Breaking Silence: the Kahui case - Ian Wishart

Yes, ok – we have that book. The one that resulted in a Facebook hate page and consumer threats to boycott any shops that sold it. People wanted this book banned. But let’s not forget that the Public Library also holds (amongst others) the David Bain, the Rex Haig, and the Scott Watson books. Let us also remember the role of non-fiction material, that is to inform, to educate, to enlighten, and to allow an author to voice an opinion based on evidential research. Non-fiction material is instrumental in clarifying issues, changing a reader’s opinions, and altering people’s preconceived notions.

In Breaking Silence, author Ian Wishart allows Macsyna King to tell her story in her own words. He then puts forward his views based on the evidence given in the trial of Chris Kahui, his own research into some of the issues that arose from that trial, and the transcripts from the recent inquest. Compelling reading – particularly the transcripts from the inquest. Read this book with an open mind, hear the other side of the story and draw your own conclusions.

Reviewed by Jill

Lady of the English

Elizabeth Chadwick

This is the story of two women: Adeliza, Queen of England, and Matilda, Empress of Germany. Matilda is the granddaughter of William the Conqueror.

At a young age, Matilda is married off and becomes Empress of Germany. But when her husband dies early, she travels back to England, where she meets her new stepmother, Adeliza. Her stepmother is a year younger than her, but despite this, they bond and become close. The two young women become even closer when Matilda is married to Geoffrey of Anjou. As the king has no

living legitimate male son, it is Matilda's son who will inherit the throne when he dies. But when the king dies, Matilda is betrayed and her cousin Stephen takes the throne. Now, it is cousin against cousin in a bloody civil war that knows no end.

The loyalties of all Englishmen and women are tested, and Adeliza must choose between supporting her new husband or her stepdaughter. Will Matilda ever become Lady of the English? Or will her cousin's betrayal win over?

This is a must read for all fans of historical fiction.

(Reviewed by Jasmine.)

Mad Men, Season 3

The Golden Globe-winning TV series about an ad agency in the 1960's is a must watch. It is based around the big cats of the agency, but mainly about the most interesting of them all: Don Draper. He is a man who has secrets of his own, although he may appear to the public as a loving husband and devoted family man.

In this season, Don has landed a rather important client: Conrad Hilton. But he cannot keep his womanising ways under control, and he finds his home life and very personal life colliding in one way or another. The other men in the agency must fight for survival as the British takeover threatens their blossoming careers. Peggy finally gets her own office, and all the problems that come with it. Betty welcomes a new baby, and new issues on the home front.

This series just seems to go from strength to strength, and I enjoyed each new episode. I highly recommend this show to everyone, and I am yet to find a person who didn't enjoy it.

The Library has the first four seasons of Mad Men on DVD.

(Reviewed by Jasmine)

Iron house

John Hart

A gripping tale of two brothers who were abandoned as young children and ended up in Iron House orphanage. One (Michael) is strong, the other (Julian) is weak and is targeted for terrible abuse. One day Julian fights back against his tormenters and a boy is killed; Michael takes the blame and runs. The boys' lives then take very different paths: Julian is adopted by a rich, powerful family, while Michael becomes an enforcer for a crime family. Their paths cross again when Michael tries to turn his back on his life of crime and his enemies threaten his brother. Michael must also try to protect his pregnant girlfriend who, until now, has known nothing about his violent life. Michael must discover the truth about his past and he and Julian must somehow lay the ghosts of Iron House to rest. I cannot recommend this book highly enough; if you like your thrillers dark, bloody, and thought-provoking, you will love this. John Hart is a quality thriller writer who writes intelligent, yet adrenaline-pumping fiction.

(Reviewed by Angela.)

