PRIME MINISTER'S LITERARY AWARDS FOR 2015

There's quite a lot of information coming through to us as booksellers from publishers proud that their titles have been chosen for this annual award.  Here's a link to see them all.

We were particularly pleased to see this title had won the Australian history award.

 

AUTHOR BRIAN SELZNICK

Some of you will remember this author for his book The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  We have his latest book on the shelf now and it is The Marvels.  All of Brian's books are exquisitely produced with elaborate covers and gold edged pages.

This is a mesmerizing adventure about the power of ‘story’.  Two seemingly unrelated stories - one in words, the other in pictures come together with seamless, ingenious synergy!  We open in 1766 with a visual story: Young Billy Marvel becomes the lone survivor of a shipwreck.  Returned to London, he grows up in a theatre, where we follow the dramatic trials and triumphs of his progeny over five generations.  We cut to 1990 with a narrative story: Lost and alone, and on the brink of expulsion from yet another boarding school, Joseph impulsively runs away to search for his best friend. He finds himself swept up with an erratic man in a strange and beautiful house full of secrets-secrets that compel Joseph on a treasure hunt.

 

 

RESCUE DOGS BY CAREY AND DI EDWARDS

This feel-good book will tug on the heartstrings of dog-lovers everywhere, with 150 photos of joyous rescue dogs and tales of their happy-ever-afters, from Australian Working Dog Rescue.

Featured in these pages are Australia's classic working breeds - kelpies, cattle dogs, border collies, koolies - that have been simply thrown on the scrapheap; dumped or surrendered to pounds across Australia.

The lucky ones end up in the care of Carey and Di Edwards at Australian Working Dog Rescue and their Australia-wide team of volunteers and carers.

Some have found new careers as blissful family pets and canine companions, while others have fulfilled their working-dog destinies on rural properties. In these pages you'll also see wine dogs, army recruits, therapy dogs ... and dogs just hanging out, enjoying their new lives.

From dumped dog to man's (and woman's) best friend, this book celebrates fresh starts, and the proceeds will help even more dogs find their 'forever' homes.

If you can look through this book and not get a lump in your throat you're a stronger person than I am.  This organisation does wonderful work and will always need support to keep these wonderful animals from slipping through the gaps.

LIV, FOREVER BY AMY TALKINGTON

There's a great review of this title on our website, take a look here. 

 

THE WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE BOOK

You are looking at a copy of the Bay Psalm Book printed in 1640. It sold at a Sotheby's auction for $14.2 million on November 26, 2013.

Not bad for a small book of psalms. But there are only 11 surviving copies and it is considered to be the first book printed in what became the United States, so its historical value is immense.

The auction firm estimated the sale price would be between $15 million and $30 million - but the final price still ensured it became the world's most expensive printed book.

I think you would want to be very careful when handling this, it doesn't look too stable to me.  And why isn't this person wearing white gloves?  It looks like somebody has written on the facing page, I guess that probably added to the value?

STEPHENIE MEYER - TWILIGHT SERIES

The Twilight Series is now 10 years old and the author Stephenie Meyer has rewritten the book.  In the new anniversary material, Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined, the gender roles of the series’ main characters are reversed, turning Edward into Edythe and Jacob into Julie.  The new story is told through the eyes of Beau, the male equivalent of “Twilight” star Bella Swan.

 I only report this material..........!!!

SIEGE BY SIMON KERNICK

Thanks to Ruth Carson for her review of this book.

Siege by Simon Kernick

‘They killed her as soon as she opened the front door.’

So begins this fast-paced thriller indicating as it does, the building of action and suspense. Short chapters with cliff-hanging endings employ a story telling method that draws in the reader at full speed.

Diverse explosions across London engage the attention of the authorities from the major objective of storming the prestigious Stanhope Hotel, Park Lane, by a highly trained group of terrorists identifying themselves as the Pan-Arab Army of God. They give the British government five hours to meet their demands before blowing up the building and all its’ guests. Of course the guests are many and varied with a range of issues of their own and it is sometimes difficult to keep up with all the characters. However, the brutality of the terrorists, the diversity of the guests and the difficulties faced by the police and anti terror squad add to the complexity.

This is indeed dramatic story-telling made more potent because of its clear relationship with recent events around the world.

 A good read.

