July Wrap Up…

Welcome to my July Wrap Up. I had a pretty great reading month in July, finishing 7 books (2 books off my TBR). I also received 2 ARC’s this month. I have reviews up or coming up for these books so as usual this is just going to be a brief rundown on each book I read.

Without further ado, let’s get into my July Wrap Up:

The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer: This book was amazing. I love historical fiction so this book was right up my alley. The characters were real and flawed, the story was fascinating and moving and the writing was utterly beautiful and emotional. I honestly do not have a bad word to say about this book and I know I will be re-reading it again in the very near future.

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon: This book was utterly compelling. The way in which this book worked its way into my brain and heart was something that I hadn’t expected when I pick it up, but now I can’t get it out of my head. The story, the characters, and the writing all combined perfectly to create a haunting yet fulfilling reading experience.

Old Pig by Margaret Wild: This book was utterly stunning. I didn’t know how a children’s book about death would go but I absolutely loved this book. The story was filled with love and understanding as well as death and grief. And the Illustrations by Ron Brooks added a whole new layer to the story making for an emotional reading experience that was like a nice warm hug after a long day.

Pea Pod Lullaby by Glenda Millard: This book was sweet. The illustrations by Stephen Michael King were absolutely wonderful; they were bright and bold which really captures your attention. As for the story, it was simple and easy to follow. There wasn’t a whole lot of writing which is good for families of very young readers who want a nice quick read for their little ones.

Milli, Jack And The Dancing Cat by Stephen Michael King: This book was wonderful. I loved the message and the way the story showed young readers the benefits of being yourself and following your passions. I al adored the illustrations. They were bright and bold as well as a little wacky, which really added to the story being told making for a wonderful reading experience.

Adelaide’s Secret World by Elise Hurst: This book was beautiful. I adored the story and the message it has for young readers. There were limited characters which helps to focus on the plot instead of trying to remember a large cast of characters. Adding to the wonderful story are truly stunning illustrations that you will just want to study and enjoy.

The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons: I adored this book. As a massive fan of Historical Fiction, I had high hopes for this book and I am happy to say that it delivered. I loved the wide array of interesting cast members and their different and at times different personalities and opinions and I absolutely loved the writing. This is one of those books that I will re-read many times in the future.

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That’s it for my July Wrap Up. I hope you all had a great reading month. Let me know what you guys read this month in the comments section.

GEM

Uni Update 36!

It’s that time again…

Uni Update!

Uni holidays are over and it is time to jump into some more learning.

I am officially finished the first two weeks of this new semester and so far so good.

I have enjoyed the course work so far and the readings haven’t been too difficult, or too many, and the amount of TED Talks I have been required to watch has been manageable too.

I have also had the chance to have some great discussions with my fellow students which I have really enjoyed.

I am also excited to say that I have already started working on my first assessment which I am very pleased about.

Now I understand that it has only been two weeks and that everything is going to get more difficult the further into the course I get but so far I have no complaints and I am feeling optimistic about this semester of Uni.

Hopefully, when I check back in next month I will still be feeling the same way. Either way, I am going to take my wins when I get them and enjoy the moment.

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That’s it from me today. I will catch you all in my next Uni Update.

GEM

I Am Lupe by Sela Ahosivi-Atiola

‘We are all different and no one is the same. There is no one else in the world like you.

When a little girl with brown skin and curly hair notices she is different from her classmates, she asks her mother what she is. Her mother’s answer is a celebration of all the wonderful differences that make each of us who we are.

My name is Lupe and there is no one quite like me.

My skin is brown. My hair is dark and curly. I look different from the other kids at school. What am I?

Lupe is a daughter. She is a big sister. She is a friend. She is smart. She is fearless. She is funny. She is beautiful. She is enough.’

This book was wonderful.

This is one of those books that I picked up because of how it looked, the beach vibe captured my attention instantly, and I am so glad that it did as I loved this book. The story, the illustrations, and most of all the beautiful message warmed my heart. As soon as I had finished reading this book I went right back to the start and read it again, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it ever since I put it down.

Sela Ahosivi-Atiola has done a fantastic job with this book. It was smart and informative while also being sweet and kind. The way Sela Ahosivi-Atiola handled an emotional topic with grace and understanding while still creating an interesting story with many wonderful things to learn about that will inspire and entertain young readers in equal parts is something that I hadn’t expected but thoroughly enjoyed.

