Sunday, November 06, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Cosmic by Frank Cotrell Boyce
A lovely story about Dads that brought tears to my eyes at the end (not sure if it was supposed to do that ...). A good Father's Day present perhaps for the biggest boy in the family (but only if he likes children's books and astronauts, I suppose!).
Another uplifting book that I have really enjoyed reading today. And now I have some grittier ones to get back to ...
Another uplifting book that I have really enjoyed reading today. And now I have some grittier ones to get back to ...
The Carbon Diaries 2017 by Saci Lloyd
Laura Brown's family survived the first big London flood - just - but two years later and the situation has deteriorated seriously - and throughout Europe. Can Laura keep the dirty angels together? Can she keep them alive? Can they overcome the Government?
Not quite as good as the first Diaries, perhaps a bit too extreme in places, but it certainly helps the reader to understand the situation facing many refugees throughout the world, and for that, a worthwhile book.
Not quite as good as the first Diaries, perhaps a bit too extreme in places, but it certainly helps the reader to understand the situation facing many refugees throughout the world, and for that, a worthwhile book.
The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd
Just realised that I've missed out two books I've read recently. The Carbon Diaries are set in the not too distant future when climate change has become even more problematic and the Government has decided to take drastic steps. Everyone has a carbon card - you can only use so much carbon per month, and if you use up your ration, well, no more transport, hot water or electricity for you until the end of the year. Of course, there is a black market, and the stress of loving more simply causes a lot of friction within the family, but eventually the community pulls together - but what will happen when London is flooded?
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce
After all the "bleak" books I have read recently (even though they have been very enjoyable, full of escapism and occasional humour) it has been a pleasant if light change to read Framed last night and this morning. This book was also shortlisted for the Whitbread Award and the Carnegie Medal in 2006, and it is easy to see why - a feelgood book, easy to read, but with a deep theme. I really enjoyed the references to famous works of art throughout the book and the way they were able to transform a small Welsh town. And I must go and look up Manod now ...
Skinner's Festival by Quintin Jardine
Yes, another Bob Skinner book! The second one in the series. And another corker. Very gruesome. But great to read about Edinburgh, and I can imagine the scenes he describes of Princes' Street Gardens during the Festival. Role on book number 3!
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
One of my favourite picture books growing up was The Tiger that came to Tea. But I was not aware that Judith Kerr was in fact a German refugee, or that she had written a children's book based on her experiences. I'm so happy that I picked up this book to read at the Imperial War Museum (highly recommended museum, by the way!). A great story, well written, with poignant moments but lots of love as well. An exciting adventure story, all the more amazing as it is based on real life.
Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness
And so I quickly came to the final installment. Monsters of Men is another one of the short listed books for the Carnegie Medal. In act, I've just checked and discovered that it is 2011's very worthy winner. (I'm glad I read it first without knowing that!)
This has been a truly fantastic series. There is so much fantasy and yet so much realism within the story of Todd and Viola. The characters, which include animals as well as different types of beings, are clearly drawn and every incident shines vividly within the imagination. I have lost myself in these books. I have escaped - if "escaped" is the right word to describe journeying to a land where women are branded, where animals talk, where everyone is caught up in a war and has to make life and death decisions, where you are at a risk of being controlled without your knowledge.
What an imagination Patrick Ness has. And how good of him to share it with the rest of us.
This has been a truly fantastic series. There is so much fantasy and yet so much realism within the story of Todd and Viola. The characters, which include animals as well as different types of beings, are clearly drawn and every incident shines vividly within the imagination. I have lost myself in these books. I have escaped - if "escaped" is the right word to describe journeying to a land where women are branded, where animals talk, where everyone is caught up in a war and has to make life and death decisions, where you are at a risk of being controlled without your knowledge.
What an imagination Patrick Ness has. And how good of him to share it with the rest of us.
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
And so the "Chaos Walking" trilogy continues ... images of holocaust, genocide, war, terrorism ... one of my overriding thoughts was, if we had not had World War Two, and other terrorist events and wars, would this seem unbelievable? And what is so shocking and sad is that, while reading of the horrifying events, they don't seem as unbelievable and incomprehensible as they should, because equivalents have happened.
A moving way of helping young people understand the atrocities of war and life in war-torn countries. A shocking indictment on the human race. A beautifully written story of love and hope in a hopeless, bleak situation.
A moving way of helping young people understand the atrocities of war and life in war-torn countries. A shocking indictment on the human race. A beautifully written story of love and hope in a hopeless, bleak situation.
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