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Books I Loved Reading as a Child

Jul 2, 2019

I haven’t done a Top Ten Tuesday post in ages! And what better way to get back into than talking about all the books I loved as a child. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

I’ve always loved reading – I really don’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading. So today I am going to share the books that I loved reading when I was younger. For the sake of this post all the books, I talked about were books I read before I was about 12. It was after that that I started reading YA. So the books on this list are a mix of books that I couldn’t stop reading or had read to me from a young age.

If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss: I think this one here has to be my favourite Dr Seuss book ever – I seriously cannot tell you how many times I read this. There are many reasons why I love this one so much, firstly, it’s a pretty long book. I didn’t love the other Dr Seuss books as much because I could finish then in 10 minutes, but this one, this one I could spend a while reading. It was also so much fun to read.

The Sleepover Club by Rose Impey: This was one of my favourite TV shows growing up. Not only did it have some great young Australian actress and actors, but it was also all about girls and friendship. So, of course, I read the books. These were such great books to read when I was 10-12. They were fun, easy and always put a massive smile on my face.

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling: I couldn’t make this list without Harry Potter being on it. There isn’t much more to say than, I grew up either reading the books or them being read to me. I have a lot of memories of Harry Potter entwined with my childhood and that will never go away.

Rainbow Magic by Daisy Meadows: These fairy books were my childhood, I remember reading these late at night with a flashlight because I wanted to know what adventure was going to begin next. This is a great series for those just starting to read novels. It’s a great combination of easy sentences but also pushes some boundaries. I also just love the adventures that the reader goes on each book.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney: This one here is from when I was a baby. While I can’t remember too much about it, I know that I knew this one by heart because of how many times it was read to me. And even now I try and sell

Possum Magic by Mem Fox: Now this here is an Australian classic. I think that every child needs to read this in their lifetime. This book just warms my heart. The illustrations in this one – oh gosh they are just beautiful.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown: This is another one of those books that I knew by heart when I was younger. I just love books like this one. They are easy to learn and they tell a beautiful story. I recently brought this one for my cousin and I can’t wait to start reading it to and with him.

Haunted Australia by John Heffernan: This one is a strange one on my list. I’m not a massive non-fiction reader. I much prefer watching documentaries. But this one I read with a bunch of my friends in primary school when I was about 11. We would sit down at lunch and just read it out loud to each other. At first, it was something silly and then it became something fan and what we couldn’t wait to do.

And that is it for this post! What are some of the books that you loved reading as a child? Do we share any of the same? What is the one book that you would recommend to children? Let’s Chat!

Top Ten Thought-Provoking Books

Apr 23, 2019

I haven’t done a Top Ten Tuesday, in quite some time. So today I thought I would mix it up a little and share my top ten thought-provoking books. This is next weeks topic, but I thought I would share mine today. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

I love reading books that blow my mind. The books that make me really think. About everything that I know and then everything I want to learn. Sometimes I stumble upon these books without even knowing. And other times I have an idea of what I’m going into to. So today I am sharing the books that made me think. The books that have changed the way I look at things. Like always these are in no order. You will also notice that nearly half of these books are set during or around the time of world war II.

The Love That I Have by James Moloney: The Love That I Have is a very confronting novel, it explores a different side of WWII that we don’t let see a lot. And while I really enjoy it, gosh was it brutal. This novel follows Margot Baumann as she reads the letters from people imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp during WWII her whole life changes. She starts to really understand the horrific circumstances that the prisoners are going through. It’s then how she learns about Dieter Kleinschmidt. Through the beauty of his letters, she wants to save him, help him.

All the Rage, Some Girls Are and Cracked up to Be by Courtney Summers: Okay, I know that I am slightly cheating here. But I just couldn’t choose one of Courtney Summers books. All three of these books are harrowing and heartwrenching. But what makes these books so thought-provoking is the fact that things that happen throughout the novel, can and very much do happen. Each of these books has hit me in a different way. They all look at different things that can happen to a teen, especially girls and it’s heartbreaking. I really want to do a re-read of all of those and recommend that if you haven’t picked any of these three up you do.

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah: I try and recommend this book to any teens that come into my store because I believe that it needs to be read by everyone. When Michael Met Mina should be on every high school book list in the country. The younger generations need to know that sometimes the government and media lie and manipulate the sense of asylum seekers. They need to know that most of these people are not illegal or jumping the queue, they are just simply people looking for freedom, safety and peace. It’s an important story to write and share.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys: Beautiful, captivating and extraordinary. Salt to the Sea is a gorgeous novel that brings to light a catastrophe that seems to be forgotten. With stunning writing and intriguing characters, Ruta Sepetys brings a novel that tells a story that everyone needs to read. Salt to the Sea set in, 1945 in Germany, tells the journey of protagonists; Joana, Emilia and Florian whos lives cross paths on their way to the ill-fated Wilhelm Gustloff. They are forced to unite. They find strength, courage and trust in both themselves and one another. And They are tested even when they think they are safe. | Full Review

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: In The Yearbook Committee that teens are flawed too, and everything doesn’t work out to how you planned it to be. We witness insecurities, heartbreak and everything that comes along with your final year of school, and being a teen in general. And this is what makes this one so thought-provoking. It’s a very real and honest look at teens in their final year of school. | Full Review.

