Mask - DVD

Written by Anna Hamilton Phelan
Directed by Peter Bogdanovich

Simply one of the best ‘80s movies ever!

Mask is based, albiet loosly, on the real life story of Rocky Dennis, a teenager living with the extremely rare disease craniodiaphyseal dysplasia – otherwise known as Lionitis. Actor Eric Stoltz plays the part of Rocky amazingly well, a teenage boy, normal in so many respects struggling determinedly to live as full a life as possible. Normal in his world anyway. Raised by a single mother heavily into the bike club scene, his upbringing was not that of a ‘normal citizen’.

Rocky’s mother Rusty, played by Cher, is a drug- taking party girl who gives her son no quarter due to his disease – she treats him like an everyday teenager and certainly doesn’t let things like medical diagonosis and a short life span stop her from encouraging him to achieve. For all her faults she loves him deeply and I found myself loving her character. She is stubborn, fiery and will not tolerate anyone treating her son as ‘inferior’. While in the beginning of the movie she appears to have many male ‘friends’ the return of old flame Gar changes this. Gar, a beer-swilling chopper-riding tough guy played by silver fox Sam Elliott, has been an important part of Rocky’s life since he was 5 years old.

Regardless of what you think of the characters’ lifestyle choices you would have to be pretty cold hearted not to be reduced to tears by the unconditional love and acceptance depicted in this movie.

I had all but given up hope of ever watching this movie again or obtaining a copy to keep. Imagine my surprise and delight to find it in the Hastings War Memorial Library. I quickly issued it and planned my veiwing escape for that night. For me, interruptions while watching this movie were just not an option so it was wait until the whole family was asleep, curl up with my blanket and box of tissues. But then I’m a sucker for a good (or even corny) ’80s movie and Mask is definitely in my top 5.

Reviewed by Cookie Fan

Catalogue link: Mask

The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovich

With the sixth novel in the PC Peter Grant series, author Aaronovich begins to draw on the threads that have been left loosely hanging in the first five books and further establishes this as one of the best fantasy series around, blending in police procedural and a hearty dose of humour.

PC Peter Grant, first apprentice wizard in seventy years, is called out to a drug overdose that on the surface shouldn’t involve him at all but one of the witnesses is the daughter of Lady Ty and he owes river goddess Tyburn a favour that she is seemingly calling in. Add to that mix, Reynard the Fox is holding an auction for a very rare book written by one Sir Isaac Newton, wizard and founder of The Folly - the institution that Peter and his boss, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale live and work out of. Then there's the reappearance of Peter’s former friend and ex-colleague, Lesley May, when he is still smarting over her betrayal of trust, and some other familiar faces last seen in earlier novels and altogether you have a seriously good read.

I highly recommend this entire series but start from book one, Rivers of London, to best enjoy it.

Posted by JMcC

Catalogue link: The Hanging Tree

The New Avengers: Everything Is New & Standoff by Al Ewing

The Avengers have been around for a long time and have existed in many forms. In the old days they would have some crisis, a new team would emerge and it would carry on under the same title.

Now days, they reboot the team and call them the New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Young Avengers etc etc. This means fanboys/girls can collect the series from issue 1. (Issue 1 being a big thing for collectors.)

This collection of New Avengers appears to be a group of bit players who haven’t really been developed and in that lies the interest, like Squirrel Girl (has squirrel powers).

It also follows the current Marvel trend of making the heroes young and giving them young problems: to date or not to date? and also includes a gay couple in the team.

Also throw in Hawkeye trying to be the cool dad (he listens to The Clash on Vinyl) and it could be an interesting series. Lots of interaction with Shield and no doubt you will recognise bits from the Shield TV series.

If you are an Avengers fan you will get this anyway and as someone said, “this is not your parent’s Avengers”. Enjoy.

Posted by The Library Cat

Catalogue link: Everything Is New 
Catalogue link: Standoff

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriaty

What a great summer read!
Set in Sydney, Truly Madly Guilty gently pokes fun at modern society with some astute observations of human nature, both good and bad.

A suburban barbeque ends in an undisclosed tragedy, the details and history of which slowly unravels over the course of the book, from the different perspectives of the six adults involved.
Clementine is a professional cellist, wracked with self-doubt about an upcoming audition. Her husband Sam has just started a high-powered new job and they have two cute young daughters.
Clementine’s childhood friend Erica had a difficult home life growing up, and Clementine’s social worker mother encouraged the girls’ friendship, and opened her home to the serious and introverted Erica. As an adult Erica has few friends and dotes on Clementine’s children, as does her perfectionist husband Oliver. Her relationship with Clementine is at times spiky, so when a flashy and extroverted neighbourhood couple Tiffany and Vid throw out a last minute invitation to a barbecue, both couples accept.
The dynamics for everyone changes when tragedy strikes.

Moriarty has now had seven best-selling books and is at the top of her game.
Her successful template combines domestic fiction with touch of Girl on the Train-type psychological edge, and a sometimes dark satirical humour. Not a demanding read but intriguing and amusing, with an antipodean flavour.

