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The Daily Advertiser has teamed up with the Riverina Regional Library to bring you five new reading options each month.
From psychological thrillers to historical novels, librarians Amy Heap and Cynthia Price will recommend some of the best titles out there.
Ms Heap said she is a voracious reader who consumes more than 90 books a year.
Ms Price has been working for the RRL for more than 20 years and loves the escape a book provides from the world.
The Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning
A great historical novel based on the resettlement of Jewish refugees to Shanghai during World War II. I was amazed at how the human spirit can still shine in the most horrendous of situations.
The descriptions of life in Shanghai were rich, bringing it to life, particularly the sight and smell of food.
Told with a dual story line the reader discovers the story of Alexandra's grandparents as she travels to Shanghai after her grandfather’s death.
The modern part of the dual storyline had a few unbelievable coincidences, but I could forgive the author as they made the story flow.
I enjoyed the story, particularly learning about this unknown (to me) part of history.
Recommended by Cynthia Price.
The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
An Irish police procedural story that has many layers. There are crimes to solve as well as personal life and office politics to navigate.
Cormac is working on cold cases at a new station in Galway.
His first case as a Garda is still fresh in his memory. A new case that comes in becomes linked with Cormac’s, but who can he trust. Looking at how the main character deals with other characters, such as at the police station and the office, made it more than a crime case.
Interesting characters and a well-paced story kept me involved to the end. I look forward to reading more of this series when it comes.
Recommended by Cynthia Price.
Transcription by Kate Atkinson
I was always going to love this; WWII, espionage and Kate Atkinson are all right up my alley, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Juliet Armstrong is 18 when she is recruited into M15, and a job that is mundane and frightening at the same time. Juliet’s war, like that of so many others, was complicated, and ten years later people from her past turn up in her life and she must confront the past.
The characters are compelling, the story is clever, funny, deeply insightful and surprising.
Recommended by Amy Heap.
The Boy on the Bridge by M.R Carey
In recognition of the fact that it is Hallowe’en season (and it has become a real ‘thing’ now), this book can be classified as horror, though really it is Sci-Fi, a post-apocalyptic story.
Years after the world has ceased to be what it was, an armoured tank, full of soldiers and scientists, sets off into the wilds to try to find a way for humanity to survive.
An autistic fellow works something out and they have to make a decision. Do they turn into a different sort of monster or, do we make a choice for humanity and be the best people?
It may have monsters, but it is a thought-provoking, moving and clever tale about a fight for survival, and also about understanding, connection, humanity, and sacrifice.
Recommended by Amy Heap.
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
What would you do if you knew the day you were going to die?
In 1969, four siblings sneak off to visit a fortune teller and are each told the day of their death. None of them talk about it as it turns out to be a horrid experience.
What follows is four separate stories, following the siblings one at a time, as they each try to live with that knowledge.
The four stories cover many decades, and deal with the complexities of family relationships, finding purpose in life, fate, loss and connection.
It ends up quite hopeful. It also looks at four different decades: San Fransico in the 80’s through to New York now.
Recommended by Amy Heap.
All books are available to borrow from the Riverina Regional Library. There are 18 branches across the region, which means if your local library doesn’t have the book it can be sourced for you.
For anyone struggling to decide what to read, the Riverina Regional Library can also develop a personalised list for you. Check out how to get one here.
To borrow or request one of the above books click here.
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