At Home: a short history of private life – Bill Bryson

A trip to the attic in search of a leak in the roof of his home, an old Rectory in Norfolk, inspires Bryson to take a closer look at his surroundings. Quite often we take for granted the everyday ‘things’ that decorate our homes. The condiments that adorn the table, the light fittings, the toilet, the bath, that odd niche half way up the hall – where did they come from, how did they come to be, who came up with that idea? In looking around his own home, Bryson considers the ordinary things and in the process gives us an historical overview of … well nearly everything. When talking about the bathroom, he neatly segues to sewage, cholera, plague and the Great Stink of London in the 1830s. For every room in the house, Bryson has a wealth of information to convey, and he does it in a very accessible and entertaining way.
Highly readable, ‘At Home’ is a look at private life throughout history and covers a myriad of topics including fashion, architecture, electricity, sewage etc. and the creative and often eccentric inventors behind them.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, I heartily recommend it.

Reviewed by Jill

Go on an Odyssey

I was tidying our graphic novel collection the other day and stumbled across not one, but three, different re-tellings of Homer's Odyssey. This got me thinking, “Just how many versions of the famous poem do we have?”

the Odyssey is a poem written by the Greek poet Homer nearly 3 thousand years ago. The story takes place after the Trojan war which was around 1200 BC. Our Hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca (also known as Ulysses to the Romans), was the man who came up with the whole Trojan horse trick, winning the war for the Greeks. It turns out however that some of the Gods were not impressed by Odysseus' trick, so they decided to stop him getting home. According to legend after 10 years fighting the war it took Odysseus another 10 years to get home. By this time his son Telemachus has grown up and his wife is beset by suitors who assume Odysseus is dead and there is a kingdom up for grabs.

The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus' trials and tribulations as he tries to get home and save his family.

Here at the library we have English versions of the poem in various formats. We have both illustrated and non-illustrated versions as well as a full uncut audio-book and a full graphic novel version by award winning graphic novel author Gareth Hinds.

The story has been redone many times in many different styles. If you want an easy light hearted version try “The Iliad and the Odyssey” retold by Marcia Williams in a style that reminds me of the Horrible histories series. For those with a more twisted sense of humour try either “Stickman Odyssey” which claims to be told the way it was meant to be read with stick figures. You could also try “Tank Girl, The odyssey”. I do have to warn you expect the unexpected. Telemachus for example has a television set for a head.

Lastly I'd recommend two items that tell a story that isn't quite the Odyssey but is so interlink that they deserve a mention. The first is the movie “O Brother where art thou” staring George Clooney. This is the story of 3 convicts in depression era America trying to get home. The other is James Joyce's epic “Ulysses” which all takes place over one day in Dublin. To get the most out of these last two I recommend you familiarise yourself with the story first.

All in all the Odyssey is a great action/fantasy/historical/love/revenge story. If it sounds like something you might be interested in come in and have a look at one of the many versions we can provide.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Luce sees things, shadows that make her skin crawl and bad things can happen when they come. That is why Luce is sent to Sword & Cross Reform School after a terrible accident at a party where a boy, Trevor, was burnt to death. Everyone thinks Luce had something to do with it.

On her first day she meets Daniel, who she is instantly drawn to. She has this feeling that they have meet before. After some mixed signals from Daniel, Luce and her friend Penn decide to do some investigation into Daniel’s family. They bring up more than they bargained for.

It seems Luce and Daniel meet every seventeen years and are destined to fall in love. Unfortunately it always ends badly with Luce always ending up dead, but something is different this time.

Lauren Kate's book was very different from what the cover indicates but I was not disappointed. It features it all, murder, romance, action and mystery all with a supernatural twist. This is a great teen supernatural romance and the best thing…no vampires.

Fallen is also availble in spoken word.

The Help

I went to see the movie “The Help” on Saturday night. It is about a woman living in Mississippi in the 1960’s, named Skeeter who gets a job as a ghost columnist for home help in a very racist era of American history. Skeeter decides to write a book about what life is like being the help. Even though it is against the law and very dangerous, Skeeter gets some maids to tell her about the hardships and triumphs of being a African American maid in a white household. Skeeter is trying to hide her writing from her sick mother, her new boyfriend and her best friend, Hilly who is leading a bill that all houses should have a separate “coloured toilet” for the help.