Adding to the wonderful story being told in this book were the absolutely stunning illustrations by Yani Agustina; which were intricate and beautiful. The combination of story and image is what makes a children’s book great, and the combination of Sela Ahosivi-Atiola’s words and Yani Agustina’s pictures is a match made it literature heaven, making for a truly beautiful reading experience.

I Am Lupe by Sela Ahosivi-Atiola is a must-have for all young readers and their families.

School Book Tag…

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I am partaking in the School Book Tag. I hope you all enjoy this quick little tag.

So without further ado, let’s jump straight in:

MATH

A BOOK THAT HAS TWO CHARACTERS WHO EQUAL PERFECTION

Honey, Baby, Mine by Laura Dern and Diane Ladd

SCIENCE

A BOOK THAT WAS HARD TO GET INTO

Monsters by Claire Dederer

ENGLISH

A BOOK THAT SHOULD BE A MODERN CLASSIC

The Book of Wondrous Possibilities by Deborah Abela

P.E.

A BOOK THAT MADE ME RACE TO THE FINISH

Dark Mode by Ashley Kalagian-Blunt

MUSIC

A BOOK THAT REMINDS YOU OF A SONG

Saving Hamlet by Molly Horton Booth

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Well, that’s it for me. I hope you guys enjoyed this tag. As usual, hit me up with your answers in the comment section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading… 

GEM

The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons

‘London, 1938. Bookseller Gertie Bingham is facing difficult times, having just lost her beloved husband, Harry, and with a lingering sadness at never having been able to have a child of her own. Struggling to face running the bookshop she and Harry opened together, Gertie is preparing to sell up and move away when she is asked if she would be willing to take in a young Jewish refugee from Germany. Gertie is unsure and when sullen teenager Hedy Fischer arrives, Gertie fears she has nothing left to give the troubled girl.

But when the German bombers come and the lights go out over London, Gertie, and Hedy realise that joining forces will make them stronger and that books have the power to bring young and old together and unite a community in need in its darkest hour…’

I adored this book.

As a massive fan of Historical Fiction, I saw this book and knew I had to have it. I went into it with high hopes and I am very happy to say that it not only lived up to my high expectations, it well and truly surpassed them.

One of the things that I loved most about this book was the wide array of fantastic characters. I loved watching them develop and grow as the story unfolded and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the different personalities come together and at times clash while ultimately trying to do what was best in a truly dreadful situation.

This is one of those books that walks the line between heartwarming and heartbreaking beautifully. It was an emotional read that felt real and grounded. I loved that we got to see different kinds of reactions to various situations that the characters faced over the course of WWII.

Annie Lyons has done a truly wonderful job with this book. The story was sweeping yet personal, the characters were complicated and human, and the writing had a cinematic quality to it that captivated me from the very first page and kept me spellbound until the very end.

The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons is a must-read for everyone.

Q&A with Sela Ahosivi-Atiola

Today I am lucky enough to be hosting a Q&A with Sela Ahosivi-Atiola. This Q&A is part of a publicity tour for Sela Ahosivi-Atiola’s upcoming book I Am Lupe.

So without further ado, let’s jump in…

Where and when can we buy your book?

My book, I Am Lupe, is currently available for pre-order at I am Lupe by Sela Ahosivi-Atiola, Yani Agustina – Books – Hachette Australia. It comes out on July 26, 2023!

Was there a particular moment or smell that sparked your idea for this book?

I am an educator, so I’ve collected so many books over the course of my career, and during the 2020 lockdown, I spent a lot of time reading to my daughters. I realized how difficult it was to find children’s picture books with Pasifika characters written by Pasifika authors here in Australia. It was during this time that the idea for I Am Lupe was born.

Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character/s from this book?

Great question! I would love to see a fresh-faced Pasifika talent from Australia or the South Pacific play the lead characters.

Did you get to choose the illustrator for this book?

This book was initially a self-published project, so I did get to choose Yani Augustina who did a fantastic job with the illustrations.

When in the printing process did you get to see the illustrations for this book?

Yani and my amazing publisher Hachette worked closely to bring some more colour and life to the illustrations and I was able to see this during the editing stage of the book. I was thrilled with the soft colours that were used because they brought so much more warmth to Lupe’s story.

This book has such a wonderful message for young readers; was there a young reader in your life that inspired you to write this book?

Thank you! I had my children in mind when I was writing this book because I wanted them to open a book and see themselves. I also wanted the message in this story to help other parents, educators, and teachers talk to their children about celebrating and accepting the differences that make them unique.

