Love and Other Puzzles is fun, funny, contemporary Sydney-set novel with a fabulous premise: newspaper crossword puzzles dictate heroine Rory's life for a week to unstick her from the rut in which she finds herself. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite the reader for this - but readers looking for contemporary women's fiction should find something to love. While there were some delightful moments of romantic cuteness, I was expecting a more generic romance novel as reading material for a summer roadtrip (as in the romance genre... not an uninteresting romance!) However, this was a me-problem, not a book problem! 

Easy to read and super fun, Love and Other Puzzles was a diverting beach read by a debut novelist who clearly adores romcoms.  Rory's monotonous routine was super related, and I always love a book with a distinctive Australian voice. Congratulations to Kimberley Allsopp!  

One Minute's Silence is a beautiful monochromatic picture book in which a contemporary class of students are prompted to reflect upon the Battle of Gallipoli. 

🍎 TO TEACH? 
I focus on the variety of dpu le page spread composition when I teach this book within a unit that requires students to conceptualise and create a picture book of their own. However, the rhythmic prose features internal rhyme and motif, meaning it could be used well in a more substantial study of how the words and pictures work together to create meaning. 

It could, of course, supplement a WWI/Gallipoli unit, too. 

An atmospheric Practical Magic-esque rom com, The Ex Hex is a fun witchy second chance romance. Nine years ago, the heroine hexed her ex... except not really. Except when he finally returns to her town... yes, maybe really? Such a fun premise! Vivi and Rhys' relationship seemed somewhat superficial and juvenile, but to be honest it didn't decrease my enjoyment at all. 

I listened to the audiobook, and while the narration was mostly okay, I really missed the Welsh accent, which the narrator even attempt (granted, a bad attempt would probably be worse than an inappropriately accented hero). Unfortunately this meant that the Britishisms written into to colour his speech really stuck out. Oh well, you can't win them all.