This movie is a heart moving story full of humour. Based on a novel by Kathryn Stockett, I was disturbed by how Skeeter’s friend treated her maid, just for using the toilet. This is a good view of what went on behind the closed doors during the 1960’s in some states in America. Great cast featuring Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard. Watch out for Sissy Spacek who is very funny as Hilly’s mother who has dementia.

If you haven’t watched it yet I urge you to. If you would like to read the book the movie is based on follow this link to our catalogue or click the book cover. I have since placed a hold on the novel and am looking forward to reading it.

The absolutist

John Boyne

Two young English soldiers experience the horrors of life and death in the trenches of the Great War; and the reader knows early on that just one will survive. Not only do they have to deal with the terror of battle, they must wrestle with their consciences regarding their wartime actions, and deal with their confusing feelings about their own blossoming relationship. This is truly a harrowing read about the futility of war, the sad life of some homosexual men at that time in history, and the tragedy of the treatment of "feather men" who objected to fighting in the First World War, as well as the impact on their families. Written by the author of The boy in the striped pyjamas (but not suitable for younger readers), this painful novel is a great read, if difficult and very emotional.

(Reviewed by Angela.)

Sh*t my dad says

Justin Halpern

Okay, you’ve probably seen the Twitter page on which this book was based, or the TV programme (with William Shatner). But, much as I love the ‘Shat’, I have to say the book is better. Author, Justin Halpern moved back home with his 73 year old father after his girlfriend dumped him and that’s when he started his Twitter page …just all the random, outrageous, hilarious, snort-out-loud things that his Dad came out with. If you are like me, and loathe all things politically correct, then you will love this. Halpern’s dad comes across as an angry red-neck with a heart of gold – I mean despite the swearing, and the harsh, and at times totally inappropriate comments, he does obviously love his family and means well. Actually the final chapter spoke volumes to me.
P.S. This is not for the easily offended and if you don’t like swearing…don’t go there – it’ll make your hair curl.

(Reviewed by Jill)

Limitless

Eddie Morra is a promising writer, who seems to have writers block, and has spent his entire advance for his next book drinking. Eddie is about to hit rock bottom as his long suffering girlfriend dumps him in a restaurant after meeting him for lunch. On the way home, he meets up with his ex-brother in-law who is about to change Eddie’s life forever.

Seeing that Eddie is having a hard time, he gives him an unregulated drug called NZT, which allows Eddie to access 100% of his brain. He finishes writing his book in a couple of days and the drug enables him to instantly understand and use complex maths and learn any language, and he seems to be smarter and cooler than everyone else. The effects of the drug only last for about a day, so Eddie goes to see his ex-brother in-law at his apartment, to get more NZT and this is when he finds out this drug has its price - and not a financial one.

I was really looking forward to seeing this movie as the story line fascinated me. I wasn’t disappointed. This movie is based loosely on a short story called “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes.

The debut novel of Christopher Ransom “The Birthing House”

The author, Christopher Ransom, lives in a birthing house and after having a strange dream decided to write a novel based on the history of his house.

The Birthing House is a psychological horror about a husband and wife who are having marital problems. Conrad and Jo move into an old birthing house to work out their problems. Jo however announces that she wants to leave town and do job training soon after they move in. When previous owner gives Conrad a photo album of the birthing house staff, one of them looks the splitting image of his wife. She even has the same scar on her face. After this things get stranger and stranger inside the house and you find yourself asking if the house is haunted or if the Conrad is slowly going crazy.

I love how Christopher Ransom plays with the idea on sanity in this novel. The reader is never quite sure whether the events are really happening or just in Conrad’s mind. I will definitely be reading more books from this author.

I was having a look at the author’s website a saw that the famous birthing house is for sale. Follow this link to see details and photos of the real birthing house.

The Island

Victoria Heslip.

Alexis Fielding feels there is something wrong with her life. She just doesn't know what.

