Staff favourite reads, 2015...
Check out our Library staff's favourite reads of 2015. Some old, some new, a really diverse range of reading! What was your favourite read this year? Tell us in the comments.
Spill simmer falter wither by Sara Baume.
The language describing the Irish countryside was stunning. It was also an incredibly heartbreaking story of an outcast individual. His pain was so palpable that at times I didn't think I could keep reading it but the language kept me going. I have to warn people that it definitely isn't a feel good book but it is one that really puts you into the mind and experience of another person. It is one of those books that deepens your sense of compassion for others.
~Kaye
The narrow road to the deep north by Richard Flanagan
Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2014. A novel of the cruelty of war, tenuousness of life and the impossibility of love.
~Chris
Disclaimer by Renee Knight
A book that kept me up at night! Catherine and her husband have just downsized and when she goes to bed on the first night in her new house she finds a strange book on her bedside table. She doesn't remember buying it and her husband claims no knowledge of it. She starts reading and is horrified to discover that it's her story, a story that reveals the terrible secret that changed her life forever. But the only other person who knew her secret is long dead.
~Deb
Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson
Classic romantic comedy: girl-meets-boy, love blossoms, and is derailed. Incredibly engaging, upbeat, funny and smart.
~Ali
The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham was my pick of the year.
I read it before the movie came out and although the movie was entertaining and beautiful to look at, it did not have the nuances of the book and the last third was turned on it's head!
~Jacinta
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson -
Only my third foray into the realm of science fiction and it was awesome. Terrifying in its realism, compelling in its plot and just really, really, really good.
~Steph D
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay:
Raw, brutal and unflinching, this book addressed subjects which we rarely hear about in more than a few words in the media.
~Dasha
The book of Speculation by Erika Swyler.
So many great books out this year. However, this brilliant debut featuring a librarian, tarot cards,mystery and mermaids stuck with me. Just delightful.
~Monique
The Golden Age / by Joan London.
A tender, moving and often funny story that centres on Frank, a 13 year old child of Hungarian war refugees who have settled in Perth, Western Australia. It is 1954 and Frank, an aspiring poet recovering from polio at the Golden Age Children's Polio Convalescent Home, meets refined and lovely Elsa, a fellow patient of similar age. Together they navigate the confines and strictures of their hospital routines, and discover in each other a liberating intimacy that is both sweet and dangerous. The novel is a wonderful distillation of the era - the spectre of polio, the heat of the Australian summer and the wartime migrant experience in a new land as Frank's parents endure the bemusements of culture shock and revel in moments of precious joy, determined as they are to make a go of it. A very worthy winner for best fiction in the Prime Minister's Literary Awards
~Brian
A mile down : the true story of a disastrous career at sea by David Vann.
Part high-seas adventure, part journey of self-discovery, A Mile Down is a gripping and unforgettable story of struggle and redemption by a writer at the top of his game.
~Danny
'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy
This book won the 1997 Booker Prize and is my all time favourite....nothing I have read comes close. It has it all - thought provoking themes that extend the mind, involving Indian politics, class relations, cultural tensions, discrimination, betrayal, and forbidden love which is all packaged in a complex circular narrative written from multiple points of view and that span across decades. It is a story about 'Love Laws' that lay down 'who should be loved, and how. And how much'
~Fiona
South sea vagabonds by J.W.
Wray.Johnny Wray's gripping and often hilarious account of his adventures around the South Pacific has inspired readers and changed lives since its first publication 75 years ago.
~Danny
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
Shhh, this little gem of a book is wrapped under my Christmas tree for a good friend - that's how much I liked it.
So, if the beautiful cover isn't enough to get you wanting to read it, perhaps the thought of a debut author may? Or, the mystery and intrigue it promises to deliver will? This historical novel is set in the Golden Age of the 17th Century in Amsterdam, Holland - a period of history I hadn't read much about, and it managed to sweep me up and transport me to a time and place that was filled with very interesting and strong characters who weaved a wonderful drama.
I hope you enjoy it!
~Donna
Endurance by Tim Griffiths
A gripping, white-knuckle novel set in the Antarctic and the muddy fields of the Western Front, told through the eyes of real-life adventurer and pioneer Australian photographer Frank Hurley. A moving portrait of the man behind the legend.
~ Danny
All the light we cannot see / Anthony Doerr
(wanted more of a "happy ever after" and really, really wanted Werner to survive).
~Barb
Girt by David Hunt.
I embarrassed myself so many times when reading this book as I was repeatedly reduced to fits of giggles. Who said Australian history is dull!?!
~Steph B
Of mice and men by John Steinbeck.
I recently reread this novella.Steinbeck poignantly captures the close relationship of George and Lennie and the tough life of itinerant farm workers during the Depression. A classic.
~Ruth
Flesh Wounds by Richard Glover
I found it fascinating to read how such a well balanced new age man had such an unusual upbringing.
~Kelly
The Wife Drought: Why Women Need Wives and Men Need Lives.
I've just finished reading Annabel Crabb's The Wife Drought: Why Women Need Wives and Men Need Lives. While it was a very entertaining read, she managed to get quite deep about the issues around stereotyping men and women as to their roles in care giving. Well worth a read.
Spill simmer falter wither by Sara Baume.
