Shelter / Harlan Coben

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Harlan Coben usually writes for adults and I have enjoyed some of his books. This is for young adults and I wondered if the author would be able to do a good job of this genre. He can! He did! I enjoyed reading about Micky Bolitar settling into a new high school and making friends after a really tough year with his father dying and his mother going into rehab. And on top of all of that he gets mixed up with seriously strange and dangerous characters and is lucky to escape with his life. The ending is a bit unusual - I'm still trying to work out whether it is reasonable or not.

Who would enjoy this? If you like a good mystery and a range of interesting characters, this should be a book you will enjoy.

Reviewed by James

Pathfinder / Orson Scott Card

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This book is by the same author as Ender's game, and it was great to see it on the shelves because Orson Scott Card is one of my favourite authors. Most of his books are great, with Ender's game being the best in my opinion (and if you haven't already read it, then you should read do so immediately!). This new one is a real mixture of an exciting and gripping story, and an almost mind-bending exercise in trying to follow Card's take on time travel. It's well worth the read but probably best after exams rather than before them since it makes you think so hard!

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who likes Orson Scott Card as an author, and anyone who likes to read about humans populating new worlds, and time travel.

Reviewed by Hamish

Faith, hope and Ivy June / Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Ivy June goes to a big city not too far from her home in the backblocks of America for two weeks, and then her host, Catherine, comes to stay with her in her much more primitive home. The girls learn a lot about each other and discover that though there are many differences in the ways they live their lives, when it comes to the crunch their feelings are exactly the same. I have always wanted to go on an exchange visit to another school because I reckon it would be very interesting to try out a different way of living. That's why I liked this book so much.

Who would enjoy this? It is very interesting reading about the two girls and their completely different lives: if you like to discover new things then you will probably like this book too.

Reviewed by Katya

Coffeehouse angel / Suzanne Selfors

If you haven't yet found what you are good at, then you are in good company. Katrina Svensen has a collection of cast-off sports equipment in her Closet of Shame to prove she has at least been looking. It's not until she does a good deed for an angel - one with the unlikely name of Malcolm - that she is forced to discover what she really wants in life.I liked the setting for this story - a quirky little town called Nordby, somewhere near Seattle on the U.S. Pacific Coast. Nordby has a strong Scandinavian flavour to it that prevents the book from being too predictably American.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who is looking for an entertaining and relaxing read

Reviewed by Sophie

The betrayal of Bindy McKenzie / Jaclyn Moriarty

Being number 1 for everything is harder then it seems for Bindy Mackenzie. She is the most perfect girl at Ashbury.... no wonder someone wants to kill her.Her perfect life begins to fall apart when she finds herself obsessed with her F.A.D. ( friendship and development) classes. She falls ill and fails tests, but the worst part is she just doesn't care! She finds herself stuck in the middle of a serious crime. Lots of people hate Bindy but enough to kill her?With so many enemies she finds herself in a world of hate. Is it madness? Is it jealousy? Or is it murder?!She must find answers before it is too late.I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Kat

Whisper / Chrissie Keighery

It's scary to think that it's possible to have such a bad case of flu that you can spend days unconscious and wake up permanently deaf. This is what happened to Demi. After struggling to keep up at her old school she decides she will go to a College for the Deaf. I thought the book did a very good job of showing what it must be like to be living in two worlds but not quite fitting in either. By the end of the book it looked as though things were slowly getting sorted out for Demi in her new life.

Who would enjoy this? This is an very good book to read if you want to find out a little bit about being deaf, and it comes with an excellent and engrossing story too!

Reviewed by Sophie

A monster calls: a novel / Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd

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Conor is in a horrible situation. His mother is very ill and his father has left them long ago and lives with his new family in America. He also hates his grandmother and feels very isolated at school. And then he starts having nightmares that seem so real it's scary to go to sleep. This book doesn't take long to read, because it's such a page turner. The illustrations are great too. I really liked it.

Who would like this? If you like a book that is easy to read but makes you think at the same time, then you should like this one.

