The North West Star

Books

Jasper Lindell

A taste of the six books we reviewed this week. Picture: Unsplash

Here's a taste of the six books we reviewed this week: from bravery aboard past-their-prime ships in the heat of battle to a triumph akin to Tolstoy.

Six books reviewed this week - and is self-publishing the future for literature?

Could self publishing allow more quality - but overlooked - Australian writing to get through the door and into the hands of readers? Picture: Glen Noble

Does the elevation of a self-published novel to new critical heights give hope for new and challenging Australian writing?

Will self-publishing widen the door for Australian books?

Denizen by James McKenzie Watson. Picture: Supplied

This is a deeply confronting, but unforgettable, novel.

A violent past casts dark, confronting shadows

Australian-born Alice Nelson has gathered literary gravitas since her first novel. Picture: Nicole Boenig-McGrade

Nelson has gathered literary gravitas since her first novel

The tangled path of complex love

Then Greens candidate Tim Hollo votes in the 2019 federal election at Lyneham High School. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Hollo's take on living democracy as an organic entity, that thrives on diversity, interdependence, and consensus, is profound.

Is there still time to save the commons?

The Unbelieved by Vikki Petraitis. Picture: Supplied

Vikki Petraitis has traded true crime for fiction, revealing the ugly truth of domestic violence and rapie in Australia.

Dangerous men dominate this town of secrets

Troops bunked down on the top deck of the destroyer HMAS Vendetta on one of its 39 voyages to Tobruk. Picture: Australian War Memorial

Mike Carlton goes deep into the bowels of the scrap iron flotilla ships -and there were real heroes down there.

Among heroes of the Australian WWII ships past their best

At a cottage carved from a naval base in Adriane Howell's Hydra, the mind - or is it the navy boys on the nearby base? - can play tricks. Picture: Shutterstock

The constant background hum of needing to perpetually second guess becomes integral to to Adriane Howell's debut novel.

Experience and myth mix in a haze of uncertainty

Jess Kidd's novel The Night Ship is set on the Batavia during its voyage from the Netherlands to Western Australia. Pictured is a replica of the 1600s ship. Picture: Shutterstock

To give a convincing impression of how the participants in history felt - their fears and hopes - it takes a novelist of skill and imagination.

Ghosts stalk a voyage of the damned that leaves lasting impression of history

Diaz is an artful, intelligent writer, but injecting drama into reading the ticker tape is a bit like drafting a novel about counting cards.

From different points of view, an uneven hero from the world of finance

Entertainment

Multimedia

ON TRACK: Corryong-born and Riverina-raised country music legend Lee Kernaghan is the focus on a new film Boy From The Bush, a documentary meets road movie, which is out in cinemas nationwide on Thursday.

Lee Kernaghan's new documentary road movie delves into the hitmaker's storied career

Boy From The Bush lights up the silver screen

LONG-COVID: Surveys of COVID-19 patients around the world indicate a stronger link between some genetic precursors and long-COVID development. Picture: FILE

Preliminary surveys suggest there are a few indicators of whether you might develop long-COVID.

Who's most likely to end up getting long-COVID symptoms?

Capturing a journey: Jason van Genderen and his mum, Hendrika, featuring in Everybody's Oma, screening Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at Event Cinemas, Kotara.

Van Genderen, a pioneer in shooting films on iPhones, shot this film of his mum with the help of his family members - wife Megan, and their children.

Everybody's Oma: Emotional lockdown dementia journey captured on film

FRIENDS: The aim is for Nina (right) to ride the final kilometre to complete the journey with Karen. Picture: Facebook.

An epic journey for health and friendship is about to hit the road.

Two women with the 'wheelpower' to tackle cancer

SOUTHPAWS UNITE: August 13 is celebrated each year by left-handers and their allies.

In most languages, the word for 'lefthandedness' is synonomous with evil and suspicion. But throughout history there have been areas were left-handers have excelled!

The history of 'wrong-handedness': International Lefthanders Day

Hendrika Genderen in a scene from Everybody's Oma. Picture: Bonsai Films

Documentary maker Jason Van Genderen tells his family's story in this warm, emotional story of family love and resilience.

An emotional story of familial love

6 Festivals features music and performances by a handful of current headline bands. Picture: Supplied

Canberra producer Shannon Wilson-McClinton is confident the film hits the right note.

A coming-of-age story set to the soundtrack of music festivals

Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack get to know each other in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. Picture: Supplied

Why do we deprive ourselves of pleasure, she asks.

Why Emma Thompson wants us to talk about sex

BACK IN THE DAY: Nurses attend to a patient in an iron lung in the United Kingdom, 1949. Picture: Getty Images

Poliovirus has been detected in sewage in parts of London and New York. Should the world be concerned of its spread?

Polio vaccine campaign launched in UK for first time in 40 years

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare arriving at a press conference to address teacher shortages with state and territory education ministers. Picture: James Croucher

A priority national action plan is to be developed by year's end to address the nation's teacher shortage crisis.

