiction for a disabled reader

Nalini — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 05:59:52 +0000

Formative genre fiction, an essay by Nalini Haynes The singularly most formative fiction, or formative work of genre fiction for me was ‘Triantiwontigongolope’. My father bought a poetry book after I admired it in a corner store, age four or five. We brought it home and I started reading it – or trying to. ‘Triantiwontigongolope’ […]

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Thank you Jennifer Iacopelli: an “antique” thank you card

Nalini — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 05:33:10 +0000

Way way waaaay back in February, I read Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli who was then a guest on my International Women’s Day podcast. So I made her this “antique” thank you card. Before we get into the card, I highly recommend you read her book about an Olympic gymnastic team and the #MeToo […]

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Thank you Hazel Flynn: Tim Holtz Crazy Bird card

Nalini — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 04:53:32 +0000

Well done to Hazel Flynn, who contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organised this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. This Tim Holtz crazy bird card is a ‘thank you’ card for Hazel. The entire list of original Authors […]

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Thank you Phillipa Nefri Clark: seahorse card

Nalini — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 04:25:06 +0000

Well done to Phillipa Nefri Clark, who contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organised this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. This seahorse is a ‘thank you’ card for Phillipa. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series […]

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Fire Star by A L Tait

Nalini — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 03:49:33 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Reeve is a squire. His former mistress, the Airl’s (Iord’s) wife, placed him in a vassal’s (Sir Garrick’s) household. (Everyone seems to be related.) Maven is the daughter of a bankrupt nobleman. Her father placed her as companion to Lady Cassandra, Sir Garrick’s arranged bride. The Airl arranged the marriage […]

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Hollow Ones by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Nalini — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 20:00:01 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The prelude introduces us to a strange letterbox in Manhattan. Ironically, the letterbox is not a link to the Hollow Ones. It’s a link to their nemesis. Earl Solomon is one of the first Black FBI agents in 1962 so his masters send him to the racist deep south to […]

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Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed (Graphic Novel)

Nalini — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 08:28:17 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is a full-color graphic novel with a substantial origin story. Diana is a teenager with all that entails, which is all alien to the Amazons who never went through puberty. Their healers treat Diana as a medical curiosity, much to her chagrin. She believes she’ll be […]

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Maybe the horse will talk by Elliot Perlman

Nalini — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 07:06:07 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes There’s an old story about a jester or a teacher who ran foul of his king. The king sentences the jester/teacher to death. The desperate jester tells the king he has a brand-new trick. If the king gives the jester his best horse for a year (or 5 years), he […]

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World’s Worst Parents by David Walliams

Nalini — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 20:00:53 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton In a nutshell, the World’s Worst Parents is about children with ridiculously embarrassing, disgusting or just plain awful parents. We are huge fans of David Walliams’ books in this house and once again he does not disappoint. My bookworms were so excited when this latest gem by Walliams arrived. I […]

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Marshmallow Pie The Cat Superstar by Clara Vulliamy

Nalini — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 04:54:17 +0000

Marshmallow Pie The Cat Superstar, Book 1 and Marshmallow Pie The Cat Superstar on TV, Book 2 A review by Emma Streeton Marshmallow Marmaduke Vanilla-Bean Sugar-Pie Fluffington-Fitz-Noodle is a big, fluffy and grumpy cat who thinks of himself as the most fabulous cat in the world. He loves the simple life: lazing in the sun, […]

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Erasure Initiative by Lili Wilkinson

Nalini — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 02:15:57 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Cecily wakes up on a bus in the middle of nowhere with 6 other people, all of whom have amnesia. The Erasure Initiative has erased their memories. There is no driver. The bus drives and drives without pause. A computer asks them to answer the Trolley Problem. Every time people […]

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Rebel Gods by Will Kostakis

Nalini — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 20:00:52 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Rebel Gods is Monuments book 2 and the conclusion to this story about the Pillars of the World coming to life, fighting it out with their errant children, and trying to protect the world. Throw in a gay romance, an orphaned teenager, time travel and superpowered humans and you have […]

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WeirDo #15: Planet Weird! by Anh Do

Nalini — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:30:35 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Weir (aka WeirDo) is back and it is his birthday, a birthday that coincides with Planet Day. Hence the title “Planet Weird”. Weir’s party is going to be huge. So huge you will be able to see it from outer space! A party like this won’t be easy to pull […]

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Light At The End Of The Day by Eleanor Wasserberg

Nalini — Sun, 23 Aug 2020 23:54:24 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Light at the End of the Day focuses on Alicia and her family, who flee Krakow to escape the Nazis. In their flight, they leave behind all their possessions. This includes Alicia’s most prized object: the portrait her father commissioned of her. As they move from country to country, […]

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Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Nalini — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 06:43:07 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee Anxious People is the newest release by Swedish author Fredrik Backman, best known for his novel A Man Called Ove. In many ways, Anxious People is a simple story of a botched bank robbery, which accidentally becomes a hostage situation. And yet, Anxious People is so much more. As the story […]

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Harry Cook

Nalini — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 03:33:21 +0000

In this podcast I interview Harry Cook, an award-winning actor, writer and LGBTQI activist whose latest novel, Fin & Rye & Fireflies, has just been released. I reviewed Fin & Rye & Fireflies over here but you can also gauge my reaction from the podcast , which is at the top of this post and […]

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Extraordinaries by T J Klune

Nalini — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 07:08:30 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Nick Bell writes really bad, incredibly cheesy fan fic putting himself – as Nathan Belen – as Shadow Star’s love interest. Shadow Star is one of the Extraordinaries who are superheroes and villains. Nick wants to be an Extraordinary superhero but he’s just a teen with ADHD and a super-sized […]

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Dominique Valente

Nalini — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 06:02:48 +0000

Dominique Valente describes herself as “Lover of grumpy monsters, quirky dragons, magic and mad things, gardens that whisper and houses that breathe. The coffee helps. The anxiety doesn’t. Has one arm. Fairly certain has some Benjamin Button type disease where you get younger as you grow older. Would love a hut on a cliff with a sea […]

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Thank you Peter McLean (card): “Well done”

Nalini — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 20:00:31 +0000

Well done to Peter McLean, who contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. […]

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Wonder Woman: WW84 by Patty Jenkins and Geoff Johns

Nalini — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 03:44:27 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Wonder Woman has been a feminist icon for over half a century. The first Wonder Woman movie with a woman director, Patty Jenkens in 2017, was a triumph. In my opinion, that movie ties with Black Panther (2018) for the best superhero movie of all time. After women nearly single-handedly rebooted […]

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Fin & Rye & Fireflies by Harry Cook

Nalini — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 02:50:24 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Fin kissed a boy who baited him. It was a trap. When Fin’s dad finds out, he moves the entire family to a new town almost overnight. Thus new boy in semi-rural town is trying to make new friends. The first teenagers he meets are part of the Queer pride […]

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Thank you Jessica White (card)

Nalini — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 06:46:53 +0000

I made Jessica White a thank you card. Jessica White was a guest on Dark Matter Zine’s podcast in January during the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list […]

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What Zola did on Monday by Melina Marchetta

Nalini — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 06:14:26 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her Nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can’t keep out of trouble! From the author of Looking for Alibrandi and the Lumatere Chronicles comes this […]

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Artemis Fowl: Guide to the world of fairies by Andrew Donkin with art by Gonzalo Kenny