Reviewed by Katya

Flip / Martyn Bedford

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Wow! Seriously, this book is that good! It's about a boy who is trapped in a coma as a result of an accident. Somehow he wakes up in another boy's body and has to deal with the effects of that. It is not at all funny because being in somebody else's body takes a lot of getting used to. Trying to imagine the nitty-gritty of such a situation for myself made sobering thinking. I'd hate it, no matter how bad my life is. The ending is unexpected and fantastic and I recommend this book very highly.

Who would enjoy this? This is a truly original book, right up there with The hunger games and The knife of never letting go. Read it!

Reviewed by James

The last dragonslayer / Jasper Fforde

I started to read this book because I have really enjoyed some of Jasper Fforde's adult books - try Shades of grey for example. The last dragonslayer is written for young adults and it is great! Jennifer Strange is a 16 year old running Kazam, an employment agency for those who can do magic. Strange things are happening, and while Jennifer is struggling to come to grips with this, she discovers that she is the last in a line of Dragonslayers. There are foundlings, magic swords, an armoured Dragonmobile, threatened war, corruption and a cast of interesting and original characters. I highly recommend this funny and absorbing book.

Who would enjoy this? If you like fantasy mixed with humour  (think Terry Pratchett, Diana Wynne Jones, Douglas Adams) this book should suit you very well.

Reviewed by Sophie

Held / Edeet Ravel

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When the unthinkable happens, our minds do their best to help us survive even if it means (as in the case of Stockholm Syndrome) falling in love with your captor. Chloe is a prime candidate, randomly kidnapped for a prisoner exchange but determined to survive.
This is a riveting story that you can't stop thinking about and wondering if it is Stockholm Syndrome or the real thing.

Who would enjoy this? A great read if you are looking for a fast-paced quick read about a fascinating subject.

Reviewed by Amy.

The secret hour / Scott Westerfeld

When Jessica Day moves from Chicago to the small rural town of Bixby, Oklahoma, she expects life to continue as usual. But at midnight time stops for an hour. A thirteenth hour, filled with beasts beyond imagination. This book is an enjoyable read, with Westerfeld's obvious skill at composition coming through in this gripping story. This series is a wonderful counterpart to his 'Pretties' series, which is just as good in its own right.

Who would enjoy this?  Anybody who enjoys supernatural fiction, and books by Scott Westerfeld.

Reviewed by Liam

A thousand splendid suns / Khaled Hosseini

This book made me catch my breath. The lives of two women, two very different women, under the suffering of a male-dominant Taliban society in Afghanistan are woven together in a story that will strike your heart. The book is poignant, simply relating events that the two women go through. I was astounded by the writing, the emotion behind every simple act. I have never known pain or suffering like this, and when I finished the novel I was overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude and optimism.

Who would enjoy this? Those familiar with Hosseini's "The Kite Runner" will appreciate his similar writing style.

Reviewed by Calista

Someone like you / Roald Dahl

I enjoy reading short stories. But more than that, I enjoy these short stories. Maybe it's the mystery, the author's clever use of word and character, or maybe it's the constant flow of suspense that rises to a head with a spectacular ending. Roald Dahl is well known for his children's stories, but his readers will find something quite different here. His writing style is dark and his plots thrilling. The stories seem to exist for one common goal: to engage the reader - in every possible aspect of the word.

Who would enjoy this? Those that enjoy macabre humour and dark storylines would enjoy Roald Dahl. He keeps his stories witty and fresh and thoroughly enjoyable to read.

Reviewed by Calista

Mission: Survival / Chris Ryan

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be stranded on a desert island? No food, no water, only the clothes on your back and four people you hate for company?
This is the reality for Alex, Li, Paulo, Hex and Amber: five teens who are completely different, but get stranded together. But when one of the five gets fatally injured, they must all work together if they want to survive.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who enjoys adventurous and exciting books.

