Kathryn's Inbox

Real life is never scripted and that is something of a problem for Amelia, the protagonist of this well meaning but poorly executed YA novel. Amelia wishes that everything could be safe, comfortable and perfect. However, when her beloved older brother starts taking illicit drugs as a coping mechanism for a severe and initially undiagnosed mental illness she is forced to realise that life is not always safe and is rarely perfect, and she has to accept things as they are. I did not enjoy this novel. I should have known something was up when I found my copy--a pristine hardcover--going for fifty cents at a council library book sale. Despite the fact that it was published eight years ago, and probably landed on the library shelves soon afterward, it does not look as though any reader before me has ever read past about page thirty. Even the librarian gave me a look of surprise when I purchased it. Anyway, despite the deceptively pretty cover (just like a movie, I guess,) this one is surpris...

Trigger Warnings: Discussions of domestic violence, homophobia and bullying. Special request: This memoir is incredibly raw and candid. As such, I ask that no one tags the author in the review on social media or anywhere else online. (I'm not trying to start anything here, I just don't want someone to feel forced to see or read what is, essentially, an unsolicited review of a deeply personal work.)  Darren Hayes memoir may be called Unloveable  (the title is taken from one of his most powerful songs) but at its heart is a testimony to the beauty and the power of the love of his mother, Judy, to whom the book is dedicated. Growing up in the rough outer suburbs of Brisbane, Darren Hayes was a kid with a big imagination who was deeply loved by his mum and his older sister, Tracey. He dreamed of being a pop star, worked at the coolest indie record store in town and eventually went on to sell something along the lines of thirty million albums as the front man of Savage Garden--an...

Enid Blyton once famously said that she was not interested in the opinions of any critic over the age of twelve. Blyton's books were written to entertain, not to be picked apart by grown ups. I know this. I have known this for a long time. And, yet, somehow, I find myself at my desk preparing to write a review of a graphic novel adaption of one of her books that is almost wholly negative.  The Famous Five--siblings Julian, Dick and Anne Barnard, their tomboy cousin George (never Georgina) Kirrin and Timmy the dog, are on another adventure. It's the school holidays, so even though they've all been in boarding school for months, instead of spending time with their parents, they're off on a trip to stay with a friend who has never been mentioned in the series before. And then, it seems that something is off at Smugglers Top. Maybe it is the strange storms. Maybe it is the fact that Timmy isn't welcome. Maybe it is the secret passages. Or more likely it has something to...

What does happily ever after look like? That's the question at the heart of this sweet YA graphic novel by Hari Conner. Set in England toward the end of the Regency era, it tells the story of Eleanor, her friend George (never Georgiana) and Eleanor's cousin Charlotte. Each of the three women are of a marriageable age, but there is a twist. George has no desire to marry, feels more comfortable in men's clothing and has also inherited a large fortune meaning that they don't have to marry if they do not wish. Charlotte is in love with a man who has little income. And Eleanor, well, she doesn't want to marry anyone and she is finding herself more and more confused about her feelings for George ... In many ways, I Shall Never Fall in Love feels like a mash up of Heartstopper (unsurprisingly, there's a quote from Alice Oseman on the front cover) and Jane Austen. And within that second part lies my biggest issue with the novel. Parts of it feel very much like a LGBT...

Sleepovers, friendship and loyalty are at the heart of the ninth Baby-Sitters Little Sister novel. Written in 1990, the novel still stands up well today thanks to the simple but empathetic way that the author handles the plot. This time around, Karen Brewer is gigundo excited because her dad, Watson and stepmother, Elizabeth have given her permission to have a sleepover at the big house. Karen has invited all of the girls in her class at Stoneybrook Academy. But excitement soon gives way to hurt feelings when Karen's best friend Nancy does not receive her official invitation in the post. The two handle it as a pair of seven year olds would--through hurt feelings and wounding one another more. Then a new girl joins Karen's class. There is something about Pamela that makes her seem very glamourous. All of the girls want to be her friend, including Karen who invites her to the sleepover. And then ... Well it turns out that Pamela isn't nearly as much fun to hang out with at a ...

