Rose Thrupp
Q1. What have you been reading lately?
Well, there are four books. Period Power by Maisie Hill, I am, I am, I am by Maggie O’Farrell, The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth (which is very Eleanor Oliphant-esque) and most recently, Beach Read by Emily Henry. This is by far the romance novel I have read in a very long time! I have just ordered all of the other books because I love how she writes, and she is so funny!
Q2. So, of the enormous number of books you read, Rose, do you have some real favourites?
Yes, lots of favourites. But I would say in recent years that my great favourites are Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton and Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell.
I picked up my copy of Boy Swallows Universe in Type Wronger Books in Edinburgh and it made me very nostalgic for Brisbane, the way he writes about it. I loved it so much and gave it to heaps of my friends in Scotland and said “read this, you are not biased towards Brisbane, you tell me - is this not amazing!?” They said 100%. They loved it. I recommended it to so many people over there.
I am such a huge fan of Maggie O’Farrell and have loved everything she has written, especially Hamnet. Such an amazing story. I think the way she writes is actual poetry.
Q3. Do you have a favourite Riverbend story?
Yes I remember coming in here and telling you that my friend had acknowledged me in her book It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake by Clair Christian.
Q4. What do you think makes Riverbend so special?
Books are 100% my favourite topic and I love walking into the atmosphere of this bookshop.
I think the best start to the day is to meet friends and come to the bookstore and talk about books. And I love the staff at Riverbend. Holly, Jessie and Vicky always remember my name and have some great recommendations.