Reviewed by Tessa

Maximum Ride: The angel experiment / James Patterson

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An epic book of flying kids, mutant wolf-men and a School that actually is as evil as most kids think theirs is. Maximum Ride is fourteen and is 98% human, 2% bird. She is the leader of her flock of "Avian Americans": Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman and six-year-old Angel. They, at the moment, are safe from the School where they were captive their whole lives.
But when Angel is kid- or rather, bird-kid-napped, Max has to rescue her, and also keep the others alive. Oh, and possibly save the world as well.

This is the first book in the epic Maximum Ride series.

Who would enjoy this book? People who enjoy adventure, flying, or who wonder what it's like to fly.

Reviewed by Tessa

Hamlet: A novel / John Marsden

Shakespeare is possibly the most prominent playwright of all time. So it was with good cause that I approached this novel with scepticism. However, I was pleasantly surprised. John Marsden manages to take a well-known play, a famous play, and give it a spin of its own. The setting remains very much the same, but the characters seem reinvented somehow, fresh off the page. I find myself regarding the story with a whole new perspective.

Who would enjoy this? John Marsden has a particular way of writing, so anybody who enjoyed his previous works (Tomorrow, When the War Began, The Ellie Chronicles etc.) will also enjoy this. Shakespeare lovers will also enjoy the novel.

Reviewed by Calista

Matched / Ally Condie

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Based on the concept that it is possible to electronically find your perfect match in life, this book explores a society that has decided that too much choice is likely to cause disruption and social upheaval. It was a great read because it seems so reasonable and successful. It would be so good if the partner of your dreams could be sorted out without you having to go through any of the difficulties that are so common for us. It made me think and has stayed with me for ages. I strongly recommend it!

Who would enjoy this? True love treated in a different way, dawning horror and fear and a sense of betrayal - if this appeals to you, then try this book.

Reviewed by Amy

In a heartbeat / Loretta Ellsworth

This book is written from two different points of view - one is star skater, Eagan, set on getting into the Olympics when she's a bit older; the other is sick girl, Amelia, who needs a new heart and gets Eagan's after she has an accident while skating. While it was an excellent read for itself, it has left me wondering whether there could possibly be such a thing as cell memory that means organ recipients take on some of the characteristics of their donors.

Who would enjoy this? If you like a story that is engrossing and introduces you to something a bit new and different, then this one should suit you.

Reviewed by Sophie

Forgotten / Cat Patrick

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This is a very good book! Takes a bit of getting your head around as the main character can only remember FORWARD and has to make notes so she has any kind of continuity in her life. For instance she has a great boyfriend but can't remember him from day to day. As well, the book explores questions like whether we should tell people bad things that happened in the past, or whether we should protect them from this knowledge and whether trauma can cause the complete muddling of memories. Confusing but very engrossing and one of those books you can't put down.

Who would enjoy this? There's love, mystery, real life - something there for everyone!

Reviewed by Sophie

The emerald atlas / John Stephens

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This is the first in a new series and I will be looking out for the next book as soon as it arrives. Three children who have grown up in a series of increasingly awful orphanages are taken to the strangest one yet. There they discover that they are not "normal" - they can move through time and in fact have to work to save the community they are in from being destroyed by evil. It's not too hard and it kept me reading the whole time. A really good book.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who likes fantasy which is not too hard to read, and with interesting and believable characters.

Reviewed by Jason

The dead I know / Scot Gardner

Aaron's life is unravelling - one minute he is having a hard time at high school, the next minute, of all the possible career options, he's a trainee funeral director! That's the least of his worries though - it's what is happening at night that is giving him grief. Aaron is a sleepwalker, and it's getting out of control. Even tying himself to the bed doesn't stop him from waking up in unexpected and dangerous situations.
This is a riveting story that demands your attention as you try and work out what is actually happening to Aaron and why having to deal with death helps him to face up to his past.

Who would enjoy this? This is a great read if you like something a bit different with intriguing characters and a look at one of those 'elephant in the room' subjects.

Reviewed by Hamish

Beautiful malice / Rebecca James

Beautiful Malice centres on the life of Katherine, after the untimely death of her younger sister. She meets Alice, who at first, seems like the coolest best friend ever. But then, Katherine finds out Alice is not as great as she seems...

