My New Blog For 2013

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Hello my lovely loyal readers, I just wanted to let you know that I have finally set myself up with a new blog.

My new blog is called What's Rebecca Reading? and I hope you will all make your way over there for a visit.

This is it...I'm done

Well, my last book has been read, and it's a brand new year.

I have to say that reading a book a day has been a real challenge for me, and there were a couple of times when I didn't think I would make it through.  It was all of the wonderful feedback I have had from readers of the blog throughout the year that have made it all worthwhile for me.  

I have read some amazing books, I have discovered some great new authors and I have picked up books I would never have considered, so for me personally and professionally, this experience has been extremely valuable.

Someone asked me if I was  going to list my favourite books, and I wasn't going to,  because where would I stop?  I read so many great books this year, the list could go into the 100s.  But I decided that I would, and I have included a Top 10, which are really the first 10 books that  sprang to mind when I thought of books I loved this year.  Ask me tomorrow and the list would probably be different, as other amazing books would have popped into my mind, but here is my list in alphabetical order.

Top Ten:

Bink and Gollie: Two For One by Kate DiCamillo

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

Fault In Our Stars by John Green

The Girl From Snowy River by Jackie French

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

On Two Feet and Wings by Abbas Kazerooni

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Wonder by RJ Palacio

In case anyone was interested, I will let you tell you the most viewed post this year was The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg with a whopping 1366 views, the next closest was This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers with 386 views.  I find that stat quite amazing.

So...what does 2013 have in store for me.  Well, I can say with absolute certainty that I will not be reading (and writing) about a book a day.  It's time for me to get back out into the world, instead of having my nose stuck in a book every spare moment I have.

Saying that, I have enjoyed this 'blogging' thing a lot, and I will continue to write about books I have loved and any interesting book related 'stuff' I come across. I am still deciding on a name and a location for the new blog, but I will post it here as soon as I am ready to go.

366. The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller

Published February 2009 John Wiley

From the publisher:

Donalyn Miller says she has yet to meet a child she couldn't turn into a reader. No matter how far behind Miller's students might be when they reach her 6th grade classroom, they end up reading an average of 40 to 50 books a year. Miller's unconventional approach dispenses with drills and worksheets that make reading a chore. Instead, she helps students navigate the world of literature and gives them time to read books they pick out themselves. Her love of books and teaching is both infectious and inspiring. The book includes a dynamite list of recommended "kid lit" that helps parents and teachers find the books that students really like to read.

All bets are off for book number 366.  It’s not a children’s book, and it’s not new, it was published in 2009.  I have included it because a friend of mine mentioned it, she’s a school librarian, and it sounded like the book that everyone who has anything to do with children and books should read.  As I was reading this book, I did think there was no way I could include it, mainly for the fact that I knew I wouldn't know where to stop when it came to raving about it, so I apologise in advance for that, and I really did try to only highlight the parts that jumped out at me.

365. Romance Diaries Book 2: Ruby by Jenna Austen

Romance Diaries Book 2: Ruby by Jenna Austen
Published January 2013 Harper Collins

From the publisher:
Ruby's worried that her friends keep making the same mistakes when it comes to romance. Then she develops a theory: most girls go for either a Jane Austen guy (funny, sweet, caring) or a Jane Eyre guy (dark, brooding, serious) -- when really they should be dating the exact opposite! But when Ruby puts her theory into practice, the results don't exactly go to plan ... And if shes so smart about love, how come she can't figure out who's been sending her all the flirty emails and flowers?

Being the book nerd that I am, my first thought when I saw this book, was Who Is Jenna Austen?  I was fairly confident that this was a pseudonym, and after a bit of Googling, I came up trumps.  Jenna Austen is non other than the well know Australian writer Sophie Masson!

364. Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Hannah Shaw

Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Hannah Shaw
Published August 2012 Barrington Stoke

From the publisher:
Beautifully packaged book from Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson and illustrated by the wonderful Hannah Shaw. A tiger in the back garden! A bird-eating spider in the cupboard! Elmo and his sister love playing in the jungle house next door, that is, until mean old Mr Birdsnest moves in. But when it appears that Mr Birdsnest has kidnapped the children's grandma they must sneak back in to rescue her!



The name Julia Donaldson is a name that anyone who knows even a little bit about children's books would have hear of.  Does the book The Gruffalo mean anything to you?  While Julia Donaldson is most well known for her fantastic read-a-loud picture books, she has also written a number of novels, and this is one of them.

