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Cosy up with QBD Carindale’s must-reads!

 

Our Carindale team have put together a great selection of their favourite reads for you to cuddle up with in the air-con this Summer!

 

The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond:

A gorgeous novel about love and life; family and tragedy and ultimately finding your place in the world. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jill Mansell and Giovanna Fletcher. - Emily (Store Manager)

The Dry by Jane Harper:

An awesome murder mystery, set in a rural town in Australia. Full of twists and turns and deep dark secrets, this is one book that is impossible to put down. Read it before seeing the movie! - Tia

The Beach by Alex Garland:

The Beach follows Richard, a gap-year student who has embarked on a trip to Vietnam that will change his perception on day to day life. The Beach is a dark but riveting adventure that really gets you thinking about the price of paradise. This was made into a movie starring Leonardo Dicaprio. - Nick

Leading by Alex Ferguson:

A no-nonsense and insightful look into the life of a great sporting leader of our time. This book draws many similarities to how Fergie's leadership principals can be adapted in other businesses and the importance of a strong work ethic. A fantastic read for Manchester United supporters and the neutral fan alike. It's hard to argue with the results Fergie has produced. -Charles

Northern Lights by Nora Roberts:

A romantic mystery that has it all; A dark hero, a tough independent female, breathtaking description of Alaska and a criminal investigation with lots of danger. Put it all together and you have a fast paced intense read which will keep you turning pages to the end. - Gina

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh:

This book gives stark, raw insight into the lives of Scotland's undesirables. An incredible, fast paced read that explores the battle between addiction and the will to live. - Kara

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead:

When I first started reading Vampire Academy, I was worried it would be the typical vampire/werewolf love story but thankfully it wasn't. Compared to other paranormal authors, Richelle Mead doesn't focus on the romance between characters so much that the plot line gets lost in between. The character development is one of the amazing factors of this series along with hilarious scenes. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to get away from focused love triangles without a story. - Cassandra

By QBD Carindale   0 Comments

Reviewsday: The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey

Let me start by saying how much I enjoy reading local Australian content novels. There's nothing wrong with overseas titles but an Aussie title always draws me deeper in. It's not the sometimes over-the-top outback dramas I'm talking about (which I do love!) but the ordinary settings and situations. Things like the seasons being the right way around; the sounds; the localities and the references to society, events & culture. Even Australian crime seems a little bit more believable...

Gemma is a detective in the same regional town that she grew up in. Sometimes that can be beneficial to investigations but at others it can all get just a bit too close to home & personal. This is one such case. The victim is a teacher at the local high school, the same school Gemma attended ten years back- with Rose as one of her classmates. There was some type of connection between the two back then but Gemma swears that her personal feelings will not effect her impartiality to the investigation. Rose appears to have been well liked so who could be responsible for her death? Is it random or personal?

The investigation drags along like the long, hot days of pre-Christmas summer. For Gemma, the case opens up old wounds that she tries to keep hidden from her partners- work & life , but even here the lines are blurred. Gemma is a great detective but will this be the case that breaks her?

A solid debut from Sarah Bailey and one that I really liked.

~ Susan, Eastlands QBD

By Susan, QBD Eastlands   0 Comments

Join our Chatswood team in a world of pure imagination….

Our Spotlight has lit up all the great reads our Chatswood team have been enjoying!
From thrillers to fantasy there's something here that everyone will enjoy.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch:

If you enjoy heist movies like Ocean's Eleven and TV shows like Hustle or Leverage, you'll love Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora. Set in a gritty Venice-like city where the rich live in high alchemical glass towers and the poor live by the squalid canals, the book follows the adventures of the sometimes incompetent and vastly unlucky Locke and his gang of thieves as they prey on the rich and powerful. The story is grim at times, with some truly awful events visited upon the main characters, but it is told with a great wit and is ultimately intensely satisfying. There are three books so far in the series, each one following on seamlessly from the last, while at the same time being a self-contained story. With a fourth one due out at some point in the future, I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a darkly humorous fantasy series.
- Eleanor, Store Manager

The Martian by Andy Weir:

Both an action story and a sci-fi thriller, The Martian is a suspenseful book which you won't be able to stop reading. Each chapter leaves you hanging as Mark, stranded on Mars after a catastrophe, struggles to survive and make his way home. Written in first person, you really get to know the main character and appreciate his dark yet optimistic sense of humour. Not many people could make jokes about being stranded on Mars with only a very slim chance of rescue! The author, Andy Weir, has done an incredible amount of research to deliver a scientifically feasible story which appeals to people of all ages and reading habits.
- Shoshana, Assistant Manager

