Top 5 Tuesday - Star's Top 5 Favourite LoveOzYA Book Covers of 2019
Hi! Star here with my top 5 favourite #LoveOzYA book covers of 2019.
I know, as book readers, we are not supposed to judge a book
by its cover, but it’s sometimes hard when they’re just so darn pretty!
Okay this cover, to me, is just to die for. I love the blue, I love the illustrated cover, and it’s an
incredible story, too. Which is a win/win to me!
This cover is so eerie and cool to me. I love the pinks and
the grey. And I absolutely adore that the rose is dripping. That’s some awesome artistry to me. I also really enjoyed
the story, too.
From the bright yellow background, to the illustrated people
on the front, this cover has it all going on! I love the white text with the
splash of pink for the word “Better”. This book is easily one of the best
covers I’ve seen this year. Again, the story inside was very wonderful. And
well deserving of the Text Prize, too.
This cover is initially what drew me to the book. It is so gorgeous in person. I love the
midnight blue background, the keys surrounding the silhouette of Sam, and the
way the title fits into the shape of Sam’s body. It’s such a captivating cover,
and the bright yellow spine is absolutely gorgeous. And I absolutely loved the
story, too.
While this one is still on my TBR (oops!), the cover was
what drew me to the book. I have such a thing for illustrated covers (lol, can
you tell?) and this one is absolutely stunning. The fact that the entire book’s
cover is the face of one of the characters is not something I’ve seen done
before, not so close-up, at least. And the lens flare in Auri’s eye just
absolutely made me fall in love with this cover.
Hi
there. Do you have a Top Five you want to share?
We know we would love to read them!
We are asking for our readers to share their
bookish Top Five’s for the group blog.
We are hoping to get enough interest to make this a
regular post – email your Top Five ideas to australianyabloggers@gmail.com to be featured.
aim review tour
Tour Schedule
Monday 11th Tuesday 12th
Wednesday 13th Thursday 14th
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About the book
by P.R. Castle
Add to Goodreads
The door opens, and Alish steps out of the lab for the first time ever …
Can she escape?
Outside, there’s nothing, nothing but a small herd of cows, and stretches and stretches of parched red desert in all directions …
She is still trapped.
Then a helicopter flies overhead …
Salvation at last or something more sinister?
Aim is the first book in the completed Subjects Trilogy, a young adult science fiction, set in NSW, Australia, about freedom and justice. If you like action packed adventures, psychological thrillers and mysteries then you will love Aim.
About the author
P.R. Castle grew up in Sydney, Australia. She has studied both chemistry and marketing at university. Castle has spent a spent a lot of time with teens; youth camps, community service projects, and youth groups, drawing a desire from her to write something for teens, something that is thrilling and entertaining but really makes them think about the deeper questions, to mull over what makes them human and reflect.Seventy-Seven Saturday (#7) The Surprising Power of A Good Dumpling
Every Saturday we will bring you a short snippet from page 77 of a book. It might be a book one of us is reading or perhaps just the book closest to us.
The Rules:
- Pick up a Book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
- Turn to page 77(or 77% if you are on an e-reader)
- Find a Snippet, Sentence or Paragraph you like.
- Share it on your blog or Twitter or Instagram and link back to us (AusYABloggers) and use #77Saturday
Star's Choice
Title: The Surprising Power of A Good DumplingAuthor: Wai Chim
Released: 5th August 2019
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Add it to Goodreads
As Baba unlocks the door, I spot the new addition to the storefront. "What's that?" I point at the A4 paper scrawled with black marker. Help Wanted. Weekend only. Local. Must own car. Good English. No Chinese is okay.
