Hi friends!

As you know from my last Sally Recommends newsletter, I’m in a period of ‘wintering’, where I focus on the things that matter most: family, friends, health, and of course — writing books. While I’m wintering, I won’t be doing any travel, promotional events, blurbing, or answering DMs (or at least I’ll be keeping these things to a minimum!) so I can free up lots of brain space for creativity.

However, I will of course still be dropping into your inbox twice a month with my recommendations and also (questionable) life advice with the Dear Sally series.

AND I will be doing occasional events leading up to the release of my new book, Darling Girls (have you pre-ordered yet?!)

One such event is with my assistant and new favourite author who you’ve all met on Instagram several times by now… Amy Lovat!

Amy’s debut novel, Mistakes and Other Lovers, comes out on 11 July and we will be in conversation at Readings Carlton in Melbourne to celebrate. This is one you will not want to miss. Amy is one of my favourite humans and we always have a good laugh together. Tickets are free but registrations essential here!

We hope to see many of you there! But for now ... here are some things I’ve been loving lately.

Sally x

Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang

I had heard SO MANY GOOD THINGS about this book which, frankly, made me kind of nervous. But guys - it lived up to the hype. LOVE when that happens! The premise: a well-known author dies and there’s no one around to witness it EXCEPT FOR aspiring writer June, who steals the dead author’s unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own! You can only imagine what happens next. The narrative about the publishing industry is fascinating and will appeal to writers and readers alike. Big recommend. Buy here.

Bunny by S.E. Tolsen

I have been seeing Bunny everywhere and eventually couldn’t help but pick it up! For fans of Stephen King and that kind of crime/horror/psychological thriller genre, this is definitely for you. Main character Silas didn’t have a happy childhood, and it was mostly thanks to Aunt Bunny. This book is creepy and twisty and explores family drama, addiction and hedonism with some supernatural kind of elements. So hard to describe, but excellent! Buy here.

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

My wonderful talented and funny friend Steven Rowley has a new book out! It’s about friendship and the promises we make to ourselves. It’s been 28 years since Jordan graduated from college, and 5 years since he’s seen his best friends when they reunite to throw each “living funerals”, as promised when they were younger. They’re supposed to be adults now, but they’re no closer to having things figured out. I’m not sure if The Celebrants is available in Aus yet so here’s the Amazon link... Buy here.

The Clearing (2023) on Disney — based on JP Pomare’s book!

You all know I love anything JP Pomare writes, and his book In the Clearing was one of my faves: cults, missing people, mystery and possible murder. What’s not to like?! Now, the excellent book has been made into an Australian TV series now streaming on Disney+ and starring Teresa Palmer, Guy Pearce and other great names. The premise is loosely based on the 60s-70s cult in Victoria called The Family. Flashing back between the 80s childhood and present day of main character Freya, she reckons with her past experiences involved with a cult, and what is happening in her small town today. You’ll be on the edge of your seat!

Wiser Than Me by Julia Louis-Dreyfus

My latest poddy obsession is ‘Wiser Than Me’ with host Julia Louis-Dreyfus (aka Elaine from Seinfield). In each episode, Julia sits down with an  woman who is older and wiser than her, and they have a chat. The nuggets of wisdom are profound. One of my favourites is her interview with Jane Fonda, where Jane says she wasn’t a great mother. The conversations are funny, touching, personal and completely unforgettable. Listen here!

You know what else I’m really loving right now? My friends. I say this a lot around here, but the older I get, the more I cherish my mates, and the more determined I become to invest in these friendships. For me, this looks means connecting with a friend once a week - by exercising or doing a class together, making a spontaneous phone call, giving a small gift or dropping off a coffee. It doesn’t matter what it is, but I want my friends aware of what they mean to me. I plan to make my girlfriends a central part of my forties … and fifties and sixties and beyond.

Have you been keeping updated on the Writers Cabin we’re building in the backyard? I’ve been saving Christian’s tradie antics to Instagram here.

I’m funny on Instagram.