LittleElfMan's Bibliotherapy

My Favourite Reads of 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:14:00 +0000

I posted on my new blog a list of my favourite reads from 2014.

Check it out! Both my list, and my new blog! :)

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 06:43:00 +0000

I realise that I've let my blog slip into disuse in the last year or so, it was the typical story of too much vying for my attention and, sadly, the inessential being trimmed.

This weekend gone I read Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan and suddenly, even if only for this one book, blogging became essential. I don't even know if anyone reads this long dead blog, but that's not what's important here. I need to write about this book regardless of how many people happen to stumble upon this dark corner of the internet.

Each book is a story, obviously, but I'm also strong in the belief that the reading of each book is a story in itself. True, not always an interesting one, but there's always something that led us to chose that particular book at that particular time. If you want to skip to the review of the book itself, I understand. Jump down to where it starts... It's the most important part anyway. I think I've rambled a bit. But, my blog, my rules.

My 'Two Boys Kissing' story starts long before it was even published, not that I knew it. The last 3 years I've been working towards my Masters in Children's literature, and towards the beginning of last year I made an important decision: What to do for my thesis. I'd tossed around a couple of ideas, a research paper analysing Patrick Ness' Chaos Walking Series, or an exploration of gay teen YA, a few other ideas, but what I really wanted to do was write a novel. So I decided to do a creative work: write and submit a novel along with an exegesis about it. So, I stopped writing the steampunk fantasy bizzo that I was working on, and undertook the book I've always known I've had in me. I'll leave the details about that for another time, but I should say that it is a gay teen YA novel.

I got to writing...

One thing I often hear authors say is that while they were writing any given novel, they read widely, but stayed well away from the same genre as what they were writing. I've had editor friends give me the same advice directly. So, for nearly 18 months, all books with a gay YA theme were hands off. This has been difficult, as, through my studies I've become aware of more books than I ever knew existed. Not only that, but then David Levithan (by all accounts among booksellers the go-to-guy of gay YA) releases a book proudly called Two Boys Kissing with a cover that reinforced its subject matter unapologetically. Further, people who's opinion I trust and are usually aligned with asked me regularly if I had read it yet, because it's so good.

But, alas, I was still only halfway through my own novel and was abstaining.

Then (let's skip forward 6 months) I finally finished my novel (enough for uni, at least). Yet, I still have my exegesis to write before I can hand it in. AND because an academic discussion of a novel isn't really complete without comparing it to others in the genre, I found that the long list of gay YA novels of which I'd been taking note, had to be read all of a sudden in order to be analysed.

Now I know my own book isn't completely polished, and I probably should have held off until I knew it was done and dusted, but uni called for it. Who was I to argue?

So, letting go, I succumbed to the inner urge I'd been denying for months and finally started reading the books I wanted to. The first cab off the rank was one called 'The Boy's Own Manual To Being A Proper Jew' by Eli Glasman. It's not out until July, but a friend scored me an advanced proof because she knew the subject matter of thesis. I won't go on about it, other to say I read it in one sitting and it's great! Definitely look it up.

Then, I reached for my copy of Two Boys Kissing. I'd bought it when it came out, knowing that I had to own it, regardless. (My only grief now is that I will have to buy it again in HB, as you'll find out why)

So then... My Review...

I have to admit that when I began reading I was really worried I'd find the whole thing a bit pretentious. It's not, but I want to say this upfront for those of you who start it and think the same thing and wonder if you should give up. Do not give up. Press on (if indeed you need to be pressed). The reason for my reaction is that the narrator is a collective 'we' made up of the generation of gay men who lived (and died) through the height of the AIDS epidemic. I quickly learned that this is a very effective narrative device. It powerfully brings to light what often remains unspoken or even unknown about their suffering, without the book being about their suffering.

Instead, we follow an assortment of gay teenage boys each trying to find their way through varied levels of acceptance from their families, their friends and their communities. The main story that ties most of them together is that of Craig and Harry who are attempting to break the world record for the longest kiss. They see this as a form of advocacy in light of the recent homophobic assault that put one of their classmates in hospital. This, essentially, is the two boys kissing of the title. Yet, as we also follow Peter and Neil who have been dating for a year, and Avery and Ryan who have only just met and feel those first stirrings of something special, we realise that there are many types of kisses, many types of relationships. There is more, but I'm sure other reviews and blurbs will fill you in. Really, it's even better going into it knowing as little as possible.

I was so utterly moved by this book. Those who know me well will know that I rarely cry (I mean actually cry) in books and films. Sure, I can get teary, sure I get emotionally invested, but actual tears come so infrequently that I can be quite astounded by the books that do manage to get me weeping.

