fairywhispers's "2009 Bookshelf" on Lists of Bests

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Added 'New Moon' by Stephanie Meyer — 4 weeks ago

New Moon is the second book in the Twilight Saga, and it is just as good as the first. In this novel we get to see a lot more of Jacob Black and Quillute clan. This pleased me, because Jacob is one of my favourites. We also meet the Volturi in this book. Those who have read Twilight will remember that Carlisle spent a bit of time with the Volturi early in his Vampirism, but these guys are as different from Carlisle as bread is from cheese. We don’t see half so much of Edward in this book, which is a shame, but it is a great read nonetheless.

Oct 19, 10:20PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Lost Star of Myth and Time' by Walter Cruttenden — 5 weeks ago

Lost Star of Myth and Time presents the interesting hypothesis that we live in a binary system. Furthermore, it attributes the cycle of ages to our sun’s mystery companion. I find this theory interesting and wouldn’t mind reading a bit more about it. This book is a bit repetitive, so I found it easier to read other books, coming back and reading bits of this in between. Despite this, there are certainly some interesting historical tit-bits and interesting takes on local folklore. Perhaps a book to flip through rather than reading cover-to-cover.

Oct 12, 10:00PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Haunted Animals' by Allan Zullo — 6 weeks ago

Haunted Animals is an interesting collection of true animal ghost stories. Some are about beloved pets continuing to protect us after they die. Others are about revenge for being mis-treated. All are interesting to read. The stories in this book are easy to read and none of them are overly scary, making this a great book for tweens who are just starting out in chapter books.

Oct 10, 04:29PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'What's Happening to our Girls?' by Maggie Hamilton — 7 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, 10:38PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'The Only Girl in the Car' by Kathy Dobie — 8 weeks ago

Despite the graphic nature of some scenes in this book (let’s face it – they see worse in movies), The Only Girl in the Car is essential reading for any teenage girl. In a world where sex is everywhere, and girls are losing their virginity earlier and earlier, this book illustrates the trouble being too free with your body can lead to. Sex can be a beautiful thing, especially when you are just discovering your sexuality, but it can also be very, very ugly. Many parents are reluctant to discuss sexual matters beyond the ‘what’s happening to me’ talk. Yet, without our guidance, how can our girls learn the difference between the beauty and ugliness of sexual encounters? It is our responsibility as parents to move past our embarrassment or conservatism and teach girls how to behave in the world they live in (vastly different from when we grew up). This book is a perfect example of the ugliness that can result if girls do not learn to control their sexuality.

Sep 21, 05:09PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Twilight' by Stephanie Meyer — 8 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, 05:31PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Bag of Bones' by Stephen King — 9 weeks ago

I love Stephen King and this is one of his better novels. There is an ominous feel to most of it, as well a a few scary parts. I should warn you, there is one scene, where the reader finds out just what happened to Sara, that some readers might find disturbing. Otherwise, the thrills are mostly psychological. This is not a book to go reading at night – every little noise will keep you awake. I definitely recommend reading this book.

Sep 19, 05:41PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Balsamic Dreams' by Joe Queenan — 9 weeks ago

Whether you agree with Queenan’s observations or not (and most non Baby Boomers would), this book is an absolutely hilarious read. Wall Street Journal describes Balsamic Dreams as ‘Clever and rarely wrong’. I would have to agree with this statement. Despite Joe Queenan’s Baby Boomer status, or perhaps because of it, Balsamic Dreams chronicles just about every aspect of the Baby Boomer generation that drives the rest of us insane – and he does it with a wit and style that will keep you laughing from beginning to end. An essential read for anyone who has ever rolled their eyes and sighed ‘Baby Boomers’.

Sep 18, 07:32PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'The Eccentric Mr Wienholt' by Rosamond Siemon — 9 weeks ago

This was a very interesting biography about a very interesting character in Australian history. From his role in the squattocracy to serving in Queensland’s Parliament; from hunting lions in Africa to serving in three wars (Boer War, WWI & WWII) and spying behind enemy lines; Arnold Wienholt certainly led a full and colourful life of adventure. Most of us are not brave enough to stand by our convictions in the face of almost total opposition and ridicule. Most of us are not brave enough to ‘walk the talk’. Most of us crave adventure from home but are not brave enough to pursue it. Arnold Wienholt did all of these things and more – he faced down his enemies with the courage and dignity he felt became a member of the Empire. Despite never having heard of Arnold Wienholt before, this book was an absolutely riveting read.

Sep 17, 04:16AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Away' by Michael Gow — 9 weeks ago

Away is a fine example of Australian theatre and I really enjoyed reading it. Despite being set on holidays, this play is actually about coming home. Coral’s illness, Tom’s knowledge of his fate, Gwen’s attitude to life – all are things which set these characters apart from their peers and loved ones. Yet at the end we see all come together in a spirit of cooperation and enjoyment bringing closure or the sense of ‘coming home’ mentioned earlier. I would very much like to see this play performed.

Sep 14, 10:15PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

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Pages: Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

fairywhispers's "2009 Bookshelf"

Comments

Added 'New Moon' by Stephanie Meyer — 4 weeks ago

Added 'Lost Star of Myth and Time' by Walter Cruttenden — 5 weeks ago

Added 'Haunted Animals' by Allan Zullo — 6 weeks ago

Added 'What's Happening to our Girls?' by Maggie Hamilton — 7 weeks ago

Added 'The Only Girl in the Car' by Kathy Dobie — 8 weeks ago

Added 'Twilight' by Stephanie Meyer — 8 weeks ago

Added 'Bag of Bones' by Stephen King — 9 weeks ago

Added 'Balsamic Dreams' by Joe Queenan — 9 weeks ago

Added 'The Eccentric Mr Wienholt' by Rosamond Siemon — 9 weeks ago

Added 'Away' by Michael Gow — 9 weeks ago

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