The language describing the Irish countryside was stunning. It was also an incredibly heartbreaking story of an outcast individual. His pain was so palpable that at times I didn't think I could keep reading it but the language kept me going. I have to warn people that it definitely isn't a feel good book but it is one that really puts you into the mind and experience of another person. It is one of those books that deepens your sense of compassion for others.~Kaye
Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2014. A novel of the cruelty of war, tenuousness of life and the impossibility of love.~Chris
Disclaimer by Renee Knight
A book that kept me up at night! Catherine and her husband have just downsized and when she goes to bed on the first night in her new house she finds a strange book on her bedside table. She doesn't remember buying it and her husband claims no knowledge of it. She starts reading and is horrified to discover that it's her story, a story that reveals the terrible secret that changed her life forever. But the only other person who knew her secret is long dead.~Deb
Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson
Classic romantic comedy: girl-meets-boy, love blossoms, and is derailed. Incredibly engaging, upbeat, funny and smart.~Ali
The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham was my pick of the year.
I read it before the movie came out and although the movie was entertaining and beautiful to look at, it did not have the nuances of the book and the last third was turned on it's head!~Jacinta
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson -
Only my third foray into the realm of science fiction and it was awesome. Terrifying in its realism, compelling in its plot and just really, really, really good.~Steph D
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay:
Raw, brutal and unflinching, this book addressed subjects which we rarely hear about in more than a few words in the media.
~Dasha
The book of Speculation by Erika Swyler.
So many great books out this year. However, this brilliant debut featuring a librarian, tarot cards,mystery and mermaids stuck with me. Just delightful.~Monique
The Golden Age / by Joan London.
A tender, moving and often funny story that centres on Frank, a 13 year old child of Hungarian war refugees who have settled in Perth, Western Australia. It is 1954 and Frank, an aspiring poet recovering from polio at the Golden Age Children's Polio Convalescent Home, meets refined and lovely Elsa, a fellow patient of similar age. Together they navigate the confines and strictures of their hospital routines, and discover in each other a liberating intimacy that is both sweet and dangerous. The novel is a wonderful distillation of the era - the spectre of polio, the heat of the Australian summer and the wartime migrant experience in a new land as Frank's parents endure the bemusements of culture shock and revel in moments of precious joy, determined as they are to make a go of it. A very worthy winner for best fiction in the Prime Minister's Literary Awards~Brian
A mile down : the true story of a disastrous career at sea by David Vann.
Part high-seas adventure, part journey of self-discovery, A Mile Down is a gripping and unforgettable story of struggle and redemption by a writer at the top of his game.~Danny
'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy
This book won the 1997 Booker Prize and is my all time favourite....nothing I have read comes close. It has it all - thought provoking themes that extend the mind, involving Indian politics, class relations, cultural tensions, discrimination, betrayal, and forbidden love which is all packaged in a complex circular narrative written from multiple points of view and that span across decades. It is a story about 'Love Laws' that lay down 'who should be loved, and how. And how much'~Fiona
South sea vagabonds by J.W.
Wray.Johnny Wray's gripping and often hilarious account of his adventures around the South Pacific has inspired readers and changed lives since its first publication 75 years ago.
~Danny
Shhh, this little gem of a book is wrapped under my Christmas tree for a good friend - that's how much I liked it.So, if the beautiful cover isn't enough to get you wanting to read it, perhaps the thought of a debut author may? Or, the mystery and intrigue it promises to deliver will? This historical novel is set in the Golden Age of the 17th Century in Amsterdam, Holland - a period of history I hadn't read much about, and it managed to sweep me up and transport me to a time and place that was filled with very interesting and strong characters who weaved a wonderful drama.
I hope you enjoy it!
~Donna
A gripping, white-knuckle novel set in the Antarctic and the muddy fields of the Western Front, told through the eyes of real-life adventurer and pioneer Australian photographer Frank Hurley. A moving portrait of the man behind the legend.~ Danny
All the light we cannot see / Anthony Doerr
(wanted more of a "happy ever after" and really, really wanted Werner to survive).~Barb
Girt by David Hunt.
~Steph B
Of mice and men by John Steinbeck.
I recently reread this novella.Steinbeck poignantly captures the close relationship of George and Lennie and the tough life of itinerant farm workers during the Depression. A classic.~Ruth
Flesh Wounds by Richard Glover
I found it fascinating to read how such a well balanced new age man had such an unusual upbringing.~Kelly
The Wife Drought: Why Women Need Wives and Men Need Lives.
I've just finished reading Annabel Crabb's The Wife Drought: Why Women Need Wives and Men Need Lives. While it was a very entertaining read, she managed to get quite deep about the issues around stereotyping men and women as to their roles in care giving. Well worth a read.
~Debbie B.
We love reading... staff picks December 2015
Dennis Lehane wrote one of my favourite books Gone Baby Gone on which the movie was based and his latest book about gangster Joe Coughlin doesn't disappoint. 10 years after the death of his wife Joe has gone legit working as consigliere to the Bartolo family. He has a young son Tomas, money, influence and a secret lover but it all comes undone when he learns someone wants him dead and he has to find out who and why.
This novel explores whether your evil acts make you an evil person and if your willing to sacrifice all you care about to survive.
~Meagan
This is a beautiful, unusually illustrated book of Grimms fairy tales, retold by Phillip Pullman. Excerpts from 75 fairy tales collected by the brothers Grimm are vividly brought to life by photographs of Shan Tan's tiny sculptured characters. The selection of tales include ones you probably know well, such as Snow White and Hansel and Gretel. The book also brings to light many lesser known tales such as The Turnip and the Devils Sooty Brother. The magical figures are frozen in moments of fear, rage, victory, appeal, and can be looked at again and again. As the works were originally an exhibition and have been displayed in Melbourne, here's hoping they will find their way to Sydney sometime. The Singing Bones is a must read for fans of Shaun Tan, fairy tales and those interested in storytelling through sculpture.
