Toby’s
Room by Pat Barker
Pat Barker
again shows her literary magnificence as she revisits the First World War, this
time moving from the terror of the muddy trenches to the equally devastating
home front. Exploring the need for war
and pacifism, the lasting psychological effect war has on those directly
involved and the place society sees for returning servicemen, Barker captures
the horror and desperation of the time with an almost poetic talent. Fans of Barker’s previous work will certainly
not be disappointed.
The Snow
Child by Eowyn Ivey
The debut
novel from Eowyn Ivey follows an aging couple desperately seeking a fresh start
on a homestead in the wilds of Alaska to escape the memories of the child they
lost years previously. But after the
couple build a snow child in a storm, a mysterious little girl appears at their
homestead – where did she come from and is there more to this child than there
seems? Written with all the magic and
wonder of a fairytale and with a phenomenal sense of place, The Snow Child is
an enchanted fable for adults everywhere.
A Curious
Invitation by Suzette Field
The 40
greatest parties in literature – from Alice’s tea party through the Looking
Glass to Gatsby’s legendary soirees, Field recalls what they ate, what they
wore, who entertained them and, most importantly, what they talked about. A truly interesting and unique book – a must
for book worms everywhere!
The Raven
Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
For as long
as she can remember, Blue Sargent has been warned by her psychic mother that
she will cause her true love to die. And
when she sees his spirit on St Mark’s eve, she knows he will die within the
next year. All becomes yet more curious
when her true love arrives at her home for a tarot reading, hoping to shed some
light on an ancient quest. Stiefvater’s
prose is engaging and pacey and the characters are easy to connect with from
the outset. An extremely strong start to
what promise to be an exciting and successful series.
Grimm
Tales: For Young and Old by Philip
Pullman
There is
absolutely no doubt that Philip Pullman is a genius, having penned one of the
most successful and acclaimed fantasy series of recent times. And after much anticipation, he has compiled
a re-telling of some of the brothers Grimm’s most well-loved, and some not so
well-known, tales. With buckets of added
blooded and gore, Pullman has brought the classic fairy tales straight up to
date and gave them added adult appeal. I
don’t believe that anyone could manage to read Grimm Tales without a smile on
their face.
Thank you, Steph, for such a great selection. Surely A Curious Invitation is a must for, well, everyone? For our final 2012 retrospective, pop by tomorrow to find out what Splendibird's has chosen as her top five.
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