Rate: 7.5/10
Pages: 264
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction
Acquired from: Karen Stockwell (Author)
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*
I adored Karen's debut novel Dreams of Darkness and Light, so when she told me she was in the process of writing another, I jumped at the chance to read and review it for her. The Ballad of Sam and D.Lila is very different from her first book; it is a romance that follows two amateur musicians as they try to break into the industry as a duo. All the while the two work alongside each other in their day jobs, where office romances are "frowned upon". I really liked Dora's character, she was easy for me to relate to and I found her to be such a realistic protagonist. Sam on the other hand took me a very long time to warm up to; he was realistic as well, and I just didn't like him. I thought that he was going to turn out shady and hurt Dora and I just couldn't trust him. I think maybe some of the reasons for that was because Karen showed us into what the mind of a man is like; honestly. With conflicting thoughts and sometimes a wondering eye, Sam was true to his attractive musician stereotype. But he did break through that and he and Dora were truly stronger together. Their progression into a relationship was a lovely journey and I just loved how realistic everything was. The issues and how they worked through them, the juggling of creative and financial work, the compromises and arguments; A+ for them all. While music isn't my choice of creative living, writing and reading is, and the book shared a lovely journey that I got to share with a range of characters. It was gentle and steady, realistic and kind; everything I enjoy in a romance novel! Rate: 7.5/10 Pages: 264 Format: Paperback Genre: Fiction Acquired from: Karen Stockwell (Author) *I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*
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This book is filled with nostalgia, and reading it was truly like getting a big ol' teddy bear hug. Well it was for me anyway. The Saddler Boys follows city girl Natalie, fresh in her teaching career and biting at the bit to really start educating some young whipper snappers. In what is her last chance to really have a chance to be and do what she wants, Natalie takes a job in the tiny town of Lake Biddy, in rural Western Australia. Of course, she gets a great deal more than she bargained for; being welcomed by a supportive community, making genuine friends, having her own class with adoring students, oh, and a gorgeous farmer and his son relying on her. Natalie has a life back in the city though; a wealthy family, a boyfriend and a future already completely mapped out for her. Just when she thinks she couldn't be more torn between choosing which life is the one she is supposed to live; the threat of Lake Biddy primary school closing is revealed. Now does she even have a choice? Or will she fight for her little school and community, and most importantly, for her dream? I genuinely loved The Saddler Boys so much! There were just so many things that I could relate to (for an extensive list, see below). I grew up in the country; on a crop farm specifically, so when Natalie was experiencing all of the wondrous joys of rural living for the first time, I was smiling at the memories. My primary school had twenty-seven students; from K-6. Yepp. There was the little room and the big room, and two teachers. I know the ins-and-outs, the pros-and-cons, the known-and-unkown when it comes to small schools. Not just because I did my entire education in them, but also because I am primary school teacher (I finish my degree in T-minus 4 months!) majoring in Rural and Aboriginal Education. I understand exactly how incredible it is to be educated in such a close-knit environment, where you literally grow up with the same five people and your teachers are your friends. Where cars are used for excursions, not buses, and the joy of having your Mum volunteering in the canteen once a week is known. There is also the pitfalls though; such as a high teacher turn-over ratio, minimum resources and funding, and the ever present fear of school closure if numbers drop too much. All of these things are explored in Palmer's masterpiece, and more! There is romance, drama, comedic relief, and the some fair dinkum Aussie slang. It is an inspiring and heart warming read which I know I will easily pick up again, and again, and again. Rate: 8/10 Pages: 371 Format: Paperback Genre: Adult Fiction Acquired from: Penguin Books Australia Thoughts and things I loved (as told from my little brown book) • Ringing the bell! Best job ever! • They're reading Harry Potter! Is this my life?! She is doing a HP classroom theme! I have already planned mine!!! • Turbo! Does everyone have a dog named this?! We did! • Arriving the morning of school for the first time? Heck no! • Mcleod's Daughters mention - cheering! • "An hour later Billy signalled by banging on the roof [of the ute]. 'Stop Dad'" -pg 55 - ME!! • "Her parents had spent thousands on top schools. But really, was she any better off than the teachers who'd gone through Government schools?" -pg 80 • "He smelt like grease and fuel, and for some reason she liked that" - pg 208 - My poison is diesel, welding and grime remover soap. • "Some kind of darth vader helmet" -pg 216 - BAHAHAHAHA! • "possum" - that's my nickname! Q&A with author Fiona Palmer: 1. There were so many things I could relate to throughout your book. What were the biggest reliability points within The Saddler Boys for you? For me it’s keeping the sense of small town community and keeping it as close to real life as I can, but also moving the story forward. 2. A very real issue for rural schools is explored in your novel. In what ways have small school closures touched your life? The very Primary School I went to closed down in 1998, a few years after I left but it does still affect me with my own children. The Primary School where I worked as a teacher’s assistant also closed down in 2005. Both were great little schools supported by the community but when towns shrink, farmers sell up there just aren’t enough kids about for the government to be happy about keeping it open. I’ve seen how it can change a town and I wanted to touch on a few of these issues in the book. 3. The structures Kim creates sound breath-taking! Please tell me you know someone in real life who does them, so that I can get my hands on one of these beauties? I know so many people, men and women, who are talented like this. So many farmers know how to weld and when you throw in some creativity, voila you have gorgeous creations. Most of the great things I’ve seen made are by friends who are too busy farming to start a business selling their creations but there are many others you can find through Facebook. I’ve seen the most beautiful metal horse, which is now on display down south in WA. 4. I found so many incredible quotes within The Saddler Boys pages which I love. Do you have any favourites? No favourites that come to mind. I do love Doris, she’s a character. And I loved writing the Bogan Bingo scene. I can just picture Drew covered in so many orange dots he’s turned into a bogan-looking oompalompa. 5. Natalie and Drew's story is one I know I will continue to think of. Is there any chance that it may continue in a sequel sometime in the future? Funny you should ask. I am writing a follow-on book, but it will follow Kim’s story line. So we will still see Drew, Billy and Natalie and many other favourites in the next book. Plus a few new faces to town. I’ve just started writing the first chapter today. *I received this book in exchange for an honest review and all opinions are entirely my own*
