Bøger af Linda Ruth Brooks

Lucy's mother died at home, listening to the afternoon birds. Lucy treasured her mother's silk embroidered notebook. It had wildflowers inside, pressed and dried, their petals as dainty as insect wings. Charlotte Bragg, denied invitation to her elder son's wedding, slid into the back pew of the cathedral.At the Soldatenkaffee Madeleine on the Rue St Honoré a slender woman sits on the edge of a vinyl chair.The corpulent man stumbled and wavered, taking pains to appear sober, soughing onto the slatted bench near the park.Georgia dragged her feet, watching her brother's long strides swirl dust on the bush track ahead. It was alright for him. He wanted to go.Kate couldn't remember when her role of carer had begun. It stretched back into a childhood that should still exist, but didn't. This long awaited collection of Brooks' short stories deals with all the themes close to her heart. They are shared with the grit and fearlessness that has appeared in her previous narratives. A welcome addition to Brooks' list of published works.

Brooks is at her finest in this cunning collection of short stories. Her trademark wit and sharp observation is crafted with depth and compassion, as she once again explores the gamut of human experience with fearless clarity and buoyant optimism. In this series, Linda gives full rein to her passion for the unique narratives of others. With poignancy and respect, she reveals the foibles and quirks of her characters, never losing the essence of the elegance and power of the human spirit. These stories are windows into the lives of others, where equality and dignity is intrinsically woven into each tale. We see our friends, family and acquaintances. We make new friends and ultimately gain insight into our own true selves. Linda gives us an intimate view into a nursing career, with both fiction and non fiction. It is a world of compassion, patience and intuitive regard for others, but encapsulates the humanity of this challenging and often underrated role in the community. This edition of short stories is a combination of 'Vignettes', 'This Life' and several new narratives.

Historic aviation, in particular World War 1 is an abiding interest for Murray who has compiled a selection of colour portraits and bios of some of the more famous airmen of the conflict. 'Images of Eagles' also includes a black and white photo of the subject or his particular aircraft to accompany each article. The book portrays airmen from the British Empire, France, America and Germany. Some less well known airmen are represented. They may not have achieved 'ace' status but their exploits were worthy of an inclusion in this volume.

If Bridget Galloway could choose a superpower, it would be invisibility. But life in Bridget's world, has no superheroes.It's midnight. Bridget is spending her sixteenth birthday at the local cemetery-the only place free from the brutal bullying of her alcoholic father. Alone and friendless she is known at school as Shadow Girl. Why did her mother leave? The mystery deepens when it is discovered that another woman wrote the cards and letters. Then a body is found in the bushland near the Galloway house. For the truth to be revealed, there are mishaps, mistakes, and a town of unconventional characters: a fashion designer in hiding, a dope-head brother, a curious city cop, a gossipy Mayor's wife, a lost old lady and two sassy teenage girls who introduce Bridget to real friendship. A companion book to Scarlett doesn't live here anymore. Shadow Girls reaches honestly into the issue of family abuse and intimate partner violence and the courage it takes to escape and find voice. There are two glossaries in the book that contain all the terminology and definitions necessary for violence, abuse and also the modern dating terms such as ghosting, gaslighting and stalking.

A review of a unique band of airmen, every man a volunteer, willing and eager to serve in an elite force. From every corner of the Empire they answered the call to arms, to challenge the aspirations of European dominance by a rampant Germany. Following the French capitulation of 1940 and the miracle of Dunkirk Great Britain stood alone to face the Nazi blitzkrieg. During those dramatic months of August and September a numerically inferior Fighter Command withstood a relentless Luftwaffe to effectively scuttle Hitler's 'Operation Sea Lion', the projected air and sea-borne invasion of Britain. Having survived the gravest threat in its history the time had come for Britain to take up the offensive with whatever means at its disposal. Fighter Command had established itself as the nation's saviour; it was now Bomber Command's turn to carry the offensive to the enemy's homeland, to his very home if need be. What began as a tentative, probing campaign developed into a whirlwind of concentrated destruction. With the advent of new and sophisticated aircraft and tactics, as demonstrated by the creation of the elite Pathfinder Force, Bomber Command attained a terrifying efficiency. Against this was an equally disturbing loss rate among aircrew. When the guns fell silent in May 1945 Bomber Command alone had suffered a grievous loss rate of 47,000 gallant airmen. Many lie in graves in foreign lands, some of them the decorated VC winners listed in this book. Let their memory be a lasting tribute to all those who failed to return.

