Author visits are always such a joy
It's been a month of some seriously talented female authors visiting our bookshop to sign their books for you!
We were delighted when Sarah Brill popped in to sign copies of her debut youth fiction novel Catch. Her strong roots as a playwright, coupled with her natural ability to evoke imagery that leaps out from the pages have us all hoping for a film adaptation!
We counted our lucky stars when Melbourne based favourite, Judith Rossell came in to sign copies of her recent books. We are IN LOVE with the production of Midwatch, a story of wayward, orphan girls and we dare you not to LOL reading Spud & Snowball & The Fancy Fish.
To really drive home our exhilaration this month, local fav Sarah Brill paid us a visit to sign copies of her debut, self illustrated, middle grade novel Flight of the Drakkonbarq. A story of one very tiny human and his very big ambitions! We have an exciting in store workshop planned with Sarah. Stay tuned!
Upcoming In-Store Events
Out Of This World Anthology LaunchSat, 29 NovSt. Stephens Anglican Church Hall
NOVEMBER Book of the Month
The Last Ember: The Aerimander Chronicles
LILY BERLIN DODD
12-year-old Eva is a sharp (and sometimes reckless) wealthy chemistry student who accidentally finds herself in possession of the last Aerimander egg, dangerous dragon-like creatures whose destruction was ruled by the government centuries ago. Dusty, an orphaned delivery boy and youngest member of the Thieves’ Union is sent after her to steal it. Eva and Dusty are from two very different socio-economic backgrounds, which makes for some thought-provoking and friendly banter. Every character feels real, from the flawed to the morally-grey, to Gourd, the delightfully stubborn getaway pony! The world building and writing are stunning with an ample level of complexity for more advanced readers. Everything about this book is the perfect combination of familiar, yet original! The Last Ember is a charming, fast-paced debut and the first in an action-packed new fantasy duology. A must-read and great for fans of Nevermoor or those looking to move up from Wings of Fire! 10+
Mischa
NOVEMBER Highlights
It's hard to pick, but here are six books we thought deserved highlighting this month. Something special can be found in each of our picks, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
COLDWIRE
CHLOE GONG
For decades, the world has been caught in a cold war between two powerful nations: Medaluo and Atahua. The Medan orphans who live in Atahua suffer the cost. Their enrollment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory. Either serve as a soldier, or risk being labelled a spy.
Eighteen-year-old Eirale is one such orphan. Having recently graduated and joined NileCorp's forces, she's doing well for herself - until Atahua's most wanted anarchist frames her for assassinating a government official and she's given a choice: cooperate with him to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason.
Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Lia is close to her own graduation when she's paired with her academic nemesis for one final assignment. But when they are ordered to infiltrate Medaluo in virtual reality, Lia quickly realises there is much more at stake than her school ranking.
As Eirale and Lia tear through Medaluo on separate courses, the two start to suspect they are pieces in a larger conspiracy - and the closer they get to the truth, the closer their worlds come to a shattering collision.
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MY STORY, OUR COUNTRY
RYHIA DANK
A powerful, personal story from a popular Indigenous artist written for all Australians to better understand their history.
Stories are important because they share knowledge in a variety of ways.
Our most important book is our Country. Our stories live in the land, which is why our lands are sacred.
From Gudanji/Wakaja artist Ryhia Dank comes My Story, Our Country, a vibrant and powerful picture book that explores the history and culture of First Nations people in Australia through her own family story, and looks towards a future that reckons with the past.
WHT DO FEELINGS DO AT NIGHT
TINA OZIEWICZ & ALEKSANDRA ZAJAC
The third funny and moving book in the series that began with What Feelings Do When No One's Looking, imagining what feelings would do if they were furry little creatures.
Description
Happiness sleeps peacefully.
Imagination puts on her boots and goes out for a long ramble under the stars.
Anger loves stormy nights, when the whole sky feels like she does.
This enchanting, thoughtful picture book brings our feelings to life and shows us where they go once night falls.
BUNNS RABBIT
ALAN BARILLARO
In a deeply moving illustrated fiction parable, an Academy Award–winning director and writer uniquely blends text, art and panels into a modern classic for fans of Watership Down.
When Bunns is born with small but perfectly functional rabbit ears, the warren is abuzz with auguries. Surely such short ears spell bad luck for the community. Sheltered in her family’s burrow, Bunns listens to the rhythm of her mother’s heartbeat – Thump, thump, thump – a song of home and belonging. Her father explains that unlike a rabbit’s words or thumping feet, a heartsong cannot lie. But the unknown world of the meadow, the sounds and smells above, call to Bunns. When at last she’s ready to brave the staring and whispering of neighbours who fear her because she’s different, and the disapproving elders who threaten to banish her family, she finds a world beyond the warren where myths and riddles, magic voyages and important new friends await. Can the “bad omen bunny” follow her own heartsong to a destiny – a wish – meant just for her?
Academy Award–winning director, writer and animator Alan Barillaro’s graceful storytelling, warm illustrations and dramatic graphic panels weave light and dark into a seamless tapestry to enchant children and adults alike.
