Five women, best friends for decades, meet once a month to talk about books … and life, love and the jagged bits in between. Dissecting each other’s lives seems the most natural thing in the world – and honesty, no matter how brutal, is something they treasure. Best friends tell each other everything, don’t they? But each woman harbours a complex secret and one weekend, without warning, everything comes unstuck.
Izzy, soon to be the first Black woman with her own television show, has to make a decision that will change everything. Veronica, recently divorced and dedicated to raising the best sons in the world, has forgotten who she is. Xanthe, desperate for a baby, can think of nothing else, even at the expense of her marriage. Nadine, so successful at writing other people’s stories, is determined to blot out her own. Ellen, footloose by choice, begins to question all that she’s fought for.
When their circle begins to fracture and the old childhood ways don’t work anymore, is their sense of sistahood enough to keep it intact? How well do these tiddas really know each other?
Finally got time to read and OMG it was brilliant. Really loved the fact that you could relate to it.Have learnt a lot about the aboriginal heritage and racism that i did not realise. This insight to their life is a real eye opener and i couldnt put the book down till i finished it. My daughters have it now and i am waiting on their opinion.
Tiddas was an amazing book, one of the best I’ve read in a long time. It tells the story of five very different women, who share a deep friendship and use a regular book club meeting as a way of catching up. The women all originate from the same country town,and have grown up in varying circumstances of culture and wealth. I enjoyed the interwoven story of these women and their trials and tribulations and found it to be very relevant to modern day society. Each is addressing their own personal battles and one by one these battles come to light at book club and through luncheons etc. It is a story of deep abiding friendship, that transcends cultural barriers or monetary status. I loved the references to landscape and the richly interwoven cultural references. Once I had read the book I took a look to see what else Anita Heiss has written, as I will seek out her books for further reading. I thoroughly recommend this book.
I am halfway through the book and would have gladly taken my book yesterday to our family Easter celebrations and just read it. It is a lovely story of best friends and how life takes you to places you may not like but friends are always there. I also appreciate the attachment to country and how we are connected to our environment whether it be a suburb, town or river. Everyone needs a copy. I can’t wait to finish it all curled up with a cuppa on the lounge.
When “Tiddas” arrived on my doorstep a few days ago I was already reading another book and I knew “Tiddas” was going to have to get my interest fast to keep me – well I’m happy to report that I was hooked by page 5!
This book reveals it’s characters over time and I’ve enjoyed how my feelings have changed towards each of the characters as I’ve gotten to know them more. I feel like this approach is very clever as it reflects how friendships are formed in real life and whilst the book is about a group of friends it also feels like a study on how friendships develop and change.
It’s not clear from the book cover or even the first few pages but this book is also a glimpse into modern Australia for aboriginal women. I’ve never read a book with Aboriginal characters before and I’ve been challenged and educated as to why that might be. The insights into Aboriginal life in this book have been well explained yet the book has also shown how issues that women an friends face aren’t limited by culture or nationally.
I’ve still got 1/3 of the book to go and I’m looking forward to seeing how relationships between the friends and their families get resolved.
It was a brilliant read. I really enjoyed this beautiful book
The life’s of these woman was so well written you could find your self thinking about the story. Line after you put the book down… Wanting to get back to the book as soon as possible.. I really enjoyed reading this and will look for more by this author. This was one of the nices reviews I have done … This was brilliant as I was on a cruise and relaxing in a deck chair with the sea breeze blowing reading while having a cocktail. Thank you so much.
I have now finished the book and it was great. Some very strong characters but would of liked to of known them even more and not swap about as much. I would recommend to my friends.
I,m so enjoying this book it’s been a long time since I had a great read. I mean a read you can not put down. I love the way it wraps its self around different life’s of friends. I,m looking for to seeing how this book ends up . I,m only a few chapters in but really want to sit and read. But like tall things jobs need to be done so should be finished in about another two weeks …so full review then.. But I would tell anyone what a brilliant great read in fact my daughter wants it after me . As I took it with me to baby sit her girls oh dear ….
Well I finished this book in 2 days after starting out thinking hmm I am not sure after a few chapters in I couldn’t put it down. The characters were brilliant and the subjects covered in the novel were so close to my heart. The issues with racism the heart ache and the pain with trying to fall pregnant and carry a baby full term when you want nothing else in the world more than that, the loss and the devastation it causes and the wild child realising they do not want to be this way forever. In so many ways I felt like this book had a part of me in each and every character including the denial of problems as well. I have taken a steep learning curve and path change in my life over the past 2yrs and this novel just put a lot of great things in perspective for me even though it was written as fiction. The story was so easy and light to read but written in such a way you felt like you were there at the book club meetings with them and experiencing all the problems. Truly great and I would love to read more by this author. Great job and I will be recommending to all my reading friends without a doubt. Great Job =)
A highly engaging page turner right from the start!