In this engaging book, Rina Robinson fires the imagination with her unique poem and illustrations. A book any child will treasure and enjoy again and again. With its exotic animals and quirky tales this children's book will delight. It has rhyme and colour, and the marvellous bonus of opening the door to learning, not only about the alphabet, but about fascinating animals in different places around the world. The glossary at the end makes this lovely book an educational tool that parents and teachers are sure to value and use.

Chelsea Prentiss is in hot water again ... Chelsea has won a prize that she doesn't want, in a competition that she didn't enter. A week in Surfer's Paradise on the set of a soap opera that she detests. Then, to make matters worse, the man Chelsea has to spend the week with is an arrogant stuffed shirt who reminds her of her shallow charming father. Jack Devon always has a plan. That is how he manages to keep his well ordered life on an even keel. Life has shown him that his looks, status and easy charm give him the choice of any woman he wants. Life has not prepared Jack Devon for a woman like Chelsea Prentiss. Can he impress the one woman who seems immune to his charm? Linda turns romance on its head in this hilarious romp through the trials and twists of love in the exotic paradise of the Gold Coast of Australia. Humour, passion and enduring love come together to bring us Chelsea and Jack's unique story.

Every third Wednesday we meet. Every third Wednesday we attempt to hone our craft. Stretching beyond rhyme, metre and description to tanka, cento, haiku, and abecedarium while we sip frothy cappuccinos, or perhaps indulge in cake, we go on a journey. When the blending of our words seems like rubbish, we laugh. When they fall flat, we groan and move on. Every now and then, someone will read a poem and we all sit still, poised in silent surrender to the soaring of our spirits and we are grateful for the places that poetry takes us. "Most pleasing of all is the profusion of poetic styles and forms... Running through all this are familiar and consistent themes: the power of the wry observation, condensed into verse, to remind us of life's absurdities ... the inescapable nature of loss ... and landscapes transformed by poetic eyes ... Read these poems and enjoy the verbal worlds created for you by these five poets." David Musgrave, poet, writer, lecturer, publisher

Once in every lifetime, we should all see life through the eyes of a five year old child, hear their voice, sense the world through the unique perception of childhood. For to do this, is to perceive what they cannot know, protect them from what they cannot understand, so they don't have to hide. We are all guardians; every one. Georgia hides under the bracken fern. Her mother hits her to make her good. The nice man down the road gives her lollies that make her sleepy. Sometimes her brother, Jackson, hides her in his wardrobe. Her best friend, Mittens the cat, listens to all her secrets. On her first day at school her special pencils are stolen. Afraid she will be in very big trouble, she runs away to the bracken fern that grows tall by the whispering creek, where the bower bird struts with his prize of blue buttons and the magpie feeds her babies. It is her safe place. She doesn't know about real safe places and that these things shouldn't be happening to her. When Miss Nelson, her teacher, finds her hiding place, Georgia is even more afraid, until she learns that it's okay to tell. There are other safe places and people who will protect her. Things can get better.

Fraser is a shy frog. He has just moved with his mum and dad to a new pond. Meeting new people makes him nervous. When he is nervous he hiccups. When he hiccups all sorts of things happen. How will he make new friends?

In this fast paced, often hilarious memoir, Linda shares her childhood memories of growing up in rural Australia in the Fifties and Sixties. This tightly woven collection contains the warm and insightful reminiscences of a curious child fascinated by the world and its people, having a joyous passion for life, and an irrepressible thirst for answers. With fearless, self deprecating humour, Linda pares back the layers of family life and takes us on a rare journey of self discovery.