I was crying all the way through this book.

Tears of joy; tears from hard personal memories; tears from sweet personal memories; tears of shared pain in what others have gone through; but, most frequently, pure tears of hope that things are changing, and things can change; get better. That we are moving in the right direction. One particular character brought on these tears of hope more than any other, and he only exists in only 3 paragraphs. I just re-read those paragraphs as I write this, and cried again. He is Max, and I'll let you find him for yourself. (Thank you, David Levithan, for Max).

I finished this book (in fact, it was well before I finished) and knew that it was perhaps one of the most special and important books I had read. I found myself sad that it had not been written 15 years ago so that I could have read it as a teenager and maybe had a much happier time of it. I found myself happy that such a book existed and was now available for anyone to read. Which they should. Anyone. While it is truly a spectacular work of fiction that practically any gay teen in the western world will most likely connect with, it is also one that offers so much insight into what has gone before, and how much further we have to go, and we will never get there if it is only gay teens reading this book. This is a book for everyone. I will try not to get carried away and say that to disregard this book because of its themes is to wantonly perpetuate closed-minded bigotry, but that is how I feel.

If someone had told me that they were attempting to write a novel that encapsulates so much of the joint experiences of multiple generations of gay men, I would have told them that it could not be done. David Levithan has proved me wrong, and I am so happy for it.

So go out and share it. Share it with your partners, your boyfriends and girlfriends. Share it with your teenage children or nieces and nephews. Share it with your parents, with your friends. Because if this book has even a fraction of the power that I feel it has, it will only be realised by people sharing it.

5 Gold Stars

(Can I give it more?)

Find it on Goodreads

Blog Tour: The Tribe Series by Ambelin Kwaymullina

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Hi Readers!

Today I've got the pleasure of being the first stop on Ambelin Kwaymullina's blog tour.

While readers might be dying to know all about the series, I'd rather start with some fun questions in getting to know you! And, as this is by blog, it's my rules. So when I say let's have fun, you do as you're told!

Well, perhaps if I lose the totalitarian tone, we can begin...

What was the last book you read?

Unravel Me which is the sequel to Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 00:59:00 +0000

Many of us were introduced to Jon Klassen’s illustrations with his debut picture book, I Want My Hat Back (picture book gold, by the way). This was followed with This Is Not My Hat, which I’ve yet to review, but as it was recently awarded the Caldecott Medal, it goes to show that it wasn’t just me that thought it was brilliant.

So, you can imagine that I was pleased to see that there was yet another picture book illustrated by Jon Klassen in the market. (I know it’s been out a while now, ‘Life’ has been keeping me from writing reviews).

The fact that it’s illustrated by Jon is enough for me to love it already, but it shouldn’t overshadow Mac Barnett’s writing. This is a smart and snappy book that delights in play between words and pictures.

Top 10 for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:32:00 +0000

As I said in the last blog post, I wanted to do my highlights of 2012. Now I’m going to start off by saying that these are not necessarily books published this year, but I read them this year and so they have helped make up my Year of Reading.

I understand that the year isn’t over, but If I read anything stand out between now and New Year I’ll be sure to let you know.

I figured I’d give you my Top 10. Now, these are only in a loose order, it can be very hard to rank several different kinds of genius, and so I’ll do my best.

# 10

The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas by David Almond and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

This is a tame book for a David Almond Title, but for me, that will give it more general appeal. It’s quirky, fun, and tender at its core. There is one passage that won me over. He basically describes techniques writers use to tell stories, to jump from place to place and back and forth in time, while actually telling you the story! It was brilliant! I’d quote it, but it goes on for a few pages, so I’ll let you read it for yourself.

Find it on Goodreads

Apologies and Happenings

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:33:00 +0000

So, I should apologise, first and for most for going dark for the last three and a half months. I had such good intentions, that I had written and scheduled blog posts for weeks ahead, knowing that the move interstate would really slow me down, but I really didn’t anticipate what was waiting for me when I got to Melbourne.

For starters, my work load almost doubled from what it was in Sydney. Add to that that I’d never really been to Melbourne before (once for a weekend, 8 years ago, and when I was 6 or 7 and my only memory is Port Melbourne and getting on the Able Tasman) and so getting to know the area was also an issue. Oh that’s right, I was also enrolled in two subjects for my Masters, which due to the move I had to change to external. And I don’t know if it’s just me, but external seems SO much more work than internal. Internally you can do your readings and assignments, then in class you join in the discussion for 2 hours a week. Externally, it all online discussion which requires a lot of reading (other people’s posts) careful crafting of your discussion points (you can’t um, and ahh, and ‘you know what I mean?’) and then checking back to respond to responses.

