Hello, dear readers!

Christmas is around the corner and I’m feeling reflective. 

2024 has been an unexpectedly good year for me. After a whirlwind of a 2023, I’ve regrouped, and more or less settled into life as a single mum. It’s not always easy, and most of the time I’m overwhelmed, running late, and out of milk, but I’m taking it day by day, and making time to stop and remind myself how far I’ve come.

And it isn’t just me who has come a long way. One of the best parts of this year has been watching my three children adapt to our new situation with deep feelings, courage, resilience, and (always always) a great sense of humour. I’m always a proud mum but this has pushed me into the realms of insufferably proud. 

Another wonderful part of this year has been that I have, unexpectedly, found love again! I won’t be talking about this publicly much, I’m a little gun-shy about that, but it didn’t feel right to recap the year without mentioning the joy and healing this relationship has brought me. Who knows where it will go, but at 44 years old, I didn't expect to experience the heady euphoria of new love again, so you can bet your ass I’m cherishing every second.

Other highlights of 2024 include:

- my US tour for Darling Girls;

- Newcastle, Kimberley, Whitsundays and Berry Writers Festivals;

- interviewing the one and only Liane Moriarty!;

- a magic family holiday in Hamilton Island;

- my first TV adaptation (and my first cameo!) in The Family Next Door;

- Darling Girls being optioned for TV;

- submitting my 2025 novel. 

As for next year, I already have a lot of projects in the works, including a new novel, releasing a short story, acting as an executive producer on a TV adaptation of one of my novels, and hosting a divorce podcast for Mamamia! No rest for the wicked, eh?

So here’s to another year of books, love, and resilience. Let’s do it with a great sense of humour and bucketloads of gratitude!

Much love from my family to yours,

Sally x

P.S. Let me know your other book recommendations on Instagram or Facebook!

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is a huge dopamine hit and feelgood funny read. Emma is a screenwriting debut who has been tasked with re-writing Charlie’s script… and he’s the king of rom-coms so he’s not happy about it. Buy here.

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin follows four college students from very different backgrounds who are bonded together by a tragic accident… they make a pact to stick together no matter what. Buy here.

What Happened to Nina by Dervla McTiernan is a suspenseful thriller about two young lovers who embark on a holiday weekend but only one of them returns. How far will Nina’s family go to learn the truth? Buy here.

Joy Moody is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne is a thrilling, delightful read that you won’t forget in a hurry. Joy Moody dies on her twin daughters’ 21st birthday… but that isn’t the weirdest thing to happen. Buy here.

We Are the Stars by Gina Chick is a memoir by the iconic Australian personality who stole all our hearts when she won the first season of Alone Australia. From an odd childhood to a cancer diagnosis and tragic loss of her young daughter, this is a tale you won’t forget. Buy here.

Australian Gospel by Lech Blaine is a remarkable true story and a family saga that I can’t stop thinking about. Lech is the only biological son of his parents, who adopted and fostered the biological kids of notorious Christian fanatics Mary and Michael Shelley. He charts the course of their twisted family stories and it’s so entertaining, heartfelt and gripping. Buy here.

Red River Road by Anna Downes is set on the gorgeous Western coast of Australia, where solo traveller Katy is roadtripping in the footsteps of her sister Phoebe, who went missing a few months ago, trying to figure out what happened to her. Buy here.

Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor is a twisty thriller set in the Blue Mountains from the bestselling author of Dirt Town. Three women go climbing, one falls to her death. Who’s responsible, and what exactly would friends do to protect each other? Buy here.

Out of the Box by Madison King and Rebecca Sparrow is the perfect, informative book for any parents of neurodiverse kids or family members. I have found it an absolute godsend and will recommend to anyone and everyone. Buy here.

I’ll Let Myself In by Hannah Diviney is a super inspiring and lovely memoir by the actor, writer and activist who went viral for calling out the likes of Lizzo and Beyonce for their ableist lyrics. A defiant coming of age story exploring the good, bad and ugly of growing up in the new millenium. Buy here.

17 Years Later by JP Pomare is a masterpiece. A celebrity true crime podcaster takes an interest in an old case: the violent slaughter of the wealthy Primrose family while they slept. Buy here.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty is just as good — if not better — than all her others! The latest release follows a flight from Hobart to Sydney, on which a lady predicts exactly how and when many of the passengers are going to die. Buy here.

Bright Shining by Julia Baird is a great book for mums, dads, grandparents, siblings and everyone in between. It’s insightful, heartfelt and contains something for everyone in the exploration of grace and humanity. Buy here.

You Don’t Have to Have a Dream by Tim Minchin is as good as you’d expect. It’s a beautiful, illustrated little hardcover book so it’s perfect for gifting, and contains inside four of Tim’s inspiring (and funny) speeches. Buy here.

I’m funny on Instagram.