I'm still here!

Sorry I haven't updated here for a little bit - life had got a bit hectic! Since I last posted I have been sick with a chest infection, flown to Samoa for my little "sister's" wedding, got back, had GAFFA (its a performing art's night at the school I work at), got tonsillitis and conjunctivitis and getting an operation next week. Oh and two more crochet baby blankets for friends.

I have managed to read just a 'few' books in that time - four while I was away (amazing how much reading you can do with 8 hours of flying and no movies!) and I'm hoping to post them here very soon for you all.

So until then hope your all going well and having lots of reading,

Be back really soon

Gecko Girl Reads

Not to be read in public ... or why do I keep doing this to myself??

Most people that know me know that it doesn't take much to make me cry ... someone dying on a TV show (yes I know its not real - it doesn't make any difference!), the TAC commercials, that Quit Smoking one with the little boy lost at the train station (every time), listening to that sad song on the radio ... the list is endless but what gets me every time is reading something sad - to the point that (especially if I have been pre-warned they are sad) there are books I refuse to read in public to avoid the strange stairs and worrying glances as I sit there reading with tears pouring down my face.

This happened to me last year on a flight back from New Zealand when I watched a 'feel good' movie called 'Still Mine' starting James Cromwell and Genevieve Bujold as an older couple who just want to build their retirement home. Well by the end I had tears streaming down my face and the flight attendant (a guy) looking at me thinking "what is wrong with girl???" So needless to say I have learnt from experience that unless I am in a very dark cinema with people I trust I do not see sad movies in public - or read sad books.

Some people may say - "but why read them if they are sad?" To tell you the truth I have no answer to this, perhaps because the story interest me, because often despite being sad they are also heart warming and positive (I know that sounds like a contradiction but it's true), and maybe a bit of 'at least my life isn't that bad' thrown in. Whatever the reason I know despite the tears I will keep reading them. But if they are too sad or heartbreaking (like Cathy Glass' books) I usually try to lift things up by reading something funny (Louise Rennison is great for this!)

This brings me to the latest tear jerker I just read. I probably shouldn't of read this straight after Fault in their Stars but I was lulled into a false sense of 'dry eyes' because that wasn't as sad as I thought it would be (although thankfully I did read it at home - only strange looks from my family but that's ok!)

I first came across the name Zac Sobiech probably over a year ago when a friend from America posted a YouTube clip on Facebook of his song with his band "A Firm Handshake" called "Clouds". Followed by a 1/2 hour clip of a show on the Soul Pancake channel about Zac's life, and him saying goodbye to his family and friends. The song and video made me cry, and yes I downloaded the song (and his others) on iTunes. Zac was diagnosed with a rare cancer and when it became terminal he decided to use his talent (singing & song writing) to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

I have to say it was hard to reading this moving book through all the tears but after seeing Zac's videos when the book came up on NetGalley I had to request and read it.

Fly a little higher by Laura Sobiech

This book is the heartfelt memoir of Zac's mother Laura from his diagnoses to the end of his battle. It is honest, heartfelt and doesn't try to gloss over anything or make it 'fluffy'. Even if you aren't religious in any way you will appreciate how both her and Zac's faith helped them through this trial and it shouldn't put you off reading.

There were a lot of tears (from me) and I often read with a lump in the my throat but I'm glad I read it.


I, like most people have lost family members to various forms of cancer, I've also seen friends struggle through it including a darling little boy who, a lot like Zac, handles it with an maturity far beyond his years. Some people may struggle to read this because of the topic.

Even if you don't read the book check out the Video of Zac's song "Clouds", the Soul Pancake Video and the book trailer at the website http://flyalittlehigher.com/

To read or to watch... that is the question!