In any event, after work (paperwork often not being finished till 6-7 at night, sometimes much later) and then Uni taking up my weekends and any other free time I found myself with, I was struggling to find time to spend with my partner and explore our new home city. Needless to say, my blog took a hiatus while the insanity passed. When my final assignments were in (thrilled with two Distinctions, under the circumstances) I was able to breathe a bit, and then I finished up work last Friday and I have three weeks off and I am loving it! Reading when I want to, writing a bit, swimming every other day, picnics, watching movies, watching Smash (my latest favourite show) playing Lego Star Wars on the play station, lounging around… it’s fantastic. The other day I had a 3 hour nana nap for the first time in I don’t know how long! I’ve only been on holidays for 5 days and I feel like it could have been two weeks. Who knows if I’ll even remember what work is by the time I go back on the 7^th of January.

I’m absolutely loving living where we have moved. It’s a beautiful heritage place that’s been converted into units. But the main point that will be of interest to you, bookish people, is that we now have the wall space to have continuous bookshelves! See how beautiful they are! It makes me so happy to walk through the door and see that every day.

So, where to from here? I know there’s that statistic that most blogs die off in less than a year, or whatever it is, and I didn’t want that to happen to mine. I’ve put a whole lot of effort into it, and I’m still getting around 1200 hits a month even though I haven’t posted in nearly 4… But in all honesty, with full time work, uni, life in general, and my much neglected writing, posting 5 entries a week just doesn’t seem viable. So for next year, I’ll be looking for a new formula. I think it might be more like 1 or 2 posts a week which are more substantial and talk about the books I choose in more depth. With more things like “Genre Favourites” or something where I post about a genre and give my personal highlights from it. If anyone has any suggestions for topics or genres they would like me to talk about, ask away. That’s if anyone is still reading this. I know I’ve been terrible with my audience.

I’m going to start with a highlights of 2012. I’ll post that separately .

Hope someone’s still reading.

-LittleElfMan

(Michael)

Wolves by Emily Gravett

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Emily Gravett is wonderful! I love the way she uses book conventions to make her stories truly irreverent.

In this book, for example, We follow Rabbit, who goes to the library and borrows a book about wolves. Oh what's this? The reader in now holding a book called wolves which contains a rabbit holding a book about wolves... we read together...

Gray wolves live in packs of between two and ten animals.

We find out more and more about them, as the rabbit walks home, too engrosed in the book to notice that a wolf has come out of the pages. He even walks right up the tail and along its back.

Then we learn, at the same time as the rabbit, that it eats lots of kinds of animals, both large and small... like beavers, voles and ...

We turn the page to see a viciously ripped and clawed back over and the torn remnants of a page saying "rabbits."

We turn the page again to read:

The author would like to point out that no rabbits were eaten during the making of this book.

It is a work of fiction.
And so, for more sensitive readers, here is an alternative ending.

I'll leave it to you to read the alternative ending for yourself, but it's much happier and unrealistic. but it clearly illustrated by torn scraps from earlier in the book.

She's just too good! I wrote a review a little while ago on one of her other books and I just love everything she does.

4.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Butterfly Butterfly by Petr Horáček

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Petr Horáček's illustration style is bright, engaging and full of life and movement. So when you sit down to read a book about colours set in the garden, you know you're in for a treat!

When Lucy finds a butterfly in the garden and chases it around, we are introduced to lots of different colours visually, just by her garden setting. When she returns the following day, she can't find the butterfly, but she does find a pink earthworm, a brown spider, a green beetle and some spotty red ladybirds.

By this point in the story, we have been introduced to some cut outs that add an extra level of enjoyment to the pictures. It continues with other insects, colours and cutouts until the finale which sees the beautiful butterfly springing from the page in a fantastic simple pop-up.

I've heard people say that Petr's illustrations are "like Eric Carle's" but I wouldn't really say that. It's true there is a feeling of collage and a bright use of colour, but other than The Very Hungry Caterpillar his illustrations really haven't done much for me. Petr Horáček, on the other hand, I engage with each of his books immediately. I think you will too. This is a fantastic colours book because there's more to it than just colours.

4 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

The Heart And The Bottle by Oliver Jeffers

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Once there was a girl, much like any other

She delighted in everything, in discovering new things, and questioning and thinking and exploring

... until the day she found an empty chair.

So, to avoid the unpleasant and painful thoughts and feelings, she put her heart in a safe place: A bottle that she hung around her neck.

She didn't notice, question or dream any more, but at least her heart was safe.