~Kat
Kidnapped: the crime that shocked the nation / Mark Tedeschi QC
The true story of Australian’s only known kidnapping of a child for ransom.
‘Kidnapped’ outlines the 1960 kidnapping of eight-year-old Sydney schoolboy Graeme Thorne, after his parents won the Opera House Lottery, and Stephen Bradley, the man found guilty of the crime. This was also the first case of its kind that marked the beginning in Australia of modern-day forensic science as a tool of investigation.
The book depicts the planning, commission and consequences of the kidnapping, concluding with the arrest and trial of Bradley. This version of events derives from a variety of sources including Bradley’s oral and written confessions (later retracted); scientific evidence; documented facts; as well as a level of creative input and interpretation by Tedeschi himself based on his professional practice over many years.
It is a very interesting and informative read, but at its core the tragic loss of a little boy’s life for greed.
~ Cathy
American wife: Love, War, Faith and Renewal / Tanya Kyle with Jim DeFelice (co-author of American Sniper)
A memoir by the widow of Chris Kyle, whose story was presented in both the book ‘American Sniper’ and the film of the same name, and a moving tribute to the man behind the legend. The book outlines their 10 year marriage and family life, plus the aftermath and heartbreak of his murder and that of his friend Chad Littlefield.~ Cathy
As certain legal matters, referred to in the book, are not resolved within the timeframe of the book, there is a curiosity for the reader to explore further and follow-up on outcomes. However, the reader cannot fail to be moved by the senseless killing of both men. A real tragedy.
Under the Skin / Michael Faber
I am not one to be too concerned with seeing a movie adaptation before reading the book. Often the tried mantra “the book is better than the film” really is true, and this is exactly the case with Michael Faber’s 2000 surreal, sci-fi work Under the Skin. In the film it was Scarlett Johnasson, near mute and mysterious, picking up hitchhikers on Scotland’s back roads, artistic but unsubstantial. In the book it is a strange, mutilated “human being” named Isserley who has the task of methodically selecting men from the side of the road. Without spoiling the reason why, I will say that the reveal is disturbing and thought-provoking, an unconventional look at speciesism and the price of treating life as a commodity.
~Dasha
~Dasha
Prime Ministers Literary Award 2015
The Prime Minister's Literary Awards, 2015 were announced at an event in Sydney on Monday night. These awards recognise the contribution of Australia's authors to the richness of Australian cultural life by sharing stories that capture the complexity of contemporary life and offer insightful reflection on the past.
The winners of selected categories and the shortlists:
Fiction
Winner
The Golden Age, Joan London
It is 1954 and thirteen-year-old Frank Gold, refugee from wartime Hungary, is learning to walk again after contracting polio in Australia. At The Golden Age Children's Polio Convalescent Home in Perth, he sees Elsa, a fellow patient, and they form a forbidden, passionate bond. The Golden Age becomes the little world that reflects the larger one, where everything occurs: love and desire, music, death, and poetry. It is a place where children must learn they're alone, even within their families.
Subtle, moving and remarkably lovely, The Golden Age evokes a time past and a yearning for deep connection, from one of Australia's finest and most-loved novelists.
Shortlisted
Amnesia by Peter Carey
In Certain Circles by Elizabeth Harrower
Golden Boys by Sonya Hartnett
To Name Those Lost by Rohan Wilson
Young adult fiction
Winner
The Protected by Claire Zorn
I have three months left to call Katie my older sister. Then the gap will close and I will pass her. I will get older. But Katie will always be fifteen, eleven months and twenty-one days old.
Hannah's world is in pieces and she doesn't need the school counsellor to tell her she has deep-seated psychological issues. With a seriously depressed mum, an injured dad and a dead sister, who wouldn't have problems?
Hannah should feel terrible but for the first time in ages, she feels a glimmer of hope and isn't afraid anymore. Is it because the elusive Josh is taking an interest in her? Or does it run deeper than that?
In a family torn apart by grief and guilt, one girl's struggle to come to terms with years of torment shows just how long old wounds can take to heal.
The Astrologer's Daughter by Rebecca Lim
Tigers on the Beach by Doug MacLeod
The Minnow by Diana Sweeney
Children's fiction
Winner
One Minute's Silence by David Metzenthen and illustrated by Michael Camilleri
n one minute of silence you can imagine sprinting up the beach in Gallipoli in 1915 with the fierce fighting Diggers, but can you imagine standing beside the brave battling Turks as they defended their homeland from the cliffs above.
In the silence that follows a war long gone, you can see what the soldiers saw, you can feel what the soldiers felt. And if you try, you might be able to imagine the enemy, and see that he is not so different from you.
In One Minute's Silence, you are the story, and the story is yours - to imagine, remember and honour the brothers in arms on both sides of the conflict, heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives.
A moving and powerful reflection on the meaning of Remembrance Day.
Shortlisted
Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks
My Dad is a Bear by Nicola Connelly and illustrated by Annie White
My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald and illustrated by Freya Blackwood
Withering‐by‐Sea by Judith Rossell
Prize for Australian History
Joint winners
Charles Bean by Ross Coulthart
A long overdue new biography of this iconic Australian war correspondent, CEW Bean.