When Alexis decides to visit Crete her mother Sofia gives her a letter to give to an old friend in the small village of Plaka. Sofia has always kept her life before moving to London a secret but it is perhaps time to let Alexis know about her past and her family's origins. Origins that are tied into the small island of Spinalonga, a mere stones throw from Plaka. An Island that for many years was one of Greece's largest leper colonies and for a time was home to several of Alexis' ancestors.

This novel is engaging more for its location and history than for the actual story. Through reminiscences we are told the story of Alexis' family line over four generations. Their trials and tribulations. Don't get me wrong the story is very readable it just pales in comparison to the story of the area in which it is set. Add to this the fact that the novel covers the years leading up to the discovery of a cure for leprosy and you have a rich novel which will engage you throughout.

The Island has also been made into a television series. Alas it's only in Greek so far and you might have to be brave to watch all 20 plus episodes with subtitles.

Dark Prince: Author's Cut Special Edition

Christine Feehan

When originally published back in 1999 Dark Prince was one of the first paranormal romances. This is a story that encompasses despair, danger, adventure, mystery, love and passion. Since I first read it years ago, it has been a favourite book of mine. However I always felt that something was missing. But the extra 100 pages included in the author's cut, has fleshed out the story nicely, given more depth to the characters and providing deeper insight into the Carpathian culture.

Mikhail Dubrinsky and Raven Whitney are the two lead characters. Mikhail is the prince of the Carpathians, the powerful leader of a wise and secret ancient race that thrives in the night. While Raven Whitney, is a telepath who has helped hunt some of the worlds most depraved serial killers. From the moment they meet, Raven and Mikhail are helpless to resist the desire that sparks between them.

Mikhail is a wonderful lead character with his mental roller coaster while Raven proves his equal as his soul’s saviour.

Readers of the twenty-one books in the series will enjoy the revised edition of the thriller with its marvellous underlying premise while newcomers will find this is an excellent way to enter Christine Feehan's Dark Carpathian series.

(Reviewed by Jillian)

Mennonite in a little black dress

Rhoda Janzen

Author Rhoda Janzen left her Mennonite upbringing when she left graduate school and for many years lived the secular life. When her husband leaves her for Bob, whom he met on a gay website, and then shortly after she is involved in a car accident, she makes the decision to go back home to her family to give herself time to heal.
Back in the fold, Janzen describes for us what life is like living the Mennonite way and tells us what her childhood was like. She talks about shameful foods and wounding words, and she does it in such a delightful, philosophical, and conversational way. There are definitely some laugh-out-loud moments despite the issues with her former husband. At the end of the book, Janzen gives a quick “Mennonite for Dummies” type overview which is also hilarious.
I loved this book. Author Rhoda Janzen has such a deadpan, dry style of wit – and her use of language – just beautiful. You could say that “Mennonite” is like chick lit for the literary.

(Reviewed by Jill)

Matched

17 year old Cassia lives in a perfect futuristic world where there is no sickness or disease, everyone dies at the age of 80, and everyone's future is mapped out for them by the Society.
Matched begins with Cassia travelling to her Match Banquet to find out who the Society has decided she is to marry when she turns 21. Cassia is relieved to find she has known her match all her life: her good friend Xander. However when she sees another boy's face flash up on her screen as well, she is confused - the Society does not make mistakes. Cassia knows the other boy too - Ky - and falls for him even though, for many reasons, she knows she shouldn't.
Cassia soon finds that life under the Society is not as perfect as it seems, and she must choose whether to follow the rules or her heart.
Matched is a compelling love triangle, but also a gripping thriller as Cassia begins to question everything she has always known. The first in a trilogy, this book will appeal to young adults, particularly girls, who enjoy futuristic love stories with a bit of depth and have had enough of vampires!
Check availability here.

Reviewed by Angela

Band of Brothers

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg produced this fantastic mini series based around the efforts of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne in the Second World War. It is mainly based on the best selling biography of the men by Stephen Ambrose. It takes them back to the formation of Easy Company and the rigorous training that they had to complete before being shipped off to England. Here, they received yet more training and learned that they were to be part of one of the largest 'drops' in WWII – D-Day.