 
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Lewis Carrol's book is 150 years old this year and it still reads like a contemporary story, also still interesting for young and old.  It's interesting to think about the many versions of this story that have made it to the screen.

Take a walk into the world of Alice here. 

ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH

For all the fans of Alexander McCall Smith there is a new book arriving in November and the title is Chance Developments: Unexpected Love Stories.

These are new stories from one of the world’s most popular authors, inspired by a bundle of vintage photographs.  The photographs which inspired each story will be reproduced throughout the book.  Each story is linked by the theme of love – romantic love, platonic love, passionate love, familial love.  Exquisitely produced edition with gold foiling make this a collectible addition to every book lover’s library.

THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB

For those who enjoyed the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson, there is now a fourth book in the series.  Written by David Lagercrantz with the permission of the Larsson family, this book takes the main character Lisbeth Salander into fresh danger.  Early reports are it's a good read.  We have copies on the shelf now.

65-STOREY TREEHOUSE

The 65-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton was released last month and has broken sales records. The fifth title in the ‘Treehouse’ series is the fastest selling Australian book in the past 10 years.  It’s really heartening to see home-grown talent speak to Aussie children in this way.  Here's the full set, just in case you've been on Mars, or somewhere........!!!

I wonder if they will go for 78-Storey Treehouse???

THE ANTI COOL GIRL BY ROSIE WATERLAND

I was sent a copy of this title by my friend Mary Jane at Harper, it was such an easy read I finished it in a day (with breaks for sustenance, of course).  I say it was an 'easy read' because it is well written, however it isn't an easy subject to read.  This is Rosie's life and it has been very different to mine and perhaps to yours as well.  We have a proof copy if you'd like to read it and write a review for us.

A bit more about Rosie, she's a journalist with the online magazine Mamamia and is known for her reviews of the television program The Bachelor which she has been posting since 2013.  If you'd like to read some of her stories this is the link. 

 

CHILDREN'S BOOK: EMILIA MOUSE BY ELIZABETH HARDY

We receive copies of books from various authors and this little book came that way....in the mail.  It is an enchanting picture book about a little mouse who lives in an attic and finds a box full of musical instruments.  There is a great review on this website, click here and then scroll down to August 9 to read the review.  

 

LETTER FROM KALANGADOO BY BRYAN DAWE

We've had a number of inquiries about Bryan's book Letter From Kalangadoo; the paper version will be on our shelves in the coming weeks. On a radio program Bryan recently spoke about an audio version; this should be available some time in the coming month.  If you'd like a copy of either the paper or audio version, let us know and we'll put an order in for you.

 

JOHN BOYNE AND ROBERT HARRIS

Both of these authors have many good stories in their repertoire and their latest offerings don't spoil the track record of either.

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne
Those of you who read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas will be familiar with the time frame of this book, and it is written from the opposite side of the 'fence'.

When Pierrot becomes an orphan, he must leave his home in Paris for a new life with his Aunt Beatrix, a servant in a wealthy household at the top of the German mountains. But this is no ordinary time, for it is 1935 and the Second World War is fast approaching; and this is no ordinary house, for this is the Berghof, the home of Adolf Hitler. Quickly, Pierrot is taken under Hitler's wing, and is thrown into an increasingly dangerous new world: a world of terror, secrets and betrayal, from which he may never be able to escape.

Definitely worth spending time with this author, the book is out in October.  We have a proof copy at the bookshop if anyone would like to read and review it.

Dictator by Robert Harris
This author has the wonderful knack of retelling history in such a way that you learn far more than you think.  This is the story of Cicero.


There was a time when Cicero held Caesar's life in the palm of his hand. But now Caesar is the dominant figure and Cicero's life is in ruins. Exiled, separated from his wife and children, his possessions confiscated, his life constantly in danger, Cicero is tormented by the knowledge that he has sacrificed power for the sake of his principles. His comeback requires wit, skill and courage and for a brief and glorious period, the legendary orator is once more the supreme senator in Rome. But politics is never static and no statesman, however cunning, can safeguard against the ambition and corruption of others. Riveting and tumultuous, Dictator encompasses some of the most epic events in human history yet is also an intimate portrait of a brilliant, flawed, frequently fearful yet ultimately brave man a hero for his time and for ours.

