P.J. Laverty’s story about Joey Rippa, a talented Australian footballer living in the remote surfing village of Merri Bay on Western Australia’s coast, was a Secret Santa present, the limit set to $30 so the person who got it was in luck as it was on sale from the publisher in the lead-up to Christmas.Continue reading “Book review : Rippa”
Category Archives: Books
Book review : The Eye of the Dragonfly
Every once in a while, when you decide to invest your time into a book, you already have a good feeling about it. This was true about The Eye of the Dragonfly, the autobiographical life and times of media figure Tracey Lee Holmes, especially after attending the launch at Gleebooks in Sydney where she hadContinue reading “Book review : The Eye of the Dragonfly”
Book review : Game by JJ Rose
A book that is simply called Game, it is the cover shot that gives you more of an idea about the content of this book. I had this one sitting on the pile of unread books for a few months and, given the Socceroos change in fortunes under Tony Popovic, this one took precedence overContinue reading “Book review : Game by JJ Rose”
Book review : Get you t!ts out for the lads
An intriguing read, especially for a man like me, immersed in the same beautiful game, Sally Freedman’s “Get your tits out for the lads” is a difficult one to describe. Without having read the back cover, but with having knowledge of the book and its premise prior to picking up this title in Fair PlayContinue reading “Book review : Get you t!ts out for the lads”
Book review : Making It… Or Not
A book that delves into the treacherous pathway from junior footballer to ‘making it’, this one certainly triggered my curiosity. Author Amy Schembri is a new name to me, but she is doing a good job with publicity and I’ve seen her on social media frequently since the book was announced. I had an ideaContinue reading “Book review : Making It… Or Not”
So, what the hell happens at a book launch?
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a book launch? Is it knitted jumpers and sports jackets with patches on the elbows? Is it old men in half glasses conversing in fancy words that no one understands? Is it boffins and English teachers discussing the topic of the book inContinue reading “So, what the hell happens at a book launch?”
Meet Jarrod and Anna Black : The Aussie superstars you’ve never seen
Didn’t you know? There is a series of Australian fiction novels centred around the life of two of the nation’s best footballers, and they’ve not finished their adventures just yet. Evolving from the original story, Introducing Jarrod Black, we now have five Unashamed Football Novels in the set, brought to you by Fair Play Publishing.Continue reading “Meet Jarrod and Anna Black : The Aussie superstars you’ve never seen”
Where did Texi come from?
I’ve been asked many times over the years where the name Texi comes from. It is the nom de plume that I go by in my writing, both journalistic and fiction, and it is wonderfully ambiguous as to my gender. Until you meet me of course. This is not by design though, the name wasContinue reading “Where did Texi come from?”
Book review : Sidelines
Every so often I get wrapped up in a book that makes me shove everything to the side while I strive to finish it. This was definitely one of those occasions and through bleary eyes I made it to the end of the book, unable to stop myself. For context, I was given a copyContinue reading “Book review : Sidelines”
When Mum and Dad See Me Kick
The number of books I consume during a year is alarmingly low, but there are some books that definitely leave you wanting more. This one from celebrated sports writer Stuart Thomas was one of them, and it left me wondering whether there could or should be another set of stories to follow this one up.Continue reading “When Mum and Dad See Me Kick”