Book Review: Goal!!! by Lydia Williams

 Goal!!!

by

Lydia Williams

 Illustrated by Lucinda Gifford

 

A joyous and triumphant picture book from international soccer superstar Lydia Williams, goalkeeper for the Australian Matildas and for Arsenal in the UK. 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 1st June 2021

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $19.99AUD

Format read: Hardcover

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

About the book

Little Lydia moves from the desert to start a new adventure in a big city.
Leaving her desert animal friends behind is hard - but soon she makes some new friends at the zoo.

It takes her time to find her feet and has to practice new skills to improve her game.
She learns from the zoo animals that being different is not such a scary thing and that everyone can teach you something new!

My review

Firstly, the cover of Goal instantly attracts your attention and I think it would have wide appeal to both sport loving and animal loving children.

In her first book Saved Lydia learns that she is good at Soccer and especially the position of goalkeeper. Now she has moved from the country to the city she is missing her friends and wonders how she will learn new goalkeeping skills.

A visit to the zoo brings her face to face with animals she has never met before. These animals were fast, fierce and loud. Lydia didn't think she would ever be able to keep up with them.

Lydia soon learns that each animal had their own special skill and if she paid attention and practiced day after day she too would learn these skills.

I loved that Lydia is a goalkeeper! I know when my children played soccer no-one wanted to be goalkeeper. It's a position that requires great skill and I think needs more praise.

Goal!!! is a fun, heartwarming story that promotes friendship, teamwork, determination and being prepared to learn from others. The bold and bright full spread illustrations throughout the book are sure to engage younger children whilst listening to the story.

Join Lydia as she runs, dives, whooshes, roars and laughs her way to soccer stardom.

Dot loves playing soccer and she loved that Lydia is a young soccer enthusiast just like her.

5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Lydia Williams is an Indigenous Australian soccer player. She grew up on the red dirt of Western Australia. During her childhood, she travelled with her family to many Aboriginal communities where she learnt how to play sport with bare feet. Her family taught her how to live off the land and the values of Indigenous culture; they even had two pet kangaroos. When her family moved to Canberra, Lydia started playing soccer competitively as a way to make friends. Having played soccer for nearly twenty years, she currently plays for Arsenal in the WSL in England and is the first-choice goalkeeper for the Australian Matildas.

 

About the illustrator

 

Lucinda Gifford is the author and illustrator of many well-loved books for kids. Many years ago, Lucinda studied architecture in Scotland, where she learned to draw fancy buildings and moody scenery. She also likes to draw dragons, cats and magical frogs - despite never having studied witchcraft. Now based in Melbourne, Lucinda works from a small home studio full of books, plants, dragons' blood and newts' tongues.  

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

The email delivery service for The Burgeoning Bookshelf is changing

 Feedburner has been the email delivery system for my blog posts since I started this blog and it has mainly worked fine for me however Google has announced that they will no longer by supporting their email delivery service.

I am in the process of changing my email send outs over to a new system run by Follow It

If you are currently subscribed to my updates you need to do nothing. Each new post will still be sent out to you as usual however they will now come via Follow It and not Feedburner.

I am anticipating that the change over will all go smoothly and you will have more reviews, and giveaways, of more wonderful books coming to your inbox soon. 

 

Reviews coming soon:

Saying Yes by Ella Sparkle 

Zinger in the Woods by M.T. Becker

What I'm currently reading: 

Digging Up Dirt by Pamela Hart 

 

Book Review: The Women's Doc by Caroline De Costa

 The Women's Doc

by

Caroline De Costa

True stories from five decades delivering babies and making history

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 4th May 2021

Genre: Non Fiction / Memoir

Pages: 320

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

When Caroline first started in medicine, being an unmarried mother was frowned on, cane toads were used for pregnancy tests, and giving birth was much riskier than it is today. Her funny and poignant stories of bringing babies into the world show that, while much has changed, women still work hard and it remains a bloody business. A birth plan is no guarantee of a normal birth (whatever that is).

Men have always wanted to control women's bodies, and Caroline has been instrumental in giving Australian women of all backgrounds the opportunity to resist, and to choose when and how they have babies. Her behind-the-scenes stories reveal it's often the little things that win a campaign. 

