Staff and Student Recommendations!
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Prize draw every month!
Prize draw every month!
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
by Hailey Smith
This heartwarming story follows thirty-nine year old geneticist, Don Tillman, a man focused on schedules and directions, searching for the perfect wife. After devising the perfect project to find a suitable life partner, Don finds it difficult to find someone that will meet all his expectations, due to his lack of empathy and social skills. When he meets Rosie, he is momentarily preoccupied with using his familiarity with genetics to help find her biological Father, but as Don struggles with his life being turned around by this beautiful woman, he begins to question if he really is capable of feeling love.
The Rosie Project is definitely one of my new favourite romances, as Graeme Simsion approaches the old style romantics with a new kind of character, a geeky, socially awkward adult, forever stuck in his ways. The novel is funny and Don Tillman will have you laughing throughout. This book is a beautiful representation of unusual yet maybe more realistic love stories. This wonderful story is slightly frustrating but will make you smile. I recommend this novel to fans of romances such as Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern.
by Hailey Smith
This heartwarming story follows thirty-nine year old geneticist, Don Tillman, a man focused on schedules and directions, searching for the perfect wife. After devising the perfect project to find a suitable life partner, Don finds it difficult to find someone that will meet all his expectations, due to his lack of empathy and social skills. When he meets Rosie, he is momentarily preoccupied with using his familiarity with genetics to help find her biological Father, but as Don struggles with his life being turned around by this beautiful woman, he begins to question if he really is capable of feeling love.
The Rosie Project is definitely one of my new favourite romances, as Graeme Simsion approaches the old style romantics with a new kind of character, a geeky, socially awkward adult, forever stuck in his ways. The novel is funny and Don Tillman will have you laughing throughout. This book is a beautiful representation of unusual yet maybe more realistic love stories. This wonderful story is slightly frustrating but will make you smile. I recommend this novel to fans of romances such as Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern.
The Loneliness of Distant Beings by Kate Ling
by Hailey Smith
The Loneliness of Distant Beings is a romance sci-fi novel by Kate Ling, following young Seren, on the Ventura, a 250 year space mission from Earth to an undiscovered planet. As part of her duty, she is to marry a chosen male in her generation, and bear children, to continue the life cycle of the Ventura space crew. When Seren meets someone she had long forgotten, a romance sparks that could unsettle the rules of the intergalactic society she lives in. As their relationship evolves, so does the suspicion of the people around her, and her mistakes may cost her more than she thought.
The Loneliness of Distant Beings is a young adult science-fiction novel that is easy to read, and set in an interesting atmosphere, on a spacecraft somewhere in the stars. The characters provide a world in which everything is controlled, but Seren Hemple creates trouble when she walks into a handsome old friend.
This book was enjoyable, but slightly frustrating to read as the characters often make poor decisions and it reads as an ongoing battle with Seren herself, rather than the society she was born into. I really liked the story’s setting, and the idea of a community in space was something different, but the romance between two young and naive crew members may have been a little extreme. I rate this book six out of ten stars, and recommend it to fans of young adult romance.
by Hailey Smith
The Loneliness of Distant Beings is a romance sci-fi novel by Kate Ling, following young Seren, on the Ventura, a 250 year space mission from Earth to an undiscovered planet. As part of her duty, she is to marry a chosen male in her generation, and bear children, to continue the life cycle of the Ventura space crew. When Seren meets someone she had long forgotten, a romance sparks that could unsettle the rules of the intergalactic society she lives in. As their relationship evolves, so does the suspicion of the people around her, and her mistakes may cost her more than she thought.
The Loneliness of Distant Beings is a young adult science-fiction novel that is easy to read, and set in an interesting atmosphere, on a spacecraft somewhere in the stars. The characters provide a world in which everything is controlled, but Seren Hemple creates trouble when she walks into a handsome old friend.
