Karen Comer

Are you a non-fiction reader? I flit between adult fiction, adult non-fiction, young adult fiction and children’s fiction – variety is the spice of life! If you usually read fiction, try a non-fiction book for a change. Is there a topic you’d like to dive deep into? Is there someone you’d like to learn about?… Continue reading Christmas wishlist – non-fiction

Books are the perfect Christmas present – easy to wrap, light to transport, wonderful summer entertainment, a conversation point. There are no plastic parts, they don’t need batteries. Here’s my 2020 list of my ten favourite novels for adults, in no particular order – historical fiction, Indigenous fiction, a verse novel, young protagonists, older protagonists,… Continue reading Christmas wishlist – adult fiction

Bookshops are open in Melbourne again, and it’s time to go Christmas shopping! This week, we can think about the teens in our lives – let’s show them inspiring characters, humorous situations, tender romantic relationships, strong friendships and everything else that affects our young adults. Miss 14 is here to give you some of her… Continue reading Christmas wishlist – young adult fiction

I had the pleasure earlier this year of working with teacher and guidance counsellor Kari Sutton on her book, Raising a mentally fit generation, published by Publish Central. Every time I sat at my desk to edit Kari’s book, I wished I had read this ten years ago so I had her wisdom for raising… Continue reading Raising a mentally fit generation – author interview

I was so keen to read the recently released Honeybee by Craig Silvey – his second book, Jasper Jones, is one of my favourite modern Australian classics. The movie of the same name is often studied by Yr 9 or 10 students – it’s the Australian version of To kill a mocking bird. Honeybee is… Continue reading Honeybee – book review

Miss 14 has joined me today as a specialist in young adult fiction to write a book review for Asphyxia’s Future Girl. Released this month, Future Girl is a gorgeously designed novel presented as an art journal. Written and illustrated by Asphyxia, an Australian Deaf writer, artist and activist, this is the story of 16-year-old… Continue reading Future girl – book review

I’m lifting my voice here, adding to the choirs singing praise about Trent Dalton’s latest novel, All our shimmering skies. His debut novel, Boy swallows universe, largely autobiographical, was a huge success and his second book is full of just as much magic and heartbreak and quirky characters and unexpected events as his first. Apart… Continue reading All our shimmering skies – review

Ever read a novel where the description of fashion makes you want to frock up in a 1920s flapper dress, reach for a mini skirt or adorn yourself in sprigged muslin? I am celebrating frocks and fiction in this post, as well as my dear friend, Leane Flynn, who has worked tirelessly to raise awareness… Continue reading Frocks and fiction

At a writing retreat I attended in February this year, Canadian author Sarah Selecky suggested that if we truly loved a book, we could write a letter to the author. This was not about flicking off a quick email – oh no! Nor was it a quick rummage through the junk drawer to find a… Continue reading Write a letter to an author

A couple of months later this year, Australia’s Love your bookshop day is tomorrow, 3rd October. It’s an annual celebration of the way bookshops offer not only books as physical products but bring communities together, celebrate a love of reading, offer carefully curated lists, support novelists and contribute to literary discussions. My local bookshop, Readings,… Continue reading Love your bookshop day