When I got back to work this year (at a high school library) we were immediately swamped by requests of "do you have the blue book?". Sure - what blue book??? Of course the book everyone was asking for was The Fault in our Stars by John Green. Thankfully we did have 1 copy, which we quickly obtained an extra copy (along with 3 other John Green books and book that The Fault in our Stars was based on). So I decided to jump the reserve line (perks of the job!) and read this book. I immediately expec...more When I got back to work this year (at a high school library) we were immediately swamped by requests of "do you have the blue book?". "Sure" I said - then asked - "What blue book???" (Picture from http://www.pinterest.com/librarydoctor/) Of course the book everyone was asking for was The Fault in our Stars by John Green. Thankfully we did have 1 copy, and we quickly obtained an extra copy (along with 3 other John Green books and This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl by Esther Earl, Lori Earl, Wayne Earl - Esther was the real life inspiration for John in writing The Fault in our Stars). So I decided to jump the reserve line (perks of the job!) and read this book. I immediately expected this book to be very sad given that it starts in a cancer support group for young people but having read books like My Sisters Keeper I have to say it wasn't as sad as I was expecting which was a nice changed. I found this an easy book to read (despite the topic) and it flowed quickly. The topic of childhood cancer and death was dealt with in a matter of fact way. This book is written from a teenagers point of view and I felt it was true to that voice. The debate at school is now - do we want to go see the movie when it comes out - or wait for the DVD so we can watch it while crying in the privacy of home???? If you want a sneak peek at the movie here is the Trailer on YouTube There are so many YA books that are being made into movies right now and there is always a debate between readers and movie lovers as to what is better - the movie or the book - and if you have read the book was the movie true to the book or just 'very loosely' based on the book. Also did the actors they picked match what you envisaged in your head that the character's look like. I would have to say that there are very few movies which have lived up to their books in my opinion but a few I thought did well were Jessica by Bryce Courtenay, The Help by Kathryn Stockett (I will admit I actually saw the movie first, but in this case it helped because I had that Southern African-American voice in my head as I read), and most Nicholas Sparks books. There have been some I really hated - the one that comes up most often in these discussions is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult the ending in the movie was totally ruined (one 'explanation' I read was that this polled better with the test audience but obviously they hadn't read the book!) One TV Series which isn't 100% true to the Book Series, but that I don't mind is the Heartland Series by Lauren Brooke. Among some changes the Books are set in Virginia, America and the TV series is set in Canada but its such a great series and the main points of the book are kept that I really don't mind. Plus the senery in Canada is just AMAZING! Scholastic published the book series and you can buy the DVD series from ABC. I think they are up to Series 7 or 8 in Canada but while they have stopped showing it on TV over here ABC is thankfully still releasing the DVDs, I just picked up Series 6 part 1 today and Series 6 part 2 is due next week! So how about you - do you have a favourite adaption or do you prefer books to films?? (As a side note - this was also my Aussie Readers - March Challenge "Coming of Age Books"

School Holidays means 2 weeks of reading & sleeping!!

Well here in Victoria today was the end of Term 1 which for me means 2 weeks school holidays!! Now I can hear the sigh of parents everywhere at the thought of 2 weeks at home with their darling children but for me it means two weeks I can read, sleep, eat, read (rinse and repeat).

I have a TBR pile that just keeps growing with all the great new releases that just keep coming (not that I'm complaining) and trying to pick which book to read next isn't easy. So after finishing the 3 I'm currently reading (yes 3 at once I know) I think I'll pick the next one on my challenge list to make things easier.

I was very happy to see how many of the students this week wanted to borrow books to read over the holidays - always makes me happy to see kids read.

On another point my little blog has been long listed for the Peoples Choice Awards for AWC Best Blogs for 2014. You can vote following the button on the side or from this link. Don't worry if there is more than one blog on the long list you like, you can vote for as many as you like (but only once)

www.surveymonkey.com/s/BAB2014

 

 

The other weekend I read Fault in our Stars by John Green. This is 'that' book - the "do you have that book with the blue cover?" book.  We have a waiting list of 7 students for 2 copies of this book - which isn't as long as our local library which has a wait list of 44! The advantage of being the Librarian is you can jump the line! I will try and post a review early next week.

 

And for all those parents wondering what to do with the kids over the school holidays - why not check out your local public library - many have great FREE activities for kids of all ages. If your in Geelong this is the link to their holiday activities

http://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/youth-programs-12-2041312861

 

Happy Reading,

Gecko Girl

 



 

 



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Junior Books

I've loved reading since I was very young and still have a soft spot for junior books. Working in a High School Library allows me the perfect excuse (as if I need one!) to read these books.

