[VIDEO] Bulimba | 4 Books You Must Read in the New Year

By Shannon Edwards // Place Bulimba  

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to sit back, relax and lose yourself in a good book.

No matter your style, whether it be fiction, romance, educational or thriller, Suzy Wilson shares her love of literature with the community through her store, Riverbend Books.

So what are Suzy’s recommendations?

With a selection across different genres, the book lover shares four that you must read in the 2018.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

This book was voted as the favourite for 2017 by the Riverbend Books book club.

It’s funny, touching and unpredictable.

The main character lives a simple life. She wears the same clothes every day, eats the same meals and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend.

Everything is simple and perfect in Eleanor’s life until something unexpected changes the way she lives, forever.

Eleanor navigates her way through a world that she’s never known and builds the courage to face the things she’s avoided in life.

“This book is perfect for anyone who loves losing themselves in a good book. It’s an easy read and is really captivating – perfect for a holiday,” says Suzy.

Brisbane: Houses with Gardens by Beth Wilson

This book covers the major architects and landscapers of Brisbane in chronological order.

Full with interesting photography and imagery, the book is written by Beth Wilson. Now in her 80’s Beth is a landscape architect who was recently made an honorary member of the Institute of Architects.

“I think as a generation, we’re really interested about the place we live in. It’s a great book to hold onto and pass down generations,” says Suzy.

“Here at Riverbend, we’ve had everyone from architects, gardeners and landscapers to real estate agents and those interested in history purchase the book. It’s suited to a broad audience,” she says.

Red Notice by Bill Browder

Red Notice is a memoir about a financier working in Russia.

The story reads like a thriller, however it’s a true story about the life and death of a young lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky.

“This is a fantastic read. The way it’s written really captivates the reader. There’s lots of excitement and unexpected twists that you forget it’s a true story,” says Suzy.

The Lucky Galah by Tracy Sorensen

Narrated by a galah, Lucky, this book is a testament to debut author Tracey Sorensen.

The book leads the reader to suspend disbelief and embrace Lucky who receives messages from a decommissioned satellite dish in her red-dusted town in northern Western Australia.

Lucky looks back from her present in 2000, to the years from 1964 to 1969, when the town was abuzz with preparations for the moon landing.  

Telling the story of several characters, the novel engages with Australian social history over the period.

“This is a clever and enjoyable book that will appeal to a broad range of readers,” says Suzy.