Mornington Peninsula Library - Our Recommendations - February 2012

Mornington Peninsula Library - Our Recommendations - February 2012

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Home>Services>For Book Lovers>Our Recommendations>Our Recommendations 2012>Our Recommendations - February 2012

Our Recommendations - February 2012

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Life Without the Boring Bits by Colleen McCullough

Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher

Silver Bowl by Diane Stanley

Until Tuesday: A wounded warrior and the golden retriever who saved him by Carlos Montalvan

Worse Things Happen at Sea by William McInnes and Sarah Watt

Life Without the Boring Bits by Colleen McCullough

Reading Life Without the Boring Bits is akin to holding a good conversation with the phenomenal mind of a genius, namely Colleen McCullough. Colleen is in a wheelchair now, yet her formidable mind is in fine form. The words flow effortlessly as she gives her viewpoints on topics as diverse as cats, the Roman Empire, Midsomer Murders on TV, time, films, religion, Shakespeare and many others. It is her enthusiasm for life which appealed to me as I read this interesting autobiography. Yet, despite being autobiographical, there are no great revelations in the book about Colleen�s life, just snippets of a miserable childhood with a cruel mother and miserly father. There is a touch of the larrikin about Colleen, and her distinctive type of humour repeatedly shines through the words. The chapter on cats, Labradors and husbands breaking wind is hilarious. By the final page of Life Without the Boring Bits I was in absolute awe of this talented woman who took over twenty years to research her Roman novels. What an amazing life filled with a burning desire to know everything about our world. Colleen McCullough - a living national treasure! Picked by Helen (Mobile Library) Reserve your copy online Top

Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher

A follow up memoir to Wishful Drinking, Shockaholic gives us further insight into Carrie Fisher�s life and family. Having seen the movie Postcards from the Edge, also a great book, I thought I had an idea of what challenges a daughter of a screen legend may face, but it really just scratched the surface. Of course I�d heard of Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor, but I didn�t realise how intertwined their lives and marriages were. Shockaholic picks up from where Wishful Drinking leaves off and takes us onward into the bizarre world of Carrie Fisher. There are quite a few photos, especially of old screen magazines of Carrie�s family which I found fascinating. For anyone who remembers the saga first-hand, I�m sure the photos will bring back more memories and the story behind the photos is even more fascinating and complicated than you�d ever expect. Wishful Drinking became a stage show and I can only hope Shockaholic will go the same way. It is a light, quick read and Carrie writes as though she is in the room speaking to you directly, even asking questions and waiting for a response. You can almost see the one woman stage show materialise in your living room. A must read! Picked by Larissa (Hastings Library) Reserve your copy online Top

Silver Bowl by Diane Stanley

Set in medieval times, Molly, the youngest of seven children, is left to run wild at an early age as her mother is considered insane and her father, with six other children, cares little about her. At the age of seven, she is sent to work as a scullery maid at the castle of the King of Westria. Maybe Molly�s mother�s insanity isn�t all it seems and she has inherited her ability to see the future. Does the royal family have a curse placed upon them or is it just superstition? I enjoyed the book, a fast paced adventure with interesting twists and turns, good characterisation and a satisfactory conclusion. A delightful teenage novel that is worth checking out! Picked by Val (Rosebud Library) Reserve your copy online Top

Until Tuesday: A wounded warrior and the golden retriever who saved him by Carlos Montalvan

Have you ever heard of a dog called Tuesday? He is lovable, playful, intelligent and the saviour of a returned soldier, Luis. Luis is not only physically damaged but also suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder having returned from Iraq after 17 years of military service. The book describes Luis�s friendship with Tuesday and his relationship with his family. It also provides an interesting insight into Iraq�s ongoing problems, including mismanagement at the higher levels of the United States forces and divisions in Iraqi society. When you read this book be prepared to cry because of the difficult times this young soldier goes through and the wonderful way Tuesday relates to him. Tuesday has had various jobs including working in a prison with people and he too has felt abandoned in the sense that his owners have changed continuously. A wonderful story of courage, endurance and love which will move you as it did me. Picked by Mary (Mobile Library) Reserve your copy online Top

Worse Things Happen at Sea by William McInnes and Sarah Watt

It is a joy to share these intimate details of family life with popular actor and author, William McInnes and his wife, award winning filmmaker Sarah Watt. Sarah's beautiful photographs are scattered throughout the book. We share their grief and happiness as they face whatever life throws at them. There is humour, tears and beauty in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Both William and Sarah write with a raw honesty. It is heartbreaking as Sarah writes about the stillbirth of their first son and being diagnosed with cancer. However, this sadness doesn't overshadow the book as there are many hilarious family moments including trying to pack the car for a family holiday and laying turf in the backyard for a mini golf course. William McInnes is the national ambassador for The National Year of Reading 2012 Picked by Lynn (Rosebud Library) Reserve your copy online Top


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