The French Photographer by Natasha Lester: This utterly breathtaking read will make you cry, laugh and warm your heart. With a dual narrative, Lester is able to navigate the war zones of 1942 and the more modern world of 2005. A tale of feminism during a time when the ‘male hero’ was prominent. Jessica May embodies a woman that is smart on her feet. She doesn’t let men tell her what to do and isn’t afraid to be in the thick of things.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: I don’t think I need to talk about this one all too much. The Hate U Give is a brilliant and powerful story. It’s heartbreaking, poignant and so so true. It’s a book that everyone should read, and understand. The Hate U Give explores family, friendship and what is right. I wanted to cry, scream and hurt. So I beg you please pick up this book, read it, take it in and understand. | Full Review.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley: A poignant, beautiful story with fleshed out characters, gorgeous writing and a concept that is for every book lover. It’s about love, friendship, family and grief. You are taken on a journey through up’s and down’s and pulled into pieces. This isn’t your average thought-provoking read, this one looks at life more deeply and that is why I loved it.

The Pearl Thief by Fiona McIntosh: A powerful novel about a young women’s survival when her whole world is torn apart. It’s about sheer determination, heartbreak, and the power that a small group of people has. It’s about survival, death, and fighting for what is right. If you are looking for an insightful, thought-provoking and page-turning read, then this one is for you.

Paperweight by Meg Haston: A powerful, heartbreaking and beautiful, contemporary. With beautiful writing from Meg Haston and a story that could be real for anyone. Paperweight follows seventeen-year-old Stevie and her journey in a treatment centre and man this book is hard to read. This one isn’t forever, but it also makes you think a lot.

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And that is it for this post. Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? What are some of the books that have really made you think? Let’s Chat!

Books I Loved but Will Never Re-Read

Apr 10, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone join as you please. This week’s topic is Ten Books I Loved but Will Never Re-Read.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake: I adored this book when I read it. It was one of the first ‘horror’ books that I read and I fell in love with the characters and the story. This is the first book in a really interesting duo that was different to anything that I had read before. However, I probably won’t re-read it.

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers: The Vanishing Game is a thrilling, compelling and beautiful piece of work. Kate Kae Myers is an incredible writer that knows how to capture an audience and kept them hanging on to every thread. However, I don’t think I will re-read it. Maybe if I am in the mood for something intense and mysterious, then maybe.

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson: Since You’ve Been Gone is a book about self-discovery, growing, and changing. It’s about taking chances and making new friends. It’s simply a fun summer, cuteness overload read. The friendships are beautiful, with a hint of an adorable romance. It will pull a string in anyone’s heart. But this book was a monster, so many pages and did take me a while to read.

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick: This is another one that I really loved, but once again it’s quite a big book for a contemporary novel. I also think that the impact of the book won’t be as intense because it’s a re-read.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black: Like the previous book, I don’t think the impact and the intensity of the book would be as strong the second time around. I adore the world that Holly Black has created in this one, it’s interesting, different and kept me on the edge of my feet. This book is so much fun and I don’t think I would feel the same if I re-read it.

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly: I really enjoyed These Shallow Graves, it was an interesting read and something that I would recommend to historical fiction or crime lovers. These Shallow Graves is a fantastic historical fiction packed with crime solving, romance, heartbreak and tears. And I think it’s for that reason that I won’t re-read the book. When you already know the answer to the crime, why would you want to read?

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier: I think you can see the trend here. If it’s a crime/has mysterious elements I probably won’t re-read it. In saying that, My Sister Rosa is a terrifying, fantastic read that will mess with your mind. My Sister Rosa reminds us that sometimes a smile and looking pretty doesn’t mean that the person is not a psychopath.

This Beats Perfect by Rebecca Denton: I was so surprised with This Beats Perfect, which is why I most likely won’t re-read it. It was fun, addicting and put a smile on my face. It explores the notions of finding yourself, loving what you do and finding those who will stand by you. It’s about family, friendship and those you love. In saying this, I just realised it was a series. So I might need to re-read to get back into the world.

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray: The characters were interesting, the world intriguing and the plot kept me on the edge of my toes. Defy the Stars explores the notion of family, friendship, believing in yourself and standing up for what you believe in. It explores humanity, intelligence and war. It’s a fun, exciting read and I cannot wait to read more in this series. The only reason why I won’t re-read this is that I struggle with science fiction in the first place.

And that is it for this post! What are some of the books that you loved, but won’t re-read? Let’s Chat!