Remember Saccharine Valley Twits and Fiends, the hilarious book series that parody's Sweet Valley Twins? Well, Saccharine Valley is back and this time it is taking on Sweet Valley High. Book one, Vampires in Paradise is a satire of what was arguably one of the most bizarre moments in Sweet Valley history. Okay, well, maybe not the most bizarre moment, but the original, Murder in Paradise was certainly a strange moment in the series. Anyway, this version takes the strangeness of the original and adds something extra. Vampires. And, of course, Piper, an original Saccharine Valley character, who is the perpetual villain, the one who is going to teach spoiled twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wastefeld an important lesson. And who fails each time. This time around we meet Elizabeth and Jessica Wastefeld at age sixteen. The pair are on their way to a beauty retreat, along with Lila and her mother, and Enid and ... well no one else because Enid's mother couldn't make it. Parts of the...

Let's face it. There was only ever going to be one biography that ever had a chance of being discussed on my blog today and Dr Karl's A Periodic Tale is it. One of the most interesting and engaging media personalities in Australia, Dr Karl has spent a long and legendary media career educating people about science. Not only is he knowledgable but his ability to speak to almost anyone and break down complex science to make it accessible is second to none. Australian radio is better off because he is in it.  Dr Karl's work on Triple J (of which, clearly, I am a fan,) is just the tip of the iceberg. He's also had a slew of degrees, career changes and an interesting life outside of his working hours. And he's the author of forty-eight books. His latest A Periodic Tale is a departure from the popular science books that we all know and love. This time Dr Karl shares his engaging life story. Born in Sweden to Polish refugees who had survived the horrors of Nazi concentrati...

The third graphic novel in Kayla Miller's brilliant Click series finds protagonist Olive starting sixth grade where new challenges await. Olive is excited to go on a school excursion, but that excitement is soon dimmed when she discovers that not all kids are able to attend due to a school policy. Olive soon springs into action with a plan to get elected to student council so that she can help change the policy. But student elections, she soon discovers are not easy, and that kids don't always run for the right reasons, that things can sometimes get nasty and that the best person and the best ideas do not always get the most attention.  This was an entertaining read. Like the other books in the series they can be enjoyed by any older reader who cares to join in and many of the themes raised are universal. The author really taps in to what it is like to be a kid and the difficulties of school and friendships. The themes are handled sympathetically and realistically. Olive remai...

If readers are looking for a sweet, slow burn romance then Hannah Bonam-Young's Out On a Limb  should certainly tick all the right boxes. A friends to lovers romance with two likeable leads, the novel tells the story of Winnifred 'Win' McNulty and Robert 'Bo' Durand who meet at a mutual friend's Halloween party. Both are dressed as pirates. And although it is not obvious at first, or the reason why they stop to talk to one another, both have limb differences, Win's right hand is less developed, while Bo's leg was amputated from the knee down following cancer treatment. Anyway, for reasons other than limb differences, the pair end up having a one-night stand, followed by a surprise complication six weeks later. Win is pregnant. And Bo, who never thought that he could be a father, is excited by the prospect. What follows is a story of a pregnancy and two parents who, over the next few months, slowly get to know one another and fall in love, bit by bit ... ...

In 2010 Rachel Held Evans, journalist, feminist and a progressive Christian decided to embark on a bold experiment. She would spend a year taking all of the bible's instructions for women as literally as was possible for a year. Each month she would pick a theme and live out those instructions as best she could--which led to instances of her sitting on her roof, camping on her front lawn during her period, holding up a sign by a major road to declare that her husband Dan was awesome and, for a brief stint, referring to her husband as master.  A Year of Biblical Womanhood is hilarious in places and often insightful. Rachel Held Evans takes each of her assigned tasks seriously, whilst managing to keep her sense of humour and a sense of perspective. Unsurprisingly, she finds some of the tasks impossible--at one point her husband begs her to stop calling him master and camping out on the lawn only causes both the author and her husband to fear for her safety. Both also lead her to gre...

Rockstar Detectives Charley and George are back and they have another case to solve. Well, officially they're at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, because George is a panelist on a lighthearted comedy/talk show that is being broadcast from Paris each evening and Charley has been asked to sing at the closing ceremony. However, things take a turn when their favourite Paralympian Alfie Eagles suddenly announces on social media that he will not be taking part in the games after all. George and Charley feel sure something is wrong. Alfie wouldn't just quit ... would he? And there is something odd about his social media posts, almost as if he is trying to send a coded message to his fans. Soon, George and Charley are on the case--and hopefully they can find Alfie before his big race! This was such a fun read. As is this is the third book in the series, it has been interesting watching as George comes more and more into his own. Rather than being the kid in the background, he's ...

