There’s something for everyone at Canberra Centre!
Check out the team’s most recent reads…
Peter Grant 01: Rivers Of London by Ben Aaronovitch:
I was recommended this book by a customer who described this book as “Harry Potter for Grown- ups”. Intrigued by this statement, I gave it a go, and it did not disappoint, but I found it more like Harry Potter meets Law and Order.
The Rivers of London is not quite a fantasy book, nor a crime novel. What you find is a compelling novel, from the way London is described, to the dry witty British humour. I particularly liked the Punch and Judy theme introduced bringing you into the heart and history of Covent Garden London.
If your looking for a fun, witty, and original novel, do yourself a favour, go out and buy this book today! – Courtney (Store Manager)
Fitz And The Fool 02: Fool’s Quest by Robin Hobb:
Robin Hobb continues to amaze readers with the Fitz and the Fool trilogy. Even though the writing style of Fool’s Quest is darker, the addition of a new protagonist keeps this series refreshing and draws the reader in. This book has everything; suspense, danger, love and magic. Fool’s Quest is a must read for any fans of Robin Hobb and really for any fantasy readers. – Sarah (Store 2IC)
Amsterdam by Ian McEwan:
Amsterdam is a wholly original story, even though the best way to describe it is through clichés – how time changes people; how the past can come back to haunt you; how friendships disintegrate. From a simple, if cryptic premise – two childhood friends make a pact as they grow old as a woman they both loved passes away – McEwan re-examines and reinvents what would normally be tired themes – vanity, pride, self interest, lost love – to create a taut, subtle and surprising psychological study that only gets better as the intensity builds. Super interesting and addictive. Also it won the Man Booker Prize so it can’t be too bad. – Andrew
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara:
A simple summary of this novel might frighten many readers from picking it up: a chronicle of trauma and abusive relationships that spans over seven hundred pages. Yet as she traces lives of four friends from recent graduation into middle age, Yanagihara manages to avoid the traps of cheap pathos and sentimentality, producing instead a graceful story about friendship and love in the face of the dark things people can do to one another. – Ben
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty:
What does it mean to have a good death? What goes on behind the closed doors of a crematorium? When – and why – did our view of death transition to that of a failure by modern medicine, rather than a natural destination of all?
These questions and many more are broached within Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, a memoir of Doughty’s early years in the funeral industry. Some questions are answered, whilst others are deliberately left open, to encourage the reader to frankly and honestly question death and its place within our society. Combining incredible experiences, well-researched supporting material, and humanized by the personal touches and humour of Caitlin and her co-workers, this biography is a must for anyone expecting – at some stage, down the line – to die – Jerzy
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy:
Hold on to your hats folks, I know what you’re all thinking. Gee another teen sci-fi debarcal lacking depth, substance, humour or any redeeming qualities. Whoa there! Let’s not be so quick to judge a book by it’s cover aye? This truly wonderful book possesses qualities no other authors are gifted enough to achieve. For starters, the main character is skeleton who solves crimes, what demographic does that not appeal to? Secondly Landy’s writing style is filled with razor sharp witt, twist and turns, and incredibly likeable characters. Yet another reason you should treat yourself to this book is because it the first line is quite frankly the best opening sentences ever written ever. If all this still wasn’t enough to convince you to read this book I have to assume you’re dead inside. Which will help you relate to the protagonist even more so. Read this book. – Meg
