Jenna reviewed one of the best short story collections today on bFM's Loose Reads. Things to do when you're Goth in the Country is a collection eight short stories - American small town grime full of imagination, politics & black humour. Jenna's highlights are Zombie and A New Mohawk.
Reviews
RNZ's Nine to Noon: Jenna's Summer Reads /
Things to do when you're Goth in the Country
Chavisa Woods
Woods has given us eight tales of American small town grime. A major highlight was the story, A New Mohawk, where the protagonist wakes up one day to have a miniature version of the Gaza strip living in his mohawk.
This is Roxane Gay's favourite read of 2017. An epic 500 page saga which follows four generations of a Korean family living in Japan over the 20th century. A fantastic read for those who love to learn about different cultures.
Hera Lindsay Bird's favourite read of 2017. This could be seen as just another university coming of age story, but it's so much more. We following Turkish American Selin in her first year of Harvard as she navigates classes, friends and this new fandangled thing called email. A very funny, crisp observation of language and what's lost in translation.
95bFM's Loose Reads: What Does This Button Do? by Bruce Dickinson /
A Rock N Roll memoir unlike any other. Listen to Ian, Mikey, and Sarah discuss the various talents of Bruce Dickinson. Although he's most well known as the lead singer of English metal icons, Iron Maiden, he's also a world class fencer, airplane pilot, and even novelist. What can't this man do?
Double Book Review: Dork Diaries: Pop Stars by Rachel Renee Russel & Grandpa's Great Escape by David Walliams /
Young reader Jessica Shuttleworth dropped off not one, but TWO book reviews last week! She gives us her feedback on Dork Diaries: Pop Star by Rachel Renee Russel, as well as Grandpa's Great Escape by David Walliams. Thanks for your awesome input, Jessica!
"I like Dork Diaries: Pop Star because it is exciting and fun. The main characters are Nikki Maxwell, Chleoy and Zoy, Brandon, Mackenzie Hollister, and Brianna Maxwell. It is set at a fancy middle school called WCO.
Nikki Maxwell got a scholarship to the school because her dad is their exterminator. At home her annoying sister Brianna is keeping her hands full. Meanwhile at school there is a talent competition. The school queen bee Mackenzie is bullying Nikki more than ever. Lucky her bff Chloey, Zoey, and Brandon are there to help."
We recommend Dork Diaries: Pop Star for ages 8 - 12.
"Grandpa's Great Escape is a great book - it is quite long. This book is about an old man who was a World War II flying ace. But when he gets confused he is sent to an old folks home. He and his grandson must make a daring plan to escape twilight towers. But the evil Marton is getting suspicious. The setting is 1983 in Britain, the main characters are Dad, Mum, Jack, Grandpa, and Marton."
We recommend Grandpa's Great Escape for ages 8 - 12.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Light the Dark by Joe Fassler /
It's a new year and a time where people often set both creative and reading goals. Listen to Jenna, Mikey & Sarah crack into 2018 with Light the Dark, a collection of essays where contemporary authors tell us what inspires them - perhaps this will inspire you too!
RNZ Nine to Noon: The Stolen Bicycle by Wu Ming-Yi /
Jenna conveniently cycled to RNZ to review The Stolen Bicycle. A beautiful insight into Taiwanese history and culture.
Book Review: The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell /
10 year old Conor Davidson-Ladd gives us his VITAL feedback on the new series by the author of How to Train Your Dragon.
The Wizards of Once is the latest thrilling book by Cressida Cowell, writer of the best selling How To Train Your Dragon series.
The Wizards of Once is about a powerless wizard boy called Xar who goes hunting for witches in the forest and meets Wish the young warrior princess. It's fair to say it's not love at first sight!
When Xar's pet sprite falls deathly ill, these two foes come together in a superb adventure. They have to break into Queen Sychorax's Iron Warrior fort and navigate its perilous dungeons, to save Xar's pet sprite's life.
If you loved the How To Train Your Dragon series you will adore this book too. I would recommend it for ages 7-12.
The Wizards of Once is available now.
Book Review: The Shop at Hooper's Bend by Emily Rodda /
12 year old reviewer Rata, has read the latest book by a longtime favourite, Emily Rodda.
Quil Medway (her real name is Jonquil but she prefers Quil) is an eleven year old girl who was supposed to be on her way to camp, but she decides to get off the train early at a stop called Hoppers Bend. At Hoopers Bend, Quil meets all sorts of people but in particular, Bailey an bitter older woman who owns a shop that had been left to her, by her uncle. Quil also meets a little black and white dog named, pirate.
There’s something magical about the shop at Hoopers bend though, something Quil and Bailey are drawn to.