Then one day, she couldn't answer a question a child asked her and she discovered with out her heart, she couldn't answer it, nor could she remember how to get her heart back out of the bottle.

Luckily she meets a girl who knew what to do and she put her heart back where it belonged.

Awww. This is one of those books that just feels good. You might have noticed that my picture book reviews tend to keep coming back to this sort of theme. I love stories about being in touch with your emotions/creativity/imagination. It's a better way of being, in my opinion. And this is such a lovely book for that collection.

Find it, read it, enjoy it.

4.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Peter H. Reynolds captures particular ideas in such a beautifully simple way, his straight forward books can be life changing. In the way that the slightest of redirections can lead you to a very different destination. As in: If you always look at things the same way, you'll never see them differently, turn your head just a bit, and the view is delightfully varied and diverse.

I feel I'm not making any sense, let's just say this is a review-ish...

Ramon loved to draw.

Any time.

Anything.

Anywhere.

One day, Ramon was drawing a vase of flowers.

His brother, Leon, leaned over his shoulder.

Leon burst out laughing.

"WHAT is THAT?" he asked.

I think we've all been there at some point in our lives, even if it's not with drawing, or anything particularly creative. Sometimes people laugh at, or don't understand things that we have worked very hard on. And that can really throw us off.

Ramon has trouble finishing drawings, he just can't make them look "right" until he finally gives up.

Then he sees his sister has taken a scrunched up piece of paper and he chases her back to her room where he is met by a veritable gallery of smoothed out discarded drawings. Including the vase that started it all.

This is one of my favourites,"

Marisol said, pointing.

"That was SUPPOSED to be a vase of flowers,"

Ramon said,

"But it doesn't look like one."

"Well it looks vase-ISH!"

she exclaimed.

Enter the slight change in seeing things. With the freedom of 'ish' Ramon launches back into his drawing knowing that things don't have to be "right" or "perfect" but can be an expression and still be considered valid and good.

It's this type of book that alleviates the weight of the world from your shoulders.

4.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

What's In The Witch's Kitchen by Nick Sharratt

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

I'll start with this: my nieces love this book. I gave it to them a year or so back and they still laugh each time it is read to them, or when they read it to themselves (because they know it so well).

I move on to this: I love this book.

I know that Nick Sharratt's illustrations aren't for everyone. Some people find them too cartoony and over simplified. But I say, hey! if it works, it works. And Between this and 'The Foggy Foggy Forest' I think his style works pretty well!

"What's in the fridge in the Witch's kitchen?

Open it left or open it right,
Will you like what you see?
Will it give you a fright?"

We then open the fridge (a lift the flap kind of thing) and we see that the fridge has Tasty Cheese in it (much like my own fridge... mmm cheese). Then we see that the flap can open the other way too, and inside we find Bats with Fleas!

And so on it goes, each container in the Witch's Kitchen holding something yummy and something disgusting. You know, the types of things are are sure to illicit giggles from children (and the occasional adult). Things like "Pooh! Lizard's Fart!" and "Nasty! Goblin's Wee!" and "Rabbit Plops!".

Then on the last page, as we try to escape the strange goings-on, there is a scary pop up surprise. Boo! Out jumps the witch herself!

He he he... I'm still chuckling as I write this.

Do you know what this book is? It's fun!

4.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Moving!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:45:00 +0000

I thought I should write a quick post just apologising for the recent lack of posts and to warn you that it may be a bit light on for the next month or so also...

Rather suddenly an opportunity at work came up which involved relocating to Melbourne! Awfully exciting, but rather time consuming. Put that on top of I'm supposed to be starting back at uni this week (external due to the move) I've been a little busy.

But I promise you this is a phase.

Once I've settled in to a new place in Melbourne, gotten on top of all the uni work and Work work that is building up, I'll try and get back to it.

You won't have nothing from me, I've scheduled picture book reviews every Thursday for the next 5 weeks, so there's a little bit of something for you.

But, until the dust settles, you'll have to make do with meager rations of my opinions of books... I know! It will be hard times for all, but I believe we'll make it through, together.

:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat by Stephen Michael King

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Milli dreams of making wonderful and out of the ordinary things, but she has to spend her time making plain brown and black shoes and boots for the people in the town who don't like anything unusual.

That is until two wandering vagabond minstrels wander into town and offer to give her dancing lessons in exchange for some new shoes.

The dancing makes Milli brave, and she discovers she has the courage to follow her dreams and make extraordinary things.

This is such a sweet book which encourages following your dreams and unleashing your creativity. Stephen Michael King just has a brilliance about him that shines out from his deceptively simple stories.