What if someone wrote a high fantasy novel, something sort of akin to a game of Dungeons and Dragons, but veered off on a different path, creating a cozy, low stakes read that was just pure entertainment? Okay, it's been done before--and exceptionally well by authors like Terry Pratchett--but there is something that feels very new, and appealing, about Legends & Lattes. Viv is hanging up her sword, literally. After a long and successful career of slaying monsters she has decided to turn her hand to a peaceful enterprise, running a coffeeshop in a small town where none of the residents know what coffee is. Chapter by chapter we watch as she builds the cafe up from scratch, makes many friends along the way and resists the urge to pick up her sword once again. It is light and addictive, (of course there is a hint of foes and danger in there but nothing too heavy,) and ultimately it is entertaining. I found this one to be an enjoyable read, though its best asset, the cosy nature of...

American artist Andy Warhol found fame from transforming the everyday into art. His portrait of Campbell's Soup Cans still garner much attention today. He was also unafraid to use and try multiple different mediums to capture the everyday and the mundane and one of his favourite tools was a polaroid camera. In Andy Warhol polaroids the authors compile an interesting collection of Warhol's photographs, many of them featuring the rich and famous that surrounded him at the factory. There is also a lot of discussion on Warhol's style, a brief but comprehensive biography of his career and glimpses of insight into life at the Factory. This was a striking, well put together book that I found myself flicking through over the space of about a week. (As is often the case with art books, I preferred not to read it all at once so I could feel the full impact.) Warhol fans will no doubt enjoy the selection of polaroids and it is an interesting, though perhaps not groundbreaking, Warhol ...

After: The Graphic Novel was such a hit that volume two (based on the second part of the original novel) is now on the shelves. And what is it? Well, broadly speaking, it is a lively graphic adaption of the second half a novel about a very toxic relationship. Volume Two sees innocent Tessa break up with her high school boyfriend to pursue an often sexual and very confusing relationship with Hardin, a rough, tough and emotionally damaged student from college. Tessa has found a job at a local publishing house, cut ties with her controlling mother and she and Hardin are moving in together. The whole thing is ludicrous--the job is too good to be true, her relationship with Hardin has barely began and their already moving in together and her mother is reduced to a role that would seem almost comical if it weren't for the fact that she is every bit as emotionally abusive of Tessa as Hardin is.  Despite the many flaws, I found myself keen to keep reading and wanting to know what would ha...

Let's face it. Anyone would have had to have been living under a rock (and consequently not listening to rock,) to have not heard of Dave Grohl. The frontman for the Foo Fighters, occasional member of Queens of the Stone Age and former drummer of Nirvana has a huge part in rock and roll history from the last thirty-five years. In The Storyteller Dave Grohl tells his unusual life story in his own words. (And yes, there is plenty of swearing.) The memoir is an intimate and amazing glimpse of a life well lived. From recollecting his childhood in a single parent working class household to being a kid who didn't fit in at high school and eventually dropped out to pursue a dream (being temporarily disowned by his father in the process,) to the parts that the public already know this is a compelling story. As is the behind the scenes look at Nirvana and its inner workings, the tragic and deeply personal impact of Kurt Cobain's suicide and how Grohl achieved the impossible with th...

Kristy and the Walking Disaster is now my favourite of all of the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptions. The original captured an important part of the series--Kristy has now settled into her new life and stepfamily. And now she is up for a new challenge. When she discovers that her younger brother David Michael desperately wants to play on a baseball team but isn't quite good enough to make it, she gathers around some neighbourhood kids and some of their baby-sitting charges and they form their own neighbourhood team--Kristy's Krushers. The kids aren't exactly stars, especially Jamie Radowski (the series beloved clumsy kid,) but what they lack in talent they make up in determination and team spirit. But what happens when the other neighbourhood softball team challenges them to a game. The kids from Bart's Bashers are slightly older, tougher and mean. And to make matters worse, Kristy finds herself with a crush on their coach. This was such a fun read. The idea of ...