363. Feathered Man by Jeremy de Quidt

Feathered Man by Jeremy de Quidt

Due to be published January 2013 David Fickling Books

From the publisher:

'Where does life go?' Who wouldn't want to know the answer to that if it was almost in their grasp?  Klaus's perfect white teeth were the only thing he had. But after they brought him to the attention of Kusselmann, the toothpuller, he discovers he has nothing. Not even his life.  When a hidden diamond is discovered in a dead man's tooth, the stage is set for a terrifying mystery to unravel. Unwillingly embroiled in the twin clutches of greed and ancient omen, Klaus and his friend Liesel only understand one thing: they must escape. At any cost. But where can you go when you are being hunted by a force more deadly and more powerful than anything in this world?

Who would have thought I would read three books this year that involve the collection of teeth?  Well I have, the first two, Daughter of Bone and Smoke and Days of Blood and Starlight, and now this one.  Admittedly, the teeth in this book are used to make false teeth, not chimaera (monsters), but still...teeth?!

362. What We Saw at Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard

What We Saw at Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Due to be published January 8th 2013 (eBook) Soho Teen


From the publisher:
Three teenagers with XP (a life-threatening allergy to sunlight) are a species unto themselves. As seen through the eyes of 16-year-old Allie Kim, they roam the silent streets, looking for adventure while others sleep. On a random summer night, while scaling a building like any other, the three happen to peer into an empty apartment and glimpse an older man with what looks like a dead girl. A game of cat-and-mouse ensues that escalates through the underground world of hospital confinement, off-the-grid sports and forbidden love.

While there is an actual story in this book, there are two key elements that stand out in this story and are worth mentioning from the start, XP and Parkour.

361. Incredible Edibles by Stefan Gates illustrated by Georgia Glynn-Smith

Incredible Edibles by Stefan Gates illustrated by Georgia Glynn-Smith

Published December 2012 Walker

From the publisher:

Become a food adventurer with gastronaut, Stefan Gates!

Does chocolate make you happier? What’s the most dangerous food on earth? How do you milk a camel? What s the fartiest food of all? And what’s really in that burger you re about to eat? Find out the answers to these questions and much, much more in this seriously funny and hilariously informative book about food. Packed full of mad recipes to cook for your friends, kitchen science projects to try out at home and wild food facts this photographic cookbook will take you on a food adventure from breakfast right through to supper.

I knew nothing about this book, and did not know that Stefan is quite the TV star, featuring in many programs for both adults and children. My first thought was, this is Heston Blumentahl for kids.  On closer inspection I realised that there is a bit of Heston in some of the cooking, but there’s also a lot of science and a whole lot of weird and sometimes disgusting food.

360. Daughter of Smoke and Bone Book 2: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Book 2: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Published November 2012 H & S Fiction

From the publisher:
Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living - one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers' arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon's secret temple and dreamed of a world that was a like a jewel-box without a jewel - a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with their happiness.

This was not that world.

Not exactly a Christmas book, but for me it was little bit like Christmas, to say I was excited about this book would be an understatement.  I discovered Daughter of Smoke and Bone quite a while after it’s original US release, the paperback came out earlier this year, so it’s a very pleasant surprise that I get to read Book 2 in the same year!

359. House at the End of the Street by Lily Blake

House at the End of the Street by Lily Blake
Published October 2012 Atom

From the publisher:

Seeking a fresh start, newly divorced Sarah and her daughter Elissa find the house of their dreams in a small, upscale, rural town. But when startling and unexplainable events begin to happen, Sarah and Elissa learn the town is in the shadows of a chilling secret.

Years earlier, in the house next door, a daughter killed her parents in their beds and disappeared - leaving only a brother, Ryan, as the sole survivor.

Against Sarah's wishes, Elissa begins a relationship with the reclusive Ryan - and the closer they get, the deeper they're all pulled into a mystery more dangerous than they ever imagined.

One thing I normally steer clear of, are books that have been adapted from movies. I was at my local library, and I can honestly say that I am struggling to find things to read at this time of year.  It’s not so much the books, just life getting in the way.  So I saw this book, I hadn’t heard of, or seen the movie, and it looked like a quick read, so I gave it a go.  Let’s just say I probably won’t be reading any movie novelisations again in the near future.

358. There’s a Fly Guy in my Soup by Ted Arnold

There’s a Fly Guy in my Soup by Ted Arnold

Published January 2013 Scholastic

From the publisher:

When Buzz and his family have dinner at a fancy hotel's restaurant Fly Guy isn't allowed in. After searching through the hotel's garbage Fly Guy smells a wonderful aroma coming from the restaurant's kitchen. Fly Guy causes some messy mayhem in the restaurant and, in the end, everyone needs a bath!

In this adventure Buzz and family, including Fly Guy are staying in a fancy hotel.  It’s so fancy that Fly Guy isn’t allowed in the restaurant, because no one wants a fly hanging around their food.  Buzz is sent out into the night and all he finds is a lot if horrible stinky rubbish.  Most flies would be overjoyed at such a bounty, but not this fly, he wants something nicer.

