Kathryn's Inbox

British author Eliza Clark goes where few would dare to with Boy Parts creating a novel with an utterly disgusting female lead. Irina is a narcissist, a paedophile, a psychopath and a murderer. Boy Parts is the story of how, while committing some of the most dreadful acts, Irina not only goes undetected, but manages to manipulate everyone around her, from her adoring best friend Flo to the young men that she takes explicit photographs of, to the people that she sells the photographs to.  This novel is not easy reading, however, its saving grace is that it does not promote Irina's behaviour at all--it is written in such a way that the reader will dislike her almost immediately. What follows is a study on how much she can get away with, based on other people's perceptions of what a young and attractive woman is capable of and her worth. I cannot say that I enjoyed this book as much as I found myself turning pages, wanting to know what Irina would do, get away with and if she wou...

Beloved Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly takes his songs, arranges them in alphabetical order and uses them as a basis for a truly unique memoir. And unsurprisingly he names it after what is, for many, the most beloved Paul Kelly song of all, How to Make Gravy. This was a truly engaging read. Rather than being a memoir with a linear timeline, Kelly does what he does best, allowing his songs to shape the narrative. Consequently, we as the reader learns the stories behind the songs, more and more is revealed about Kelly's life and the things that inspires his music, whether it be stories that he has heard, life on the road, his family and friends or the challenge of coming up with a film soundtrack. Not all aspects of his life are pretty but I really appreciated the humble way Kelly told his story as he takes the reader into his confidence and shows empathy for the people around him. I found myself reading this one over a couple of weeks, carrying it in my bag and snatching up...