The team at the Reading Stack would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your valued support and comments over the years and we hope that you have found some great reviews that have led you to buying some great books for yourselves or friends and family.

We will continue to keep up those reviews in 2010 but in the meantime, please have a wonderful and safe Christmas and a great new year.

Hope you get some quality reading time in...

The Team at The Reading

by Ronnie Wood

St Martin’s Griffin (Pan Macmillan). Adult Non-Fiction, Biographical. Paperback rrp $24.95

Guest Reviewer – Ian Brown

From the late sixties to the mid-seventies the Faces were a major success. After the band split, Wood joined the Rolling Stones. He also is an accomplished artist who with his sons, owns a London art gallery called Scream. Wood trained at the Ealing Art College and has paintings featured at London’s Drury Lane Theatre. Liberty & Co has produced a clothing line using fabrics printed with his designs.
In his biography, Wood is very frank about his personal life - his battle with the bottle and various other drugs, the women in his life and his two marriages. The list of musicians he has worked with, or who have played on his solo projects, includes just about every major artist from the last 40 years; Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend and David Bowie, to name a few.

This is a fascinating book. Ronnie Wood is a great story teller and as someone with such a long history at the forefront of the music world, he has a lot of stories to tell.

http://www.ronniewood.com/

by Sally Murphy, Illustrated by David Murphy

Random House. Australian, Picture book. Hardcover rrp $19.95


This is a truly Australian Christmas tale although many of the traditional story elements are still firmly in place. Santa and his reindeers have an important role but the star of this book is Snowy the kangaroo.

It’s not easy being different. But one day another albino kangaroo appears. He’s big and strong, and he wants Snowy to come with him on an urgent mission. Snowy bounds off on an adventure that leads him to Santa Claus, who is looking for a little extra help pulling the sleigh. What Santa really needs is one more high-jumping white kangaroo. A roo just like Snowy.

Young children will love David Murphy’s illustrations of Snowy and Santa’s other white kangaroo helpers. They will have fun pointing out the Australian birds and animals on every page. Each has been given a special Christmas touch. My favourite was the echidna with a star pinned into his quills. Or maybe the koala, dozing beside his Christmas stocking.

Recently, I read this story to a group of preschool children. Or to be correct, I should say I read it six times. I had a pile of books with me but it was the story of Snowy they wanted to hear over and over again. So if you are looking for a picture book Christmas present I can guarantee this one will be a successful choice.

http://sallymurphy.net/
http://www.davidcmurphy.id.au/

by Bryce Courtenay

Penguin. Australian, History, Adult Other. Hardback rrp $49.95

Then World War 2 comes.


Life for Danny changes dramatically when he is captured at the Fall of Singapore and becomes a prisoner of war working on the Burma Railway. He must constantly fight for his mates’ welfare and his own life. When the war ends Danny returns to Balmain a very different man, both physically and mentally.

The love of his life, Helen, is still waiting and Danny begins to reshape himself. With twin daughters, Sam and Gabby, the Dunn family is complete. But Danny’s demons are always near the surface.
To date I haven’t been a big fan of Bryce Courtenay but the 600 plus pages of The Story of Danny Dunn was something that I could not put down. Three generations through three wars, dramas, ambitions, politics, religion, racism, love. This is a story that will keep you turning the pages long after you want to shut your eyes and go to sleep.
If you have trouble buying a present for a parent, grandparent or great grandparent (or in my case father-in-law), this is perfect. The story contains so much wonderful graphic detail that sometimes I had to remind myself I was reading a fictional story and not a biography. Brilliant!

http://www.brycecourtenay.com/

by Jason Walker

Allen & Unwin. Australian, Biographical, Adult Non-Fiction. Paperback rrp $35.00

Guest Reviewer – Ian Brown

For Australian music fans, this biography of Billy Thorpe is a very timely look at his life in view of his unexpected death at the age of 60 two years ago. Billy’s career spanned an amazing five decades and Billy Thorpe’s Time on Earth covers almost the entire history of Australian rock music.