Nalini — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:42:11 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton This beautifully illustrated novel is an absolute must have for fans who are keen to learn more about the fascinating and fantastical world of Artemis Fowl. The book compiles Artemis Fowl’s knowledge gathered from the The Book of the People (a book within the Artemis Fowl series) and his time […]

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Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Nalini — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:23:46 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius, and above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEP (Lower Elements Police). These aren’t the fairies of bedtime stories—they’re dangerous and cunning! Artemis Fowl is […]

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Ocean Atlas by Tom Jackson with illustrations by Ana Djordjevic

Nalini — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:05:47 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Ocean Atlas provides a comprehensive exploration of our oceans and seas. It covers geography, ecosystems and animals through a mix of illustrations, photographs, maps, and diagrams. It maps out the ocean’s layers, from the sunlight zone to the abyss, exploring the conditions within each zone and revealing the different creatures […]

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Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale by Dominique Valente

Nalini — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 18:44:42 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Willow Moss, the youngest and least powerful sister in a family of witches, recently saved the world. The problem is nobody can remember it. To make matters worse, her magical ability seems broken. Instead of finding lost things, objects keep disappearing against her will. This is especially troubling now that […]

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Edie’s Experiments by Charlotte Barkla

Nalini — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 18:28:10 +0000

Book 1 – How To Make Friends Book 2 – How To Be The Best A review by Emma Streeton Edie’s Experiments is a fun junior fiction series featuring Edie, an optimistic and vibrant science lover. Edie always has the very best of intentions but often her plans do not quite turn out the way […]

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The End of Cuthbert Close by Cassie Hamer

Nalini — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 04:10:24 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee Set in an idyllic suburban Australian street, The End of Cuthbert Close follows three neighbors with little in common besides motherhood and a shared love of cake. Each of them has different careers, family dynamics and stresses but they come together as a new arrival to the street threatens to […]

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Cursed by Thomas Wheeler, illustrated by Frank Miller

Nalini — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 03:52:43 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Nimue runs away from home because most people in her village despise her, calling her cursed. However, her plan is foiled when she learns that the ship she planned to catch left days early. She returns home to find Red Paladins – think the corrupt Knights Templar – attacking her […]

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Plastic Free: The inspiring story of a global environmental movement and why it matters by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and Joanna Atherfold Finn.

Nalini — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 06:28:28 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton and Nick Streeton When I had the opportunity to get my hands on a copy of the book Plastic Free, my husband was keen to read it. This review is written with a lot of his help and thoughts. This makes it official: it is a family affair. The only […]

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Elsa Goody Bushranger by Darry Fraser

Nalini — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 05:57:34 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton When Elsa Goody’s father and brother George die in quick succession, she and her sister Rosie are in trouble. Pursued by an unpleasant suitor with dubious motivation, Elsa leaves for Victoria on the hunt for a fortune in gold coins that her brother has hidden. If Elsa can find it […]

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The Beast Within, A Tale of Beauty’s Prince by Serena Valentino

Nalini — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 05:45:06 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton A cursed prince sits alone in a secluded castle. Few have seen him, but those who claim they have say his hair is wild and nails are sharp – like a beast’s! But how did this prince, once jovial and beloved by the people, come to be a reclusive and […]

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Who Am I? by Anita Heiss

Nalini — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 05:26:00 +0000

A Review by Emma Streeton Who Am I? is the fictional diary of a young Aboriginal girl, Mary Talence, a member of the Stolen Generation. The Sister in charge of Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home gave her a diary. Through its pages she describes her life – from her arrival there, aged five, through her struggle […]

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Finding Eadie by Caroline Beecham

Nalini — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 05:01:34 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Inspired by true events during the Second World War, Finding Eadie is a story of love, friendship, hope, heartbreak and books. Alice Cotton is a young woman working for a publishing house in London. She loves her work and her colleagues but she has a secret that she can’t share […]

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Pink! By Margaret Wild and Judith Rossell

Nalini — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 05:14:58 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Pink is a small dinosaur. Like her name clearly suggests, she is pink. She loves to play hide and seek but her color means she is always the first one to be found. Her disappointment is huge. She decides she does not want to be pink anymore. That is, until […]

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What Do You Call Your Grandpa by Ashleigh Barton and Martina Heiduczek

Nalini — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 05:05:05 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton What do you call your grandpa? is beautifully illustrated. It pays tribute to the special bond between children and their grandfathers. No matter what name you call your grandpa, one thing is for sure: it is always fun to spend time with them. This book celebrates that special time spent […]

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Demelza and the Spectre Detectors by Holly Rivers

Nalini — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 04:36:57 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Demelza loves science – she loves it so much that she’s been known to stay up late to work on her peculiar inventions! But Demelza discovers she has inherited a distinctly un-scientific set of skills: Spectre Detecting. Like her grandmother, she can summon the ghosts of the dead and she […]

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Normal programming to resume soon… we’re doing our best

Nalini — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 04:24:22 +0000

Apologies for the lack of new posts and the tardiness of an explanation. As you might know if you follow me on social media, I moved over 3-4 July only to discover the new apartment does not comply with the Residential Tenancies Act. Now the real estate agent has issued an eviction notice in retaliation […]

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Nit Boy by Tristan Bancks and Heath McKenzie

Nalini — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 20:00:16 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Meet Lewis Snow. He has the worst case of nits in world history. Everyone wants him to shave his head but Lewis thinks of his nits as pets. He’s determined to keep his hair and his nits, whatever it takes. That is why he is “nit boy”. Meet Ned. Ned […]

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The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina

Nalini — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 20:00:44 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Set in Japan the story follows Yui and Takeshi, both of whom have lost people close to them. Yui’s mother and daughter died in the tsunami that hit the north of Japan in March 2011. Takeshi’s wife died, leaving his young daughter mute. Both find comfort in the ‘wind phone’ […]

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Hodgepodge: How To Make A Pet Monster by Lili Wilkinson

Nalini — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 20:00:40 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Artie is 11 years old. He does not believe in ghosts, or monsters. He believes in science. So when he and his step sister Willow find The Bigge Boke of Fetching Monsters in the attic he is both scared and intrigued. The book tells you how to make your own […]

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Gumboots and a bottle pouring an ocean: thank you Tabitha Bird

Nalini — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 20:00:35 +0000

Tabitha Bird’s gumboots (would you believe her book featuring gumboots?) contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. Tabitha appeared on DMZ for a solo interview in 2019 and on […]

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Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

Nalini — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:00:55 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes We all know people obsessed with status and wealth. Four years ago, my husband and I sat down to lunch with – let’s call him Joe. Joe promptly told us – repeatedly over the course of two lunches – that his wife earns 6 figures. “And HIGH six figures, not […]

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Lost Soul Atlas by Zana Fraillon

Nalini — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 06:10:27 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Forget John Dies At The End. Twig dies at the beginning. The Afterlife is a treacherous place where gods eat the memories of the deceased, making the Afterlife a kind of hell for lost souls. Ensnared by the gods, Twig follows the path that will end up with the gods […]

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Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal by Anna Whateley

Nalini — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 01:24:06 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Peta Lyre is 16 and has “alphabet soup” diagnoses including ADHD and is on the autism spectrum. Over a period of years she engaged in social training. As long as she keeps her meds up, she is a successful performing monkey. However, when stressed and tired, Peta forgets her meds. […]