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons:

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons is a wonderful novel that takes you through the chaos of World War 2 communist Russia to give a realistic perspective of the country's experience. The historical setting is gripping with just the right mix of drama and romance. I would definitely recommend this as it is a great read and I was compelled to continue on and finish the series. This is also a great read for those interested in historical fiction and is a terrific introduction to the period of WW2 Russia.
- Bianca

The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham:

This is how a psychological thriller should be written. Michael Robotham’s new novel is a dark, twisted and shocking page turner. Agatha and Meghan, both pregnant, are both due at the same time but, like most psychological thrillers, things aren't always as they seem. Agatha admires Meghan's perfect little family from afar until one day while she's at work in the grocery store, Meghan comes in and they meet. They become unlikely friends but Meghan has no idea that Agatha is possibly not the friend she thought she was. The Secrets She Keeps provides shocks, thrills and real ‘deep intake of breath’ moments.
- Tina

Perfume by Patrick Suskind:

Patrick Süskind's Perfume: The story of a murderer, opens in the slums of 18th century Paris, where Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born as an unloved orphan. Yet he has been endowed with an extraordinary sense of smell. Perfume follows the obsessive genius Grenouille, as he murders unsuspecting young women in the pursuit of the ultimate perfume. Perfume is a dark, brooding and very unique novel. It feels similar in tone to the gloom, mystery and horror of Graeme Macrae Burnet's His Bloody Project, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016. I have heard Perfume accurately described as 'a cross between The Silence of the Lambs and a period drama.' Perfume is a horror at its core but its exploration of the cites, towns and landscapes of France create a mysterious and unique setting for the murderous plots of Grenouille. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to explore a more modern kind of gothic classic, inspired by the likes of Bram Stoker and Edgar Allan Poe.
- Sacha

House of Names by Colm Toibin:

If you're looking for a book that blends historical fiction with the backstabbing family drama and 'domestic noir' that is so popular right now (e.g. Gone Girl and Pretty Baby), then this is it. House of Names by Colm Toíbín retells the classic Greek myth of Clytemnestra, who plots to kill her husband Agamemnon after he sacrifices their daughter, Iphigenia, to the gods. It's a chilling re-imagining that reads like a thriller and mystery. Each chapter gives the perspective of different members of Clytemnestra's family, all of which have been irrevocably affected by Iphigenia's death and Agamemnon's murder. The story masterfully interweaves the tale of a broken wife and mother with that of a vengeful daughter and naïve son, centring around the house of lies that they tiptoe within.
- Jamaica

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton:

Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet is a sprawling saga of two families unexpectedly brought together by unfortunate events. Each distinct character endures their own personal struggle and travels through life, coping with loss, poverty, and a struggling sense of identity. The exploration of race, class, family, unity and discovery defines the novel as uniquely Australian. The twists and turns of life are perfectly captured by Winton’s skilled writing. The relatability of each character drives this phenomenal novel, allowing any reader to thoroughly enjoy the book. The story of personal struggle ultimately leading to enlightenment and self-actualisation, is an inspiring, heart-warming novel that perfectly represents Australian literature.
- Tara

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh:

I Let You Go is an excellent psychological thriller that has twists and turns in ways that you won't expect. After a tragic accident, Jenna decides to move to the Welsh coast in a desperate attempt to flee her past. While all seems to be going smoothly, you can't always escape those that you're running from. In a split second, it seems that Jenna's past has caught up with her. This has to be one of the best books I've read this year. I've really sunk my teeth into the thriller genre, but if you're looking for something a bit different, something a little more unusual, I would definitely recommend giving 'I Let You Go' a read - you won't regret it!
- Jackie

Each week a different store tells us what they have been reading!
Keep an eye out for your local QBD team.

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Reviewsday: Joelle Charbonneau’s Dividing Eden

Having read Joelle Charbonneau's Testing series (which has a Hunger Games-esque vibe to it for all of you dystopian novel lovers!), I think I can safely say I was jumping up and down out of excitement when Dividing Eden popped up on my radar.