Billy’s career continues to soar during the seventies and the famous Sunbury rock festivals. The biography discusses his controversial decision to live in the USA for 20 years and follows his return to Australia and involvement in the Long Way to the Top series of concerts.

This is an excellent book, not just for fans of Billy Thorpe, but for anyone with an interest in the history of Australian music. It gives insight into Thorpe’s private life and the role of the people who were involved in his career, which was a who’s who in the Australian music industry at the time.

by Wendy Harmer

Random House. Australian, Junior, Young Adult. Paperback rrp $17.95

What happens when a teenage girl loses her lifeline to her friends, family and everything she cares about? Fifteen-year-old Elly Pickering finds out when she loses her favourite yellow handbag somewhere at the mall. Inside is her boyfriend’s friendship ring, a new belt, money and her life – also known as her mobile! Elly is devastated. How can life go on without her phone? How will her friends, family and most importantly her boyfriend contact her? Her social life will certainly die.

Elly’s only other source of social attachment, her computer, is subsequently stolen. Elly is now without a mobile, has no landline at home (her parents thought mobiles were easier) and no computer and internet. What’s a girl to do? With help from her grandmother, Elly reverts to the old fashioned way, using pen and ink.

Soon Elly realises that maybe things aren’t as bad as they seem and that communicating without technology is more personal and romantic. “I wonder if things go missing for a reason. As if by their absence, they might be trying to tell you something. To make you see life in a new way.”

I lost my mobile at the mall is a clever and funny look at one teenager’s dilemma. But there are a number of universal truths in the story. Why do the teens of today HAVE to have a mobile? What is wrong with sending a letter or speaking face-to-face with someone? Have our social standards changed for better or worse? As Elly discovers, life doesn’t stop if you have no credit or you are out of range and good things can come out of a seemingly hopeless situation.

http://www.mobileatthemall.com.au/

Random House Australia is also offering teens an exciting new way to extend the book experience via a dedicated website designed especially to be viewed on mobile phones, in an Australian publishing industry first, readers can access this site via scanning the QR code published on the back cover of the book. This allows potential readers while browsing in a bookstore to enter competitions, watch a video from Wendy, access social networking sites and read what others thought of the book – all before buying a copy.

Here’s the Science

by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

 Harper Collins. Australian, Adult Non-Fiction. Paperback rrp $27.99

I think that any trivia junkie or expert needs to read Dr Karl and he has 27 other books in case the necessary answers aren’t in Never Mind the Bullocks. Certain facts are very useful if you are a sports nut or you can’t get your ear away from your mobile phone. And everyone may think twice about buying that new four-wheel drive. Oh and I am so glad I never spent a lot of money in the 80’s buying Royal Jelly to make my skin look younger… according to Dr Karl, my wrinkles would still be the same.

http://www.drkarl.com/

Stories to stir the heart

Allen & Unwin. Australian, Romance, Adult Other. Paperback rrp $27.99




This book is a collection of stories from 12 different writers, each sharing their personal view of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet How Do I Love Thee. The authors were asked to choose a few words from the sonnet and base a story on them. All 12 stories were magnificent. Funny, sad, modern, historical and even science fiction. Something for everyone.

A brilliant book with some fascinating and thought-provoking ideas. If you don’t have someone to buy this for Christmas, do yourself a favour and buy it for yourself!

Book 11 of the CHERUB series

by Robert Muchamore

Hachette Childrens. Junior, Crime. Hardback rrp $34.95


There will be no need to tell CHERUB fans how exciting the CHERUB series is.

Dante’s life is brighter but his small childish lies make him a witness that no-one believes. Justice is not done and the Führer walks free.

More than four years later Dante may just get the opportunity to put things right.

The CHERUB series is aimed at junior to young adults but I am a big fan of this popular series and Muchamore keeps me eager to read the next book. Book 12 Shadow Wave will be out late 2010 and I, for one, will be looking forward to it.

