Mundane Chapters

The Feminist EarthMother PartyGirl, Joni Page | Book 54, May 2025 I first found Joni on Instagram — one of those lucky scrolls that actually leads somewhere good — and with my recent focus on local authors (I’ve just read Andrea Thompson and Andrew HC McDonald), it was a no-brainer to order in Joni’s debut novel. It’s officially my eighth book for May and the fourth in a row released in 2025. Who even am I? This weekend the kids and I are heading to an event with my mum, stepdad, my partner, his two kids, and potentially my mother-in-law. It’s rare to get everyone together, and I’m genuinely excited. In more exciting news — my back is feeling normal!!! Which means I can finally start using the rowing machine. Let’s ignore how many times I’ve stubbed my toes on door frames this week pacing around the house with a book in one hand, subsequently my foot in the other. Reading while mobile: good for the mind, bad for the barefoot. On the domestic front, my Afterpay is the only thing getting...

The Montegiallo School of Swearing, Andrew HC McDonald | Book 52, May 2025 Ahhh, this was the first book launch I’ve attended in years – and I stumbled into it almost by chance. I’d seen a promo for The Montegiallo School of Swearing, checked my calendar, and somehow, the stars aligned. A solo outing while the kids were visiting family? Absolutely yes. I picked up my copy of the book from Boffins in the City the day before, during a wander to the Art Gallery. The team at Boffins pointed out it was signed by the author – a small but exciting detail. The event itself was held at the State Library, and before I even walked in, I overheard a man outside grumbling, “thirty-five dollars,” like the price was outrageous. But once inside, that comment sat with me – especially after hearing from Andrew HC McDonald himself. He spent two full years on this book: 38 days of solid writing, 15 drafts before submitting it to a publisher, and another 18 months in editing. That “thirty-five dollars”? Ab...

Geraldine, Andrea Thompson | Book 51, 2025 The story of a woman who changes the world that wants to change her. I picked up Geraldine after spotting author Andrea Thompson at Andrew H.C. McDonald’s book launch earlier this year. I recognised her face but couldn’t quite place it at the time—turns out, she’s another Perth local! I’d seen her in promo photos with Geraldine at various bookshops, and the vibrant, punchy cover made sure it didn’t sit long on my TBR. Lately, I’ve been borrowing everything from the library—the borrowed stack is far outweighing my own shelves—and although I’ve smashed my reading goal of “as many books as my daughter is tall,” I’ve got zero proof because everything’s already been returned! This weekend was meant to be a birthday celebration with my human, but life got in the way (his, not mine), and we had to pull the pin. Silver lining: I took the whole day off instead of just a half, thanks to my son receiving a merit certificate at school! The change threw my...