MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN

by Ransom Riggs


What an amazing book. I didn't have any preconceived expectations with this book. I'd seen the cover a few times and passed it by, but something drew me back to it. I was glad I gave in... it was amazing but strange! I downloaded it to my Kindle and thought I'll just flick through a few pages... a couple of hours later I still couldn't put it down. Lucky it was on my Kindle cos I even had to read it late into the nights.

I'm not writing any more about it because it will spoil the experience and besides I've included the book trailer and the making of the book trailer to tantilise you.

 Enjoy it my peculiar friends!

This short film is fascinating look at the abandoned houses and castles that author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs and his Dutch urban explorer guide found while scouting locations for the book trailer.

(Taken from 'The Book Slooth' blog:  http://thebookslooth.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/miss-peregrines-making-of-trailer.html)

Ten Things Winnie the Pooh Taught Me About Life

Click here

Found this great article on Quirk Books blog, published by Elizabeth Browne on August 23, 2011

Girl in Translation

by Jean Kwok


What a heartfelt story of a little girl, Kimberly Chang, and her mother immigrating from Hong Kong to America. The writer made me  feel like I was living side by side with the characters and feeling their triumphs and frustrations.


Now living in a broken down, rat and cochroach infested flat in Brooklyn, they must survive with very little possessions or money. Kimberly's mother knows no English and is forced, by her sister of all people, to work in a factory sweatshop with very little pay for extremely long hours. 


Kimberly must slip into a completely different world that she is used to and go to school, speaking and understanding very little English. Although she was a very talented student in Hong Kong, here she must face many challenges and find acceptance into society if she is to get a good education and save herself and her mother from terrible circumstances.


This story seems more than fiction to me... it seemed like it was based on a true story, possibly that of the author herself, and is a very touching read from the eyes of a little girl. It was interesting how the author noted that Kimberly, with her broken English, didn't pick up every word or phrase people were saying to her and often didn't understand the context. It was very challenging as she became the 'adult' at times. Helping her mother in the sweatshop after school and working until late into the night, and keeping up her school work was certainly challenging.


Well worth a read.

The Queen's Lady

by Eve Edwards


I fell in love with this book. What a lovely story, set in 1583, a period of time I don't usually care to read about, however I really enjoyed this book, having picked it up because of the beautiful cover. I didn't realise it was #2 about the Lacey's (the other being 'The Countess') but it didn't matter I slipped into it easily. 


Lady Jane is the Marchioness of Rievaulx and begins service to the Queen (Elizabeth) after the death of her husband, who was much older than herself, but who she loved nonetheless. She is caught in a fight over her inheritance between her family and her former husbands sons. She is treated wickedly and is tricked into marrying a Frenchman so her father and brother can receive respect and wealth. She however loves James Lacey but he is not there to help her as he is exploring overseas. Will he come back in time to save her life? 


This story has plenty of villains, and romance, and the author has written in such a way that I felt like I was strolling down the streets of ol' England, and I that I could really see the costumes so beautifully described. It must've been a terrible time for women and the poor in this century and I'm glad we don't live like that any more... although I think the dresses sounded glorious. There was a wonderful friendship between Jane and Milly, who was her best friend and accomplished seamstress. The character of Diego, being dark skinned, and trying to fit into society and falling in love with an English women was also interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a romance.

UNTIL TUESDAY

by Luis Carlos Montalvan

This is a true story about a US soldier, suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and how his life was spiraling out of control upon his return to society, dealing with his many injuries and trauma experienced during his time in Afghanistan. That is until he met Tuesday, an assistance dog he was given through 'Wounded Warrior Project and Puppies Behind Bars'.

Montalvan found the army had abandoned him once he had returned home and tried to fit into normal life again. Even his family didn't understand what he was fully going through at first. His life changes dramatically once he receives Tuesday, his assistance dog, and they form a lovely bond which helps him to deal with his condition and stresses. A touching book highlighting the not so easy task soldiers experience when they return to their previous life and how they must cope day to day in a world that is so completely foreign to them now.

THE KITE IDENTITY 3: Everyone Lies

by Harry Edge

Even though I hadn't read the first two books in this series I caught on quickly to the story and the characters. I liked this story even though it was aimed at Young Adults. It was fast paced, exciting and full of suspense right until the end.  As the characters travelled from country to country you were kept in touch with what was happening in each place and with each character, which built the suspense. 


Luke believes his father is still alive, although he has been reported to have died in a helicopter crash, and he and his sister are now sole heirs to their father's fortune and company, Kite Industries. Is Luke's Uncle a villain and a murderer? Has he sent an assassin to kill his sister? I tell you there is romance, suspense, murder and deceit in this book. You'll want to read the whole series I'm sure.