Star's Thoughts
Sounds like the main character is about to go through a work change at her parents' restaurant.Follow Star at Blog, Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads
Seventy-Seven Saturday was inspired by The Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. If you decided to share your Seventy-Seven Saturday on your blog please link back to us and tag us on Twitter of Instagram @AsuYABloggers and #77Saturday
Thursday Throwback : Hate is Such a Strong Word
Throwback Thursday #LoveOzYA edition is our way of spreading the love of backlist Aussie books that you might have missed. We'll hopefully be posting a new book every second week, and we'd love you to join us!
Tash's pick
Title: Hate is a Strong Word
Author: Sarah Ayoub
Released: September 1st 2013
Publisher: Haper Collins Australia
Add it to Goodreads
I hate being invisible.
I hate that I still can′t fight my own battles.
I hate that I can′t keep up with the demands of high school.
Sophie Kazzi is in Year 12 at an all-Lebanese, all-Catholic school where she is invisible, uncool and bored out of her brain. While she′s grown up surrounded by Lebanese friends, Lebanese neighbours and Lebanese shops, she knows there′s more to life than Samboosik and Baklawa, and she desperately wants to find it.
Unfortunately, her father has antiquated ideas about women, curfews and the Lebanese ′way′. Bad news for Sophie, who was hoping to spend Year 12 fitting in and having fun - not babysitting her four younger siblings, or studying for final exams that will land her in an Accounting course she has no interest in.
Just when it looks like Sophie′s year couldn′t get any more complicated, Shehadie Goldsmith arrives at school. With an Australian father and a Lebanese mother, he′s even more of a misfit than Sophie. And with his arrogant, questioning attitude, he also has a way of getting under her skin...
But when simmering cultural tensions erupt in violence, Sophie must make a choice that will threaten her family, friends and the cultural ties that have protected her all her life.
Are her hates and complaints worth it? Or will she let go ... and somehow find her place?
why i chose it
A coming of age story of difference. One of the first Love OZ YA books that I read that challenged my own identity. Whilst Hate is a Strong World introduced me to the Lebanese culture,a culture that I was unfamiliar with but I could relate to in many ways.I dealt with similar issues and whilst my parents were willing to learn and adjust with trial and error. For Sophie it's is a different and more complex story.
Identity we can shape it to a extent but Sophie is governed by her parents. I feel the same growing up and especially in my final years of high school. I get the protective nature that comes from Sophie's dad , their culture see woman as precious and that he wants to retain the old fashion role he grown up with.
The introduction of Shehadie into her world was a catalyst that allowed her to explore those said boundaries. Sophie sticks out for the wrong reasons early on for the stereotypical behaviour of her parents. Shehadie being mixed raced and challenging everything single aspect is welcomed. He comes off as arrogant but there is another confused teenager under the layers who just might be the best thing happened to Sophie. If only she could get past the hate which drives this novel. Hate is a Strong Word challenges the usage of hate and how each generation needs to make their own mark on their own terms.
It's the coming of age novel perfect for Aussie teens that tackles the tough issues and lets them know that everything will be just right.
AusYABloggers Buddy Read – Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Previously we’ve held chats for our
monthly Buddy Reads over on twitter, but we know it’s hard for everyone to come
together at one time, with time differences all over OZ and NZ, so we’ve
decided to give a new format a try – a blog discussion post.
Synopsis
Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning debut.
Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.
Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack.
Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.
Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack.
This month’s questions have been submitted by Little Miss Star
1) Have you read Dear Martin? If so, what did you think of it?
2) What did you think about Justyce writing letters to Dr Martin Luther King?
3) What did you think about the social discussions in Doc’s class?
4) After reading this book – do you think that racial inequality exists, not only in America (where the book is set) but in other countries, too?
5) What did you think of the Halloween “costumes” that were worn?
6) Do you think Justyce’s guilt for liking SJ romantically is justified?
7) Were you concerned when Justyce visited Martel?
8) How do you think Jared has changed since Manny’s death?
9) Last question, if you could sum up your thoughts and about Dear Martin in one paragraph, what would you say?