BEAUTIFUL: A CELEBRATION OF EVOLUTION
WILLIAM SPRING
All of nature is beautiful. This stunning book shows how a variety of amazing creatures have evolved to look and behave the way they do.
As humans, we like our animals to be cuddly and furry, or smooth and sleek. We shy away from those creatures that, to us, look odd. But we should drop those opinions - everything has evolved for a reason, and is perfect in its own way.
Take a look at the vampire squid, or the duck-billed golden line barbel - both have evolved in interesting and amazing ways to find food, deter predators or attract a mate. Everything is perfect. Everything is beautiful.
Illustrated with stunning watercolour images, this book will be treasured by families around the world. Its message is positive and life-affirming for children, for humans, for the whole of nature.
The perfect book for fans of Hidden Planet by Ben Rothery and The Golden Mole by Katherine Rundell.
MASKS: A GRAPHIC NOVEL
MARGARET RAE & BRIAN NATHANSON
Poe, Rice, and Shelley are three monster kids who hide from the outside world. But when they learn about “Halloween,” they realize it’s their one night of the year where they can be their true selves—scales and all. This quirky, heartwarming (or should we say, heart-worm-ing?) graphic novel is perfect for fans of Nimona and Sheets.
Poe was only a little monster when the hunters came for her parents. If it weren’t for one of the hunters taking pity on her, she knows she’d have met the same fate, too.
Ten years later, Poe lives with her two “siblings”—more monster kids in hiding—Rice and Shelley. Under her protective eye, Poe makes sure that the siblings have everything they need, but Rice and Shelley want more out of life than running away. So when their most recent home is slated to be demolished by a real estate group, the monster kids venture out to find their place, and end up getting whisked away to a Halloween party that changes their lives.
Debut creator Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson (author of The Many Deaths of Barnaby James) are experts in the spooky, haunting craft. They’ve woven a story full of heart, humor, and hope—one that examines the masks in which we all live. With quirky, stunning illustrations by Beck Kubrick and colorist Tom Philipson, Masks is the quintessential graphic novel about accepting who you are, masks and all.
Perfect for fans of ND Stevenson’s Nimona, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets, with kid-friendly elements of The Witcher and a little bit of Peter Pan.
Our Classic Pick
HANSEL & GRETEL
STEPHEN KING & MAURICE SENDAK
The classic, haunting tale of two brave children lost in an eerie and dangerous forest, reimagined by literary legends: Stephen King and Maurice Sendak.
Let Stephen King, global bestselling and award-winning author, and Maurice Sendak, beloved creator of the Caldecott-Medal winning Where the Wild Things Are, guide you into this most deliciously daring rendition of the traditional Grimm fairy tale. But will you find your way back out?
This beautiful book includes a personal introduction from Stephen King and has been created in close collaboration with the Maurice Sendak Foundation. A stunning, high-quality hardback with jacket, it is the perfect gift for fans of King, Sendak and dark fairy tales.
Better Read Kids Kids Reviews...
Want to be part of our Better Read Kids book review? Come into Better Read Than Dead and track down a member of our BRK team. Let us know you would like to review a book and we will rustle up a free copy of the latest in children's fiction for you to read, review and keep! Don't want your photo posted? That's OK! Just send your review and we will do the rest.
KEEPER OF THE OCTOPUS
Neridah McMullin
This book is about a girl named Pippy whose mother got struck by
lightening and died. Pippy learns that she is the next in line to be
the ‘keeper of the octopus’ like her mother and all her female
ancestors. This means she has to look after the last remaining giant
octopus, Octavia, since all the other giant octopuses died generations
ago in the war with the sharks. One day, the Calamary brothers come to
their town trying to hunt Octavia. Pippy has to find different ways to
save Octavia from them. It’s definitely exciting! I give this book 5
stars because the characters are amazing. My favourite character,
Ferg, is a gross brownie who picks his earwax and makes a special
candle for Pippy. And Pippy’s Great Uncle Isaac uses crazy words like
‘thingamajig’ and ‘doodad’. This book is great for ages 7-12 and
people who like funny books and when girls take the lead. It is so
funny that I was literally laughing out loud as I was reading it!
Maxine - Age 8
Staff Pick This Week
SUNRISE ON THE REAPING
SUZANNE COLLINS
Welcome to the 50th Annual Hunger Games!
Young Hamish Abernathy lives in District 12 and splits his time helping his aging neighbour, Hattie Meeney brew illegal white liquor, chopping wood and drawing water for his mother and brother's survival and in between steals kisses in the woods from the love of his life, Lenore Dove. That is until on the day of his birthday, he and 3 of his town peers are ripped away from their lives in a rare double reaping to compete in the Capitol in the 50th annual Hunger Games.
I picked this book up hoping for a fast-paced and exciting, unputdownable read and Suzanne Collins did not disappoint! If you loved the Hunger Games trilogy and have been missing the world Collins created, dive into Sunrise on the Reaping for your next holiday read and may the odds be ever in your favour!
Emily
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