Check out our Reader Reviews of the Month for December!

Did you know that if you leave a review of your most recent book purchase on Booktopia, you could win a $100 gift card?* Because you can!

Rate your recent book purchases (books, eBooks, and audio books are all included) with a review of between 115-350 words and you’ll automatically enter the draw. Our panel of book-loving judges will then choose the best three reviews every month and the reviewers will receive a $100 Gift Voucher.

So, what’s your verdict on your recent book purchase? Your fellow Booktopians would love to hear what you think!

Make it fun, make it sad, make it dramatic or make it rhyme. The choice is yours, as long as you impress our panel of judges with your unique take on your last read.

Here are some handy tips for writing a good book review:

• Hook your readers in with a snappy first sentence that captures exactly how you felt about the book.
• Tell us why you loved the book – was it the fantastic writing? The compelling story? The richly drawn characters?
• Was there anything really unusual or interesting about how the story was told? Tell us!
• Tell us why you think other people might love it too.
• Don’t just tell us the plot – give us a general idea of where the story goes without revealing any spoilers.
• Did it remind you of any other books you’ve read and loved? Name them!
• When you’re done, check for any spelling mistakes.

Scroll down to read the three winning reviews for December!

Growing Up Queer in Australia , edited by Benjamin Law

Review by Xan from Melbourne

Queerly this is fabulous

Whether you are Queer, Questioning, or Straight, you should absolutely bi this book. The varied and vibrantly personal stories are both very well written and exceptionally tenderhearted. For anyone who’s not familiar with the LGBTQIA+ community of Australia, this is a very clear insight into how far we as a nation have come—and how far we have yet to go. For people who are queer, this is a very affirming, positive, emotional journey through the eyes and hearts of so many different people who are so very like us. You will cry. I guarantee it. The journey to acceptance comes from understanding, and what better way to understand than to come to know queer Australians as individuals?

Buy it here

The Woman Who Cracked the Anxiety Code by Judith Hoare

Review by Annreads

An illuminating biography

This is a terrific biography of an under-recognised pioneer in the field of mental health. Dr Claire Weekes’ self-help books on dealing with anxiety were before their time in their emphasis on ways of managing fear. The book explores her training as a zoologist—she was the first woman to gain a doctorate in science from the University of Sydney—and her later work, after doing a medical degree, as a general practitioner in Bondi. This work, combined with her scientific understanding of the biology of fear, led to her burgeoning fame as a counsellor on mental health. Her book, Complete Self-Help for Your Nerves, became an enduring international best-seller over the decades since its publication. Judith Hoare’s biography contextualises Dr Weekes’ life and work brilliantly. It is a compelling read.

Buy it here

The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy

Review by Lewis

Epic Masterpiece

Some books haunt you for years, some books change the way you look at life, some books touch your soul in profound and important ways. The Forsyte Saga is one of those books.

This is the second time I’ve read this, the first time was about 8 years ago, and I appreciate it even more now that I’ve experienced more of life.

This is a huge epic of a book that spans generations but don’t be put off by that, it is easy enough to read and once you get into it flows really well.

It starts off in the 1880’s and ends in the 1920’s and covers marriages both happy and unhappy, affairs, divorces, deaths and births and everything in between. In short this is a book that deals with LIFE!

Do yourself a favour and read it.

Buy it here

Congratulations to all of our winners!

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