The Heart Goes Last

This month's read for my online book club is Margaret Atwood's 'The Heart Goes Last'

I  have till the 30th Aug to finish so I can contribute to the online discussion. I am enjoying it so far.

Book Club

I have just joined an on-line book club and our latest read has been "Love and Ruin" by Paula Mclain.

The book deals with   the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn, two successful writers working around the time of WW2 and beyond. Told predominantly with Martha's voice it outlines how their relationship develops and implodes as she struggles to gain recognition for her writing while being overshadowed by the fame of Hemingway. I enjoyed the book and admired her courage as a reporter in several war zones and her desire to be independent.

CBCA 2018 Notables

To improve my knowledge of YA books  I have been trying to read my way through this year's CBCA 'Notables', primarily so that I can better recommend them to students. I have decided to review the books and give an indication of suitable reader age.

Nicole Haye's 'A Shadows Breath'

The story of a  troubled young girl, who after witnessing a family tragedy 

struggles with the relationships in her life. Her relationship with her mother is dysfunctional and she has few friends to rely on for support. Lacking self-belief she finds acceptance and love with Nick who encourages her to  get back into her art. We  jump between 'then' and 'now' as the story  unfolds.A story of survival, self-belief, acceptance,grief and grieving.

I found it an easy read that I did not want to put down....I needed to find out what happened next.

Mid to upper secondary.