4 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Pure by Julianna Baggott

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

I kept getting told how fantastic this book was, but how off-putting and gross it was because of all the malformed bodies etc that it contains (post nuclear holocaust). Some even said it was hard going because of this. So, I thought to myself, let's see what all the fuss is about.

I found that because I knew that it would have deformities left, right and center, I wasn't grossed out at all. In fact, putting aside the fact that I really think that most of these afflicted people would be dead (which is explained briefly with chemical and nanotechnology which was designed to create this grotesque fusing), I wouldn't have expected any less for the world which was being created.

So, did it all work?

Yes, absoultely! Julianna Baggott has given us a world so vivid and alive and filled with the horror and hope of survival it's almost palpable. You nearly feel gritty, yourself, as you read about the soot and ash and dust that permanently grays they sky and every thing else. All of which is perfectly contrasted with the pure 'Dome' that is so clean and spotless, it's ripe for conspiracy.

I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on. My only criticism is that it felt a little long and perhaps could have been pared back in places to create a slightly more fast pace story. But, even as it stands, it was a great read!

4 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Grandpa's Slippers by Joy Watson and Wendy Hodder

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Grandpa's Slippers was one of the books I owned as a kid. I loved it. It was one that I practically new by heart.

I have just now re-read it, and I'm struck by how differently things seem to adult readers. I don't mean this in any sort of derogatory way, but really, Grandma is relentless in her quest to destroy the slippers that Grandpa loves so much. It made me chuckle is all.

But I still see the things I loved about it as a child, and I still quite enjoy them. The passing days, the many different ways Grandma tries to get rid of them, the cumulative complaints Grandma has about them and the smug satisfaction on her face when they finally fall to bits and he is forced wear his new ones which he quite likes.

I think another reason I like this story is that I often hold onto things long after their used-by date. Good thing this book doesn't have a used-by date. It's just as good now as it ever was.

3.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

The Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Kate DiCamillo is a crazy genius. Her beautiful lyrical junior fiction novels are nothing short of Amazing. The Tale of Desperaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and The Magician's Elephant are all by far some of the best junior fiction out there.

But how could such a wordsmith create an early reader that stands along side such beautiful junior fiction?

Easy, she says, I'll just invent a porcine wonder: Mercy Watson!

Mr And Mrs Watson, own a pet pig, whom they love dearly. Her name is Mercy.

What does Mercy love? Toast with butter on it. A Good deal of butter. It is her diving force. It is what drives her to get help when the Watson's floor is falling in, it is what leads her to capture a thief in the middle of the night, it is what causes her to bring a whole community together.

She really is a porcine wonder, a dear, a darling.

And boy, does Mrs Watson love dealing out the toast with butter on it!

These books are great fun! They made me chuckle constantly and laugh out loud on many occasions. They work well as early chapter books because there is quite a lot of repetition, but that very repetition is half of the humour.

The fact that she is so clearly driven by her stomach, and her love of buttered toast, yet all her actions are misinterpreted as heroically motivated that it is very amusing to see the mismatch between her thoughts and how she is interpreted.

Yes, Kate DiCamillo is truly fantastic. I can't recommend any of her books highly enough!

Chris Van Dusen's illustrations are PERFECT for this series too. Bright, bubbly, slightly retro, fun, and capture the characters brilliantly! They are too good!

Mercy Watson is a porcine wonder. You should get to know her.

4.5 Gold Stars

Find them on Goodreads:

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

Mercy Watson Fights Crime

Mercy Watson: Princess In Disguise

Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig

Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Mo Willems is fantastic! You only need pick up any of his books to discover this for yourself. He started his career as a writer and animator for Sesame Street for which he has won 6 Emmy Awards for his writing.

His books are so funny, not just for children but adults too!

Which brings me to 'Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed'

"There is so much to learn about the fascinating little creatures know as naked mole rats.

But, for this story, you only need to know three things:

1. They are a little bit rat.

2. They are a little bit mole.

3. They are all naked.

Well, they were, with one exception...

Wilbur liked to get dressed. Clothes were fun and warm.

One of the things I love about this book is the use of naked mole rats to flip our expectations. If this were a story about a man who liked to get undressed, I think the storyline would have taken a remarkably different turn. And when he asks "Why not?" (the ultimate question that sways wise old Grand-pah to try on a jaunty suit himself), could have been answered rather firmly and succinctly had it been people in the story...

As it stands, we giggle as the naturally naked mole rats are repulsed by Wilbur's clothing. We see the fun of dressing "fancy or funny or cool" or, as Wilbur says, "or I can just be an astronaut."

