My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman

02 Jun 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, LGBTQIA, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , , , ,

Published: 25th May 2020Goodreads badge
Publisher: Magination Press
Illustrator: Violet Tobacco
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Most mommies are girls. Most daddies are boys. But lots of parents are neither a boy nor a girl. Like my Maddy.

My Maddy has hazel eyes which are not brown or green. And my Maddy likes sporks because they are not quite a spoon or a fork.

Some of the best things in the world are not one thing or the other. They are something in between and entirely their own.

I was so glad to discover this book because while there are a growing number of picture books about trans kids and parents, I was curious about whether the non-binary community were given representation as well.

The story is incredible sweet, it’s a gentle slow read about a young child and their “Maddy”, a person who is presented as non-binary. I loved the opening line about how most mummies are girls and most daddies are boys because right away it already opens up the acknowledgement of a gender spectrum on parents.

Many elements of Maddy are a mixture; their eyes, their hair, a combination of two different things coming together to make them who they are. It’s not only Maddy’s appearance though, Pitman frequently uses the ‘in-between’ to show that wonderful things don’t have to be one thing or another and the spaces between can be their own beautiful thing.

Tobacco’s illustrations are great and I loved the use of colour, especially recognisable colours of the non-binary flag in Maddy’s clothes as well as pride slogans and posters around the house. The full page illustrations are full of bright colours and I love how Maddy and our child narrator are shown interacting with the world around them – their expressions, their actions, and even the unique angles and perspectives of the pictures are interesting.

This is a great story about a loving family and their unique look at the world of in-between spaces and how many things are neither one thing or another if you look closely enough.

You can purchase My Maddy via the following

 Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Can I Steal You for a Second (#2) by Jodi McAlister

16 May 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Audiobook, Australian Women Writers, LGBTQIA Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Published: 5 April 2023 (print)/4 April 2023 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Simon Schuster Australia/Simon Schuster Australia
Pages: 352/9 hrs and 45 mins
Narrator: Anthea Greco
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★ – 4 Stars

Mandie Mitchell will do anything to get over her toxic ex. Even sign up to the polarising reality dating show, Marry Me Juliet. But with her self-esteem in tatters, she’s not sure she’s brave enough to actually go on the show until she forms a friendship with Dylan Gilchrist at the auditions that gives her the push she needs. 

Dylan is everything Mandie is not – tough, strong, and totally unafraid to speak her mind. Unfortunately, she also looks set to win, as she soon becomes the clear favourite of the Romeo, who also happens to share the same name. It’s annoying, really, just how perfect the Dylans seem for each other… 

Mandie’s jealous. But it’s not because she wants to win the show. It’s because in her effort to get over her ex, she’s gone and fallen right back in love… with the wrong Dylan.  

This is a sequel in the Marry Me, Juliet series but it reads perfectly fine as a standalone or a first read if you’re going out of order. I didn’t realise when I picked it up and when I learnt there was a second book I assumed it was a companion book from a new perspective. That one is next on my list but if you’re starting here like I was there is nothing wrong with this being your introduction to these characters.

Being set during the pandemic was creative for the story, kept everyone together and added tension and stress to all of the characters. But on the other hand it did bring back some horror memories I wasn’t expecting but thankfully being in lockdown and raging deadly viruses are a minimal inclusion.

This is the second behind the scenes dating show book I’ve read and I enjoy seeing the manufacturing of shots and dialogue, but at the same time trying to maintain a true love element. Mandie’s love of the show allowed some creative imagined scenarios that sounded plausible and it added a fun element as she imagined how conversations would play out on TV.

McAlister has written characters that felt real, that had their own flaws and made mistakes. I loved that a lot of conflict was internal and character driven – Mandie’s own self-doubt being a key factor as well, but at the same time the external situation of being on a literal dating show added problems too.

There were great surprises and revelations which adds nice drama. There were big reveals and twists but they never felt like they came from nowhere. McAlister uses the characters incredibly well in driving the plot and with each character comes their own wants and needs, not to mention their flaws and misgivings which interact and clash with other people. You really get a sense of being on reality TV, locked up with strangers, vying for the same goal while still trying to appear happy and supportive.

Seeing Mandie’s emotional development through the book was great, she wasn’t a wallflower by any means before, but her blindness to her ex and their behaviour was clear, and I loved the slow reveal that made us realise it too. The positive influence of Dylan was real and never felt sanctimonious or sappy. It always felt like it came from genuine friendship and support. I loved the relationship between Mandie and Dylan and it was nice to see support between two people who were essentially in competition with one another.

I’m still not sure what the deal with Lily was, I had theories but I’m not sure if I was right so I’m going to keep my theories as fact until told otherwise. It felt like a small loose end to never clear that up, but as there is another book it might have more to say.

I’m definitely going to dive into the first book now and get more goss on the other contestants and the different side of the competition. McAlister has so many players to work with it will be great to see another perspective on the reality show and the different possibilities it can bring.

You can purchase Can I Steal You for a Second? via the following

QBD | Booktopia

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon Aust | Audible

The Librarians and the Lost Lamp (#1) by Greg Cox

10 May 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Audiobook, Fantasy, The Librarians Tags: , , , ,

Published: 11 October 2016 (print)/8 November 2016 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Tor Books/Macmillan Audio
Pages: 286/8 hrs and 36 mins
Narrator: Therese Plummer
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Urban Fantasy
★   ★   ★   ★ – 4 Stars

For thousands of years, the Librarians have secretly protected the world The Librarians from dangerous magical relics and knowledge, including everything from Pandora’s Box to King Arthur’s sword.

Ten years ago, Flynn Carson was the only living Librarian. When the ancient criminal organization known as the Forty steals the oldest known copy of The Arabian Nights by Scheherazade, Flynn is called in to investigate. Fearing that the Forty is after Aladdin’s fabled Lamp, Flynn must race to find it before the Lamp’s powerful and malevolent djinn is unleashed upon the world.

Today, a new team of inexperienced Librarians, along with Eve Baird, their tough-as-nails Guardian, is investigating an uncanny mystery in Las Vegas when the quest for the Lamp begins anew . . . and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

This is the first one of the series and I liked that despite being written about the new trio of librarians we have more of original librarian Flynn’s adventures as well which is missing from the others. There is no true way to read these books, I read them out of order, but there are occasional brief mentions to past adventures that have no real impact on the story.

This one however, is different. The story flips between 2016 and 2006 as we see the original hunt for the lamp and the “present day” resurfacing. Cox has one a great job in slowly building the mystery backed against the action of Flynn’s hunt, bringing them together at the right time for maximum enjoyment and satisfaction.

As this is the first book it’s interesting to see how the characters are presented versus later books when more of the television show has expanded their story arcs. There is still a sense of who they are but it’s not nearly as obvious as later when their voices and personalities really come across on the page. It may also have something to do with the dual storyline, less time for them to be in the action, but having said that I loved seeing Flynn have centre stage for a while.

The story itself was fascinating. I loved getting into the depths of old manuscripts, ancient texts, reality becoming the basis of myths. This one is more treasure hunting than the others where nursery rhymes and legends come to life, and Cox does a wonderful job making it as exciting and vivid as if you were watching it play out on screen.

There is a wonderful ease in reading this series. The characters are true to their TV and movie counterparts, the story is witty, fun, fast and light. There is a cheesiness too that’s charming in its own way and doesn’t take away from being a really enjoyable story. I wish they’d kept releasing these books because I could keep reading about these characters for a long time but for now three will have to do.

You can purchase The Librarians and the Lost Lamp via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

The Librarians and the Pot of Gold (#3) by Greg Cox

02 May 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Audiobook Tags: , , , ,

Published: 30 October 2018 (print)/30 October 2018 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Tor Books/Macmillan Audio
Pages: 336/8 hrs and 57 mins
Narrator: Therese Plummer
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Urban Fantasy
★   ★   ★   ★ – 4 Stars

For millennia, the Librarians have secretly protected the world by keeping watch over dangerous magical relics. Cataloging and safeguarding everything from Excalibur to Pandora’s Box, they stand between humanity and those who would use the relics for evil.

