The team at Tea Tree Plaza QBD have blinded us with their awesome reviews this week as the QBD Spotlight moves to South Australia!
Michael Jordan: The Life by Roland Lazenby:
Honestly, who doesn’t like Jordan? Everybody wanted to be like Mike and arguably being the greatest basketballer of all time who wouldn’t. Flair and skill oozes from his veins but there is a side to His Airness we are not all familiar with and this biography walks you far from what we all thought was the beginning until just after his final retirement . We gain an insight to the relationships that shaped MJ’s career and learn about the fury that fuelled his competitiveness.
A comprehensively researched biography from Lazenby that will appeal to more than just a basketball fan. – Melanie Hogg (Store Manager)
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson:
Mistborn: The Final Empire is part heist novel, part high fantasy adventure. Brandon Sanderson brings together a cast of dynamic characters, a setting full of deep history and intrigue, and one of the best magic systems I’ve ever seen in print to create a unique, amazing adventure.
Allomancy, the primary magic system in Mistborn, allows the user to burn metals as fuel to gain limited super powers. Most magic users, called Mistings, are only capable of using one kind of metal, but the rare Mistborn have total command over all metals. Sanderson lays out the rules for magic early, and doesn’t deviate from them, allowing him to explore the full potential of these powers through the book. It’s this magic system, the diverse and three dimensional cast and Sanderson’s fantastically unique world that takes Mistborn from the realm of the average fantasy novel, and makes it something exceptional. – Emma Thompson
The Kingkiller Chronicles: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss:
Elegantly written and full of adventure, The Kingkiller Chronicles tells the story of the quiet innkeeper Kvothe who has a miraculous and exciting back-story.
Born into a travelling theatre troupe and orphaned at a young age, the tale follows Kvothe’s journey from living in poverty to his acceptance into the prestigious University and beyond. Kvothe learns the magical arts of Alchemy and Naming, whilst also uncovering the mystery behind the fate of his parents.
Full of beautifully complex characters, magic, and ripe with twists and turns, the series is creative, original, and un-put-downable. Can’t wait for the next one to be released! – Melina
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:
Australian author, Markus Zusak, has created an instant classic with The Book Thief. Already turned into a blockbuster movie, this book has been labelled “life-changing” and is regarded as a masterpiece by readers all over the world — and they’re not wrong! The Book Thief is a fresh and unique story, set in Germany during World War II told from the perspectives of Death and a young orphan girl named, Liesel. It’s an enthralling read that will make you laugh, cry, and wonder why you haven’t read it sooner! A definite must-read. – Kirsty Van Der Veer
Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson:
Modern culture has a fascination with outlaws, whether it is in the past or present we tend to gravitate towards stories of the outsiders of society as a way of gaining some perspective on our own lives. One such group that seems to intrigue us is the outlaw motorcycle club “Hell’s Angels” and in Hunter S. Thompson’s “Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs” we get a unique insider perspective on what makes these outlaws tick.
From 1965 to 1966 Hunter S. Thompson spent a year with the San Francisco and Oakland chapters of the club and their president Ralph “Sonny” Barger. From the beginning Thompson was upfront with the Angels about his role as a journalist, a dangerous decision given Hell’s Angels distrust of the general media. This being said Thompson lived, rode, and even fought with them over the year period. This resulted in Thompson developing an intimate understanding of the outlaw motorcycle club, as they struggle with the love/hate relationship of their self created infamy, and the human longing for acceptance within their circle of brotherhood and while they purposefully reject all outside social structures and laws.
This book is an absolute thrill to read as Thompson paints a vivid warts and all picture of Hell’s Angels life; the book fully encompasses the good, the bad and the ugly of the Hell’s Angels making you feel as though you’ve earned your patch and are cruising down the highway with the rest of the outlaws. – Daniel Bird
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai:
I am Malala is a compelling read. Malala as an individual is a remarkable women who is a hero for women’s right to a quality education. With her father, she created the Malala Fund that supports education for women including the Global Partnership for Education. The book is a good starting point for learning about the complexities of women’s rights in some countries and education access. I am Malala delivers a message to each reader about the value of education. Malala’s campaign to educate young Pakistani girls is gradually winning hearts and minds. While there’s still a long way to go, real progress has been made. Let’s hope her book will inspire others to fight for freedom and democracy, too. – Kirsty Gelder
