Sutherland Shire Libraries News

         

Caleb Zelic, profoundly deaf since early childhood, has always lived on the outside - watching, picking up tell-tale signs people hide in a smile, a cough, a kiss. When a childhood friend is murdered, a sense of guilt and a determination to prove his own innocence sends Caleb on a hunt for the killer. But he can't do it alone. Caleb and his troubled friend Frankie, an ex-cop, start with one clue: Scott, the last word the murder victim texted to Caleb. But Scott is always one step ahead. This gripping, original and fast-paced crime thriller is set between a big city and a small coastal town, Resurrection Bay, where Caleb is forced to confront painful memories. Caleb is a memorable protagonist who refuses to let his deafness limit his opportunities, or his participation in the investigation. But does his persistence border on stubbornness? And at what cost? As he delves deeper into the investigation Caleb uncovers unwelcome truths about his murdered friend - and himself.

Best friends Taylor and Sierra meet a hot guy in a chat room online. Both fall for Jacob's charms, but as usual, the more outgoing and vivacious Sierra overshadows Taylor and wins his attention. Taylor's devastated - Sierra already kissed Callum, Taylor's secret crush, over the summer holidays. Life's not fair, especially when Sierra's around. Moving quickly, Sierra sets up a date with Jacob on Friday after school. She asks Taylor and their friends to cover for her. Even though she's upset, Taylor is still Sierra's best friend and agrees to help. But Sierra abuses the favour and calls to say she's going to spend the night with her date. She doesn't come home all weekend, doesn't answer her phone and nobody's heard from her... Taylor is torn. She doesn't want to betray Sierra by telling her parents but at the same time she's concerned for her welfare. Finally, Callum convinces her to tell. The police are called and their worst fears are confirmed when Sierra's body is found miles from Melbourne a week later... Devastated, Taylor becomes obsessed with finding Sierra's killer. As clues emerge, Taylor races against time to try and save the predator's next victim.

Friday Barnes: Under suspicion by R.A Spratt

When Friday Barnes cracked the case of Highcrest Academy's mysterious swamp-yeti, the last thing she expected was to be placed under arrest. Now with the law on her back and Ian Wainscott in her face, Friday is not so sure boarding school was the smartest choice. From a missing or not-so-missing calculator to the appearance of strange holes in the school field, she is up to her pork-pie hat in crimes-and she swears not all of them are hers. There's also new boy Christopher, who has taken quite a shine to Friday, to contend with.

    Winner: Non Fiction

In April 2012 a man was shot dead by police on a remote farm in New South Wales called the School of Happiness. The victim, who was high on a cocktail of drugs and who suffered from mental illness, had been threatening attendees of a hippie festival with a crossbow and hunting knife. When the police finally arrived, they tried to subdue him but, ultimately, fatal shots were fired. In Wild Man Alecia Simmonds follows the coronial inquest into the police killing. She reveals what really happened that night and unravels the web of issues entangled in this fascinating, bizarre and, undoubtedly, tragic case: a cultural clash between hippies and hunters; drug use, violence, masculinity and psychosis. She asks how family members, as well as police, came to work on the frontline of mental health. This spectacular book is a clear-eyed look at some of the most pressing problems facing contemporary Australia.

~Reviewed by Deb H.

Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood [audio book] read by Lorelei King
The first book of Margaret Atwood’s ‘MaddAddam’ trilogy, “Oryx and Crake” introduced a world ravaged by a “great flood” – a biological disaster that wiped out the majority of the human population. It was a world ruled by an infrastructure of genetic modification and powerful multinational corporations, an eerie foreshadowing of our own possible future.
I listened to the second book in the series, “Year of the Flood” via audiobook on BorrowBox, and it was an immersive experience. The book tracks the experiences of two main characters, Toby and Ren, women of the lower-class waste-land of pre-and-post apocalypse. Their stories intertwine as they meet in the cult-like group God's Gardeners, who revere animal and plant life, and then in the tragic, shocking aftermath of the fall of civilisation.
One of the remarkable features of the audiobook is the prefacing of each chapter with a song from the “God’s Gardeners Handbook” – reflecting the often bizarre beliefs of the commune (praising the likes of parasites, worms etc.). The voice acting is brilliant; I’ve tracked down everything I can listen to by Lorelei King.
Referencing the first book, where familiar characters are a touching surprise – adding to the complexity of the world created by Atwood – it is not necessary to read “Oryx and Crake” before listening to “Year of the Flood”. I’ve also just heard that the series is being developed by HBO with Darren Aronofsky – director of “Black Swan” – so listen/read before you watch!
 ~Reviewed by Dasha

The Alphabet House by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Best known for the Department Q series this standalone thriller by Jussi Adler-Olsen poses the question 'what would you do to survive?'  Bryan and James grew up together in England.  When WW11 breaks out they volunteer to become pilots and end up on a secretive mission to photograph war facilities in Germany.  They are shot down. They work out a plan to survive the war but a chance encounter after the war  leads to unimaginable consequences.  The escape after being shot down is not very convincing but the following events are quite frightening.
~ Reviewed by Angela

 The Fireman by Joe Hill
A book to keep you warm this winter! Joe hill has written this novel about a plague called Dragonscale a spore that covers your skin like a black and gold tattoo. It has the potential to and does cause the infected to spontaneously combust,  it is turning the world to ash. The beautiful spore has infected millions, including pregnant nurse, Harper Grayson. She desperately needs to find a safe refuge and she hopes The Fireman will lead her there. This book looks at the different ways people cope with the end of the world and what we will do to survive.
A big book to read in front of the fire!
The Emperor of the Eight Islands: the tale of Shikanoko by Lian Hearn

Lian Hearn has come up with another gem set to rival her successful Tales of the Otari series. The Emperor of the Eight Islands is the first book in the Tale of Shikanoko series. It is set in medieval Japan at a time preceding the Otari saga. When the Emperor dies, a powerful Priest plots to seize power and starts a savage battle between two rival clans. The child heir to the throne goes on the run with a young warrior girl who has been entrusted to protect him. Caught in the power struggle is Shikanoko, a teenage boy whose uncle left him for dead and seizes his land. Shikanoko survives and through some strange encounters, he becomes a sorcerer and seeks to take back what's his. Hearn skilfully weaves an intriguing tale of honour, betrayal, jealousy, bravery and sorcery. Her beautiful prose brings the colourful characters to life and pushes the plot along at a relentless pace. I cannot wait to find out how the story continues in the sequel.

~Reviewed by Danny

The winners of the 2016 CBCA Book Awards have been announced.

Congratulations to all the winners!

            EARLY CHILDHOOD

OLDER READERS

YOUNGER READERS

Eve Pownall Award for Information BOOKs

Honours:

Phasmid: Saving the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect/Rohan Cleave (Illust: Coral Tulloch)

Ancestry: Stories of Multicultural Anzacs?Robyn Siers & Carlie Walker

THE PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR

           The Gold Inky Award Shortlist

     Flywheel                                                Illuminae                                              Sister Heart