Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

I don't usually enjoy vampire stories and I think that the idea of the Presidents of the USA having their own vampire is scary... but if you believe there are others out there who may be capable of inflicting worse terrorism on our world than already exists, a 600yr old vampire could come in handy. Team him up with a young staffer in trouble for taking liberties with the President's daughter, an untrustworthy Vice President, lots of action and violence and you have a story that is part "Men in Black" but also witty and immensely readable. I could get to like this vampire, but maybe only because he's the quintessential "unavailable" male?
Helen

Dog Boy by Eva Hornung

Dog Boy, by Eva Hornung, is set amidst the chaos and poverty that is late 20th century Moscow. This often confronting novel explores the timeless story of a human child raised by animals, but this telling is one of vivid and sometimes violent realism.
Abandoned by his mother, uncle and the system he is left to perish alone in a derelict apartment building in the slums of Moscow. Four year old Romochka, driven by cold and hunger wanders lost and starving until he follows a feral dog, Mamochka, to her lair in the cellar of an abandoned church. Mamochka is the leader of a clan of dogs and there she raises Ramochka as one of her own puppies. Ramochka learns the complex language and behaviour of dogs and comes to identify himself as more canine than human until fascination with the human world draws him to venture there.
Dog Boy has been shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. I highly recommend this gritty novel that is both an engaging and thought provoking read.
Roxanne

The ghost at the wedding by Shirley Walker

Three generations, two wars and one family… Shirley Walker’s beautifully written memoir of one Australian family’s experience of two world wars is at once tragic and life affirming.

Set in the cane fields of northern NSW’s Clarence River, Gallipoli, The Western Front and the Kokoda trail, The Ghost at the Wedding chronicles the loss and grief of Jessie Walker’s family as sons, brothers and husbands are lost or forever changed in battles beyond Australian shores. It portrays in poignant detail the lives of those at home who wait for news of their men and the dogged resilience they show as they cope as best they can with their fates.

The Ghost at the Wedding has been shortlisted for the 2010 Prime Ministers Literary Awards non-fiction category.

A window into a traumatic period in ordinary Australian’s lives, The Ghost at the Wedding is a must read for its beautiful language, historical insight and the strength of spirit of its characters.

Roxanne

Wanted! Your reviews!

What are you reading? Do you love it? Tell us about it! See yourself in print. Send me a review, but don't give away the ending!
Helen

The hand that first held mine/ Maggie O'Farrell

Motherhood. Family. Memories. Lexie Sinclair is happy to leave her family and memories behind as she heads into the 1950s and bohemian London to create an exciting life for herself. When fate intervenes with the love of her life, Lexie recreates her life... and motherhood, though not planned, is fully embraced in her usually creative, independent and unconventional way.
In the same location, fifty years on, Elina is struggling to recover from traumatic childbirth to navigate first time parenthood. As her partner Ted becomes increasingly alarmed by memories he cannot place, but feels are connected in some way to his family and the birth of his son, Elina and Ted wonder how life can, in seemingly an instant, be so changed. As Ted searches for answers, we find the connection and ... Motherhood. Family. Memories ... you can never leave them behind. They make us who we are.
Helen

A life on Pittwater by Susan Duncan

I chose to read this beautiful book because the Pittwater area is where I grew up and I wanted to rekindle some memories. Well, it did more than that. It made me feel so much part of this lovely little passionate community again that I had to smile each time I picked it up and I was tinged with sadness each time I had to put it down.
It is written by the author who wrote Salvation Creek (which is also about this area and her life there). In the early 1980’s Susan Duncan left a busy life as journalist in New York to return to Australia. She moved to Pittwater and still lives there with her husband. She said this place changed her life forever! Her book helps you share how much she really loves her beloved Pittwater and its people.
The photographs are just absolutely breathtaking of the bush, the people, the characters, the dogs and chickens, the bay, the water, the boats on the water (tinnies, ferries), the boatsheds, the wildlife. This book and the photography have captured the feel of the close community of artists, actors, writers, shipwrights, cooks, everyone and anyone really, that is united by a love of life by the water.
In her own words “There is not a single day that I do not say a silent thank you for the privilege of living here. Each day feels like a gift. Perhaps because it is”.
After reading this book I also feel that privilege. Don’t get me wrong though, this book will appeal to everyone. You also be drawn into the life of this magical place where the only way home is by boat.
Tracie

Library and Information Week 24-30 May 2010

In May every year, libraries and information services throughout Australia celebrate Library and Information Week and highligfht the vital role and value of libraries. Visit us this week as we invite you to come into any of our branches and discover everything the library can offer you.
Check us out on Twitter... http://twitter.com/wingecarribee ...Follow us for news, views and book reviews from library staff.
Find out how to efficiently search our library catalogue for that elusive book you'd like to read.
Have a look at the fabulous National Library website www.trove.nla.gov.au
Bring your little one to National Simultaneous Storytime in Bowral Library on Wednesday at 11am and find out why "Little white dogs can't jump"!
Just call in for a chat and tell us what you're reading now.
See you during the week,
Helen

Ransom by David Malouf

David Malouf's Ransom is a lyrical meditation on the role of chance in our lives. Malouf's adaptation of the ransom of Hector's body from Homer's epic, The Iliad, humanises Homer's characters.
At times deeply moving, Malouf recognises the importance of respect between enemies even in times of war. A rewarding and cathartic easy-to-read novel from one of Australia's finest authors. Try something new with Ransom!
Stephanie

Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore. Seven Kingdom series

I was in desperate need for a new book to read and discovered this author after doing a search on NoveList to find a similar author to Garth Nix (whom I also recommend as a good author). Only two of the trilogy have been published, Graceling and Fire. I read Graceling first.
I was instantly entranced and captured by the novel. The story follows the journey of Katsa, a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme and often feared skilled. Her ability is to kill. As the niece of the king, she is fortunately not shunned away like other Gracelings, but is forced to use her power to persuade his enemies. Along her journey, she teams up with a young fighter, Po, to save their land from corrupt king and discover a secret that could change their world forever. Dum dum dum!!!
Katsa is quite a powerful character whose strength, honour and power make her a very captivating heroine.
Similarly, Fire is also a very impressive character. Like her father, Fire is the last of the human monsters. Her beauty is irresistible, especially to the men around her. She has also been given the ability to control the minds of those around her, which she uses cautiously. She has been summoned by the King to use her abilities to help against those that appose him. Will she throw caution to the wind and obey?
I’m not one for romantic fiction, finding it’s gets in the way of a good story. But, I didn’t mind the hint romance within each of these novels. Its subtle presence did not impede on the story line.
Although both books were written within the same kingdom, they can be read out of order, which I had inadvertently done. I would highly recommend these books to anyone wanting to read a fantasy novel in which the main character is not male, but a strong woman who can surpass anyone of the opposite sex. Looking forward to the final novel.
Amy