The shop at Hoopers Bend is a very cute, interesting and magical book. I would recommend it for anyone who loves books like that and is over the age of nine. A lot of events, drama happens in this book, some good, some bad, some sad and some happy.
The Shop at Hooper's Bend is available now.
Book Review: Nothing by Annie Barrows /
A new review from our young reader on the ground, 12 year old Rata.
From the author of Ivy & Bean and the co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Nothing happens in this book, there are no love triangles, no one runs away or gets murdered, there are no superheroes or super villains. This book is about two average 15 year old girls living an average life. Charlotte and Frankie (best friends) think they have a boring life but when Charlotte decides to write it all down, Frankie and Charlotte realise their life may be more interesting than they think.
This book has a good mix of drama, comedy and romance. It’s perfect for any teenager who loves these genres.
This book is great for fans of Louise Rennison.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Meet Me in the Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman /
Jenna's been living in a printed word flurry of late, but she's still had time to bring us in Meet Me in the Bathroom, Lizzy Goodman's oral history of the 2000s NYC indie music scene. A hefty tome covering The Strokes to Yeah Yeah Yeahs, LCD Soundsystem to Interpol, Goodman captures a very particular scene from the mouths of the very particular characters that made it happen. But do you have to be a fan? Or does the book stand on its own?
The Hobbit reviewed by Kath O'Sullivan /
Our Book Review winner!
Read MoreRNZ Nine to Noon: Sing, Unburied, Sing /
Jenna reviewed Jesmyn Ward's Sing, Unburied, Sing this morning on RNZ's Nine to Noon.
RNZ Nine to Noon: Sour Heart by Jenny Zhang /
Jenna reviews the excellent short story collection Sour Heart by Jenny Zhang. Listen here!
School Holiday Picks: Week Two /
1) Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban (Illustrated Edition) by J.K. Rowling
Wendy's Grandson Jacob has been spending the holidays with us and his top pick is the new illustrated edition of Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban.
If you haven't yet read one of the illustrated editions of Harry Potter, you're missing out! It's a wonderful way to experience the series.
2) Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
John Green's first novel in six years is here. With a beautiful cover and incredible reviews from The Guardian and the New York Times, Turtles All the Way Down is a must read for 2018.
3) Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
Nevermoor is here! Does it live up to the hype? We had 12 year old Rata write a special review for us.
Come in and check out our special Hachette NZ Nevermoor window, it will be up until next week.
4) Competition time for National Bookshop Day
In celebration of our Howl-O-Ween NZ Bookshop Day, we are giving away TWO bespoke bi monthly book bundles for 2018. All you need to do is create a review for us! See details below...
Another GREAT competition to check out is the Booksellers NZ 'Love Letter to your Bookshop' here:
5) The Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane & Jackie Morris
All we have to say is that this is one of the most beautiful books in the kid's room right now. From the author of Landmarks and The Wild Places with tender and rich illustrations, The Lost Words is a book for every age.
Book Review: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend /
The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) is one of those books that we know is going to be big. As you might expect a bookseller to tell you this, we have a trusted review for you from one of our young customers, 13 year old Rata Lomax.
When you open this book an explosion of magic, weirdness, friendship and excitement spills out. The Trials of Morrigan Crow is packed with craziness, fascination and a bit of darkness to balance things out. Fans of Harry Potter, Roald Dahl and Narnia would absolutely LOVE this book.
Morrigan Crown is star-crossed, unlucky, cursed and everyone knows it. Most people tend to keep away from her and Morrigan knows when she dies there will most likely be celebrations, for the curse dooms her to die when she reaches the age of twelve. But as Morrigan waits for her cruel fate an unexpected twist takes place, a peculiar, intriguing and slightly crazy man comes to her rescue and he takes her to a place called nevermoor. Nevermoor is a magical city full of incredible wonders, but if Morrigan wants to stay there she must take place in a series of four risky but magical trials.
Personally I loved this book I would definitely recommend it to readers of all ages (8+), this book is amazing and wunderous.
You can buy a copy of Nevermoor from our online store. Jessica Townsend is visiting Auckland for a few days at the end of October and will be popping into Time Out. Keep an eye on our facebook page for updated information.
RNZ Nine to Noon: BABY by Annaleese Jochems /
Jenna talks to Kathryn Ryan about a wonderful new literary talent from VUP. Click the image to listen to the review.
bFM Loose Reads: Riot Days by Maria Alyokhina /
Jenna & Mikey chatted about this powerful memoir by one of Pussy Riot's founding memoirs. You can listen to the review by clicking on the image below.
bFM Loose Reads: Sour Heart /
Jenna talks to Mikey about Sour Heart, the debut collection of stories from American writer and poet Jenny Zhang.
Read MorebFM Loose Reads: The 7th Function of Language /
Jenna reviews the latest from HHHH author, Laurence Binet.
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