Animals have unique personalities and experience fear, anxiety and stress. The Banyula Tales are about a group of Australian animals living in the Australian bush. There's Callan Chameleon who doesn't like to go far from home, Ben Bowerbird is very careful and collects blue objects to decorate his bower. Kyle Koala likes to sleep a lot. Katie Kookaburra is loud and bossy. Serena Sugar Glider is thoughtful and takes care of the others. Blue Roo has lots of energy and acts before he thinks. Freya Frill-Neck Lizard is anxious and worries about lots of things. Fleur Possum is shy and kind. Emily Echidna is confident and friendly. Wesley Wombat likes to join in but he can't keep up with the faster animals. The Bilby Twins live in the Dark Forest, which is where you'll find Cassowary and Lyre Bird. There are many other animals: Tyson Turtle, Tazza the Tasmanian devil, Tessa Thorny-Devil, Fraser Frog, Gang-Gang Galah and Peter Platypus. There's Grandpa Koala, Doc Possum and Hawk. Welcome to Banyula!

Life is a slip on the ice It's a spent gamea try, a clasha save, a dash It's a burger with the worksa song & dance, a purloined chance a flashy show,a slow-river flowa blind quest, a fleeting guest It's a dense mirrora cloudy glass, a quick passa heedless pawn, a crystal dawn,a sly ploy,a heart-busting joy It's a sinner's prayer

With my folded, pinned, kitten ears I heard anger from human voices. I snuggled closer to my mother and tried to keep away from the human shapes that flitted like dark shadows. I was never far from her. She called me the loneliest kitten ever. The humans didn't want us. One day the man threw us kittens into a box and drove away in his growling beast. We slithered every which way until the truck stopped, then the bottom broke and I slid out onto a hard grey surface. The man made angry sounds, picked up the box with my brothers and sisters and kept going until I couldn't hear them anymore. Alone and afraid I hid under a blue metal bin as big as a house. Sometimes bits of food fell out, meat or bread or other slimy stuff. I drank from the puddles at night and ate moths and crawling things. I was sure that no one ever saw me - none of the quick, stomping humans with their loose, grey overalls carrying clanky, heavy things here and there. There was no soft green grass, no shelter from the wind, but under the blue metal bin as big as a house I was dry and hidden away. Hiding was my best talent. I crept low. I slunk quietly, never meowing or making a sound. Sometimes hissing cats or drooling dogs tried to get at me under the bin. They could only get their paws in the small space. A large hand reached under and grabbed me. Where would I be taken this time? I had learned that life was full of sudden things.

Animals have unique personalities and experience fear, anxiety and stress. The Banyula Tales are about a group of Australian animals living in the Australian bush. There's Callan Chameleon who doesn't like to go far from home, Ben Bowerbird is very careful and collects blue objects to decorate his bower. Kyle Koala likes to sleep a lot. Katie Kookaburra is loud and bossy. Serena Sugar Glider is thoughtful and takes care of the others. Blue Roo has lots of energy and acts before he thinks. Freya Frill-Neck Lizard is anxious and worries about lots of things. Fleur Possum is shy and kind. Emily Echidna is confident and friendly. Wesley Wombat likes to join in but he can't keep up with the faster animals. The Bilby Twins live in the Dark Forest, which is where you'll find Cassowary and Lyre Bird. There are many other animals: Tyson Turtle, Tazza the Tasmanian devil, Tessa Thorny-Devil, Fraser Frog, Gang-Gang Galah and Peter Platypus. There's Grandpa Koala, Doc Possum and Hawk. Welcome to Banyula!

