POTTER NEW WINTER HOLIDAY READING 2015

 

all the light we cannot seeAll the light we cannot see – Anthony Doerr – Historical fiction

Marie-Laure has been blind since the age of six. Her father builds

a perfect miniature of their Paris neighbourhood so she can memorize it by

touch and navigate her way home. But when the Nazis invade, father and

daughter flee with a dangerous secret. Werner is a German orphan, destined

to labour in the same mine that claimed his father’s life, until he discovers a

knack for engineering. His talent wins him a place at a brutal military

academy, but his way out of obscurity is built on suffering. At the same time,

far away in a walled city by the sea, an old man discovers new worlds

without ever setting foot outside his home. But all around him, impending danger closes in.


the amber spyglassThe amber spyglass – Philip Pullman – Fantasy

Lyra and Will, the ordinary children who were left in such

extraordinary danger at the end of Book Two, find themselves in the final

part of the story facing even greater perils. But there are old friends who

come to their aid: not least Iorek Byrnison, the armoured bear, and the

scientist Dr Mary Malone. There are new allies: the Gallivespians, hand-high

dragonfly-riders with poison spurs, and the mulefa, strange wheeled

creatures with the power to see Dust. And there are new dangers, including

a journey to the worst world of all – a journey that exerts a terrible cost on both children.


New Manga Series

Black butler. Iblack butler

Sebastian Michaelis is more than just one hell of a butler. He’s a lonely boy’s everything. Summoned from darkness, Sebastian serves Ciel with a sly smile. He brews the morning tea with care, gently dresses his ward in the daintiest of robes, and quashes the Young Master’s enemies with a flourish!


Black butler. IIblack butler 2

After a visit from Madame Red and Lau, Ciel is chloroformed and kidnapped for ransom by Azzurro Vanel, a drug dealer and leader of an Italian mafia. Sebastian is first targeted by a sniper and driver in a forest, yet he ends up tilting them off a cliff. He then easily defeats a mob of underlings who are guarding the mansion, all with using various dining supplies. When approaching to retrieve his master, Sebastian is shot several times, however he instantly recovers


Black butler. IIIblack butler 3

Grell Sutcliff is requested by Madame Red to train under Sebastian. It is later revealed by Tanaka that the Phantomhive estate was previously burned down three years ago, in which Ciel’s parents died in the fire. Elizabeth Middleford, Ciel’s fiancée, arrives at the estate for a visit. Although Ciel does not wish to dance with her, Sebastian convinces him to learn to dance for the sake of preserving his social reputation, and teaches him the simple Viennese waltz. Elizabeth later unhappily shatters Ciel’s family ring on the floor, since she had already chosen a ring for him, though she is absentminded when realizing its value to him.


Black butler. IVblack butler 4

The news of Jack the Ripper terrorizes the city of London. After receiving information from the Undertaker, Sebastian narrows the suspects down to a man known as the Viscount of Druitt. Madame Red creates a plan for Sebastian, Ciel, and Lau to attend a ball to catch the culprit, which involves Ciel, in a dress and wig, posing as her young niece and Sebastian in the role of his tutor. They realize that Elizabeth is attending the ball and must avoid her, lest she blow their cover. The Viscount takes a liking to Ciel, who flirts with him hoping to learn his plans. Sebastian distracts Elizabeth and the other guests by pretending to be a magician


Black butler. Vblack butler 5

Ciel and Sebastian continue to pursue Jack the Ripper and come to a confrontation at the house of the latest victim, Mary Jane Kelly. They discover that the murderer is a combination of Madame Red and Grell, the latter is actually a Grim Reaper. While Sebastian is busy fighting Grell, Madame Red attempts to kill Ciel, but she hesitates and refuses to kill him. Grell kills Madame Red because of this and her life is played back before her eyes, as Grim Reapers can see a person’s memories as they die. She had always been jealous of her elder sister, who married the Earl of Phantomhive, whom she loved for being kind to her.


Blue exorcist. 1 – Kazue Kato blue exorcist 1

Raised by Father Fujimoto, a famous exorcist, Rin Okumura never knew his real father. One day a fateful argument with Father Fujimoto forces Rin to face a terrible truth – the blood of the demon lord Satan runs in Rin’s veins! Rin swears to defeat Satan, but doing that means entering the mysterious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist himself. Can Rin fight demons and keep his infernal bloodline a secret? It won’t be easy, especially when drawing his father’s sword releases the demonic power within him!


