Wednesday 29 March 2017

Inkdeath

Inkdeath
Author: Cornelia Funke
ISBN: 978-1-908435-10-1


Hi Everyone,

I was missing in action yesterday as I was absorbed in the battles between the pages of Inkdeath.  I almost forgot I belonged in the outside world as the characters had captured me within the Ink world.  I have to say this.... Sorry if someone doesn't agree with me... But...  I put this up there with the worlds created by J. R. R. Tolkien. 

Why?

The words are just amazing!  I could read this over and over just because of the word formation.  Finally, a book that isn't dumbed down with today's language, but at same time is written in today's language.  I have to admit that, just a couple of times, I opened my dictionary app to look up a word.  Not because I couldn't comprehend the word but because Cornelia Funke's writing had that effect on me.

The characters.  Oh, the characters.  There are so many but I loved them all, even the ones I despised.  In a world of good verses evil in graphical literature I connected with the brilliance of the character creation.  My favourite were the glassmen.  Can you just imagine little men made from glass that fit in a pocket?  Then there was the giant that was gentle but managed to kill so many people.  Faird, from all three books in the Inkworld series,  annoyed me in this book.  Maggie wasn't as spoilt but more grown up, I like this view of Maggie.  Resa kind of annoyed me to until she became the bird (read the book!).  The white women that represented death, started off as being a symbol of death but then became more like angels, to me that is.  Especially when the Shadow became prominent in the plot. 

The scene also was brilliant.  I could see the Inkworld.  The vastness of the castle.  The town ship and the era it belonged to.  The cave wasn't touched on for long but it was still written into the world with dampness that could be seen.  But,  I loved the woods and the nests that the children sat in.  It captured me and transported me to right there in the woods watching each event unravelled. 

This is in our town library in the children's section.  I have a few issues with that idea.  First if you handed this to my kids a few years back they would have looked at me like I was nuts.  This book is 699 pages long!  And, the language is just rich enough that I think I would daunt a young reader.  I looked up a couple of words.  Most normal people probably wouldn't and neither would a child.  Then there are a couple of scenes that are full of some graphics that I think belong in the youth section.  Now as I say this, please understand that our young adults section isn't in our children's library.  I think this book belongs in the young adults section (My opinion only). 

This is one of my favourite series.  Inkheart has been on my favourites list since I first got my hands on my copy.  I thought the movie was awesome but nothing in comparison to the book.  Inkspell kept me wanting more and now Inkdeath has ended series leaving me happy where it left me. 

For my reviews on Inkheart and Ink death - click Inkheart and Inkspell

Inkdeath was available from: Fishpond, Amazon and Book depository

Conelia Funke's webpage is also worth taking a look into: Conelia Funke official site



Happy reading




Sunday 26 March 2017

Nick and the Nasty Knight

Nick and the Nasty Knight
Author: Ute Krause
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4091-1

Hi Everyone,

It is time for a picture book to grace my reviews.  I have to acknowlege the fact - I still enjoy children's picture books.  I am especially drawn to the illustrations and poetic devices in a picture book. 

This one ticked all the boxes for illustrations.  They were bight and connected well with the story.  It also had a good arrangement of poetic devices as the first line demonstrates-

"Sir Nestor the Nasty was the meanest, rottenest, greediest knight you can imagine."

It wasn't over done with poetic devices but the disconection between poetic and normal at times stunted my fluency when reading aloud.  Then again it could have been that my eyes kept getting distracted by the illustrations.  Overall though, this is a great little read for our young ones. 

Here are some photo's to show you the creativity in the illustrations:



Description:

Everyone's afraid of Sir Nestor the Nasty Knight.  Everyone? Not quite! Nick has had enough of slaving away for the meanest, rottenest, greediest knight, so one day he escapes.  But what bad luck!  Deep in the woods, Nick is captured by a gang of thieves!  They are delighted with their catch, but fortunately, there's one thing that robbers prefer to captives - and that's gold,  Luckily, Nick knows just where the Nast Knight keeps his treasure.


Happy reading



This was available from: Amazon, Fishpond and Book depository

Saturday 25 March 2017

It's the weekend!

It's Saturday...

Hanging with my Family and a good book 😌


Wednesday 22 March 2017

Unstable emotions...




Just a little thought for the day

Happy reading


Some of Joyce Meyers books are:
  • Battlefield of the mind
  • Power thoughts
  • Living beyond your feelings
  • The confident woman
  • The mind connection
  • Overload

Tuesday 21 March 2017

Going Solo

Going Solo
Author: Roald Dahl
ISBN: 978-0-14-241383-8


Hi Everyone,

Roald Dahl's Going Solo, left me with mixed feelings.  I can see the potential in the writing, but I had issues of my own with it.

For a boy age 7 up (as the book recommendation claims), I think this would be a very enjoyable read.  I really think my son is going to like this one.  I can imagine all his friends enjoying it.  The adventures Roald Dahl captures are right up there for my son and his friends.  But my daughter really disliked it and found it 'boring' (her words). 

As for myself, here are where my issues and likes were formed.  First off, I loved that it was Ronald Dahl that I was reading about.  I have enjoyed his other books over the years, and to read about him really took my interest.  I enjoyed the first 3/4th's of the book.  Then, I started to want to skip the pages.  Not only the pages, but to be honest I could have skipped the last few chapters.  I got to the stage where I found it repetitive.  Same story but different place and planes.  I just wanted to see him get back home. 

So, where does this leave Going Solo?  I am pleased it is on my bookcase but I will be picky as to whom I offer it to for reading.


Description:

Going Solo is the action-packed tale of Roald Dahl's exploits as a World War II pilot.  Learn all about his encounters with the enemy his world wide travels, the life-threatening injuries he sustained in a plane accident, and the rest of his sometimes bizarre, often unnerving, and always colorful adventures.  Told with the same irresistible appeal that has made Roald Dahl one of the world's best-loved writers, Going Solo brings you directly into the Action and into the mind of this fascinating man.


Happy reading


This was available from: Fishpond and Book depository



Sunday 19 March 2017

Hi Everyone,

I hope you enjoy the poem I have chosen for this week.  I found it on a site I have just discovered Allpoetry.com  Take a look in on them sometime and see what you think. 

The background photo was taken while we were out camping as a family this weekend.  It highlights the beautiful country I live in and often take for granted until I stop and breathe like I did yesterday.

If you have a favourite poetry site that you think I should take a look at then leave me a comment.

Happy reading


Thursday 16 March 2017



Hi Everyone'

It's Friday!  Well, for all who live in my part of the world it's Friday.  I am about to finish up my day and week, then settle down for for a quiet weekend with my family. 

We will have all had different things happen in our lives during this week.  We will have all chosen to react in different ways.  What we want for the future is vastly different from each other.  But, we can all be there for another human being, without controlling them!  As you venture into the weekend and the week beyond remember Dr. Seuss' words - "Only you can control your future'  and make it a good one for others around while your at it.

Have a great weekend

Happy reading

Wednesday 15 March 2017

Now...

Now
Author: Morris Gleitzman
ISBN: 9780141329987



Hi Everyone,
 
Now is the third book in the Once, Then, and Now series, which I have been reviewing over the past week.  This one is a little different from the first two books, but I still enjoyed it just as much. 

Felix is now grown up and a grandfather to the next Zelda.  He doesn't like her being named after his friend from the previous books, so he calls her Margaret after his favourite book character.  Felix still talks of his past amongst the chapters of this book, but the main character (for me) was Zelda.  It is told from the perspective of Zelda and the story revolved round her more than Felix.  I like connection between the old and the new, and the way in which the author portrayed the two.

The first part of this story touches on bullying.  This was very well managed and I think a lot of young people would enjoy Now due to this content.

The second part of this story touches on the Australian bush fires.  This was excellently told.  I cannot think of a better writing of these events for our young people to read.  Absolutely fantastic writing!  I was absorbed into the plot and characters.

Still, as like the previous books I really think these books would make good read alouds.  From Once to Now the content makes good talking points with our children.  The characters are believeable and the plot well structured.... but the content is worthy of discussion.


Description:

Now is the third shocking, funny and heartbreaking book in Morris Gleitzman's Second World War series. Sometimes facing the past is the bravest act of all...ONCE I didn't know about my grandfather Felix's scary childhood. THEN I found out what the Nazis did to his best friend Zelda. NOW I understand why Felix does the things he does. At least he's got me. My name is Zelda too. This is our story.


This was available from: Fishpond, Bood depository and Amazon


Happy reading




Monday 13 March 2017

The enchanted wood

The Enchanted Wood
Author: Enid Blyton
ISBN: 9781405272193
          

Hi Everyone,

I love every word in this book!  This is why I should have read when I was younger, I could have missed out on reading books like this one.

The characters are adorable. 
The plot is vibrant. 
The language is rich.
Every child should read this...
or have an adult read it to them!

This is a classic, in my books.  I could read this over and over and not get tired of it.  I was able to connect with every character.  I have a vision of each and every little being and world in this novel.  It is a fast paced, imaginative little read that will never out date for me.  I will treasure this story and share it with many children to come.


Description:

The Enchanted Wood is the first magical story in the Faraway Tree series by the world's best-loved children's author, Enid Blyton. When Joe, Beth and Frannie move to a new home, an Enchanted Wood is on their doorstep. And when they discover the Faraway Tree, that is the beginning of many magical adventures! Join them and their friends Moonface, Saucepan Man and Silky the fairy as they discover which new land is at the top of the Faraway Tree. Will it be the Land of Spells, the Land of Treats, or the Land of Do-As-You-Please? Come on an amazing adventure - there'll be adventures waiting whatever happens. The Faraway Tree stories have been delighting readers for over 75 years. Look out for the other titles in the Faraway Tree series: The Faraway Tree, Folk of the Faraway Tree, and Up the Faraway Tree.


This was available from: Amazon, Fishpond, and Book depository


Happy reading


Friday 10 March 2017

Then...

Then
Author: Morris Glenitzman
ISBN: 9780141324821



Hi Everyone,

This book is the second book in the Once, Then, and Now series by Morris Gleitzman.  It is just as good as the first book which I reviewed earlier this week... 'Once'

I followed Felix and Zelda as they found a new family, changed their names, and pretended to be someone else; just to survive.  It was a masterpiece of written literature.  As I came to the last part of their journey in this book, I was utterly shocked.  It didn't end the way I expected.  It also didn't end they way I would have thought this genre of book would have.  I had to pick up the next book!

This series is best read as a series.  I still think, as I reviewed with Once, that this would be a fantastic read aloud.   There are so many parts of this book that could and should be talked about, to enable the young reader to further understand the writing.

I am reading the third book in this series, Now.  It is written from a different perspective and I think it is going to be a great tying up of the series.  I will have that review up for you next week. 

Enjoy your weekend.


Description:

In "Then" - Morris Gleitzman's heartbreaking children's novel set during the Nazi occupation of Poland during the Second World War - Jewish orphan Felix and his best friend Zelda have been captured and are on the way to a concentration camp, unless they manage to escape...A little hope goes a long way. I had a plan for me and Zelda. Pretend to be someone else. Find new parents, be safe forever. Then the Nazis came. My name is Felix. This is my story.


This was available from: Book depository and Fishpond


Happy reading

Wednesday 8 March 2017

Gewgaws

Gewgaws: A New Adventure with an Old Friend
Author: C M Bacon
ISBN: 978-0997578614


Hi Everyone,

Let me introduce you to the Gewgaws and a story of friendship.  First and foremost I liked the cover.  I am always attracted by a good cover.  I was told at a very young age 'not to judge a book by the cover'.... I cant help it!  If I don't like the cover then often I don't buy it.  In this case there were two things that gave this book the thumbs up for me, the cover, and the author approached me via Goodreads and offered me a copy.

What did I think upon opening it?  I enjoyed the journey from the beginning to the end.  It starts off with a young man/boy who has to go and meet an old friend.  This was very typical as the boy didn't think his friend was 'socially exceptable' enough for him any more.  How often have I heard this kind of dialogue in the young people my kids have friended over the years?  I thought this was a brilliant beginning, one that many middle graders would be able to connect with. 

His mother makes him meet his friend!  Once again I could hear every mother I know speaking.

The plot from here transports the boys to different worlds with Gewgaws (you have to read to figure this one out).  I loved the worlds.  They carried an interest of their own and an uniqueness to other plots.  It was refreshing to read something different, something with an innocence to the quest. 

All the way through I kept telling my boy, "You have to read this you will love it".  I have handed it over to him now and I will find out over time what he thinks.  This is written in such a way that either gender will be able to grasp an interest in the friendship and the fantasy behind the boys travels.  I highly recommend this book grace a families bookcase.  I would also recommend the reading aloud of this, as it is easy to open up conversations with.


Description:

Perry Dobbs thinks he's going to meet his old friend Arvin Pewter for a swim at the local pool. Boy, he's in for a surprise!

When a gewgaw rips Arvin and Perry out of our world, they're thrust into a whirlwind adventure across time and space. In their quest for home, they'll journey through fantastic worlds, solve a mystery, meet kind and treacherous strangers, see the best and worst sides of each other, and learn the true meaning of friendship. Will it be enough to confront the mysterious evil following them? Can they get home before it's too late?

Gewgaws is a fast-paced fantasy adventure about finding your inner strength and relying on a friend in your darkest hour.


This was available from: Amazon, Fishpond and Book depository


Happy reading


Tuesday 7 March 2017

A balancing act


Hi Everyone,

I had a review for you today but life became a balancing act.... so why not give you a quote from the beloved Dr. Seuss!

Happy reading

Sunday 5 March 2017

Once...

Once
Author: Morris Gleitzman
ISBN: 9780143301950


Hi Everyone,

This book has surprised me!  I had to search more about Once and the author.  I found it was only written in 2005.  I would have thought it was written much earlier by the content.  It was written by Morris Gleitzman, an Austrailian.  This also left me a little amazed, as it felt like it was written by someone who had experienced at least some of the content.  Morris Gleitzman's research has shone from the pages of this little treasure.  If you want to find out more about Morris Gleeitzman's researched readings, his life, and/or his writing of this novel, and the others that make up this series, then journey to the Once (Morris Gleitzman Novel) Wiki page

There were parts of this book that left me open mouthed considering it is a childrens book.  But... it is so brilliantly written, from the perspective of Felix, a ten year old boy, that I think it is a wonderful resource for middle schoolers, especially boys. 

I actually had this book packed away in a box!  Can you believe it?  What a waste of a good novel.  I dragged it out and thought I would read it.  I should have done so long ago.  My son is now opening the pages and I am sure, without a doubt, he will swallow every word.  He has watched and read many movies and resources on the history of the past wars.  This book puts it into the perspective of a boy, rather than an adult.  If you like your children reading 'living books', and you have a middle grader, then take a look at this one.  You may want to read it yourself first as there are a few parts that surprised me, but the author has written this in such a way that it moved past these incidents and I followed the boy's journey rather than the happenings around him.

I am reading the next book in the series now, titled 'Then'.  I will have the review of Then up for you over the next few days, as I have almost finished it. 


Description:

Once by Morris Gleitzman is the story of a young Jewish boy who is determined to escape the orphanage he lives in to save his Jewish parents from the Nazis in the occupied Poland of the Second World War.

Everybody deserves to have something good in their life.

At least Once. 

Once I escaped from am orphanage to find Mum and Dad. 

Once I saved a girl called Zelda from a burning house. 

Once I made a Nazi with a toothache laugh. 

My name is Felix. This is my story.


Happy reading







This was available from: Amazon, Book depository and Fishpond

Thursday 2 March 2017

Away in my aeroplane

Away in my Aeroplane
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by: Henry Fisher
ISBN: 978-1-4723-0788-0



Hi Everyone,

We all need the pleasure of a bright children's picture book from time to time.  The cover grabbed me due to the bright playful illustrations and I just had to take the book home. 

Riding along in my aeroplane, over the clouds and through the rain.

That is how this book starts... the rhyme is catchy.  I can remember reading books that rhymed with my kids a few years back and they loved them.  I was able to read them over and over many times without them getting bored and better yet, without my getting bored.

The print of the words is brilliant in this edition.  They sway across the page like the plane would in the sky.  I like this and I get pleasure from reading the words  rather than the normal straight across.  It kind of makes the pages playful, matching the illustrations.

Away in my Aeroplane is short and simple.  I great little read for a small person especially those who would like bright pages and a short time on your knee.

Happy reading





This was available from: Fishpond, Amazon and Book depository

I found it interesting that some editions have Aeroplane and others have Airplane!  Mine has the Aero spelling hence I have spelt it as such.

Wednesday 1 March 2017

The top five regrets of the dying

The Top Five Regrets of the Dying
Author: Bronnie Ware
ISBN: 978-1-8450-999-3



Hi Everyone,

This book is fantastic!  It is written with such a peaceful spirit that I was left astonished.  The best way to explain what this book contains is to give you the chapter listing and description.  Then you just have to read it.  There are a few Youtube clips that explain a lot of what is in the book, but the book is by far better.  You can read the book at your own pace and put it down when you need some absorption time for thinking.  This book is really a little treasure just like the people were to Bronnie Ware.

Chapter list:


Introduction

From the tropics to the snow

An unexpected career path

Honesty and surrender

Regret 1:
I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me

Products of our environment

Trappings

Regret 2:
I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings

No guilt

Gifts in disguise

Regret 4:
I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends

True friends

Allow yourself

Regret 5:
I wish I had let myself be happier

Happiness is now

A matter of perspective

Changing times

Darkness and dawn

No regrets

Smile and know


Description:

After too many years of unfulfilling work, Bronnie Ware began searching for a job with heart. Despite having no formal qualifications or experience, she found herself working in palliative care. Over the years she spent tending to the needs of those who were dying, Bronnie's life was transformed. Later, she wrote an Internet blog about the most common regrets expressed to her by the people she had cared for. The article, also called "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying", gained so much momentum that it was read by more than three million people around the globe in its first year. At the requests of many, Bronnie now shares her own personal story. Bronnie has had a colourful and diverse past, but by applying the lessons of those nearing their death to her own life, she developed an understanding that it is possible for people, if they make the right choices, to die with peace of mind. In this book, she expresses in a heartfelt retelling how significant these top five regrets are, and how we can positively address these issues while we still have the time. "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying" gives hope for a better world. It is a story told through sharing her inspiring and honest journey, which will leave you feeling kinder towards yourself and others, and more determined to live the life you are truly here to live. This delightful memoir is a courageous, life-changing book.


Bronnie Ware's official website



I hope this captures some part of your heart and you pick up a copy for yourself.  I was left thinking long after reading this.  In fact I am still thinking.  There are many parts of our lives that could do with a little adjustment... no-one gets it all right.  But to hear the top regrets, that are repeated over and over by different people, is interesting.


Happy reading





This was available from: Fishpond, Amazon and Book Depository