The Lucy Family Alphabet is the autobiography of the Australian comedian Judith Lucy. Judith has appeared on television, acted in films and been on radio however she is best known as a stand-up comedian. Judith has toured her one-woman comedy shows around Australia and the world. The Lucy Family Alphabet is an honest, warts and all account of Judith’s upbringing. Each chapter heading is a letter of the alphabet with a corresponding appropriate word as the title, from A is for Adoption to Z is for Zorba. The Lucy family were somewhat eccentric & Judith’s childhood was interesting. After a typical Lucy family Christmas Day involving alcohol & arguments, Judith was told by her sister-in-law that she was adopted. This was a complete surprise & a challenge to deal with at the age of 25. Tony & Ann Lucy were so different to other parents that when Judith told one of her friends she was adopted their immediate reaction was to say "Oh my god, you’re adopted…..you must be so relieved." The book explores Judith’s reaction to this news. Judith Lucy’s dry self-deprecating humour is evident in her writing style. The Lucy Family Alphabet is an easy to read autobiography dealing with some difficult family topics in an honest way..
Author: Judy Lucy
Reviewer: Julie

The name of the wind … In a quiet village inn, a man known as Kote is patiently waiting to die. He has left all past tragedy and glory behind, and is desperate not to be found but the past is seeking him out. Demonic spiderlike beings appear in the village and in fighting them off Kote saves the life of Chronicler, a renowned historian who has been searching for Kote. Chronicler is determined to record Kote’s story before that story is lost to the embroidery of myth , the story of the legendary Kvothe. Reluctantly, Kote agrees, on the condition that Chronicler gives him no less than three days to tell his tale. The Name of the Wind is the part of this tale told on the first day , from the devastating tragedy that first set Kvothe’s feet on the path of legend to his unconventional entry into the great University where the first stories about him would be told. This is author Patrick Rothfuss’s first novel and Book 1 in the Kingkiller Chronicles. It is gripping and superbly written, with a richness and readability many far more experienced authors fail to achieve. Rothfuss is a stunning new talent and this book is not to be missed by lovers of a deep fantasy.
Author: Patrick Rothfuss
Reviewer: Julie

Marian Keyes’ latest delight, The brightest star in the sky, focuses on the lives, loves and dramas of the occupants of a houseful of flats in Dublin. Told from the perspective of an un-named visitor, the stories and secrets of each occupant are played out over 61 days. From 40-year-old Katie who receives a diary from her workmates with daily gems like "Dance joyously every day of your life. But don’t let anybody see you – not at your age" to the pair of homesick Poles, Andrei and Jan who declare themselves "glum", 88-year-old Jemima and her visiting gardening-show celebrity, Fionn, hard-nosed taxi-driving Lydia (or "evil pixie" to long-suffering flatmate Andrei), to married couple Matt and Maeve, the book has a cast of characters whose lives intersect and weave together. Keyes has a talent for writing highly entertaining novels that tackle such difficult issues as alcoholism and loss. This novel also deals with complex issues but Keyes’ talent for humour ensures the novel is never gloomy. A wonderful read!
Author: Marian Keyes
Reviewed by: Rowena

Target is the first Simon Kernick book I’ve ever read and definitely won’t be the last! When Rob Fallon meets up with a mate’s ex-girlfriend and they return to her apartment, events quickly take a deadly turn. Two armed men kidnap the girl and Fallon escapes with his life. When Rob reports the kidnapping to police, the girl’s father claims she is on holidays overseas and the apartment building doorman maintains that he saw neither Fallon nor the girl. With nobody believing him, Fallon starts to doubt his own sanity. Events soon escalate in this fast-paced thriller – as does the body count! Highly enjoyable read.
Author: Simon Kernick
Reviewer: Rowena

The secret life of Elizabeth. I have always been fascinated with Elizabeth 1, the legends of her parental upbringing and her ascension to the throne outweigh the facts of her reign, which was known as England’s Golden Age. The main protagonists in Paul Doherty’s book are two Elizabethan gentlemen, Sir Thomas Bodley and Master Reginald Carr. Both visit one of Elizabeth I’s ladies in waiting a short interval after the queen’s death. The visit involves a lengthy discussion of facts and rumours about the late queen. During the course of the novel the trio discuss Anne Boleyn’s parentage, Elizabeth’s birth, and the circumstances of Anne and Henry VIII’s marriage. A large portion of the book is spent discussing the rumours that Elizabeth bore Robert Dudley a son, Arthur Dudley. The layout of the book is unusual, but convenient for both the author and the reader. At the conclusion of each chapter, the author discusses the facts revealed in the chapter, and the sources he has documented which would support the story. I enjoyed this book, and would suggest this for anyone who enjoys history and historical sleuthing. This book is only available in Large Print format.
Author: Paul Doherty
Reviewed by: Megan