Charles Bean's wartime reports and photographs mythologised the Australian soldier and helped spawn the notion that the Anzacs achieved something nation-defining on the shores of Gallipoli and the battlefields of western Europe. In his quest to get the truth, Bean often faced death beside the Diggers in the trenches of Gallipoli and the Western Front - and saw more combat than many. But did Bean tell Australia the whole story of what he knew? In this fresh new biography Ross Coulthart explores the man behind the legend.
The Spy Catchers – The Official History of ASIO Vol 1 by David Horner
Descent into Hell by Peter Brune
Menzies at War by Anne Henderson
Non‐fiction
Joint winners:
John Olsen: An Artist's Life by Darleen Bungey
This landmark biography by Darleen Bungey, the author of the celebrated biography of Arthur Boyd, graphically depicts the forces that drove John Olsen to become one of the country's greatest artists. An exhilarating book, both trenchant and tender, it strips away the veneer of showmanship and fame to show the substance of a painter driven by a need to depict his country's landscape as Australians had never seen it before.
Given access to his uncensored diaries and drawing on years of extensive interviews with both Olsen and those who have known him best, she explores his passionate life and follows his navigation though the friendships, rivalries and politics of the Australian art world. How did a shy, stuttering boy from Newcastle, neglected by his alcoholic father, come to paint the great mural Salute to Five Bells at the Sydney Opera House?
Wild Bleak Bohemia: Marcus Clarke, Adam Lindsay Gordon and Henry Kendall by Michael Wilding
Meticulously using contemporary newspaper reports, court records, published memoirs, private letters and diaries, Michael Wilding tells the story of three troubled geniuses of Australian writing and their world of poetry and poverty, alcohol and opiates, horse-racing and theatre, journalism and publishing. Gordon shot himself, unable to pay the printer of his poems; Kendall ended up in a mental hospital after forging a cheque, and Clarke died bankrupt for a second time.
Shortlisted
Private Bill by Barrie Cassidy
This House of Grief: The Story of a Murder Trail by Helen Garner
Encountering the Pacific: In the Age of Enlightenment by John Gascoigne
The winners of selected categories and the shortlists:
Fiction
Winner
The Golden Age, Joan LondonIt is 1954 and thirteen-year-old Frank Gold, refugee from wartime Hungary, is learning to walk again after contracting polio in Australia. At The Golden Age Children's Polio Convalescent Home in Perth, he sees Elsa, a fellow patient, and they form a forbidden, passionate bond. The Golden Age becomes the little world that reflects the larger one, where everything occurs: love and desire, music, death, and poetry. It is a place where children must learn they're alone, even within their families.
Subtle, moving and remarkably lovely, The Golden Age evokes a time past and a yearning for deep connection, from one of Australia's finest and most-loved novelists.
Shortlisted
Amnesia by Peter Carey
In Certain Circles by Elizabeth Harrower
Golden Boys by Sonya Hartnett
To Name Those Lost by Rohan Wilson
Young adult fiction
Winner
The Protected by Claire ZornI have three months left to call Katie my older sister. Then the gap will close and I will pass her. I will get older. But Katie will always be fifteen, eleven months and twenty-one days old.
Hannah's world is in pieces and she doesn't need the school counsellor to tell her she has deep-seated psychological issues. With a seriously depressed mum, an injured dad and a dead sister, who wouldn't have problems?
Hannah should feel terrible but for the first time in ages, she feels a glimmer of hope and isn't afraid anymore. Is it because the elusive Josh is taking an interest in her? Or does it run deeper than that?
In a family torn apart by grief and guilt, one girl's struggle to come to terms with years of torment shows just how long old wounds can take to heal.
Shortlisted
Are You Seeing Me? by Darren GrothThe Astrologer's Daughter by Rebecca Lim
Tigers on the Beach by Doug MacLeod
The Minnow by Diana Sweeney
Children's fiction
Winner
n one minute of silence you can imagine sprinting up the beach in Gallipoli in 1915 with the fierce fighting Diggers, but can you imagine standing beside the brave battling Turks as they defended their homeland from the cliffs above.
In the silence that follows a war long gone, you can see what the soldiers saw, you can feel what the soldiers felt. And if you try, you might be able to imagine the enemy, and see that he is not so different from you.
In One Minute's Silence, you are the story, and the story is yours - to imagine, remember and honour the brothers in arms on both sides of the conflict, heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives.
A moving and powerful reflection on the meaning of Remembrance Day.
Shortlisted
Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks
My Dad is a Bear by Nicola Connelly and illustrated by Annie White
My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald and illustrated by Freya Blackwood
Withering‐by‐Sea by Judith Rossell
Prize for Australian History
Joint winners
Charles Bean by Ross CoulthartA long overdue new biography of this iconic Australian war correspondent, CEW Bean.
Charles Bean's wartime reports and photographs mythologised the Australian soldier and helped spawn the notion that the Anzacs achieved something nation-defining on the shores of Gallipoli and the battlefields of western Europe. In his quest to get the truth, Bean often faced death beside the Diggers in the trenches of Gallipoli and the Western Front - and saw more combat than many. But did Bean tell Australia the whole story of what he knew? In this fresh new biography Ross Coulthart explores the man behind the legend.
For the first time, ASIO has opened its archives to an independent historian. With unfettered access to the records, David Horner tells the real story of Australia's domestic intelligence organisation, from shaky beginnings to the expulsion of Ivan Skripov in 1963.
