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Dusty Book Sniffers, Kingaroy (2026)

12/05/2026

Still can’t quite believe I’m here 🥹📚✨

My baby girl got me the absolute best Mother’s Day present… tickets to see ✨ in conversation with R. F. Kuang ✨ at the Powerhouse Brisbane ❤️

Honestly, I'm so excited and so grateful. Thank you so much ._.fiend for such a thoughtful gift 😭💕

This is going to be such an incredible experience and I already know I’ll be talking about books nonstop afterwards 😂📖

thanks for a wonderful evening ❤️❤️❤️

22/04/2026

Watch here -https://youtu.be/TqgA42bARnA

21/04/2026

This is one of those books that makes more sense the second time… but it still leaves you a little unsettled.
Six months later, I reread Audition by Katie Kitamura for my Women’s Prize reading—and I’m so glad I did.

First read: confused, disoriented… but impressed.
Second read: less confused, but that off-balance feeling? Still there.

And honestly… I think that’s the point.
This book blurs reality and performance in such a clever way. It doesn’t give you answers, but it does make you think.

It's still a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me.
It's not an easy read… but definitely a memorable one.

💬 Have you read it? Hit or miss?

💛 5 Things I Liked About Audition

1️⃣ The way it leans into confusion (on purpose)
This isn’t a book that holds your hand, and I actually loved that. Even when I felt a bit lost, it felt intentional, like I was meant to sit in that discomfort.

2️⃣ It rewards a reread
Going back into it six months later, I picked up on so much more. Knowing the structure made me appreciate what the author was doing instead of trying to “figure it out.”

3️⃣ That blurred line between reality and performance
I loved how it constantly made me question what was real and what was being “performed.” It fits so well with the main character being an actress. It’s clever without being over the top.

4️⃣ The themes around identity and womanhood
There’s a lot going on under the surface. especially around motherhood, relationships, and how we see ourselves versus how others see us. It gave me a lot to think about.

5️⃣ The writing style and atmosphere
It’s quite quiet and understated, but there’s this underlying tension the whole time. Even in everyday moments, something feels slightly off, and I really enjoyed that feeling.

20/04/2026

So I picked up Flashlight by Susan Choi again… only 6 months later, and I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous.
Because sometimes when you go back into a book too quickly… it just doesn’t hit the same.

This time I listened to the audiobook, and once I settled into the narration, I was right back in the story; back with Louisa, Ann, Cir, and Tobias… and all those layered, complicated relationships.

What stood out again was the family dynamic. It’s messy, not picture-perfect, and it feels real the kind of story that makes you stop and think about how well we really know the people closest to us… especially our parents.
And as a mum myself, those mother-daughter moments? Yeah… they hit.

Also, Tobias is still one of my favourite parts of the story. I know he’s a bit divisive, but for me, he’s that grounding presence… always there when he’s needed.
So yes, still 5 stars ⭐

And honestly… I’m kind of relieved about that 😅
Have you ever reread a book really quickly after finishing it? Did it hold up the second time?

💛 5 Things I Loved About Flashlight by Susan Choi

1️⃣ The layered family dynamics
Real, messy relationships, not sugar-coated, and it worked so well.

2️⃣ The character-driven storytelling
Each character had their moment, and I loved spending time with all of them.

3️⃣ The emotional impact of grief
Grief without closure that really lingers after you finish.

4️⃣ Tobias as a grounding presence
That steady, calming character who shows up when it matters.

5️⃣ The mix of historical + literary + family saga
My jam, and it ticked all the boxes again on reread.

19/04/2026

I went into this one thinking it would be a quick read… and while it was short, I was not prepared for how much it would stay with me.

This is one of those quiet, reflective stories that slowly builds exploring memory, first love, and the weight of the things we leave unsaid. And honestly? By the end, I had tears in my eyes.

It’s not loud or dramatic… but it’s deeply emotional in a way that just creeps up on you.

I absolutely loved this one and gave it 5 stars such a powerful reminder that even the smallest stories can leave the biggest impact 💛

Have you read a book recently that completely surprised you like this? Let me know 👇📚✨

💛 5 Things I Loved About Heart the Lover

1️⃣ The emotional impact
For such a short book, it packed a serious punch, especially towards the end. It really stayed with me and had me tearing up.

2️⃣ The exploration of memory and the past
I loved how it showed that the past isn’t just something we leave behind… it follows us and shapes who we become.

3️⃣ The quiet, reflective storytelling
This isn’t a loud or fast-paced story; it’s gentle, thoughtful, and gives you space to really sit with the characters and their emotions.

4️⃣ The complexity of relationships
The dynamics between the characters felt very real, messy, layered, and full of things left unsaid.

5️⃣ How impactful it was despite being short
This is proof that a book doesn’t need to be long to be powerful. It delivered so much depth in such a small space, and I absolutely loved that.

17/04/2026

This one is such a tricky one for me to talk about…

Because on paper, it had everything I love, historical fiction, a setting I remember learning about growing up, and those deeper themes that I’m always drawn to.
And yet… I just never fully connected with it.

It felt like there was a lot going on all at once, and instead of pulling me in, it kind of left me sitting on the outside looking in.