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller with unexpected twists and turns.

Reviewed by Tessa

Artemis Fowl / Eion Colfer

Artemis Fowl is a rich twelve year old Irish prodigy. He is also a criminal.
Artemis takes it upon himself to discover and capture one of the new species he is absolutely positive exists: a fairy. Artemis is certain he will be the first ever human to successfully separate a fairy from its gold, and he plans to do this by himself, with only his bodyguard and butler, Butler, to help.

Do you think he can do it?

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who has a healthy belief in fairies, gold, and twelve year old criminal masterminds.

Reviewed by Tessa

The kite runner / Khaled Hosseini

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In this novel, the author manages to capture the atmosphere of not only a setting and era, but of the friendship between two young boys as well as the relationship between a father and his son under difficult circumstances. Hosseini strives to recreate emotion through his plotline, placing the reader right by the side of the protagonist, Amir. We follow him through his navigation of growth - both physical and emotional. I found this book incredibly moving, realistically telling a story with colourful language and imagery.

Who would enjoy this? Anybody who is willing to be taken away with the book will love this story. The lessons learnt in the novel may not be particularly happy, but they are hopeful.

Senior Fiction

Reviewed by Calista

Alanna / Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce's books are a must read when it comes to adventures set in the magical world. Pierce magically weaves her stories so that even those who are not interested are entrapped within her stories. Alanna: the First Adventure is the first novel in the Song of the Lioness Quartet.

Who would enjoy this? Those who enjoy magic and adventure.

Reviewed by Tju-Yi

When the cat's away / Jackie Rutherford

The clock is ticking for teenagers Jodi, Nathan and Briana. Their parents are due back from their overseas trip and there are a few things to be sorted out first. Namely house repairs and contents replacement from the party that got completely out of hand. It's amazing what that sort of pressure does for sibling relationships - the author has these nailed. The comebacks are classic and the behaviour totally recognisable. She has created a fast and enjoyable story about a family who could be the family next door.

Who would enjoy this? If you are wanting a fast and relaxing read then this is a good choice.

Reviewed  by Sophie

Raven's mountain / Wendy Orr

I liked this book because I like tramping and climbing. There's a rockfall at the top of a mountain and Raven, though hurt, is the only one who can get help for the others who are trapped in a cave made by the rockfall. Her journey down the mountain is scary and dangerous. I thought that the author made Raven a real person, though a bit too perfect, maybe.

Who would enjoy this?  If you like quick-read adventure stories which make you wonder if you would be able to do what the main character did, then you would probably like this book.

Reviewed by Katya

The unidentified / Rae Mariz

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If you don't like the way our school is run, then this book is really worth reading - the whole school programme is based on market research and computer games. It took me a while to get my head around how it worked, and even now I am not quite sure I've got it properly sorted out, as it was such a new concept. There were glimpses of how the teachers made sure the students did learn stuff, but it was all mixed up with branding and the heavy influence of the sponsors. This was the bit I found most interesting. But I also liked the way that even in this school, the students are not happy with the way things go on - with good reason sometimes! - and a group gets together to see what they can do to sabotage the culture of everyone being forced to conform.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who wants to explore the role of commercialism in education. Is this the logical end to private/public partnerships?

Reviewed by Amy

August / Bernard Beckett

I have enjoyed lots of Bernard Beckett's books but I'm still not sure about this one. It's really interesting and thought-provoking but I think that I like my books slightly less demanding. You have to think about so much, and even working out what is going on is tricky at times. The book is set in a dystopic future. The main characters live very different lives, but they are equally horrible. Even the ending makes you think, as it doesn't actually spell out what does happen.  I keep wondering about this so I guess you could say the author has been successful!

Who would enjoy this?  I would recommend this book if you like a challenge and I would love to see some comments about what other people think about it!

