Anna Funder - ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler

Anna Funder - ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler

Janelle Bloom and Your Bookshop team at Holroyd Council event

On wednesday November 2nd 2011, Janelle Bloom from Ready Steady Cook, visited Holroyd Council for an outdoor event. The crowd of approximately 60 attendees were treated to wine and canape dinner before enjoying cooking demonstrations from the celebrity chef.

Your Bookshop team also attended the event, selling Janelle's books.

Caleb's Crossing - Geraldine Brooks

Caleb's Crossing
Geraldine Brooks
4th Estate
Too many books, too little time! So why should anyone stick to a single author? Why indeed, except of course if the author is innovative enough to re-invent themselves with every book. I've come across very few who do this: Margaret Atwood, Vikram Seth, Andrew McGahan and Geraldine Brooks. All brilliant. All original. All exciting. And in this culture of homogeneous, neatly bottled and presented genres, refreshingly brave enough to step outside the box.

From this illustrious pack, Brooks is by far my favourite. I love how she lets her imagination rest on the 'slender scaffolding' of history, transporting her readers to a forgotten past. Caleb's Crossing is no different. Set in 17th century Martha's Vineyard, it's inspired by the tale of the first Native American man to graduate from Harvard College in 1665.
The daughter of a Puritan Minister, Bethia is denied the education she craves. On a chance meeting with a Chieftain's son, she discovers in him a kindred spirit, equally curious and thirsty for knowledge. Teaching him to read, she introduces him to her Christian God. In return he teaches her the secrets of the island and his native language.

Despite the obstacles placed by her gender and circumstances, Bethia strives to learn and exercise her intellect whilst quietly observing and celebrating Caleb's achievements. Together they form a bond that's unshakable despite the growing tension between the island's natives and the colonists. As the clash of cultures unfolds resentment escalates, inevitably resulting in tragedy.

Caleb's Crossing depicts the harshness of pioneer life against the sad withering and disenfranchisement of an ancient culture. 4.5 stars

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern
HarvillLe
Cirque des Rêves arrives unexpectedly one day. Behind the black & white striped canvas tents lays an enchanting world of beauty and unexplainable illusions. A sumptuously rich and textured tale, The Night Circus is dark as it is dazzling.
At the centre of the tale is the rivalry between two magicians and their pupils, trained from an early age for a single purpose. Celia and Marco unbeknown to one another have been hand picked to compete in a game where only one will be left standing.
The circus is the venue by which the opponents display their skills and set challenges for the other to follow. But this time, the opponents are too well matched, and what begins as a show of talent grows into something deeper. And darker. Something that could effect the fate of the circus and those involved with it.
The Night Circus is a tale of love, rivalry and wondrous illusions. The plot is cleverly played out, and tucked between chapters are small invitations for the reader to experience the circus firsthand. Highly original and artistic, The Night Circus is sensuous and ultimately satisfying.
4.5 Stars.

Your Bookshop Reviews

What we've been reading

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The Story of Tom Brennan
by J.C. Burke

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Slaughterhouse-Five
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The Boat
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Bronte's Story
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Lovesong
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by Andrew McGahan

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