When I say 'junior books' I'm talking about those aimed at 10-15 year olds, bit old for those little basic readers but not quite at that Young Adult (YA) levels. They are fun, friendly and for good readers, a quick read. They are a great way to get back into the swing of reading if you have had a bit of a dry spell.

This week we had the lovely pleasure of getting the first new books for the year in our Library (its so nice to get new books, even better when they don't actually have to pay for them out of your own pocket!) Among them we some great deals we got from BigW and also Scholastic Books (great sale - got some picture story books for $1!!!)

This meant I finally got to read the latest instalment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series - Book 8 "Hard Luck". If you have been hiding under and adult size rock and haven't seen these books, or even the movies these are a great fun series which mixes words and pictures in an almost graphic novel style. These books are really great for those reluctant readers because they are fun and about things school kids deal with - friendship, weird family, 'rules' of school. We have multiple copies of each book at school and they are always borrowed out - usually with a waiting list. While they are immensely popular with the boys even the girls like these books and have been published in 41 languages! If you are ever stuck for a gift idea for boys these are definitely a good idea (if they don't already have them) - another popular series in a similar style are the Capitan Underpants series.

The other book I read today was a fun light-hearted collection by Michael Morpurgo called Mudpuddle Farm: Six Animal Stories. Michael, a former school teacher is known for his many children books such as War Horse, one of five which have been made into movies. Along with his wife they also have 3 farms in London which are open for city children to come for a work stay. These six stories centre about life on Mudpuddle farm with animals who can talk to each other and Farmer Rafferty. These short stories are complemented with cute illustrations along with crazy, expressive print (think round in circles) which make for a fun read. This is a perfect book for parents to read along with their younger stories, and then for them to read on their own when they are older. This book is split into 6 short stories - perfect to stretch it out for a week of bedtime stories (even if I did read it all in under an hour!)

What was the last Junior or YA book you read? Its nearly school holidays - why not check out your local library to see what they have planned!

Happy reading

Something Different

I can't remember where I heard about this book first - I think it may have been from Oprah's Book Club Email. I tried to get a copy through my local library and the lovely staff there were able to find it through Inter-library loans (thanks Geelong Regional Library http://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/!)

This Is Not The Story You Think It Is: A Season of Unlikely Happiness by Laura Munson


This is an interesting book. Its not a novel but a diary like account of a tumultuously few months in the life of New York Times columnist Laura Munson when her husband of 20 years told her he might not love her anymore and wants to leave.

Laura tries to face this upheaval in a grown up and mature manner, using various methods she has learnt to try and help her husband find his way through this crisis. Her realistic and honest writing is a refreshing change and her description of her life in Montana made me want to visit.

With some level headed honest advice this book is easy to read and will help many see how the best way to happiness is taking control for yourself.

Details about Laura can be found on her website  http://www.lauramunson.com/ or blog http://blog.lauramunson.com/

Review of Don't Fence Me In - Grassroots Wisdom From a Country Girl

Don't Fence Me In: Grassroots Wisdom From a Country Girl
by Rachael Treasure

This is truly a 'treasure' of a book (pun intended!) Rachael Treasure who, to quote an incident from this book is the 'godmother' of Aussie Rural Authors, has branched out from her usual brilliant Rural Novels to impart us with some home grown, grassroots Aussie Cowgirl wisdom. Even if your not a farm girl (or even one at heart) this little gem of a book has something for everyone. I have to admit when I finally got a copy of this book my mum actually borrowed (stole) it off me and read it first,...more This is truly a 'treasure' of a book (pun intended!) Rachael Treasure who, to quote an incident from this book is the 'godmother' of Aussie Rural Authors, has branched out from her usual brilliant Rural Novels to impart us with some home grown, grassroots Aussie Cowgirl wisdom. Even if your not a farm girl (or even one at heart) this little gem of a book has something for everyone. I have to admit when I finally got a copy of this book my mum actually borrowed (stole) it off me and read it first, I had to keep telling her to stop 'spoiling' it for me by reading out tasty titbits but its just that kind of book. With everything from sustainable farming to hugging your kids (something we practice in my family!) this is the kind of book you will go back to time and again. This book will make a perfect present for your daughter, your mother, sister, your best friend.... yourself. Just do yourself a favour and get a copy! This was also number to on my list for the Aussie Readers Challenge 2014!