Weekender Books - December 2018

Weekender Books - December 2018

This post is a belated December weekender book list - the holidays were nice and relaxing and filled with activities away from my laptop, including reading lots of books! This is why I'm a bit behind with my writing, but I'm back now and so I want to share some of my December reads with you. 

I have decided to do a YA list, to keep it a bit more coherent than my eclectic reading habits.

In these books, food and family play a big part as a framework while tackling difficult themes such as drug dealing, addiction, absent fathers, very present grandmothers (at least in two of these books) and death --

all told with uniquely Australian, contemporary voices. 

Here they are:

Inside The Tiger - by Hayley Lawrence

Song In The Dark - by Christine Howe

The First Third - by Will Kostakis

Inside the Tiger - by Hayley Lawrence (Penguin Books, 2018)

The story's unusual and contemporary theme and voices are not often heard of in YA - they explore the intersection between good and bad decision making and the 'ripple effects' of ones actions in a very fresh and relatable 21st century Australia and its Asian neighbours. Privileged, but emotionally isolated Bel writes to inmate Micah, who is on death row in a Thai prison. What starts out as a school assignment, develops into empathy and care, but ends up in a misadventure in Thailand, utter heartbreak and the decision to love at the same time. Great contemporary Australian voice.

😢😢😢✊✊

Recommendation: A must read when in-need-of-a-bigger-picture-than-my-own-life's misery-pick-me-up. Thought provoking.

Song In the Dark - by Christine Howe (Penguin Books, 2013)

At the surface, this is a story about addiction told through the interplay of relationships of the protagonist Paul, a nineteen year old drug addict and dealer. Howe weaves an intricate pattern of voices and feelings through Paul's mother, his absent father, his grandmother and his own pov, in a poetic, empathetic style. Paul is not a bad guy, but his drifting through life hurts other people and ultimately himself. The harsh, violent and destructive effects of his actions make this a difficult read at times, but the beautiful contemplations and imagery in this book about the redemption found in music and the ocean - of love and hope. A touching, beautifully written portrait of a life on the cusp of being  lost, perhaps forever, to the vices of very contemporary temptations.

                              😣😨😮😊😌

Recommendation: A tonic for those days when one is in an unforgiving and judgemental mood. 

The First Third - by Will Kostakis (Puffin Books, 2013)

This hilariously clever story entrenched in Greek kitchen philosophy was a book that made me laugh out loud at every turn, but only to realise at the end that this story is a serious take on profound losses and ends (death) and on how to turn them into beginnings. Bill is a sensitive boy who tries to mend his family - on bidding of his dying grandmother: finding a man for his lonely mother, reconnect with his long lost dad and get his unhappy brother back home. The book is a wonderful portrayal of family dynamics and ties, as well as the wonders of friendship. The ease Kostakis writes cerebral palsy, homosexuality and food into his characters without jarring the story is fabulous and admirable! A brilliant contemporary snapshot of an Australian story.   

                              😆😍😍😜😳   

Recommendation:  A feel-good-belly-laugh-kind-of-read that restores faith in family bonds and friendship.