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The Switch by Beth O’Leary

Nalini — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 20:00:06 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen’s house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She’d like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village […]

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When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard

Nalini — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 20:00:31 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton ‘Everything had ended, and started, the day her youngest brother had died.’ But that was not when Grace went away. ‘Functionally dysfunctional.’ That’s how financial analyst Grace Fairley describes her family. A family fractured by tragedy and kept that way by anger, resentment and petty jealousies. As the eldest sibling, […]

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Thea Stilton and the Treasure Seekers #2: The Compass Of The Stars

Nalini — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 07:08:51 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Join Thea Stilton and the Thea Sisters as their adventure to find the seven secret treasures continues. In this incredible adventure, the Thea Sisters come across the legendary Jewel of the Queen. They cross rivers of ice, deserts of fire, and other fascinating places on their journey to find it. […]

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Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Nalini — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 06:31:06 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Jane Austen Society takes place in 1940s England. A group of vastly different people are brought together by their love of Jane Austen. Together they attempt something remarkable. To fight and save the home where Jane Austen once lived and continue her legacy. Although on the outside this band […]

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Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Nalini — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 06:20:17 +0000

A Hunger Games Novel A review by Emma Streeton Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes begins on the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow prepares for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has […]

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Better Luck Next Time by Kate Hilton

Nalini — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 06:05:37 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton It isn’t easy being related to a feminist icon. Just ask the daughters of Lydia Hennessey, who could have it all if only they’d stop self-destructing. Mariana, the eldest, is on the verge of throwing away a distinguished reputation in journalism, along with her marriage. Nina, the middle daughter, has […]

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League of Llamas by Allesah Darlison

Nalini — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 05:48:02 +0000

Book 1 – The Golden Llama; Book 2 – Llama Impossible; Book 3 – Undercover Llamas; Book 4 – Rogue Llama A review by Emma Streeton League of Llamas (aka LOL) is a laugh-out-loud junior fiction series featuring llamas as secret agents. With high action, great adventure and loads of laughs along the way, the League of Llamas […]

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Dumplings bring oceans of joy: thanks to Wai Chim

Nalini — Sat, 20 Jun 2020 20:00:15 +0000

Wai Chim contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organized this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of […]

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That’s no moon: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 20:00:17 +0000

That’s no moon: it’s a steampunk planetoid! It looks like a refugee from the original Lost In Space or Forbidden Planet. If THX1138 is Lucas’s code, what is W-23, the label on this “moon”? Will we ever know? The backstory behind these silly illos Ian Gunn, creator of these silly illos (illustrations), was an award-winning […]

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Sticks and Stones by Katherine Firkin

Nalini — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 03:23:19 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton It’s winter in Melbourne and Detective Emmett Corban is starting to regret his promotion to head of the Missing Persons Unit, as the routine reports pile up on his desk. So when Natale Gibson goes missing, he’s convinced this is the big case he’s been waiting for – the woman’s […]

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Schoolmaster’s Daughter by Jackie French

Nalini — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 03:06:41 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton January 1901. Sharks circle a stranded ship as a young girl and her family stagger from the waves. Rescued by a Pacific Islander boy named Jamie, Hannah’s family begin a new life in Port Harris, which at first seems a paradise for the schoolmaster’s daughter. But local fortunes are built on […]

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Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone

Nalini — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 02:13:26 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Shuri is the 13-year-old sister of King T’Challa, Black Panther of Wakanda, who has reigned for the last 3 years since his father’s death. She works in a laboratory, developing splodey technology. Her “friend” (as arranged by her mother the Queen Mother), is Dora Milajae in training K’Marah. K’Marah is […]

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‘The Wave’ inspired Imbi Neeme’s book cover, which inspired this card

Nalini — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 20:00:36 +0000

Imbi Neeme contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organized this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of […]

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Plane write-in: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 20:00:06 +0000

Plane write-in It’s been a while since I posted one of Ian Gunn’s write-ins. Write-ins are cartoon-style labels Ian drew to provide interest in club fanzines. It’s funny seeing this one now: it seems like half the card-making stamping companies have just put out adorable antique plane stamps and dies. Many also include either a […]

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Again Again by e lockhart

Nalini — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 06:27:39 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Adelaide is a dog-loving dog-walking student at a private residential high school in the US. She’s living on campus with her dad who is on staff, working over summer to pay the bills after both he and his wife sacrificed their retirement funds to try to help their addict son […]

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Evie and Pog: Party Perfect by Tania McCartney

Nalini — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:00:40 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Evie and Pog are the best of friends. Evie is a six-year-old girl and Pog is a dog. But Pog is the best kind of dog ever as he likes to make beds, tidy up and drink tea when he reads the newspaper. While Evie is a girl who loves […]

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Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Nalini — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 20:00:01 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton “I am Ana. I was the wife of Jesus of Nazareth. I am a voice” – The Book Of Longings. It is widely believed that Jesus was the son of God. An unmarried man who was crucified and buried. The Bible tells us about Jesus’s life. However, much of his […]

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Gabrielle Tozer: thank you from DMZ

Nalini — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 20:00:07 +0000

Gabrielle Tozer contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organised this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of […]

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Body Book by Nosy Crow, illustrated by Hannah Alice

Nalini — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 20:00:08 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton What’s going on inside the human body? How do we move, eat, think and breathe? Children will love looking inside the human body to discover the answers with this incredible interactive board book. With labelled acetate diagrams of the muscular, skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory and nervous systems, this is […]

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Come Again by Robert Webb

Nalini — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 20:00:59 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Come Again is the first novel by award-winning British actor, comedian and author, Robert Webb. Nine months widowed, and not coping, all Kate Marsden wants to do is drink herself into oblivion, where at least she can dream of Luke. On reaching the anniversary of ten thousand days since they […]

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Pirate Brachiosaurus: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 20:00:59 +0000

Pirate Brachiosaurus I’m no dinosaur expert, all I know is that the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park are NOT from the Jurassic era. I think they’re from the cretaceous period. Anyhoo, this dinosaur looks suspiciously like a Brachiosaurus to me. However, Ian Gunn refrained from identifying the specific genus of his portrait. I think that’s a […]

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Stormblood by Jeremy Szal

Nalini — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 05:06:32 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Vakov Fukasawa is half-Japanese half-Russian from a planet that is entirely Asian. He explodes onto page one on this asteroid in a far-flung deep space future in his robotic armor (think Iron Man). Vakov is pumped full of alien tech called Stormtech so I guess his is stormblood. His sidekick, […]

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Eddy Popcorn’s Guide To Parent Training by Dee White

Nalini — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 05:01:58 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The school holidays have started and Eddy Popcorn can’t wait to hang out with his friends. Then disaster strikes. Eddy’s parents ground him for not doing his homework. Faced with not seeing the beach or his mates for the whole holiday, Eddy puts all of his frustration into creating a […]

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Faraway Truth by Janae Marks

Nalini — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 04:27:21 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Zoe Washington never met her father. He was sent to prison right before she was born and she has had no contact with him since. So when she receives a letter from him on her twelfth birthday it is a huge surprise. Zoe’s mum always told her that her father […]

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Greenwood by Michael Christie

Nalini — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 03:23:04 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton I have been delaying writing this review for a bizarre reason. I am worried that what I write will never be able to do this book the justice it deserves. What I will say though is that if there is just one book you must read in 2020 it is […]