Reviewed by Katrina

 Catalogue link:  Truly Madly Guilty

Last Day in the Dynamite Factory by Annah Faulkner

I confess that nothing puts me off a book more than 'Book Prize Winner' stamped on the cover. Nonetheless I chose to ignore that this book was shortlisted for the Australian literary award The Miles Franklin as I was intrigued by its quirky title and divergent cover (the reason for both are revealed in the story).

From outward appearances the Brights are a normal Australian family. Christopher is a well-respected conservation architect with a devoted wife and two grown up children. On the death of his adoptive mother, Christopher uncovers long held secrets that threaten to spill over and dislodge Christopher’s own secrets as well as disrupt his seemingly contented life.

Although the Brights are not a seriously dysfunctional family the characters are flawed. Christopher, a middle aged man who mostly knows what he doesn’t want but is short of ideas on what his passions are; and Diane, his stoic and just a wee bit dreary wife appears incapable of showing her husband her true passions.

Characters that I don’t love or identify with usually mean I don’t enjoy the book. However this book is so well told it draws you into the Bright family and unlike some other prizewinning novels Last Day in the Dynamite Factory’s engaging style had me reading until every last secret was revealed even though, maybe, it was better not to reveal them at all.

I’ll let you be the judge.

Posted by Miss Moneypenny

Catalogue Link: Last Day at the Dynamite Factory

The Secrets of Happiness by Lucy Diamond

Rachel and Becca haven’t seen each other since their much loved dad’s funeral, and as step-sisters who never got along, why would they need to? Rachel is busy making a go of her new business as a fitness instructor, and now a single parent of three since her messy divorce, has her hands full. A hint of a shocking secret about her mother sends Rachel to Manchester to ask more questions, but when she is mugged she wakes up in hospital unable to remember her address or phone number. What will happen to her children while she’s away?

Becca’s life has been a mess since her dad died. She has thrown in the towel on her jewellery business and is living in a dingy Birmingham flat, scratching a living in the hospitality industry. When her niece suggests to their baby-sitter that her aunt is the best option to look after them all, Becca makes her way to Hereford and her pristine sister’s house.

The result is a warm and funny read as Becca, unfit but very creative, helps keep her sister’s business afloat, and has to suddenly be a caregiver to her rebellious nieces and nephew. When Rachel gets home she’s not happy with having to depend so much on Becca, for whom she has a needling resentment. How the two overcome their differences and unearth the truth behind a couple of misconceptions drives much of the plot.

The characters of slap-dash, loud and undisciplined Becca and uptight, perfectionist Rachel are perhaps a little stereotyped if you look too closely. Better to just rattle through the story and enjoy the twists and turns and madcap humour. The minor characters of Rachel’s children and clients are more quirky and satisfying, however. The Secrets of Happiness is a light, diverting read perfect for the hammock or deck chair.

Posted by JAM

Catalogue link: The Secrets of Happiness

Leave Me by Gayle Forman

Ever wanted to drive away from demanding domestic chaos?
Yep, we all have our moments and in Leave Me, Meribeth is overwhelmed with toddler twins, a demanding job and a husband who does not share the domestic load.
She is so busy juggling her life she ignores the symptoms of a heart attack which is only picked up by chance, and then she is sent home weak and unable to cope after bypass surgery.
Meribeth reaches breaking point; leaves, and makes a new life in which to recover and take stock of her situation and marriage.
She also begins to explore unresolved issues from her early life while making friends with a sympathetic doctor with issues of his own.
Gayle Forman has formerly written mostly Young Adult novels, including the very successful and movie-adapted If I Stay.

Reviewed by Katrina

Catalogue link:  If I Stay

The Graces by Laure Eve

Everyone said the Graces were witches.

They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair.

They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different.

All I had to do was show them that person was me.

The Graces starts off familiar enough: small coastal town, rich, beautiful family that was simultaneously worshiped and hated by the townspeople, a gorgeous teenage son that was loved by most the female population of their small high school, and gossip of witchcraft and magic.

Enter the new girl ‘River’.

The book sounds like it should be one walking cliché (like Twilight, only with witches) but I found myself being sucked into the story. At first I thought I related most to the narrator River: she was new in town, had a single mother, not a lot of money, trouble making friends, etc… But honestly, she got pretty irritating, pretty fast. She’s like a pompous Bella Swan.

What aspect of the book that captured my attention was the Grace family, equal parts fascinating and horrible (like a grittier version of the ‘perfect’ Cullen’s). The character of Edward Cullen (OPPS I mean Fenris Grace) was the object of Rivers affection (and she was determined to be the girl that he gave up his Lothario ways for). However it was his sister Summer that I found the most interesting, who, instead of distancing herself from the magic and rumours that surrounded her family, embraced them wholeheartedly, more than happy to play the school witch. As River is taken into the fold by Summer, we get a peek behind the legend of the Grace family, and we see that not everything is as perfect and happy as it seems.

Don’t be fooled by the genre, YA books are selling so well for a reason – They are fast paced, shorter reads, and they can be a way to take us back to our own teenage years which were filled with strong emotions and often reckless decision making. Under the (at times obnoxious) one sided romance story, there is a whole cast of interesting characters with problems much more beyond Rivers ‘How do I make him notice me’ angst, and that’s where the story gets interesting.

