Brendan Cullen on conquering the English Channel

Brendan Cullen's memoir, co-written with Paul Mitchell, tells the story of a Broken Hill sheep‑station manager who confronted longstanding trauma and depression and found renewal through open‑water swimming, culminating in a successful English Channel crossing. The book traces his rural upbringing, boarding school experiences, family life, and the physical and emotional toll of drought and farm life, then follows his recovery after seeking help and embracing endurance swimming. Cullen frames the Channel swim as part of a broader mental‑health toolkit, detailing training in inland lakes and pools, the support of his coach and crew, and the swim itself. Interwoven are candid reflections on masculinity, asking for help, and truth‑telling with his children, offering both personal memoir and a message about resilience. Published by Allen & Unwin, it has been discussed publicly in interviews and talks to raise awareness about mental health and rural struggles.

This memoir by Eddie Jaku details his life from a happy childhood in Germany to the horrors he endured in Buchenwald and Auschwitz concentration camps during World War II. Despite losing most of his family and facing unimaginable hardships, Jaku survived and later emigrated to Australia. The book emphasizes his message of hope and resilience, highlighting how he found happiness even in the darkest times and vowed to smile every day as a tribute to those who were lost.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz tells the story of Lale Sokolov, who was imprisoned at Auschwitz in 1942. While there, he fell in love with Gita, a young woman he tattooed upon her arrival. The novel explores their love story amidst the horrors of the Holocaust, highlighting acts of bravery and compassion. It is based on years of interviews with Lale Sokolov, conducted by author Heather Morris.