Book Reviews
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Book Review: Stella Makes Good by Lisa Heidke
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Summary (Allen &Unwin)
Can mother-of-two, Stella forge a new life for herself after the end of her marriage? A funny and insightful novel about love, friendship and the quest for happiness.
Stella Sparks is on good terms with her ex-husband, Terry, despite the fact he left her for another woman. Stella’s philosophical – the marriage had run its course, they remain friends and the wellbeing of their kids is central to both of them.
Stella’s two closest friends, Carly and Jesse, envy her togetherness and wish they could emulate it. Jesse’s husband, Steve, is a control freak who’s driving her crazy, but she has two small children and can’t see a way out. Carly, meanwhile, suspects her husband is having an affair and isn’t sure what to do about it.
Stella’s life takes a distinctly upward turn when she meets a handsome, apparently single – no ring, anyway – father at her son’s school speech night. For Carly and Jesse, however, the search for happiness and fulfilment proves more elusive…
With a healthy dose of humour and romance Stella Makes Good is about the games we play, the secrets we keep, the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of female friendship.
Comments
I have been looking forward to reading Lisa Heidke’s latest book and it didn’t disappoint. Her characters are always women that I can relate to – women trying to balance home and personal commitments, trying to rediscover a sense of purpose in their lives and/or someone simply trying to find a way to fulfil some of their own dreams while also supporting their children, partner, parents and friends.
I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in the novel. Stella is written in first person and is the official central character, although her life is probably the least troubled. She shares the limelight with Jesse, Carly and Louisa, however, and I like the depth this adds to the story, especially given the focus on keeping secrets and making decisions. The different perspectives give much better insight into the way each woman is thinking as she makes the choices that she does.
Stella Makes Good was a fun way to get my 2012 reading underway. There were plenty of scenes that made me smile (Stella’s mother-in-law is particularly entertaining) and others that made me think about friendship and secrets and the truths that we hide from others and, sometimes, from ourselves.
Book details
Title: Stella Makes Good
Author: Lisa Heidke
Publisher: Arena, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-74237-867-1, 312 pages
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Related Links
- My review of Stella Makes Good at Suite101.com
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Book Review – Raven’s Mountain by Wendy Orr
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Summary (Allen & Unwin)
Raven is first to reach the mountain top. Her sister and step-dad are still climbing the trail below. She is alone on top of the world. So she dances – a crazy, jumping, spinning dance… because if you can climb a mountain you can do anything! But then there is a rumble and the earth shakes. Rocks are falling, and so is Raven, in a terrible tumble down the side of the mountain. When she comes to, no one answers her calls. The rockfall is covering the trail where she last saw Lily and Scott… Wendy Orr tells the dramatic story of a girl who goes beyond her limits to save her family – and on the way, discovers a mysterious bond with a family of bears and a raven.
Awards: Shortlisted, 2011 Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year, Upper Primary
Comments
I first watched Nim’s Island without realising that it was based on a novel by Wendy Orr, totally defying my usual Book Before The Movie mantra. My daughter and I read Nim’s Island together once I finally bought a copy and we both loved it, so I have been looking forward to reading Raven’s Mountain and it didn’t disappoint.
I was drawn into Raven’s story from the first pages, as she struggles to deal with her mother’s recent marriage, moving town and leaving her best friends behind. Bickering with her older sister Lily and the little worries that bother Raven all seem very real and I’m sure that there are plenty of young girls who will relate.
The story moves along at a good pace and I confess I got caught up in it all, as I’m sure younger readers will, wondering how Raven would keep going until she could reach help. I may or may not have shed a tear at the end when Raven is waiting to see whether Lily and Scott have survived the rock fall. I’m such a sook.
I’m now looking forward to reading this book with my 10-year-old daughter, who I know will love it.
Book details
Title: Raven’s Mountain
Author: Wendy Orr
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-74237-465-9
Genre: Junior novel – adventure
Recommended age: 8+
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Book Review – The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
1Summary (Hachette Australia)
The remarkable story of an unlikely entrepreneur who, against all odds, saved her family and inspired her community in Afghanistan.
