. Fishbird Central Postopolis .

RECENT POSTS

A collection of all the Fishbird Central posts so far – spanning all categories.

Welcome, friends – and happy reading.

cosy murder mystery books
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Cosy Murder Mystery Books

Let’s look at 3 cosy murder mystery books! In this post we review ‘Murder She Wrote: Gin & Daggers’ by Jessica Fletcher, ‘We Solve Murders’ by Richard Osman, and ‘Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders’ by Kate Griffin

Read More »
books to read in november 2024
Monthly TBR
Jen Payne

Books to Read in November 2024

It’s time to lock-in our books to read in November 2024! Crime, fantasy, and mystery fiction galore! Our Fishbird Central Book Club pick this month is ‘Outback’ by Patricia Wolf!

Read More »
halls gap motel
VIC Accommodation
Jen Payne

Halls Gap Motel

Halls Gap Motel is calling your name! Book in for a holiday in the shade of the Grampians! Kangaroos, emus and you!

Read More »
bram stoker award winners
Book Awards
Jen Payne

2023 Bram Stoker Awards – Winners!

This spooky season, why not be one of the ghoul kids and fill your Halloween stocking with the 2023 Bram Stoker Awards Winners! There’s something for readers of every age!

Read More »
love your bookshop
Reading Challenges
Jen Payne

Love Your Book Shop

It’s Love Your Book Shop Day on 12 October 2024! In this post I’ll let you in on the books I’m keeping an eye out for in the independent book shops!

Read More »
who let the dogs out
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Who Let the Dogs Out

Who let the dogs out?! Let’s howl at the moon with King, earn our PI stripes with Lochte, and enter the mind of a killer with Kukafka!

Read More »
amble at hahndorf
SA Accommodation
Jen Payne

Amble At Hahndorf

Amble at Hahndorf is the perfect place for a relaxed few nights in the Adelaide Hills. You don’t even need to pack your own birds!

Read More »
backs on the cover
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Backs on the Cover

Never mind Backstreet’s back, what about all these books with backs on the cover?! Grab your backiest backlist backfest and let’s get backing!

Read More »
let's get cosy
Reading Challenges
Jen Payne

Let’s Get Cosy

Let’s get cosy with 3 comforting reads about murder, witchcraft and haunted castles! Perfect cosy reads to pair with your hot chocolate, and fanciest detective hat.

Read More »
100 sketchy faces
Fishbird Draws
Jen Payne

100 Sketchy Faces

It’s time to join us on a ‘100 Sketchy Faces’ challenge! Grab your favourite face, immortalise it in whatever medium you choose & then repeat 100 times!

Read More »
sketchbook ideas
Fishbird Draws
Jen Payne

25 Sketchbook Ideas

Starting a new sketching adventure and unsure what to draw? Try out these 25 sketchbook ideas to spark your creative flow!

Read More »
monarto zoo
Creature Feature
Jen Payne

Monarto Zoo

Let’s visit the Monarto Zoo, only 60 minutes from Adelaide CBD! Monarto is the Safari Park of your dreams!

Read More »
barossa pavilions
SA Accommodation
Jen Payne

Barossa Pavillions

The Barossa Pavilions! Where world-class wine meets breathtaking landscapes, all under the watchful eye of Maggie Beer! Your next unforgettable escape awaits!

Read More »
monthly reading wrap up july 2024
Monthly Reading Wrap Up
Jen Payne

Reading Wrap Up July 2024

Let’s wrap up our reading for July 2024! We read lots of small-town crime this month! Vampires, popcorn murderers, private detectives and haunted ships! Oh my!

Read More »
monthly tbr august 2024
Monthly TBR
Jen Payne

Monthly TBR August 2024

Check out our Monthly TBR August 2024! Hauntings, dinosaurs, secret service agents, cosy librarians with clever cats and more!

Read More »
vera drawing - fishbird central
Reading Challenges
Jen Payne

What’s On My Kindle?

What’s on my kindle? Let’s check out 44 books that silently lurk on my e-reader! Together, lets bust some digital clutter!

Read More »
man and chook - fishbird central
Monthly Reading Wrap Up
Jen Payne

Reading Wrap Up June 2024

Reading wrap June 2024! We solved some crimes, escaped an asylum, crossed the country on a zany heist, and met a grizzly Disney princess!

