Book Review - 'The One Plus One' By Jojo Moyes

Jess has it tough—two jobs, an estranged husband who doesn’t contribute any child support, a stepson who gets bullied, a gifted daughter who due to financial difficulties cannot get a top education, and a guard dog that sleeps more than guards.

Ed is a successful man living in the city, recently divorced but the owner of two homes and two cars and eats out every night. After a bad business decision Ed is investigated for insider trading. To hang low while his case is sorted he retreats to his seaside home where he meets Jess – his cleaner.

 

From here Jess and Ed’s lives are thrown together out of necessity—necessary because Jess needs to get her daughter to a maths Olympiad in order to win the prize money to get her through private school, and necessary because Ed has realised how bad loneliness is, and is also in need to redeem himself from his own conscious. 

The book starts out as a dysfunctional family drama and slowly ebbs into romance a little bit before the half way point. It’s not soppy romance either, but the kind that seems natural and not forced.

Available in print or audiobook and eAudio

Book Review - 'The Lake' By Banana Yoshimoto

A novel of tender love and slow, unfurling mystery, Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto folds readers into the lives of Chihiro and Nakajima.

The Lake is narrated by Chihiro, a painter who was born out of wedlock and raised by her unorthodox parents in a small country town. When her mother dies, Chihiro moves to the city. It is here that she meets Nakajima, her neighbour.  The novel courses the two as they fall in love, however Nakajima hides a secret—a secret that Chihiro needs to know if they want to continue their relationship.

 

 

Yoshimoto’s characters are vivid and nuanced, and the prose is strong in its observant nature, for instance, “Of course, it’s true that sometimes the pink at sunrise somehow seems brighter than the pink at sunset, and that when you’re feeling down the landscape seems darker too – you see things through the filter of your own sensibility. But the things themselves, out there, they don’t change.”

For a relatively short novel there is a great sense of emotional depth at play here.

 

Book Review—The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine by Krissy Kneen

Holly and her three childhood friends believe that True Love Waits. She is reminded of this every time she looks at her hand, with a silver ring, identical to those of her friends, inscribed with this mantra. This becomes ever more necessary as it becomes the stern contrast to the phosphorescent blue secretion from her groin whenever she becomes aroused, something that has been happening a lot recently. To excise or revel in this moment she has joined a book club that explores the many staples of erotic literature. Parallel to Holly’s discovery are the adventures of Nicholas, told in surreal sci-fi adventures, who embraces his sexuality from a young age and shares Holly’s luminous sexual energy.

Each chapter is named after a different erotic classic, from Andre Breton’s Nadja, to Nabokov’s Lolita and Angela Carter’s The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman (which Kneen singles out with the title as well featuring very significantly in the work). These texts both feed Holly’s awakenings as well as provide fodder for Kneen’s interplays, with a mischievous wink here and a cheeky nudge of the elbow there. Switching between the more recognisable world of Holly and the seemingly fantastical one of Nicholas, with its grand battles and talk of the Orgone through the teachings of Wilhelm Reich, adds to the quirk of the story, and further exasperates the unfamiliar regions of sexual exploration within a sci-fi milieu. Where it does leave one unsatisfied is in its restraint, not regarding its erotic scenes, but its tone. What could have made for a raucous over-the-top tale that spared no bizarre contortion or delicious predilection often falls flaccid, with the sci-fi adventure aspects being a needed blue pill to garner interest rather than the gleaming blue lubricant that enhances the disreputable absurdities.

Even if it does not make the most of its sordid ridiculousness, The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine is wickedly amusing and without a shred of subtlety.    
Andreas

Movie Club—Casablanca

This month the Movie Club will be screening Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid, and directed by Michael Curtiz. Based on the play Everybody Comes to Rick's, a thinly veiled cry for America to become involved in World War II in opposition to the isolationist policies prevelant at the time. The film was green-lighted shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbour and released the following year, with many rewrites to the original script.