When did you decide to become a writer?

I am Tongan and for the people of Oceania, storytelling is a part of who we are and so I had a very sound understanding of the power of storytelling and good writing but I never thought I would become a writer. A few years ago, I reached out to Winnie Dunn at Sweatshop Literacy Movement about attending one of their writer’s workshops. Winnie was the first person to believe in my writing and published my first article on SBS voices. I just fell in love with writing as a craft and it was then that I really believed that I could be a writer.

Do you have a special time or place where you like to write?

I am a night owl, so I write at night when my family is asleep and it’s quiet in my home.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate, or longhand?

I always write on my computer. When I am out and about and I have an idea, I’ll quickly jot it down on the notes app on my phone so that I can explore it later.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Writing! I am not a polished writer and I did not study creative writing or English literature so I am very critical of my own work. I’ve found writing this children’s picture books to be quite unique because you’ve got to write your story in simpler sentences but still ensure you’re getting your message across whilst keeping your young audience engaged. Writing in itself is difficult, but so rewarding.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Inspiration always helps in writing, whether that’s being inspired in a writing group, theme, storyline or life in general. I am always relieved once I receive feedback and edits from my editor because it provides direction which is always helpful in writing.

What book/s are you reading at present?

I’ve just purchased The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar and I’m slowly making my way through The Racial Politics of Australian Multiculturalism by Ghassan Hage.

What are your views on social media for marketing?

I think social media is a great tool for marketing because it allows you to engage with your customers or readers and reach a huge audience. Social media has helped me connect with other authors, parents, and educators who are interested in diversifying their bookshelves and reading material, and building a relationship with them is great in terms of reaching more young readers.

How do you relax?

I feel most relaxed at home with an iced latte and a movie or book. Phone must be on silent and out of reach.

What is your favourite book and why?

I don’t have a favourite book. I love so many books for different reasons. I’ll share one of our favourite children’s picture books from the past 12 months and it’s called 11 Words for Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah and Maxine Benebe Clarke. This has been a favourite bedtime story in our home because that’s about the power of community, family, and love and the illustrations are incredibly beautiful.

Which writers inspire you?

Too many to list! ‘Epeli Hau’ofa, Konai Helu Thaman, Bell Hooks, Karlo Mila, Queen Salote, Dr. Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Winnie Dunn, Shirley Le, Sarah Ayoub, Sara Saleh, Terasia Teaiwa.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t overthink it!

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Read, diversify your bookshelf, find a mentor, and join a writer’s group. My mentors have taught me that creative writing is a craft and it’s not a skill you can just work out for yourself. Behind every good writer is an amazing editor.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

Instagram: sela.atiola

Sela Ahosivi-Atiola (sweatshop.ws)

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Well, that’s it from me. I hope you guys enjoyed today’s Q&A, and I want to say a massive thank you to Sela Ahosivi-Atiola for taking the time to participate in today’s Q&A.

Don’t forget to check out I Am Lupe by Sela Ahosivi-Atiola from the 26th of July and you can check out my review of I Am Lupe right here on the 28th of July.

Until next time…

Happy Reading…

Gem

Old Pig by Margaret Wild

‘Old Pig and Granddaughter have lived together for a long, long time. They share everything, including the chores, until the day when Old Pig does not get up as usual for breakfast. Calmly she pays her bills and puts her affairs in order. Then she takes Granddaughter on a last, long walk – looking and listening, smelling and tasting. Old Pig and Granddaughter say goodbye to each other in the best way they know.’

This book was truly beautiful.

Going into this book I was concerned about how Margaret Wild was going to handle death and grief in a way that is suitable for young readers but not too traumatizing or too simplistic. It turns out I didn’t need to worry as this book walked the line between emotional and factual absolutely perfectly.

Facing death is something that we all have to do at some time in our lives, but explaining it to children can be extremely difficult and emotional. So the way that Margaret Wild went about handling this topic was so honest and real yet still full of love and understanding, which made for a truly lovely reading experience.

Margaret Wild’s decision to focus on enjoying life and spending quality time with the people that you love made the fact that this story was about death easier to handle. You could feel the sadness and fear from the characters but the main focus and emotion of this story was love and that is what stayed with you after you finished reading this beautiful book.