Reviewed by Sas

Catalogue link: The Graces

Summer Reading with Book Chat

 The Fence by Meredith Jaffe

When new neighbours move in next door, Gwen, a long-term Green Valley Avenue resident, is welcoming - at first. But Frankie, desperate to save her marriage and worried about her lively family of four, wants to put up a fence. Gwen isn’t so happy about this and difficulties arise with misunderstanding and miscommunication aplenty. A thoughtful read with great characters and a very Australian feel.

Mr Asia: Last Man Standing by Jim Shepherd

It has been 30 years or so since the fall of the Mr Asia drug syndicate which was responsible for a string of murders, and the importation of hundreds of kilos of marijuana and heroin to New Zealand, Australia and Britain. Jim Shepherd tells the story of the gang’s rise and fall and he should know, as he was ranked at number two in the team. This makes Mr Asia: Last Man Standing a unique and enthralling read.

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight


When Kate rushes to collect her daughter Amelia from her private school, she arrives too late. Amelia has jumped to her death – driven by guilt over an allegation of cheating. The official line reads ‘suicide’ but Kate receives a text message that says otherwise. How far will a mother go to vindicate her daughter’s memory? Unputdownable - a must read for fans of ‘Gone Girl’.

The Missing Wife by Sheila O’Flanagan

Why would Imogen Naughton want to leave her perfect marriage? How will she survive without her doting husband Vince who treats her like a princess? Or does he? Irish chick lit author O’Flanagan takes a perceptive look at what goes on behind closed doors to paint a convincing picture of psychological abuse. Imogen’s escape plan and her bid to make a new life for herself make for a compelling read.

Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood

Driving home late one night, Phryne Fisher finds herself suddenly in the middle of a shooting, and soon a young anarchist is dying in her arms. This instalment of Greenwood’s popular 1920’s mystery series includes bank robbery, a tattoo parlour, pubs and spiritualist halls. When companion, Dot, is kidnapped, you can be sure Phryne will do her darnedest to help put those responsible behind bars. A bright, lively read, which recreates Melbourne in the flapper era to a tee.



Posted by Flaxmere Library Book Chat

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

This book was so much more than I was expecting.
In turns funny, sad, and page-turning, Big Little Lies deals with school gate politics; domestic and sexual abuse, relationships and the sometimes staggering differences between the true self and the self shown to others.
A death has occurred at a very nice primary school in a seaside suburb of Sydney, the mystery of who, why and how is slowly revealed by different characters retrospectively as the story unfolds.
There are three main characters each with a very different personality and history.
Madeline is a girly-girl living in organised domestic chaos, who is loyal to her friends and not afraid to fight on their behalf
Jane is a young single mother with a horrifying secret, whose child is accused of bullying, and is facing the recriminations from a group of very indignant mothers (the 'Blonde Bobs' who run the school).
Celeste  is beautiful, rich and seemingly living the perfect life.
Big Little Lies is well-plotted and effortlessly mixes domestic fiction and humour with psychological suspense, and some very big issues.
I read this book while waiting for Moriarty's latest novel; and note that Big Little Lies has been made into television mini-series which will be released in February.  The series is set in the US and has attracted big names such as Reece Witherspoon, Nicloe Kidman and Shailene Woodey (from the Divergent franchise).  Will have to look out for that one!

Reviewed by Katrina

Catalogue link:  Big Little Lies

101 Books to Read Before you Grow Up by Bianca Schulze

If you are like me and in denial of your age, if you are on the hunt for a good book to read aloud to your class, or buy for your children or grandchildren or if you just want to reread some great books – this is the book for you. Author, Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review and flicking through this book, you know she knows what she is talking about.

101 Books to Read Before you Grow Up is a comprehensive list of new, classics, old favourites and books you may not have even heard of aimed at ages 4-11. Each book has information about the text, target rage, genre, publication dates, interesting facts and suggestions about what to read next. It is laid out in an easy to read and easy to follow manner. You can search books by target age range or genre.

I took this book home from the library, flicked through it, got in my car, went out and brought my own copy. 2017 will be the year where I read all 101 books from this list. It doesn’t matter if I have read them before, I will read them again. I am not alone in this challenge as a fellow book nerd is not only going to read all 101 books but is going to buy them for his class too.

Already, I have dug into my bookshelves, searched the libraries, downloaded e-books and had many conversations with friends and family about the books they have read, or books they think should have made the list. I have even twisted a few arms to borrow much loved editions of certain titles. I have finally read the copy of the Secret Garden my Grandma brought me when I was 8, re-read The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket and am looking forward to revisiting the first book to ever make me cry, Stargirl.

Will 2017 be the year I finally grow up? Check in with me monthly on the Hastings District Libraries Readers’ Blog to follow my journey and see what I have been reading. Between us, I think I am in a bit of trouble. It has just been announced that the next book in this series 101 TV shows to see before you grow up is coming in April.

Reviewed by Kristen

Catalogue link: 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up