What do six very different people have in common? One tweet, concerns of climate change, the fractured nature of modern life and the fact that each are living in their own, very seperate bubble that others cannot understand. In The Temperature Katrina Gibson takes the reader through the lives of six very different people, whose lives intersect in a surprising way. There is Fi, a young woman who unpopular, angry and surrounded by people who don't have her best interests at heart. She's also the author of one tweet that gets her fired, and another that gets her former employer Lexi fired. Then there is Sidney, Lexi's much younger ex, Tomas, Sidney's former housemate. Gotivia, Sidney's best friend and Henry a Vietnam veteran living in isolation round out the six characters.   Very few authors can claim to be award winning writers before the release of their debut novel, but Katerina Gibson has the rare distinction of being just that. With that kind of honour which, in ...

The Sweet Valley Twins graphic novel adaptions have been so popular with fans--new and old--that the series is back for a third instalment. This time around Choosing Sides, the fourth novel in the original series, is up for adaption. Old fans will be familiar with the plot. Tryouts are being held for the school's cheer squad, and Amy Sutton desperately wants to join. The only problem is that the cheer squad auditions are being run by the school's cliquey mean girl group the unicorns. They don't want any non unicorns on their squad, regardless of how talented they may be. And they especially don't want Amy. (Sweet Valley devotees may notice something here. The plot is eerily similar to that of Power Play, the fourth novel in the Sweet Valley High series.) In a concurrent plot, Ken Matthews is keen to join the school basketball team but some of the other boys don't want him. Anyway, with the help of Elizabeth, Amy and Ken join forces to encourage one another--and t...

Following the breakdown of her marriage, a middle-aged woman returns to the town where she grew up on the Monaro Plains. She stays in a guest house run by nuns, eventually opting to become a permanent resident there (in spite of being an atheist). Three events will eventually force her to confront her past, a mouse plague, the discovery of the body of a sister who left the monastery many years previously and a visitor to the monastery who is none other than a girl that she bullied at the local high school many years before.  Stone Yard Devotional is haunting and disturbing. It doesn't really go anywhere, though that hardly seems to be the point. Instead it is a look at how we are bound by our pasts and how, no matter hard we try, we can never truly escape it. That said, I did find this book underwhelming at times and that characters and situations never felt truly fleshed out to their full potential. Or maybe I missed the point.  Other readers may have different feelings--as o...

Set in the very early part of the 21st century The Thompson Gunner tells the story of a comedian whose life starts to unravel when she begins to have recurring nightmares of a masked gunman. Meg is in her late thirties. She moved from Northern Ireland to Australia as a child and as an adult, she has forged a successful career in comedy and is often schmoozed by the media--or at least, often put in embracing situations that promise to raise her profile. It is on a work trip to Perth that things begin to unravel, first a broken tooth, then the recurring nightmare. We also learn that other things in Meg's life are going wrong, in particular her relationship with Murray. Through flashbacks we start to get the impression that all was not as it seemed in her life in Northern Ireland until eventually Meg is forced to confront a grim and unsavoury truth. This was an interesting and challenging novel. Meg's dilemma and past make for confronting reading, particularly in terms of how eas...

Amy Anne Ollinger has just made a shocking discovery. Her favourite book, her most favourite book in the whole world, Newberry Award winner From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg has been banned from her elementary school library. Even worse, she discovers from the school librarian that it has not been banned by the proper process, and is due to an objection by an influential (and wealthy) parent and member of the school board. And, worse again, it turns out the school board has banned a number of other books as well. What is a shy, quiet kid like Amy Anne, who finds comfort in the school library and the books there? How can she possibly make a difference and fight against the school board? It turns out she can, thanks to a bit of luck and some innovation between Amy Anne and her peers. They start a secret library of banned books, operating out of Amy Anne's locker. But what happens when she gets discovered and the grown ups decide once and for all t...

More than a memoir of an Aussie who made it in Hollywood, Rebel Rising is a story of how Rebel Wilson, a proud non-conformist (in the best way,) refused to give in to other people's expectations or to give up when the going got tough. Rebel Wilson shares her life story, from growing up in a bogan family in Sydney, to graduating dux at her exclusive private girls school, to a year in South Africa to moving to Hollywood and much, much more in between.  I very much enjoyed this one. The memoir is written in a conversational style and parts of it almost feel as though the author is sitting down and chatting with the reader at the kitchen table over a drink or a cuppa. Of particular interest to me was her account of a gap year spent in South Africa--and what a year that was, involving a hijacking and malaria. There is a lot of inside stories about what it is like to work in Hollywood, though not in a cruel or gossipy way--more it tells of the realities of being an actor in a cut-throat...