This book was enjoyable, but slightly frustrating to read as the characters often make poor decisions and it reads as an ongoing battle with Seren herself, rather than the society she was born into. I really liked the story’s setting, and the idea of a community in space was something different, but the romance between two young and naive crew members may have been a little extreme. I rate this book six out of ten stars, and recommend it to fans of young adult romance.
More Than This by Patrick Ness
by Hailey Smith
More Than This by Patrick Ness is one of 2018’s best science fiction novels, with a twisty, futuristic plot bound to shock you from beginning to end. Despite not knowing what’s going on half the time, More Than This is an exciting story that is impossible to put down. This book is an ongoing adventure between characters and scenarios that never stop surprising, gripping you from the very beginning.
The story begins at the end of Seth’s life, or what he thinks is the end. When he wakes up in a deserted version of his old home town, he starts to lose hope in ever getting out of this world. But when he realises he isn’t alone in his afterlife, his world starts to shift and his mind begins to crack. What seems real may not be reality, or is it?
Patrick Ness creates a phenomenal plot on the life on Seth Wearing, constantly challenging the reader to figure out what is and isn’t real. This book will have you hooked from the beginning, and is highly recommended to sci-fi lovers.
by Hailey Smith
More Than This by Patrick Ness is one of 2018’s best science fiction novels, with a twisty, futuristic plot bound to shock you from beginning to end. Despite not knowing what’s going on half the time, More Than This is an exciting story that is impossible to put down. This book is an ongoing adventure between characters and scenarios that never stop surprising, gripping you from the very beginning.
The story begins at the end of Seth’s life, or what he thinks is the end. When he wakes up in a deserted version of his old home town, he starts to lose hope in ever getting out of this world. But when he realises he isn’t alone in his afterlife, his world starts to shift and his mind begins to crack. What seems real may not be reality, or is it?
Patrick Ness creates a phenomenal plot on the life on Seth Wearing, constantly challenging the reader to figure out what is and isn’t real. This book will have you hooked from the beginning, and is highly recommended to sci-fi lovers.
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
by Hailey Smith
Jeffrey Eugenides’ first book, The virgin Suicides, is a beautifully written novel following the dark tale of the Lisbon Sisters. Twenty years after the five beautiful girls are left only in memory, the neighbourhood boys who watched and obsessed them for years, tell the story of a family that slowly decayed right before them.
As doors begin to close and the girls are being slowly erased, nobody second-glances the dying house on their street. But when all five Lisbon Girls succeed in their suicide, 1990’s America finally begins to question mental health and suicide in teenagers.
Eugenides writes in an exceptional style, highlighting the taboo and grey areas around suicide in young people and provides a heartbreaking story of a family that destroyed itself. This novel really questions society and its relations to things like religion, media and freedom. Although this novel is a slow tragedy, it is written in hopes of raising awareness and questions regarding teenagers and their minds. This is brilliant book and haunting fictional story of the Lisbon Sisters is sure to stick with you. This book is rated for 14+ readers.
by Hailey Smith
Jeffrey Eugenides’ first book, The virgin Suicides, is a beautifully written novel following the dark tale of the Lisbon Sisters. Twenty years after the five beautiful girls are left only in memory, the neighbourhood boys who watched and obsessed them for years, tell the story of a family that slowly decayed right before them.
As doors begin to close and the girls are being slowly erased, nobody second-glances the dying house on their street. But when all five Lisbon Girls succeed in their suicide, 1990’s America finally begins to question mental health and suicide in teenagers.
Eugenides writes in an exceptional style, highlighting the taboo and grey areas around suicide in young people and provides a heartbreaking story of a family that destroyed itself. This novel really questions society and its relations to things like religion, media and freedom. Although this novel is a slow tragedy, it is written in hopes of raising awareness and questions regarding teenagers and their minds. This is brilliant book and haunting fictional story of the Lisbon Sisters is sure to stick with you. This book is rated for 14+ readers.