Read More »
fox - fishbird central sketch
Bookish Bites
Jen Payne

5 Books to Read in Winter

Cosy up and chill out with these 5 books to read in Winter! Whether it’s mildly chilly, or the dead of winter – these reads will put a little frost in your fiction.

Read More »
sheep's back museum
Creature Feature
Jen Payne

Sheep’s Back Museum

The Sheep’s Back Museum in Naracoorte – a woolly wonderland! Perfect for history buffs, sheep fiends and lovers of odd-looking mannequins.

Read More »
Julie-Anna Inn Bendigo
VIC Accommodation
Jen Payne

Julie-Anna Inn Bendigo

In this post we visit the Julie-Anna Inn, Bendigo – where every stay feels like a storybook escape! Let your Victorian adventure begin!

Read More »
reading wrap up may 2024
Monthly Reading Wrap Up
Jen Payne

Reading Wrap Up – May 2024

Reading Wrap Up May 2024! We read 14 books in May 2024! Dinosaurs, witches, spies and murderers – tips for the future, life on the land and a trip to the mountains!

Read More »
sketchy koala - fishbird draws - big things australia
Creature Feature
Jen Payne

Big Things Australia

In this post, we’ll take you through 10 Australian Big Things we’ve visited, and 5 honourable mentions that may one day make the list. Disclaimer – Backstories in this post may have been altered for humorous purposes. 

Read More »
tim curry pennywise - monthly TBR June 2024
Monthly TBR
Jen Payne

Monthly TBR June 2024

Let’s pick our Monthly TBR for June 2024! We’re doubling down on award winners this month, and also launching our Fishbird Central Book Club! Let’s read some Stephen King together!

Read More »
international hotel wagga
NSW Accommodation
Jen Payne

International Hotel Wagga

Weaving your way to wonderful Wagga Wagga in NSW? Check out the International Hotel Wagga Wagga for a great place to stay!

Read More »
sketching animals
Book Awards
Jen Payne

CWA Dagger Awards 2024

In this post, we’ll explore the nominees for the CWA Dagger Awards 2024! Six Daggers and over 60 books – Gold, Steel, New Blood, Historical, In Translation and Dagger in the Library! 

Read More »
more sketchy animals
Bookish Bites
Jen Payne

Mother’s Day Bookish Gift Ideas

Society will have you believe that all mothers dream of socks and vacuum cleaners. False. They all dream of books. Check out these mother’s day bookish gift ideas to celebrate the mum you love!

Read More »
sketchy animals
Monthly Reading Wrap Up
Jen Payne

Reading Wrap Up April 2024

Reading Wrap up for April 2024! Cosy mysteries, Aussie fiction, young adult and thriller reads! Have we found some new favourites?

Read More »
2024 CrimeFest Awards
Book Awards
Jen Payne

2024 CrimeFest Awards

One of the biggest crime fiction events in Europe – the 2024 CrimeFest Awards will be presented in May, 2024. Lots of exciting reads on the nominee lists to add to your TBR!

Read More »
2024 Thriller Awards
Book Awards
Jen Payne

2024 Thriller Awards Finalists

The 2024 ITW Thriller Award nominees have been announced! The ITW Thriller Awards celebrate the best thriller writers from around the world. Some great reads to add to your TBR Stack! Winners announced 1 June 2024!

Read More »
more sketchy animals
Monthly TBR
Jen Payne

Monthly TBR May 2024

Monthly TBR (To Be Read) Stack for May 2024! Will we stick to the books we’ve picked? Grab your favourite and read along with us!

Read More »
Bluegum Dubbo Motel
NSW Accommodation
Jen Payne

Bluegum Dubbo Motel

Visiting Dubbo in NSW? We have just the place for you to stay! The Bluegum Dubbo Motel – comfortable, central and friendly!

Read More »
more sketchy animals
Fishbird Draws
Jen Payne

More Sketchy Animals

Round Two of our Sketchy Animals challenge – draw 100 Animals in 100 Days!! 25 more sketchy animals! Toucans, crocodiles, budgies, whales and silly geese! Let’s make art!

Read More »
More sketchy animals
Book Awards
Jen Payne

2023 Aurealis Awards

Support Aussie authors and check out the shortlist for the 2023 Aurealis Awards! The Aurealis Awards celebrate Australian writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror!