One Cup at a Time is the second collection from the wonderful Cat's Cafe webcomic. Once again we meet our favourite characters, cafe owner Cat, their anxiety prone assistant, Rabbit, coffee addict Penguin, Penguin's bestie Kiwi and a host of others. As always the comics focus on themes of anxiety and self-care and the importance of kindness. This collection has a slightly different feel from the first and includes some of the best bits of the webcomic, including, I'm pleased to say, Kiwi with the knife. It also includes my favourite series of comics, where Rat and Noot find Cat's Cafe. In all truthfulness, I enjoyed the second volume of comics much more than the first. This one got the balance right, remaining kind and tender without becoming too sweet, and I felt the variety and selection of comics was better. Highly recommended.

The power of art to be used as a form of protest and to inform and change minds is at the heart of this clever YA novel from Canadian author Tanya Lloyd Kyi. Dominica is a student at an elite private school that had recently undergone a big security upgrade. There are now cameras across the school, which the students are told are there to keep them safe. This soon has the reverse effect when pictures taken from those cameras of students and even a teacher caught in embarrassing moments--nose picking, an unzipped fly and an accidental flash of a bra--is uploaded online. With a newfound resentment to the cameras, Dominica finds a way to fight back, by channeling her favourite artist Banksy. Soon she and her friends and a few other affected students set up a guerrilla style warfare against the cameras and the school principal whose motives for the cameras have nothing to do with student welfare... This was an entertaining read. In Australia it can be rare to find books set in Canada, for ...

Sarah Anderson's third collection of Sarah Scribbles comics does not disappoint. An honest reflection on being an introvert, having anxiety and the joy (and stress) of the little things in life, these four pane comics are deceptively simple. Much like the title. Herding Cats should be simple right ... right? (Of course it isn't.) I found the subject matter to be on point and relatable at every turn. Sarah Anderson's character is a representation of herself and the honesty shows. However what makes this collection really stand out is the guide for the young creative that fills the last thirty pages of the book. The advice is practical and takes the time to address a very relevant point for webcomic creators--surviving on the internet where criticism isn't always presented constructively and harassment is rife. (And to be honest, I think creatives from other fields that share their work online could benefit from Sarah Andersen's advice.) Overall an enjoyable collect...

Lingus is a slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance with a unique--and incredibly interesting--premise. When Kat Berger is dragged to a porn convention (essentially the American version of Sexpo) the last thing she expects is to become besties with a porn star. But that is exactly what happens when Tristian, the polite, funny guy she meets there, turns out to have a double life as Robby Lingus, a porn star. Tristian, it seems is living a double life, working as a trainee lawyer during the week and doing FIFO porn work in LA on selected weekends. Fortunately, Kat is a pretty open minded girl and she finds Tristan's work interesting, rather than off-putting. But what happens when Kat finds herself becoming increasingly attracted to Tristan and the feeling seems to be mutual? This started out with such an interesting premise. I found the early chapters to be quite interesting, and filled with spicy humour as were all of the characters. Unfortunately, the novel starts to deteriorate at t...

The Cancer Finishing School is a compelling memoir of a man who is both a GP with more than forty years experience and an award winning writer who has cancer. Diagnosed by chance after a scan of his knee, this the story of Dr Peter Goldsworthy's experiences. It is also the story of his friends and patients and the unique moments that intersect with his own cancer journey. I found this to be exceptionally compelling reading. Everyone's journey through cancer, whether personal or supporting a family member or friend is unique and Dr Peter Goldsworthy is no exception to this rule as he shares his own experiences of how he made his own way through. However, what makes this particular story so interesting is the fact that he is a GP and knows the score as he goes through his journey. As a writer, he knows how to record it. There is a lot of self reflection and as well as stories of his experiences with his patients, many of whom have compelling (and sometimes amusing) stories of th...

This one is what it is. A satire on Donald Trump and his rise to become president of the United States of America, coupled with public perception and the political turmoil that followed, disguised as a children's book. It's savage, brutal and it's definitely not for Trump supporters. It was published in 2019 so there is no mention of Covid-19 or the January 6 riots.  I found it amusing, though a little dated. This one isn't for Trump supporters who may find the portrayal of Donald Trump as narcissistic, delusional idiotic and a number of other things to be quite offensive. As for the rest of us ... (Well, I thought it was funny.)