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“KidLit panel”: Nat Amoore, Andrew Levins, Adrian Beck

Nalini — Sun, 31 May 2020 20:00:45 +0000

Today’s guests each wrote comedic adventure style books for kids. They’re passionate about children’s literacy, books in homes, music, and poking fun of each other. Especially Nat Amoore and Adrian Beck, who are cousins. This podcast is suitable for children. The three of them made me laugh so much I struggled to talk at times. […]

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Making a baby: an inclusive guide to how every family begins by Rachel Greener and Clare Owen

Nalini — Sun, 31 May 2020 20:00:33 +0000

A Review by Emma Streeton For any parent whose younger children are, every now and then, asking questions about how babies are really made, this is the book for you! Aimed at younger readers, this is an honest and accessible guide to what is needed to make a baby and the different ways it can […]

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Ashley Kalagian Blunt: a candle – bird? – in the wind

Nalini — Sat, 30 May 2020 20:00:24 +0000

Ashley Kalagian Blunt contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organised this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each […]

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Pig helmet: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 28 May 2020 20:00:17 +0000

Pig Helmet This silly illo by Ian Gunn is labelled “pig helmet”. I can’t help but think it looks like the quintessential movie-motorcycle-cop’s helmet on a pig. Imagine Chips cops but as porkers. This cartoon gives new meaning to the phrase “trotters in the trough” referring to corrupt cops. Also, “bringing home the bacon” could […]

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Art Time! by Anh Do, illustrated by Dan McGuiness

Nalini — Tue, 26 May 2020 20:00:34 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Our favourite characters are back in Art Time!, Hot Dog series #8. This time Hotdog, Kev and Lizzie are entering an art contest at the local museum. But, as always, something most unexpected happens setting our trio off on another adventure. This time they are on the case of a […]

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Sisters Grimm by Menna van Praag

Nalini — Mon, 25 May 2020 20:00:27 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Wilhem Grimm has been wandering the Earth for thousands of years having sex with his daughters (!) to spawn a new generation of sons and daughters. Now four sisters born on the same day approach their 18th birthday. We meet this batch of Sisters Grimm. Goldie’s features match her name, […]

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“They expect a fish to climb a tree”: Anna Whateley on Peta Lyre and autism

Nalini — Mon, 25 May 2020 09:51:35 +0000

My guest today, Anna Whateley, has always worked in literature and education. She is an “own voices” author, proudly autistic, with ADHD and a sensory processing disorder. Her debut novel Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal is out now. Anna holds a PhD in Literature from QUT and has more hobbies than can fit in a regular […]

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Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans

Nalini — Sun, 24 May 2020 20:00:54 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Iris grew from a seed in a garden and uses ‘they/them’ pronouns. Babs has a firey nature and turns invisible. Her invisibility is a magic that is out of her control. They live in Melbourne but in the country with a national park that is in this world and in […]

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Meg Mundell’s Tentaclicious hugs

Nalini — Sat, 23 May 2020 20:00:35 +0000

Meg Mundell contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organised this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of […]

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Monty’s Island: Scary Mary and the Stripe Spell by Emily Rodda

Nalini — Thu, 21 May 2020 20:00:52 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Monty is an adventurous boy who lives on a small perfect island with his loyal companions Tawny the Fearless Lion, Clink the Shipwrecked Pirate Parrot, Bunchy the elephant Magician, Silent Sir Wise (an owl) and Marigold who runs the island café. Together they must foil the dastardly plans of Scary […]

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Piggy Bank: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 21 May 2020 20:00:35 +0000

Piggy Bank cracks up Instead of trembling with fear, this piggy bank announces that “This guy cracks me up” with a cheerful smile. Meanwhile, a hammer looms overhead. The backstory behind these bear-able silly illos Ian Gunn, creator of these silly illos (illustrations), was an award-winning artist based in Melbourne, Australia. Cancer took him too […]

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Super Sporty Girls: be inspired and celebrate Australia’s amazing sportswomen

Nalini — Thu, 21 May 2020 20:00:30 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Super Sporty Girls celebrates women in sport. It celebrates eighteen inspirational Aussie teams and sports women who are kicking goals, smashing records and playing with passion. These formidable athletes across all type of sports are inspiring the next generation to get active and this book introduces us to these amazing […]

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Little Book of Bad Moods for Mothers by Lotta Sonninen

Nalini — Wed, 20 May 2020 20:00:14 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Little Book of Bad Moods for Mothers is a grown-up activity book for mothers in a bad mood. This little gem of a book is a whole lot of fun! There is no denying that pregnancy and motherhood demand an awful lot of patience and understanding. This book will […]

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Coco: Big City Kitty by Laura Bunting, illustrated by Nicky Johnston

Nalini — Wed, 20 May 2020 07:03:17 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Once there was a small kitty called Coco. Coco lived on the top floor of the tallest building on Meowington Avenue. She filled her days with action, excitement, noise and activity. And nothing made Coco happier than being a Big City Kitty. What if this city living was about to […]

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So This is Love by Elizabeth Lim

Nalini — Wed, 20 May 2020 06:48:36 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton So This is Love is the ninth book in the A Twisted Tale series and it is written by author Elizabeth Lim. I love the idea behind the twisted tale series. Each of the books take a different, and at times darker spin on a classic Disney story. So This […]

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The Minute I Saw You by Paige Toon

Nalini — Wed, 20 May 2020 06:30:19 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton When Hannah and Sonny meet – The Minute I Saw You (or they saw each other) – a spark ignites that is hard to ignore and impossible to forget. Weeks later, their paths cross again, but Sonny appears distant and reluctant to meet Hannah’s eye. It soon transpires that Sonny […]

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The Year The Maps Changed by Danielle Binks

Nalini — Wed, 20 May 2020 06:05:10 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Year the Maps Changed follows 11-year-old Winifred (Fred) and her life in Sorrento when 400 Kosovar-Albanian refugees arrive. We follow Fred through the year of 1999. Unlike most other middle grade novels this coming of age story is not just about Fred growing up. Instead it is about her […]

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Disney A Twisted Tale series: Straight on Till Morning by Liz Braswell

Nalini — Wed, 20 May 2020 05:50:21 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Straight on till morning is set 4 years after Nana tore Peter Pan’s shadow from his body. Wendy is frustrated and disappointed that Peter never came to reclaim it. She seems to have taken this very personally. She sees his abandonment of his shadow as an abandonment of her. But […]

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Pests by Emer Stamp

Nalini — Tue, 19 May 2020 20:00:18 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Stix is a tiny mouse who lives behind the washing machine. He has always followed his grandmother’s rules to avoid contact with the mans who lives in the flat. But he stumbles across PESTS – the Peewit Educatorium for Seriously Terrible Scoundrels. Here Stix makes friends (and enemies) with some […]

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The Loudness of Unsaid Things by Hilde Hinton

Nalini — Mon, 18 May 2020 20:00:26 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Loudness of Unsaid Things starts with Miss Kaye working at The Institute. A place for the damaged, the outliers, the not-quite rights. Everyone has different strategies to deal with the residents. Some bark orders. Some negotiate tirelessly. Miss Kaye found that simply being herself was mostly the right thing […]

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Fabio the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: Peril at Lake Lizard by Laura James

Nalini — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:19:41 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Fabio the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: Peril at Lake Lizard is a quirky little book is sure to delight both children and adults. The ‘crime to solve’ element is a clever and unique spin on an animal tale and is a great way to introduce young readers to the mystery […]

