Vision Australia Library are staunch supporters of female authors, not simply due to their gender - we endorse authors who write insightful, powerful and enthralling books. Whether your favourite genre is mystery, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction or non-fiction, there is a female author making her mark in literary history.
Irrespective of the author’s gender, our Library Members love books that celebrate the achievements of strong women - today and throughout history. Books that are free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Stories of a world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The Vision Australia Library are proud to offer a catalogue of books that present a world where difference is valued and celebrated.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, the Vision Australia Library are privileged to share five new release titles by highly successful and influential female writers. We encourage you to peruse the selection below, find a theme that sparks your interest and celebrate the upcoming International Women’s Day by reading an intriguing book by an author you may not have encountered before.
The Season by Helen Garner
It's footy season in Melbourne, and Helen Garner is following her grandson's under-16s team. She's a passionate Western Bulldogs fan who loves the epic theatre of AFL football. But her devotion to the under-16s offers her something else. This is her chance to connect with her youngest grandchild, to be close to him before he rushes headlong into manhood. To witness his triumphs and defeats, to fear for his safety in battle, to gasp and to cheer for his team as it fights for a place in the finals. With her sharp eye, her generous wit and her warm humour, Garner documents this pivotal moment, both as part of the story and as silent witness. Garner's first new work in a decade is a tender portrayal of the relationship between grandmother and grandson, and of that moment on the cusp of adulthood when a boy is both child and man.
All the Bees in the Hallows by Lauren Keegan
A folkoric mystery set in a remote Lithuanian beekeeping community in the 16th century, Marytè is a devoted beekeeper. She lives by the old rules: work with fellow beekeepers, be a good Christian and a good harvest will follow. These rules help her cope with her grief when she inherits her husband's tree hollows. But as harsh conditions and tax increases threaten the harvest, Marytè begins to question her faith, her community and her own sanity. There is little help to be had from her eldest daughter. Austeja is no worker bee. She takes risks, speaks her mind and dreams of escaping their isolated community. As her mother works, she finds refuge in the ancient forest and the old beliefs instilled in her by her defiant grandmother. When Austeja discovers a mutilated body and uncovers a honeycomb of lies and betrayal, she is intent on finding the truth and protecting her family. Will mother and daughter overcome their differences, learn the truth behind the murder and complete the honey harvest?
Boudicca by P. C. Cast
In Roman-occupied Britain, the Iceni tribe crowns an extraordinary new queen. Boudicca and her daughters will carry the tribe forward in dangerous times. Romans, expecting weakness in a female ruler, launch a devastating attack on the tribe’s stronghold. Boudicca and her family barely survive - but they refuse to bend the knee. She calls a war council, bringing together her most trustworthy allies, including her childhood friend Rhan, now a powerful Druid seer, and the horse master Maldwyn, whose devotion runs deeper than a warrior to a queen. Surprising the Romans, Boudicca’s armies sack their wealthy cities. As snow falls, the Celts retreat to a hidden valley to plot their assault on the Roman legions, to force them from Britain. But Rhan foresees a tragic end to Boudicca’s rebellion. Although defeat is spelled out in signs sent by the gods, Rhan swears she will alter the future and save her queen. Now Boudicca must put her trust in the powers of the otherworld to save her from traitors and Rome’s mighty legions.
Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser
It's 1986, and 'beautiful, radical ideas' are in the air. A young woman arrives in Melbourne to research the novels of Virginia Woolf. In bohemian St Kilda she meets artists, activists, students - and Kit. He claims to be in a 'deconstructed' relationship, and they become lovers. Meanwhile, her work on the Woolfmother falls into disarray...
The Nude by C. Michelle Lindley
An island off the coast of Greece. Art historian Elizabeth Clarke arrives with the intent to acquire a rare female sculpture. But what begins as a quest for a highly valued cultural artifact evolves into a trip that will force Elizabeth to contend with her career, her ambition and her troubling history. Disoriented by jet lag, debilitating migraines and a dependence on prescription pills, Elizabeth turns to her charming and guileless translator to guide her around the island. Soon, the island's lushness - its heat and light, its textures and tastes - take hold of Elizabeth. And when she's introduced to her translator’s inscrutable wife - a subversive artist whose work seeks to deconstruct the female form - she becomes unexpectedly enthralled by her. But as the acquisition proves to be riskier than Elizabeth ever imagined, Elizabeth's and the statues fate are called into question. Elizabeth must grapple with her past, the role she's played in the global art trade, and the ethical fallouts her decisions could leave behind.
