SLAV Online Book Club February 15th, 2024 – Books Worthy of Reconsideration

Our thanks to those who were able to join us for our SLAV online Book Club on Thursday February 15th, 2024, to discuss the topic: Books Worthy of Reconsideration. We asked members to share with us titles we may have forgotten or overlooked and as always, our members had so many wonderful contributions to share with us and we had a great deal of fun!

This was our first book club meeting for 2024, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who attend and contribute to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you all at our next meeting, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Find details about our next meeting HERE.

We absolutely encourage you to reach out to the wonderful Deb at The Younger Sun as an invaluable resource, for further information and recommendations. The staff at The Younger Sun are incredibly knowledgeable!

 Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Titles Discussed:

The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Matilda by Roald Dahl

The Story Of Tom Brennan by J.C. Burke

Five Parts Dead by Tim Peglar

Wizard of Earthsea series by Ursulas Le Guin

Anne of Green Gables by Anne Montgomery

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

A Simple Gift by Steven Herrick

All the Green Year by Don Charlwood

Ash Road by Alan Marshall

Zeroes by Scot Westerfeld

Warhorse by Michael Morpurgo

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

The Bogan Mondrian by Steven Herrick

Simone Howells novels

Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood

Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden

One by Sarah Crossan

Robert Muchamore’s Cherub Series

Screaming Staircase by Jonathon Stroud

Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman

Cath Crowley’s novels

Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo

Rick Riordan’s Various Series

Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Ruby in the Smoke by Phillip Pullman

Sally Lockhart Trilogy

Mr Monday Series by Garth Nix

Tamora Peirce’s novels

The Rangers Apprentice Series by John Flannagan

Spooks Apprentice by Joseph Delaney

Drac and the Gremlin by Alan Baille

Kate DiCamillo’s novels

The Famous Five and Secret Seven Series by Enid Blyton

I Am David by Ann Holm

The Long Walk by Kerry Greenwood

When We Were Two by Robert Newton

Twopence to Cross the Mersey by Helen Forrester

The Silver Sword by Ian Serailler

The Black Dog Gang by Robert Newton

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

Slightly True Story of Cedar B Hartley by Martine Murray

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Fairytales for Wilde Girls by Allyse Near

Books Shared by Deb from The Younger Sun  

Outlaw Girls by Nova Weetman and Emily Gale

Lani and the Universe by Victoria Careless

Smoke and Mirrors by Barry Jonsberg

Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr

Eleanor Jones is not a Murderer by Amy Doak

Into the Mouth of a Wolf by Erin Gough

A Small Collection of Happiness by Zana Fraillon

Children’s and Young Adult Titles read over the break

Dana Swartz – Anatomy: A Love Story

Travellers Along the Way: a Robin Hood remix by Aminah Mae Safi

Rebels of Mt Buffalo by Helen Edwards

The Frugal Wizards Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms (graphic novel)

Vanessa Len -Never A Hero

Holly by Stephen King

Adult Titles discussed

What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

(Bronwen Ch’Ng)

Holly by Stephen King

Madukka the River Serpent by Julie Janson

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt,

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

The Vanishing of Margaret Small by Neil Alexander

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doeer

Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton

Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

Gender Queer: A Memoir A graphic Novel about the complexities of gender identity

Circe by Madeline Miller

The Benevolent Society of Ill-mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lisa Evans The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer

Helen Dunmore Zennor in Darkness

Philippa Gregory Normal Women

Barbara Kinsolver Demon Copperhead

Paul McCartney Lyrics.

Gunflower by Laura Jean McKay

We Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

Vital Organs by Suzie Edge

SLAV Online Book Club Wednesday May 18th 2022 – Humour

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for yesterday’s book club meeting to share your favourite Humour picks. We all love a good laugh, but we don’t all share the same views about what is funny in fiction.  What books work best with your readers? As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

This was our third book club meeting for 2022, and we look forward to chatting with you again at our next Online Book Club discussion on June 16th  to discuss the topic: Non- Fiction for pleasure. Books that present factual information for pleasure have become more sophisticated with high production and design values adding to the pleasurable reading experience. What texts are always off the shelves in your library?

Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and students needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Books Discussed/Attendee suggestions

Young Adult

That Thing I Did by Allayne L. Webster

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Louise Rennison Series (possibly a bit dated)

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Series by Douglas Adams

Junior/Upper Primary Fiction

David Walliams Series

My Life as an Alphabet by Barry Jonsberg

The Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney

Paul Jennings – Unseen, Unbearable, Uncanny, Uncovered

The Sad Ghost Club by Lize Meddings

The Weirdo series by Anh Do

The Wednesday Weeks series by Cristy Burne & Denis Knight

Skullduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy

Matt Larkin titles – The Orchard Underground and The Chameleon Thief

Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

Funny Stories for 8 year Old’s by Helen Paiba

Malory Towers – Enid Blyton (BBC series)

The World of Norm by Jonathan Meres

What’s New Harper Drew by Kathy Weeks

The Little Brute Family by Russell Hoban

Picture Books

Backyard Birdies by Geppert (non-fiction)

The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It was None of His Business by by Werner Holzwarth and Wolf Erlbruch

The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith

Tyes Picks – SLAV Book Club May 18th 2022 – Humour.

Young Adult

Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell https://www.readings.com.au/products/27633528/wayward-son

It’s Not You, It’s Me by Gabrielle Williams https://www.readings.com.au/products/33725018/its-not-you-its-me

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee https://www.readings.com.au/products/23546046/the-gentlemans-guide-to-vice-and-virtue

The First Third by Will Kostakis https://www.readings.com.au/products/17240619/the-first-third

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy https://www.readings.com.au/products/19460247/dumplin

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett https://www.readings.com.au/products/26868214/good-omens

Stardust by Neil Gaiman https://www.readings.com.au/products/5124406/stardust

Junior Fiction

The Naughtiest Unicorn Bumper Collection by Pip Bird https://www.readings.com.au/products/33210346/the-naughtiest-unicorn-bumper-collection

Marge in Charge by Eglantine Ceulemans, Isla Fisher https://www.readings.com.au/products/21975952/marge-in-charge

Fortunately, the Milk . . . by Neil Gaiman, Chris Riddell https://www.readings.com.au/products/31346500/fortunately-the-milk

Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger, Book 1) by Amy Timberlake, Jon Klassen https://www.readings.com.au/products/32916785/skunk-and-badger-skunk-and-badger-book-1

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier, Douglas Holgate https://www.readings.com.au/products/27266334/the-last-kids-on-earth

Look into my eyes by Lauren Child (Ruby Redfort) https://www.readings.com.au/products/14670542/look-into-my-eyes

The Bolds by Julian Clary https://www.readings.com.au/products/19410936/the-bolds

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, K.G. Campbell https://www.readings.com.au/products/21735595/flora-and-ulysses

Hilda and the Hidden People by Luke Pearson, Stephen Davies, Seaerra Miller https://www.readings.com.au/products/26846991/hilda-and-the-hidden-people

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny–Detectives Extraordinaire! By Polly Horvath, Sophie Blackall https://www.readings.com.au/products/17513683/mr-and-mrs-bunny-detectives-extraordinaire

Jefferson by Jean-Claude Mourlevat, Ros Schwartz https://www.readings.com.au/products/32659486/jefferson

Mat Larkin https://srchy.readings.com.au/results?query=Mat%20Larkin

The Wee Free Men: A Tiffany Aching Novel by Terry Pratchett, Laura Ellen Andersen https://www.readings.com.au/products/23772770/the-wee-free-men-a-tiffany-aching-novel

 Picture Books

Who Wet My Pants? By Bob Shea, Zachariah OHora https://www.readings.com.au/products/27502393/who-wet-my-pants

Going to the Volcano by Andy Stanton, Miguel Ordonez https://www.readings.com.au/products/26360624/going-to-the-volcano

Super Happy Magic Forest by Matty Long https://www.readings.com.au/products/19858036/super-happy-magic-forest

I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon https://www.readings.com.au/products/30361565/i-just-ate-my-friend

I’ll Wait, Mr Panda by Steve Antony https://www.readings.com.au/products/21441628/ill-wait-mr-panda

Miss Understood by KATHRYN APEL, Beau Wylie https://www.readings.com.au/products/35003178/miss-understood

Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe https://www.readings.com.au/products/27630367/pokko-and-the-drum

Graphic Novel

Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen https://www.readings.com.au/products/33759137/garlic-and-the-vampire

Adult Books Discussed 

The Nancys by R.W.R. McDonald

Hanya Yanagihara – all

The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe

Hannah Gadsby’s biography – Ten Steps to Nanette