From the start, ASIO's mission was to catch spies. In the late 1940s, the top secret Venona program revealed details of a Soviet spy ring in Australia, supported by leading Australian communists. David Horner outlines the tactics ASIO used in counterespionage, from embassy bugging to surveillance of local suspects. His research sheds new light on the Petrov Affair, and details incidents and activities that have never been revealed before.
This authoritative and ground-breaking account overturns many myths about ASIO, and offers new insights into broader Australian politics and society in the fraught years of the Cold War.
Shortlisted
The Europeans in Australia – Volume Three: Nation by Alan AtkinsonDescent into Hell by Peter Brune
Menzies at War by Anne Henderson
Non‐fiction
Joint winners:
This landmark biography by Darleen Bungey, the author of the celebrated biography of Arthur Boyd, graphically depicts the forces that drove John Olsen to become one of the country's greatest artists. An exhilarating book, both trenchant and tender, it strips away the veneer of showmanship and fame to show the substance of a painter driven by a need to depict his country's landscape as Australians had never seen it before.
Given access to his uncensored diaries and drawing on years of extensive interviews with both Olsen and those who have known him best, she explores his passionate life and follows his navigation though the friendships, rivalries and politics of the Australian art world. How did a shy, stuttering boy from Newcastle, neglected by his alcoholic father, come to paint the great mural Salute to Five Bells at the Sydney Opera House?
Wild Bleak Bohemia: Marcus Clarke, Adam Lindsay Gordon and Henry Kendall by Michael Wilding
Meticulously using contemporary newspaper reports, court records, published memoirs, private letters and diaries, Michael Wilding tells the story of three troubled geniuses of Australian writing and their world of poetry and poverty, alcohol and opiates, horse-racing and theatre, journalism and publishing. Gordon shot himself, unable to pay the printer of his poems; Kendall ended up in a mental hospital after forging a cheque, and Clarke died bankrupt for a second time.
Shortlisted
Private Bill by Barrie Cassidy
This House of Grief: The Story of a Murder Trail by Helen Garner
Encountering the Pacific: In the Age of Enlightenment by John Gascoigne
Library wins Justice Award
Sutherland Shire Libraries were awarded the 2015 LIAC (Legal Information Access Centre) Centre of Excellence Award for their work with the Sutherland Local Court. The award is part of the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW’s annual Justice Awards. The awards recognise the contributions that individuals and organisations have made to improving access to justice in NSW.
Sutherland Library provided workshops for staff at Sutherland Local Court to learn about the Find Legal Answers service at Sutherland Library. The partnership resulted in increased referrals from the court to the library and an improvement in client service for people attending court.
The Find Legal Answers service provides the community with free access to plain language legal information. Find Legal Answers can help you understand your rights and responsibilities on a range of everyday legal situations including family law, tenancy, debt, strata living, neighbourhood problems and wills. Staff can assist you at any of the Sutherland Shire Libraries or visit www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au.
Its starting to look a lot like Christmas...Christmas Reads!
The chocolate lovers Christmas by Carole Matthews
Christmas is just around the corner but the women of The Chocolate Lovers' Club have more to worry about than present shopping ...Lucy loves running Chocolate Heaven but she hasn't spent time with her boyfriend, Aiden, in weeks. And then her ex-fiance turns up and things become even more complicated. Nadia hasn't let herself get close to a man in a long time, yet she can't help feeling drawn to Jacob. Will he be her last chance for a happy ending? Chantal and her husband, Ted, are besotted with their baby daughter Lana - but she's not sure that's enough to base a marriage on. Autumn is dealing with a tragedy that has hit too close to home. But when she doesn't get the support she needs from her fiance, will she look elsewhere for comfort? Can friendship overcome all in ...The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas
A merry mistletoe wedding by Judy Astley
It is almost a year since Sean and Thea met and it's been a roller-coaster ride: they're getting married on Christmas Eve! Neither Thea or Sean want a big fuss - a simple wedding, with Christmas carols and just a few sprigs of mistletoe for decoration is all they need. But before they know it, things begin to get complicated.
A wedding at christmas by Chrissie Manby
What comes to mind when you picture a wedding at Christmas? A gorgeous white dress accessorised with a thick velvet cape... bridesmaids in red velvet too? An arch of Christmas greenery: holly and ivy and boughs of fir. Candles and fairy lights. Snow!
Chelsea Benson has just twelve weeks to organise her perfect winter wedding. Her family and friends pitch in to help, but sisterly squabbling, issues with money and an Ice-Queen mother-in-law soon threaten Chelsea's plans for her big day. And that's without the firework fiasco...
Rescuing Chelsea's dream of a proper family wedding might just take all the magic of Christmas...
Wishes for christmas by Fern Michaels
This Christmas, instead of finding and punishing bad guys, all Maggie Spritzer wants is to bring a little more joy to the world—especially to a beloved teacher from her past. And as the Sisterhood unites to find her, they learn that no holiday treat is as fulfilling as giving to others…
Meanwhile, with a little help from the other Godmothers, Toots Loudenberry is preparing for Charleston’s annual holiday showcase of historic homes. But when the Godmothers sense trouble with one of the decorators, they must tackle a mystery and hope for a happy ending…
When Sisters and Godmothers unite, the result is a warm and wonderful holiday—with a special touch of magic…
Dashing through the snow by Debbie Macomber
Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there's only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead. At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can't help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there's even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard--never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises--and their greatest wishes may yet come true.
