New 'Skinny' Books and Graphic Novels

We've just finished processing some new 'skinny' books and graphic novels to meet the growing demand from students.

Students will find these books on display close to the circulation desk and where the 'skinny' books are usually found.

Years 7 and 8 will also be pleased to hear that aside from the new 'Garfield' books, the other books purchased: 'Tin Tin' and 'Aussie Bites' are all Premier's Reading Challenge books.

Stay tuned for an update on the Premier's Reading Challenge results to date - coming soon!

Book in a Bag presentations - more images

More bags are now on display in the ISC.

Come and see Year 8s artistic interpretations of their 'own choice' novels and be inspired to read the books that are featured in their creations.

Book in a Bag presentations

Year 8 have now completed and presented their Book in a Bag task. As you can see, the results have easily rivalled, possibly even excelled previous years.

This popular wide reading activity continues to be a favourite amongst English students who thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to showcase a book of their own choice.

Books were chosen came from all genres with growing up and adventure/action being particularly featured.

Keep an eye out for future posts where I will be displaying a choice of hot bags. Bags will also be displayed in the ISC at the front desk and in the display cabinet next to the workroom.

Adult Fiction reviews

A book I did not particularly expect to enjoy is 'The Naming of the Dead' by Ian Rankin. Chosen at the last minute as I was heading off to attend my father's 80th birthday, (a nine hour trip - two buses, a train and plane - away) I needed something to screen out obnoxious fellow travellers (that's a whole other story) and my fear of flying. Ian Rankin's book did exactly that.


Set in Scotland during the 2005 G8 summit, Detective Inspector John Rebus is tracking a serial killer. His assistant Siobhan Clarke whose parents are amongst the protestors, finds herself attempting to trace her mother's assailant as a priority, instead. Both officers become entangled with a local, powerful criminal whose offers of help threaten to corrupt Clarke.


With the backdrop of the G8 fracas and the tragedy of the London bombings, the political manoeuvring and criminal involvement, I was easily kept intrigued - though I must admit I did have an additional motivation for my fascination. You see, I was both in London and Glasgow at the time of the book's events.

I found the book fascinating and informative: ****

A book I am currently reading is 'The Snowman' by Joe Nesbo, a Scandinavian author. The publishers claim that 'The Snowman' rivals Stieg Larsson's record breaking trilogy.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the Larsson trilogy and being presently engrossed in Joe Nesbo's book, I can't yet make a fair judgement but for those interested, here's a site you might like to access:

www.scandinavianbooks.com/crime-book/norwegian/jo-nesbo2.html

Library Quips

'Beauty is only skin deep but ugly cuts to the bone.'

- Anthony, a wry comment made following a colleague's observation.



'Why do you have to be visually impaired to read?'

- Annette in response to librarians always being portrayed as spectacled.

New fantasy literature

A new fantasy anthology will be coming out in June, 2010. Titled 'Legends of Australian fantasy', we will definitely be getting a copy for the ISC :)

The anthology includes legendary authors such as Garth Nix, Isobelle Carmody, Kim Wilkins and Juliet Marillier.

Garth Nix's is another 'Old Kingdom' tale while Isobelle Carmody will include a short story based on the 'Obernewtyn' series.

Can't wait till it comes out! Stay tuned for a review when it does!

Books Reviews

Over the weekend, I read the following two books: 'The Pain Merchants' by Janice Hardy and 'The Sunlight Slayings' by Kevin Emerson. Both books are part of two different series, The Healing Wars and Oliver Nocturne.

I enjoyed both and would recommend the Oliver Nocturne series for those who are interested in the supernatural (i.e. vampires, zombies etc...) but prefer action to romance.

Oliver is a teen with extraordinary powers (as yet unrevealed) who has been chosen for a great purpose. His best friends - Dean, who has recently returned as a zombie and the troubled but powerful Emalie assist Oliver while his family, Bane, the bullying older brother and his cool, adoptive parents, Phlox and Sebastian seem to be hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile vampire children are being mysteriously murdered by sunlight!

If you are looking for something to read after the Twilight series, then look elsewhere.

If you are interested in adventure, mystery and gaining an insight into the life of a teenaged vampire, then this book is definitely worth looking at.

****

'The Pain Merchants' puts me in mind of Tamora Pierce. The land of Geveg that Janice Hardy creates is not quite as detailed as Tamora Pierce's efforts but as this is Hardy's first book, we can no doubt look forward to further developments.

The main character Nya is feisty and resourceful. Forced to fend for herself on the streets of Geveg whilst her gifted sister Tali has been lucky enough to have been accepted by the Healer's League, Nya also has great gifts which must be kept hidden. Nya can draw pain from one sufferer and transfer it into another. This gift and others that are disclosed towards the end will lead her to make heart-breaking decisions as she fights back against both the League and the pain merchants.

A real page turner, 'The Page Merchants' creates an unusual concept of pain as power that I have not struck in many years of dedicated young adult fantasy writing. I feel strongly that Janice Hardy is an author to watch.

****1/2