Living with someone on the autism spectrum is like watching a child trying to play hopscotch when they can't see the squares, and everyone else can.This new compilation of I'm not broken, I'm just different & Wings to fly takes us to the heart of living with a child with on the autism spectrum. This latest edition of the book has also been published as Don't read this book by my mother - she's crazy. However, for early fans of Brooks' books on Asperger's it will be welcome news to find both books available in the one volume in the previous familiar style and title. Brooks chronicles her life with her son from his birth, covering the early years, and the teen years through to adulthood-ending with his fearless flight into manhood. The last section, focuses on the struggles faced by adults on the spectrum and their families in an informative, scientific approach.In an unflinching account Brooks poignantly captures the struggle of living with a child who appears to see the world through broken glass. A roller coaster ride from the bizarre to the obscene, encompassing the poetic and the hilarious, heartache and joy. The narrative embraces the muddled stumbling between two worlds-worlds that seem so desperately different at first glance. About a boy obsessed with the unfathomable and a mother obsessed with understanding him. This book is a celebration.

In a land as harsh on its wildlife as its peoples, humans have a unique guardianship for the fauna and flora of the landscape. As a child I hated seeing any creature confined, but during the recent wildfire season we've seen the interdependence between us, as birds and animals have sought our care. Many people responded, with sanctuaries, care stations and animal hospitals springing into action. Australians have prioritised pets and wildlife over property. The world, looking on in horror has reached out-from donations to simple kind acts, like making koala mittens. As Australians, we are island-isolated but with the reaction around the globe, we know we're not alone. Australia's favourite bush animals, birdlife and lizards, known and loved around the world are included in this artistic collection in watercolour, pencil and digital art.

In a land as harsh on its wildlife as its peoples, humans have a unique guardianship for the fauna and flora of the landscape. As a child I hated seeing any creature confined, but during the recent wildfire season we've seen the interdependence between us, as birds and animals have sought our care. Many people responded, with sanctuaries, care stations and animal hospitals springing into action. Australians have prioritised pets and wildlife over property. The world, looking on in horror has reached out-from donations to simple kind acts, like making koala mittens. As Australians, we are island-isolated but with the reaction around the globe, we know we're not alone. Australia's favourite bush animals, birdlife and lizards, known and loved around the world are included in this artistic collection in watercolour, pencil and digital art.

It's 1914 and nine year old Henrietta Eloise Parsons is sick of a war that's only just getting started. Father, a senior editor at the Sydney Morning Herald is hardly ever seen without a newspaper in front of his frowning face, and Mother has suddenly taken an interest in activities she haughtily refers to as The War Effort. As far as Henrietta can see, this involves a lot of high teas, committees about cake, how to motivate housewives to knit socks for soldiers and make care packages for the troops.The war has been called The Great War as if it was an event like the Olympic Games, with parades, medals and ribbons. As far as Henrietta is concerned, it's a crummy war. It's just like a schoolyard brawl where all the boys join in, with torn shirts, bloody noses and filthy uniforms from rolling in the dirt, then, when they're lined up in the principal's office none of them can remember why they were fighting or what stupid thing started the whole mess.Henrietta's parents have decided that she will spend the duration of war far away in the country in South Australia with her grandparents, who she hardly remembers. To be sent away with her mother's silly maid, Daisy, is enough to push Henrietta to the end of her puny patience. But go she must. To a small country town where nothing is as she expected.

None of the young animals had noticed that the water in the billabong was higher than usual. Certainly not Blue Roo who was bouncing awkwardly along the log that went from one side of the Banyula billabong to the other.What they had noticed, couldn't fail to notice, was that it had been raining for days, and days. Wesley Wombat worried if there would be enough food. Kyle Koala didn't like too much water falling from the sky.Peter Platypus didn't care how much water there was, he hoped that Blue would fall off the log into the billabong. Maybe that would teach the silly joey a lesson.Serena Sugar Glider, who was usually calm and, well … serene, came running into Banyula and burst into tears. Soon after Freya Frill-Neck scuttled in from the desert, her frill in fright mode.What was happening in Banyula?