'Screaming out for reform', ministers seek urgent teacher action plan

HALLUCINATING: The female juvenile bear was found to be under the influence of a psychotropic honey. Picture: supplied

The bear can be seen wobbling, whining, and panting heavily under the intoxicating influence of "mad honey".

Watch: Bear staggers under influence of hallucinogenic honey

NEW: Mount Isa Bunnings staffer Mikayla Colyer - Long and store manager Liana Trew. Photo: Samantha Campbell.

Bunnings Warehouse has confirmed they will be opening in Mount Isa on Friday February 11.

Video sneak peek at new Mount Isa Bunnings, opening Friday

Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian was reserved in his comments at the National Press Club this week. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

You'll hear it in Beijing: Taiwan is not really part of China. But a key voice is going unheard in the conversation

How Chinese think about Taiwan

It's looking likely to be a wetter than usual spring.

Third La Nina signs are becoming stronger

AWARDS: Mount Isa community members have been recognised for their achievements at the Australia Day Awards. Photo: Samantha Campbell

Mount Isa community members came together today to celebrate and thank the recipients of the 2022 Mount Isa Australia Day Awards.

Mount Isa's unsung heroes recognised at Australia Day Awards

The animal tried to get through the front gates of the embassy's compound on Thursday, failed and tried again and then gave up.

Ukraine's new ally - a confused kangaroo in Canberra

Crowded House's Dreamers Are Waiting national tour will begin in Darwin on October 29 and end in Perth on November 27 with concerts in Canberra, Wollongong, Sydney and Melbourne. 

Australian music legends Crowded House are making their way Down Under this spring.

Hey Now, Hey Now! Crowded House announce regional Australian tour dates

NSW Premier Dominic Perrotte. Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

One in five people who work in NSW parliament have experienced sexual harassment in the last five years.

NSW parliament has become toxic: Perrottet

Queensland's COVID-19 border barricades will no longer be in operation from 1am on Saturday.

Queensland's border wall to fall in days

Using antibiotics for the flu or COVID-19 can harm the patient and contribute to antibiotic resistance

'A wicked problem': Doctors warn against antibiotic overuse in bumper flu season

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Police charged the woman with abducting a child under 16 and attempting to abduct a child under 16. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Woman charged with Darwin girl's abduction

Del Boyd was reported missing from Townview, Mount Isa on Saturday afternoon. Photo supplied.

The 62-year old woman missing from Townview (Mount Isa) has been located safe and well.

Police have located missing Mount Isa woman

A former Liberal staffer is doubtful the toxic culture within the NSW parliament will change. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

Survivors are silenced: ex-NSW Lib staffer

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has accused the ABC of lacking fairness in its Voice referendum coverage. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

ABC on Voice 'deeply troubling': Price

Keegan Nelson and Lorrae Johnston are the bright sparks behind Moselle Meats butchery based in Richmond. Picture: Zoe Thomas. 

The butchery provides quality meats from local paddocks directly to the plates of consumers.

Richmond butchery recognised for quality products from local paddocks

Tom Webster in action in the 2021 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo. Photo: Derek Barry

Time for one last rodeo for me: Editorial

Jason Craigie finished second in the broncs. Photos: Derek Barry

Jason Craigie took out the barebacks while Tyler Chong won the saddle broncs. Stafford Swan won the bull ride.

Action heats up in the Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo

Flags were flown at half mast in Winton last month to honour the late Jean O'Connell, a pioneer of the district.

Passing of a Winton pioneer

Leanne Caban leads the first section of the barrel races. Photos: Stephen Mowbray

The 2022 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is up and running after a morning of competition on Thursday.

Mount Isa Rodeo is up and running

Ben and Scrap on show in Mount Isa last night. 

A nearly 1,000kg sculpture made of scrap metal was on show last night on its home turf.

VIDEO: Scrap metal sensation on show

South32 Cannington provides $10,000 annually to support RedDoor Community Services' Learner Driver Program.

South32 Cannington has expanded its partnership with RedDoor Community Services in Cloncurry, to help young people obtain formal education and training.

South 32 Cannington supports youth engagement in Cloncurry

Birdsville Races will be held from September 2 - 3

Big bonuses and bragging rights are on the line for Barcaldine bush trainer Todd Austin at the Birdsville Races.

Todd Austin vying for most successful TAB Birdsville Cup trainer

Sara Storer performs at the Bush Poets Breakfast.

Attendees at Thursday's Rodeo Week bush poets breakfast got a special treat with a performance from singer Sara Storer and members of Opera Queensland.

Sara Storer and Opera Qld release new Mount Isa song with schools

Photos and video from the Isa Street Festival parade.

Watch: Isa Street Festival parade kicks off Rodeo

Daryl Braithwaite will not play this evening's Mount Isa Street Festival.

Daryl Braithwaite a last minute cancellation at Isa Street Festival

Hall of Fall inductee Fay Brierley, Leon Stevenson, Fred Land and Barry Jones.

Four new faces have been added to the Isa Rodeo Hall of Fame.

New faces added to Mount Isa rodeo hall of fame

Mount Isa veterans gather at the 2021 service.

Mount Isa will be hosting a Veterans Day commemorative service at the end of next week.