A beautifully interwoven story of culture, friendship, tradition and the challenges a modern day lifestyle brings for a woman. The story of five women, who in many respects are completely different, yet share a deep abiding friendship and a “sisterly” (Tiddas)love for one another and together help each other face their own battles and inner demons. This is also a story not only of cultural identity, but also of personal identity. Set against two very differing, but equally beautiful Australian landscapes, this book is very hard to put down.
I was bored so thought I’d take another look at TIDDAS by Anita Heiss. Unfortunately, I still couldn’t get into it and found it somewhat lacking. It’s not one of those books that you’ll read from cover to cover in one go, instead, I found myself reading it here and there when I needed to fill in some time.
This book was a bit of a hit and miss for me. The story is readable but the characters are a bit flat and clichéd. I found it very hard to identify with any of Heiss’s heroines. It’s an ok book but I just felt it was missing something. Not something I’d recommend.
So I finally finished this book. It captured me initially but not exactly a page-turner that had me hooked. The characters were all highly relatable to me but we never completely get to know them all. The author’s Aboriginal heritage is on strong display here, but I couldn’t help feeling it was a bit of a crusade of hers to constantly reference the characters’ culture. Could be just me not relating to that aspect (as a white woman), although some of the historical facts were interesting. I normally read thrillers so found it difficult to get into this book, but it is a gentle, meandering story about a group of girlfriends living in current-day Brisbane.
The story line & setting was Ok & I enjoyed the mention of Brisbane Suburbs & places, but overall I found the writing lacking substance. An easy read best suited to a short story in a magazine
Well written novel with strong characters that are easily to relate to and the language flows well. I would love to read Anita Heiss’ other novels! Recommend reading, brilliant. Couldn’t put it down.
It was a brilliant read. I really enjoyed this beautiful book
The life’s of these woman was so well written you could find your self thinking about the story. Line after you put the book down… Wanting to get back to the book as soon as possible.. I really enjoyed reading this and will look for more by this author. This was one of the nices reviews I have done … This was brilliant as I was on a cruise and relaxing in a deck chair with the sea breeze blowing reading while having a cocktail. Thank you so much.
I have now finished the book and it was great. Some very strong characters but would of liked to of known them even more and not swap about as much. I would recommend to my friends.
I posted a review when I was halfway through and the book got better. I loved the feeling I had when I read it and I am still raving about it. Strong characters who are easy to relate to and yes, their are some stereotypes and some clichés but for me they didn’t interfere with the story that was touching and informative. I am recommending this book to everyone and will read more from the author.
I enjoyed reading Tiddas by Anita Heiss. It was a light read, which I could keep reading even though the kids were quite noisy and in my face most of the holidays. It’s a warm engaging story of friendship, life, love and five strong women that are well written characters that just pulls the reader in. It also makes me want to go on a little holiday up to Brisbane. Liked it and would recommed it to anyone who wants a nice easy read for the weekend.
Have just finished reading this book. It’s as an enjoyable read, but I found that the author did not delve deep into each character as much as I would have liked. She jumped from character to character too quickly for my liking. However, it was certainly an easy and enjoyable read and one which I looked forward to reading each night before bed.
Tiddas was an amazing book, one of the best I’ve read in a long time. It tells the story of five very different women, who share a deep friendship and use a regular book club meeting as a way of catching up. The women all originate from the same country town,and have grown up in varying circumstances of culture and wealth. I enjoyed the interwoven story of these women and their trials and tribulations and found it to be very relevant to modern day society. Each is addressing their own personal battles and one by one these battles come to light at book club and through luncheons etc. It is a story of deep abiding friendship, that transcends cultural barriers or monetary status. I loved the references to landscape and the richly interwoven cultural references. Once I had read the book I took a look to see what else Anita Heiss has written, as I will seek out her books for further reading. I thoroughly recommend this book.
I,m so enjoying this book it’s been a long time since I had a great read. I mean a read you can not put down. I love the way it wraps its self around different life’s of friends. I,m looking for to seeing how this book ends up . I,m only a few chapters in but really want to sit and read. But like tall things jobs need to be done so should be finished in about another two weeks …so full review then.. But I would tell anyone what a brilliant great read in fact my daughter wants it after me . As I took it with me to baby sit her girls oh dear ….
Finally got time to read and OMG it was brilliant. Really loved the fact that you could relate to it.Have learnt a lot about the aboriginal heritage and racism that i did not realise. This insight to their life is a real eye opener and i couldnt put the book down till i finished it. My daughters have it now and i am waiting on their opinion.