When the Taliban took control of Kabul, Kamila Sidiqi and all the women of Kabul saw their lives transformed. Overnight, they were banned from schools and offices and even forbidden from leaving their front doors on their own. The economy collapsed and young men left the city in search of work and security. Desperate to help her family and support her five brothers and sisters at home, Kamila began sewing clothes in her living room. Little did she know that the tailoring business she started to help her siblings would be the beginning of a dressmaking business that would create jobs and hope for one hundred neighbourhood women and would come to mean the difference between starvation and survival for hundreds of families like her own.
Comments
Books like this make me realise just how complacent and casual I am not only about the freedoms I enjoy in my life, but about achieving my goals and simply being passionate about life.
I really enjoyed reading The Dressmaker of Khair Khana. The story is inspiring and I was fascinated to read about the bravery and resourcefulness of Kamila, her sisters and the women of their neighbourhood. The story offered a more personal look behind the scenes of Taliban-occupied Afghanistan, with the political and social issues peripheral to the story of how one woman managed to turn oppression into opportunity and had the compassion and strength to help others despite hardship.
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana is a beautifully told story that holds the reader’s attention from beginning to end. Kamila and the women of her family and community are inspiring and Lemmon shares their unforgettable story with respect for their achievements and tenacity. Highly recommended and ideal for a book club or reading group.
Book Details
Title: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana
Author: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Publisher: John Murray, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-84854-555-7
Related links: My review of Dressmaker of Khair Khana at Suite101.com
Genre: Biography
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Book Review – A Weekend with Mr Darcy by Victoria Connelly
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Summary (HarperCollins)
Katherine Roberts is fed up with men. As a lecturer specialising in the works of Jane Austen, she knows that the ideal man only exists within the pages of Pride & Prejudice and that in real life there is no such thing. Determined to go it alone, she finds all the comfort she needs reading her guilty pleasure — regency romances from the pen of Lorna Warwick — with whom she has now struck up an intimate correspondence.
Austen fanatic, Robyn Love, is blessed with a name full of romance, but her love life is far from perfect. Stuck in a rut with a bonehead boyfriend, Jace, and a job she can do with her eyes shut — her life has hit a dead end. Robyn would love to escape from it all but wouldn′t know where to start.
They both decide to attend the annual Jane Austen Conference at sumptuous Purley Hall, overseen by the actress and national treasure, Dame Pamela Harcourt. Robyn is hoping to escape from Jace for the weekend and indulge in her passion for all things Austen. Katherine is hoping that Lorna Warwick will be in attendance and is desperate to meet her new best friend in the flesh.
But nothing goes according to plan and Robyn is aghast when Jace insists on accompanying her, whilst Katherine is disappointed to learn that Lorna won′t be coming.
However, an Austen weekend wouldn′t be the same without a little intrigue, and Robyn and Katherine are about to get much more than they bargained for. Because where Jane Austen is concerned, romance is never very far away …
Comments
I’ve had a few hit and miss experiences with Austen spin-offs, but I quite enjoyed this gentle romantic novel. I needed something light and easy to read and A Weekend with Mr Darcy delivered just that. Reasonably predictable, the story nevertheless has a cast of appealing characters with a few quirky Austen-esque secondary characters to provide entertainment.
I found the setting, an indulgence weekend for Jane Austen fans, interesting and it offered the author plenty of scope to make references to Austen’s work and life. Not surprisingly given the title, Pride & Prejudice features strongly and there are many references to modern sequels, movie and TV versions and Austen imitators.
I’ve had a very emotionally draining week and Connelly’s A Weekend with Mr Darcy was ideal for some mental down time this weekend. I enjoyed reading the observations about Austen’s work and found the gentle romance was just what I needed.