The Fearless by Emma Pass
by Hailey Smith
Cass’s life is about to change, when the drug produced to help soldiers in battle cope with PTSD, begins to breed dangerous, violent monsters, known as the Fearless. As these beings begin to take over the world, torturing and murdering anyone not like them, Cass is swept out of her childhood and onto the island of Hope, where her and her family could have a last chance of survival.The book takes us through Cass’s life, from when the epidemic of the Fearless first begins, to when survival on the safe haven of Hope island doesn't seem like safety anymore. As Cass starts to yearn for the world outside the island, she begins to question the people she’s trusted for so long.
This is a brilliant novel that is impossible to put down from the very beginning. I loved this book because of the strong female character, Cass, who never gave up from the beginning. As well as the great plot of the Fearless invasion, I loved the adventure and the suspense of Cass’s survival. This is a great YA book for sci-fi or post-apocalyptic novel fans.
by Hailey Smith
Cass’s life is about to change, when the drug produced to help soldiers in battle cope with PTSD, begins to breed dangerous, violent monsters, known as the Fearless. As these beings begin to take over the world, torturing and murdering anyone not like them, Cass is swept out of her childhood and onto the island of Hope, where her and her family could have a last chance of survival.The book takes us through Cass’s life, from when the epidemic of the Fearless first begins, to when survival on the safe haven of Hope island doesn't seem like safety anymore. As Cass starts to yearn for the world outside the island, she begins to question the people she’s trusted for so long.
This is a brilliant novel that is impossible to put down from the very beginning. I loved this book because of the strong female character, Cass, who never gave up from the beginning. As well as the great plot of the Fearless invasion, I loved the adventure and the suspense of Cass’s survival. This is a great YA book for sci-fi or post-apocalyptic novel fans.
Only ever Yours by Louise O’Neill
by Hailey Smith
Only Ever Yours is a futuristic sci-fi novel, written by Louise O’neill (also known for Asking For It). The novel is set in a dystopian future, in what is then known as the EuroZone, following a young girl called Freida. After almost all female babies were eradicated, the world set up a system in which perfect, flawless girls were genetically made to fulfill the needs of men. With no choice, the girls are educated to become the perfect woman, their only purpose being their beauty. After sixteen years of this training, the women are split into three categories to serve the male generations and the system. But when Freida reaches her final school year, she starts to question the system that has run so normally for years. As Freida begins to observe the wrongs of the EuroZone, she puts herself and her future at great risk, but is it worth it?
I greatly enjoyed this book as it mixed brilliant sci-fi with a futuristic plot, that chilled me as I learned what was really happening. The glamorous outlook of these perfect women covers up the dark reality of this future at first, until the rebellious Freida uncovers the morals behind this system. The book follows an interesting plot and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. This novel is young adult fiction, and is recommended for readers aged 16 and over.
by Hailey Smith
Only Ever Yours is a futuristic sci-fi novel, written by Louise O’neill (also known for Asking For It). The novel is set in a dystopian future, in what is then known as the EuroZone, following a young girl called Freida. After almost all female babies were eradicated, the world set up a system in which perfect, flawless girls were genetically made to fulfill the needs of men. With no choice, the girls are educated to become the perfect woman, their only purpose being their beauty. After sixteen years of this training, the women are split into three categories to serve the male generations and the system. But when Freida reaches her final school year, she starts to question the system that has run so normally for years. As Freida begins to observe the wrongs of the EuroZone, she puts herself and her future at great risk, but is it worth it?
I greatly enjoyed this book as it mixed brilliant sci-fi with a futuristic plot, that chilled me as I learned what was really happening. The glamorous outlook of these perfect women covers up the dark reality of this future at first, until the rebellious Freida uncovers the morals behind this system. The book follows an interesting plot and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. This novel is young adult fiction, and is recommended for readers aged 16 and over.
