The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

This is a seriously long title and I’ve seen it on lists before as highly recommended but never read it. Well, don’t do what I did and ignore this book – it is so good. Even though it’s in Senior Fiction, almost anyone in high school could read it – a really feel good read.

I never knew about the Germans occupying the Channel Islands during the Second World War – had no idea about this. But they did – and that is part of the narrative of the book – islanders telling their stories of the Occupation. It’s a clever central idea that allows these stories to be told in easily digested portions, in a very readable way. And then there are several other stories linked in with this as well.

The novel is a series of letters to and from the main character who is an author. Watching her changing attitude to different people, Guernsey and life is a large part of the pleasure of the book.

Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James

Ever had a friend who seems to be everything to you – companion, supporter  encourager? And even though they may not be perfect, you still love them because they love you with all your imperfections? Well that was Alice – a great friend but with some strange personality traits.

But Katherine likes her – she needs friends when she moves to Sydney to live with her aunt after shocking events have happened in her family. It’s just that as the story progresses, Katherine begins to doubt that the pluses are more than the minuses in her relationship with Alice.

It’s great to see a book set in Sydney. Katherine’s parents seem very realistic and Alice’s ability to twist most people around her little finger is almost scary to watch.

The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb

Calder is a ‘Fetch’, a ‘being’ who takes souls from their body up to heaven once they die.  Calder is rather curious, and so switches places with a man; taking his body whilst the soul roams in the place between Earth and heaven. The body he takes is that of Rasputin’s, the religious healing man, and close friend of the Russian Tsarina. After the Russian Royal family is killed, Calder( as Rasputin) takes care of the Tsarevitch- Alexis and princess Anastasia, who have not been killed. The real issue I had with this book was not the writing (which was good) or the plot (which was really quite slow, but still interesting) but the idea of Calder/Rasputin falling in love with Anastasia. Ana is around 16 years old, and Calder himself is 19, however the mental image of a pretty teenage girl with an overweight, hairy, dirty and just plain creepy man in his late 40s was just too weird. I must admit I didn’t finish the book, and I don’t un-recommended it, I just personally was very disappointed and (whilst I persevered as long as I could) uninterested. Perhaps my expectations were too high.

 *note for Modern History girls – this book is set during the Russian revolution and studying the Romanov’s in year 11 adds further knowledge and extra interest  when reading!

 However I highly recommend Whitcomb’s other book A Certain Slant of Light – a lovely ghost/romance novel with lots of poetic allusions. (Probably for Young Adult, or even Senior Fiction)

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Lucy Scarborough is a seventeen year old girl, who lives with her adopted parents and her good friend, Zach, whom she has know since they were both small. She soon discovers that all the women in her family have been cursed to fall pregnant at 17, and must complete three ‘impossible’ tasks or turn crazy after the birth of a  baby girl – the fate endured by her own biological mother who often follows her. However living in our technological age has its advantages, as do having extremely dedicated parents and definitely-more-than-just-friends Zach (who is so cute!), and so the prospects look better for Lucy than they did for the previous women in her family.

This book is based on an old poem ‘Scarborough Fair’, which is also a Simon and Garfunkel song. I thought this was a wonderful book. Recommended to readers who like to read urban-fantasy with a bit of romance. I would say probably for slightly more mature readers, as there are some ‘sensitive’ scenes/issues.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

I had read so many amazing reviews of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and was quite excited when I actually got to read it.

It is basically a post-apocalyptic novel, set after the world has been taken over by zombie-like beings. Mary lives within the boundaries of a big fence, which the ‘unconsecrated’ (or zombies) are constantly shaking at. The Sisterhood are a group of “nuns”, who control the small village of people who haven’t been infected by the unconsecrated. Before Mary can be ‘bonded’ (aka married) to Harry, the village is infiltrated. And Mary finds herself escaping with Harry, her real love Travis (Harry’s brother!), his betrothed and Mary’s brother and wife. They all manage to get out unharmed – left with absolutely nothing but Mary’s hope of finding the ocean, a ‘thing’ she has heard about from her late mother but doesn’t quite believe in.

 This is a fantastic book; so beautifully written and very gripping. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to perhaps slightly mature readers who enjoy fantasy, romance and adventure.

 Sequel out now [The Dead Tossed Waves]. And supposedly movie in the making. Yay.

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

What I Saw and How I Lied ( written by Judy Blundell) is a novel about 15 year old Evie Spooner. It tells the story of the beginning of her life, after the end of World War II, and particularly focuses on her trip to Florida with her beautiful mother Beverley and her step father Joe, a returned soldier. Evie is a naïve young woman, wanting to be like her glamorous mother, and she soon falls for the dashing Peter Coleridge whilst away on the vacation. Joe, although a friend of Peter’s from army days, disapproves of him, and his relationship with Evie. After some unfortunate and mysterious events, Evie finds herself a the centre of an earth shattering situation, in which all her previous thoughts and conceptions about her parents, her relationships, her world views and even herself are challenged and tested.

I really enjoyed What I Saw and How I Lied, in particularly the fabulous retro details in the descriptions of clothing, music, dance and style of talk. Evie is a very interesting girl, who I think is easy to relate to. The story is written well, and the plot develops nicely. I think the cover suits this book wonderfully. If you love some retro-lit, stories about growing up, a bit of romance and lots of mystery and intrigue, then I would recommend What I Saw and How I Lived.

The Worst Thing She Ever Did by Alice Kuipers

It takes a while until you know what happened to Sophie over the previous summer. The diary entries feed you bits of information until you understand the whole heartwrenching story.

It’s hard to imagine how Sophie and her mother could manage life after what they have been through – but I’m not going to tell you what happened. Read it – you will be enthralled.

Mr Rosenblum’s List by Natasha Solomons

Even though this is classified in Senior Fiction this book would suit most students – it is so delightful. It really gives an understanding of an immigrant who comes to his new country and wants so much to be a part of it and accepted that he will go to amazing lengths. I really adored Jack Rosenblum – knowing many Central European immigrants in my life, he was so real. His ever-patient wife could teach many things about getting along with spouses. This is a bit like Paul Torday’s Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – so funny because it is so ludicrous, yet you totally believe it all due to the wonderful characterisation. Try it and enjoy – the author is currently writing the movie script of the novel.

Avoiding Mr Right by Anita Heiss

Peta has a new high-powered job, but it is in Melbourne – far from her favourite beaches, friends and boyfriend. She is a feisty character, never letting people get away with saying anything about aboriginal people as she is proud of her background. Will she be able to stay faithful to James? Will she be able to stay sane in a city she always said she disliked? And what exactly are the qualities of Mr Right?

Twenty boy summer by Sarah Ockler

It’s hard to say too much about this book without giving parts away. Let’s just say it’s about love at its best and at its worst. How different teens handle the ups and downs of their lives. The title gives an obvious hint that there will be romance involved as the girls set out to meet twenty boys (each) on their holiday.