The Recruit and Class A was reviewed in Issue 16 and The General was reviewed in Issue 12 of The Reading Stack.

http://www.muchamore.com/
http://www.cherubcampus.com/
http://www.hendersonboys.com/

by Ian Trevaskis and illustrated by Janine Dawson

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Junior. Hardback rrp $24.95

How could one young hen overcome such a powerful and frightening threat?

Delilah’s Dream is a story of imagination and beliefs. It shows that through perseverance you can follow your dreams and instincts to lead a long and happy life.

http://www.iantrevaskis.com.au/
http://www.janinedawson.com.au/

by Sarah Watt

Lothian Children’s Books. Australian, Picture, Young Reader. Paperback rrp $16.99

Clem is a child who can do anything and doesn’t need to be taught. Like most young children – he’s an expert at everything! But unfortunately for Clem, when he is taken to the local swimming pool to learn to swim, it is a different matter. For the first time in his short life he is afraid and he doesn’t want anyone to know that he can’t do something!

Clem’s mum gently reminds him of all the wonderful things that he can do and how he had to learn them. But Clem disagrees.

Clem shook his head. ‘I always could.’

Sarah Watt’s brilliant watercolour illustrations are simple but striking. They cleverly show the changes in Clem’s view of the world. In the beginning the pool is spread over two pages - big, scary and dark with evil lurking at the bottom. The swimmers are only small, lost in the enormous expanse of water. But as Clem grows braver, Watt’s images reflect Clem’s new outlook. The pool shrinks until it is an oasis of pale blue and white, perfectly in proportion with the children splashing about there.

Clem Always Could is a wonderfully illustrated book following a young child’s personal growth as he builds the confidence to overcome his fears. When the swimming class jumped in I had to blink and rub my glasses because I thought I saw the water smudging them!

by Nick Cave

Text Publishing. Australian, Adult Other. Paperback rrp $32.95

Take one look at the front cover of The Death of Bunny Munro and you will know what this book is about. Sex. And how sexual addiction can consume and ruin many lives.

The Death of Bunny Munro is dark, compelling and a sad story. A lot like the main character himself. Bunny Monro, who prides himself on his impeccable image and attractiveness to women, is also a tired and dirty man.

Bunny Munro knows that he will die. He doesn’t know when but after his wife commits suicide and he is left in charge of their nine-year-old son, Bunny Jnr, he knows with certainty that his time is not long. His dead wife keeps telling him so.

A travelling salesman, his is a fast life of women’s cosmetics and seedy affairs. Forced to now take his son on the road, Bunny finds that the world wants to teach him a lesson. His dead wife haunting him is just the tip of the iceberg.

Between alcohol, drugs, sexual perversity and addiction, and maybe a little insanity, Bunny Munro tries to save himself but can’t. The man was born a predator and will die unchanged. And when it is all over, are the sins of the father visited on the son?

This is a very dark and disturbing tale that explores many themes, sexual addiction, sin and redemption. Somehow Cave manages to convince the reader to care about this vile, evil man. You will either love or hate this book. There is no in-between.

http://www.nick-cave.com/

by Juliet Marillier

Pan Macmillan. Australian, Romance, History, Mystery, Fantasy. Paperback rrp $32.99

A few months after her father’s death, Caitrin, daughter of Berach, is fleeing from the family home in Market Cross. Her mother died years before and her sister has married a wandering minstrel and left to be with her new husband. Distant kin have moved in and they torment Caitrin, depleting her strength with fists and words. Anything is better than staying in her home.

Caitrin travels as far away as possible to the strange fortress of Whistling Tor and its even stranger chieftain, Anluan. Despite villagers warning of the disappearances of local folk, the ghostly beings that surround the forests of the Tor and the odd assortment of staff who serve Whistling Tor, Caitrin accepts a position for the summer to translate and scribe the unusual books that are Anluan’s history.