There is truth to every story…

Hundreds of years ago, the fate of the world rested upon the shoulders of a clever priest and a clever librarian. On the day the pair drove the remnants of the Serpent Brotherhood from Ireland’s shore—that is, until the grave of an ancient sorceress is dug up and her remains removed.

Now, Baird and her team of plucky Librarians find themselves on a collision course with their long-time foes as they race to find a leprechaun’s lost gold to prevent the Brotherhood’s dark design from coming to fruition.

The point of The Librarians is to bring history into play with myths and legends, showing you how there was a truth to old stories. Cox builds on this incredibly well through the novels because while written simply, it’s easy to see the story play out in front of you. Things take time, people don’t make connections right away, there’s still a lot of realism involved.

Cox makes sure enough information is included that if you don’t know anything about the movies, the television show, or the other books you still understand the situation regarding the Library and everything it includes. I loved that Cox captures the voice of the characters so well, if you do know the television show it’s easy to hear each character speak and nothing they do it out of their presented character. This only adds to the great feel of the book because it’s like an extra episode of the show.

This time there’s truth in the term luck of the Irish and I really loved this story about honour and doing what’s right. As well as having a trip through famous landmarks to uncover “real history” and secrets that have been hidden for centuries.

I loved the mix of missions, how one often plays into another. Even when they don’t it is a great example of how a Librarian’s job is never done and there’s always something else that needs rectifying.

There are great moments of surprise as well as rewards for picking up on clues and hints before big reveals and I liked that through the whole thing it felt real. As real as it could when magic and leprechauns are involved.

You can purchase The Librarians and the Pot of Gold via the following

Booktopia | Book Depository

 Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

26 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Junior Fiction, LGBTQIA Tags: , , , ,

Published: 7 April 2020Goodreads badge
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Pages: 224
Format: Paperback
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

After her parents’ divorce, Bea’s life became different in many ways. But she can always look back at the list she keeps in her green notebook to remember the things that will stay the same. The first and most important: Mom and Dad will always love Bea, and each other.

When Dad tells Bea that he and his boyfriend, Jesse, are getting married, Bea is thrilled. Bea loves Jesse, and when he and Dad get married, she’ll finally (finally!) have what she’s always wanted–a sister. Even though she’s never met Jesse’s daughter, Sonia, Bea is sure that they’ll be “just like sisters anywhere.”

As the wedding day approaches, Bea will learn that making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy.

This is a great story that shows family is whoever you want it to be as well as understanding that the list of things that will not change may not always be for the better while sometimes the things that do change are not so bad. Through a lot of different events and time we see Bea’s past and present as she tells us about her friends, her family and how she is guided by the list her parents made her when they divorced.

It’s weird to say this is a wholesome story because there are bad things in here like bullying and homophobia, but Stead tells the story through the characters and each one is full of depth and complexity which feels real and human and I was surprised how deep this story felt.

Bea is a great character because she is complicated, flawed, loving, and her own person. I liked Bea’s passion and her enthusiasm and it was wonderful to see a kid being able to express themselves, even in bad ways, because it is a great example of how kids need to be taught about emotional control and everything is still a steep learning curve for them.

Stead does a great job balancing the story of Bea, her parents, as well as hinting at other family issues and things that happened in the past. The bookend story about her dad and corn is so well done and I thought I was going to be disappointed but Stead makes it work and most of the time you forget there is a reason you’re being told this story about love and family and growing up.

There are secrets, mysteries, and big changes all bundled together and while on the surface this looks like a simple story it’s packed full of so many things that show how messy life can be. Bea’s voice is so innocent and yet understanding it’s a fantastic read for any age.

You can purchase The List of Things That Will Not Change via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

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