Review of Scarlatti's Cat by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer

Scarlatti's Cat

by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer, Carlyn Beccia (Illustrations)

  

A cute story about Italian composer Scarlatti and his cat Pulcinella and the 'folk story' of how the talented Pulcinella composed a harpsichord sonata more commonly known as "Cat's Fugue" because it sounds like a cat walking across the keys. Scarlatti get's jealous in the end and give's his cat away. 

This is a great book for anyone who likes animals, music or just good stories. It is beautifully illustrated by Carlyn Beccia.

 

 Here is a link to a YouTube clip of 'Cat's Fugue'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbW1nNBqVnI#t=31
 

Review of Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach

Kiss Me First

by Lottie Moggach

The first thing that got my attention with this book was the Facebook link which I had to admit freaked me out a little bit if I hadn't read the fine print - it appears someone is using your Facebook page.

While I found the book was interesting it did take me a while to read.

Kiss Me First is the story of Leila, a quiet 'nerdy' kind of girl who lives alone with her mum who is dying of MS. After her mum's death she is a bit lost and doesn't have any real friends and while getting caught up in the world of online gaming Leila is drawn to a chat forum for ethical debate called Red Pill where she suddenly feels like she has found a place she belongs.

The main theme of the story is do we really know who we are talking to online - something that is a big problem for may today.

While making 'friends' on Red Pill the charismatic founder of Red Pill 'Adrian' asked to meet her for a 'special project' which while a strange request she readily accepts. Tess, a 'friend' of Adrian wants to commit suicide but doesn't want her family to know - she wants to 'fade out' so Leila's job is to become Tess online to her family and friends on email & Facebook.

After Tess 'checks out' things start to downhill for Tess and true identities start coming out.

The book changes between the current time to a timeline of what happened which Lelia is slowly relating. I found the topic interesting and thought that this book would be good for older teens to make them think about what information they spread online and knowing who they are really talking about. The ending I would of liked to be a bit more definitely (I won't spoil it for you) but overall it was a good book.

I received this book for review from the Publisher. This is Lottie Moggach first book, Lottie is also the daughter of Novelist Deborah Moggach (author of The Best Marigold Hotel amount many others)

Review of WeirDo by Anh Do

WeirDo

by Anh Do, Jules Faber (Illustrator)

What do you get if you cross one of Australia's funniest comedian's the "happiest Refugee" with Diary of a Wimpy Kid? You get WeirDo the hilarious new children's book from Anh Do.

It tells the story of a young kid called Weir who's last name just happens to be Do - he's first day at a new school doesn't start well when the teacher introduces him as WeirDo - but he isn't the new kid for long and quickly finds that being a bit weird isn't that bad.

This is a quick read (well for me anyway) with some great cartoons to go along with the story. Its broken into little 'chapters' which is great for struggling readers. We got this book for the school library - I know its going to be very popular.

Review of Midnight Sky by Jan Ruth

Midnight Sky

by Jan Ruth

Another great book from Jan Ruth!

Midnight Sky is set between the UK City of Chester and the small Welsh country town of Rowen with two sisters as opposite as the towns themselves. Laura Brown is a creative interior designer with a swish city apartment and glamour stylish partner and the seeming "perfect life" her sister Maggie lives in a small country town with a workaholic slob of a husband, a feral almost 18 year-old daughter Jess and a younger autistic daughter her life seems to be stuck in limbo - she thinks life would be easier in Laura's shoes. But things are never as they seem on the surface and Laura's life quickly seems to be running away from her quicker than a high spirited Mare. So when the opportunity to renovate some rundown country cottages at the local horse ridding stud comes up she jumps at the opportunity - even if the broody owner Mr James Morgan-Jones seems to be causing more headaches for her than her partners soon-to-be ex-wife. Thrown into the mix a conniving ex, hormonal teenagers, some feisty horses and very present deceased wife and life is never boring for the Brown sisters.

This story has lots of emotional twists and turns, much like the amazing scenery Jan describes in her book. It has characters you will love and hate - ones you want to smack and hug in equal measures. I won't ruin the ending but have to save I was very happy with the ending!

Review of Streaks of Blue by Jack Chaucer

Streaks of Blue: How the Angels of Newtown Inspired One Girl to Save Her School

by Jack Chaucer

I received a copy of this book to review and to be honest to start with it didn't really grab me but as I kept reading it definitely improved and I found the story quiet enjoyable.

While the concept of Nikki being told in a dream to stop a school shooting was slightly far fetched to me, her actions in befriending Adam and basically trying her best to be a decent, caring teenager were heart-warming and the story had a lot of good advice with out being too pushing with the "be nice to everyone" line.

Jack's characters were believable and I could totally interchange them with students at my own school. The issues raised with bullying, cyber-bulling, and the traps of social media were very real.

It was a little bit "wordy" in some places but overall easy to read.

This book would be great for teenagers to study at school although given the content maybe best for middle to senior school.

If you liked this book you should also read Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult which also deals with School Shootings from both sides of the story.

Review of The Outback Heart by Fiona Palmer

The Outback Heart
by Fiona Palmer



I'm already a fan of Fiona Palmer and was really looking forward to reading this book while on holidays. I started one afternoon and couldn't put it down. This book had everything - heart-warming moments, light hearted laugh's, tear-jerking heartbreaks - everything you could ask for.

In "The Outback Heart" Fiona introduces us to Indianna "Indi" Wilson, an All-Australian country girl with a heart as big as the Aussie outback trying to fill the large shoes left by her mum. Indi has taken it upon herself to do all she can to save the local footy club, something she is hoping will invigorate the town of Hyden. Between looking after her dad and brother, working hard at the local grain depo, looking after a local legend and all her committees she doesn't have time for matters of the heart.

When footy mad Indi convinces Troy Mitchell to come and coach their team to hopefully a couple of wins she thinks things are finally going to turn around for the town, but she never expected to turn her heart around too.

But as in real life the course of love never runs smooth and Troy is very cautious when it comes to his heart - its already been replaced - and then broken irrecoverably and he doesn't think he can loose it again.

Fiona handles the issues of organ transplant in this book with dignity and respect without dragging it down with too much medical jargon - but be warned you will need tissues to read this book!!

Holiday Reading

I just got back from a lovely holiday visiting my little "sister" in Samoa. We were trying to pack light so I "only" brought my kindle (I say "only" because it has over 300 books on it!) I did get some books read - most of which were actually using my kindle app on my phone & ipod!

I finally got a chance to read Mr Right and Other Mongrels by Monique McDonell
my sister had read it ages ago (she has my kindle app on her Ipad so regularly reads things before me - then I have to tell her not to spoil it!) and totally loved it. I read it on my ipod one night while we were staying in a little beach Fale (hut) in Savaii (below)

Review:


Mr Right and Other Mongrels
by Monique McDonell

  

This funny story of Allegra (Ally) Johnson, the lovely girl next door who runs a bookstore, enjoys lunch with friends, would rather read than watch TV and is afraid of dogs.

In sweeps Teddy Green, Australia’s hottest TV celebrity gardener - something oblivious Ally has no idea about)who rescues Ally from a "vicious" dog who has her bailed up in the back of a ute.

While her friends can't believe Ally's luck Ally can't help but think that Teddy is too good to be true and is not sure she should risk her heart.

This sweet story is set in Manley and Ally is totally the kind of girl I would be friends with (and probably spend a lot of time & money in her book shop!)Its a fast - fun read - perfect for a day (or night) on the beach.

I'm looking forward to tracking down her other books.