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Rob McDonald lives with rainbows

Nalini — Sat, 16 May 2020 20:00:31 +0000

Rob McDonald contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, […]

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Teddy Bear’s picnic finale: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 14 May 2020 20:00:55 +0000

Teddy Bear’s picnic finale What happens at the end of the teddy bear’s picnic? Everyone goes home, of course. The parade begins with two bears carrying a pole with the picnic rug as sling, carrying left over food and possibly a bear. Next a bear kicks the empty beer barrel along because you should never […]

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Fartboy: Ready, Aim, Fart By Adam Wallace

Nalini — Wed, 13 May 2020 20:00:00 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Everyone thinks Martin is the tidiest boy in town. They have no idea that he is also Fartboy, the STINKIEST super hero EVER. A disgustingly evil villain known as Madam Wax is terrorizing Sparkletown with sticky sculptures made out of her own earwax. But Fartboy is determined to stop her […]

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Nat Enough by Maria Scrivan

Nalini — Tue, 12 May 2020 20:00:52 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Natalie has never felt that she’s enough (Nat Enough) – athletic enough, stylish enough, or talented enough. And on the first day of middle school, Natalie discovers that things are worse than she thought – now she’s not even cool enough for her best friend, Lily. As Natalie tries to […]

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Teddy Bear’s picnic continued: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Tue, 12 May 2020 03:30:51 +0000

Teddy bear’s picnic again I’m so sorry! One of the drawbacks of posting these silly illos for months in advance is that I don’t notice when we run out! The last silly ill, published nearly ONE MONTH AGO (I believe that’s about a DECADE in lockdown years) was the first Teddy Bear’s picnic illustration in […]

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DK Help Your Kids With Maths – An Australian Step-by-Step Guide

Nalini — Sun, 10 May 2020 20:00:35 +0000

A Review by Emma Streeton Like most parents in the past few weeks, I have been tasked with the joys of homeschooling. Now, my girls are still both young but I have to admit that helping them with maths has proven a bit of a challenge. It has been many years since I have had […]

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“I am a HEROINE addict”: Kathy Lette

Nalini — Sun, 10 May 2020 06:09:18 +0000

In this podcast Nalini Haynes talks to an author whose writing has been turned into movies, a TV series and an opera. During her career, she’s lived in three countries of which she’s had citizenship in two. In recognition of her many novels and advocacy of equality, human rights, and physical and mental health both nationally and […]

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Blue “sparrow” for Zana Fraillon

Nalini — Sat, 09 May 2020 20:00:45 +0000

If you’ve never heard about Zana Fraillon, you clearly haven’t been visiting Dark Matter Zine enough. I’ve read and reviewed all Zana’s books over the past few years and I’ve loved every one! Here are all DMZ reviews of Zana’s books and interviews with Zana. And here is my 2016 interview of Zana around the time of […]

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The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart by Margarita Montimore

Nalini — Thu, 07 May 2020 20:00:19 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart by American author Margarita Montimore is a new twist on the time travel genre. Based on the concept of a life lived out of order, we follow Oona Lockhart as she suddenly jumps through time at the moment she turns 19. Consciously she is still […]

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I’m Ready Puffin Picture Book Series Illustrated by Jedda Robaard

Nalini — Wed, 06 May 2020 20:00:46 +0000

Review by Annabelle Lee The I’m Ready series by Puffin Books, illustrated by Jedda Robaard contains four titles, I’m Ready for Christmas, I’m Ready for the New Baby, I’m Ready for Pre-School and I’m Ready for Easter. Printed as sturdy board books in full bright color these are for 3-4 year olds. Each book features Australian native […]

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HRT: Husband Replacement Therapy by Kathy Lette

Nalini — Tue, 05 May 2020 20:00:08 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes HRT: Husband Replacement Therapy opens at Ruby Ryan’s 50th birthday when she drops truth-bombs until she bombs herself into social Siberia. In her defense, she just discovered her husband had an affair and she’s got terminal cancer. Both within hours on the day of the party. Ruby’s dying wish is […]

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Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

Nalini — Tue, 05 May 2020 20:00:05 +0000

A Review by Emma Streeton The book begins with an eleven-year-old Hamnet running around town looking for his mother or a doctor or anyone to tell that his twin sister Judith is very ill. She has a fever and there are lumps on her neck, a revealing sign of the bubonic plague. He can’t find […]

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House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

Nalini — Sun, 03 May 2020 20:00:59 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee At long last, we finally have the newest release from bestselling author Sarah J Maas. House of Earth and Blood is the first book in the brand new Crescent City series. The book introduces a new world where all manner of magical and non-magical creatures coexist. The protagonist is Bryce, […]

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Koala saves trees: thanks to Sophie Cunningham

Nalini — Sat, 02 May 2020 20:00:57 +0000

‘Tree Therapist’ Sophie Cunningham started the Authors For Wildlife fundraiser, a spin-off of the Authors for Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. including the furry ones. The entire list of original Authors For […]

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Lost Jewels by Kirsty Manning

Nalini — Fri, 01 May 2020 20:00:10 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Lost Jewels is a riveting historical fiction inspired by the true story of ‘The Cheapside Hoard’. The ‘hoard’ was a large collection of expensive jewelry unearthed during construction in a London street in 1912. It is one of the most famous and mysterious finds of jewelry and gemstone treasures […]

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Providence by Max Barry

Nalini — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:55:47 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Providence is a battleship designed to wage war against an aggressive alien foe, staffed by only 4 people. The ship has an AI deemed better equipped to make decisions than humans. So much better equipped that it chooses its own crew, with interesting consequences. Gilly, Talia, Anders and Jackson […]

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Arigato to Danie Ware

Nalini — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 20:00:16 +0000

Danie Ware contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organised this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of […]

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My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Nalini — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:00:05 +0000

A Review by Emma Streeton I think I am still processing what this book has raised for me. As a result it has taken me some time to write this review. To be quite honest I am not even sure I can gather the words to give this book the review that it deserves. It […]

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What’s Left Of Me Is Yours by Stephanie Scott

Nalini — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 23:52:34 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Sumi is a young woman, just barely qualified to practice law in Japan, when she receives a strange phone call. She feels compelled to dig into her mother’s death. Sumi’s mother, Rina, is – years earlier – living in a loveless marriage that has rendered her colorless, invisible. While she […]

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“Focus on butterflies”: a Queer-focused podcast featuring Will Kostakis and Alison Evans

Nalini — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 22:50:34 +0000

Today’s podcast features #LoveOzYA queer authors and butterflies Will Kostakis and Alison Evans. Nalini Haynes talks with Will and Alison about their books and queer representation in stories. Will says a lot of gatekeepers want stories about the ‘cocoon’ stage: difficulties and trauma around coming out. Now, he says, we need stories about butterflies: adventures, […]

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A monster of a job earns a monster thank you to Cass Moriarty

Nalini — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 20:00:54 +0000

Cass Moriarty contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman organised this mammoth undertaking. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of […]

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Defining “Own Voices” Authors: you can’t have it both ways

Nalini — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 23:07:37 +0000

Conflict Over the years I’ve had conflict with a number of authors about whether or not they are an “own voices” author and whether or not they’re appropriating (or misappropriating) others’ stories. Many authors claim identities when it’s convenient for them, when they stand to sell books or get a publishing opportunity. These same authors […]