Blue exorcist. 2blue exorcist

Shocked by the death of his foster father and the revelation that his real father is the demon Lord Satan, Rin Okumura enters the True Cross Academy to learn to be an exorcist. But every great exorcist has to start somewhere, and for the students of the academy the first step is the Ex wire examination. To prepare for the exam, the new pages in Yukio’s class must undergo intensive training. Rin and his classmates have their hands full when a demon appears, but is this a test or something more sinister?


Blue exorcist. 3blue exorcist 3

As a new Exorcist Esquire at True Cross Academy, Rin Okumura has a long way to go before he reaches the top rank of Paladin. When Rin and his classmates are sent to search for a ghost, Amaimon, King of Earth, takes Rin by surprise and steals the Koma Sword. Higher powers have been observing events at the academy and make their presence known. New players enter the game, and Rin doesn’t even know he’s playing


Blue exorcist. 4blue exorcist 4

During a 3-day drill to prepare Rin and fellow Ex-Wires for actual combat, Amaimon suddenly appears and takes Shiemi as a hostage to lure Rin. Angry, Rin fights Amaimon and he ends up going berserk! He regains control of himself only to be captured by the current Paladin, Angel, and sent to the Vatican for trial. As the hearing drags on, the Order finds itself unable to decide on Rin’s fate, as Mephisto has proclaimed him to be “a weapon for counter-attacking Satan.” Rin is now forced to obey the Vatican’s order or face execution!


Blue exorcist. 5 blue exorcist 5

Rin undergoes training to master his demonic flames, when a giant bird-like demon swoops in on him! After driving it away, all of the Cram School members are sent to investigate how the demon infiltrated the academy..


The boat – Nam Le – Australian stories

the boat

A dazzling, emotionally riveting debut collection: the seven stories in Nam

Le’s The Boat take us across the globe as he enters the hearts and minds of

characters from all over the world. Whether Nam Le is conjuring the story of

14-year-old Juan, a hit man in Colombia; or an aging painter mourning the

death of his much-younger lover; or a young refugee fleeing Vietnam,

crammed in the ship’s hold with 200 others, the result is unexpectedly

moving and powerful.  TROVE


A court of thorn and roses – Sarah J Maas – Fantasy fictiona court of thorn and roses

Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she

lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a

deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for

the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so

precious comes at a price …Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of

a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled

mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre’s

presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her

feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an

even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or

she will lose him forever. The start of a sensational romantic fantasy trilogy

by the bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series.

BOOK DEPOSIITORY


dandelion clocksDandelion clocks – Rebecca Westcott – Drama fiction

Liv takes us on a journey through her life from Thirteen Weeks

Before to Six Months After. We discover Liv’s passion for photography, her

brother’s obsession with sticking to the rules, the stupidity of Moronic Louise

at school, and how the family copes as Mum’s terminal illness takes hold.

Guided by Mum’s own childhood diaries, Liv finds a new way to live. This

book is real, funny, utterly touching and absolutely heart warming. Despite

the sadness at the heart of the story, every reader will laugh and keep on

turning the pages, charmed by Liv and her mum. A brilliantly told, ultra

modern story about a significant six months in eleven year old Olivia’s life.


the darker shade of magicA darker shade of magic – Victoria Schwab – Fantasy

Most people only know one London; but what if there were

several? Kell is one of the last Travelers – magicians with a rare ability to

travel between parallel Londons. There’s Grey London, dirty and crowded

and without magic, home to the mad king George III. There’s Red London,

where life and magic are revered. Then, White London, ruled by whoever

has murdered their way to the throne. But once upon a time, there was

Black London… (Publisher)


the day of the triffidsThe day of the triffids – John Wyndham – Science Fiction

When a freak cosmic event renders most of the Earth’s population blind, Bill

Masen is one of the lucky few to retain his sight. The London he walks is

crammed with groups of men and women needing help, some ready to prey

on those who can still see. But another menace stalks blind and sighted

alike. With nobody to stop their spread the Triffids, mobile plants with lethal

stingers and carnivorous appetites, seem set to take control. “The Day of the

Triffids” is perhaps the most famous catastrophe novel of the twentieth

century and its startling imagery of desolate streets and lurching, lethal plant

life retains its power to haunt today. BOOK DEPOSITORY


disruptionDisruption – Jessica Shirvington – Science Fiction

What if an app could help you identify your perfect match? What

if this technology controlled your life? What if it could be used against you

and the ones you love? For the last nine years, Mercer Corporation’s Mbands

have been a required part of everyday life. An evolution of the

Smartphone, these bracelets promised to make life easier. Instead, they

simply control it. For the last two years, eighteen-year-old Maggie Stevens

has only had one goal: to find her father and bring him home. Taken away

for rehabilitation following negative readings on his M-band, her father’s

disappearance has shattered her family. And with no word from her father

since, Maggie is determined to uncover and expose the sinister reality of the

Corporation. Enter Quentin Mercer, heir to the M-Corp Empire. Quentin has

become the key to Maggie’s scheme to bring down M-Corp. As the pieces of

her dangerous plan fall into place, Maggie realises he isn’t who she thought

he was. Will she hold her nerve, or will his involvement destroy everything

she’s fought for? In a world full of broken promises, the ones Maggie must

keep could be the most heartbreaking.


