five stars | Lost in a Good Book

Stormy: A Story About Finding A Forever Home by Guojing

16 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: children's picture book, five stars, guojing, picture book

Published: 17th September 2019
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Illustrator: Guojing
Pages: 34
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

In this wordless picture book a woman visits a park and discovers a pup hiding under a bench–scruffy, scared, and alone. With gentle coaxing, the woman tries to befriend the animal, but the dog is too scared to let her near. Day after day, the woman tries–and day after day, the dog runs away. With perseverance and patience–and help from an enticing tennis ball–a tentative friendship begins.

Why do I keep reading bittersweet books about abandoned dogs?! Honestly it is a real problem. Finding forever homes for little sad and lonely dogs breaks my heart but apparently I don’t mind always crying at the end of these books and getting emotional in the middle of these books and sad before I have even begun these books. And it turns out now I don’t even need text to do it.

This story is part of my new favourite type of picture book: one filled with stunning illustrations and no text whatsoever. The entire story is told in pictures and you do not need words to know what is happening. Whether this is to show the events from Stormy’s silent perspective or because Guojing’s illustrations have enough emotion and intent in them to make words redundant I’m not sure but it 100% works.

I cannot stress how divine these illustrations are. Guojing has done a brilliant job in showing emotion and scale, as well as the environment and how it reflects mood. Some pages are broken up into panels like a comic book which acts like stills from a movie so you can see the events, but others are stunning full pages . I was captivated as I “read” because as you study the images you know the story and can understand what is happening. Filled with the colours of nature and beautiful drawings I wanted to hang these pictures on my wall as well as become melancholic about them.

Of course there is a happily ever after because Guojing isn’t allowed to make us feel those emotions with no reward. But it is just another example of how beautiful storytelling not only can be wordless, but can be about real stories and full of heart.

You can purchase Stormy via the following

Booktopia | Book Depository

Wordery | Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky (#1.5) by Mackenzi Lee

15 Oct 2020 2 Comments

by Amy in 5 Stars, LGBTQIA, Novella, Young Adult Tags: five stars, mackenzi lee, montague siblings, novella, young adult

Published: 26th November 2019
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 128
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

In this funny and frothy novella that picks up where the New York Times bestselling The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue leaves off, freshly minted couple Monty and Percy fumble through their first time together.

Monty’s epic grand tour may be over, but now that he and Percy are finally a couple, he realizes there is something more nerve-wracking than being chased across Europe: getting together with the person you love.

Will the romantic allure of Santorini make his first time with Percy magical, or will all the anticipation and build-up completely spoil the mood?

It was a complete shame I didn’t get to read this as an audiobook because I am still living off the high that those books gave me. Instead I had to read it myself but I had all those wonderful voices stored in my head so I could re-enact it as I went along.

There is so much to love about this novella. Not only the further adventures of Monty and Percy, but the joy of seeing them trying to navigate their new relationship in all its awkward and blushing glory.

Narrative wise it is amazing. There are actual proper conversations about feelings and insecurities, not to mention an overflowing display from these two emotional boys who adore one another. The premise of trying to progress their relationship is dealt with in a fun but respectful manner. Lee has already established these characters are flawed but wonderful and seeing the exploration about love and waiting, and the amount of self-reflection about this entire endeavour was so refreshing and I loved that Lee took the time to do that.

Once again Monty steals the show. Monty who is broken but healing, who is insecure but is trying his hardest. His character growth in Gentleman’s Guide was incredible but is clearly hasn’t stopped. There are heartbreaking lines like “Why do you think everyone needs some sort of recompense for being around you?” which crushed my soul, but there is also a lot of the fun and jovial nature we’ve seen between Monty and Percy as well.

This is truly not in a younger YA scope because Monty is not entirely shy about describing various parts of Percy that he enjoys. Considering this novella’s entire premise is trying to find the right time and a bit of alone time to finally be together it is more suited to older readers.

This story also contains new characters which bring their own fun and help set the mood. Felicity makes an appearance as well, Monty’s fabulous sister who deals spectacularly with her brother. I mentioned this in my review of the second book but her character around Monty is divine and I loved seeing the sarcasm and sibling interactions once more.