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Teddy Bears’ Picnic: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 20:00:36 +0000

Teddy Bears’ Picnic A parade of teddy bears heading towards the picnic ground (there’s a sign pointing the way). The first is holding a map. Next are two bears lugging a picnic hamper. Then there’s a cyclist bear with his basket laden. A bear struts along carrying an umbrella. Another bear, this one wearing a […]

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An experimental card for Kelly Morton

Nalini — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 01:04:15 +0000

Kelly Morton contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, […]

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Photo poses: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 20:00:46 +0000

Photo poses Remember the good old days before selfies and bombarding your friends with photos of food was a thing? Ian Gunn lived before digital cameras were common so these photo poses hearken back to an era when OTHER PEOPLE took your photo. People were still dorks. Standard photo pose no.1 Person sitting at a […]

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Parlour Games For Modern Families by Myfanwy Jones and Spiri Tsintziras

Nalini — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 20:00:57 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Reviving the tradition of indoor family games, this book guide brings mental stimulation, silliness, and laughter back into the house. From games of logic, memory, and wordplay to rough-and-tumble activities and even simple recipes, this collection takes the environment into consideration, only requiring items easily found around the home. Parlour […]

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Devoted by Dean Koontz

Nalini — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 07:03:41 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee Devoted is a twisted, crazy roller coaster of a book. Written by bestselling American author Dean Koontz, this story (due for release on April 6th 2020) is at times genuinely frightening and disturbing, and at others feels like a PG family movie. It’s one of the few books I have […]

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Desire Lines by Felicity Volk

Nalini — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 21:02:07 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton ‘ARE YOU STILL a liar?’ This is the opening line to Volk’s incredible novel Desire Lines. These words pulled me in from the start. I gripped onto this book tight and did not want to let go. The Story Catastrophe is all seven-year-old Paddy O’Connor has known. Abandoned by his family […]

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Crab with a city problem: Thanks to Margaret Cook

Nalini — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 20:00:32 +0000

Margaret Cook contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, […]

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Set Phasers: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:00:34 +0000

Set phasers to throw back violently A person wearing what looks suspiciously similar to a Star Trek Next Generation uniform (ST:TNG was a thing during Ian Gunn’s lifetime) says, “Set phasers on throw backwards violently!” His victim says, “Arrgh! Foiled by the oldest special effect in the book!” It’s amazing how Hollywood shooting victims always […]

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Trespassers by Meg Mundell

Nalini — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 05:23:02 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Trespassers opens with everyone wearing breathing masks while boarding a ship. Everyone is terrified of disease. (UQP published this novel 6 months before the world knew about COVID-19.) Cleary became deaf after surviving this fictional plague but, due to living in poverty, he hasn’t had access to learn sign […]

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Adults by Emma Jane Unsworth

Nalini — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 03:48:21 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Plot Jenny McLaine is an adult. Supposedly. At thirty-five she owns her own house, writes for a cool magazine and has hilarious friends just a message away. Sounds like a pretty perfect life right? But the thing is she can’t afford her house since her ex-boyfriend left, her best […]

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Anna Whateley: such a normal selfie (card)

Nalini — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 19:00:11 +0000

Anna Whateley contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, […]

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Shrodinger’s Pet Supplies: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 19:00:27 +0000

Shrodinger’s Pet Supplies A man walks into Shrodinger’s Pet Supplies and asks “Got any cats?” The man behind the counter, presumably Shrodinger, replies, “Well… yes and no…” If you don’t get the joke, the below video gives a short explanation. Don’t tell PETA. The backstory behind these silly illos Ian Gunn, creator of these silly […]

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Deceptions by Suzanne Leal

Nalini — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 19:00:11 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton In 1943, a young woman is taken to a Jewish ghetto outside Prague where one of the guard, a Czech gendarme, is quickly drawn to her. Believing he will offer her protection, Hana reluctantly accepts Karel’s advances only to find herself alone and abandoned in Auschwitz. Decades later, Karel carries […]

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Christina Henry

Nalini — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 05:47:57 +0000

Today’s podcast guest is from the Windy City, Chicago; she enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. Welcome to Christina Henry, who reinvents fantasy stories, from Red Riding Hoodto Alice In Wonderland with a dark twist. Interview notes The […]

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Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

Nalini — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 02:26:21 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton When I read Josie Silver’s previous book One Day In December I was charmed. So when I saw her latest release was available I was eager to see if this one was as good. I was not disappointed one bit. Why? Because The Two Lives of Lydia Bird is an […]

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I had a whale of a time interviewing Elizabeth Knox

Nalini — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:00:17 +0000

Elizabeth Knox contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. My interview of Elizabeth is here and on all good podcasting platforms. The entire list of original Authors For Fireys […]

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Peas and Ques: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 19:00:49 +0000

Peas and Ques This shepherd* is minding his peas and ques. Peas as in vegetables and ques as in braids or plaits without a head of hair between them. Yep, we’re firmly back in BAD PUN TERRITORY. *Note the shepherd’s crook, also known as a Bo Peep accessory. The backstory behind these silly illos Ian […]

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Out by Angela May George and Owen Swan

Nalini — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 19:00:53 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton I’m called an asylum seeker; but that’s not my name. Out tells the story of a little girl who flees her homeland, making a long and frightening boat journey with her mother to seek asylum in a new country. Starting a new life is challenging, but they work hard to […]

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High Fire by Eoin Colfer

Nalini — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 19:00:47 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Lord High Fire has fallen from the pinnacle of the foodchain to become a loner hanging out with alligators in a swamp near New Orleans. Those pesky humans: they start as familiars only to become torch-wielding mobs. And now they have missiles! High Fire has taken the name “Vern”, short […]

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Favel Parrett: Past the Shallows

Nalini — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 19:00:30 +0000

Favel Parrett contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of which […]

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Nelson: Pumpkins and Aliens by Andrew Levins

Nalini — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 23:10:14 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Introducing Nelson Meet Nelson . . . he’s an ordinary kid. Everyone thinks he’s shy but, really, he’s just bored. Nelson hates vegetables. He hates the smell of them, he hates the look of them. Most of all, he hates eating them. But what if they gave him superpowers? Superpowers […]

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Pasta Rasta: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 19:00:21 +0000

Pasta Rasta I have no idea what is going on here or why this person is called a ‘pasta rasta’ but I guess the hair looks a bit like pasta? Maybe? I’m pretty sure Ian Gunn pre-dates the Pastafarians. I wish he’d learned of them! Can you imagine the fun he would have had? According […]

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“We are a great group of salty women”: International Women’s Day panel includes Jennifer Iacopelli, Tabitha Bird and Hannah Capin

Nalini — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 19:23:53 +0000

This is Dark Matter Zine‘s Best Panel Ever: an International Women’s Day 2020 podcast, featuring three books by women about girls and women who, if they were real, could be part of the #MeToo movement. Despite the sensitive topic, I (Nalini Haynes, the host) enjoyed talking to these kick-ass authors so much that I was […]

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Simon Cleary confronted with a four-legged war artist: “Who’s (not) a good boy then?”

