Stuck, Ruby Redfort, The Hunger Games, and Smith Journal

It’s not that I didn’t read throughout September. I did. I just haven’t blogged. I’m so sorry. Blame the new job, my new ‘embrace London’ moto, and most importantly, blame the fact that I no longer have my own laptop.

But you know what’s great about these nippy months? The crisp turning of pages. Yup. One of my favourite feelings in the world is when you’re snuggled up on the sofa/bed/in an alcove/under a desk/in your wardrobe*, with a blanket wrapped around you, book in one hand and a steaming cup of tea in the other. It really is bliss.

But before I get carried away with my October reads here’s a brief recap of what ended up on my bookshelves this September …

Stuck, Oliver Jeffers

Stuck is just as visually gorgeous as his previous titles. And much like The Heart and the Bottle the images maintain a soft simplicity that combine to create a wonderful treat of colour and humour. Touching nuances of curiosity, friendship, family, and growing up, sadly don’t feature in this simple tale of getting a kite stuck up a tree. But Floyd’s intensity as he goes to every length to retrieve his stuck kite is infectious, and little gems such as a curious Whale ‘in the wrong place at the wrong time’, and a perfectly depicted lighthouse make Stuck a true work of picture book art.

Ruby Redfort, Lauren Child

It’s been a long time coming but a modern Harriet the Spy has finally been born. Ruby Redfort is a delightful read. Quick witted, and full to the brim with action and genius code-breaking, she’ll be every young girl’s hero in no time! The only problem is the Americanisation, by an English author. Why couldn’t she be British exactly? Just putting it out there.

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

If you’re looking for a fast paced, all encompassing read, then this epic teenage fiction trilogy is just the thing. No doubt you’ve seen the trailer for the 2012 film, or heard the rumours that the series is brilliant. Don’t question the hype people, get reading. Picture Battle Royale combined with Big Brother. It’s a scary thought right? Terrifying. Add some stylists, a love triangle and a girl on fire, and you’ve made a bestseller right there**.

Smith Journal, Australian Magazine

The makers of Frankie Magazine***, have created a male version in the form of Smith journal. And what a beauty it is. With features on Typewriters and their owners, taxidermy, living alone in Alaska, and making whisky, Smith Journal manages to encapsulate everything the indie male is interested in whilst still maintaining the creative and whimsical feel of Frankie.

Ohhh and before I forget, I met my all time favourite children’s author/illustrator, Oliver Jeffers last month. It was a pretty big deal. I mean, seriously, heart racing, nonsensical thoughts rambling in my head and stuttering their way out. Big. Flipping. Deal. He signed my copy of Stuck and very kindly put up with my babble about how much I love him and his illustrations. Apparently he gets it all the time.****

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*Fact for you – I actually read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in a wardrobe with a torch.

**Wow. I just made myself excited, and I’ve already read the books!

***The best magazine in the world. Hopwood fact.

****He’s an Irish dreamboat don’t you know!

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Looking For Alaska by John Green

A gripping and passionate tale about Last Words and searching for the Great Perhaps.

There are a number of reasons why I loved reading Looking for Alaska. One of them being, it’s a seriously well written book with bonkers lovable characters, the other, and perhaps the most exciting and pathetic all in one go – is that the book itself only cost me 25p. 25p!*

Twenty-five glorious pence bought me entrance into to the world of Miles Halter, an awkwardly lovable loner adjusting to his new place in Culver Creek boarding school. Friendless and in search of the Great Perhaps**, he walks willingly into a fresh start in the blistering heat of Alabama.

As with what you expect from this scenario, a cocky roommate nicknamed the Colonel introduces Miles to all the right people for the events in Looking for Alaska to unfold, including Alaska herself. An enigmatic girl on a mission to die young.

But it’s Miles’ unfaltering belief in the power of people’s last words that kept me turning page after page. His ability to recall them at the right moment and to carry the weight of their meaning up until the very last word is truly astounding. In Miles, John Green creates a truly lovable character that despite all his teenage induced flaws you can’t help but route for.

Poignantly split into Before and After, Green astutely counts down to the very last word. And it’s worth reading every one.

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*Unfortunately this isn’t a worldwide or even nationwide offer that I can point you in the right direction of. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. You’ll most likely have to pay £6.99. But it’s worth it. It really is.

**“I go to seek a Great Perhaps” were the last words of the poet Francois Rabelais.

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