Senior fiction

Reviewed by Amy

Wood angel / Erin Bow

If you're into nail biters than you'll love Wood Angel. When Kate's father dies she finds herself alone in a place where witches are still burned, but when she meets a mysterious stranger who asks for her shadow and her blood in exchange for a wish, she finds her world turned upside down. With her amazing carving talents she becomes known as Witch Child; in fear of her life she must run away with her carvings and pet cat Taggle.
This book grips you from the very first sentence to the very last. I highly recommend it.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who loves fantasy books set in olden times.

Reviewed by Kat

The uninvited / Tim Wynne Jones

The first time Mimi Shapiro meets Jay Page is when she turns up at her father's isolated cottage to get away from an ex-boyfriend who won't accept it's all over. Jay is using the place as a recording studio and he's happy to share specially because Mimi can confirm that something strange is going on in this Canadian backwater. I really thought I knew where the story was heading and who the likely culprit was, but there are some surprising twists, turns and red herrings that kept my attention right to the end. With its well-drawn characters this book examines the complex nature of families; Mimi's father has a lot to answer for.

Who would enjoy this? If you like mysteries then this is a great read without being too violent or gory. It also gives you plenty to think about.

Reviewed by Jason

Drums, girls and dangerous pie / Jordan Sonnenblick

Steven's life is a little stressful, with him dealing with the usual teenage problems (girls, homework, and music). But his life becomes even worse when his 5 year old brother, Jeffrey, gets leukemia. With his emotions in tatters, his disinterest with school, and the dangerous pie, Jordan Sonneblick (the author) has created a light-hearted, yet heartfelt look at the issues of youth cancer (and girls, of course).

Who would enjoy this? Anybody who enjoys light books with deep messages.

Reviewed by Liam

Chains / Laurie Halse Anderson

Isabel is the perfect slave - clever, compliant and skilled. However, unbeknown to her current owner, she has been taught to read. When the American Revolutionary War breaks out, she is able to put this to good use and spies on those who support the British. Not that Isabel wants to take sides, but she needs something to barter with to allow her to rescue her younger sister Ruth. This story is so well described that I felt I was back in the 1770s with Isabel. It is an engrossing story of not only day-to-day survival, but the struggle to be freed. This is the first book of a new series.

Who would enjoy this? This is a great book for finding out what it was like being a slave in 18th Century North America. Isabel is a feisty character with an agenda of her own, drawing you into her story and her quest for freedom.

Reviewed by Amy

The great wide sea / MH Herlong

This book begins with a death and there are several scary near-death experiences throughout. It is a book about survival: individual, physical and emotional. I really liked it because it was exciting and realistic. It moves along quickly and you can imagine yourself in the situation of being on-board a small boat fighting against ridiculous odds for the lives of those you love. The ending worked because it wasn't an easy one.

Who would enjoy this? If you like survival stories then this is very worthwhile reading. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Jason

No safe place / Deborah Ellis



Reading this book makes me glad I live in New Zealand. 'No Safe Place' opens up a completely different world. Abdul (from Iraq), Cheslave (from Russia)  and Rosalia (a Gypsy from Eastern Europe) are teenagers attempting to 'gate-crash' England. Based on true stories, this is a gripping and fast-paced read that uses flashbacks to explain how each person ends up on a stolen yacht heading for English shores. It is scary to think these situations actually happen and right through the book you are not sure whether things are going to work out for them or not.

Who would enjoy this? If you need a jolt to make you appreciate your life then this is the story for you. It's a real eye-opener about the lives of teenagers who have been forced to leave their homes.

Reviewed by Hamish

Elliot Allagash / Simon Rich

I don't know what to think about this one! Could a character like Elliot really control people the way he seems to be able to? Scarily, the author makes us believe that if you have enough money you can manipulate things to get whatever you want, no matter how unlikely or bizarre. And look out if you don't fit into Elliot's plans for you. He is a most unusual and not particularly pleasant character, but strangely fascinating. Worth the read, definitely.

