Title: The White Queen

Author: Philippa Gregory

Sarah’s pick

This is the first book in a new series “The Cousins’ War’”. Philippa Gregory goes back to the century before her popular Tudor Court novels to the time of “The Wars of the Roses” (known at the time as the Cousins’ war).

The novel is set in a time of constant conflict, murder, plotting and betrayal- “where brother fights against brother and no one can ever put their sword aside, or trust in the law”.The central character is Elizabeth Woodville, a young widow with two children. She catches the eye of King Edward IV. After her secret marriage to the king, Elizabeth and her mother help their family rise to power amidst rumours of witchcraft. Elizabeth and Edward have 10 children during their marriage (although not all survive past infancy). After Edward’s death Elizabeth fights for the survival of her family as well as their hold on power. The fate of two of her sons, known as the Princes in the Tower is still unknown to this day. 

I look forward to reading the next novel in this series.

Reading is rewarding and a heap of fun. Once again, the Summer Reading Club will be up and running soon at Parramatta City Library. The program encourages all children under 18 years of age to enjoy reading during the summer break.

The program will start from 1st of December 2009 until the end of January 2010. Parramatta City Library invites all children to get their own library card and come to join the reading club this summer.

You will be rewarded for all the good reading you do. Books can be borrowed from Parramatta City Library or its five branchers. Register for the Summer Reading Club at any of the library branches.

Crime fiction is always popular. So what to choose? Here are some new titles at Parramatta City Library.

Murder on the cliff by Joanna Challis – a writers turns sleuth when she encounters a real world of mystery…

Fever of the bone by Val McDermid – Well, Tony Hill again, the famous psychiatrist and Jordan the detective come back to catch the criminals.

Woman with birthmark by Hakan Nesser – An inspector Van Veeteren mystery, fourth book in the series.

The complaints by Ian Rankin – Again, Rankin shows he’s the best. It’s not Rebus but a new series of MalCom ‘Foxy’ Fox who does the job…

Silent hour by Michael Koryta – it’s an engrossing tale with unexpected twists and an enjoyable reading.

Silent scream by Lynda La Plante – a famous file star Amanda Delany is brutally murdered. Who did it and why? DI Anna Travis is going to fine out…

The girl who kicked the Hornets’ nest by Stieg Larsson – The last title in ‘The Millennium’ series, this fiction reaches its highest in the genre.

The ignorance of blood by Robert Wilson – The final book in the Javier Falcon Seville quartet and a psychological triller with interesting characterisations, and many more…

The gentlemen’s hour by Don Winslow – sets in southern California, the book has the taste of surf and drug culture.

Far cry by John Harvey – it’s a compelling reading with tight plot and complicated characters.

New Science Fiction titles are available for loan at Parramatta City Library for summer reading. Here are some titls to start with

The city & the city by China Mieville – it reads like a normal crime fiction but not until the inspector Tyador Borlu receives a phone call from the ‘other city’…

The winds of Dune by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson – a journey that goes through those ‘hidden years’ of the Atreides Legend.

Galileo’s dream by Kim Stanley Robinson – an interesting light shines on one of science’s immortal heroes Galileo, and his everyday life.

Gardens of the sun by Paul McAuley – it’s a tale of greed, power and corruption in the 23th century.

The dark Griffin by K J Taylor – it’s an easy reading book with creature interaction and magic.

Oceanic by Greg Egan – comprised by twelve short stories that question religion, faith and science

Do you like reading non fiction books such as biography or are you looking for something new to read in this summer?

Here are some great suggests for summer reading that are new to Parramatta City Library.

The blue plateau: a landscape memoir by Mark Tredinnick

Learning how to breathe by Linda Neil

Unparalleled sorrow: finding my way back from depression by Barry Dickins

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

The greatest show on earth: the evidence for evolution by Richard Dawkins

The yipping tiger and other tales from the neuropsychiatric clinic by Perminder Sachdev

The curse of the Labrador Duck by Glen Chilton

Who wants to be a billionaire by Paul Barry

I, Mick Gatto by Mick Gatto with Tom Noble

Strange days indeed: the golden age of paranoia by Francis Wheen