Adult Fiction
As Sweet as Honey
29 September 2008|
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The Secret Life of Bees is narrated by the main character Lily Owens, a 14 year old girl who is seen by her teacher as being intelligent enough to amount to many things other than beauty school. The reader is exposed to her intelligence through many of her insightful thoughts although at times she tends to hold a little too much depth for a 14 year old. The year is 1964 in South Carolina and the Civil Rights Act has just been passed. On her way to register to vote, Lily’s African American nanny/stand in mother Rosaleen, is the victim of a racial assault. This event is the key to Lily and Rosaleen fleeing their hometown and her distant and cruel father to head for Tiburon, a place where Lily believes holds significance to her dead mother. In Tiburon she finds the trio of beekeeping calendar sisters who take them in and it is here where Lily discovers the truth about her mother and where her life, among other things, becomes immersed in the secret life of keeping bees. I liked this book a lot as it is simple but well written using descriptive and vibrant language. It is full of wonderfully engaging characters and a story that grabbed me from the beginning and held my interest right through. Author: Sue Monk Kidd Reviewed by: Kim |
Territory
25 August 2008|
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To be honest, I was a bit dubious about reading a novel by Judy Nunn - Home and Away soapie star - but quickly changed my prejudiced view once I had begun reading a few pages. Judy Nunn’s Territory could be described as a fascinating history lesson about Australia’s northernmost capital city, and the Dutch East Indies treasure ship, the Batavia, which struck a reef off the coast of Western Australia in 1629. The research she has undertaken is evident in this saga about the station owning Galloway family throughout the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese during World War II, to the devastation of Cyclone Tracy on Christmas day in 1974. The Galloway story unfolds in alternating chapters with that of a young Dutch noblewoman, Lucretia van den Mylen who sets sail on the Batavia’s maiden voyage to join her loved one in the East Indies. In her possession is a priceless locket which later becomes a symbol of strength for her as she struggles to survive the disastrous wreck of the Batavia and endure the terrifying events that follow. The two stories from two very different times in history are woven together by the course of this locket in what could be described as a breathtaking story of courage, disaster and passion and Australia’s “greatest frontier” town. Author: Judy Dunn Reviewed by: Kim |
Topics: Judy Dunn
Not smart enough
25 August 2008 |
The long awaited continuation of everyone favourtie anti-hero - Artemis Fowl - has hit the shelves (in store at least). What I expected was the usual action packed convaluted plans of the child genius who manages to save the day in the last instant. What I got was a lead up to the next book. Oh it has a few nailbiters and oh my gasp moments but on a whole I was three quaters through the book and felt that nothing exciting had happened. It was still a good read and the twists and turns (and best of all for any Trekkie fan) the time paradox made for some good fun but I hope the next one Eoin Colffer gets back to the James Bond sort of Artemis we all loved. Author: Eoin Colfer Reviewed by: Jamie Treble |
Topics: Eoin Colfer
The God of Animals
12 November 2007 |
With The God of Animals, young American writer Aryn Kyle has written a stunning debut novel. Set on a horse ranch in Desert Valley, Colorado, it is a beautifully written coming-of-age story about love, longing and loneliness. Twelve-year-old Alice has become obsessed with a girl who drowned in a canal near her home. As the story unfolds, it’s no surprise Alice might find comfort in someone else’s life: since her sister eloped with a rodeo cowboy, she’s been left alone on the ranch to cope with her reclusive, depressed mother, and an overworked, gruff father who hands out back-breaking chores far more often than affection or approval. With money tight, Alice’s father is forced to rely on providing riding lessons and stable space to rich women from town, each with their own needs to fulfil. Alice is unwillingly dragged into their world, learning more than she cares to about the power of secrets and lies. Left to her own devices, she finds solace in a new friendship that momentarily eases her loneliness, but sets the scene for heartbreak. Tension builds steadily as these relationships pull Alice in different directions, and when her runaway sister returns home with her new husband, it’s only a matter of time before the situation explodes. The God of Animals is one of the most meticulously crafted and atmospheric novels I’ve read in a long time. The characters are complex and richly written, and the messages it contains about relationships and responsibility are powerful. The author writes with honesty and without melodrama or sentimentality, making the emotional journey all the more rewarding for readers. While it takes an unflinching look at how selfish adults can be, this is ultimately a story about self discovery, and one that offers hope. Kyle also perfectly captures the sense of place, with Desert Valley so real on the page you can almost taste the dust and smell the sweat on the horses. Highly recommended! Author: Aryn Kyle Reviewed by: Paula |
Topics: Aryn Kyle, God of Animals
Cleaning Up Crime
21 June 2007 |
Dead men don’t lye is the first book in Tim Myers’ new soapmaking mystery series. The story is told by Ben Perkins, the oldest of seven siblings who owns a soapmaking craft store called Where’s The Soap? This book centres around the murder of one of the stores supply agents who was found at the bottom of the stairs behind the soap store, his face covered in lye burns. Ben becomes the prime suspect when it is discovered that the victim was cheating on his girlfriend, Ben’s sister Louisa. This is a quirky mystery from the writer of the Wicks End candlemaking mysteries and the lighthouse mystery series. Fans of other craft mysteries such as Monica Ferris’ needlecraft series will enjoy both the mystery and the soapmaking tips in this book. Look for Dead men don’t lye and other titles in this series in the paperback section of your library. |
Topics: Dead Men Dont Lye, Tim Myers