 

My review

 

The Women's Doc consists of seventy-three short stories centred around the changing world of medicine and childbirth as experienced by Caroline De Costa.  

 

Caroline De Costa is a trailblazer in the area of women's health and giving women more rights over their own body. She has had a colourful and outstanding life studying in Dublin at an early age, becoming an unmarried mother in the late 1960's (a time when this was deeply frowned upon), running contraceptive pills over the border from England to Ireland, opening the first family planning clinic in Ireland and working in villages in PNG. Caroline De Costa has been an advocate for women worldwide.

Many life changing changes for women came about during Dr De Costa's early medical years with many of these changes pioneered by Dr De Costa herself.

 

I am not a big non fiction reader but I do enjoy short story compilations. The Women's Doc was a book I could pick up whenever I had a few spare minutes reading two or three short stories at a time.

The stories aren't in chronological order, jumping back and forward in time, and I found this a bit off putting.

The historical element of the book was very interesting with content on the introduction of anesthesia, the revelation of the need to sterilise equipment, the development of forceps for difficult births and pregnancy testing with toads.

I did find it quite dry and would have liked a bit more humour throughout the book. Most of the birth stories are quite graphic, some even alarming. I did find the historical elements of the book relating to how dangerous childbirth was for women to be fascinating and can appreciate how far we have come both knowledge and procedure wise since then.

The Women's Doc is a no holds barred look at women's health; the highs, the lows, the triumphs and the tragedies.

 

3 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Caroline De Costa is the first women to become a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia, and she has been a major contributor to Australian women getting the repoductive health services they need. She is a professor at James Cook University in Cairns, editor of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, author of 15 books and mother of seven children.  

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

                                 Non Fiction Reader Challenge #2021ReadNonFic 

Book Review: The Secret Path by Karen Swan

The Secret Path

by

Karen Swan

 

Every step leads me back to you

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan 

Publication date: 27th April 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 416

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format read: paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

At just twenty years old, Tara Tremain has everything: a trainee doctor, engaged to the man of her dreams—a passionate American biology student called Alex Carter. But just when life seems perfect, Alex betrays her in the worst way possible.

Ten years later, she's moved on, with a successful career, good friends and a man who loves her. But when she's pulled back into her wealthy family's orbit for an unmissable party in the heart of Costa Rica, she finds herself flung into crisis: a child is desperately ill and the only remedy is several days' trek into the heart of the jungle.

There's only one person who can help—but it's the man who shattered her heart a decade before. And how can she trust him, of all people? 

 

My review

 

I love Karen Swan's novels; there is romance, suspense, danger, beautifully described locations and strong intelligent women. The Secret Path is no exception. 

 

We first meet Tara when she is twenty years old, madly in love with Alex, she is ready to throw in her medical degree to live a life of marital bliss. 

I think Karen Swan portrayed the young Tara and her friends skillfully. They were all intelligent young women but there was still a naivety about them. When Tara is betrayed by Alex she is heart broken and puts all her energy into her studies.

Fast forward ten years and Tara is a surgeon in a busy London hospital. Swan hasn't given her readers any clue to what happened during the previous ten years and I had plenty of unanswered questions. This kept me turning the pages as I was invested in what Tara was doing now but I also wanted to desperately know what happened ten years ago.

The story moves to the Costa Rican village of Puerto Viejo when Tara and friends go on a much deserved break. The evocative descriptions of the small village and its surrounds brings it all to life on the page.

Karen Swan introduces the theme of western medicine versus traditional herbal medicines that have been handed down through the generations when a small boy from the village is ill and his mother won't allow Tara to treat him as he is being treated by the local shaman. Also highlighting people's rights over their own treatment or refusal.

In a last bid to help the boy Tara agrees to trek through the jungle to find a rare plant that is believed to have healing powers. 

 

Through Tara's family's legacy project and move to eco tourism Swan explains the need to protect the wildlife habitats as well as the indigenous cultures, promote reforestation and reduce carbon emissions or we will lose these beautiful forests forever.