everblazeEverblaze – Shannon Messenger – Fantasy

Sophie uncovers shocking secrets–and faces treacherous new enemies–in

this electrifying third book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series. Sophie

Foster is ready to fight back. Her talents are getting stronger, and with the

elusive Black Swan group ignoring her calls for help, she’s determined to find

her kidnappers–before they come after her again. But a daring mistake

leaves her world teetering on the edge of war, and causes many to fear that

she has finally gone too far. And the deeper Sophie searches, the farther the

conspiracy stretches, proving that her most dangerous enemy might be

closer than she realizes. In this nail-biting third book in the Keeper of the

Lost Cities series, Sophie must fight the flames of rebellion, before they

destroy everyone and everything she loves. BOOK DEPOSITORY


flora's warFlora’s war – Pamela Rushby – Historical fiction

Egypt, 1915. Sixteen-year-old Flora Wentworth is visitng Cairo with her

archaeologist father when a flood of wounded soldiers are shipped into the

city from Gallipoli. Flora is soon transporting injured soldiers and helping out

exhausted nurses, then falling in love, until a tragic misunderstanding

occurs. TROVE


freedom rideFreedom ride – Sue Lawson – Australian fiction

Robbie knows bad things happen in Walgaree. But it’s nothing to do with him. That’s just the way the Aborigines have always been treated. In the summer of 1965 racial tensions in the town are at boiling point, and something headed Walgaree’s way will blow things apart. It’s time for Robbie to take a stand. Nothing will ever be the same.  GOODREADS


goneGone – Michael Grant – Science Fiction

In a small town on the coast of California, everyone over the age

of fourteen suddenly disappears, setting up a battle between the remaining

town residents and the students from a local private school, as well as those

who have “The Power” and are able to perform supernatural feats and those

who do not.


the great zoo of chinaThe great zoo of China – Matthew Reilly – Adventure stories

It is a secret the Chinese government has been keeping for forty

years. They have found a species of animal no one believed even existed. It

will amaze the world. Now the Chinese are ready to unveil their astonishing

discovery within the greatest zoo ever constructed. A small group of VIPs

and journalists has been brought to the zoo deep within China to see its

fabulous creatures for the first time. Among them is Dr Cassandra Jane ‘CJ’

Cameron, a writer for National Geographic and an expert on reptiles.The

visitors are assured by their Chinese hosts that they will be struck with

wonder at these beasts, that they are perfectly safe, and that nothing can go

wrong. (From publisher)


half wildHalf wild – Sally Green – Fantasy fiction

After finally meeting his elusive father, Marcus, and receiving the

three gifts that confirm him as a full adult witch, Nathan is still on the run.

He needs to find his friend Gabriel and rescue Annalise, now a prisoner of

the powerful Black witch Mercury. Most of all he needs to learn how to

control his Gift, a strange, wild new power that threatens to overwhelm him.


The HeirThe heir – Kiera Cass – Romance fiction

Follow Illea’s royal family into a whole new Selection-and find out

what happens after happily ever after. America Singer entered the Selection

and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn

to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be

anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story…but as the competition

begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as

impossible as she’s always thought.


her fearful symmetryHer fearful symmetry – Audrey Niffenegger – Fantasy fiction

When Elspeth Noblin dies she leaves her beautiful flat overlooking Highgate

Cemetery to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina Poole, on the condition that

their mother is never allowed to cross the threshold. But until the solicitor’s

letter falls through the door of their suburban American home, either Julia

nor Valentina knew their aunt existed. The twins hope that in London their

own, separate, lives can finally begin but they have no idea that they’ve

been summoned into a tangle of fraying lives, from the obsessivecompulsive

crossword setter who lives above them to their aunt’s mysterious

and elusive lover who lives below them and works in the cemetery itself. As

the twins unravel the secrets of their aunt, who doesn’t seem quite ready to

leave her flat, even after death, Niffenegger weaves together a delicious and

deadly ghost story about love, loss and identity. BOOK DEPOSITORY.


Leave a Reply