It also took me a lot longer to get through than I expected, and if I’m being completely honest, if DNFs were allowed for this project… this might have been one.

BUT I’m still really glad I read it, and I’m always curious to see how these longlist books land for me 👀

Have you read this one yet? Did it work for you? 💭

💛 5 Things I Liked About The Others

1️⃣ The historical setting
I really appreciated the backdrop of the Berlin Wall coming down it’s such a significant moment in history, and it added an extra layer of interest for me, especially as something I remember from when I was younger.

2️⃣ The ambition of the story
This book really reaches for a lot immigration, identity, relationships, and political tension, and I always admire it when a story tries to tackle big, meaningful ideas.

3️⃣ The exploration of “otherness”
I liked how the book looked at what it means to exist on the margins of a society, especially through migrant experiences. That sense of not quite belonging anywhere was very present.

4️⃣ The atmosphere of unease
There’s this quiet tension running through the book that feeling of being watched or not fully safe, and I thought that was done really well.

5️⃣ Moments of connection between characters
Even though I didn’t fully connect overall, there were small, quieter moments between the characters that felt genuine and showed glimpses of emotional depth.

historicalfiction booktube readersofinstagram bookishthoughts aussiereaders

17/04/2026

There’s something about The Best of Everything by Kit de Waal that just quietly settles into you.

It’s not a big, dramatic story… but it’s one of those reads where you slowly realise how invested you’ve become in the character and her life.

I found myself really appreciating how grounded and real everything felt it’s very much a character-focused story, and I think if you love those quieter, more reflective reads, this one will absolutely work for you.

It’s the kind of book that doesn’t necessarily hit you all at once… but instead stays with you afterwards, in that soft, lingering way.

Have you read this one yet, or is it on your Women’s Prize list? 👇📚

1️⃣ The character depth
Paulette felt so real to me, not perfect, not overly dramatic, just a woman trying to navigate life the best she can. I really connected with how layered and human she was.

2️⃣ The quiet, reflective storytelling
This is one of those books that doesn’t rush. It takes its time, and I loved how it allowed the emotions to build slowly rather than forcing big moments.

3️⃣ The sense of realism
Everything felt very grounded; the setting, the relationships, the everyday routines. It all felt believable, like you were just stepping into someone’s real life.

4️⃣ The messy, complicated relationships
I really appreciated how nothing was black and white. The relationships felt nuanced and a little uncomfortable at times, but in a way that made them feel authentic.

5️⃣ The subtle character growth
The growth in this story isn’t loud or dramatic it’s quiet and gradual, and I loved watching that shift happen in such a natural way.

bookishlife

16/04/2026

This one… definitely wasn’t what I expected — but in a way that completely pulled me in.

A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing is one of those reads that feels slightly unsettling from the very beginning… like something isn’t quite right, but you can’t fully put your finger on it.

It’s slow, it’s layered, and it really asks you to sit with what you’re reading rather than rushing through it — which, for me, made it such an interesting experience.

I gave this ⭐️ 4.25 stars ⭐️ and I’m honestly still thinking about it.

If you love books that feel a little surreal, a little atmospheric, and leave you with more questions than answers… this might be one to pick up.

Have you read this one, or is it on your radar?

💛 5 Things I Liked About The Benefactors

1️⃣ The atmosphere had this slightly unsettling, almost dreamlike feel that just sat with me the whole way through.

2️⃣ The way the story unfolded, I really liked how it slowly revealed things rather than giving everything upfront.

3️⃣ The character dynamics, especially the relationship between Qianze and her father… it felt complicated and very real.

4️⃣ The writing style had this reflective, almost immersive quality that made me want to take my time with it.

5️⃣ How thought-provoking it was it’s one of those books that leaves you thinking long after you’ve finished it.

15/04/2026

📚✨ When a book slowly pulls you in… and before you know it, you’ve read the whole thing in one sitting 🇮🇪☘️

I picked up The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine on St. Patrick’s Day, and honestly… it felt like the perfect match: an Irish author, Irish setting, and a story that completely drew me in from the very first page.

This is one of those quiet, character-driven reads that doesn’t shout for your attention… but somehow holds onto it anyway. The kind of book where you settle in just for a bit, and suddenly realise you’re at the end.

It’s layered, immersive, and definitely one that leaves you thinking once you’ve turned that final page.

💛 5 Things I Liked About The Benefactors

1️⃣ The way it quietly pulled me in
This is one of those books that doesn’t feel loud or fast-paced, but before I knew it, I was completely immersed and had read it in one sitting.

2️⃣ The multiple perspectives
I loved seeing the story unfold through different voices. It added layers and kept me really engaged the whole way through.

3️⃣ The strong sense of place
The Irish setting felt so vivid and natural. It didn’t feel forced; it just existed on the page in a really grounded way.

4️⃣ The writing style
The writing felt very real and observational, with a focus on small details that made everything feel more alive and tangible.

5️⃣ The complexity of the characters
No one felt one-dimensional. Every character felt human, messy, and believable, which made the story sit with me even more.

Have you read this one yet, or is it on your radar? 👀📖

Dusty Book Sniffers

12/05/2026

22/04/2026

21/04/2026

20/04/2026

19/04/2026

17/04/2026

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