A Christmas escape by Anne Perry
"For countless readers, Christmastime means a delicious new holiday mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry. A Christmas Escape, her thirteenth noel to the season, transports us to the Mediterranean island of Stromboli for an unconventional Yuletide adventure--and an unforgettable volcanic encounter. Lonely Charles Latterly arrives at his small hotel hoping that the island's blue skies and gentle breezes will brighten his spirits. Unfortunately, there's no holiday cheer to be found among his fellow guests, who include a pompous novelist, a stuffy colonel, a dangerously ill-matched married couple, and an ailing old man. The one charming exception is orphaned teenager Candace Finbar, who takes Charles under her wing and introduces him to the island's beauty. But the tranquility of the holiday is swiftly disrupted by a violent quarrel, an unpleasant gentleman's shocking claims of being stalked, and the ominous stirrings of the local volcano. Then events take an even darker turn: A body is found, and Charles quickly realizes that the killer must be among the group of guests.
When christmas bells ring by Katie Flynn
It's Christmas in the Courts, and single mother Rosheen Clarke and her mischievous twin daughters April and May have no idea of the cataclysmic events which will soon overtake them. When war is declared, April and May are evacuated to the countryside and Rosheen joins the WAAF where she befriends fellow Liverpudlian Cassie Valentine. While Rosheen worries about what trouble the twins will cause next, Cassie is fighting her love for her childhood friend Andy. Because ever since he joined the RAF, he has become arrogant and remote. Will he change back to the old Andy when it's all over? Or will their love be another casualty of war? Cassie and Rosheen support each other as best they can, but it will be many years before the Christmas bells ring out again.
I'll be home for Christmas by Roison Meaney
It's three days before Christmas ...Tilly boards a plane on the other side of the world. She's determined to reach Roone, a small island off the west coast of Ireland, in time for Christmas Day. Tilly carries a troubling secret and Laura, a woman she's never met, might be the only one who can help her. Except that Laura has no idea that Tilly exists. And with five children, a mother-in-law stranded on the island and a husband with whom she's barely on speaking terms, an unexpected guest is the Christmas present she's not expecting ...A storm is heading for the island, but will peace be restored before the snow melts? I'll be home for Christmas is a feel-good tale of magic, sparkle and new beginnings from bestselling author Roisin Meaney.
The bark before Christmas by Laurien Berenson
Melanie Travis has her hands full with her two young sons, a part-time job, and half dozen Poodles to her name. But even with the busy holiday season approaching, she still has time to sniff out a Christmastime killer...There's nothing lovelier than Christmas in Connecticut, but Melanie can scarcely find a moment to enjoy the festivities. With her youngest son approaching toddlerhood, she's decided to return to her old job at Howard Academy, a posh private school attended by the children of Greenwich's well-heeled gentry. Balancing work, motherhood, and the hectic dog show circuit takes some fancy footwork, especially when the headmaster taps her to be the chairman of the school's Christmas Bazaar. The Christmas Bazaar is Howard Academy's biggest and most important fundraiser, so Melanie feels the pressure to make it a huge success. She even enlists her longsuffering sister-in-law Bertie to help with the Santa Claus and Pets Photo Booth. But everything goes awry when a prize show dog goes missing and Santa turns up dead. The dog's owner is one of the school's most perfectly pedigreed alums, and she enlists Melanie to help find the purloined pooch. But just as Melanie starts pawing at the truth, she digs up a sleighful of sinister secrets that leaves everyone feeling less than merry.
Marry me at Christmas by Susan Mallery
To bridal boutique owner Madeline Krug, organising a Christmas wedding sounds like a joy--until she finds out she'll be working closely with the gorgeous brother of the bride, movie star Jonny Blaze. How will a small-town girl like her keep from falling for the world's sexiest guy? Especially with mistletoe lurking around every corner! Jonny came to Fool's Gold looking for normal, not for love. Happily-ever-after only happens in the movies. Still, nothing about this quirky town is quite what he expected, and "ordinary" Madeline is the most extraordinary woman he's ever met. Refreshingly honest, disarmingly sweet. Achingly beautiful. Planning the perfect wedding leads to candlelit dinners and strolls through snow-covered streets. And Madeline finds Jonny in real life even more captivating than her celebrity crush. But will the action star be brave enough to risk his heart and step into the role of a lifetime?
An East End Christmas by Elizabeth Waite
Carla Scofield has looked after her family since she was a teenager but it's never been a bother because there isn't anything she wouldn't do for those closest to her. Warm, friendly, and with the ability to make everyone around her laugh, she carries her burden proudly. As the years roll past, Carla sees life around her change dramatically. Wartime brings new challenges and a new job for Carla in a sewing factory, and she shines. It also brings with it love and Carla has a chance at real happiness - but not everyone is rooting for her. With Christmas ahead of her, and her sights set firmly on love and the future, will she be too distracted to sense the danger before it is too late? An East End Christmas is an emotional, compelling and page-turning story that will be perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Annie Groves and Carol Rivers.