This is a relatively quick read but there is an emotional depth and a detailed story throughout. With new places and people to introduce their introductions are woven into the narrative well so there is no unnecessary clunky exposition. The blending of a Santorini adventure alongside trying to navigate your own emotions and relationship is juxtaposed wonderfully. I honestly could read about the Montague family forever, no matter how trivial their lives or adventures may be.

You can purchase The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

02 Apr 2020 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Young Adult Tags: five stars, nicola yoon, young adult

Published: 31st October 2016
Publisher: Random House Children’s Publishers UK
Pages: 348
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book. I loved it. I loved the unique characters, the different experiences they’d had and the different lives they both lived, and I loved how Yoon makes an entire day feel so long and life changing. I simply adore books that take part in one day but feel like many more. This a full day of so many experiences that make you realise all the possibilities that can happen in one day. It also helps being in New York City because there’s heaps more things to do and transport between places is infinitely simpler.

Both Daniel and Natasha felt like real people. They had experiences behind them, complications in their present lives, and hopes and dreams that are so different from one another but stem from the same desire to live their lives how they want. There is instalove but the way Yoon portrays it is with a feeling, or instinct; there is a connection felt between them which neither can truly ignore. It isn’t just they love each other after a day, there is actual effort in trying to understand one another and an ease when the two interact.

There are a few moments where both of them can be insufferable. But I think it’s important to remember that at 17 these kids are in their own worlds. Natasha has a crisis in her life which brings out her selfishness and her pessimism, while as a poet Daniel is always going to be a cringy teen romantic. I think enough credit isn’t given to Natasha that while Daniel can be weird, Natasha doesn’t have to keep engaging him. Her own curiosities and self-proclaimed connection intrigues her and yes Daniel can come across as pushy and stalkery but if we keep pointing this out it takes away some magic, which is what these stories are all about.

The story is filled with moments that show the flow on effect on people’s actions. How one simple act creates a butterfly effect and small moments can result in bigger things that impact on more than just the lives involved. The writing is incredible, it’s profound without being over the top, there are some beautiful sentences and thoughts expressed that show the issues everyday people face and how deep the everyday can be.

It is a wonderful story about how passion can be a gift or a downfall, dreamers and realists coming together and having an effect on each other’s lives. Yoon explores the fascinating debate about love, fate, and destiny through the story and with three narrators – Natasha, Daniel, and The Universe – you see the different perspectives and learn about secondary characters in quite a poetic way. The structure is perfect and Yoon has stitched together these moments into the main story so it still flows seamlessly and each added bit of info adds a lot of context and explanation in a fantastic tone.

Secondary characters, while only being brief a lot of the time, felt full and complete. With different narrators you see different sides of the characters so you understand them quite well even when they are only present for a brief while. The ending is curious because you get answers and you don’t. And for all the coincidences throughout there are still lives at stake that can be impacted on by the decisions and whims of other people which may change paths completely. I can understand how people can see this as fanciful and unrealistic, but from the very beginning I was invested in this story. I loved how the story didn’t go where I thought it would and I loved the narrative dynamics.

You can purchase The Sun is Also a Star via the following

Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

23 Mar 2020 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Young Adult Tags: estelle laure, five stars, young adult

Published: 14th January 2016
Publisher: Orchard Books
Pages: 312
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

How is it that one day Digby was my best friend’s cute twin brother, and then the next he stole air, gave jitters, twisted my insides up?

And with Mom gone, bills to pay and Wren to look after… Why does the best thing happen at the worst time?

This book was such an emotional roller coaster for me. I made so many different noises reading this story. I could barely contain myself as I read. I had to put it down to gather myself but then I immediately had to pick it back up again because I Had To Know. Looking at the notes I took when I read it there is one that is simply “This book. Oh gosh this book is incredible!!!” which is a great endorsement based on emotional response alone.

There are so many brilliant characters in this, so many to admire and have emotional moments about. Laure has done a brilliant job making the reader become invested in these girls and their lives and obviously there are so many heart wrenching and suspenseful moments as they try and cope on their own.

