Hannah

Staff Review: Hannah writes: This revised and updated edition brings together a marvellous and beautiful collection of ancient, classic and contemporary masterpieces from around the world. Chronologically organised, each reproduction is accompanied by a history of the painting and the artist, the movement the work belongs to and a visual analysis of the painting itself. It maps the evolution of recorded art, highlighting the turning points of its history in a beautiful and accessible way. This visual feast will indulge your eyes with wall paintings from Ancient Egypt, frescos from the Renaissance, landscapes from the Impressionists and Pop Art from America. It is a mini gallery that you can keep in your very own home and is a must-have for all lovers of art!

Staff Review: Hannah writes: 'My Childhood in Corfu shaped my life. If I had the craft of Merlin, I would give every child the gift of my childhood' - Gerald Durrell This book follows the early footsteps of Durrell, a blossoming zoologist, and his family's move from dreary England to the exquisite island of Corfu. Durrell gives a warm and entertaining account of his day to day life on the island where he immediately befriends the native folk of the Isle, enjoys siestas in the shade with the family's taxi driver Spiro Americanos and involves himself in animated conversations with the island's Rose Beetle-Man, a non-English speaking character who enjoys trading his remarkable collection of pets. This book is refreshing to read, written with the single-minded objective curiosity of a growing boy.

Staff Review: Hannah writes: Catherine Therese puts her childhood memories on display in this raw, moving and at times hilarious account of her younger life. This book is well written and unique, and touches on issues that are easily identifiable with us all. The natural curiosity of a growing girl never makes for a dull story and if at times you need a breather from the back streets of Blacktown, just close the pages and stare at the front cover! What an image. I loved this biography.

Staff Review: Hannah writes: The Mortal Instruments trilogy (Book 2 is City of Ashes, Book 3 is City of Glass) is urban fantasy at its best. You will be lured instantaneously into the world of Werewolves, Vampires, Faeries and the Shadowhunter: a secret tribe dedicated to ridding the earth of grotesque demons. Invisible to us folk, these mysterious warriors are covered in gold-like tattoos, wield bizarre and deadly weapons, possess incredible speed and strength and have the power of the sight. They are also super cool! The characters in this trilogy are brilliant and a lot of fun and the plot is a non-stop whirlwind of action, suspense, adventure, excitement and romance. It'll have you hooked in no time. Plus, once you are hooked you can get into Clare's brand new Infernal Devices trilogy (which is actually a prequel series to this one), starting with Clockwork Angel, out now).

Staff Review: Hannah writes: This is my favorite Bryson book. It tells the story of Bryson's attempt to travel the world's longest footpath, the Appalachian Trail, which stretches along the entire East Coast of America, from Georgia to Maine. Accompanying Bryson (much to his disbelief at times) is his overweight, cake-loving, traveling buddy Stephen Katz. 4000 kms of remote woodland lie before them. Its home to wild bears, cats, snakes, moose, poisonous plants, nasty little insects and a random murderer. If A Walk in the Woods was meant to crush a desire for outdoor adventure, it has the opposite effect. Bryson's description of the surrounding landscapes - the Smoky Mountains & Great North Woods of Maine, has me longing to go. I give thanks that Bryson can relate his adventures and misfortunes in a uniquely hilarious way.