The other thing I love about this book is by then end, when clothing has been accepted, not all the mole rats get dressed. In fact there are more naked mole rats than there are ones with clothes. This speaks volumes about acceptance and diversity and being true to yourself than if they had all gotten dressed. To me this says 'each can be who they want to be, and each is accepted for who they are'. Which in this day and age is the type of message that needs to be reinstated more often.

4.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Skellig by David Almond

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Having worked with Children's books for nearly 8 years now, I had heard of Skellig around about, and always thought I might read it one day. I mean, it won the Carnegie and the Whitbread book of the year and was turned into a movie. In recent years, I've read a few of David Almond's other books and each time I'm surprised by something else. He is a brilliant writer.

Earlier this year, my lecturer at uni and I were talking about good books etc. and she asked if I had read Skellig. I hadn't, at the time, and she said I must. She told me that when she first started as an assistant to a lecturer when she had just left uni, her boss asked her the same question and when she said no, her boss handed her the book and said 'go home, and do nothing today other than read this book'.

Last year I watched the movie that had been made from the book, which was good, but now that I have read it, I can see why there has been so much fuss over this book.

Michael's new born sister is having health issues. She's in the hospital and his parents are worried sick, but are trying to keep a brave face and not neglect Michael in their concern. they have just moved into a new home. A Fix-er-up-er is putting it mildly. Michael is also worried about his sister, he feels that if he stops thinking about her then she might die.

Then he discovers a strange man who is sitting in the old, junk-filled shed. He looks like he has been there for years, unmoving, he eats spiders and bugs and has some strange humps on his back under his coat.

Michael then meets Mina, a precocious home-schooled girl who becomes his friend. And together they do what they can to help this strange man they can scarcely believe exists.

This book is amazing. It is such a well synthesised family-drama/fantasy/identity-themed/discussion of evolution and the afterlife it is really something!

Not a word is wasted. It's not a very long novel (170 well-spaced pages) but for all that, it holds so much.

What should I say now? I feel like echoing the question that was passed to me: 'Have you read Skellig? If not, you must!'

5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Tales From The Tower Vol 1: The Wilful Eye Edited by Isobelle Carmody and Nan McNab

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:10:00 +0000

Is this my type of thing? Yes, absolutely! I love me some fairy tales and their adaptations So I've been hanging out to read this since its beautiful cover started gracing bookstores with its presence.

I wasn't really sure what to expect. I'm not terribly versed in the world of short stories, and the cover leads us to believe that the stories inside are all magical, mystical - fantasy in every sense. Were they quite that? I'm not sure. They certainly had a fantasy vein running through them, I mean they're all re-workings of fairy tales, how could they not have? But I found myself having very mixed reactions.

The contributors were:

Margo Lanagan - Catastrophic Disruption of the Head (Retelling of The Tinderbox)
Isobelle Carmody - Moth's Tale (Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin)
Rosie Borella - Eternity (Retelling of The Snow Queen)
Richard Harland - Heart of the Beast (Retelling of Beauty and the Beast)
Margaret Mahy - Wolf Night (Retelling of Babes in the Woods)
Martine Murry - One Window (Retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier)

Of these authors, I have read the most of Margo Lanangan. In fact, other than some of Margaret Mahy's picture books, I haven't read anything by any of the other authors. So perhaps I was a little more used to Margo's style, but talk about opening with a bang!

Catastophic Disruption of the Head deals with the corruption of the soul that can come with sudden wealth and power. I won't explain everything about it, that is done in an eloquent way in the Afterward, but I will say that it is a thoughtful and powerful retelling. It sets the story in any of the recent contemporary wars and also deals with how western culture can corrupt as well as the violence of war. As far as 'saying something' with the short story, this one takes the cake from this collection. It is confronting at the capabilities of humans in extraordinary situations.

Moth's Tale was pretty and nice, but didn't engage me as I hoped a Rumpelstiltskin retelling would. It had the feel of a fantasy / fairy tale story but never came alive for me. The constant list of alternate endings also was a little too Meta for my liking. But it was a nice read.

Eternity was the biggest disappointment for me, which was a shame, but I'll tell you why. The Snow Queen is my all time favourite fairy tale. Some days I can articulate why and others all I know is I love it with all my heart and it makes me feel wonderful. Therefore, I had high expectations. (perhaps too high - too unfair). But the one thing about The Snow Queen that stands out from so many other fairy tales is that it is Gerda, the girl, who goes on the adventure and saves the day, it is her steadfast love and care for her friend that gets her through every obstacle she comes across. The Gerda in this story does go on the adventure, and manages to save Kai, but I felt that she was such a weak character! Not weak as in written poorly, but weak as in was constantly controlled and persuaded by everyone she met, she was whiny inside her own head and really irked me. Now, that might just me my reaction, but I'm entitled to it. I should say that I really like the alternate 'Sydney' universe setting and the inclusion of the 'Eternity Man', they were really nice touches.

