Guys,

I am writing this from Noosa where I am on my annual girls’ trip with my closest girlfriends. This trip is the balm to my soul, and always one of the highlights of my year. It also serves as a time to reflect on all that has changed since the year before.

This year, obviously, the changes have been extensive for me. This time last year I arrived at our girls’ trip exhausted, overworked, and unable to see a way through. Every day I sat on the beach in my wig and never went in the water. Every night I was in bed early. Throughout the week I randomly burst into tears.

This year, I’ve adjusted my schedule, and am only doing the things I desperately need to do. My life is slow and simple. My hair is short. I exercise every morning and I randomly burst out laughing. I don’t sit on the beach because I’m in the ocean. I can see a way through. And the future looks bright.

All this to say, if your life is blowing up right now, hold on. Change is borne of pain. In a year, things will look different. Better. I promise. In the meantime, check out my recommendations.

Sally x

Original Twin by Paula Gleeson

Author Paula Gleeson sent me an early copy of her book Original Twin and I was immediately sold because it’s been called “A twisty crossover thriller that will have readers guessing right up until the end. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica, and Megan Abbott.” We have two very different twin sisters, May and June. June goes missing and a year after the fact, May discovers their mother also went missing on the exact same day when she was just nineteen years old. Preorder here.

The School Run by Ali Lowe

I’m so looking forward to interviewing author Ali Lowe for the release of her new book, The School Run! We’ll be chatting at Beaumaris Library in VIC on Wednesday 3 April (tickets here). Her book has a very Big Little Lies vibe and is about a group of parents living in a glorious coastal town and getting way too invested in the annual Gala Day of the local boys’ school. When a kid is struck down in a hit and run, scandals, secrets and lies emerge. Buy here.

Power by Kemi Nekvapil

The tagline to this book is “a woman’s guide to living and leading without apology” and the foreword is by Elizabeth Gilbert, so need I say more? I’ve seen firsthand the effect Kemi’s work has had on so many women in my world. There is a reason Kemi is so adored – she challenges women to think about what’s possible for their lives and then coaches them through the steps to get there. Powerful stuff (pun intended!). Buy here.

What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

One of the queens of crime fiction is back again with a true page-turner that I adored. Nina and Simon are the perfect couple. Young, fun and deeply in love. Until they leave for a weekend at his family's cabin in Vermont, and only Simon comes home. What happened to Nina?? Trust me, it’s amazing. I hope you love it too! Buy here.

Cie Cie & Co Robe

Where has this robe been all my life?! I’m utterly obsessed. This long robe is my new favourite and it’s so soft and comfy, plus obviously very chic, which is something I don’t often care for in my own home … but why not look fabulous while drinking coffee?! Buy here.

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a really big listener of music, but something I have become obsessed with lately is spa music. Yes, you read that right. Music that you might hear played in a spa. I ask Alexa to play ‘spa music’ and it makes me feel like I’m at a spa while I write. Whatever you need to do to get through the work day, am I right?!

Speaking of music, you might have seen on my Instagram that I went to Disco Club by Lise and Sarah recently. It was SO MUCH FUN I can’t even explain. I’m not much of a dancer, but gee whiz did I work up a sweat and laugh until my cheeks hurt. You might know Lise and Sarah as podcasters, and now they’re official curators of the DISCO CLUB, the ultimate night out for women. It’s simply a night of dancing and singing with friends that celebrates comfort, inclusivity, nostalgia, with early start and finish times (so you can be home in bed before you know it). Lise & Sarah’s DISCO CLUB is touring Australia in 2024, with dates already in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Subscribe to the newsletter here to find out when they’re coming your way.

Will I see you at Newcastle Writers Festival?? I’ll be there for the first time ever on Saturday 6 April at 11.30am, in conversation with my darling assistant and fellow author Amy Lovat (who is also the program manager of the festival because she’s a workaholic, my goodness how does she do it…. young people these days, honestly!). Hope to see you there xx

I’m funny on Instagram.