Today our Maroochydore team share with us some of their latest reads.
Some of these will give you #allthefeels!
Out Of My Mind by Sharon M Draper:
I have chosen to review Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper not because it is my favourite book, but because it is a book I believe everybody needs to read.
It is about a ten-year-old school girl with severe cerebral palsy, enduring a childhood of being unable to express herself. Lacking the physical ability to walk, have basic movement, write and most importantly talk all Melody’s thoughts and feelings are left locked up inside her head. Growing up, Melody can’t tell her parents she loves them, she can’t cuddle the soft fur of her toy cat and she can’t show the teachers at school how smart she really is.
After years of sitting through the same learning cd’s and alphabet cards in the disabled class Melody is finally able to spend a few days in a mainstream class with the able-bodied kids her age. It’s from there that she begins to find her voice in the world through many physical and mental challenges, while the other children in her class embark on their own internal journey, learning to accept and befriend people with obvious differences.
What makes Out of My Mind so valuable is that it can be easily understood by a twelve-year-old but also delivers its strong message through engaging writing that adults and teenagers alike will get hooked on. This is a book that I would strongly recommend people of all ages to read. – Hazel
Delirium by Lauren Oliver:
Lena Haloway is only a few weeks off from having her procedure which is forced upon her and every other seventeen year old, called “the cure”, which must be taken as soon as they are eighteen. She never questions the government or the way things are done, it is “normal”. Lena expresses that she feels relaxed in knowing her husband and career will be decided for her in the future. Nothing could get in her way of being “free” from pain, i.e. “cured”.
Life takes a sudden turn, when one morning as Lena and her best friend take their usual run, they both meet a young boy named Alex. He flutters her heart with his luscious looks and smooth speech and even though he is “cured”, in that moment there was nothing to stop the disease from growing inside her. As the book goes on and secrets are relived which stirs everything up, Lena discovers that Alex is not so innocent.
This book will most definitely have the heart racing with passion to find out what will happen next. It is addictive and will have you hooked. The only thing that is a let down, is that the very last words will have you ever so eager to buy the following book; it will leave you speechless. – Lilly
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon:
Mark Haddon’s stunning novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time shows the world from the perspective of Fifteen year old Christopher Boone; a boy with unfailing intellect and an irrational hatred of yellow food. However when he finds his neighbour’s dog murdered, Christopher embarks upon a heart-wrenching journey to find the killer and uncovers the true answer to what happened when his mother died. Polarising and undeniably unique The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will leave you shell shocked for days. – Kale
Everything, Everything by Nicole Yoon:
I have read hundreds of books and within the first few chapters Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon was in my top ten. This book made me laugh then cry then blush then get butterflies then cry then laugh from the first word to the last. A classic YA romance story but the quirky format made it even more enjoyable. With strong characters and beautiful writing, I highly recommend reading this novel! – Chelsea
First, we make the beast beautiful: a new story about anxiety by Sarah Wilson:
I loved this book! Sarah Wilson vulnerably details her own journey with mental health, relating to any reader who decides to give it a read. I loved the idea of this book and was impressed with how candidly she spoke about mental health; her own and in general – bravo! It was honest and brave and the conversational manner when she discussed anxiety’s manifestations made it both entirely relevant and relatable. It was both inspirational and educational, I highly recommend this book to anyone even slightly intrigued. -Chelsea
Deliciously Ella by Ella Woodward:
A bright and colourful cookbook packed with incredible recipes perfect for anyone. From a recipe on Chocolate Chia Cookies to Veggie Lasagne, there is plenty of treats, meals, and drinks. I really enjoy how the recipes are easy to follow and contain minimal ingredients. This book is a definite recommendation to all the plant-based eaters and vegetarians, and also to anyone wanting to try some amazing recipes. – Tariana