Book Details
Title: A Weekend with Mr Darcy
Author: Victoria Connelly
Publisher: Avon (HarperCollins), 2010 (362 pages)
ISBN: 978-1-84756-225-8
Genre: Romantic Fiction
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Book Review – Bittersweet by Melanie La’Brooy
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Summary (Penguin Australia website)
Sabrina Falks is the golden girl; a beautiful, successful actress who is engaged to the too-good-to-be-true Edward. Her life is glamorous and seemingly perfect – apart from her recurring desire to run away.
Her younger sister, Mimi, is funny and bright but also hopelessly lost, with no career prospects, no money, no love life and a string of disastrous mistakes in her past.
Estranged since a fight over their dark family history, Sabrina and Mimi enter into a reluctant alliance when Sabrina hires Mimi to be her bridesmaid. The sisters then do battle with intrusive paparazzi, out-of-control dress designers and, increasingly, each other.
As the wedding day approaches, long-buried family secrets emerge, and Sabrina and Mimi find themselves facing some unforeseen home truths …
Marriage, celebrity culture and the bittersweet bonds of family take centre stage in this warm, funny novel that sparkles with wit and wisdom.
Comments
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started Bittersweet. I was looking for something easy to read and at some time someone on Twitter had recommended Melanie’s books to me so I thought I would give it a try.
Bittersweet was a wonderful combination of comedy of errors style humour with some family, relationship and personal issues that added a real depth to the story. There were lots of light-hearted moments and the dialogue between the central characters was particularly entertaining at times. The cast of secondary characters offered lots of opportunity for farcical moments and general silliness.
Beyond the humour, dramas and bridezilla moments, there were some more serious scenes where the two sisters examined their lives and became aware of just how strongly the separation of their parents when they were children had impacted their relationship with each other and their view of themselves. Bittersweet touches on some interesting topics as Sabrina, Mimi and their friends and family come to terms with their past and deal with issues holding them back in the present. Celebrity culture and body image are also significant issues, offering both lighter and more serious moments throughout the novel.
My greatest delight was finding the author’s website. It is easy to see the source of the humour in the novel, particularly the dialogue of Mimi. I’m incredibly disappointed that Melanie La’Brooy isn’t on Twitter so that I can chat with her and try to convince her to be my friend (which goes a long way to supporting her decision to stay as far away from Twitter as possible).
Bittersweet was light and entertaining with just enough substance to make it really enjoyable. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author in the near future and would love any recommendations for which one I should read next.
Book Details
Title: Bittersweet
Author: Melanie La’Brooy
Publisher: Penguin Australia, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-14-320568-5 (450 pages)
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Related links
· Bittersweet review at Suite101
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Book Review: Letters to Leonardo by Dee White
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Summary (Walker Books)
A unique and powerful story about a fifteen year old boy who tries to deal with his mother’s mental illness by writing letters to Leonardo da Vinci.
On his fifteenth birthday, Matt receives a card from his mother – the mother he grew up believing was deceased. Feeling betrayed by both his parents, Matt’s identity is in disarray and he begins writing letters to Leonardo da Vinci as a way to sort out the ‘mess’ in his head. Through the connections he makes between his own life and that of Leonardo, Matt unravels the mystery that his life has become and discovers his mother’s secrets and the reasons behind his abandonment.
Comments
It took me a little while to pick up Letters to Leonardo, which has been sitting on my bedside TBR pile for some months since I claimed it in the Authors for Queensland flood relief auction earlier this year. Once I got started, however, I found it hard to put it down.
As someone who has had experience with serious mental illness (schizophrenia) in my extended family, I found the way Dee White dealt the impact of mental illness on family relationships to be very true to life. The confusion, guilt, anger, resentment and general emotional turmoil are well presented in 15-year-old Matt as he comes to terms with his mother’s illness.
Letters to Leonardo is a wonderful novel about family, friendship, artistic creativity and the challenges of loving someone with a serious mental illness. I found myself relating to Matt’s struggles and confess that I shed tears as the story drew to its conclusion.