Whilst reading The Secret Path I went through a roller coaster ride of emotions. The danger was palpable and the suspense rose and fell time and time again which had me glued to the pages.

The Secret Path is a story about love, betrayal and forgiveness. It is filled with enthralling imagery and breath-holding suspense.

5 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Photo credit: Goodreads

 Karen Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of twenty books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes tow books each year - one for the summer period and one for the Christmas Season. 

her books are known for their evocative locations and Karen sees travel as vital research for each story. She loves to set deep, complicated love stories within twisting plots, sometimes telling two stories in the same book.

Previously a fashion editor, she lives in Sussex with her husband, three children and two dogs.

 

 

 

Book Review: Trick of the Light by Fiona McCallum

 Trick of the Light

by

Fiona McCallum 

 

When your world goes dark, where do you find hope? 

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia 

Imprint: HQ Fiction

Publication date: 1st April 2021 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 354

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via DMCPRMedia

 

About the book

 

Erica, newly widowed, is devastated to discover her venture capitalist husband left their finances in ruins. Determined to save her home while protecting her teenage daughters, she vows to get back on her feet without letting them, or anyone else, know the truth.

When her girls head off on a long-planned overseas adventure, Erica focuses on her much-loved job behind a makeup counter to keep her emotionally and financially afloat - although she is troubled by a peculiar encounter at work.

Then she loses her job, the darkness beckons and Erica's life spirals downwards, further disturbed by strange occurrences in her house. Missing objects. Stopped clocks. Noises in the night. Should she doubt her very sanity? Can she swallow her pride and make herself reach out to her friends in time? Does she have a choice?

 

My review

 

I think Trick of the Light is my favourite Fiona McCallum book to date!

 

The main character, Erica, was easy to connect with. She had lost her husband and although she was devastated she still insisted her daughters take the extended overseas holiday they had planned. I could understand Erica's push for the girls not to forsake their holiday assuring them that she would be fine. This is a natural parent response protecting your children even though they were adults. Once Erica is alone she soon spirals into a state of severe anxiety.

 

The story was quite sombre as we follow Erica as tragedy after tragedy befalls her.  I found the story line realistic and could appreciate how this series of events could possibly happen to a middle aged woman whose life was previously settled and happy, thus plunging her into a state of despair. I liked that the events were well portrayed in the time-line but were not overly dramatised.

 

Fiona McCallum includes themes of family and friendship and shows how we don't always include people closest to us in times of need but they are always there to help if given the chance.

I loved the added element of mystery and how the mystery and suspense slowly built adding a compelling element to the story.

 

Erica's decline is heartbreaking however their is an element of hope as Erica starts to rebuild her life and accepts that she must move on to a new phase in her life.

Fiona McCallum's characters are real life, relatable and strong women that have come through the hard knocks of life and moved forward with a new resilience.

 

Trick of the Light is a relatable story of growth, changing life plans and moving on in new directions.

 

4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Photo credit Goodreads

Fiona McCallum spent her childhood years on the family cereal and wool farm outside the small town of Cleve on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.

Fiona now lives in Adelaide and works full-time as a novelist. She writes "heart-warming journey of self-discovery stories" - often with a rural setting, sometimes with a romantic thread and sometimes without. Her tales tie together her love of animals and fascination with the journey people go on to find what really makes their heart sing and then follow their true passions to find happiness, even if it means taking risks and facing seemingly impossible obstacles. 

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

 

 

                                               

Book Review: Mia by Fiona McArthur

 Mia

by

Fiona McArthur

 

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 30th December 2020

Series: Lyrebird Lake #3 

Genre: Romance

Pages: 213

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the author

About the book

Angus Campbell is used to dealing with emergency situations. He’s a rescue medic. But his newly discovered son will require more than his professional training. Perhaps Angus's childhood home, Lyrebird Lake, is the best place to find rapport for both of them.

Mia is expecting a new arrival – but she wasn’t expecting Angus. Six feet of sexy he-man is way out of her comfort zone. She will not get involved. But the man needs help.
Her baby could have the perfect family...but would they have love?