It goes through the various places they fought in the war from France, the disastrous 'Market-Garden' in Holland and the freezing winter in the Ardennes in Belgium, right through to Germany and the end of the war. Easy Company received a 100% casualty rate during the war, but this didn't stop them from becoming known as the “Battered Bastards of Bastogne”. Instead, the events that they went through bonded them as a group and helped form a sense of camaraderie that only exists in certain circumstances, such as combat.

The series follows various characters and their reactions to the situations that they had to face. I would highly recommend this series. It kept me riveted from the start to the dramatic conclusion. The Library has Band of brothers in both DVD and Blue-ray.

(Reviewed by Jasmine)

Queen by right

Anne Easter Smith

This is the latest novel about the War of the Roses from Anne Easter Smith. It goes back to the start, to Richard, Duke of York and wife, Cecily Neville. It is evident that both Richard and Cecily love each other very much, which is a rare occurrence when the marriage has been arranged. It follows Cis from when she first met Richard to the crowning of their son, Edward, as king of England. When she first meets him, he has just been made an orphan by King Henry. His father tried to revolt against the Henry and proclaim himself king. This is because Richard and his father had more right to the throne than Henry (a family tree at the start shows this very well). So Richard must now grow up with this shadow over his head, and he spends the majority of his life trying to prove that he is loyal to the king.

Once Cecily and Richard are married, they become very wealthy and together they own much land between them. This status leads Richard to English holdings in France and Ireland, before he is forced to come back to assert his right in England. This novel follows his frustration at not being able to take his place at the king's side, due to powerful enemies. However, it also follows Cecily, and how she must also fight to keep her family alive and well. It shows how powerful and powerless women could be, in a time when a woman was little more than her husband's possession. Cecily Neville was a strong woman who fought tooth and nail for everything that she had. As a result, she will forever known as “Proud Cis”. She is also the ancestor of the current royal family in the UK.

I really loved this book. Sometimes the politics became confusing, but the author provided a family tree, a map and a list of characters at the start which helped immensely. I would recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, and to anyone who enjoys reading medieval fiction.

(Reviewed by Jasmine)

Going Bovine

Libba Bray

Cameron has got Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human form of mad cow disease. There are two things you need to know about Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease:

1. It's fatal. There is no coming back from this one.

2. It eats little holes in your brain and makes you go mad.

   With that in mind Going bovine is told from Cameron's point of view and when a punk rocker angel tells him to save the universe and himself in the process he's off on a wild adventure with an hypochondriac dwarf and an immortal garden gnome.
   

   This book plays with reality and Libba Bray has no problem seeing just how far we are willing to go. She takes us on an insane journey in and out of conciousness making sure to poke fun at reality T.V. consumerism and terrorism along the way. A great read for anyone with a sense of humour willing to laugh in the face of death.

(Reviewed by Donald)

The Happiest Refugee

When Anh was two years old, his parents made the decision to escape war-torn Vietnam and make a new life elsewhere. A crowded boat, attacked by pirates (twice), days and days at sea drifting without food or water, and eventual rescue by the Australian Coastguard – this was how Anh’s new life began.

Settling in to Australia, the Do’s felt nothing but gratitude for the wonderful country that welcomed them, gave them somewhere to live, and provided them with so many opportunities. Ahn’s parents worked long hours so that their children could go to the best schools and dress like other Australians. Inspired by his parents, (father Tam’s mantra being “there’s only two times – now or too late”) Ahn works hard at school and then University. Always at the back of his mind is that he wants to “give something back” to the country that adopted him and to his mother who sacrificed so much to give her children a better life.

The Happiest Refugee is an incredible, uplifting story filled with humour and heartache. Anh Do is a stand-up comedian who has featured regularly on Australian television on programmes such as Dancing With the Stars, Deal or No Deal, and Rove Live.

(Reviewed by Jill)