Papyrus: The invention of books in the ancient world by Irene Vallejo
If I had to choose a favourite book among all those read in 2022 (the list is long, believe me), I would not hesitate to…
Non-Fiction
SMSA Book Reviews are written by and for members. We invite all SMSA members to submit book reviews for inclusion on our website. Book reviews are a great way to let fellow members know about the range of great books they can borrow from the SMSA Library. The reviews are consistently a popular feature of our website and appear on the Library page and in our e-News. Download our Book Review Writing Guide below and submit one today!
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
In Entangled life Sheldrake explores the unsung role fungi has and always will play in our lives. This book may seem quite esoteric at first…
Travels with Herodotus by Ryszard Kapuscinski
In this gem of a book, Kapuscinski, as a matter of introduction, starts telling us how, at the University of Warsaw, he first ever heard…
Improbable Libraries by Alex Johnson
Libraries are purposed to house books. Some books are, in reverse, written about libraries. Improbable Libraries by Alex Johnson is one such book.
The Final Days of EMI: Selling The Pig by Eamonn Forde
The Final Days of EMI: Selling the Pig by Eamonn Forde, is not a yarn about sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Instead, it is…
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Woohoo – what a ride! City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert is Vivian’s life, told in flashback, and what a life it is! Chapter one…
The Worst Woman in Sydney by Leigh Straw
The Worst Woman in Sydney: the life and crimes of Kate Leigh by Leigh Straw peaked my curiosity.
Engineering in the Ancient World by J. G. Landels
Engineering in the Ancient World is a detailed but easy to read work that was published in 1978, written by Dr Landels of the University…
The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel
Much like Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly (the basis for the Academy Award nominated 2016 film), The Glass Universe provides a highly readable account…
Educated by Tara Westover
Educated by Tara Westover is a disturbing account of the terrifying abuse and neglect that Tara Westover and her siblings experienced.
Palmyra: Mirage in the Desert edited by Joan Aruz
Palmyra: Mirage in the Desert is a beautifully produced book of 160 pages on the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria.
Happy Valley by Nicholas Best
Happy Valley by Nicholas Best is a thoroughly entertaining and easy to read historical account of the English people in Kenya.