The Lola Quartet by Emily St. John Mandel
by Hailey Smith
The Lola Quartet by Emily St. John Mandel is a modern thriller narrated by Gavin Sasaki, a former player of the Lola Quartet. Now that his glamorous high school band days are over, Gavin is in the real world. When he loses his job after he makes some unusual discoveries about his past, he tries desperately to fix what he left behind years ago.
Anna left the Lola Quartet with a dark secret, aware that she may never return to her normal life again. When people from her past come back, she must see between the good and the bad in order to protect what she has, even if it means revealing the truth.
The Lola Quartet is a brilliant young adult novel, spanning over a decade of love and violence. The famous band must come together once again to set right the mistakes of a lifetime ago, and we are taken through exiting turns when trust fails and enemies return from the dead. I recommend this book as it is a thrilling story, its complex characters bound to suck you in.
by Hailey Smith
The Lola Quartet by Emily St. John Mandel is a modern thriller narrated by Gavin Sasaki, a former player of the Lola Quartet. Now that his glamorous high school band days are over, Gavin is in the real world. When he loses his job after he makes some unusual discoveries about his past, he tries desperately to fix what he left behind years ago.
Anna left the Lola Quartet with a dark secret, aware that she may never return to her normal life again. When people from her past come back, she must see between the good and the bad in order to protect what she has, even if it means revealing the truth.
The Lola Quartet is a brilliant young adult novel, spanning over a decade of love and violence. The famous band must come together once again to set right the mistakes of a lifetime ago, and we are taken through exiting turns when trust fails and enemies return from the dead. I recommend this book as it is a thrilling story, its complex characters bound to suck you in.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
by Hailey Smith
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is a book that you won't put down. The novel follows Eleanor McCarthy and Theodore Finch, two teenagers who meet at the top of the school bell tower, both struggling to find their place in life. From two very different backgrounds, the two form a strong bond over time, and we begin to uncover what led them to where they are now. Theodore's world begins to shrink, as Eleanor's is only starting to grow. When one begins to spiral, will they be able to save each other?
Follow Theodore and Eleanor's journey across Indiana, visiting the not-so-famous landmarks, as they leave behind a piece of themselves with every trip. As their relationship grows, watch them open up and support each other as the outside world grows more and more distant.
All The Bright Places looks at mental illness in young people through loss, identity and heartbreak. The novel takes us through two people's lives, with two different scenarios. The story shows the importance of friendship and love, as the character's stories leave a strong impact on the reader. All The Bright Places tells us the unsugarcoated story of two people at breaking point, and how important it is that these people have support.
Jennifer Niven has written this beautifully, bringing in humour and sarcasm, as well as honesty and wisdom. The topic of Mental health and love provide a captivating, but emotional read.
This book is recommended for 16+ readers.
By Hailey Smith
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is a book that you won't put down. The novel follows Eleanor McCarthy and Theodore Finch, two teenagers who meet at the top of the school bell tower, both struggling to find their place in life. From two very different backgrounds, the two form a strong bond over time, and we begin to uncover what led them to where they are now. Theodore's world begins to shrink, as Eleanor's is only starting to grow. When one begins to spiral, will they be able to save each other?
Follow Theodore and Eleanor's journey across Indiana, visiting the not-so-famous landmarks, as they leave behind a piece of themselves with every trip. As their relationship grows, watch them open up and support each other as the outside world grows more and more distant.
All The Bright Places looks at mental illness in young people through loss, identity and heartbreak. The novel takes us through two people's lives, with two different scenarios. The story shows the importance of friendship and love, as the character's stories leave a strong impact on the reader. All The Bright Places tells us the unsugarcoated story of two people at breaking point, and how important it is that these people have support.
Jennifer Niven has written this beautifully, bringing in humour and sarcasm, as well as honesty and wisdom. The topic of Mental health and love provide a captivating, but emotional read.
This book is recommended for 16+ readers.
By Hailey Smith