Heart of the Beast was, I think, my favourite of the six. It was a sensuous and vivid retelling that captured the essence of the original story, kept the setting and feel delightfully 'fairy tale', but introduced some contemporary sensibilities. The ending was changed, but still managed to stay true, but was beautifully done. I loved it! Then how they chose to stay in the humble house rather than the giant chateau really finished on a great note for me. Another thing about fairy tales which sometimes gets to me is that people are happy when they are rich and have everything they would ever want. Now, I have no experience in being rich or having everything I could want, so maybe I can't really say, but I do love a story where people are happy with less. It both reinforces that my happiness despite my lack of wealth is justified and that there is hope for its longevity.

Wolf Night was great. It was the only story where I hadn't read the original. And I really liked it - except that the characters discussed how their adventure was just like 'Babes in the Woods'. Again, this 'Meta' element detracted, rather than added to the story. It was a fantastic realisation of an urban landscape as a setting for a fairy tale story.

And Finally, One Window really brought The Steadfast Tin Soldier to life. The characters were colourful and engaging and I could see them all before me. And I loved how it all tied up in the end, with the dancing princess and Soldier meeting and why and how etc.

Over all, this was a great read! As with every collection of short stories by different authors there were ups and downs, but they all fit together really well!

I cannot wait till I get a chance to read Vol 2!

4 Gold Stars

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The Sleeping Beauty by Berlie Doherty and Jane Ray

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

What is it?

The Sleeping Beauty In The Forest

Who wrote it?

Berlie Doherty

Illustrated by Jane Ray

Where can it be found?

Walker Illustrated Classics: Classic Fairy Tales

Adaptation?

No, just a re-telling.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

ALWAYS remember to invite the most evil and powerful fairy.

So Few Of Me by Peter H. Reynolds

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

When I found this picture book, I felt it had been written for me. Surely Peter H. Reynolds had somehow found out what I was like and wrote a book about me, changing names to protect the innocent and the guilty...

But, apparently, I'm not the only one.

I list things. I am a little crazy about it too. I write lists for work, as most people do, but then I develop further lists and half the time an item on the main one will be "do other list" until I've pretty much got a list of lists.

During Uni semester I write a weekly list of what needs to be done that week.

When I've got any length of time off approaching, I always make a list of things I'd like to achieve by the end. Heaven forbid I be unproductive! I've made lists of things that I could do that are pure procrastination. I've made lists of things I want (books, dvds, cds etc.) regardless whether they get referred to again or not.

And it's not just unfinished or to-do things that get listed. I have a excel spreadsheet of books I've read. I keep a list of every movie that I watch, so I know if, when, and how often I've watched any particular title.

Anyway, what is this? a review? or confessions of a list-a-holic?

So Few Of Me is brilliant!

Leo's List of things to do

grew longer and longer.

"So few of me and so much to do.

If only there were TWO of me."

Just then, there was a

knock at the door.

I wonder how many times I've had that thought.

Then Leo begins to multiply which achieves and creates more and more work. I think my favorite page is:

Five Leos were still not enough.

A sixth came in to help organize them all.

After a long meeting, they decided

they needed a seventh.

Then the original Leo becomes exhausted and decides that he wants to take some time to dream.

Leo wondered,

"What if I did less -

but did my BEST?

Which is sometimes what I have to tell myself.

This is a picture book for children of all ages. Even grown up ones, like myself, that feel they must be working ALL the time.

5 Gold Stars

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JudgeABook: Pretty Monsters - Stories by Kelly Link

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Even as I look at this now, I can see why I picked it for a JudgeABook post, but I still fail to see what I'm going to write for the section where I make up a synopsis from the cover alone.

It is a striking cover, hinting at things dark, strange and beautiful. And I would be excited to read get a copy and read it, but it doesn't give away much as far as possible narrative is concerned. Which can actually be rather lovely from time to time. I hate when too much is given away...

Anyhow, I like the look of this cover. What do you think of it?

Let's see how I go writing a blurb for it, knowing so little:

She stood on her balcony looking out towards the distant town. It had been months since the last suitor had come knocking. She smiled at the memory of the taste of him on her lips.

There was a scratching at her chamber door that distracted her from her thoughts. She sighed and went to open it for the beast. She may have been sent here by her cowardly father, trying to escape his death, but a moon had barely waxed and waned before he had this creature on a leash. A sniveling, mangy pet.