Adding to the beauty of this book are the utterly stunning illustrations by Ron Brooks. Not only do the illustrations perfectly compliment the writing they completely elevate this book. After I had finished my first reading of this book I went straight back to the start in order to just go through and devour the illustrations.

Old Pig by Margaret Wild is a must-have for all young readers.

Time Bubble Book Tag…

Welcome one and all to another Wacky Wednesday post. Today I am partaking in The Time Bubble Book Tag. I hope you all enjoy this quick little tag.

So without further ado, let’s jump straight in:

WHAT BOOK HAVE YOU BEEN MEANING TO READ FOR A LONG TIME BUT HAVEN’T GOTTEN AROUND TO READING:

The Cactus by Sarah Haywood

A BOOK YOU’VE BEEN MEANING TO REREAD BUT HAVEN’T:

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnet

A BOOK FROM A GENRE YOU DON’T NORMALLY READ BUT HAVE BEEN MEANING TO TRY AND GIVE IT A CHANCE:

Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking

A SERIES YOU’VE BEEN WANTING TO READ BUT HAVEN’T BECAUSE OF HOW LONG IT IS:

Tales Of A New World series by P.C. Cast

A BOOK YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND READ FOR THE FIRST TIME:

Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

A BOOK RECOMMENDATION YOU’VE BEEN PUTTING OFF:

Grind by Edward Vukovic

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Well, that’s it for me. I hope you guys enjoyed this tag. As usual, hit me up with your answers in the comment section.

Until next time…

Happy Reading… 

GEM

Milli, Jack And The Dancing Cat by Stephen Michael King

‘Milli could take a thing that was a nothing and turn it into a something. She could find any old forgotten this or that, give it a bit of a wiggle and transform it into something amazing. But no one in her town valued what Milli could do, and she was far too shy to insist. No one ever wanted anything special. So Milli spent her time making brown shoes, black shoes, and plain old work boots.

But then comes the day two vagabonds roll into town – crazy Jack and his dancing cat. Sturdy new boots are exactly what they need, but what can they give Milli in exchange? Dancing lessons! So they teach her jazz and ballet and tap. They do the two-step, the three-step, and the tricky-twisting-backward-slide-four-step. And Milli begins to feel brave and free. So she makes them the most beautiful shoes she can imagine. She rustles up a few amazing things for herself, too. And eventually, even the townspeople have to take notice.’

I adored this book.

This is one of those rare books that I powered through and then went right back to the start to read it again. I also read it a third time but focused purely on the utterly magical illustrations.

As with most children’s books, this book has a wonderful message woven into the storyline. This particular message; being true to yourself and loving your differences, is a message that everyone can relate to regardless of age.

The fact that Stephen Michael King is both the writer and illustrator of this book means that the book as a whole is perfectly presented and each element compliments and elevates the other. The way the illustrations are bright and bold even when the story is more muted makes for a beautifully visual reading experience.

Stephen Michael King has done a fantastic job with this book. It is everything you want from a children’s book and so much more. I am very glad that I now own this book and I can easily see it becoming a fast favourite with young readers and their families.

Milli, Jack And The Dancing Cat by Stephen Michael King is a must-have for all young readers and all readers that are young at heart.

Pointless Facts 39!

As I am really enjoying compiling Pointless Facts, I am going to stick with my plan of posting a new list every month; at least until it stops being fun for me. So I hope you all enjoy this month’s installment of Pointless Facts.

The word “robot” was invented by Czech painter Josef Čapek and first used in his brother’s sci-fi play R.U.R in 1920.

Australians have the highest number of people involved in sports activities such as swimming, surfing, sailing, tennis, soccer, cricket, and rugby.

The Japanese language has a word to denote letting reading materials pile up in one’s home and never reading them – tsundoku.

More than 90% of Australia is covered in vegetation.

Enciclopedia Mecánica, a Spanish invention from 1949, is widely considered a predecessor of the ebook. It uses mechanics, electrics, and air pressure to display text and images.

In the year 2005, the word ‘Mate’ was banned for about 24 hours in Australia.

A book that purifies water, The Drinkable Book, is printed on filter paper and capable of killing deadly waterborne bacteria.

88% of Australians live in towns and cities.

Truman Capote considered himself a “completely horizontal author” because he couldn’t think and write unless he was lying down.

 The commonwealth of Australia was finalized in 1901, after the finalization of the Australian federation.

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I hope you all enjoyed today’s pointless facts. Let me know in the comments if these pointless facts were new to you or if you had already come across them.

GEM