Who would enjoy this? If you're interested in what makes people tick, normal and not so normal, then you should really enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Hamish

You against me / Jenny Downham

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What is worse? Watching your sister suffer after she's assaulted or having a brother who is 'supposedly' responsible for hurting a girl? It's definitely a lose-lose situation. This story handles the two scenarios so realistically you feel like you are suffering along with Mikey and Ellie (but not enough to stop reading the book!). Great characters, terrific story but not a book you'd choose when you want to blob out, it's more the nail-chewing variety.

Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who is prepared to read about life-changing, nitty-gritty situations, that is, 'real life'. It's worth the read.

Reviewed by Amy.

The secret history / Donna Tartt

When a group of college students meet together in Virginia, they have fun, drink, enjoy life to the fullest. But life isn't what they imagined it might be and a flurry of secrets - deadly secrets - shatter the facade of their carefree world.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  There is mystery, intrigue, thrill, suspense, and psychological depth. The author has created an insightful (yet thrilling) novel filled with tension and wonder. I enjoyed the first person narration from the main character who managed to make you feel one with his mind, travelling along with him on his adventures and thoughts. 'The Secret History" is one of the best books I have read. I highly recommend it.

Who would enjoy this?  People who enjoy thrillers.

Reviewed by Calista

Memoirs of a geisha / Arthur Golden

It is always insightful to catch a glimpse into another culture. In "Memoirs of a Geisha", the reader is swept into the life of Sayuri, a semi-renowned geisha who recounts her tragic story from a bleak childhood into becoming a geisha. I found the story very satisfying, employing convincing ideas about the Japanese culture as well as the lives led by geishas. The transition of stages in Sayuri's life was executed flawlessly and peppered with colourful depictions of life within those transitions. Recommended for NCEA Level 2 Wide Reading.

Who would enjoy this?  Ages 16+

Reviewed by Calista.

Hunger / Jackie Morse Kessler

Read this one - it's great! It has got to be the most original book I have ever read about anorexia, and I highly recommend it, even if you don't think you could possibly be interested in yet another book about this endlessly-discussed topic. It starts with Death arriving to proclaim Lisa as Famine, one of the four riders of the apocalypse. It's hard to know where reality stops and fantasy begins, but by the end Lisa (and the reader) has a much better idea of what hunger actually is and how valuable life is when it might be snatched from you at any point. Don't miss it.

Who would enjoy this?  Most people would find this absolutely worthwhile because it is a really good, and quite fast read, as well as being soberingly thought-provoking.

Reviewed by Amy.

Just Jack / Adele Broadbent

Can you imagine leaving school and home at 14, and supporting yourself from then on? That's what it was like in New Zealand in the 1930s. I really liked this story about a boy who wanted to be a jockey, but had to find out what very hard work is first. The book is partly set in Napier, and near the end the 1931 earthquake strikes. It was interesting to discover just how well I could relate to the experience, and how good a job I thought the author did, writing about how it was. This made the book that bit better than it might otherwise have been.

Who would enjoy this?  If you like reading about real life people in situations you can imagine yourself in, then this is for you.

Reviewed by Hamish

Triple ripple / Brigid Lowry

This one's good fun! The title says it all: the book's written with three different voices - the writer, the reader and the story itself. The story is a fairystory but a pretty good one. I really enjoyed it when the author decided she didn't like the way the story was going, so wrote an alternative version, but still leaving the original there. I found myself getting engrossed in all three storylines, and was happy with 2 out of 3 of the endings.

Who would enjoy this?  Anyone who likes fantasy with an unusual slant. I reckon it would be useful if you've ever considered writing a book yourself.

Reviewed by Amy

Life of Pi / Yann Martel

Life of Pi paints a vivid story of a young Indian boy, lost at sea on a life raft, constantly at danger with a Siberian tiger.
The book is written in diary form, with an exact number of 100 chapters. The best thing about the book is the feeling of empathy. You can almost hear Pi telling you about his adventures, describing his surroundings with great detail.
I strongly recommend this book. It won the Man Booker award, and tells a compelling story about survival. We see human nature laid bare, naked from fear, desperation, and the need to live. Life of Pi will leave you with satisfying questions.