Katie Kookaburra was bored. Kyle Koala nibbled on a sweet red-tipped leaf while Callan Chameleon played with a soft, white feather.'G'day. Wassup?' Blue Roo bounced up.'Nothing.' Kate sighed.Blue groaned. ''Hate doing nothing. Wanna go the Red Quandong?''Sure.' Katie flew down from the branch and sat next to Blue.'Righto,! Blue jumped and tripped over Tyson Turtle.Along the way a new plan was made. Later on, there'd be an argument over whose idea it was…but they decided to go to the blue quandong tree instead-in the Dark Forest.Things got a bit complicated on the return journey. Katie was sure they took the left fork in the track but Blue Roo said that was rubbish.The argument got louder as clouds crept across the sky, dulling the little light that shone through the trees.Then they heard a thunderous noise...

A hot westerly wind rushed through Dry Gully, swirling through the trees, shaking branches and rattling leaves.Things began to blow in on the wind. Lots and lots of things. Blue tried to catch one of the things, but the wind was too fast. Leaves, twigs and dust twisted and spiralled on the wind, stinging their eyes.The animals became afraid. Kyle ran to top of his tree. Tyson stood still and stared. Wesley looked glum. Emily quickly rolled into a ball. Fleur and Serena huddled together, shivering. Freya's frill flew up.Above the noise of the roaring wind, a whoosh was heard, not like the wail of the wind, something else, something large.It was Hawk. He stepped along a branch overhanging the billabong. 'Where are your parents? We need to sound an alarm.''Alarm! Alarm!' shrieked Katie. 'Oh no!'Tick grey dust whirled in, making them cough and splutter.'The clouds have fallen! The clouds have fallen!' Kyle Koala yelled.

Where's your mother?Not well today. Said carefully and neutrally, as if pretending things were normal would make them so. Transform life into a manageable thing. As if ten year olds everywhere were the ladies of the house, the caretakers of the family.I see.Mrs Blakehurst, their babysitter from up the road was on the stoop. She had brought the youngest two. Kate knew it was important to use her grown up voice, through a narrow slit in the door.Thank you, Mrs Blakehurst. Here is your pay.Father didn't change the rhythm, so that helped make it normal. Though deep inside a much younger Kate screamed that it was not. But Emily, Daniel and Sara's voices were louder. Some inner sense stopped Kate from calling them 'the children' as was her mother's custom. She was even particular that she called them in order of their age, oldest to youngest, as if by this precision she could push back the chaos that hovered like a patient bird of prey.Brooks explores the internal dilemma of a child compelled to become parent to a mentally unstable mother, as well as the guardian of her three younger siblings. With fearless candour, Linda peels back the layers of a child with adult responsibilities. What becomes of Kate when the years fall by and she reaches adulthood? Can the child within be denied voice?

The young Banyula animals finally believe Serena Sugar Glider's adventure stories when she takes them to see the Blue Quandong. Kyle Koala sleeps through the whole thing and Callan the Chameleon stays home to count his feathers. Despite many misgivings Ben Bowerbird joins in. Blue Roo makes everyone tired by leaping and bouncing in their way. Kate Kookaburra gives a running commentary on the journey and only keeps quiet when she is mimicked by a lyre bird in the bush. Wesley Wombat walks further than ever before, for the mysterious fruit of the blue quandong tree beyond the dense scrub in the deep forest. Their journey is interrupted by a strange, angry creature with huge thumping feet. A creature they never want to see again!

On sunset, an orange-red sun dipped behind Craggy Rock in the west. A flock of yellow-crested cockatoos flew to the wattle tree to feed on black seed pods.A young male Gang Gang cockatoo, with beautiful, dove-grey feathers, black eyes and a red plume pecked at pods on the ground.'Why is he eating off the ground, not from the tree?' Katie Kookaburra watched the bird eat quickly, glancing nervously around.The cockatoos flew in circles, taunting him. He clung to the tree trunk and hung his head. Two of the bolder birds flew close, pulling at his feathers. Then they flew away, seeking a tree for the night.Freya Frill Neck watched the gang-gang fade into the sunset, trailing behind, trying as hard as he could to keep up. Behind her, to the north, Purple Mountain glowed with soft red hues.Freya had trouble falling asleep. Visions of the lost Gang Gang flitted through her dreams and she awoke tired and unsettled.