Reviewers

As well as reviews from Mandi J, TBYL is pleased to bring you reviews from a number of different voices. Currently the TBYL Reviewer team includes these wonderful individuals…

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Tam Jenkin
I am currently a stay at home mum of two busy boys of eight and five. Reading has always been a love of mine and one that I continue to make time for between the many committee meetings and volunteering at school. My favourite genre has to be a good old chick lit book, but I also love to stick my teeth into the odd Vampire or Zombie read.

I also, love to share and chat about books with my boys and believe when they see me reading it only encourages them in their growing love of books. So likewise, I look forward to sharing my thoughts on a few books with you here on TBYL.

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Kathy Petkoff
I remember being raised in and around books. My grandmother was a librarian, and my mum changed her career direction to become a library assistant. I have a background in Engineering where I mastered the art of technical writing and turning 300 page reports into 1 page briefs. I will read almost anything.

When I’m not reading for myself or reading for my children, I love to cook, garden and sew, it is the beauty of seeing something evolve from simple things that drives me. My favourite books (because I can’t nail it down to one only!) are – ‘The Stand’ by Stephen King, ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zuzack, ‘Still Life with Woodpecker’ by Tom Robbins and ‘The Dressmaker’ by Rosalie Ham. I know they say we all have a book inside us waiting to get out, I just hope mine isn’t too dull…..

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Fiona Boyd
Currently living in bayside Melbourne, I have a background in the street press and radio. I worked at ABC Radio in the mid 1990s and from 1996 have been involved in co-founding various online publishing ventures.

I have three children and am working on my first novel.

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Carolyn Jones
I have loved reading for as long as I can remember and always have a large pile of books by my bed. I have two small children who are five and three but no matter how busy they keep me; I always find time for reading. I like nothing better than “retiring to bed” when in fact I stay up for hours reading chapter after chapter. Some of my favourite authors include Margaret Atwood, Tom Robbins, Kate Grenville, Tim Winton and Ruth Park. During my career as a primary school teacher I devoted a lot of my time with children discussing their reading interests and encouraging them to expand their reading repertoire. When browsing through bookstores I get so excited about all the wonderful children’s stories, classics and new, that I’m eager to introduce them to my children. On my first date with my now husband we ended up at the Hill of Content buying each other our favourite read and I knew then that he was a keeper! I hope that my reviews help you make great reading choices!

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Kate Barber
My love of reading was inspired by my mum who was a librarian, an avid reader and as far back as I can remember, in a book club. She encouraged us to read all different styles and genres of book and to talk about them. After a few years off reading when I could barely keep my eyes open long enough to read one page (little kids will do that to you) I am loving discovering some superb books and excellent authors again and am looking forward to sharing some great books with you. Happy reading!