While getting back her self esteem and letting her body heal from the wounds of her kin, Caitrin realises that Whistling Tor and its occupants are not as they seem. What is the Host and who controls it? Is Caitrin the only one who can save the lost souls of the Host? And what is the dark and powerful force that tries to stop Caitrin and Anluan from finding the answers?

This is a tale that has been referred to as the re-telling of the classic tale Beauty and the Beast - it contains the same elements and characters but is more dark and oppressive. At the same time it is still a wonderful story of sorcery, deception, curses, challenges, ghosts and love. I didn’t want it to end.

Juliet Marillier’s Heir to Sevenwaters was reviewed by the Reading Stack in Issue 15.

http://www.julietmarillier.com/

by Santa Paws

red dog books. Australian, Adult Non-Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Adult Other. Hardback rrp $14.99

Here is a cute book for dog lovers everywhere. Twenty-two of the most popular Christmas carols have been selected for a canine makeover in this unique 16x19cm hardback book. The best thing about Christmas Carols from the Kennel is on every page there are photos of dogs all dressed up for Christmas and the big fat man!

From Daschunds to Labradors, Poodles to Pugs, these dogs will tail-wag you in. And if you have forgotten what was given on the Twelve Days of Christmas you will find the answers are all here.

by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Pan Macmillan. Australian, Young Adult. Paperback rrp $16.99

by Paul Collins

Celapene Press. Australian, Junior Fiction. Paperback rrp $14.95

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Milo’s mum has been gone for a month. She left with the postman, and his dad hasn’t been coping well with the loss added to all the things he’s unable to do. Influenced by a TV program on psychic detectives, Milo decides to visit the bed-bound, former psychic, Mrs Appleby next door, to get some insight into where his mother might be. He takes his mum’s single red shoe with him to help spark the reading.

But his regular run of bad luck escalates when Mrs Appleby dies after the reading and Milo is apprehended by police for having caused her death. Finding his mother before he’s charged becomes an obsession with him. He feels he has a good chance with some map coordinates that Mrs Appleby gave him before her last gasp that should lead him to her whereabouts.

Things become more complicated when he discovers Ginger’s dad is also missing and that he is the postman. Outrageous schemes are churned over and over in Ginger and Milo’s mind; schemes that will force his mum and her dad to come home. For being outrageous seems logical to an innocent mind, and at these times, being different can give a person an edge.

Collins has the gift of great insight when creating children’s characters. This is an interesting, humorous, and highly entertaining story about being different and surviving family break-up in which dialogue and characters prove to be everything. The book is aimed at age 8+.
http://www.paulcollins.com.au/

by Jennifer Roy

Walker Books. History, Junior, Young Adult. Paperback rrp $14.95

Guest Reviewer Jo Burnell

To my delight, I was riveted. Jennifer Roy achieves what few others have managed. Simple words, clear images and page-flipping suspense in a frightening world where hope rose and fell at the trigger of a gun.

Over the course of World War II, 270,000 people were forcibly settled in Lodz, Poland. At the end of the war, 800 survivors walked through the cut wire fence that had been their prison. Twelve of these survivors were children. One was ten-year-old Syvvia Perlmutter, Jennifer Roy’s aunt.

Jennifer’s short lines of prose evoke strong images. I am with the Perlmutters as they struggle to survive. The vegetable patch fails and flour is scarce. I sip weak coffee and thin vegetable broth. My mind becomes foggy from lack of food.

Gut feelings guide Syvvia’s father not to accept Nazi invitations to ride on trains. People disappear without a trace and there are several close escapes. Yet in the midst of all the fear, hope remains. Syvvia’s ability to entertain herself when her friends are gone brings normality to a desperate situation and her innocent comments trigger laughter when joy seems lost.

However, it is Syvvia’s role in the last days that come as the greatest surprise. My mind still boggles at the nature of the final rescue. For one tiny moment in history, the yellow star was a key to survival.