Read More »
moore park inn
NSW Accommodation
Jen Payne

Moore Park Inn – Armidale

Looking for a relaxing place to stay in Armidale? Check out the wonderful Moore Park Inn! Guinea fowl, horses, birds amidst a rural green outlook.

Read More »
edgar allan poe awards 2024
Book Awards
Jen Payne

2024 Edgar Award Nominations

The 2024 Edgar Award Nominees have been announced! Let’s check them out and find some new favourite reads! The awards honour the best in mystery fiction published in 2023. Winners to be announced 1 May 2024!

Read More »
sketchy animals
Fishbird Draws
Jen Payne

Sketchy Animals

Let’s sketch 100 animals in 100 days! I have an alarmingly shaky grasp of exactly how many animals are in existence to begin with, but let’s get to work! Check out the first 25 sketchy animals!

Read More »
bird at chateau royale
QLD Accommodation
Jen Payne

Chateau Royale

Looking for luxury beachside accommodation at Cotton Tree, Maroochydore? You can’t go past Chateau Royale for a seaside stay!

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Aussie Crime Fiction

We read 3 Aussie Crime Fiction books! ‘Hermit’ by S.R. White, ‘Peace’ by Garry Disher and ‘Resurrection Bay’ by Emma Viskic!

Read More »
Creature Feature
Jen Payne

QCamel

Looking for a camel adventure, but scared to go to the desert on account of giant sand worms? Check out QCamel on the Sunshine Coast!

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Murder in the Title

We review 3 books with ‘Murder’ in the title! ‘The Strings of Murder’ by Oscar de Muriel, ‘The Christmas Murder Game’ by Alexandra Benedict, and ‘We Wish You a Murderous Christmas’ by Vicki Delany!

Read More »
NSW Accommodation
Jen Payne

Ramada Hotel Ballina

Stay overnight at the Ramada Hotel Ballina! Views of the Richmond River, walking distance to ice-cream, and you may even spot the Mentalist!

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Road in the Title

We review 3 books with ‘Road’ in the title – ‘Road of Bones’ Christopher Golden, ‘Bitter Wash Road’ Garry Disher and ‘Red Dirt Road’ S R White

Read More »
Creature Feature
Jen Payne

Jurassic World Brickman

Jurassic World has never been more of a BLOCK-buster! Grab your favourite dino-repellent and shake a LEGO® to go check out these amazing creatures!

Read More »
QLD Accommodation
Jen Payne

Dayboro Cottages

Treat yourself to a night or two at Dayboro Cottages! Cosy and comfortable chalets looking out over the Dayboro Valley. You may even see a llama!

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Aussie Fiction

Looking for some classic Aussie Fiction? This post will introduce you to a plucky pelican, a heroic homesteader, and a wandering waif!

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Haunted Houses

We dare you to stay overnight in one of these haunted houses. Changing rooms, supernatural entities, and lots of unanswered questions!

Read More »
Creature Feature
Jen Payne

Hologram Zoo

Visit with a prehistoric dinosaur! Go on an African Safari or travel under the sea and swim with a whale at this virtual zoo!

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Fairy Reads

3 Fairy Reads to help you reconnect with yourself, the little folk and magical realms that are closer than you may think.

Read More »
Creature Feature
Jen Payne

Ode to Chip Bird

An ode to a posse of rainbow lorikeets who tried to muscle in on our hot chips. Respect, winged friends. Respect.

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Devilish Reads

Looking for a devilish read to get you in the mood for the spooky season? We review 3 books with ‘Old Scratch’ vibes, to get you started!

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Ladies Books for Ladies

We review 3 books with ‘Lady’ in the title. Books for Ladies! Also books for non-ladies that like ladies, or reading books about ladies!

Read More »
Book Reviews
Jen Payne

Festive Books to Read Now

It’s always only a few weeks until Christmas! Here are 3 Festive Books to get you in the mood for the season. Happy Reading!

Read More »
Fishbird Draws
Jen Payne

Sketch a Day – February Favourites

Join me on a creative journey, and enjoy the crazy characters I created in February. Some days are hits, some days are misses – all days are an achievement. Some days the birds even wear hats.

Read More »

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading...
error: Thank you for not copying our images.