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Category Archives: Recommended Reading
We are all completely beside ourselves
We are all completely beside ourselves – Karen Joy Fowler
Summary
Rosemary’s young, just at college, and she’s decided not to tell anyone a thing about her family. So we’re not going to tell you too much either: you’ll have to find out for yourselves what it is that makes her unhappy family unlike any other. **Shortlisted for the Man Booker Award 2014**
Comments
Rose used to have a sister named Fern – now she doesn’t and nothing has ever been the same. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is Rosemary’s story about her complex and unique family unit and the impact that the loss of her family members has had on her. Rose doesn’t tell us everything about her family straight away (and we won’t give it away either), but her slow reveal of details makes her story all the more compelling and believable.
Our Book Club had polarized views on this novel. Some readers were unable to maintain their interest in Rose and her relationships once the details became clearer. Other readers found it an interesting and entertaining exploration into a complex and unique family dynamic and how its members deal with grief, loss and the struggle to move on in some way. The novel also raises how displaced Rose is, both within her fractured family and socially elsewhere in her life. The ending was realistic, tear jerking and powerful for the readers who loved the book.
This novel is for readers looking for something a little different and who are willing to be challenged about their ideas about family. If you know what it’s like to not be able to move on or let go, or to struggle to find a place to fit in, then we recommend this one for you.
Rating – 7/10
Read by – Cultcha Club Book Club
Better Reading Top 100 Books as voted by YOU!
Aside
Better Reading’s Top 100 is the first wide-ranging book survey voted for by Australians
Are we really a sports-loving nation obsessed by footy and the outdoors? Well, our Top 100 list reveals that we’re also a nation of avid readers.
Around 5000 people responded to Better Reading’s survey on their favourite books, the first survey of its kind. Is your favourtite among them? Continue reading
Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty
Summary
Pirriwee Publics annual school Trivia Night has ended in a shocking riot. One parent is dead. The school principal is horrified. As police investigate what appears to have been a tragic accident, signs begin to indicate that this devastating death might have been cold-blooded murder. This book deftly explores the reality of parenting and playground politics, ex-husbands and ex-wives, and fractured families. This book also shows us the truth about what really goes on behind closed suburban doors.
Comments
A hugely enjoyable and easy read. The characters are well developed, believable and likeable. Although it was an easy read, it showcased some serious and confronting issues. It reminded us that although we all appear fine on the surface, a number of us are secretly fighting our own battles. The book also demonstrated the playground politics often found in schools and we all admitted to comparing the characters to some of the parents at our schools! The book at times felt like a screenplay and we questioned whether that was necessary. There is a great, unexpected twist at the end which had us all talking. Overall a fantastic book and a must read for kindergarten parents!
Rating – an impressive 9.5/10
Read By Cultcha Club
Jody’s Picks
Over the last few weeks I have read some great books, some wonderful books and even a book I couldn’t finish; although lots of my colleagues loved it.
My MUST READ picks are
The girl in Times Square – Paullina Simons
This is the first book I have read by Paullina Simons and I really enjoyed it. An overall enjoyable book.
The 3rd book in a Young Adult series and I must say it was just as good as the first two in the series. I will definitely be reading any new books by this author. The two other books in the His Fair Assassin series are: 1 – Grave Mercy 2 – Dark Triumph
I discovered Kylie Kaden last year when I read Kylie’s first book ‘Losing Kate’ which I loved. When I saw that Kylie had a new book out I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. I finished ‘Losing Kate’ in one day and I promised myself I would take my time with ‘Missing You’ but I didn’t I just couldn’t put it down. It was so easy to read and the characters were so easy to get involved with. Even a day later I find myself still thinking about the book.
Missing You is unputdownable!
My ENJOYABLE READS are Continue reading