A Big Little Life - by Dean Koontz

I knew I needed to read this biography when I read a review of it in a magazine. The book, which focuses on Author Dean Koontz's life after he adopts a former assistance dog called Trixie, was described as an uplifting book and very different to Koontz's fictional works. I haven't read many of his novels, but I always find it interesting when an artist of any kind produces multiple works of different tones. For the most part, I wasn't disappointed. A Big Little Life takes you through Trixie's life and the effect she has on the Koontz household, with particular emphasis on the inspiration she becomes for Dean's writing. Infact, the book probably tells us as much about Dean Koontz as it does about Trixie. Partly humorous, partly serious, and very philosophical about dogs and life in general, the only flaw I could see was that as the work was written thematically it was sometimes difficult to keep track of the order of events. All-in-all this was an interesting book filled wonder and instances that demonstrate how important animals are to the humans that care for them.

This book is available from Camden and Narellan Libraries.

Amanda

Because of Winn-Dixie: a treat for the whole family

Many films claim to be something the whole family can enjoy but in truth really only appeal to a portion of your family. This IS a film that is multigenerational. Because of Winn-Dixie is a film based on the book of the same title by Kate DiCamillo and follows the story of a lonely misfit named Opal and her new dog Winn-Dixie (named after the supermarket she finds him in). It is with Winn-Dixie's friendship that Opal is able to heal her relationship with her father, ask questions about her mother and get to know other isolated and eccentric individuals in the town.

This film has many layers and can be enjoyed as a simple story about a girl and her dog. For those who want more, it's a story about family, forgiveness, acceptance, and the power of friendship. Both the dvd and book are available from Camden or Narellan Libraries.

Amanda

I don't know about the people of Chester's Mill, but I really enjoyed my time Under the Dome

I decided to read this book after being told it was "classic Stephen King, back to his original greatness" - and I wasn't disappointed. I loved his early books, Salem's Lot, Carrie, The Dead Zone, Pet Cemetary, Different Seasons... the list goes on. But somewhere along the way I stopped reading King, and now after the pleasure of Under the Dome I can't imagine why. It reminded me why I loved his books so much. He has an effortless talent of drawing you into his fictionalised small towns in Maine, making you feel like you've known the characters all your life and despite all the strange things going on there, you kinda wish you lived there too. From the very beginning when the mysterious invisible 'dome' comes down, isolating the town of Chester's Mill from the rest of the world, you're hooked, you're trapped there too, rooting for the good guys, booing the bad guys and struggling to figure the whole thing out. His characterisation is delightful, and the richness of these 'small town folks' stuck in this crazy situation carries the story along at a great pace. At around 1000 pages it's fair to call the book 'epic', but it feels far shorter than that, I guess because time flies when you're having a great time.

Looking for a great page-turning escape? This could be the book for you.

Kirsty

Get Reading: 50 Books You Can't Put Down

Come to the Library in September and get your free guide to "50 Books You Can't Put Down". It contains something for everyone with contemporary Australian and international great-reads like:



Still Alice (Lisa Genova)


Tickled Onions (Morris Gleitzman)


Truth (Peter Temple)


Marked/ House of Night Series (PC Cast & Kristin Cast)


The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Steig Larsson)


So come into the Library, collect your free guide and borrow a copy of some of these titles today!

Love In The Age Of Drought: a career girl, a cotton farmer and an unlikely romance

Though the relationship between Fiona Higgins and her husband Stuart is the basis of this biography, there are many other issues presented here that will keep the unromantic at heart interested. Following Fiona from her first meeting with Stuart in Sydney through to married life it covers other interesting issues like eco-farming, drought, life on the land, moving to the country as a city girl and trying to fit into a new community. Filled with insight and humour (think frogs hiding in the toilet bowl) this is an eye opening book to a place that not everyone will have the opportunity to experience.
Amanda