By crafting the content of her aunt’s memories, Jennifer Roy has resurrected a child’s perspective that ages over the years. This unique voice strips away what I call literary ‘fluff’. What is left is heart-stopping simplicity. Yellow Star is a timeless treasure.

http://www.jenniferroy.com/

by Clive A Lawton

A must have on the shelf for any primary school library.

by Michael McGirr

Picador. Australian, Adult Non-Fiction. Paperback rrp $32.99

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

McGirr is the author of the brilliantly entertaining, Things You Get for Free. His writing is never only about the theme he has chosen. It encompasses all the nooks and crannies of the subject, engaging the reader with his humorous and entertaining narrative style, which speaks of life and the many encounters along the roads travelled. Since the birth of their first child Benny, followed by twins soon after, McGirr and wife Jenny have searched for that lost treasure, sleep. The subject of sleep, or the lack of it, is the thread that binds all the chapters together in this exceptional book.

Woven into the many stories and reflections, are factors connected to sleep such as beds and other places of rest, sleeplessness, sleep apnoea, narcolepsy, the drugs prescribed, and documented stories about these points. There are quirky stories of where and how people slept or what kept them awake (like the story of coffee), and the famous people that lived and functioned with very little sleep either by choice or the lack of options.

These cover the story of Colin Sullivan, a leader in the field of sleep medicine and his discovery of the breathing masks that saved thousands of lives. He also delves into history and the life and writings of the ancient philosophers for examples; into Shakespeare’s work and sleeping arrangements right up to uncovering the bed he willed to Anne Hathaway; the sleep habits of Thomas Edison, Charles Dickens, John Milton, Mark Twain, R.L. Stevenson and Winston Churchill, amongst others. Added is the fascinating story of Florence Nightingale who took to her bed after the Crimean War and stayed there for fifty-four years, dying at ninety.

Each chapter is a magic box that is filled with entertainment, surprise, and the unexpected. At times moving and compassionate, and at other times filled with humour and laughter, it is always brilliant, clear and precise. A gifted writer, McGirr was a former Jesuit priest who left that calling in 2000, and answered the writing call which has benefited the world.

by Steve Barnett

Penguin. Australian, Adult Non-Fiction, Adult Other. Paperback rrp $24.95

A great reference book to pull out and solve arguments, assist if you are heading out for a night of trivia or learn something you can quote at the next office party.

Samurai Kids: Book 4

by Sandy Fussell. Illustrated by Rhian Nest James

Walker Books. Australian, Junior, Young Adult. Paperback RRP $14.95

Guest Reviewer Jo Burnell

Venturing into the pages of Monkey Fist was like catching up with old friends, with one exception. The Samurai Kids have grown since we last met. Although there is no hint of added height, each has matured.

Niya, the narrator has a classic stubborn streak that seems more entrenched. Yoshi, Niya’s blood brother has a secret and Niya can’t stand it. Kyoko disappears and the Samurai Kids aim to rescue her, but everything moves too slowly for the impatient Niya.

Much is the same in this fourth book, yet nothing is repeated. We are called to look beyond what the eyes can see, but the dimension we enter is more abstract. Can you trust a friend when all the evidence suggests he is betraying you? Is there ever a time when it is better not to know everything? Friendships are stretched thin.

Themes of trust, appearance and disguises develop further in Monkey Fist. Can you recognise evil when it is wrapped in wealth and authority? Is it ever wise to obey without questioning? How can people with bad intentions be given great power and influence? It is all about façade.

Although Monkey Fist is an easy read, the layers of hidden meaning shimmer with invitation. Looking beyond what is seen is a risky business, especially if the imagination distracts and confuses. While the storyline is as action-packed as ever, the dangers are greater. Lives are at stake. Hearts may be irreversibly broken. Humour continues to thread through the pages, but the laughter elicited is more subdued. Double truths hover like a shadow.

With the turning of each page, little flames of enlightenment flicker. As always, nothing is lost if the reader doesn’t fully understand the lessons within. However, insight into the complexities of relationships will grow if the sharp-witted messages are heard.

http://www.samuraikids.com.au/
http://www.sandyfussell.com/