fairywhispers's "Books I Recommend" on Lists of Bests

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Added 'Under The Dome' by Stephen King — 1 week ago

I’ve always been a big fan of Stephen King and this is definitely one of his better novels. In fact, Under The Dome is now my favourite Stephen King Novel (it used to be The Stand). The characters are extremely believable, as is the premise. I particularly liked the comparison between Chester’s Mill and ant farms. In addition to being a good read, this book also makes a frightening statement about the nature of people. Namely, that scared people are all too willing to give up their rights and behave in dreadful ways in order to feel safe; and how, when people are frightened by something they can’t explain, they go looking for scapegoats. Sadly, these are behaviours we are seeing all around us today, not helped (as in the book) by our leaders’ willingness to exploit our fears. Overall, this is a highly recommended read!

Feb 02, 05:46PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Fiend: The Shocking True Story of America's Youngest Serial Killer' by Harold Schechter — 2 weeks ago

I found this book both chilling and interesting. I will start by saying that I would not recommend this to people who have a weak stomach, as some of the crimes are described in gruesome detail. There were times when even I had to put the book down for a time and return to it later. It is interesting that, despite people’s complaints about violence in today’s youth, America’s youngest serial killer appeared in the nineteenth century. I was amused to note that the furore about the negative influence of the media is by no means a modern phenomenon. These days, it is violent movies and video games. Back then it was the Penny Papers. If there is any lesson we can take from this book it is this: that, while the media may expand a persons repertoire of possible methods, the innate ability and desire to commit terrible acts upon their fellow human beings must already be there.

Jan 26, 02:26AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'What Do I Do Monday?' by John Holt — 2 weeks ago

I have been hearing a lot about John Holt while trawling forums and websites about homeschooling, so I thought I might as well check him out. What Do I Do Monday? is the first book that became available at my local library, so this is the one I read first. Holt soundly condemns methods used in public schools at the time (methods that have improved very little since then!) and I found myself agreeing with the majority of his opinions.

He doesn’t just argue against these methods, though. He also provides some alternatives. This book is packed full of great ideas for helping (not making!) children to follow their natural learning inclinations. I particularly love the way he explained certain Maths concepts. Not being mathematically minded myself, this is perhaps the first time in my life that I have fully understood some of these concepts!

This book is a must-read for anyone embarking on the homeschool journey, but I also recommend it to parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone else who cares for the children in their life.

Jan 22, 11:35PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Breaking Dawn' by Stephanie Meyer — 6 weeks ago

Breaking Dawn is the culmination to the Twilight Saga and it is, by far, the best of the four books. We finally see some long-anticipated events as well as some highly unexpected developments. I just love who Jacob finally imprints on! In addition, Meyer’s experience is evident. There is a marked contrast between the first and last books. Breaking Dawn is better written and the characters filled out far more than they were in Twilight. I was very sad to reach the end of this book.

Dec 26, 08:26PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Black Juice' by Margo Lanagan — 8 weeks ago

This is the first I’ve heard of Margo Lanagan, but I feel it won’t be the last. Black Juice is a collection of short stories of the superb quality I have come to expect from the genre’s Australian authors. I fully enjoyed every single one of the stories included in this book.

Singing My Sister Down- This is a very sad story about an unusual tribal punishment, and my favourite story in this collection.
My Lord’s Man – A story about love, acceptance and misjudgement.
Red Nose Day – An interesting twist on the typical clown story.
Sweet Pippit – A beautiful story about elephants and their love for their handler. This is my second favourite story in this collection.
House of the Many – A story about the fading of our childhood impressions.
Wooden Bride – An interesting story about living up to our word.
Earthly Uses – A twist on the concept of angels.
Perpetual Light – Set in a future world where the air is unbreathable.
Yowlinin – Monsters and outcasts of society meet.
Rite of Spring – Singing in the season.
The Point of Roses – This is my pick for third place in this collection. A boy with great powers influences others.

Margo’s stories are magnificent, engrossing and above all, thought-provoking. My top three stories in this collection are Singing My Sister Down, Sweet Pippit and The Point Of Roses. All three of these stories are worthy of your attention.

Dec 13, 04:08AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Eclipse' by Stephanie Meyer — 10 weeks ago

Eclipse is the third book in the Twilight Saga and it is the best so far. The rivalry between Edward and Jacob, and between vampires and werewolves, is explored more fully. The characters fill out more and Meyer’s writing has improved since Twilight. This is definitely worth reading.