Who would enjoy this book? Ages 15+.

Reviewed by Calista.

For one more day / Mitch Albom

For one more day is a very enchanting, emotional story about bonds between families, but most importantly, a mother's love. A man who has virtually ruined his life tries to commit suicide , to no avail, but sees his ghost mother in the process. For one day, while he is unconscious, he spends time with his late mother and discovers secrets within his own family. This book is sensational and will move your heart with the pages!

Who would enjoy this book? Recommended for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Fran.

Spud / John van der Ruit

Join John 'Spud' Milton as he goes through his first year at a prestigious boarding school in South Africa. This book is extremely funny and chronicles the story of Spud and the rest of his dormitory, or 'The Crazy Eight' as they prefer to be known.While the jokes in this book are not exactly subtle, and definitely not nice, the sensitivity with which issues are treated is skilfully done. This book has become South Africa's highest selling novel, with a movie adaptation to be hitting the screens in November 2010. An enjoyable read for all teenage boys.

Who would enjoy this book? Boys in particular, but girls can enjoy it if they can put up with immature phallic humour.

Reviewed by Liam.

Makers / Cory Doctorow

Imagine a world where anything could be printed out...where dreams could become reality at the click of a mouse...and where the blurb of books actually made sense. Fortunately, this book has the 2, but not the third. Makers is written in a similar vein to his previous book, in which a particular aspect of 'geekdom' becomes a staple of modern life. In Little brother, it was game piracy, and in Makers, it is the DIY electronics industry. I had high expectations for this book, and for the first part, I was not disappointed. For the second part, however, my hopes came crashing down. The plot loses a sense of purpose, and tries to make this a warning story about the dangers of hyper-consumerism, but by then, the book has already lost its spark. Read it, but don't be too hopeful.

Who would enjoy this? Readers of Cory Doctorow's other books, like Little brother and For the win.

Reviewed by Liam.

The Eyre affair / Jasper Fforde

The Eyre affair is the first in a series of quirky and weird novels, where dodos are currently kept as pets, there is a company called the Toast Marketing Board, and the main character is called Thursday Next. While this book is very funny, it is helpful to have read many of the classics, as there are many in-jokes about them. I would recommend this to anybody who likes challenging themselves with something new.

Who would enjoy this? Anybody who enjoyed The Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams.

Reviewed by Liam.

Pawn of prophecy / David Eddings

Pawn of Prophecy is the first in the highly successful series The Belgariad. It tells the story of a young farm boy named Garion, who gets caught up in an adventure with his mysterious Aunt and Grandfather in their search for the thief of the orb of Aldur. While it does take a while to get going, the fact that it had been in print for 30 years and is still having new editions printed shows that it is worth the wait.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who likes classic fantasy.

Reviewed by Liam.

Ex libris: confessions of a common reader / Anne Fadiman

If you are a person who enjoys books and cannot live without them, you may like to read about someone like yourself. Anne Fadiman and her family are all accomplished readers and writers who keep a library of their own and are likely to recall and talk about every book they have read (which isn't "just a few"). This quality, intelligent, witty and remarkably thin book will capture you from the first sentence to the very last. In every chapter, she reveals a snippet of her life in such a style you will not be able to help yourself from laughing with delight!

Who would enjoy this? Ages 15+ who LOVE books!

Reviewed by Fran

Jerk / Jonathon Friesen

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This book was a great read as it challenges the reader to see things and life in a different perspective. Sam Carrier suffers from Tourettes Syndrome, a condition that causes his body to be in near constant movement with verbal outbursts and tics and twitches. This novel follows his journey through understanding his condition, finding the truth about his father who died when he was an infant, combating the cruel world as a teenager and growing up.
Jonathan Friesen also suffers from Tourettes and has written this novel with great insight as to how it is being a teenager with this syndrome. Life is hard enough as a teenager, let alone with Tourettes.
(A Level 1 wide reading novel)

Who would enjoy this? People who like real-life novels and who enjoy reading other perspectives on life and the hardships that others face

Reviewed by Lisa