Book Review - Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I gave this book five stars because it was a very enthralling book. I loved the story of Agnes and I really wanted to find out what what actually happened that fateful night. If you are looking for a fast paced book then look elsewhere. The draw to this book is not the adventure but the gradual unveiling of the truth behind the murders. I loved how the family Agnes was placed with interacted with her. Hannah has written a beautiful book and captures the essence of this time and place. You just about feel the cold snow, smell the dung fires and fell your belly hunger from not eating.

Hannah has drawn from real life sources and while a few characters are fictional, most of these people existed and lived how Hannah described. A very interesting read and I couldn't put it down. I am very keen to read Hannah's next book when it is written and released.

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Collins Booksellers Edwardstown Online Store

My bookshop now has an online store. So many wonderful books and products are on there and will be added in the future.

Go check it out!

http://collins-booksellers-edwardstown.myshopify.com/

Book Review - Reboot - Amy Tintera

Reboot by Amy Tintera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A brilliant take on the zombie literature but with a twist.

This series is a duo. The first book ' Reboot' is due for release in Australia, June 2013.

After a virus and then war decimated the world, the surviours are rules by a organisation called HARC ( Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation) Food is scarce and so is medical treatment. When people die, if they have had the virus or even sometimes you hadn't, you may come back to life as a Reboot. The main character Wren is 178 - meaning she was dead for 178 minutes before she rebooted. This makes her one of the strongest Reboots in Austin. When you come back as a Reboot, you are stronger, faster, able to heal from wounds that would normally kill you and they are less emotional. The longer you were dead means the more powerful you become. Wren takes a chance on Callum a 22, and this starts a change inside her. She begins to question events that start to happen when the scientists start playing God with the Reboots.

A fantastic twist on the zombie genre as we get to read a story that isn't mindless killing (yet) and we get to see a different side to the undead. I am NOT a fan of zombies, I can not stand them. Saying that, I really enjoyed this book and am keen to see where the author takes it.

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Book Review - Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley

Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was both horrifying and fascinating. You really feel for Angie as she struggles to come to terms with alter egos that were made to help her survive her kidnapping. Not only do we see Angie grow, we see her dark depths and just how to human mind will go to cope with ordeals.

A very interesting read and i think this book will stay on with me for a very long time as I struggle myself to process what Angie went through. I have a little girl and this book really hit home about what some humans are like.

I believe that this book is not a young teenage book even though the character was 13 at the start of the book. It feels like a dark novel a 17+ would be able to cope with. Very intense and I really couldn't put it down!

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Book Review: Finishing School #1 Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set 25 years before the parasol protectorate we see some of our familiar characters (in their younger forms) and we meet new people. Well written and just as funny as the previous series, we meet Sophronia Temminnick. She is a fourteen year old girl who is not very lady like, so her mother sends her off to finishing school. Only it's not like any old finishing school - it is an espionage school. I loved it and can't wait for the second one to come out.

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The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee

The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a gentle read. I loved this book. The town of Avalon has its ups and downs and we follow the lives of 5-7 core people in the book. Each one is effected by the Avalon Scrapbook Society. A witty, emotional and very moving story. It brought a tear to my eyes a few times. You get to see how one person can effect so many people without knowing it and how we can grow as a human but interacting with others.

I would highly recommend this book and if you love scrapbooking (as I do) you will find inspiration it's pages. I know I have!!

I want to now read the Friendship Bread by Darien Gee which is set in Avalon as well.

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Iced Forged by Gail Z Martin

Ice Forged by Gail Z. Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. You get grabbed right from the start when you are confronted with why Blaine gets sent to Velant. You cheer him on but feel sorry for him at the same time. The characters were well written and the storyline was excellent. I finished this in two days and when I got to the end I was like omg, I have to wait to see what happens next!!!! All the elements of a good story are portrayed and you get to like and dislike characters.

A must read for fantasy fans or anyone who likes a great adventure!!

Book 2 is going to be epic!

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Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - Author Event

In November, Collins Booksellers Edwardstown will be hosting Dr Karl for an author event. This is going to be such a hoot!!

Dr Karl Facebook Sign Up

Australia’s favourite scientist, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is set to appear in-store at Collins Booksellers Edwardstown, Castle Plaza on Friday November 30th at 1pm. Dr Karl will be signing copies of his new book ’50 Shades of Grey Matter’ as well as answering questions such as: Why does walking into a room make you forget? Why does giving up smoking make you fatter and how can milk build muscle?

A brilliant Christmas gift idea, who wouldn't love a signed copy of '50 Shades of Grey Matter'