Five Light Summer Classics

Summer in Australia can be pretty extreme. I mean towels drying in half an hour to a crunchy goodness. I mean muffins cooking in a closed car and being too dry. It’s not easy to focus on anything too heavy so here are a few of my favourite “light” reads that should, IMO, be classics.

Evil Under the Sun
Agatha Christie
A quintessential Christie murder mystery set on the Devon coast. She has such an easy style of writing and excellent characterisation. You’ll be kept guessing to the end.

Instructions for a Heatwave
Maggie O’Farrell
This one is a tad “heavier” than the others but with O’Farrell I think this can be forgiven because she’s just such a good writer. Set in London during a heatwave, something I lived through, it lays a nice, sticky, fetid foundation for a brilliant family drama.

Good Omens
Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is like Tim Burton and Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands. It combines the clever humour of Pratchett with the brilliantly gothic imagination of Gaiman. Using the accurate prophecies of the witch Agnes Nutter, a demon and an angel work together to foil the apocalypse. Oh and the antichrist got given to the wrong family.

Picnic at Hanging Rock
Joan Lindsay
The only proper classic in the list. This is a fascinating but also perplexing book. It’s an entirely fictional account of the mysterious disappearance of three teenage boarding school girls and one teacher on Valentine's day in 1900 from Hanging Rock in Victoria. One of the girls is found eight days later with no memory of what happened. The story isn’t just about the mysterious disappearances. There are more layers to it and it is sort of a gothic mystery. Perfect to take on a picnic.

The House on Mango Street
Sandra Cisneros
I read this years ago and absolutely loved it. It’s one year in the life of a 12-year-old Mexican-American girl in Chicago told in vignettes that are sweet, joyful, heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful.

The Movie Was Maybe Better?

Now 9 out of 10 times the book is better than the screen adaptation. Why? Well it’s just so hard to capture all the details. Each person’s experience of a book is unique and so it’s even more difficult to pander to everyone’s view point. However, you have those rare instances when the movie is either as good as or better than the book. Here are a few of my choices for As Good As, Better and the last are books that are way better. Do you agree? What would you add to it? Comment away!

As good as

1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy - I recently read and watched this again and am struck anew with how good they both are. They deliver different things but the effect is much the same.

2. The Hunger Games trilogy - I’ve watched the movies several times so they are almost a comfort watch, which is really weird for a post apocalyptic story based on teenagers killing each other. The books are also good, but the movies are just a bit easier to digest.

3. The Hobbit - Many die hard Tolkien fans will not agree. The movies are definitely more Hollywood, but I liked the added action and drama.

4. Great Expectations - I may be in the minority, but I really liked the Gwyneth Paltrow/Ethan Hawke movie.

5. Alice in Wonderland - The Disney version captures that trippy, happy atmosphere really well without being creepy.

6. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - Reread and watched both a few times.

7. The Sandman series - If you haven’t watched/read these yet, I highly recommend both the new TV series and the full-cast audio versions.

8. Empire of the Sun - Both are brilliant.

Better

1. Frankenstein - any movie. I just felt like Dr Frankenstein was so WHINY in the book.

2. Stardust - Sure it was cheesy, but I just felt the ending in the book was such a let down. Villains can’t just change at the end.

3. Mary Poppins - I mean Julie Andrews IS Mary Poppins. Amirite? Or amirite?

4. How to Train Your Dragon - The book was a bit odd after watching the movie. I mean I get it but I enjoyed the movie more.

5. The Jungle Book - Honestly my favourite Disney cartoon.

6. Romeo and Juliet - Makes the ridiculous premise and ending less so with the amazing soundtrack and the fact that the actors are not 15 years old.

7. Apocalypse Now (based on Heart of Darkness)

Do not touch these movies with a 10-ft tub of popcorn

1. The Neverending Story - This is the WORST book adaptation IMO. Honestly, just read the book.

2. The Shining - The screeching violins were the scariest part.

3. The House of Spirits - Ok, the movie isn’t that bad, but it’s not good. Book is way better.

4. The Witches, Matilda and both Charlie and the Chocolate Factories - Perhaps it’s the fact that these ignited my love for reading, but they fall so short of the brilliance of his writing that they make me angry.

Classic Review - Boy by Roald Dahl

I don't know how Roald Dahl did it! He made a childhood memoir from the early 20th century suitable for children to read.

Dahl may have grown up privileged but it doesn't mean he didn't suffer. "Boy" is mainly full of the horrible stories of pain that he had to endure throughout his younger years - beatings, surprise operations, loss and homesickness. But, somehow, he has made it light and almost fictional. If I was reading this as a child I probably would have found some of it funny, without the understanding that I have as an adult that these things were real and painful. Don't get me wrong, there are also some lovely memories there of family and, of course, various types of sweets (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory anyone?!)

A lot of the stories really display where he got ideas from for his later publications: terrifying headmasters, Oslo, his grandmother, lolly shops etc. As I was reading along I really enjoyed having little bits flick through my memory of his books and wonder if that was the inspiration. I'm super curious now about his time aboard and his time as a pilot. I might have to pick up the second installation "Going Solo" to find out more.

-@becandthebooks

Sweet Read Review - The Anniversary

"The Anniversary" by Stephanie Bishop is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of family dynamics, love, loss, and the passage of time. Set against the backdrop of a significant anniversary, the story delves into the lives of its characters, revealing their shared history and individual struggles.

Bishop's prose is elegant and evocative, drawing readers into the intricate web of relationships that form the heart of the narrative. Her keen observations and vivid descriptions create a sense of intimacy with the characters, allowing readers to feel their joys, sorrows, and vulnerabilities.

The novel skillfully alternates between past and present, unraveling the layers of the characters' experiences and emotions. This narrative technique not only adds depth to the story but also captures the way memories can shape and influence one's perception of the present. The author's exploration of memory and its impact on personal identity is a central theme that resonates throughout the book.

The characters themselves are finely crafted, each carrying their own burdens and secrets. Their interactions are laced with tension, affection, and unresolved conflicts, reflecting the complexities of family relationships. As the anniversary approaches, old wounds resurface, leading to moments of confrontation and reflection that drive the emotional core of the novel.

Stephanie Bishop also delves into themes of grief and coping with loss, offering a realistic portrayal of how different characters navigate their pain. The way grief is portrayed is both raw and authentic, making it one of the most compelling aspects of the story. The characters' individual journeys toward healing and acceptance contribute to the overall sense of catharsis.

While "The Anniversary" is undeniably an exploration of human emotions, it also offers a meditation on the passage of time and the impact of significant milestones on our lives. Through its beautifully crafted narrative and well-developed characters, the novel prompts readers to reflect on their own experiences of love, loss, and the complexities of familial bonds.

-Guinevere