Our favourite Reads 2011!

[Merilyn]

 

It’s hard to believe 2011 is coming to a close and 2012 is just around the corner. There are plenty of 'best of 2011' lists out there but here's some of the Mosman Library staff favourites for the year. Librarian's love to read (fancy that) and thus we are great people to ask for recommendations. If you haven't already read these make sure you find time over the Chrissy break to do so!

 

Aleph - Coelho, Paulo.

In his most personal novel to date, internationally best-selling author Paulo Coelho returns with a remarkable journey of self-discovery. Like the main character in his much-beloved The Alchemist, Paulo is facing a grave crisis of faith. As he seeks a path of spiritual renewal and growth, he decides to begin again: to travel, to experiment, to reconnect with people and the landscapes around him.  

 

Past the shallows – Favel Parrett.

Harry and Miles live with their father, an abalone fisherman, on the south-east coast of Tasmania. Everyday their dad battles the unpredictable ocean to make a living. He is a hard man, a bitter drinker who harbours a devastating secret that is destroying him. This is a poignant and beautifully written novel from another promising young Australian author.

 

Me and Mr Booker – Cory Taylor

This is the story of 16 year old Martha, who is bored, living in a small town, and waiting for something to happen. She hasn’t yet decided what that should be, until she meets Mr and Mrs Booker at one of her mother’s parties. The Bookers quickly take Martha under their wing but what starts out as whisky and a trip to the hairdressers quickly turns into something else. This is a hilarious and quirky coming of age story that is impossible to put down.  

 

The novel in the viola- Natasha Solomons

Elise Landau arrives at the great house Tyneford knowing nothing about England and commences work as a parlour maid. As servants polish silver and serve drinks on the lawn, Elise wears her mother's pearls beneath her uniform, and causes outrage by dancing with a boy called Kit. But war is coming and the world is changing, and Elise must change with it.

 

The tiger’s wife – Tea O’breht 

Myth, story and memory are explored in this amazing debut novel about a young doctor’s search for answers to explain her grandfather’s death. Natalia searches for the key in some of the fables told to her by her grandfather such the ‘deathless man’ and ‘tiger’s wife’. This is one of the most talked about books of the year and is also available to borrow as a book club kit.

 

All that I am - Anna Funder

This is the first novel from the author of the highly acclaimed Stasiland. The story based on real people and events is about four extraordinary people who risked their lives to alert the world to Hitler. Two narrators, Ernst Toller and Ruth, tell the story of Dora, the woman they both loved. Anna Funder shows us that her fiction writing skills are equally as good as her non-fiction in this gripping and compassionate debut novel.

 

 

 

[Lindach]

Great selection Merilyn! Mosman Library staff have recommended some interesting reads.