Nov 30, 02:02AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'New Moon' by Stephanie Meyer — 10 weeks ago

5/5

Nov 30, 02:01AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'My Brother's Keeper: The official Bra Boys story' by Sean Doherty — 10 weeks ago

Like most people, all I knew about the Bra Boys is what I read about in the papers or saw on TV. My Brother’s Keeper opened my eyes to just how much the Bra Boys in general, and the Abberton brothers in particular, have been misrepresented in the media. Told in their own words, this is a no-holds-barred account of life on the streets and beaches of Maroubra. Sunny, Jai, Koby, Dakota and a few of their friends each give their own point of view on growing up in Maroubra. They each tell key points in their lives from the their earliest memories through to present times, including their side of events that were covered in the media.

Written in an easy to read down-to-earth style that generously treats the reader as a mate, the Abberton brothers tell the good, the bad and the ugly of life as a Bra Boy. They do not try to paint themselves as angels or victims, but simply as ordinary, everyday blokes, doing the best they could to survive the harsh, exacting yet loving embrace of Sydney’s beaches.

Nov 28, 05:54AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'What's Happening to our Girls?' by Maggie Hamilton — 19 weeks ago

What’s Happening to our Girls? is an interesting and informed study of today’s girls and the lives they lead, and it is essential reading for any parent. The facts in this book are very scary. As a mother, I knew before reading this book that my daughters are growing up in a world far different from the one I grew up in. I knew that they are being marketed to. I knew girls are sexually active earlier. I knew that bullying is worse and the forms of bullying changing. I did not know just how bad it has become, or just how ill-informed many girls are as to the hazards of indiscriminate sex and drug-taking. That this is the case is a sad indictment of our society.

We all need to stand up and say NO MORE!!! It is time we put our foot down. Refuse to spend your money on inappropriate items, and write to the manufacturers, expressing your displeasure. Companies are only able to market sex at our girls because we allow them to. Remember, the power is in the hand of the consumer – there have been many products withdrawn due to consumer pressure. Additionally, we should overcome our embarrassment and ensure our girls are informed. Teach them to recognise when they are being marketed to. Give them the confidence and support they need to withstand peer pressure and bullying. Allow them to use you as an excuse if they need to. Find someone closer to their own age group to talk to them about drugs and sex – oral sex is not a safe option, as many girls seem to think.

Ensure your daughters have other trusted adults in their lives. We all need someone other than our parents to talk to! Make sure that your daughter knows the difference between intimacy and sexuality. Teach her that a relationship where she suppresses her own sexuality to please her partner is not a healthy one. Be willing to discuss what she wants when she needs to. There can be no taboo subjects if you want to keep your daughter safe. Teach your sons to respect girls, and that they have needs within a relationship as well as boys. Above all, be there there for your children.

Growing up has changed dramatically. The way we parent must evolve to meet the challenge if our girls are to survive.

Sep 27, 10:40PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Twilight' by Stephanie Meyer — 20 weeks ago

I knew this book was really popular amongst teens, but I saw a lot of forum discussions bagging it, so I didn’t really have high expectations. Boy, was I surprised! I read this book in one day. I stayed awake until four in the morning because I could not put it down. And now I am desperate to get my hands on New Moon! Falling in love with a vampire – someone who could turn on you at any minute, and who’s friends view you as food – adds new meaning to the phrase ‘love knows no bounds’. Regardless, this isn’t just a love story, but has it’s share of thrills as well. I loved this book, and very highly recommend it!

Sep 20, 05:32PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

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fairywhispers's "Books I Recommend"

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Added 'Under The Dome' by Stephen King — 1 week ago

Added 'Fiend: The Shocking True Story of America's Youngest Serial Killer' by Harold Schechter — 2 weeks ago

Added 'What Do I Do Monday?' by John Holt — 2 weeks ago

Added 'Breaking Dawn' by Stephanie Meyer — 6 weeks ago

Added 'Black Juice' by Margo Lanagan — 8 weeks ago

Added 'Eclipse' by Stephanie Meyer — 10 weeks ago

Added 'New Moon' by Stephanie Meyer — 10 weeks ago

Added 'My Brother's Keeper: The official Bra Boys story' by Sean Doherty — 10 weeks ago

Added 'What's Happening to our Girls?' by Maggie Hamilton — 19 weeks ago

Added 'Twilight' by Stephanie Meyer — 20 weeks ago

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