Dirt music - Tim Winton

Everyone should read at least one Tim Winton novel, if only to appreciate his passion and understanding of the Australian landscape.  His artistic turn of phrase is a joy to read and his word pictures capture the colour and unique make-up of our country. So many of his lines read like poetry, and it's no surprise that he's one of Australia's most awarded contemporary novelists.

Dirt Music is set in Western Australia, as many of his novels are, and focusses on a love triangle of three complex and basically emotionally tortured characters in a fishing community north of Perth.  The plot centres on how their lives intertwine as gradually their pasts are revealed to the reader.  It isn't until the three characters can deal with ghosts of the past that they can come to terms with the present.  Though I found the story slow to develop at first, but the plot races to an exciting ending. It's definitely a good read, after all it was a Booker prize shortlisted novel from 2001 and winner of the 2002 Miles Franklin Award.
Pam

The Engagement - Chloe Hooper

It's a warped blend of "Farmer wants a wife" and "Dangerous liaisons"!  This intriguing tale keeps you guessing till its final stunning conclusion.

When Liese and Alexander play out their fantasies in an initially harmless game, the lines between illusion, danger and madness suddenly start to become blurred.  Set in country Victoria this cautionary tale is a thriller that you won't be able to put down.
Pam

Finding Colin Firth ~ Mia March

Contrary to what the title might suggest, you will not find a smouldering Darcy emerging from a pond in "THAT" white shirt.
Nor will you hear him utter those famous words......"I like you.....very much......
just as you are".......swoon.

In fact, much to my horror, he doesn't even make an a appearance!!

This is an easy "feel good" read about three women and how their lives become entwined by a common thread.
Oh and there is pie. Well, more to the point, it brings to light how tastes, aromas and textures can conjure sweet memories and expose our deepest feelings and hopes.
It's the simple things that connect us to our past, the present and to whatever the future brings.

You will even find a Colin Firth Pie(Cherry Pie) recipe to try.

Rosie

#findingcolinfirth

The Fire Witness - Lars Kepler

 

 

THE VICTIM

THE SUSPECT

THE WITNESS

 

THE MURDER

 

This is no open and shut case, as is perceived by the authorities.

JOONA LINNA, Sweden's answer to James Bond is back. While battling with his

own demons, Linna is the only one with the audacity to see there is more to this case.

Looking beyond the evidence, in this psychological thriller, the life of a young girl, and those

around her, is at stake.

 

This is a fast paced read, one I could not put down. Loved it!!

 

Rosie

 

 

#firewitness

 

 

 



Lex Luthor: Man of Steel

I've read a lot of comics in my time. Reams of good comics and even more pedestrian quality books brought down by uninspired writing or sub par art. But when I recall my impression of "Lex Luthor: Man of Steel" I can honestly say that this "one off" Superman story belongs to a very short list of books that I would describe as Great.

Perhaps the book appeals to me specifically because the regular Superman comics never grabbed me but the idea of Superman has held great fascination for me. You may of already guessed by the title but "Lex Luthor: Man of Steel" (LL:MoS) is told from the perspective of Superman's arch nemesis and like all great villains Lex believes himself the true hero. LL:MoS beautifully illustrates Lex's perception of himself as a righteous champion of humanity and the only hope against an omnipotent alien. Seen through this unique lens Superman's god-like powers are portrayed in a more dangerous and malevolent fashion and the potential risk he poses to humanity emphasised.

"What if he changes his mind? What if... tonight-- he looks down at us and decides we're not capable to manifest our own destiny? What if tomorrow he wakes up believing he knows best for us? That it's not enough to protect the world... when he can rule it? The only safeguard against that happening... is his word." - Lex Luthor in conversation with Bruce Wayne

Writer Brian Azzarello well known for his gritty "100 Bullets" depicts Luthor as the genius and sociopath that we all know but also gifts the reader with a rare glimpse of the internal justifications and motives that drives Luthor's madness. The product is thoughtful and mature story populated with realistic characters in unrealistic circumstances. A story that paints Lex Luthor as a delusional yet brilliant and above all tragic character.

Speaking of painting, artist Lee Bermejo shines with his characteristic 'painterly' style. Some of the greatest art I've ever seen in a comic. The interesting thing Bermejo does in this book is for most of the panels he uses a traditional, yet expert, mixture of solid blacks and aggressive yet minimalistic line work that reminds me so much of Jae Lee's work on the original Marvel Sentry series. Those that are paying attention will have noticed that I wrote 'most of the panels' are in this style. Interestingly, Bermejo punctuates his page layouts with a panel or two that have been done in jaw dropping style. Lee switches from minimalism to all out pencil shading techniques with ingenious use of ink washes. Together with colourist Dave Stewart's understated palette, the final product is nothing short of perfection. Metropolis is painted in such palid and emotional hues that the reader can't help but feel the city as Lex feels it.

Stop reading this review and go borrow it from Griffith City Library. ***** 5 Stars

 

Comics at the library is front page news and with good reason. It's comics people! :) Spidey's spider-sense was tingling so he swung in to the library to investigate. Luckily resident comic buff Mike was on hand to assure the friendly neighbourhood hero that the collection stocked all the good stuff.

Local paper, The Area News snapped the front page scoop of Spidey perusing the collection before returning to his heroics.

 

The wait is over. Comics  are now available to borrow at the Griffith City Library. Real, honest to goodness comics! The collection has debuted with almost 90 trade paper back books and there is more where that came from!

We've got Spider-man, Batman, X-men, Superman and more. And it doesn't stop at superheroes (but honestly we could have and the collection would still be awesome), we've also got sci-fi comics such as Y: The Last Man and Manhattan Project with plans to expand into the 'slice of life' genre in the near future.

So if you're a fan or are interested in trying comics then rush in and grab a book or two from the Griffith City Library. If you are new to comics and you'd like the library's resident comic guru to help get you started, I work Wednesdays and Fridays.

For fans of Manga, don't forget that the library already has a modest collection of Manga titles located in the Youth Fiction section.

For those familiar with the Western Riverina's online catalogue, Griffith's comic collection can be found under 'Fiction Comic' in collections or just follow the link.

Special thanks goes to Ben Schaefer for donating over twenty trades to the collection!

Your friendly neighbourhood,

 

Mike Lee