While the story is free from any bad language or significant ‘teen’ references, parents should be aware that the issues the story deals with are quite complex. Younger children, particularly those that are particularly sensitive, might find the emotional intensity associated with dealing with the erratic behaviour linked with bipolar disorder too confronting.
I’m very pleased that I claimed this book in the auction and have added this title to my recommended books for children by Australian authors list.
Book details
Title: Letters to Leonardo
Author: Dee White
Publisher: Walker Books, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-921150-88-3 (246 pages)
Genre: YA novel – family relationships, mental illness
Suitable age: 13+
Related Links
- My review at Suite101
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Book Review: My School by Maralyn Parker
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My School by Maralyn Parker
Summary (via Random House Australia)
Australian parents have never had more choice or information on schools. But much of the information available asks more questions than it answers. This is the first book that has all the answers and more. It is a must read for any parent who wants to get the best education possible for their child.
A clear and accessible book that answers every likely question parents could have about My School/NAPLAN/choosing a school.
What makes a good school? What should a parent know and what should they ask? This book also covers hot topics such as what to do about a bad teacher, bullying, multi-cultural policies, enrolment policies, coaching, selective schools, private vs public.
Comments
I’ve always been very interested and involved in my children’s education and discussing educational issues in general, but I’ve never been a big fan of the My School website. I’ve always found the information it provides too vague and indeterminate to be of any particular use. It has also often bothered me that the information on the My School website and associated NAPLAN results were often used in discussions about educational issues without considering the many other factors that are part of assessing the success or suitability of a school.
I think that is why I enjoyed reading Maralyn Parker’s book so much. My School provides the background information parents need to get the most from not only the My School website and NAPLAN results but also school reports and general contact with school staff.
I like that My School places the My School website and NAPLAN results into a big picture view of schooling in Australia. It also discusses the many other factors that should influence our decision when choosing a school for our children – location, leadership, sporting programs, special interest and special need programs, public or private schools, etc.
I liked the no nonsense tone of the book, especially in comparison to the media hype that often surrounds discussions of NAPLAN and the My School website. I also liked that many website links that were included throughout the book so that parents can easily find more facts and information on topics that are of particular interest.
I’ve quoted information from this book several times in conversation recently and personally found the discussion of the pros and cons of selective schooling particularly useful. There were also some very practical tips on how to communicate effectively with classroom teachers and other school staff and a useful checklist of items to consider when choosing a school for your child.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is keen to better understand the many facts and figures that are being put forward in discussions about schools and schooling in Australia. For those interested in this topic, Maralyn Parker also has an education blog at the Daily Telegraph and a My School Facebook page where readers can join in discussions about education issues.
Book Details
Title: My School: What every parents needs to know about NAPLAN, the My School website and getting the best education for your child
Author: Maralyn Parker
Publisher: Bantam, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-86471-205-6, 295 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction – Australian schools and education, NAPLAN, My School website
Related links
- Review of My School at Suite101
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Book Review: The Phoenix Files by Chris Morphew
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Summary (via Hardie Grant Egmont)
Luke is having a rough year. His parents split up. Then his mum moves to Phoenix, a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, and she drags Luke along with her.
But Phoenix is no ordinary town. It was built from the ground up by the enigmatic Shackleton Co-operative less than a year ago. There are no cars, no phone lines, and a private security force instead of police.
Luke thinks this is as weird as it gets.
Then he and his new friends discover that someone in Phoenix is plotting to wipe out the human race. And the clock is already ticking.
There are one hundred days until the end of the world.
Comments
I have been a big fan of this YA thriller series since it was first released. I can remember shaking the book in frustration when I reached the end of book one. How could he leave me hanging like that? When would I find out what happened next? When? Not for months? MONTHS! It all seemed so unfair.