There is uncertainty and fear and all kinds of worries we’re made too experience alongside Lucille. You see her fears of being separated and her worry how to cope, not to mention the mystery of where her mother is and when she’s coming back. We feel her anger and her desperation and determination is compelling.

Wren is character you can’t help but adore and seeing her and Lucille together is magical; the sisterly bond the two girls have is amazing. Wren’s journey and her thoughts alone will break your heart, not to mention that her own fears and her worries WILL CRUSH YOUR SOUL. It really reminds you that she is only a kid and that she is as scared and as worried as Lucille is. As a reader you get to hate a few people in this – the mum, the dad, but for a lot of the time as well you get to be proud of the girls for surviving.

It isn’t just the big things, there’s a lot of little things that will break your heart and make you swell with pride. It’s an incredible story and one that leaves you with so much more than when you started. I basically shoved this book into the hands of anyone nearby and it was wonderful to watch them have the same emotional reactions as I did.

Before I claim this as completely perfect, there were a few things that didn’t sit right with me but I think it adds to the story in a way – a lot can be excused regarding young love and new feelings. Some parts I will also admit made me angry, like proper frustrated because it was so stupid and wrong, but this is what I mean when I say Laure makes you feel a range of emotions with this story. Anger, fear, pain, love. It’s all in there and you will feel all of it.

The additional dramas around their missing mother is also nail biting and filled with tension. It never feels like two separate stories, they blend together brilliantly and they link together seamlessly. A great example of capturing life: everything happens at once and things are not easy, perfect or solved by the end of the book.

There is a sense of hope that shines through though, that even in the toughest moments when there are bills to pay and food to buy you have faith that Lucille and Wren will be ok. Lucille is someone you know will make it all ok, even when she can’t they will get through it, she will always be there for Wren, no matter what happens.

Honestly I don’t know how many more ways I can say that I adored this story. It has so much in it and so many complexities that Laure has blended brilliantly. It’s a love story, a family story, a story of pain and hope and survival, and one that will make you feel everything.

You can purchase This Raging Light via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Giraffe Problems by Jory John

10 Jan 2020 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: children's picture book, five stars, jory john, lane smith

Published: 25th September 2018
Publisher: Random House Books
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Pages: 42
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Can you guess what’s making this giraffe self-conscious? Could it be…HIS ENORMOUS NECK Yes, it’s exactly that–how on earth did you figure it out?

Edward the giraffe can’t understand why his neck is as long and bendy and, well, ridiculous as it is. No other animal has a neck this absurd. He’s tried disguising it, dressing it up, strategically hiding it behind bushes–honestly, anything you can think of, he’s tried.

Jory John is back with another fabulous book. Giraffe Problems is a brilliant book that much like Penguin Problems, has a giraffe who is unhappy with his absurdly long neck. This seems to be his only problem, but John explores this singular issue with humour and style.

The narrative is hilarious. The short sentences and the quick words sound just like the complaints of the key character, all beautifully presented in and around Smith’s illustrations. There are no rhymes, but you don’t need them as John writes a great story that reads like a funny list of complaints and grievances by Edward and the annoyance as he interacts with those around him.

There are more words to the story as it goes on and you see how this poor giraffe has tried to cope with his long, long, super necky neck. There are beautiful moments too and I loved the interactions with all the various animals he comes across.

Smith’s illustrations deserve attention on their own. The dark earthy colours on the page bring out the feeling of nature and the expressions and actions on the animals are realistic but have a comical tone as well. The design of each page enhances the story because it makes you move your eyes around to follow the words, or rotate the book or open a flap. It adds another level of interaction beyond only reading the words on the page.

I loved the surprises at the end, sweet but still having that humour seen throughout. It is a wonderful example of understanding the benefits to being different and what may be a problem for you, may be a solution to someone else. I love Penguin Problems and I am a huge fan of Giraffe Problems as well. I am looking forward to seeing what other ideas John comes up with because I’m sure it will just as delightful.

You can purchase Giraffe Problems via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust