Sunday 29 July 2012

Love and Hunger (and High Tea) by Charlotte Wood

Love and Hunger caters to my current food obsession perfectly.

It provides elements of the Slow Food movement, the common sense of Michael Pollan and the appreciation of good food and cooking as a way of living life to the full.

Charlotte (notice I use her first name familiarly! Having shared a High Tea with her last weekend at Better Read Than Dead, I don't feel right referring to her coldly as Wood anymore.)
Anyway...Charlotte weaves family anecdotes and personal vignettes together with her favourite recipes.

I have already made Charlotte's hedgehog slice to great acclaim and I have the puys lentils and chicken stock firmly in my sights.

Charlotte reminds me that cooking is an act of love. That food, the aroma of it cooking, the taste and textures of it, stay with us for life. Food is memory. 
Sharing a meal is a lovely way to bring together family and friends, to create a mood, a memory and magic.

Sadly, Charlotte had lost her voice for the High Tea and most of her observations were made via her good friend Stephanie Clifford-Smith, who filled in admirably.
Even with a large group of virtual strangers gathered around a bookshop table, food (and tea and maybe a glass of wine or 2) had the power to bring us all together, opening up about our food stories and sharing our food memories. 

The best part, though, was sharing this fulfilling experience with the lovely Thea and the wonderful GirlBooker and her partner.

Saturday 28 July 2012

Playground complied by Nadia Wheatley

"As Aboriginal people, if we lose our culture, we lose who we are and where we come from, and that's what we, as a community, don't want to happen".

Playground is nominated for the Eve Pownall Award for Best Information Book. It is written for an older primary school audience. There is a lot of information and text interspersed with photographs, maps and artwork.

This will become another favourite of school librarians everywhere.

The information was packed densely onto each page but I managed to garner fascinating nuggets from each section.
I liked how it was set out from creation, birth, childhood etc through to death. Detailing rituals, beliefs and day to day routines.

I found it difficult to work out who were the authors within the various sections of the book and which bits were written by Nadia Wheatley (if any).

Playground is a worthy nominee and it fulfills it's cover declaration of "listening to stories from country and from the heart."

Thursday 26 July 2012

Look, A Book by Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood

Look, A Book is basically a wordless picture book.

Only a few words and sentences litter the pages as two young children discover the joy of losing themselves in the pages of a good book.

Imagination runs wild as the world of the book and reality overlap and intermingle. Gleeson and Blackwood show that it is often the small things that lead to big ideas.

Look, A Book is shortlisted for the CBCA Picture Book award. The illustrations are done in Blackwood's iconic style reflecting a carefree, old-fashion childhood. You can check out more of her drawings on her website.

I'm sure this will become a favourite of school librarians everywhere.
 

Tuesday 24 July 2012

One Small Island The Story of Macquarie Island by Alison Lester and Carol Tulloch

"For if we can save one small island, perhaps we can save them all."

Beautiful illustrations abound in this book about the history of Macquarie Island. They're complemented by photographs, maps and diagrams.

Unfortunately I found the text a little bland, which is a shame, because history wrapped up with an environmental message doesn't have to be mundane. Perhaps Lester could have used some rhyming couplets and onomatopoeia to good effect!

This is perfectly passable non-fiction for 8+ readers. It's worthy of the nomination for the Eve Pownell Award for Information Books.
However to convince this google generation to use books as a source of information, we will all have to rethink the format and recapture their interest in a way this book hasn't quite succeeded in doing.

Sunday 22 July 2012

Crewel by Gennifer Albin

I approached Crewel with some trepidation and an "oh no, not another dystopian YA novel" attitude.

So I have to say up front that I loved this book from the first page.

I loved the whole weaving of time concept. It captured my imagination and drew me in. It felt original, new and exciting.

It was a little confusing trying to work out how the whole weaving of time thing worked though.
There was enough information to give you a 'feel' for it rather than a proper grasp on the concept.
I was okay with that.
I don't need to have everything spelled out for me and I could see this was going to be a series, so Albin has to leave some stuff for the other books!

There was a section in the final third of the book that slowed things down as the romance was being developed. There was also a very obvious ah-ha moment that we were all waiting for Adelice to work out for herself.

Despite these flaws, I found Crewel to be a rivetting read. I've been telling everyone about it and I can't wait for book 2 to come out.

Allen and Unwin have got themselves a winner with this one.

It's due for Australian publication in October. Keep an eye out for it...whichever cover they decide to go with - it's eye-catching.

Saturday 21 July 2012

Phyllis Wong and the Forgotten Secrets of Mr Okyto by Geoffrey McSkimming

Phyllis is into magic and she has a knack for it.
Her great-grandfather was a world famous magician who disappeared mysteriously; Phyllis has obviously inherited his abilities.

Phyllis also fancies herself as a bit of a super-sleuth.

So when the lady in the antique shop tells her that one of her expensive blue wren bookends has been swapped right underneath her watchful eyes, Phyllis is on the case!

Phyllis is a strong female character, the story is well-written and detailed. The content is appropriate for strong 8+ readers although the tone is aimed at 10+ readers who enjoy something out of the ordinary.

Phyllis Wong has an August publication date in Australia through Allen and Unwin.

Friday 20 July 2012

Michael Pollan on How to Eat

Last week I attended a night of Ideas at the House with Michael Pollan - the venue Sydney's beautiful Opera House - the topic 'How to Eat'.

In preparation I read In Defence of Food, started The Botany of Desire and checked out his website.

Thanks to my research I didn't really learn anything new about Michael Pollan's views on food, but he is a very entertaining speaker and it was a pleasure to listen to him in person (we had great seats only 10 rows back from the stage!)

If I'd had a chance to read further through The Botany of Desire, I would have asked Michael how his wild apple seeds were fairing as his chapter on the history of the apple was incredibly fascinating. I found myself quoting it to my husband and friends whenever they gave me an opening.

I also made the mistake of taking In Defence of Food on holidays with me! My long-suffering husband was treated to several soap-box harangues about food, politics and the environment that decreased in coherence as the intake of pool-side cocktails increased! 

I am definitely a convert to the cause of eating well, ethically and responsibly. It's a no-brainer really. Pollan's research also clearly shows the health benefits for us and for the other animals and plants with which we share our planet.

The hard part will be convincing two teenage step children the advantages for them in eating more fruit and vegetables!!

And finally, a few random words from Pollan, from the other night...

"TV is designed to pin you to the couch - it is not motivational. We watch more sport and cooking shows than we play sport or cook!"

"We eat and shop thoughtlessly, unconsciously. By devoting more time - asking questions, growing our own food - paying more attention to our food and the process of preparing food - it's not a hardship; it's a pleasure."

"Quality not quantity."

Finally here's a link to the interview so you can see and hear for yourself.

Thursday 19 July 2012

Come Down, Cat! by Sonya Hartnett

Sonya Harnett would have to be the darling of the CBCA; there are not many times in recent years when one of her books has not been on the shortlist.

2012 is no exception!

This year she has a beautifully designed picture book on offer. The illustrations have been done by Lucia Masciullo. They have a lovely Mediterranean feel about them with lots of muted blues and ochres.

I love Hartnett's choice of language in this book right down to her decision to use "marl" for the cat's speaking voice.

The cat is so cat-like in it's behaviour that I found myself missing all the cats that have been in my life over the years, especially our childhood cat who regularly got himself stuck on the roof!

 

Wednesday 18 July 2012

S.C.U.M. by Danny Katz

This will be one of those books that many parents will hate...with a passion. 

It is littered with jokes about genitals, sex and bodily functions. There are swear words and crude concepts. It was like eavesdropping on my teenage stepsons phone conversation or facebook page - fascinating as a sociological exercise and disconcerting as an indication of our future direction!

As with every generation, there is the idea that they have discovered sex for the first time in history. And as with every generation, those doing the most talking about sex are those not having any!
Obviously the slang and modes of conveying these ideas change with each generation...and that's what Katz does beautifully (if anything about this book could be described as beautiful!)

Katz has obviously spent a lot of time eavesdropping on his son and his friends. Even a jaded 40+ stepmum could laugh out loud at some of the humour, although I did tire of it very quickly and I felt a lot of sympathy for the teachers!

This book will not be picked by school librarians or added to the school curriculum, but I suspect it will fall into the hands of many 15 year olds regardless - to be snickered over on the sly.

I'll let the publisher, Allen and Unwin have the final say...

Danny Katz is a columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He writes the Modern Guru column in the Good Weekend magazine. He is also the author of the books Spit the Dummy, Dork Geek Jew and the Little Lunch series for kids.
S.C.U.M.
Published: August 2012
Adrian Mole goes to Summer Heights High in this story of hormones, high school and social hierarchy from one of Australia's funniest writers.
'S.C.U.M. is great. Danny Katz is one of the hilariest writers I know. Hilariest? Is that a word? It is now.' - Frank Woodley

Monday 16 July 2012

Arkie Sparkle Treasure Hunter by Petra James

For young girls who love their EJ 12 books comes a new series about a time-travelling 11 year old.

Arkie's parents are archaeologists, hence her name! The series begins when Arkie's parents are kidnapped and Arkie is left a series of clues and challenges - she must find seven treasures across the seven continents in seven days. She is helped by her BFF, TJ and the dog-wonder, Cleo.

Arkie Sparkle is an easy, fun romp through history and geography.

The reader is required to make a few leaps of faith as improbable events abound, but, hey, there aren't too many books for 7 -10 year readers that casually throw in Latin quotes or Confucious sayings.

Book 1: Code Crimson is out now published by Pan Macmillan Australia.
Book 2: Time Trap is due out next month.
Book 3: White Fright is due out in September.
Book 4: Ruby Red is due out in October.


Petra James is a pseudonym for "an emerging children's author" as quoted from the Pan Macmillan title page. So he/she/they could be Australian, but I'm always a little disappointed when the author chooses anonymity.

Sunday 15 July 2012

Maisie Dobbs Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

Some of you may have noticed my absence over the past week or so. Every now and again I have a reading holiday when I ease back on reading time, but this week was more about a technology holiday. I simply needed a break from all the stimulation and attention demanded from computers, phones, tv's and tablets.

What do I turn to when need a break from this crazy, crazy world?

Maisie Dobbs of course!

Maisie has become my comfort read. Although Maisie often deals with uncomfortable issues, it's done so gently and thoughtfully that I'm left feeling soothed and calmed instead.

Among the Mad is the 6th book in this wonderful series set between the wars in London. Maisie was a nurse during WW1 and is scarred from her experiences. She has since trained to become a private detective specialising in psychological approaches to solving her crimes.

Many of her adventures centre around the after effects of WW1 on returning soldiers and nurses. This story is no different as it mixes personal issues with political issues.

The government has received threats against public safety from a wounded soldier bent on being heard. This leads Maisie and her colleagues on a search through the various factions forming in England expressing discontent with the establishment.

There is nothing difficult or alarming in this story. A vague melancholy hangs over most of the Maisie books despite Maisie's charms and abilities.

For me this makes the perfect winter read.

Monday 9 July 2012

Young Hearts Crying by Richard Yates

From now on also known as 'Young Hearts Crying: The Tragedy.'

Michael Davenport may have been skeptical, but mostly he was boorish, egotistical and completely unable to learn from his mistakes. There was a Hamlet-esque quality to his self-absorbtion and madness. It was extremely painful to watch.

He was jealous and judgemental and oh so childish. He hated all that 'psychiatry', but I would have loved some info about his childhood to try and work our why it was that he never grew up. (The best I could work out was a childhood influence by the Depression and a failure to bond with his never-mentioned parents.)

He never understood that very basic premise of love and friendship. You have to be a good friend and lover in the first place if you want to maintain a healthy long-lasting relationship. Michael seemed incapable of being good to anyone, least of all himself.

Lucy Davenport was just lost. One of this generations many lost souls. She lacked purpose and kept trying to find her happiness in other people and things like acting, writing, painting and self-help guru's.

Yates has written a heart-breakingly sad tale of these times. Complete with lack of connection, loss of moral compass and the fruitless search for fame and glory. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the mood Yates was able to create, but I think I need to read something less melancholy and more joyous next!

Wednesday 4 July 2012

The Wrong Boy by Suzy Zail

I've been trying to work out what I want to say about The Wrong Boy for a couple of days now.

The writing was pretty good, the story was exactly as you would expect from a teen romance/holocaust story and the history was accurate. But I was uncomfortable the whole time I was reading it.

I've read quite a lot of Holocaust literature over the years.

It is a subject I return to regularly, almost obsessively at times.

I am not Jewish or German, and I have not lived through a world war.

But ever since my first real brush with Nazi Germany in my Year 9 history class I have been on a mission to understand how the Holocaust could have happened.

My head, heart and soul are continually searching for the answers to how & why it is that 

Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!
(Robert Burn - Man was Made to Mourn: A Dirge - 1784)


And that's when I realised what was wrong about The Wrong Boy - it didn't provide me with any clues or insights into man's inhumanity to man. I was not provoked into confronting any of my preconceived ideas or challenged into see a new perspective.


Fictionalising the Holocaust is not an easy job.
Many Holocaust stories are actually based on real events and real people with the author often feeling compelled to write the story as a way of processing their own family history and bearing witness. This kind of writing can be cathartic for the writer and eye-opening for the reader.

Perhaps if I was still a teenager just beginning my quest to understand, The Wrong Boy may have provided me with some answers. But as an adult, it failed to bring anything new into the ever-expanding field of Holocaust literature.

Suzy Zail has also written books for adults including 'The Tattooed Flower' about her father's experiences during the Holocaust.

P.S. I felt compelled to check what the rest of you were saying about this book on your blogs, especially the teen/YA readers.

There were many rave reviews that declared they were moved by this story and that they were shocked by many of the descriptions of events that were new to them. They were recommending this book to friends and hoping it would win awards. There were lots of blog discussions on man's inhumanity to man.

Knowledge is indeed a powerful thing. The more people who know about the Holocaust and are appalled by it, the less chance we have of history repeating itself.