New Year's resolutions, spying and punishments that fit the crime are at the heart of the fourteenth Baby-Sitters Little Sister series. It is almost New Year's Eve and Karen is gigundo excited that she and Andrew will be spending the holiday at the Big House and that the Brewer-Thomas household will be having a party. When the family start making New Year's resolutions Karen ends up going a little bit over the top. First, she makes an entire list of resolutions. Then she vows to make sure that her family and friends keep up with their resolutions by keeping a secret notebook where she jots down every infraction. Unsurprisingly, this does not end well, especially when her family and friends decide to get their revenge... This was a funny, short read. Karen is delightfully dramatic and obsessive at every turn and manages to do all of the wrong things and eventually learns a huge lesson. I think the great thing about the character is the way that Ann M Martin managed to create...

Comedian and radio host Tommy Little has penned a picture book? Bring it on! Who Took My Nuts? is the story of Tyril, a very selfish squirrel. All of the other squirrels are planning a party, and not only does Tyril want to put a stop to the party, but he is going to make sure that none of the other squirrels have any nuts to share. He's stolen the lot and marked them property of Tyril! What will the other squirrels do? This was a fun read. Told in verse, it is fun watching Tyril play out his selfish misdeeds before getting his eventual comeuppance. Lucinda Gifford's illustrations really bring the book to life--Tyril looks like such a grumpy, middle aged man ... in squirrel form. There's a great moral about sharing and this looks like a good one for families to read together.  Recommended. 

French Exit is the story of a widow. And her dippy, wet behind the ears son. And their cat, Small Frank, inside whom the dead husband of widow Frances lives. The money has run out (which is mostly Frances' doing,) and the trio are off to France to live in slightly reduced circumstances. But mostly it is a brutal and savage look at human nature. A reviewer from Mail on Sunday branded it 'Pure joy', as per the front cover. Personally, I think that depends on the ability of the reader to find joy in dull and despicable people who are not living their best lives. While parts of French Exit were entertaining, most of it felt as though as I was reading some kind of inside joke that those in the know would find hilarious while I was left completely clueless. I feel that somehow, somewhere I missed the point or perhaps I am just not smart or cultured enough to put it all together.  Not recommended. 

Michelle Botton and Margo Maraggi do an excellent job of visiting the life story of famed twentieth century artist Andy Warhol, shaping it into a near perfect graphic novel. With each chapter focusing on a different point in Warhol's life, it tells of his humble beginnings, move to New York and career that initially shocked and then continued to change and evolve through various mediums until Warhol's passing in 1987. I really enjoyed this one. A graphic novel feels like the perfect medium to tell Warhol's story. Originally published in Italy, this one has been translated into English and the translation flows very well. The illustrations are beautiful and fitting. All of the most controversial points in Warhol's career are covered and there is some interesting speculation as to the ways Warhol was affected after he was famously shot inside his factory by Valarie Solanas.  An excellent Warhol biography. Highly recommended.

Housebroke is a charming, lightweight friends-to-lovers romance that is sure to leave readers with a smile on their face. Hazel Bristow is homeless following a traumatic divorce. She has nothing left but for her car, a mattress, one pot and her five foster dogs. Fortunately her good friends give her permission to stay inside their old, slightly run down house, until it is sold. Then the settlement goes through and the new owner picks up the keys. Linc Kennedy is a man who is insanely wealthy and spends his time flipping houses. When he picks up his keys and enters his latest project house, the last thing he expects is a woman and her five foster dogs to be sleeping in there. Fortunately, Linc is a big hearted guy and he finds a way to turn the situation to their advantage and hires Hazel to help him around the house. But what happens when the pair start to fall in love, and it turns out that Line has been keeping a huge secret from Hazel? This was an entertaining read. The two leads w...