Casablanca, in 'Unoccupied' Morocco, has become a haven for many trying to flee the ever encroaching terror of Nazism in Europe. The centre of night life is Rick's Cafe Americain, run by Rick Baline, a American expatriate with a tumultuous past. Despite the suffering and longing surrounding him, Rick prefers to avoid entanglements and proudly claims that he sticks his "neck out for nobody". All this changes one night when Ilse, the woman he loved in Paris years before, comes to town with her husband, the Resistance leader Victor Laszlo. Rick must choose whether to place his emotional turmoil aside and help Ilse and Victor escape the clutches of the local Nazi officer, Major Strasser, or to turn his back on the woman he loves.

The film was just another movie when it was made, as "no one making 'Casablanca' thought they were making a great movie." (Ebert, R. [September 15, 1996] “Casablanca [Review]”) But as time has passed the film has gathered new generations of viewers, with its quotable dialogue (some of the most quoted and certainly the most misquoted line in film), but also for its great use of lighting, cinematography, and the pitch-perfect casting. 

The film will be screened on Wednesday 13 April at 6pm at Narellan Library, Corner of Queen and Elyard Street, Narellan. Tea, coffee, and biscuits provided, but BYO snacks are more than welcome. Stay after the screening to share your thoughts about the film and join in a discussion about the films many classic and affecting scenes. 

Film Review - Pitch Perfect 2 - By Director Jason Moore

After the Bellas humiliate themselves in front of the president of the US, they are forced to leave the ACA circuit. To regain their status they must enter and win an international contest in Copenhagan. In Pitch Perfect 2 when they band together and strengthen their sisterhood through a retreat and have some laughs along the way, they realize that they can produce their show stopping music again. With a blossoming romance and the rekindling of another, the film leaves you with a smile. Anne

Film Review - Outlander By Creator Ronald D. Moore

In Outlander the series follows the intriguing story of Claire Randell a combat nurse from 1945 who mysteriously ends up back in time in 1743. Being accused of spying and longing for her husband she has to quickly adapt to life in this era.

 She has a new love interest in a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior. Claire's heart ends up being torn between two men in two completely different lives.
An interesting series which includes drama, romance and sci-fi. Anne

Book Review - The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

Honor Holland works at the family winery along with most of her family. Her life is full of good things and she thinks one of them is her friend 'with benefits', Brogan. But she feels more for him and puts their relationship to the marriage test. Picking herself up after he ran for the hills, she helps out a family connection, British professor Tom Barlow, who needs a green card to stay in the US.  An arranged marriage might just work out better for her than her own efforts, she can help him out and it can't be any worse than what she's been doing up 'til now, surely?.  The plan didn't include falling for him but that is just what she does. Kristan Higgins has written a loving family here, with problems and challenges but with a strong sense of support and love.  Capable, feel good romance.
Wendy

Book Review—Tricky Teens by Andrew Fuller

The well-known psychologist Andrew Fuller who is an honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne and has acted as the scientific consultant for ABC TV on the science of teenage brains, provides advice on how to parent through the ups and downs of the teenage years.

He is also the author of Tricky Kids which is also in our catalogue. Tricky Teens main focus is on giving parents the guidance to create and nurture open and solid relations with their teens. The book is divided into 4 sections-

1.    Neurochemistry and habit

2.    Overcoming common problems

3.    Changing patterns

4.    Essential conversations

The book includes a six week plan to help break negative behaviour patterns and replace them with new ones.

I found the book to be a thorough read. I especially liked the chapter on sexuality and romance as it lists a number of personality types for teens to avoid. 
Anne

Book Review—Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

With the premiere of the film version of Tóibín's much praised Brooklyn looming, it seemed opportune to revisit the novel in time for the release. Eilis Lacey of Enniscorthy, Ireland is offered the opportunity to work in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1950s. It is an opportunity she cannot ignore, despite meaning that she will never see her family again, who are more than likely the engineers of this move. While in Brooklyn, Eilis finds first love and a new life, but after a tragedy back in Enniscorthy Eilis must choose whether to return to Ireland or live her new life.

