The it’s-almost-Christmas giveaway #1

Kirsten Alexander Riptides

December 1974. Abby Campbell and her brother Charlie are driving to their father’s farm on a dark country road when they swerve into the path of another car. The pregnant driver is killed instantly.

In her review for NRB Karen Chisholm wrote: ‘Riptides is an exploration of consequences, and delves deeply into how one bad decision can tear your world apart.’

Courtesy of Bantam

Clarissa Goenawan The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida

Miwako Sumida is dead. Now those closest to her try to piece together the fragments of her life. Ryusei, who has always loved her, follows Miwako’s trail to a remote Japanese village. Chei, her best friend, knows her true identity – but should she reveal it?

‘… written with elegance and delicacy’ – Booklist

Courtesy of Scribe Publications

Thomas Keneally The Dickens Boy

The tenth child of Charles Dickens, Edward Bulwer Lytton Dickens, known as Plorn, had consistently proved unable to ‘apply himself’ to school or life. So, aged 16, he is sent to Australia. There he encounters cricket matches, bushrangers, frontier wars – and a white population as fascinated by his father as those at home.

Courtesy of Vintage

Paul Dalgarno Poly

Paul Dalgarno’s debut novel centres on Chris Flood, a married father of two with plummeting self-esteem and questionable guitar skills, who suddenly finds himself in the depths of polyamory after years of near-sexless marriage.

‘A quintessential twenty-first century love story…’ – Lee Kofman

Courtesy of Ventura