Revisit a classic, pick up something new or get comfy with a childhood favourite!
Our team at Wollongong have shone our spotlight on some great titles this week!
The Secret History Of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost:
As a huge fan of the TV show, this is an admittedly biased review, but this book is everything fans of the show could have wanted. Deepening the lore, tying up loose ends, and even retconning some of the not so great elements from the original show, Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost has created a book that both satiates lingering questions while also teasing out new ones. With another book announced coming out in October, after the conclusion of the new season, now’s the time to get stuck into the history of the remarkable place that is Twin Peaks. – Tyler
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty:
One of her first novels, ‘The Husband’s Secret’ precedes the popular ‘Big Little Lies’ and is a must-read for any Moriarty fans. An intricate story about a perfectionist mother and wife, the novel takes many twists and turns after Cecilia discovers a long-hidden secret about her husband. Like many of Moriarty’s books, the story involves a number of characters that build up to a suspenseful ending you won’t expect. A personal favourite, and one of those books you just can’t put down. – Hannah
Green Arrow Volume One by DC Comics:
The DC universe rebirth did not fail to its mark with Green Arrow vol. 1. A fast paced introduction quickly reintroduces the Emerald Archer with the surprising but welcome addition of Black Canary, bringing back and potentially restarting DC’s powerhouse Duo and most beloved couple. Oliver’s life takes an unexpected twist as Dinah brings into question the sole reason as to why he fights, raising the question as to why he stands up to the big guy, when he is the big guy. In a sense of unfortunate timing, the return of a family foe in Shado and the betrayal of his half sister Emi, se’s Oliver fighting to not only stop crime, but to convince himself he is indeed fighting for what is right. – Riley
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Set in the year 1922, The Great Gatsby is a story of the death of the American dream. It is a wistful tale of lost love and the inability to recapture the past. Jay Gatsby’s love for Daisy Buchanan is one of passion, greed and sorrow. Fitzgerald takes us on a journey into the post World War One Jazz Era
of lost souls, old money, dazzling parties and bootlegging. The narrator, Nick Carraway is an outsider and one deeply affected by the events of that summer. He weaves a tale juxtaposing the
grandeur of Gatsby’s parties and the loneliness one can feel even when surrounded by hundreds of people and more money than you could ever spend in a lifetime. Obsession and unconditional love are flawed and sometimes fatal. – Mel
American Gods by Neil Gaiman:
The strangeness of this book is even evident before it begins- being the winner independently for the best sci-fi, fantasy and horror novel of 2001. It follows the story of Shadow as he leaves prison, with his hopes of returning to his normal life dashed quite thoroughly. In fact, any real sense of normalcy is dashed quite thoroughly. The book reads like a dream. Not in the way a car salesman would claim, but like an actual dream; wistful and winding and bizarre. Through his novel, Gaiman explores the nature and strange power of mankind’s beliefs. The book can be slow and meandering at times, but the plot is always unguessable, the characters are strange and compelling, the cleverness is evident in and between each line and it will leave you thinking each time you put it down. Definitely worth picking up. – Ben
The Selection by Kiera Cass:
One of Kiera Cass’s first series, “The Selection,” is a heart pounding romance novel exploring the life of America Singer where she is selected amongst 35 other girls in a chance of a lifetime to compete for Prince Maxon’s heart in a world of Glittering Gowns and Priceless Jewels. Unfortunately for America Singer this means turning her back on her secret love and entering the palace for a prize she never dreamed of. The Selection is a must read for all romance novel lovers. – Emma
Tomorrow when the war began by John Marsden:
This series follows Ellie and her friends as their world get turned upside down. From teenagers living normal lives in a small country town in a Australia, to fighting an invasion. Through courage, love and hope they must learn to come together to fight for their home. This is an excellent series and I would recommend this to all teenagers looking for a fast paced and adventure filled read. – Amy