A delicious smell leads Fly Guy to the kitchen where he finds himself in the most lovely soup, perfect for a Fly Guy bath.  The only problem is that the diner who received the soup was not so happy with the bathing fly, in fact she shrieked and jumped causing her soup to fly, which then caused a neighbouring diner to shriek and throw his hands in the air, causing his soup to fly…and so the chaos begins, resulting in everyone being covered in soup!

 

Ever since the very first fly guy book Hi, Fly Guy! Book was published in 2005, young readers haven’t been able to get enough of these books about Buzz and his pet fly.  They work well because they are bright, funny and have chapters.  Chapters are very important to readers moving on from picture books, as it makes them feel very grown up!

Who will like this book: Boys and girls age 5+
Read it if you like: Fly Guy

357. Summertime of the Dead by Gregory Hughes

Summertime of the Dead by Gregory Hughes

Published November 2012 Quercus

From the publisher:

Yukio's two best friends are dead. Tormented and blackmailed by the Yakuza – the Japanese mafia – they have taken their own lives. Yukio is a kendo champion and he knows all the stories of the samurai.

Heartbroken and furious, he is determined to avenge the deaths of his beloved Hiroshi and Miko. And so begins a deadly struggle between Yukio and the Yakuza, and between Yukio's capacity for love, and his thirst for revenge.
Shot through with the beauty of Tokyo in spring, this is an unforgettable and uncompromising read.

A book about the Japanese Mafia with a Warning: Not For Younger Readers on the back, this has the makings of a must read for action loving boys everywhere!  Three Japanese teenagers, friends since childhood, who are as close as siblings.  One night while at an underage night club, and a chance meeting with Riko and Louise, nieces to a gangster godfather in the Japanese Mafia, the yakuza and their friend Kako changes everything. 

356. From Mud Huts to Skyscrapers: Architecture for Children by Christine Paxmann and illustrated by Anne Ibelings

From Mud Huts to Skyscrapers: Architecture for Children by Christine Paxmann and illustrated by Anne Ibelings

Published November 2012 Prestel

From the publisher:

Filled with colourful architectural drawings and engaging texts, this history of architecture for children is a great way to introduce young readers to the subject. Children will be utterly absorbed by this journey through the history of architecture, from the earliest mud huts to today's soaring towers. Chronologically arranged, this large-format book gives each iconic building its own double-page spread featuring an exquisite watercolour illustration and clearly written descriptions, facts, and features. These vibrantly detailed pages are filled with people, animals, and other objects that help bring the buildings to life. A detailed appendix includes a timeline, a world map that points out where each building can be found, and an extensive glossary. Children will enjoy poring over this book - and will come away with a fundamental understanding of not only the most common architectural terms, but also of how the built world has evolved marvelously over time. 

Another beautiful book, that has the combination of beautiful illustrations you would expect to see in a picture book, and simple and clear information you'd find in a non fiction title.

355. Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Published October 2012 EUK

From the publisher:

Evening Spiker is recuperating from a freak accident in her mum's medical facility. She is healing at a remarkable rate, faster than physically possible. As she grows closer to the hot lab assistant Solo, who seems to be hanging around a lot, she realises that things at Spiker Biotech are not quite as they seem. Joining forces, Solo and Eve uncover a secret so huge it could change the world completely. Spiker Biotech is about more than just saving lives. It's about creating them.

Both of the author names associated with this title will be easily recognisable.  Michael Grant is the author of the very popular GONE series, and BZRK which I read earlier this year.  Katherine Applegate is the author of the extremely popular Animorphs series, which have recently been re-issued.  She also wrote the wonderful The One and Only Ivan, which I also read earlier this year. The other thing about this writing duo, is that they are also married, and this is their first collaboration.

354. Om Shanti, Babe by Helen Limon

Om Shanti, Babe by Helen Limon
Published November 2012 Frances Lincoln

From the publisher:
Fizzing with energy, and laugh-out-loud funny, this is a roller-coaster journey of discovery, which also has an exciting environmental twist - all against the backdrop of beautiful Kerala.

Cassia can't wait for her first visit to India - Bollywood glamour, new friends to admire her uber-cool street-dance moves . But as she steps into real Indian life, NOTHING is as she expected... Cass is with her mum in Kerala, on a buying trip for their Fair Trade craft shop, and everything seems to be going wrong. There's Mum's new romance with "call-me-V" Mr Chaudury for a start, her own prickly stand-off with pretty, fashion-mad Priyanka, and the devastating news that her mum's business may be on the rocks. But then pop idol Jonny Gold arrives at the beach to promote his new song, Om Shanti Babe, sparking a mystery, new friendships and a race to save the mangrove swamps.

