Amra Pajalic

My second favourite mystery writer. If I can write mysteries with half the sophistication and flair Walters does I'll be a happy chiky dee.
Entombed by Linda Fairstein (M)

Borrowed Light by Anna Fienberg (YA)

A fabulous YA novel that deals with the difficult topic of teen pregnancy with poignancy and heart. Delivers a message, but in a beautiful light-weight way.
Dead Lovely by Helen Fitzgerald (M)

Fitzgerald is another author I've discovered and will be avidly tracking future installments. Piss your pants funny book that packs so many great elements.
The Messenger by Marcus Zusak (YA)

This book was recommended to me by my agent and it was amazing. It has a true twist that will keep this book in my mind for life.
A swift pure cry by Siobhan Dowd (YA)

I was extremely sad to track Dowd's website and find that she had passed away from cancer. Her book was beautiful and the world has lost a true talent. Her legacy in A Swift Pure Cry is one that will live on.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin (YA

) A great young adult hook with a high concept premise. Funny and heartfelt at the same time. Having said that I'm getting a bit cheesed off with the whole diary ploy. Why can't a book just be written in first person?
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich

Have read the whole series. Love Stephanie Plum.

Skinny by Ibi Kaslik (YA)

Has been compared to Sylvia Plath's Belljar, a book I read years ago and have been meaning to re-read. Skinny is a tough book to read because of the subject matter.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult (PF)

My chant for 2007 is Jodi Picoult is the devil. I don't always like her characters, I don't always like her books, but I can't put them down. It's like rubber-necking at a car accident. You don't want to look, but you can't look away. This book however was surpassed only by My Sister's Keeper, while some of her other books were too sensationalist for my liking.
The Rage of Sheep by Michelle Cooper (YA)

An Aussie YA author. Liked the story as it wasn't your typical protagonist, but think the book could have been stronger if it was in a contemporary setting. This is the book that has influenced my novel the most as it made me see how popular fiction references really date a book.
The Janna Mysteries-Rosemary for Remembrance, Rue for Repentance by Felicity Pulman (YA X 3)

Pulman pulled me in despite myself. The love triangle, my favourite plot device, sucked me in yet again.
Undine by Penni Russo (YA)

The Starfish Sisters by J.C. Burke (YA)

The Story of Tom Brennan by J.C. Burke (YA) Love J.C. Burke and will read everything she publishes from now on. She combines stories with heart, humour and pacing.

Rommulus, My Father by Raimond Gaita (ME)

A beautiful memoir.

The Red Cardigan by J.C Burke (YA)

Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones (YA)

This is another top read for me. There are images that have lingered and I can recall them every time I think of this book.

Unpolished Gem by Alice Pung (ME)

Another memoir I loved about a Asian-Australian girl and the culture clash of living between the two.

Gravity by Scot Gardner (YA)

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (P)

Stephenie Meyer is a must read. She combines young adult paranormal in a gothic vampire romance. As you can guess I love vampires, she does them well. I'm in love with Jacob and am barracking for him to win out in the love triangle. Can't wait for the next book to see what happens. The new vampire tv show Moonlight is apparently based on these books and is also a must watch.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (LF)

Great read. Will be reading the second novel.

Black Water by David Metzenthen (YA)

World War I in Australia. Two topics that get me excited.

Notes from the Teenage Underground by Simmone Howell (YA)

I met Simmone Howell at the Victorian Premier's Awards. She won in her category with this book and it was a just win.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (P)

The Beckoners, Charmed by Carrie Mac (YA X 2)

The Beckoners was a really dark real life peek into the world of young adults. There were scenes that were so painful and realistic I had awful flash-backs to my youth. The book deals with the way young people gang up on each other and how bullying develops.

Peepshow, Rubdown by Leigh Redhead (M X 2)

An Australian crime writer I'd wanted to read for a long time. While formulaic the novels are interesting and attention grabbing. Set in the world of exotic dancers it has just the right amount of smut and humour to make it work.

Dirty Blonde by Lisa Scottoline (M)

Life of Pi by Yann Martel (LF)

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult (PF)

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (PF)

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult (PF)

Touchy Subjects-stories by Emma Donoghue (SS)

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (M)

The Secret River by Kate Grenville (LF)

Must read for all Australians. Based on Grenville's ancestors' stories this book presents how the British assimilated to Australia and their relationship with the Aborigine population already on the continent.
A sight for sore eyes by Ruth Rendell (M)

Body Double by Tess Gerritsen (M)

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edward (LF)

Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris (P)

Another vampire book. Light, fluffy and so funny. Sookie rules.
Dark Horse by Tami Hoag (M)

Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult (PF)

Baby Shark's Beaumont Blues by Robert Fate (M)

Baby Shark by Robert Fate (re-read) (M) A cowboy shoot 'em up with a female protagonist set in the 1950s. A combo to get my heart going.

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, Second Summer of the Sisterhood, and The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (YA X 3)

Enjoyed the series and the relationship between the sisterhood. Don't understand the need for the magical pants, but that's just me.
A day late and a dollar short by Terry McMillan (LF)

Queen Kat, Carmel and St Jude Get a Life by Maureen McCarthy (YA)

One of my favourite Australian young adult authors and this is her masterpiece

. Of Blessed Memory by Erica Jong (LF)

The Murder Exchange by Simon Kernick (M)

The Girls by Lori Lansens (LF)

A Rose by any Other name by Maureen McCarthy (YA)

The Infernal Optimist by Linda Jaivin (LF)

Tongue-in-cheek lampooning of Australia's immigration policy. Scoring political points with humour. A fabulous read.

Suspicious Circumstances by Sandra Ruttan (M)

A great debut by Ruttan and I'm looking forward to following up her second book.

Promise me by Harlan Coben (M)

Chain of Hearts by Maureen Mccarthy (YA)

A good day to die by Simon Kernick (M)

A recommendation by Ms Ruttan and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Cleaner by Brett Battles (M)

A Bosnian connection is how I found this author and it was a thrilling spy read.

On the Road to Jellico by Melina Marchetta (YA)

My second favourite young adult author. Have read everything she wrote and loved Jellico because of the shift in her writing and the complexity it deals with.

Tatiana and Alexander by Paullina Simons (PF)

Cross my Heart by Maureen McCarthy (YA)

Baby Shark by Robert Fate (M)

Dead Europe by Christos Tsolkis (LF)

Falling by Anne Provoost (YA)

A haunting read examining the effect of World War II on the following generations in Germany.