Yes, it’s another new month and so it’s time for another round up of what I read last month. I got through 10 books in July, ranging from the wonderful picturebook How to Write a Poem – which made me, unsurprisingly, want to write a poem – to the heart wrenching Kite Runner and the important Voice to Parliament Handbook. An eclectic list – which is how I like it! Here it is:
Books for Kids
1. The Boy Who Made the World Disappear, by Ben Miller (Simon & Schuster, 2019). The design of this book is just sublime – the picture here doesn’t do it justice. Gold sparkles and highlights on the cover, stars on every page, and black and white illustrations – some full page and others embellishments – by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, were the number one reason I picked this one up. The .story is a relatively quick read, about Harrison, whose inability to keep his anger under control tends to land him in trouble – until it results in him sucking people, dogs, houses – and eventually the whole world – into a black hole. Of course, only Harrison can find the way to put things back to rights.
2. The Letterbox Tree, by Rebecca Lim & Kate Gordon (Walker Books, 2023), One tree – two girls, and a whole lot of trouble. Bea’s parents are taking her away from Hobart, the only home she’s known, and from her favourite tree. Nyx’s father also wants to take her away from the tree. The difference is that Be is visiting the tree in 2023, and Nyx in 2093 – but somehow, when they leave letters for each other, they can receive them. Neither understands why this is happening, but, with Nyx facing an uncertain future, with catastrophic events caused by Climate Change, only Bea can help.
3.How to Write a Poem, by Kwame Alexander & Deanna Nikaido, art by Melissa Sweet (Harper Collines, 2023). This is just a stunning picturebook – a poem in itself, while also being about how to write a poem. The imagery is wonderful, and coupled with mixed-media illustrations, is sure to insprie young (and not so young) writers to write poetry.
Books for Adults
Two Brothers, by Ben Elton (Transworld, 2012). Heart wrenching, as you would expect of any story about two brothers growing up in Germany before and during WW2. Raised as twins, the brothers don’t know that only one of them is Jewish – a fact that will save one life. As I said, heart wrenching, but I couldn’t put it down.
The Kite Runner, by Khale Housseni (Bloomsbury, 2003). I have known of this book for a very long time, but, somehow, never read it. As with the previous read, this one was heart wrenching, but so beautifully told. As a friend said when she realised this was my first time reading it, this is a book that will stay with me.
The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need, by Thomas Mayo & Kerry O’Brien (Hardie Grant, 2023). I make no secret of the fact that my mind is already well and truly made up on the issue of The Voice – I will be voting yes. However, I still found this book super helpful in not just confirming that decisions but in really understand the arguments and the history. I respect every voter’s right to make up their own minds, but am of the opinion that voting without understanding what you are voting for is a dangerous thing, so will be sharing this book with every one I can.
I Always Want to Be Where I’m Not: Successful Living with ADD and ADHD , by Wes Crenshaw (Family Psychological Press, 2014). I am very keen to get a variety of perspectives on ADHD, and there were quite a few helpful tips in this book, but I did find that, because it was quite long, and with very long anecdotes, that I did not remember a lot of what was said from chapter to chapter. There was also a hint of not bias against LGBTQI people and lifestyles, which I was disturbed by.
The Jaguar, by Sarah Holland-Batt (UQP, 2022). A beautiful poetry collection. I heard the poet interviewed on Julie Gillard’s podcast, and raced off to buy the book. It took me a little while to get through, not because it was long, but because I savoured a few poems at a time, in between other reading. Haunting poetry, well worth the deep dive.
Atomic Habits, by James Clear (Random House, 2018). A friend recommended this – and then I realised I had actually listened to it on Audible some time ago. So I decided to reread, and found it helpful to do so, for some useful reminders about how to build, change, or get rid of habits.
The Zen of Cat: An A-Z of Japanese feline philosophy, by Carla Francis (Pan Macmillan, 2023). This book called to me because the release of Queen Narelle has seen my talking a lot about all things cat. An interesting exploration of Japan, Zen philosophy and, of course, cats.
That brings my total for the year to date to 70. A nice round number – means I have averaged 10 a month so far. Would love to hear what you’ve read and loved lately.