What have library staff been reading this year? Check out some of our favourite books for 2018 here.

Teen:

If you'd like to check out these books, click the cover and it will take you to the Catalogue.

After The Fire - Will Hill

Moonbeam has survived the fire and escaped the compound of the Lord’s Legion but can she ever escape the hold that Father John has over her? I was completely drawn into Moonbeam’s story from the moment we first meet her, damaged and terrified, and as she gradually reveals what has happened. I can see why After the fire is a contender for the Carnegie Medal this year. I love books based on true events, and this story is inspired by the Waco Siege in Texas in 1993. Joanna

The Astonishing Colour of After - Emily X. R. Pan

After her mother’s suicide, Leigh struggles to understand why it happened, and how to cope with her grief. Travelling to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time, Leigh learns about her mother’s past, and how she herself might move forward to her own future.  Emily Pan’s writing is beautiful, plus I learnt a lot about what it is like to be caught between two cultures. Joanna

Daughter of the Pirate King - Tricia Levenseller

This is about a young woman who lets herself be captured in order to steal something from her enemies. Alosa, the main character, is skilled, sneaky and tricky. I couldn’t put this book down, it has lots of fun and adventure. Ngaio

Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue - Mackenzi Lee

Fun and inspiring adventure, makes you want to go on a Grand Tour yourself. Beautiful exploration of minority groups in historical fiction. A light-hearted and quick read. Hayley

Spellslinger - Sebastien De Castell

A sassy and hilarious book about mastery of natural magic, an entertaining yet infuriating instructor straight out of the Wild West, and of course, a maniacal squirrel-cat ready to devour any human it deems offensive. The main character is just merely trying to live his life and get by, only to find himself thwarted by misfortune and learning the ways of the wanderers as he tries to evade the bounty put on his head. Contrary to the chosen one trope, this main character is the opposite; no miraculous powers bestowed or handy last minute revelations for this boy. Hayley

Symptoms of Being Human - Jeff Garvin

First book I’ve read in ages where I can say that, unequivocally, this is a great read. Why? Its topical subject – gender fluidity - and it has such believable characters. Riley is flawed, angsty, but still likeable and even I could identify with their issues. Their friends (and enemies) are all such a real bunch who show us their strengths and their ugly sides. I learnt more about what it might feel like to be gender fluid, and could understand Riley’s struggles with anxiety and depression. Read this book! Joanna