Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Wild Thing: the short, spellbinding life of Jimi Hendrix – Philip Norman

    Hachette AUG 25, 2020 | 9781474611497 | RRP $32.99 Once again Philip Norman has crafted a biography that is both mesmerising and eminently readable just as he has done previously, but most notably for me with Slowhand. It’s hard to believe that it has been fifty years since Jimi’s brilliance was extinguished and to write the story of such…

  • Puffin’s 80th Anniversary!

    Generations of children have grown up with Puffin Books and I am one of those. I was a voracious reader from the age of three but my first memory of Puffins is around my 7th birthday when I received my copy of Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass. I still have it, albeit,…

  • Rebel Gods: Monuments #2 – Will Kostakis – The Book Tour! with guest blogger Tiarna Georghiou

    What a double bonus for me! First to be part of the Book Blog Tour to launch Rebel Gods – the gripping conclusion of Will Kostakis’ Monuments series. Second to be able to introduce you all to an amazing young woman, Tiarna Georghiou – Year 12 student, blogger, reporter, talented performer, passionate reader and, I’m…

  • Happy Father’s Day!

    Whether you are celebrating a dad, step-dad, grandfather or the person who takes on the important role of a father figure – there are so many beautiful books which will add joy to your family’s or class’ marking of this special day. Here are some fabulous titles that will fit the bill perfectly! I love…

  • Never and Forever: Wizards of Once #4 – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia SEP 22, 2020 | 9781444956627 | RRP $19.99 While it’s always sad when something wonderful, like this magical series, comes to an end it’s also exciting when the conclusion is so supremely satisfying. Just as she did with the magnificent How to Train Your Dragon series, Cressida Cowell has combined exciting magic, with dangerous and thrilling adventure…

  • The Silver Arrow – Lev Grossman

    Bloomsbury September 2020 ISBN 9781526629418 RRP: AU $14.99 NZ $16.99 In my opinion it’s a rare middle-age novel that can transcend reading interests, age groups and genders but this is most definitely one that can. Certainly your middle grade readers will love it but it is just as appealing for older readers, including adults, as…

  • The Enigma Game – Elizabeth Wein

    Allen & Unwin August 2020 ISBN: 9781526601650 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $14.99 Elizabeth Wein continues her stellar historical novel series with another look at a fascinating aspect of World War II, this time weaving a wonderful tale around the famous Enigma code. This exciting story revolves around three very diverse main characters: Louisa, orphan…

  • A batch of board books

    My Best Friend is a Dragon – Rachael McLean Penguin Australia August 2020 ISBN: 9780593093993 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $13.99 The first of this batch of books for the tiniest reads is this delightful and gloriously vibrant lift-the-flap story. What could be better than having a magical dragon as your best friend? This little boy romps through the pages…

  • The Fire Never Goes Out: a memoir in pictures – Noelle Stevenson

    Harper Collins Australia April 2020 ISBN: 9780062278272 ISBN 10: 0062278274 Imprint: HarperCollins – US List Price: 34.99 AUD I have to be quite frank here. I’d never heard of Noelle nor her best-selling graphic novel Nimona which as attracted a legion fans around the world. My bad :'(. This is an insight into Noelle’s life between teen and now…

  • The Pony Question – Jackie Merchant

    Walker Books July 2020 ISBN: 9781760651640Imprint: Walker Books Australia Australian RRP: $16.99New Zealand RRP: $18.99 I’m not really a horse-y person and now that the Kid is no longer riding neither is she so horse-themed books are a little bit of uncharted territory for me. However many years ago Ruby Ferguson’s Jill’s Gymkana (#1 Jill’s Ponies) was a very…