Cassia loves all things Bollywood, so a trip to India with her Mum is a dream come true.  Cassia’s Mum Lula has a shop named after her daughter that sells all sorts of fair trade goodies, all of which she sources from southern India, in a place called Kerala.

353. Marvel Ready-To-Read Level 1: This Is Spider-Man by Thomas Macri

Marvel Ready-To-Read Level 1: This Is Spider-Man by Thomas Macri

Published January 2013 Scholastic

From the publisher:

When Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider he becomes super-agile and amazingly strong. He makes a disguise and calls himself Spider-Man. Sometimes, though, keeping his superhero identity a secret isn't easy.

Little boys LOVE superheroes, but there’s often a big difference between the age appropriateness of books about superheroes and the age of the children who love them.  Now that problem has been solved, as we have three new ready to read titles all about our favourite heroes.

352. My Brother Simple by Marie-Aude Murail

My Brother Simple by Marie-Aude Murail
Published September 2012 Bloomsbury 

From the publisher:
There's unrequited love, lust (lots of it), bad romantic poetry, too many essays, and plenty of crisps. But the seventeen-year-old boy in this story has something extra to contend with. His older brother has learning difficulties and is languishing in a care home. Listening to his heart rather than his head, the boy knows he must get his brother, nicknamed Simple, out. But as their father is entirely preoccupied with his new wife, it's up to the boy to liberate Simple, and that means finding somewhere for them to live in the city. Funny, thought-provoking and clever, this French bestseller won the Prix SNCF du Livre de Jeunesse and was dramatised for French television; in Germany it won the prestigious Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis.

This book was originally published in France in 2004, and it has won awards across Europe.  I have a theory that if a novel has been translated it's a book that I must read, as I believe that only the best books are ever translated.

351. Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B Cooney

Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B Cooney
This edition published December 2012 Random House

From the publisher:
 No one ever really paid close attention to the faces of the missing children on the milk cartons. But as Janie Johnson glanced at the face of the ordinary little girl with her hair in tight pigtails, wearing a dress with a narrow white collar--a three-year-old who had been kidnapped twelve years before from a shopping mall in New Jersey--she felt overcome with shock. She recognized that little girl--it was she. How could it possibly be true? Janie can't believe that her loving parents kidnapped her, but as she begins to piece things together, nothing makes sense. Something is terribly wrong. Are Mr. and Mrs. Johnson really her parents? And if not, who is Janie Johnson, and what really happened?

OK, so it's late in the year, and here I am reading a book that was originally written in 1990, and I have read it before. I am including it because I did read it again, partly to see how it stands the test of time and also because there is a book 5 coming out next year, and I wanted to start jogging my memory.

350. Stories for 5 Year Olds Edited by Linsay Knight

Stories for 5 Year Olds compiled by Linsay Knight

Published December 2012 Random House

From the publisher:

Top stories specially chosen for 5 year olds! Authors include Janeen Brian, Ursula Dubosarsky, Victor Kelleher and lots more! Two toy gorillas, twelve princesses with a secret, a problem with bubblegum, a very hungry boy, a girl who likes exploring, a very popular dog, a class visiting ducklings, a postman with a problem, mysterious bush creatures and a gorilla adventure ...you'll find all these in Stories for 5 Year Olds. And you'll find some of your favourite Australian authors too. Once you start reading, you won't want to stop!

When I first saw these books for 5, 6, 7, and 8 year olds I was really excited as it’s good to have short stories that will appeal to specific ages groups.  When I had a quick look at the contents page I was momentarily disappointed as I realised that many of these stories aren’t new.  It’s when I saw one story in particular that I was extremely happy that they had chosen stories that have been out of print, and are up there with my favourites stories of all time.

349. Venom by Fiona Paul

Venom by Fiona Paul
Published December 2012 Harper Collins

From the publisher:
Beauty, romance, murder... A novel as stunning and seductive as Renaissance Venice itself. Cassandra Caravello is part of Venice’s wealthy elite. Her world is one of fabulous gowns, society parties and privilege, yet she longs for something more. While her fiancé is away studying in Paris, she has a chance meeting with an artist called Falco. He is attractive, audacious...and highly unsuitable. When Cass stumbles upon the body of a murdered woman - with a bloody X carved across her heart - she’s drawn into a dangerous world of secret societies, courtesans and killers. Falco is quick to offer his assistance, but then another body is found and Cass starts receiving death threats... Is Falco more involved than she imagined? And will she be able to stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for someone she’s not even sure she can trust?

I am not a girly girl by any stretch, but I just love the dress on the cover of this book!  Again, I know not a good way to select my reading material, but that’s why I picked this one up.  This is a novel set in the Renaissance Venice, basically the story of a wealthy young girl, and a poor apprentice artist who should never have met, let alone fall in love, throw in a killer who is carving up women and you have a book that’s hard to put down.