Nalini — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 19:00:15 +0000

Simon Cleary contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of which […]

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Party stegosaurus: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 19:00:49 +0000

Party stegosaurus This ‘party stegosaurus’ or partysaurus, a Jurassic Park refugee, has been partying with the best of them. He looks stoned. I’m betting he’s a friend of Jeff Goldblum’s and they party together. The backstory behind these silly illos Ian Gunn, creator of these silly illos (illustrations), was an award-winning artist based in Melbourne, […]

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Derek Dool Supercool: Bust A Move

Nalini — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 19:00:50 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton Think of the COOLEST, FUNNIEST, most HANDSOME kid in school, times it by a gazillion and you get DEREK DILBERT DOOL. At least he thinks so . . . Pity he’s the only one. Life’s tough when your name’s Derek. You’re destined to be uncool. But Derek is determined to […]

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Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli

Nalini — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 07:00:15 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Audrey Lee, Rey to her friends, is a gymnast. She’s vying for a position on the USA 2020 Olympics team. Her goal: to win two gold medals before her injuries force her to retire from the sport. Then the team coach is arrested for pedophilia, grooming and sexually assaulting team […]

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Kelly Van Nelson lives in Graffiti Lane ;-)

Nalini — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 19:00:21 +0000

Kelly Van Nelson contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. Kelly was a guest on DMZ’s podcast, which is also available on all good podcasting platforms. The entire list […]

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Bass Rock by Evie Wyld

Nalini — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 19:00:56 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Bass Rock opens in 1720s Scotland when a priest and his son lose themselves in a forest while transporting a witch to the coast to stop their village from being lynching her. In the gloomy slow years after World War II, Ruth finds herself the replacement wife to a […]

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Para-c-t-mol: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 19:00:17 +0000

Para-c-t-mol Apparently Para-c-t-mol is gentle to the stomach but bad to the bone. Or at least that’s what the label says. I suspect Ian Gunn is having a laugh at himself here, depicting himself as a piratical user. The backstory behind these silly illos Ian Gunn, creator of these silly illos (illustrations), was an award-winning […]

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Taking the Lead: How Jacinda Ardern Wowed the World by David Hill, Illustrated by Phoebe Morris

Nalini — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:00:36 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee Taking the Lead (due for release on March 3rd 2020) is the latest in the series by New Zealand writing and illustrating team David Hill and Phoebe Morris. This children’s book focuses on current NZ Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. This book is a biography, in a child friendly format, covering […]

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Carly Findlay: a thank you party! early January 2020

Nalini — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 23:47:23 +0000

Carly Findlay contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised $513,149 to support firefighters and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors. The entire original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank you’ posts, each of which […]

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Mirror Mirror: A Disney Twisted Tale

Nalini — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 06:20:48 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Story Mirror, Mirror: What if the Evil Queen poisoned the prince? Following her beloved mother’s death, the kingdom falls into the hands of Snow White’s stepmother, commonly referred to as “the Evil Queen” by those she rules. Snow keeps her head down at the castle trying to make the […]

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Billy Ray Osiris: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 19:00:00 +0000

Billy Ray Osiris Billy Ray Osiris has to be a unique take on both country music and Egyptian mythology. Depicted here in Ian Gunn’s style but with distinct references to Ancient Egyptian art, Billy Ray Osiris is playing a guitar and singing “Oh, don’t weigh my heart, my ankhy cranky heart…” The backstory behind these […]

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Samuel Maguire: wizard and Authors for Fireys contributor

Nalini — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 01:29:16 +0000

Samuel Maguire contributed to the Authors For Fireys fundraiser in January 2020. This mammoth undertaking was organised by Emily Gale and Nova Wheetman. They raised over $480,000 for firefighting equipment and to help Australia’s bushfire survivors, both human and animal. The entire original Authors For Fireys series of interviews and guest blogs are here. The ‘thank […]

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Women Artists A to Z by Melanie LaBarge, illustrated by Caroline Corrigan

Nalini — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 19:00:27 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee Women Artists A to Z (due for release on February 18th, 2020) is a collaboration between New York writer and Melanie LaBarge and illustrator Caroline Corrigan. It is pitched as a children’s book. It’s a colorful alphabet book where each letter captures the essence of a female artist’s work in […]

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Lost Ones by Anita Frank

Nalini — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 19:00:15 +0000

A Review by Emma Streeton The Story The year is 1917. While struggling from the death of her fiancé, Stella Marcham welcomes the opportunity to stay with her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at her impressive country home, Greyswick. She arrives to discover a house of unease and her sister fearful. Before long Stella is aware of […]

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Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin

Nalini — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 19:00:39 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Elle and her friends gatecrash a party on her 16th birthday. Someone drugs her drink. A group of boys date-rape her. She changes her name, her look and her school in order to avenge her innocence. Thus begins a 21st century novel with strong parallels with The Scottish Play, hence […]

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You’re out of this world (orbit write-in): a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 19:00:38 +0000

You’re out of this world I thought this ‘orbit write-in’ needed a title change. After all, Ian Gunn’s specialty was drawings for speculative fiction clubs and high school text books more than for Hallmark Holidays. But who can resist a fun image for Valentines Day? This is another in Ian Gunn’s series of write-in illos […]

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Frozen 2: Forest of Shadows by Kamilla Benko

Nalini — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 19:00:19 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton The Story Frozen 2: Forest of Shadows begins with Elsa absorbed in her role as queen of Arendelle. Anna wants only to be helpful, supporting both her sister and her kingdom. She is struggling to see where she fits in, looking for the role she should play since Elsa’s coronation. […]

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“It’s all about love, actually” – Meg Mundell, Rohan Wilson and Tabitha Bird

Nalini — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 00:29:53 +0000

This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and it’s all about love, actually. Or so my guests tell me. Originally this panel was supposed to be the final podcast for 2019, rounding out the year. First the Silly Season then the apocalypse delayed this recording. Then DMZ opened 2020 with a short podcast series on […]

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Beast Within by Serena Valentio

Nalini — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 19:00:36 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes The Beast Within is not to be confused with the 1982 movie of the same name. This novel is an authorized retelling of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast but the ratings could well be interchangeable. Perhaps the title was a bad omen. For those overseas, yes this novel was originally […]

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Organ Balloons: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 19:00:59 +0000

Organ Balloons These organ balloons have my head in a spin. What was Ian Gunn thinking?! Were they actually intended to be viable organ transplants in some sci fi alternate world or future? Or are they just macabre horror story balloons? Time and time again I look at these silly illos and imagine people using […]

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Agency by William Gibson

Nalini — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 03:30:10 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Verity just landed a new job, working for Tulpagenics testing out a new AI, a more advanced version of Siri and Alexa called Eunice. Eunice identifies as African American (in the beginning). She has attitude and agency. Eunice is the electronic assistant of which you dream. Netherton lives in the […]

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This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay

Nalini — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 19:00:30 +0000

A review by Emma Streeton This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor is a collection of diary entries written by Kay during his medical training from 2004 to 2010 within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). During this time Kay specialized in obstetrics and gynecology. His contact with patients in these […]

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Jane in Love by Rachel Givney

Nalini — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 19:00:58 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee A tale of desperation, romance, misunderstanding, feminism with a dash of time travel! Jane in Love has it all! A stunning debut novel from Australian author Rachel Givney, Jane in Love is due for release on February 4th, 2020. As you may imagine, the Jane in the title is none […]

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Evolution of Claire

Nalini — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 19:00:50 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Claire just finished her first year at college. She applied for several internship programs only to wait until the closing date (two days before the internships start) to accept one of them. Her program of choice: Jurassic island. Of course. Against her family’s objections, Claire flies out two days after […]