ONE FOOT ON THE PODIUM BY DON ELGIN

This is the story of a young Victorian country boy who finally put his one foot on the podium at the Sydney Paralympics.  He tells his story as if he is sitting talking to you, it is charming, funny and in some places sad, this is a self declared larrikin's story.  Well worth the reading time.  On our shelves now.

ADULT COLOURING BOOKS - TINA JACOBSON

I've just discovered that local artist Tina Jacobson has recently published a colouring book that is suitable for adults as well as children.  Watch for it's appearance in our window.

 

FATHER'S DAY SUGGESTIONS

Father's Day isn't all that far away, just a few weeks.  There have been a couple of recent posts with books that might be of interest as a gift, here are a few more.

Kingdom of the Strong by Tony Cavanaugh

Darian Richards is an ex-cop, a good one. He did whatever it took to solve a crime and stop the bad guy. Whatever it took! But after sixteen years as the head of Victoria's Homicide Squad, he'd had enough of promising victims' families he'd find the answers they needed. He had to walk away to save his sanity. Now Police Commissioner Copeland Walsh has tracked Darian down. He needs him to help clear an old case.

Darian Richards is Australia’s answer to Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch.  Harry fans take a risk and see if Darian fits the bill.  I will be….

 

Graeme Clark The man who invented the bionic ear by Mark Worthing

After watching his father struggle with hearing problems, Graeme knew he wanted to find a solution to deafness.Graeme became a surgeon, and his quiet persistence and methodical approach yielded results that fulfilled his childhood dream. Around the world, hundreds of thousands of people have now received the gift of hearing from the cochlear implant he developed.

 

MP Untold: The Lost Stories of an Australian Surfing Legend by Sean Doherty

In 2004 Sean Doherty wrote a bestselling biography of Australian surfing's cult hero, Michael Peterson. Over the years that followed, and especially after Peterson's death in 2012, hundreds of people – family, friends, surfing stars and complete strangers – contacted Doherty with stories and pictures of the iconic surfer that had never before been shared.

The tales range from the hilarious to the harrowing. There was MP's infamous road trip from the Gold Coast to Phillip Island. The time he discovered the truth about his father.  And his last ever surf, with brother Tommy in 1983, before schizophrenia and drug abuse saw him institutionalised for the next decade.

Now Doherty has compiled these stories, anecdotes and tributes, completing the picture of one of surfing's most talented but tragic figures. Also featuring the classic images of Peterson, along with photographs and letters from his family's private collection, MP Untold presents Australian surfing's cult hero in the words of those who knew him best.

 

Because We Say So by Chomsky Noam

In 1962, the eminent statesman Dean Acheson enunciated a principle that has dominated global politics ever since: that no legal issue arises when the United States responds to a challenge to its 'power, position, and prestige'. In short, whatever the world may think, U.S. actions are legitimate because they say so. Spanning the impact of Edward Snowden's whistle blowing and Palestinian-Israeli relations to deeper reflections on political philosophy and the importance of a commons to democracy, Because We Say So takes American imperialism head on.

 

COUNTRY AUSTRALIA BY NICK RAINS

For those of you who love coffee table books about this great country, this is now on our shelves.

While the majority of Australians live close to the coast, the heart of our nation is still in the country, as spectacularly displayed in this collection of photographs by renowned photographer Nick Rains. Lens by lens, click by click, the photographs in Country Australia encourage us to 'go bush' and see the varied and spectacular scenery of Australia, from the characters drinking in the local pub in a remote opal-mining town to the desolate windmill of a long-abandoned farm.

 

ISLAND HOME BY TIM WINTON

For over thirty years, Tim Winton has written novels in which the natural world is as much a living presence as any character. What is true of his work is also true of his life: from boyhood, his relationship with the world around him – rock-pools, sea caves, scrub and swamp - was as vital as any other connection. Camping in hidden inlets of the south-east, walking in the high rocky desert fringe, diving at Ningaloo Reef, bobbing in the sea between sets, Winton has felt the place seep into him, with its rhythms, its dangers, its strange sustenance, and learned to see landscape as a living process.

Island Home is the story of how that relationship with the Australian landscape came to be, and how it has deter-mined his ideas, his writing and his life. It is also a passionate exhortation for all of us to feel the ground beneath our feet. Much more powerfully than a political idea, or an economy, Australia is a physical entity. Where we are defines who we are, in ways we too often forget to our detriment, and the country’s.

Release date:  23^rd September, we will take orders.