And then there’s the magical myth of the Lyrebirds…

 

My review

 

Mia is the third book in Fiona McArthur's Lyrebird Lake series.

 

In this story we follow Mia as she moves to Lyrebird Lake after a break-up with her fiance. Mia is to start the new supported home birth service attached to the hospital.

We get to revisit some much loved characters  from the previous books and Ned's long lost son returns which gives a love interest for Mia.

I love Fiona McArthur's female characters, they are feisty, strong women with minds of their own. They have a passion for their work and they want to instill that passion in everyone.

Fiona includes the danger of disused mine shafts that are dotted around the countryside and the suspense of a rescue mission had me holding my breath.

As with each of the books in this series Fiona has included a calm, serene and safe birth scene. there is also lots of community spirit with the small town celebrating and supporting each other.

I really enjoy these romance reads and it's always a joy to read a book that you are assured to finish with a smile on your face.

4 / 5    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

photo: Goodreads

Fiona McArthur has worked as a midwife for thirty years. She is the clinical midwifery educator inner rural maternity unit and teaches emergency obstetric strategies while working with midwives and doctors from remote and isolated areas.

Fiona has written more than thirty romances, which have sold over two million copies in twelve languages. She has been a midwifery expert for Mother and Baby magazine and is the author of Aussie Midwives. She has also written the novels Red Sand Sunrise, The Homestead Girls and Heart of the Sky. She lives on a farm in northern New South Wales. 

 

 

 

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

 

 

Storybook Corner Book Review: Rosie Leads the Way by Renee Irving Lee

 

Rosie Leads the Way

by

Renee Irving Lee 

Illustrated by Lisa Coutts

 

 

Publisher: Empowering Resources 

Publication date: 24th February 2020

Pages: 38

RRP: $17.00AUD

Format read: Softcover

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

 After talking with her Mum, Rosie believed she was the most beautiful girl in the whole entire world - but the day she met Penelope Pennington she wasn't so sure. Penelope Pennington had the perfect hair, perfect clothes, the perfect shoes and even the perfect cat! So, when Rosie and Penelope unexpectedly walk home together, they both make some meaningful 

discoveries along the way.

 

My review

 

Rosie's mum tells her she is smart, strong and has a beautiful heart. I love the concept of building self esteem without concentrating on outward beauty and skin deep perfection.

 

Penelope is the perfect princess and she won't let Rosie play because she doesn't look like a princess. Rosie turns away and starts to walk home but then Penelope needs Rosie as she doesn't want to walk home alone. The road is blocked but Rosie knows another way home. Penelope acknowledges that Rosie is smart. They encounter a few more misadventures on the way home and Penelope always falls apart. Rosie is calm and finds a solution to each problem. Penelope acknowledges with each problem that Rosie is smart, strong and kind.

Rosie tells Penelope she can be smart, strong and kind if she just tries.

 

We can see that Penelope isn't all that bad because she does acknowledge that Rosie helps her and is willing to try and be better.

The story teaches children to be kind and helpful to someone even if they are mean to you and that true beauty is on the inside in the way you act.

I think the ending was a bit abrupt. Penelope offers to teach Rosie to be a princess in return for her help. Rosie rejects this offer saying she is off to make mud-pies in the sandpit. I think they could have incorporated the two games by playing princess and serving royal mud pies or something that wasn't quite as dismissive. 

4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Renee is passionate about writing children’s books that promote life-long learning, social inclusion and improve self-esteem.   She has always loved working with children, so writing for children has been a natural progression from her work as a teacher and educational freelance writer.

 Her diverse background in education extends to teaching primary school aged children, young adults, and children with special needs.   Renee was awarded the Young Achiever of the Year Award by TAFE Queensland for her work as a dynamic, student focused teacher who is highly respected for her skills, intellect and dedication.  Renee was also inducted into the International Golden Key Honour Society while studying for her Bachelor of Education (Special Education) where she graduated with a Distinction. 

Renee lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland with her husband and three children.   When she is not writing, you can find Renee spending time with her family, running around on the Oztag field, climbing Emu Mountain, swimming, or sipping on a green tea!

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21