I confess. Despite being utterly obsessed with the Baby-Sitters Club series and its spin-offs in my pre-teen years, I do not remember this particular book at all. I also confess. I like to occasionally read books that are meant for children, especially the ones that remind me of my childhood. So when I found this one on the shelf at the library, I couldn't resist borrowing it for a few days. It turns out this one is a fun read. Thanksgiving is almost here Karen's class at Stoneybrook Academy is going to put on a play. For Karen, who loves to be the star at all times and for her bestie Nancy Dawes who wants to be an actress one day, this sounds ideal. However, things take a turn for the worse when Nancy is cast as a potato, and Karen as the turkey. For some reason, her teacher thinks it is a good idea to give very minor roles (which involve walking across a stage,) to the kids in the costumes that are going to be the most expensive and time consuming for their parents to create...

This may be a Ladybird book, but it most certainly isn't for children. Aimed at grown ups, this one is part of a series that offers a savage satire on the real world. In this instalment the series turns its focus to something that can often be confusing, frustrating and sometimes maddening. The people next door. On the whole, we all want to get along with our neighbours. That, however, does not account for the fact that often we find ourselves thrown together with people who have very different ideas on how to live than us.  This book takes a look at some of the more annoying types of neighbours, such as elderly neighbours who make reports to the police about their neighbours doing things that aren't actually illegal, neighbours with small babies who live in flats and apartments with thin walls and untidy neighbours. Every type of annoying neighbour possible is listed and there are some other funny situations that poke fun at human nature. The prose is clever and brutal and pro...

The Click series is such a winner that it is no wonder that there is now a spin-off series. Jointly written by Click creator Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino and illustrated by Kristina Luu, the focus shifts from Olive to her classmates, best friends Chandra and Beth. Chandra wants to prove to her parents that she can be responsible in the hope of one, moving out of the shadow of her talented older sister and two, so that she can adopt a kitten from the shelter. Beth, meanwhile, wants to raise some money to take her mum to a day spa. The opportunity for the pair to work together to make both things happen comes along when they are asked to pet sit and look after the house of a wealthy neighbour. Unfortunately things go wrong when the pair get a little bit too excited about the house and invite a few kids around who aren't real friends. Fortunately, through friendship, innovation and a little help things soon turn right again. This was a fun and well-written spin off. There are a fe...

Everybody's dreams are unique and important. That's the moral of The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe, another wonderful instalment in The Reading Agency's Quick Read's series. This time around the author is Milly Johnson, and the story takes us between London and Amsterdam. Lara Cliffe is on her Hen's Weekend with her three best friends. Aged thirty-seven, Lara has had her share of disappointments and failed romances, including an engagement that was broken off just three weeks before the wedding. Her luck seems to have turned around now that she has found Freddie, a steady, honest and, ultimately, loyal man who loves her and wants Lara to have the best of everything. A former singer, she now has a good job that she enjoys as an accountant. But, suddenly, Lara's life is turned around. On the ferry to Amsterdam she meets Danny, the fiancé who walked out on there. Danny is a part of the band that is performing on the ferry, and as soon as he spots Lara he wants her ...

Accidentally Kelly Street is a beautiful picture book with a title that should be immediately familiar to many Australians. Yep. Just in case the 'with Tim O'Conner' bit didn't give it away, this is a picture book shaped around a classic Australian song--Accidentaly Kelly Street [ sic ] by Frente!  This was a beautiful read. Every single word in the book is from the song lyrics. The pictures tell of a new story--one of welcome, where a new family moves to Kelly Street. For this family, the move is a big, big change, but as we see first through the friendships of the children and then the adults, everyone in Kelly Street is just waiting to give this family a warm welcome into their multicultural neighbourhood. The illustrations themselves are absolutely beautiful. Overall, Accidentally Kelly Street is a lovely picture book about new starts, welcoming and acceptance. The song lyrics fit with the illustrations carefully and it can probably be enjoyed by those who have nev...

Although relatively short, Frida Style Icon takes a comprehensive look at the life, artwork and most important of all, the fashion choices, of beloved twentieth century artist Frida Kahlo. Charlie Collins details the most well-known parts of her life, which was often dramatic. He details the trolley bus crash that left her spine broken in three different places, and her leg in eleven. (And how, purportedly she ended up being covered in gold powder that was being carried on the bus by another art student.) There is also her infatuation with, and later marriage to, fellow artist Diego Rivera who would cheat on her many times until their divorce. But mostly, it's about the clothes and jewellery, her fashion choices that would not only define her as a person, and give her an identity that fitted perfectly with her unique art, but would inspire and define twentieth century Mexican fashion.  This was such an interesting read. Most of what I knew about Frida Kahlo was through her artwork...