Nov 9, 2026 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Biography, Family History, History
ISBN 978-1-923843-64-6
PAPERBACk
ISBN 978-1-923843-65-3
EBOOK
Two Broken Souls Seeking Refuge
Lives Barely Lived follows the lives of two unremarkable people from totally different backgrounds, broken by circumstances beyond their control, seeking a better life but finding that their personal dreams can often be held to ransom by the dreams of another.
From the mountains of Switzerland and the slums of Manchester to the beautiful island of Tasmania, we follow Frank and Lilian’s journey of discovery as they seek anonymity from the ghosts of their past. But ghosts never retire, they linger.
Frank and Lilian find each other under the most bizarre circumstances and begin a life together – two broken people wanting desperately to be whole.
About the Author
A J Haas was born in Hobart, Tasmania in 1956. He was the youngest of four children, the progeny of Frank and Lilian Haas, immigrants from Europe.The 1950’s in Australia were years of post war optimism and the country became a cultural melting pot that saw huge expansion of both cities and rural centres by way of immigrants who were leaving the past behind, looking for a new and better life.Life in those days were not easy, but opportunities to make something of oneself were only limited by a lack of imagination.A J is a product of the 50’s and 60’s with all its positive and negative influences. He wrote this book primarily as a personal catharsis, mainly to explore his long-held biases against his parents. In doing so, he found a sense of empathy for them and has been able to make peace with the past.
Nov 9, 2026 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Craft \ Hobbies
ISBN 978-1-923843-75-2
PAPERBACK
Geometric Patterns for Quiet Screen-Free Relaxation
After trying to find a geometric colouring book for relaxation to no avail, Carilyn Rowe decided to design her own patterns using a Ruler and stencils.
After completing 75 designs she decided to publish a geometric colouring book for everyone to enjoy and have fun colouring in as much as she did designing them with imperfect lines for perfect calm and relaxation.
Nov 9, 2026 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Business, History
ISBN 978-1-923843-81-3
HARDCOVER
The History of the Liquor Trades Union in SA 1890 to 1980
And South Australia’s relationship with grog
The Liquor Trades Union was formed in a Hindley Street pub in Adelaide in 1907, in response to workers in that industry having some of the worst wages and conditions in South Australia at the time.
The Union covered workers in breweries, wineries, hotels and related industries, and was unique in South Australia’s labour movement as it was not only fighting employers but was fighting for the very survival of the liquor industry and the jobs of its members. The temperance movement (the ‘wowsers’) were a strong political force and openly stated their objective was total prohibition. To add to the Union’s struggle, its own political party, the Australian Labor Party, was heavily influenced by prohibitionists and supported the push to reel in the industry and shut it down.
The Union turned the situation to its advantage and formed a strained alliance with employer groups, helping to battle the wowsers in exchange for improved wages and conditions which were in advance of most, if not all, other industries. This book provides a detailed record of the growth and development of the Liquor Trades Union in South Australia from its creation in 1907 with 33 members to 1980 when it comprised over 10,000 members, and briefly discusses the employer groups, the temperance movement, the politicians and the licensing laws that shaped South Australian society’s attitude to alcohol in the 20th century.
About the Author
Max Rowe worked at the West End Brewery in Hindley Street, Adelaide, from 1941 to 1979.
He was a member of the Liquor Trades Union until 1952 when he was promoted to Paymaster at the Brewery, preventing him from remaining a member of the Union.
Max’s position as paymaster put him in daily contact with the workers on the factory floor, with the Union and with Management.
About the Author
Les Rowe was a member of the Liquor Trades Union in the 1980’s and was employed part time by the Union as a Research Officer whilst studying Law at the University of Adelaide.
Nov 5, 2026 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Animals \ Pets Non-fiction, Australian, Self-help \ Personal Development
ISBN 978-1-7648030-0-7
PAPERBACK (BLACK AND WHITE VERSION)
ISBN 978-1-7648030-2-1
PAPERBACK (COLOURED VERSION)
‘A page turner. I didn’t want it to end.’
Elizabeth Woolsey DVM, equine veterinarian and author of the Horse Doctor Adventures series.
Come On Frank is a heart-warming true story of a horse who became a family’s lifeline.
After the devastating loss of their daughter in a car accident, the path forward looked bleak.
But Frank wasn’t just a racehorse. Quirky and mischievous, he was impossible not to love, and he drew strangers in from all walks of life through his Facebook page. People with no interest in racing fell in love with this horse and his family.
This memoir is about the strength that can come from strangers, and a horse who races with angel wings.
When you believe, dreams can come true.
About the Author
Julie Billinger was born into harness racing and has spent her life around animals. Growing up in Western Australia, her backyard was home to a Welsh mountain pony, two emus, guinea pigs and three kangaroos. She currently lives in South Australia with her husband, where horses remain a lifelong passion. Her daughter is married and lives nearby. She is a proud nanna. She wrote this book to share her journey alongside a special horse who helped her survive the darkest moments of her life. Come On Frank: The People’s Horse is her first book.
Frank is now retired and making sure he is still number one.
Nov 4, 2026 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Autobiography, Biography, Memoir
ISBN 978-1-923843-52-3
PAPERBACK
Reflections of a hotel manager
This is a memoir and a first-hand account on daily hotel life, hospitality work and the tension of living and working in politically charged places.
Personal experiences with a big historical context: cold war politics, oil interests, martial law, Khomeini’s rise, the Shah’s modernisation efforts, and how ordinary hotel operations were shaped by power and politics.
Eyewitness accounts of surveillance, bureaucracy, corruption and adapting to cultures in Iran, Singapore, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Pakistan. This book documents how hospitality intersected with postcolonial change, political instability, a moon landing and even a revolution in what is still a turbulent region.
An honest recollection of a career that intersected with many events of historical significance and a rich life lived with some amazing memories to share