The fourth book in The Phoenix Files was released this month. I’ve only just started it and I’m already hooked and annoyed that I need to take care of more mundane tasks instead of reading it from cover to cover in one sitting. I introduced my now 
12-year-old son to the series in January and he read the first three books in four days. Like me, he was anxiously anticipating the release of book 4 (Phoenix Files:Underground) and is now enduring the frustrating wait for book 5 (Phoenix Files: Fallout) and book 6 (Phoenix Files: Doomsday), which won’t be released until February 2012 and September 2012 respectively.
I love the sense of suspense sustained throughout the series. The conspiracy theory plotline isn’t one that I am generally attracted to, but the combination of well-written and complex characters and an interesting setting have more than overcome my initial hesitancy when I started the first book.
In fact, the series appeals to me so much that I became involved in a bidding war during the Authors for Queensland flood appeal auction earlier this year, which raised funds for the Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Fund. I managed to get my final bid in just before the auction closed, winning for my son the first three books of the series defaced annotated by Chris Morphew himself. They were given to my son last week for his birthday and he has been avidly re-reading the books which now include a scattered commentary by Chris as well as drawings and random jottings like this:
If you are looking for a high energy, suspense-filled series for readers aged 11+, you should definitely check out The Phoenix Files. There are some scenes depicting violence as well as a level of menace associated with the ringleaders of plot to take over the world (not surprisingly), so it is worth taking that into account if you are considering the books for a more sensitive younger reader.
Book details
- Series title: The Phoenix Files
- Book titles: #1 Arrival, #2 Contact, #3 Mutation, #4 Underground
- Author: Chris Morphew
- Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
- Genre: YA series – thriller, conspiracy theory
- Suitable age: 11+ (Warning – some violence and menacing characters)
- Related links: Review of The Phoenix Files #1: Arrival at Reading Upside Down and Suite101
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Book Review: Press Here by Hervé Tullet
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Press Here by Hervé Tullet
Summary (Allen & Unwin)
The single touch of a finger sparks a whimsical dance of colour and motion in this joyful celebration of the power of the imagination.
Press here.
That’s right. Just press the yellow dot…and turn the page.
This irresistible picture book is ideal for sharing with children and has created a sensation worldwide.
Comments
I always feel a little sad when I hear a parent say that their child doesn’t like to read. ‘Oh, she’s just not into books’ or ‘He’s too active to read’. I love kids who are busy playing and exploring and creating, but I think a love of books is an amazing thing to develop in a child and I always maintain that there is no such thing as someone (child or adult) who doesn’t like to read, just someone who hasn’t found the book that are right for them.
This picture book is perfect for young children who might find sitting still to read more challenging than others. From the first page, readers are invited to touch the different coloured dots on the page, to tilt or shake the book, clap their hands and blow on the pages. The reader gets to interact with the story, making the experience a much more active one.
I’ve handed this book to a few adult friends who have also been unable to resist the temptation to follow the instructions on the page. It is fascinating to watch.
Press Here is a fantastic picture book for young readers and a wonderful book to experience with a child.
Book Details
Title: Press Here
Author: Hervé Tullet
Publisher: Allan & Unwin, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-74237-528-1
Original Title: Un Livre (Bayard Editions, 2010)
Recommended age: 2+
Genre: Picture book
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Book Review: Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
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Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
Summary (back cover)
A spill. A smear. A smudge. A tear.
When you think you have made a mistake (and what kid or grown-up hasn’t?), think of it as an opportunity to make something BEAUTIFUL!
Comments
I love this book. I love the concept, the way it is presented and the big picture approach to life that it promotes. I love that it is encouraging kids to be resilient and to think creatively. I love the illustrations and I love that my kids smile when they read it, even though they generally consider themselves to be too old to be enjoying this style of picture book (ie board book style cardboard pages).
Are you picking up on the vibe yet? I LOVE this book.
Beautiful Oops is a wonderful way to remind children that life is full of possibilities and that making a mistake can sometimes be the start of something amazing. This book definitely makes my Highly Recommended list.
Book Details
Title: Beautiful Oops
Author: Barney Saltzberg
Publisher: Workman Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-7611-5728-1
Recommended ages: 3+ years
Genre: Picture book – creativity