The Castle was hers.

Tales of her beauty and dominion spread. The suitors came.

It had been months since her last meal.

4.5 Silver Stars

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Reading and Writing #3: Morals and Meanings

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

So, on the last Reading and Writing post which was all about Plotting, I got an interesting comment from Shirley Marr asking about how to plan the 'moral of your story' and whether it's possible or whether it is something that evolves through the writing. This is an interesting question, and can be summed up by some advice I got by the wonderful author and editor Sue Whiting a while back:

What is your story about?

This question might not be answered with anything to do with the plot. It might be "how people cope with trials and tribulations" or "the struggle between good and evil inside us all" or "how society accepts difference". I mean it might also be "one person's dealing with a horrible family" or "what drives us to bully others" or "the way ice cream melts in the sun"... who knows!

When I was asked that of a junior fiction novel I had written, I had no succinct answer. I still don't. I might not ever. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. But it is a very interesting thing to think about at any point in the writing process. Before you begin, when you're half way through and working out where you're going, or when you're done and need to edit. The final answer might not come to you until the whole thing is done and dusted. But, as Shirley asked, can you PLAN for it?

I think you can, although it's a very difficult thing to do. Well, in my limited experience, anyway. And entirely depends on the book you are writing too.

The one I'm working on at the moment, for example, was born in a idea of plot. It is being driven by what is happening and I am hoping will be an exciting adventure. So while I don't have a clear picture of what I want 'the moral of the story' to be, I have characteristics I want my protagonists to portray which might, in the end, speak to nature of humanity, or some such pretentious nonsense (I jest, I'd love my book to MEAN something). I just don't really know exactly what I want to say about it.

On the other hand, just last week I had another idea which tied into a potential book idea I'd had sitting on my shelf for years and years now. I kept I diary right through my whirlwind of a first serious relationship which ended rather abruptly after that significant event of every young person's life. Anywho, I had always thought of turning it into a book of some description, but had never known what. Then last week, a completely different, but parallel aspect occurred to me. I now know exactly what I want to do with that story and it will be a coming of age story where I know the moral, I know what it will mean before I even start working on it.

I think (again, this is coming from my almost comical inexperience) that depending on how strongly you know what you want to say with your story, you can incorporate it into the plot to begin with, or wait for that meaning to show itself through the actions that you want to describe. Either way, you can constantly be asking yourself, 'does this achieve the meaning I want it to' as you write.

Because let's face it, it is the books that mean something that we remember. By all means, the storyline and characters are vital, but they are the elements that contribute to the "significance" of the story in the end.

I don't know if any of that has made sense. I feel like I've prattled on for ages.

But if you are someone who reads and writes and have any questions, comments or suggestions, I would love to hear them (not just Shirley - though you are more than welcome to comment - let's get a community conversation going here). Even if you don't write anything, Readers, please tell us your thoughts on morals and meanings. After all, it is the readers who end up with our writings in their hands.

A Study In Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

This semester just gone, I had the first chapter of the book I'm working on work-shopped in class at uni. One of the questions I asked for feedback on was "what type of society do you feel this story is set in from this introduction?" One classmate came back with "Hasidism meets Armish meets 'Victorian' Vienna meets Conan Doyle's London meets weird-science mechanisation". Now that was pretty close! the Hasidism/Armish side of it isn't so much what I was going for, but I could see how that was read into the first chapter. But what struck me was "Conan Doyle's London". It occurred to me that I had never read any Sherlock Holmes and how much doing so might help put me in the right mindset to understand what I was trying to achieve with my own writing.

I quickly procured a lovely old fashioned bind up of the four novels from a second hand shop and started by reading the first story.

It was fantastic! Even if you're not writing a novel set in a Victorian inspired fantasy world, they make fascinating reading.

I must admit, I found Sherlock himself to be a bit more conceited than I expected him to be. And this didn't seem designed to be mysteries that the reader is expected to solve before the answer is revealed, as much of the small details that Sherlock uses to figure it all out aren't reviled to us until he is explaining how he came to his conclusion.

But, all that said it's a great ride to go along with Watson on!

I can't wait to read the rest! Good thing I've got some time off coming up.

4 Gold Stars

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Cinderella by Barbara McClintock

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Earp) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

What is it?

Cinderella

Who wrote it?

Barbara McClintock

Where can it be found?

It's a Picture Book edition

Adaptation?

Retold from the Charles Perrault version and illustrated by...

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

The traditional story, just as insipid as usual, nicely illustrated.