I am halfway through the book and would have gladly taken my book yesterday to our family Easter celebrations and just read it. It is a lovely story of best friends and how life takes you to places you may not like but friends are always there. I also appreciate the attachment to country and how we are connected to our environment whether it be a suburb, town or river. Everyone needs a copy. I can’t wait to finish it all curled up with a cuppa on the lounge.
Tiddas is the story of five women who share a deep and meaningful friendship. Their culture and values cementing their bond. Tiddas shares the trials and tribulations of being a woman, relationships, love, sex, values and supporting each other with what life inevitably throws your way.
Anita Heiss offers five main characters that are share their narrative, I enjoyed this style of storytelling as I felt each character had a voice and that you could relate to them. I had a particular connection to Xanthe and her relationship with her husband and her desire and desperation for a child. This really struck a chord with me and I was engaged to keep picking up the novel whenever I could steal a minute.
A negative for me personally was the constant referal to the characters culture and where they were from. I appreciate pride of who you are and I enjoyed the historical information but I felt the references to culture were overused and detracted from the story, at times I was engrossed by the story only to be irritated by a repeated fact referencing the characters heritage.
Would I recommend this to my book group, to be honest not really. I thought the story was an enjoyable read, well written but not something I would be overly excited about enough to recommend to others. In saying that I will be asking one of my book group members who is Aboriginal as to what she thinks of the book. I think this book would appeal to middle aged women who enjoy romance/drama novels with a historical element.
I haven’t had a chance to read in ages, so I was excited to receive a new book! I’m only a couple of chapters in, but so far Tiddas is an engaging read. Whilst I’m not particularly knowledgable about issues affecting Aboriginal women in contemporary society, each of these characters resonates with me as I’m right in that 40-ish demographic. I’m excited to see how the story pans out as the blurb alone had me intrigued! Will keep you posted when I finish it.
I have really enjoyed reading Tiddas and can't seem to put it down
This novel has been one that I have not be able to set aside. Once I started reading it I was hooked and while I am half way through I am using any excuse to sit down and read it. It’s easy read and a captivating story from the get go. On a personal note as a women who depends heavily on her girlie friendships I have been able to relate easily to the five protagonists and am so far intrigued by the story.
‘Tiddas’ is an amazingly written, heartwarming story looking closely into the lives of 5 successful woman. Culturally respectful and powerfully accurate, it tells us not only of the history of aboriginal heritage in NSW & QLD but identifies how society today adapts to it’s ancestry. Growing up in an aboriginal community myself, I think I learnt more reading this book then from my own past about our native history. I loved each women’s personal journey in this book as well, unable to put it down most nights reading well into the early hours. It was a novel I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to find more by this author now. Definitely a great read!!
This book is great! I really can’t put it down! So much of this book is so everyday stuff. No one wants to read fairy tales anymore. This is the everyday, average woman book. Such a refreshing change from the drivel that’s being bought out these days. Can’t wait to turn the page!
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Genius Beach And Pool Tips Every Aussie Mum Should Know
Summer beach and pool days are core childhood memory creators, but getting the kids out the door, not so much! From wrestling wriggly toddlers into rashies to arguing with teens trying to dodge sunscreen and cramming half the house into the car, the exhaustion can kick in before we’ve even set foot on the sand!
But there are some very clever tips that will make even the most stressful summer days smooth sailing – and the Mouths of Mums community know them all! Which is why we asked our mums for their hints, hacks and tips – from sand removal to stress-free sunscreen application (we’re going to introduce you to the fabulous new Banana Boat SmartMist Sunscreen Sprays that will make your life so much easier).
You’ll want to take note before you next hit the beach or pool!
Pack Smart, Not Big
Do you feel like you take waaayyy too much when you head to the beach or pool, and then you seem to forget a couple of key things that would have made life so much easier?
Our Mouths of Mums community swear by this fab list of essentials which should be in every mum’s beach kit, and
A plastic bag for wet towels and bathers
A dry bag for clothes
A bucket or basin to wash off sandy toys
A ‘clean zone’, sand-free blanket or mat for eating and changing
A pop-up tent for changing
Waterproof phone case
Talcum powder to get sticky, wet sand off little feet. Just pop it on and brush it off – it’s magic!
A hand-held car vac for quick sand cleanups!
“The amount of times my kids have gone home in wet chafing swimming costumes because they didn’t want anyone to see them changing is unbelievable! Our pop up tent has been life changing! We all drive home comfy and cosy! Lastly, a sand proof picnic blanket is so perfect for a sand reprieve! The sand literally falls right through them!” – MoM Member
Get Safety Sorted Before The Fun Starts
It’s pretty hard to get the kids’ attention once you’re at the beach or pool, so the safety talk should really start at home. Our mums recommend chatting to the kids about:
Swimming between the flags at the beach
Setting a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated
Sunscreen: Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before heading outdoors. And set alarms to reapply every two hours throughout the day. Reapply immediately after swimming or using a towel.
