Team Miranda are known for their great taste in books!
Check out all their fabulous recent reads:
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman:
Gaiman’s account of Nordic myth in this stunning volume is both wondrous and haunting. Instead of the vast fantasyland we have come to expect, we are introduced to the frosty halls of Asgard, and to the far more flawed, and therefore, far more interesting players within. What permeates Norse Mythology is an inevitable sense of loss. Gaiman grieves the lost stories of Nordic myth, a lamentation that becomes interlaced with the eventual doom of Ragnarok. The storytelling is addictive, bitter and bright. I never wanted it to end.-Rachel (Store Manager).
A Head Full Of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay:
Winner of the Bram Stoker Award 2015 – Is an intriguing tale of possession, religious zealotry, reality TV, and some very strange family dynamics.The story revolves around the Barrett family; 14 year old Marjory is “sick”. She admits to her 8 year old sister, Merry, that she “hears voices”, but is that all there is to it? So much of this story is expertly woven to enable the reader to interpret each event as they will, without giving away any definite answers. The book also deftly comments on reality TV culture and the growing global erosion of privacy and personal boundaries.Tremblay will keep you guessing right to the very end with this one. -Sami
The Girl Before by J P Delaney:
If you love minimalist design, you’ll wish you could live at One Folgate Street. The house at the center of this novel is a model of modern minimalist perfection, but the architect’s rules for living there would be impossible for a regular person. However these are sacrifices Emma and Jane are willing to make to start afresh and live in their dream home. But the house is not without tragedy. Who is responsible for the death of the architect’s wife and child? And who is watching? A gloriously suspenseful read that will keep you guessing until the very end. -Jessica
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey:
A radical, terrifying experience that will blow your mind! Unfortunately for the residents of Nurse Ratched’s asylum, this is a reality they know all too well. Forced to take unreliable doses of medication everyday and reduced to a monotonous existence, there isn’t much cause for hope. Enter McMurphy- a free-willed, jack of all trades that isn’t taking Nurse Ratched’s administration lying down. What ensues is a fascinating, and at times alarming, power struggle that shows how intricate the mind really is. An investigation into the freedoms and power of individuals, Kesey delivers a stand-out novel that will keep you up at night turning the pages in a mad-ish fever. -Ellie
Wicked by Gregory Maguire:
This is a bold revisiting of the world first introduced to audiences in The Wizard of Oz, but the similarities between the stories ends with the familiar characters. Wicked is far grittier and grown-up than Dorothy’s quick adventures into Oz. Lose yourself in this murky and imperfect world, inhabited by the iconic characters Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch), amongst others. Although set in a fantasy world Maguire isn’t afraid to tackle the real issues of inequality and corrupt governments, with the material still feeling relevant two decades later. Find out the origin of the ruby slippers and how the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow came to be. An action-packed read with unforgettable characters. -Meagan
Memorial by Gary Crew & Shaun Tan:
A touching portrayal of the hardship when soldiers return from war, Shaun Tan once again wowed with a stunningly emotional picture book ‘Memorial’. It follows the story of a young boy as he explores the older generations and their experiences of WW1, WW2 and the Vietnam War. At this time of year where we remember those who fought for our country, ‘Memorial’ is an excellent way to introduce children to the reality of war rather than the glorified narrative which is usually presented. Not only is it an educational experience, but the illustrations are intense and beautiful. ‘Memorial’ is a must read for all ages; Lest We Forget. -Tori
The Girls by Emma Cline:
Emma Cline’s spellbinding debut is both brilliantly written and engaging. Set on the cusp of the 1970’s, this harrowing story makes overtures to the infamy of a Manson-like figure while exploring the obsessive quest of young women to belong; at whatever the cost. The story is centred around the protagonist Evie looking back on this tumultuous time in her life, where the lure of teenage rebellion and entering a community so far removed from her own, gradually transforms into a maelstrom of secrets and dangerous escapades. Who can she truly trust and rely on? At what point does she cross the line? Cline’s meandering prose and provocative gaze into the lives of her characters makes this a book that I was immediately hooked on – it is a breathtaking and shattering coming-of-age. -Eugenia