When I first read the blurb for Maybe in Another Life I was so intrigued! I had never heard or seen a premise like it and wanted to read it immediately. Then when I received it, I went on the Towny trip and it got left at home. *cue sad face*
Well I'm home now and early yesterday afternoon I felt like reading and decided to pick this up for a quick squiz. Well, you know how it is... four hours later I was reading the last page completely satisfied. The book follows twenty-nine year old Hannah Martin, and the consequence of a small decision made in her first night back in New York. Hannah has to decide whether to go home with her best friend, or to go home with her ex-boyfriend. Two very different results come from her choice, and every second chapter shows the way her life ends up as a result of them both. Hannah begins to live two very different lives in the two parallel universes, but will she still end up with the same guy? Is there such thing as fate or destiny, or do we have many? Maybe in Another Life was such a unique and interesting story and I loved each moment! I really couldn't tell you which Hannah, or world I preferred more, and I became more and more hooked the deeper I got into the book. I really enjoyed the characters, and the relationships that developed. I adored Hannah and Gabby's friendship, and could really relate to what it's like to have found a soul mate best friend. I found the story flowed extremely well, and I didn't once get muddled or lost in the different worlds. I was also so happy in the way the story wrapped up, and sobbed emotionally all the way through. Ask my Mum, she was on the couch next to me! Rate: 8/10 Pages: 342 Format: Paperback Genre: Adult Fiction Acquired from: Simon & Schuster Publishing *I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own* Room is another story which I first was exposed to whilst on my daily IMDB checkup. It had an actress I really liked and the idea sounded intriguing; so low and behold, I watched the trailer, and loved it. Naturally I went out and found the book, which I had been seeing at bookfairs and opshops regularly, so I was pretty confident that I could pick it up second hand... and I did! Okay, now stay with me as I explain the premise. Five year old Jack lives in Room, with his Ma, Bed and occasional visits from Spider and Old Nick. There is TV, but the things on it are only pretend. Only Room actually exists. For those of you who still haven't got it, I'll make it real simple. Jack's Ma was kidnapped when she was nineteen, and has spent the last nine years trapped, alone. Until of course she had the miracle she called Jack. Heavy right?! The book is told completely from Jack's perspective, and the author did an absolutely astounding job of creating an authentic narrator, without making the storyline or development of the plot juvenile or lacking. Sure, there were things that Jack didn't understand, but they are crystal clear for an adult to see. It was truly such a special thing to really see the world for the first time again through Jack's eye. A wonder of a book, which I am very curious to be seen made into a movie. Rate: 8/10 Pages: 401 Format: Paperback Genre: Adult Fiction Acquired from: OpShop Thoughts and things I loved (as told from my little brown book) • Umm guys, Jack is swiping all that stuff... •"'Let me show you something'. He puts his [LEGO] car on the floor and steps on it, crunch. It's all in pieces. 'See?' says Steppa. 'No problemo. Let's start again'". - He just stepped on LEGO on purpose, everything is not okay! How is his foot not broken?!
The blurb on the front of this book reads; "They [Helene's Books] have it all". And have it all indeed, did this book. It is told from a third person perspective and shifts around to follow the main characters; including Conor, a man undetermined whether to hide or fight his past, Kristy, a local doctor trying to rebuild hers, as well as Freya, a woman suffering terrible abuse at the hands of her husband and his family.
Sound like a tale headed for mayhem? Well just add in Northern Queensland's rugged outback and pristine coastline, as well as a cyclone, and baby you're in for the ride of your life. This book was a literal storm from beginning to end. It started soft and slow, with only faint whispers of what was to come. Then the tension and humidity built, and you could feel what was coming in the air. Alas, soon the wind was whipping and the rain falling, as you could see the storm and all it's glory right at your doorstep. And then there it was, the cyclone whirling around you, rustling your hair and feathers. Everything happening at once. A blur of darkness and action. The eye passed, but the drama didn't subside. The final blast of power and effect left destruction, debris and devastation in its wake. And like the storm, their was a long clean up ahead of everyone. Did I paint a good enough picture for you? This book has a pace like no other, and the way it paralleled the literal and metaphorical storm was something unique and just down right amazing. I will be passing this book onto my mum, and then my neighbour, and then maybe the other neighbour. It is a book to be shared and loved. Rate: 8.5/10 Pages: 368 Format: Paperback Genre: Adult Fiction Acquired from: Penguin Publishing Thoughts and things I loved (as told from my little brown book) • Both so perfect before one mistake destroys their lives. • He'd give her space to breathe; he'd stepped back, but not away" -pg 336 • The build up to the storm both literally and metaphorically is great. • "History belongs to the victor" -pg 339 *I received this book in exchange for an honest review and all opinions are entirely my own* |
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