Her works include eleven novels as well as non-fiction, junior fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction and picture books. She loves books, libraries, bookshops, readers, writers, and stories of every shape, size and manifestation.
Which children’s book are you currently reading?
I’ve just finished reading Carole Wilkinson’s Inheritance. I try and read a couple of children’s novels each week. Inheritance is definitely one of the most outstanding novels I’ve read this year.
Can you tell us in two sentences what the book is about?
Veronica Mitchell Gervase, or ‘Nic’, as her family call her, has been sent to live with her grandfather in a rambling and dilapidated, 30-room bluestone mansion in the Western Districts of Victoria. Left on her own for long tracts of time, Nic discovers that her family hides dark secrets and learns that the women of her family have an ancient gift – the ability to slip through time.
How much did you enjoy/are enjoying this title?
I loved it. It was an absolute page-turner as well as being rich in detail about Western Victoria and the indigenous history of the region.
What made you choose this title? Was it a review, advertising, the cover, the blurb, the author/illustrator, or the subject/genre?
It had been on my radar for a while because I think the subject matter – the frontier wars between European settlers and Indigenous people – is incredibly important. I also think Carole Wilkinson is a fabulous author of children’s books so I was interested to see how she’d handle such complicated material. I was astonished that Inheritance wasn’t chosen as a CBCA notable this year so was curious to see why it wasn’t listed. After reading it, I’m even more bewildered as to why it was overlooked. Not only is it a ripping read, but it’s also an extremely important work of fiction about Australia.
What other titles are on your bedside table /To Read Pile?
I just finished reading Carrie Tiffany’s very dark and elegant novel Exploded View which is definitely an adult read. I’m halfway through Thea Astley’s A Descant for Gossips – an Australian classic – and I’m looking forward to diving into Jacyln Moriarty’s The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone and Ambelin & Ezekiel Kwaymullina’s Catching Teller Crow.
How did you come by these titles: personal choice/request, publisher’s review copy, or other?
All are personal choices. Some bought and some are borrowed. I do occasionally get sent books but my appetite for books is voracious so I am constantly buying new books or borrowing from my local library. It’s a serious vice.
Do you have a favourite genre? If so, what is it, and why do you prefer it?
No. I love trying everything, no matter who the intended audience or what the subject matter. I think horror is the only genre I avoid these days but if it comes highly recommended, I’ll take a deep breath and dive into the pages.
Do you read from printed books or some other medium? Please expand a little on the why of your choice.
I prefer the printed book. I like the physical experience of reading a physical book, turning the pages and holding it in my hands. I spend a lot of my day on the computer writing so when it comes to reading, I don’t want to stare at another screen. I also find my eye moves differently on the page to the screen and that my comprehension is better when reading a printed book. I do read on a mix of devices when travelling and I don’t mind reading newspapers and journals online but for long form, the printed page is always my preference.
Find out more about Kirsty at kirstymurray.com.
Find out more about Kirsty at kirstymurray.com.