Christmas is just around the corner but the women of The Chocolate Lovers' Club have more to worry about than present shopping ...Lucy loves running Chocolate Heaven but she hasn't spent time with her boyfriend, Aiden, in weeks. And then her ex-fiance turns up and things become even more complicated. Nadia hasn't let herself get close to a man in a long time, yet she can't help feeling drawn to Jacob. Will he be her last chance for a happy ending? Chantal and her husband, Ted, are besotted with their baby daughter Lana - but she's not sure that's enough to base a marriage on. Autumn is dealing with a tragedy that has hit too close to home. But when she doesn't get the support she needs from her fiance, will she look elsewhere for comfort? Can friendship overcome all in ...The Chocolate Lovers' ChristmasA merry mistletoe wedding by Judy AstleyIt is almost a year since Sean and Thea met and it's been a roller-coaster ride: they're getting married on Christmas Eve! Neither Thea or Sean want a big fuss - a simple wedding, with Christmas carols and just a few sprigs of mistletoe for decoration is all they need. But before they know it, things begin to get complicated.
What comes to mind when you picture a wedding at Christmas? A gorgeous white dress accessorised with a thick velvet cape... bridesmaids in red velvet too? An arch of Christmas greenery: holly and ivy and boughs of fir. Candles and fairy lights. Snow!
Chelsea Benson has just twelve weeks to organise her perfect winter wedding. Her family and friends pitch in to help, but sisterly squabbling, issues with money and an Ice-Queen mother-in-law soon threaten Chelsea's plans for her big day. And that's without the firework fiasco...
Rescuing Chelsea's dream of a proper family wedding might just take all the magic of Christmas...
Wishes for christmas by Fern MichaelsThis Christmas, instead of finding and punishing bad guys, all Maggie Spritzer wants is to bring a little more joy to the world—especially to a beloved teacher from her past. And as the Sisterhood unites to find her, they learn that no holiday treat is as fulfilling as giving to others…
Meanwhile, with a little help from the other Godmothers, Toots Loudenberry is preparing for Charleston’s annual holiday showcase of historic homes. But when the Godmothers sense trouble with one of the decorators, they must tackle a mystery and hope for a happy ending…
When Sisters and Godmothers unite, the result is a warm and wonderful holiday—with a special touch of magic…
Dashing through the snow by Debbie MacomberAshley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there's only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead. At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can't help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there's even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard--never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises--and their greatest wishes may yet come true.
"For countless readers, Christmastime means a delicious new holiday mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry. A Christmas Escape, her thirteenth noel to the season, transports us to the Mediterranean island of Stromboli for an unconventional Yuletide adventure--and an unforgettable volcanic encounter. Lonely Charles Latterly arrives at his small hotel hoping that the island's blue skies and gentle breezes will brighten his spirits. Unfortunately, there's no holiday cheer to be found among his fellow guests, who include a pompous novelist, a stuffy colonel, a dangerously ill-matched married couple, and an ailing old man. The one charming exception is orphaned teenager Candace Finbar, who takes Charles under her wing and introduces him to the island's beauty. But the tranquility of the holiday is swiftly disrupted by a violent quarrel, an unpleasant gentleman's shocking claims of being stalked, and the ominous stirrings of the local volcano. Then events take an even darker turn: A body is found, and Charles quickly realizes that the killer must be among the group of guests.
When christmas bells ring by Katie FlynnIt's Christmas in the Courts, and single mother Rosheen Clarke and her mischievous twin daughters April and May have no idea of the cataclysmic events which will soon overtake them. When war is declared, April and May are evacuated to the countryside and Rosheen joins the WAAF where she befriends fellow Liverpudlian Cassie Valentine. While Rosheen worries about what trouble the twins will cause next, Cassie is fighting her love for her childhood friend Andy. Because ever since he joined the RAF, he has become arrogant and remote. Will he change back to the old Andy when it's all over? Or will their love be another casualty of war? Cassie and Rosheen support each other as best they can, but it will be many years before the Christmas bells ring out again.
It's three days before Christmas ...Tilly boards a plane on the other side of the world. She's determined to reach Roone, a small island off the west coast of Ireland, in time for Christmas Day. Tilly carries a troubling secret and Laura, a woman she's never met, might be the only one who can help her. Except that Laura has no idea that Tilly exists. And with five children, a mother-in-law stranded on the island and a husband with whom she's barely on speaking terms, an unexpected guest is the Christmas present she's not expecting ...A storm is heading for the island, but will peace be restored before the snow melts? I'll be home for Christmas is a feel-good tale of magic, sparkle and new beginnings from bestselling author Roisin Meaney.
Melanie Travis has her hands full with her two young sons, a part-time job, and half dozen Poodles to her name. But even with the busy holiday season approaching, she still has time to sniff out a Christmastime killer...There's nothing lovelier than Christmas in Connecticut, but Melanie can scarcely find a moment to enjoy the festivities. With her youngest son approaching toddlerhood, she's decided to return to her old job at Howard Academy, a posh private school attended by the children of Greenwich's well-heeled gentry. Balancing work, motherhood, and the hectic dog show circuit takes some fancy footwork, especially when the headmaster taps her to be the chairman of the school's Christmas Bazaar. The Christmas Bazaar is Howard Academy's biggest and most important fundraiser, so Melanie feels the pressure to make it a huge success. She even enlists her longsuffering sister-in-law Bertie to help with the Santa Claus and Pets Photo Booth. But everything goes awry when a prize show dog goes missing and Santa turns up dead. The dog's owner is one of the school's most perfectly pedigreed alums, and she enlists Melanie to help find the purloined pooch. But just as Melanie starts pawing at the truth, she digs up a sleighful of sinister secrets that leaves everyone feeling less than merry.