Reminiscent of The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye, Dividing Eden tells the tale of twin royals, Carys and Andreus, pitted against each other in a battle for the crown after a disastrous accident leaves them with equal claim to the throne. Faced with a power hungry council watching their every move and faceless enemies stirring up trouble, the twins can only do what they've been doing their entire lives – stick together, watch each other's backs and, above all, protect the secret that's been haunting them since birth.

The novel was intriguing from the get go but I felt that Carys definitely emerges as the stronger lead throughout the book with Andreus' story taking a surprising turn that, whilst being beneficial to the plot line, was still a little tough to read through (if you find yourself shaking the book in frustration and wailing “Noooo!”, don't say I didn't warn you!). There a quite a few shady characters that appear in and around the castle which left me questioning almost everyone's motives. Even after finishing the book, I'm still suspicious as to who is really on which side.

Dividing Eden is truly an engrossing read – clear your calendar because you won't want to put it down until you've worked your way through all of the secrets, lies and manipulative madness that await you.

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You won’t be able to put these books down!

 

Great literature you can't put down, as reviewed by our Tweed Heads Team!

 

Two Brothers by Ben Elton:

Historical fiction doesn't get better than this! Two Brothers is a fascinating blend of the horrors of war and the infallible strength of family ties. Following the story of two young boys, brothers in all but blood, navigating their way through life in Nazi Germany, this novel is packed with many twists and turns but no mystery is as prominent as the question that hangs over you the entire novel – which brother has survived the war to tell their tale? Perfect for fans of The Book Thief, Two Brothers is a rich, immersive read that will linger in your mind long after you finish it – Karen, Store Manager

The One Who Got Away by Caroline Overington:

A psychological thriller with unsettling twists and turns throughout. A page turner leaving you questioning many aspects of the characters. Caroline Overington has brought her characters to life highlighting peoples' hidden agendas and motivations for the things they say and do. What lengths would you go to to have the life that you have always dreamt of? The author has managed to create diverse characters evoking emotion from the reader, however, as readers, are we gunning for the right person? Which characters do you or should you believe, who can you trust and who is really to blame? Lies, deceipt and betrayal....but who is really the villain in manipulating the situation for their own gain? I did not anticipate the ending and you are left asking so many questions! - Sheridan

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne:

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a novel that provides the reader with an exclusive outlook on how ignorance and violence affect innocent people. Bruno an eight year old boy, the son of a Nazi commandant of world war II, is forced to move to a new home with his family on a property only miles away from a Jewish concentration camp. Bruno is limited to exploration at his new home and is forbidden to leave the grounds of the front court yard. He disobeys his parents and decides to explore the new place he calls home and comes across a barbed wire fence, where he meets a young boy Shmuel. Shmuel; captive to Bruno's father's inhuman acts; loses his father inside the camp and becomes worried he will never see him again. Bruno feels for Shmuel and decides he will crawl under the wire to help him find his father. Through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy readers observe a forbidden friendship. Bruno and Shmuel shed light on the brutality, senselessness and devastating consequences of war from an unusual point of view. Together their tragic journey helps recall the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust. - Ashley

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch:

I have been reading Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, and I was captivated from the first page. By skilfully combining the real and fantastical worlds, Aaronovitch has created a unique sector of the London police force that is the vehicle for Peter Grant's strange, quirky, and often times dangerous adventures as a rookie policeman. Rivers of London is only the first book in Peter Grant series, and it is a great book for those who enjoy crime and fantasy. I personally can't wait to dive further into the world Aaronovitch has created - Bridie

The Dry by Jane Harper:

Australian Journalist Jane Harper's crime novel The Dry could be set in any drought stricken, small rural town in Australia. A tragic accident sees protagonist Federal Agent Ryan Faulk reluctantly returning to his childhood home town after a long absence. Are things what they seem? Will he stay to find out? Cleverly narrated, exploring the complex relationships within a small fractured community the plot unfolds painting a picture of a town and its inhabitants as desolate as the unchanging landscape. Keeping you turning the pages until the last and satisfying conclusion. - Raychel

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:

To Kill a Mockingbird is a beautifully written novel told from the perspective of Scout, the young daughter of lawyer Atticus Finch. Set during the Great Depression in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, Scout and her older brother Jem are quickly pushed into the public spotlight when their farther is given a morally challenging court case. In charge of representing a black man for the alleged rape of a white girl Atticus has no choice but to expose his children to the racism and prejudice that thickly veil the town, topics they themselves don't fully understand - Emma

Each week our QBD Spotlight falls on a different store.
Keep your eyes open for your local QBD team!

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