The language is clear and simple, with matter-of-fact descriptions of events through Eilis’ thoughts. The plain style suits the character and the world, the restrained, frugal voice reflecting the economically stagnant Ireland but also the often unrealized potential of America. It frames Eilis’ slow acceptance of her new life, the caution, the openness, the angst, the loss. But there are also many comedic passages in Brooklyn, with only the final act bearing more heavily on loss and worry. But the characters who exercise the humour are often the vulnerable, those who stand to lose the most if the humour is ended, and as the final act progresses, the humour is drained from Eilis until she has to abruptly face her future.

Deceptively plain and straightforward, Brooklyn is compelling, addictive, and moving.
Andreas

Book Review - The Outback Heart by Fiona Palmer

On a completely lighter vein, Fiona Palmer is one of the current crop of popular rural Australian romance writers and she writes a good romantic story. Indi, who gave up her studies to nurse her mother through cancer, is now two years after her death trying to do all her mother did to hold her town and her family together . 

People she'd known her whole life were up and moving to the city, and it saddened her to watch the place shrink and struggle. The decline of the footy club hurt the most. The tourism was great but tourists didn't make a close-knit community. They couldn't bring back the social aspect that the town was once known for – but Indi could. She had grand plans to restore the social events and the fundraisers, to revive a time when the whole town turned out for game day and stayed until late, when young and old shared stories. The world was obsessed with social networking, but it was of the wrong kind. You can't connect with people over electrical devices – working side-by-side and building up a real relationship, a real friendship, that's how it was done.

Her solution is to draft in a new coach to get the footy team firing again, but she doesn't count on losing her heart to the new coach, a handsome hunk with an outsize pile of baggage making him wary of commitment.

Wendy

Book Review - The Wanderer by Robyn Carr

Hank Cooper is a wanderer and has lived the last few years since he left the Army on the move. One of the few ex=Army buddies he has sporadically kept in touch with has died and Cooper comes to Thunder Point to honour his memory and touch base with his last moments. Staying to sort out the property he has inherited from his friend, Cooper meets the townsfolk and finds that Thunder Point might be a hard place to move on from. Elements of mystery, teenage growing up and romance add to a feel good story that is good light entertainment. Cup of tea, a piece of cake, put your feet up and visit Thunder Point.

Wendy

Book Review - Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews

Cassie Smith has been out of work and depressed until she gets the idea to start a business helping people get their Christmas together. Dressing trees, organizing presents and parties takes over her life. Helped by her steady & loving husband Joe, she is a raging success but then arrives at a crossroads, a decision about her future that may or may not still include Joe. Entertaining fantasy romance complete with snow and a visit to Santa's House in Lappland!

Wendy

Book Review - The Outline of Love by Morgan McCarthy

Persephone was raised by her father in the isolated Highlands of Scotland after her mother died when she was very young. This story begins with her leaving for London and university. The mountain landscape of her childhood appears impervious to human interaction and she is hoping to find a place where she feels connected to other people. She is drawn into the orbit of Leo Ford, ex-rock star and luminary author with a reputation for being a recluse and a disdain for the normal trappings of celebrity. She links up with him but is never quite sure how he feels. The writing here is beautiful and startling with metaphors like describing club bouncers as large fat elephant seals in their tired suits and with their ponderous power. I'm not sure that I liked anyone in this book, including the city of London which is a palpable presence, but I did like the writing of it, the feeling of it and its unexpected moments of grace and truth. Perhaps, Persephone's struggles to know herself are too reminiscent of my own youth? Wendy

