Four non-fiction reads recommended by Cass Sharp!

Our Assistant Category Manager for Non-Fiction, Cass Sharp, is on the blog today to review four non-fiction books she’s been loving lately. Read on …

No One Listens to Your Dad’s Show

by Christian O’Connell

Christian O’Connell is the #1 radio DJ in Melbourne – something I didn’t know until I heard about this book, since I live in Sydney (sorry). He was the #1 radio DJ in England for years, until a rising number of panic attacks forced him to seek help and eventually decide to move over to Australia, completely unknown.

I found O’Connell’s honest writing about his struggles with anxiety, self doubt and mental health to be extremely relatable – he returns to the importance of seeking help and reaching out to others throughout the book, particularly for men.

He weaves a chatty story of the highs and lows of his life in radio in England, starting out untested in Melbourne, and the weird everyday adventures he has with his family in between. His wife, Sarah, is the perfect foil to his creative chaos, whether that’s trying to set him up with some husbands of her bookclub friends so he’s not as lonely, or planning how to move countries in the laundry.

It’s also very sweet to see how much he adores his wife and two daughters – Ruby and Lois are hilarious and unimpressed by their father – from basic white dad things to hiding in lingerie shops avoiding mean girls, it’s clear Christian would do anything for them.

We see that as Christian becomes more open and vulnerable with others, that’s when his life and radio show begin to take off in Australia. Fans of his radio work and those who’ve never come across him alike will enjoy this honest, hilarious and heartwarming read.

Buy it here

The Kindness Revolution

by Hugh Mackay

Researcher Hugh Mackay (The Inner Self) reflects on the year 2020, in which bushfires ravaged the lands and COVID swept across the globe. During life in lockdown, many found new ways of living, whether that was by interacting with neighbours more or working from home. In doing so, Mackay examines how Australia can move from being a lucky country to a more loving one. And the simplest answer? Kindness. Listening attentively, caring for others because it is the right thing to do, and government making the hard decisions to ensure that everyone is cared for. We know what needs to be done in so many areas – all that’s left is for us to start.

He notes that our legacies continue after we die and that every act of kindness causes a ripple effect, drawing others into these acts of love. The Kindness Revolution is a quiet, thoughtful moment of fresh air amid the frantic pace of everyday life as we return to a post-COVID life.

Buy it here

Still Life

by Alice Oehr

Oehr’s Still Life immediately grabs your eye with a deep blue cover and some plump oranges on the front against a white paint background. Inside, the pages are just as vibrant as she introduces readers to the basic concepts of still life art before letting you loose with a pencil and some observation skills – much of the book is actually space for you to draw in!

Beginners will appreciate the encouraging and supportive tone Oehr uses, as well as the honesty her voice brings. She also experiences art block and sometimes dislikes her own work, or compares it to others. Does art have to look realistic or even good? Not really – Oehr argues that if you’re having fun, that’s the most important thing. And if you’re starting a bit later, don’t worry, you’re here now.

The idea of capturing (by including or omitting) what is important to you, the artist, is a fascinating one. Artists of all ages will enjoy seeing their everyday surroundings with fresh eyes, and noticing their work improve as they progress. The art world is made much more accessible with Oehr’s friendly voice to guide you.

Buy it here

Talk Art

by Russell Tovey and Robert Diament

Can’t picture yourself wandering around a white, echo-ey art gallery pausing at different art works and going HMMMMMMM?

Think art is for people with:

A) berets and sunglasses
B) black turtleneck
C) people who were good at art in school
D) the rich
E) Goatees

Wrong!

Actor Russell Tovey and best friend Robert Diament team up for this fun, gossipy and vibrant look at the world of art. They became friends after one noticed a piece the other had acquired, and they’ve been friends and podcasters ever since.

And in the foreword(s) of critic Jerry Saftz – sometimes even he has no idea what artists or critics of contemporary art are going on about. This guide will help you find what speaks to you, talk you through connecting and collecting, and hopefully ignite a spark of passion for the many creative ways we can interact with and reflect on the world around us. Tovey and Diament explore the huge world of art, from performance and public art to private, sound and more. Most importantly, they introduce readers to artists from diverse backgrounds, spotlighting their favourites and diving into how these identities add further depth to their works.

Buy it here

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