To bridal boutique owner Madeline Krug, organising a Christmas wedding sounds like a joy--until she finds out she'll be working closely with the gorgeous brother of the bride, movie star Jonny Blaze. How will a small-town girl like her keep from falling for the world's sexiest guy? Especially with mistletoe lurking around every corner! Jonny came to Fool's Gold looking for normal, not for love. Happily-ever-after only happens in the movies. Still, nothing about this quirky town is quite what he expected, and "ordinary" Madeline is the most extraordinary woman he's ever met. Refreshingly honest, disarmingly sweet. Achingly beautiful. Planning the perfect wedding leads to candlelit dinners and strolls through snow-covered streets. And Madeline finds Jonny in real life even more captivating than her celebrity crush. But will the action star be brave enough to risk his heart and step into the role of a lifetime?
Carla Scofield has looked after her family since she was a teenager but it's never been a bother because there isn't anything she wouldn't do for those closest to her. Warm, friendly, and with the ability to make everyone around her laugh, she carries her burden proudly. As the years roll past, Carla sees life around her change dramatically. Wartime brings new challenges and a new job for Carla in a sewing factory, and she shines. It also brings with it love and Carla has a chance at real happiness - but not everyone is rooting for her. With Christmas ahead of her, and her sights set firmly on love and the future, will she be too distracted to sense the danger before it is too late? An East End Christmas is an emotional, compelling and page-turning story that will be perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Annie Groves and Carol Rivers.
12 books of Christmas for kids...
A very simple rhyming Christmas board book that small children will love. Llama and his friends are getting ready for Christmas : buying the tree, singing carols, giving gifts and helping with the cooking. Christmas is almost here!!
CLICK! CLACK!, HO! HO! HO! / Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Down on the farm Farmer Brown is getting ready for Christmas. But what is Duck up to? (Duck is always up to some mischief or other!). From the authors of Click, Clack, Moo and Click, Clack, Peep a humorous Christmas tale that will appeal to preschoolers and school age children
alike.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN / Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots Bear, Lion , Monkey, Giraffe and Mouse feature in this picture book version of the much-loved Christmas song. The animals spread the word that Santa Claus is on his way. This book comes with Human Nature's CD recording so YOU can join in and sing along as you read!
MERRY CHRISTMAS, OLLIE / Oliver DunreaIt's Christmas Eve and the goslings, Gossie, Gertie, BooBoo, Peedie and Ollie are all waiting for Father Christmas Goose to arrive. Ollie finds it very, very hard to wait, he wants "Christmas NOW!". Oliver Dunrea captures the impatience of small children waiting for Christmas morning in this beautiful, simple board book.
Little Pip, a very little bear, wakes up early one morning hoping that today is Christmas Day. But no!!! there are four whole sleeps to wait. Daddy Grizzle helps Little Pip to keep busy with Christmas preparations but each morning Little Pip thinks today must be the day. A lovely story about the joy and excitement that children experience in the countdown to Christmas.
NORMAN THE SLUG WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS / Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet Norman the slug is delighted when a big bag of presents drops right down beside his Christmas stocking. Has he really been that good this year? After Norman has unwrapped some of the gifts he realises the are actually meant for someone else. Oh no! Norman has to come up with a plan quick and make sure that Billy, Jess and Susie get their presents in time for Christmas!
A beautiful Christmas counting book suitable for very young children. Simple rhyming text accompanies Tamsin Ainslie's illustrations as you count the kisses up to 10.
THE NOT VERY MERRY POUT-POUT FISH / Deborah Diesen, pictures by Dan Hanna
Christmas is fast approaching and Mr Fish is drawing up his shopping list. Will there be time to get gifts for all his friends? Mr Fish hits the shops but can't find quite the right gifts : big enough, bright enough, perfect with a bit of bling-zing! How will Mr Fish resolve his Christmas present problem?
WHERE'S SANTA? IN AUSTRALIA / Louis Shea A "spot it" puzzle book with Santa travelling all around Australia. Over 700 things to spot, school age children will enjoy this "Where's Wally" type book.
TEA AND SUGAR CHRISTMAS / Jane Jolly and Robert Ingpen A great book for primary school aged children. The Tea and Sugar Train only comes once a week on a Thursday. But the special Christmas train only comes once a year. This fictional story is based on the Tea and Sugar Train which travelled between Port Augusta (SA) and Kalgoolie (WA) once a week up until 1996. Isolated communities depended on the train to deliver food and household needs. A special visitor will be coming on the train and the children are all very excited. Amazing illustrations with foldout pages , the spread showing the inside of the train is especially interesting.This book received an Honour award in this years Children's Book Week awards.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ; A PEEP-THROUGH PICTURE BOOK / ILLUSTRATED BY BRITTA TECKENTRUP Young children will love this peep through version of the traditional Christmas song. Beautifully illustrated the last page has all the gifts of Christmas on one page with the partridge in the pear tree in the very centre.
SAMURAI SANTA : A VERY NINJA CHRISTMAS / Rubin Pingk Its Christmas Eve and the snow is falling in Ninja Village. Yukio, a young ninja boy, thinks a snowball fight would be so much fun but all the other little ninjas are on their best behaviour waiting for Santa to arrive. Yukio is not very interested in Santa and comes up with a plan to chase Santa away from the village. All too late Yukio realises that all the little ninjas may miss out on their Christmas presents this year. A fun and fresh Christmas story for young children.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)