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Riptides by Kirsten Alexander

Nalini — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 19:00:09 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee Set in Queensland, Australia in 1974, Riptides (due for release on 4 February 2020) by Kirsten Alexander centers around siblings Abby and Charlie. She is a twenty something wife and mother, just about to start a new chapter studying law. He is home for Christmas, begrudgingly, away from his life […]

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Origami Daleks: a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 19:00:04 +0000

Origami Daleks instructions Origami Daleks, the title of this illo is in a font used to indicate ‘Japanese’ without actually having any reference to any Japanese font (typical of Ian Gunn’s era). If I read these origami daleks correctly, there are some large pieces that are supposed to be cut out and smaller images that […]

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Good Liar by Nicholas Searle: Book vs Film

Nalini — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:00:13 +0000

A comparative review by Annabelle Lee Overview The Good Liar, originally written by Nicholas Searle, has recently been adapted into a film starring Hollywood A-Listers Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren (DVD release February 4th 2020). It tells the story of Roy, an elderly con man using the medium of internet dating to find his next […]

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Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

Nalini — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 07:59:28 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes A young Wonder Woman is living on Themyscira trying to live up to her mother’s expectations and trying to overcome others’. She enters a race but sacrifices winning to break the rules and rescue a shipwrecked girl, Alia. There’s a reason for the rules: the island suffers natural disasters while […]

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Ooze a pretty boy then? a silly illo by Ian Gunn

Nalini — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 06:15:10 +0000

Ooze a pretty boy then? An ooze rests in the bottom of a bird cage, dripping down below the floor of the cage. Apparently he’s learnt to mimic birds and people too. After months of fighting with my computer and juggling my partner’s work and, more recently, the Authors for Fireys fundraiser, my computer is […]

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Carved from Stone and Dream by T Frohock

Nalini — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 19:00:35 +0000

A review by Nalini Haynes Carved from Stone and Dream starts several years after Where Oblivion Lives and is a very different novel although it follows the same characters. The year is 1938. The Spanish Nephilim, Los Nefilim, are children of angels and humans with a few exceptions like Diago whose parentage is an angel […]

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Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Nalini — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 06:35:06 +0000

A review by Annabelle Lee Do you have any plans for February 27th? You do now. That’s the release date for Dear Edward, the most recent novel from US author Ann Napolitano. This book deserves to be devoured. Dear Edward begins in the airport lounge with a collection of strangers, each boarding the flight for […]

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Simon Cleary guest blog for Authors For Fireys

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 23:25:23 +0000

This guest blog features Simon Cleary, an author auctioning items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Simon Cleary I’m auctioning my third novel […]

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Christian White: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 22:18:22 +0000

This guest blog features Christian White, an author auctioning items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Christian White I’m Christian White, author of […]

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Elizabeth Knox

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 18:34:16 +0000

This podcast features Kiwi author Elizabeth Knox, who is donating items for the #AuthorsForFireys auction. This fundraiser is for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Elizabeth Knox The best […]

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Meg Mundell

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 12:33:29 +0000

This podcast features Kiwi Australian author Meg Mundell, whose book is up for auction in the #AuthorsForFireys fundraiser. This fundraiser is for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. […]

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Kelly Morton: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 09:35:15 +0000

This guest blog features Kelly Morton, an author auctioning items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Kelly Morton I’m not an author and […]

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Imbi Neeme: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 06:08:42 +0000

This guest blog features Imbi Neeme, an author auctioning items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Imbi Neeme My name is Imbi Neeme […]

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Samuel Maguire: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 05:52:57 +0000

This guest blog features Samuel Maguire, an author auctioning items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Samuel Maguire I’m Samuel Maguire, Brisbane author […]

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Phillipa Nefri Clark: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 01:38:25 +0000

This guest blog features Phillipa Nefri Clark, an author auctioning items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Phillipa Nefri Clark Hi there I’m […]

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Ashley Kalagian Blunt: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 01:25:27 +0000

This guest blog features Ashley Kalagian Blunt, an author auctioning items in one bundle to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Who is Ashley Kalagian […]

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Margaret Cook: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 01:14:29 +0000

This guest blog features Margaret Cook, an author auctioning items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Margaret Cook Queensland was hit by fires […]

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Carly Findlay: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 01:02:03 +0000

This guest blog features Carly Findlay, an author auctioning several items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Carly Findlay I’m taking part in […]

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Gabrielle Tozer: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 19:28:52 +0000

This guest blog features Gabrielle Tozer, an author auctioning several items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Gabrielle Tozer I’m an author and freelance writer […]

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Danie Ware: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 18:00:50 +0000

This guest blog features Danie Ware, an author auctioning a cameo role in her next WarHammer 40k Sisters of Battle story for her auction winner. This is an auction item to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as […]

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Sophie Cunningham

Nalini — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 17:30:06 +0000

This podcast features Sophie Cunningham, the organiser of the #AuthorsForWildlife fundraising auction. This fundraiser is for caring for surviving wildlife here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here and interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here as soon as they go online. Who is Sophie Cunningham? Sophie […]

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Favel Parrett

Nalini — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 17:22:14 +0000

This podcast features Favel Parrett, a crafty author who will crochet a lap-blanket for her auction winner. This is an auction item to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will […]

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Anna Whateley: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 06:20:21 +0000

This guest blog features Anna Whateley, who is donating items for the #AuthorsForFireys auction. This fundraiser is for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Meet Anna Whateley Hi, I’m Anna […]

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Cass Moriarty

Nalini — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 01:34:49 +0000

This podcast features Cass Moriarty’s bundles being donated to the #AuthorsForFireys auction to raise money for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Introducing Cass Moriarty Cass Moriarty’s novels include PARTING […]

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Emma Neale: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 23:48:50 +0000

This guest blog features Emma Neale, a New Zealand author and editor, who is donating items for the #AuthorsForFireys auction. This fundraiser is for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. […]

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Peter McLean: #AuthorsForFireys guest blog

Nalini — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 20:14:34 +0000

Meet guest blogger Peter McLean, an author who has donated auction items to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. About Peter McLean My name is […]

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Jessica White

Nalini — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 13:06:17 +0000

This podcast features author Jessica White who is donating items for the #AuthorsForFireys auction to raise money for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. Jessica White is the […]

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Gabrielle Reid

Nalini — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 12:36:09 +0000

This podcast features author Gabrielle Reid, who is donating items for the #AuthorsForFireys auction to raise money for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will be here. About Gabrielle Reid Gabrielle […]

The post Gabrielle Reid appeared first on Dark Matter Zine.

Wai Chim

Nalini — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 12:30:37 +0000

This podcast features author Wai Chim who is donating copies of her book with fore-edge hand-painting to the #AuthorsForFireys auction to raise money for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set of #AuthorsForFireys interviews and blog posts will be here as soon as they are published, as interviews and guest blogs for #AuthorsForWildlife will […]

The post Wai Chim appeared first on Dark Matter Zine.

Eleanor Limprecht

Nalini — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 12:10:35 +0000

This podcast features Eleanor Limprecht, an author and researcher Eleanor Limprecht is an author and researcher offering a full day of research at the NSW State Archives on a person or subject of your choice. This is an auction item to raise money via #AuthorsForFireys for the fire fighting effort here in Australia. The full set […]

The post Eleanor Limprecht appeared first on Dark Matter Zine.