Applying sunscreen at the start of the day and regularly throughout is so important, but it usually causes the most arguments. Kids don’t want to stop, teens assure you they ‘did it already’.
That’s where Banana Boat’s new SmartMist™ Sunscreen Spray SPF50+ actually makes a difference. The iconic sunscreen brand has just launched its newest product, which turns sunscreen time into something simple and fun. It’s an easy and convenient way to tick off sun safety – which isn’t always easy when it comes to kids!
Why Banana Boat SmartMist Sunscreen Spray makes sunscreen easier
The Smart Control Spray gives you the choice of a short spray for tricky spots or a long spray for larger areas like those wiggly little legs, making application simple and convenient. It also sprays from any angle – just spray, rub in and you’re ready for playtime.
Clear, lightweight formula that absorbs fast and with no greasy feel.
SPF50+ broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and 4-hour water resistant.
Kids SmartMist™ is mild and gentle for kid’s sensitive skin, fragrance free and contains Aloe and Vitamin E.
Sport SmartMist™ features high-performance Powerstay Technology™, designed to stay on through sweat and water.
Banana Boat SmartMist makes those important sunscreen stops much easier and effective and is perfect for active Aussie families this summer.
Prep & Time It Perfectly
There’s nothing worse than kids itching to get to the beach while you’re trying to remember everything you need to pack – it makes everyone frazzled. So get prepped early – even the night before. And time your departure to minimise the amount of time in the car (and the amount of times the kids ask ‘are we there yet?!’.
“Packing the car the night before, always a huge help getting the bucket, cabana, and bag of spare clothes/towels in the boot. We usually leave straight after breakfast to avoid heavy traffic as the beach is an hour away.” – MoM Member
Pack Smart Snacks
Snacks are a must, but it can be tricky to know what’s going to survive a hot, Aussie summer day – and what’s good for hungry tummies. Here’s what our mums recommend:
Chopped fruit
Crackers
Boiled eggs
Drink bottles that have been frozen overnight
“We have a few allergies/intolerances, so being prepared with food is helpful and saves us the search and some money. I pre-chop carrots, cucumber, apples, boiled egg, in a handy separating container, a packet of chips, dip, and bring water bottles. If it’s a longer day planned at the beach I’ll bring lunch too.” – MoM Member
A chaos-free beach day. Yes please!
You don’t need a military-style plan to enjoy a sunny day out. A beach trolley, some prep, and an easy sunscreen like SmartMist™ are enough to help things run calmly – or at least calm-ish!
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses in addition to sunscreen. Reapply frequently every 2 hours or more often when sweating and immediately after swimming or using a towel. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure.
Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Banana Boat to bring you this article.
My biggest tip is to be very clear who’s watching the kids, especially when they’re in the water. Like, actually verbally hand over and make sure it’s acknowledged if you’re going somewhere (like to the bathroom). That can definitely save lives, but also save panics about lost kids in crowded spaces.
Some really good tips here! I had no idea about the talcum powder hack – who would have known! That is amazing and I will definitely try it next time we go to the beach! It is definitely worthwhile getting things ready the night before though, especially if you want to leave before midnight lol.
5:19 pm
Great read
2:52 pm
Could not put this book down.
9:50 am
Hooked
3:12 pm
Hooked by page 5
1:47 pm
sounds awesome and looks great
5:23 pm
It was a brilliant read. I really enjoyed this beautiful book
2:33 pm
2nd review FANTASTIC
10:41 am
Best read in a long time
8:45 pm
Great Just what I needed at this time
11:10 pm
A highly engaging page turner right from the start!
1:47 pm
sounds awesome and looks great
10:25 pm
Couldn't get into it
5:33 pm
It's only ok
10:11 pm
Light, gentle story but not entirely to my taste
2:08 pm
Ok reading for a teenager
8:31 pm
Recommend!!!
5:23 pm
It was a brilliant read. I really enjoyed this beautiful book
2:33 pm
2nd review FANTASTIC
10:42 pm
Fantastic
12:29 pm
A light read for the weekend.
10:34 am
Good read.
2:52 pm
Could not put this book down.
10:41 am
Best read in a long time
5:19 pm
Great read
9:50 am
Hooked
8:39 pm
An intriguing read filled with history and drama!
11:02 pm
Relatable and engaging
7:46 pm
I have really enjoyed reading Tiddas and can't seem to put it down
2:10 pm
Captivating and interesting
1:31 pm
Amazing and realistic
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