Book Review - Letters from Skye by Jessica Brookmole

This book is beautiful and poignant and marvelous. A woman finds her mother's letters to a man from the time of WWI just as she is understanding her feelings for her own man as he goes off to WWII and keeping in touch by letter. Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which also covers WWII and is told through letters, yet wholly and truly its own self, just read it and see for yourself how a great love story can unfold. I liked it so much I have bought a copy for myself and one for each of my sisters. Wendy

Book Review - How to create the Perfect Wife: Britain's Most Ineligible Bachelor and his Enlightened Quest to train the Ideal Mate by Wendy Moore

In the eighteenth century, Thomas Day was a radical philosopher poet who rejected the values and social mores of his day. He was rude and unkempt but he inherited a huge fortune and was able to indulge some wild ideas. Rejected by and rejecting society beauties, he sought an unspoilt girl who was physically hardened and stoic, possessed obedience, virtue and practical skills. This was Enlightenment period and his social set included all the fashionable men of literature, science and reason. Aided by his friends, he selected two girls from the Foundling Hospital and set about training up his prospective mate under the guise of apprenticing them to a good career. His friend, Edgeworth, enthusiastically raises his son according to the French philosopher, Rousseau's new child -centred approach, which, when implemented thoroughly turns out a badly behaved unhappy boy, but although somewhat modified, remains a key tenet of today's child-centred approach to education. This fascinating biography of Thomas Day, his friends and his protégés benefits immeasurably from the author's extensive research and understanding of the period. Fashion, love, science, folly, hypocrisy and changing fortunes affect the intrepid cast of characters. True tales are sometimes the most unbelievable! Wendy

Book Review - The Humans: there's no place like home by Matt Haig

An alien being comes to Earth, takes over the naked body of a maths professor and tries to complete a mission. In the meantime, he has to learn to get along with humans. Coming from an 'advanced' and rational race, this takes some doing as he figures out what clothes are for, how humans communicate and what is true and what is beautiful. The alien gradually goes native in this warmly funny exploration of what it is to be human. Culminating in a list of advice for a human teenager, including "politeness is often fear, kindness is always courage", this book covers both the sublime and the ridiculous in humans living and loving each other, whilst working through a well plotted tale. A lovely book.

Book Review - Don't want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell

A lovely romantic story about Dex, a man about town whose life is suddenly completely changed by the death of his sister and his guardianship of his orphaned baby niece, and Molly, whose heart has remained whole until she met Dex. Several couples are sorted out while Dex and Molly work out who they want to be with – and baby Delphi is adorably cute throughout. Wendy

Book Review - Heartland by Cathryn Hein

Callie leaves her roving lifestyle to return to her roots when she inherits her grandmother's farm. She is still dealing with her guilt over her older sister's death from a drug overdose, convinced she contributed by wanting to go out with her on the fateful night. She means to sell the farm quickly and give the proceeds to the educational and charitable foundation her parents have set up in her sister's name. Circumstances mean she has to stay in the district for longer than she planned, face her demons and try to forgive herself. Along the way she is helped by an ex-soldier, Matt, from the adjoining farm. This is a competent rural romance, with much loved horses, cute puppies, grizzled horse trainers, a bush fire emergency and a lively local pub. Wendy

Book Review - Country Loving by Cathy Woodward

Stevie left her family farm in Devon when her father insisted it go to her brother as the farm had always been run by the men in her family. She makes a life in the city but is called back to discover her father has had a stroke, his animals are in a bad way and her brother is nowhere to be seen. A cranky vet, distressed cows and a bad tempered father do not make the most romantic setting, but Stevie tackles her problems head on and finds some country loving in the process. A charming story. Wendy

Book review - Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Eli Landon has escaped conviction of the murder of his estranged wife but no-one else is in the frame and suspicion lingers. He may have to face a civil suit brought by her family who are still looking for answers. He retreats to his grandmother's home at Whiskey Beach where a group of concerned locals help him find new love as he unravels a historical mystery which holds the key to his present travails. Nora Roberts can craft a fine tale with red herrings and a varied cast of well drawn supporting characters. Wendy