Review by John Purcell Why do I put off reading books which come with a great many excellent recommendations? Is it some residue from my adolescent self, standing firm against the coercion of the group? Probably something as stupid as that. Well, I’m glad I overcame that foolishness when it came to picking up this much lauded, discussed and recommended novel, which is the first in a serie... Read more
Search results for author: John Purcell
About John Purcell
While still in his twenties, John Purcell opened a second-hand bookshop in Mosman, Sydney, in which he sat for ten years reading, ranting and writing. Since then he has written, under a pseudonym, a series of very successful novels, interviewed hundreds of writers about their work, appeared at writers’ festivals, on TV (most bizarrely in comedian Luke McGregor’s documentary Luke Warm Sex) and has been featured in prominent newspapers and magazines. Now, as the Director of Books at booktopia.com.au, Australia’s largest online bookseller, he supports Australian writing in all its forms. He lives in Sydney with his wife, two children, three dogs, five cats, unnumbered gold fish and his overlarge book collection. His novel, The Girl on the Page, was published by HarperCollins Australia in October, 2018.
BOOK REVIEW: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson (Review by John Purcell)
I read this book many years ago and for the two weeks it took me to read it, I felt like a genius. However, closing the book having read the last page, I found to my dismay that I had returned to my natural moronic state. Only quite recently I bought the audio book online. It was a drunk purchase, one I immediately regretted on discovering when popping it on in the car (I’d sobered up by ... Read more
Michael Connelly on Bosch, crime and his amazing career
Michael Connelly is one of the world’s most acclaimed and highest selling crime authors in the world. He chats to John Purcell. Grab a copy of The Burning Room here The Burning Room by Michael Connelly A bullet takes ten years to find its mark. Now Bosch must find the killer … Detective Harry Bosch and his new partner investigate a recent murder where the trigger was pulled years e... Read more
Jonathan Brown on Aker, Fev, life and football
From growing up in country Victoria, to becoming the pride of Brisbane, to his devastating decision to retire mid-season, Jonathan Brown has seen it all. He chats to Andrew Cattanach. Grab a copy of Life and Football here Life and Football by Jonathan Brown Three premiership wins, three-time club best and fairest winner, two-time All Australian and winner of the Coleman Medal: Jonathan Brown kn... Read more
Kate Forsyth on her exquisite new novel The Beast’s Garden
Kate Forsyth is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than twenty books, ranging from picture books to poetry to novels for both children and adults. She chats to Sarah McDuling. Grab a copy of The Beast’s Garden here The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth A retelling of The Beauty and The Beast set in Nazi Germany The Grimm Brothers published a beautiful version of the Beaut... Read more
Michael Robotham on his brilliant new novel Close Your Eyes
Michael Robotham is one of Australia’s most loved crime writers, and one of the highest selling both home and abroad. He chats to Sarah McDuling. Grab a copy of Close Your Eyes here Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham I close my eyes and feel my heart begin racing Someone is coming They’re going to find me A mother and her teenage daughter are found brutally murdered in a remote far... Read more
Michael Lynagh discusses his inspirational memoir Blindsided
On an April day in 2012 Michael Lynagh – 48 year-old retired rugby union great and father of three – was suddenly forced to re evaluate everything after suffering a massive stroke. What followed is an inspiring story of recovery, rehabilitation and remembering. He chats to Andrew Cattanach. Grab a copy of Blindsided here Blindsided by Michael Lynagh A rugby great confronts his great... Read more
How dangerous is a book?
Recently a bookshop in Adelaide was raided by authorities because a novel was sitting on the shelf and it wasn’t wrapped tightly in plastic. A novel not tightly wrapped in plastic? Who would have let such a thing happen? Wait, novels aren’t usually wrapped tightly in plastic. What’s going on? According to the authorities, this is a deadly dangerous novel. Normal novels require someone to read t... Read more
E. L. James Announces ‘Fifty Shades’ Follow-Up ‘Grey’ Told From the Point-of-View of Christian Grey
The publishing world has surprised us again with news this morning of a new E. L. James novel to be published in just eighteen days! Vintage Books said in a statement that the author wrote the book in response to reader demand. “This book is dedicated to those readers who asked…and asked…and asked for this,” James writes in the book’s opening pages. “Christian is a complex character and readers... Read more
Sally Murphy, author of Roses are Blue, answers Ten Terrifying Questions.
The Booktopia Book Guru asks Sally Murphy author of Roses are Blue, Pearl Versus the World and more… Ten Terrifying Questions ____________ 1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled? I was born and raised in Western Australia, spending most of my childhood in the Southwest town of Collie. I spent my last two years of sc... Read more