Seventy-Seven Saturday (#6) Sorcery of Thorns
Every Saturday we will bring you a short snippet from page 77 of a book. It might be a book one of us is reading or perhaps just the book closest to us.
The Rules:
- Pick up a Book (your current read, or the closest book to you, or your next read, etc)
- Turn to page 77(or 77% if you are on an e-reader)
- Find a Snippet, Sentence or Paragraph you like.
- Share it on your blog or Twitter or Instagram and link back to us (AusYABloggers) and use #77Saturday
Star's Choice
Title: Sorcery of ThornsAuthor: Margaret Rogerson
Released: 4th June 2019
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Add it to Goodreads
After a moment of studying her, his grin faded. "Yes, I'm giving you your own tent. Just remember what I told you about running. Silas will keep watch tonight, and I assure you, he's a great deal harder to get past than a locked door."
Star's Thoughts
This really intrigues me - why are they camping, and why is this he warning the her about running? Either way, it sounds riveting!Follow Star at Blog, Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads
Seventy-Seven Saturday was inspired by The Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. If you decided to share your Seventy-Seven Saturday on your blog please link back to us and tag us on Twitter of Instagram @AsuYABloggers and #77Saturday
SLAY: Review by Jade
Hachette Australia, together with the #AusYABloggers are celebrating the release of SLAY by Brittney Morris. On tour, you will find Aussie bloggers, reviewers and Instagrammers sharing their thoughts on SLAY, beginning on October 28th and running until November 1st 2019.
SLAY by Brittney Morris Published by Hachette Australia
ISBN 9781444951721
Published October 9th 2019
Add to Goodreads
RRP $17.99 AUD
'We are different ages, genders, tribes, tongues, and traditions ... but tonight we all SLAY'
Black Panther meets Ready Player One. A fierce teen game developer battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther-inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for black gamers.
Black Panther meets Ready Player One. A fierce teen game developer battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther-inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for black gamers.
By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is a college student, and one of the only black kids at Jefferson Academy. By night, she joins hundreds of thousands of black gamers who duel worldwide in the secret online role-playing card game, SLAY.
No one knows Kiera is the game developer - not even her boyfriend, Malcolm. But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, the media labels it an exclusionist, racist hub for thugs.
With threats coming from both inside and outside the game, Kiera must fight to save the safe space she's created. But can she protect SLAY without losing herself?
JADES THOUGHTS
Slay is a story that empowers not only black culture and women, but also shows the importance of accepting anyone for who they are. I really loved the concept of this book and I believe that is it an important read for anyone, no matter your culture or gender. The author made all the characters really relatable and inspiring. The main character went through so many different emotions throughout the story and I really connected to her feelings of being misunderstood and alone but through her journey of self-empowerment she stood up to what she believes in. This book showed me that although I may not look as if I come from a black background, it is still a part of my culture and I will embrace it.
In a society where we are accepting many different communities, I think that this should be read in schools as a way for young adults to learn about accepting all people and also understand that online bulling, no matter if it is in a game or as a supposed joke, can hurt.
@romanceanddragons
Slay is a story that empowers not only black culture and women, but also shows the importance of accepting anyone for who they are. I really loved the concept of this book and I believe that is it an important read for anyone, no matter your culture or gender. The author made all the characters really relatable and inspiring. The main character went through so many different emotions throughout the story and I really connected to her feelings of being misunderstood and alone but through her journey of self-empowerment she stood up to what she believes in. This book showed me that although I may not look as if I come from a black background, it is still a part of my culture and I will embrace it.
In a society where we are accepting many different communities, I think that this should be read in schools as a way for young adults to learn about accepting all people and also understand that online bulling, no matter if it is in a game or as a supposed joke, can hurt.
@romanceanddragons
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Find Brittney via Her Website Twitter Instagram and the SLAY Book Website
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Today is the last day of the tour click HERE for the schedule and links so you can visit all the other posts and share the SLAY love.
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