Great Escape Books Newsletter: June 08 Edition
Warm Winter Reads at Great Escape Books
Winner 2008 Pulitzer Prize… The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
We’ve had a hard time getting this novfel, demand worldwide has been high, but finally the Pulitzer prize winning novel The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz is in stock.
Díaz spent 11 years writing the energetic tale of Oscar Wao–a Spanish pronunciation of Oscar Wilde–Diaz immerses us in the tumultuous lives of Oscar; his runaway sister Lola; their beautiful mother Belicia; and in the family’s uproarious journey from the Dominican Republic to the US and back. According to Diaz, Oscar’s family lives much as Díaz’ own family did, balancing two lives, two cultures, in New Jersey and their native Dominican Republic. The novel has been widely praised for both its warmth and humour as well as its realism and relevance, mixing pop culture, political criticism and characters with street credibility. RRP: $32.95
From Imperial China…Little Hut of Leaping Fishes by Chiew-Siah Tei
It is 1875, and at Chai Mansion, two babies are born just months apart. As first grandson of Master Chai, Mingzhi’s life is already mapped out. Like his grandfather, an opium farmer and feudal landlord, he is destined to inherit wealth and power. His younger brother, Mingyuan, is not so lucky. As second grandson, his fate is to remain forever in his brother’s shadow. Set during the dying days of Imperial China, Little Hut of Leaping Fishes is a sweeping tale of sibling rivalry, cultural upheaval and the indelible power of blood ties. RRP: $32.95
If you love intelligent sci-fi, the latest from renown Scottish science fiction writer will enthral. In a world renowned even within a galaxy full of wonders, a crime within a war. For one brother it means a desperate flight, and a search for the one – maybe two – people who could clear his name. For his brother it means a life lived under constant threat of treachery and murder. And for their sister, concealing her new identity – and her particular set of abilities, it means returning to a place she’d thought abandoned forever. Compulsive reading. RRP: $29.95
Action Packed…Sail by James Patterson
If you enjoy relaxing with a cliff-hanger novel, James Patterson knows how to deliver. When the Dunne family pack their bags for a relaxing sailing holiday, all they have in mind is the sun and sea. But as a violent storm breaks out, the boat vanishes without a trace and the family are lost, presumed dead. Until now. When a message in a bottle is washed up on a shore, it becomes apparent that there must have been at least one survivor. Who has survived and just what happened to the boat? As it transpires there may be more sinister powers at work, the race is on to rescue the family. RRP: $32.95
Nic’s Staff Favourite: Orpheus Lost by Janette Turner Hospital
One of the most gripping novels I have read in a very long time, Orpheus Lost reworks the Greek Myth of Orpheus, or modern day Leela who travels to the underworld to rescue her lover from certain death – in this case certain death in one of the ‘ghost prisons’ of Iraq. Along the way the question arises, what would you risk for love? Completely compelling, this haunting, passionate novel was longlisted (in my opinion, should have been shortlisted) for the 2008 Miles Franklin AwardRRP.’RRP: $32.95
‘The most inspiring story of one man’s determination to change the lives of the poorest children of Pakistan. Greg Mortenson makes you realise how lives can be saved and improved if we just have the willingness to do so. It’s not about money. It’s about us as humans wanting to help others and make a difference.’ RRP: 29.95
Laugh out loud…The Lucy Family Alphabet by Judith Lucy
Judith Lucy has been cracking jokes about her parents for years. But when a birth relative’s casual comment implied that she despised them, Judith was shocked. So Judith decided it was time to write the full story of her parents and her childhood. And here it is, a reference book on all things Lucy from: A is for Adoption (she is) to C is for Cleaning (they didn’t) and for Counselling (you’ll find out why she had a lot of it) to D is for Diets (she was put on one at eight) to H is for Heart Attack (her father’s) to M is for Make Up (her father’s) to N is for Nuts (there was a falling out over testicles).RRP: $29.95
The Man behind the Vision…The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama 
Meet the visionary who may well be the next President of the United States. At the heart of The Audacity of Hope is Barack Obama’s vision of how his country can move beyond its divisions to tackle its enormous problems…its growing economic insecurity, its racial and religious tensions, and the nature of enormous threats from outside America’s borders. Offering personal reflections on values and ideals that have led him to public life, Barack Obama offers his own best assessment on how to working order a government that has fallen dangerously out of touch with the rest of the world. RRP: $24.95
The Life of an Outstanding Man…. The Last Great Adventure Of Sir Peter Blake by Alan Sefton
Being yachting addicts, we’d followed the adventures of sportsman and later environmentalist Peter Blake for years, before being stunned by his murder at the hands of river pirates in the Amazon. Relive his last great adventure when in late 2000 when he sets out to once again cross the Southern Ocean to Cape Horn, taking Seamaster to 70 degrees south, among the icebergs of Antarctica, then up the coast of South America, to the rain forests where Seamaster navigated 1400 miles up the Amazon and Negro Rivers. Drawn from the logbooks kept by Peter, and edited by his close friend Alan Sefton, this book relives his final, ill-fated voyage and at the same time celebrates both Peter’s passion to generate greater awareness of the need to take better care of our world. RRP: $26.95
Step inside one of Australia’s most notorious crime families…My Story, The Life Of Judy Moran by Christine Hogan
Every wondered how you could be a mother and the wife of one of most notorious crime families in Australia? ‘I have lived in a world of whispered conversations and secrets. I have lived in a world of murder, corruption, bribery, crime and fear. A world where to ask too many questions would see you belted for your curiosity. A world with rules for men and where women know their place… I am a wife with no husband. I am a mother with no children.’ Judith Moran is an extraordinary survivor – she has has been in remission from cancer from nearly forty years and has found herself at the centre of the gangland murders in Melbourne, a vendetta which has so far claimed twenty-four lives, including those of her ex-husband and her two sons, one of whom was gunned down in front of his children. RRP: $32.95
Magnificent Photographic Images…Looking East by Steve McCurry
This large scale format portfolio is simply magnificent and would make an incredible gift. Featuring some of the best and most poignant portraits by Steve McCurry, best known for his National Geographic portrait of ‘The Afghani Girl’known. This portfolio features iconic as well as previously unknown portraits of children, monks, pilgrims, and travellers that McCurry has encountered on his travels throughout Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Tibet and Burma. RRP: $69.95 Note: We also have small scale gift versions of his portfolio for $35.00.
Kids Pics
Our own kids favourite: Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr
We have just finished reading Nim’s Island to our two children at night and we have all been enchanted by the adventures of the fearless Nim and her companions Chica the turtle, Selkie the Sea Lion and Fred the marine iguana. No one else has a life like Nim and she wouldn’t swap places with anyone, this is a perfect modern day alternative to Enid Blyton. Great for ages 4-6. RRP: $14.95
Magical stories…When I Was A Girl I Dreamed & When I Was A Boy I Dreamed by Margaret Baker & Justin Matott
These books are just glorious. Curl up with your children and make yourself cosy and listen to the tales of one who dared to dream. Your imagination will run wild as you visit distant lands and go places not soon to be forgotten. Perfect ages 3-8. RRP: $19.95 each. Hardback.
Beach Treasure… Seadragon Sea by Margaret Spurling & Danny Snell
We actually have these magnificent seadragons here along our own coast. In Seadragon Sea, the ocean is a dangerous place, especially for a baby seadragon left far behind and all alone. Will he ever catch up with his brothers and sisters, or find the beautiful seagrass meadow that is his home. This beautiful book features the Australian flora and fauna of our own coast. A must for all kids who love the beach. Perfect ages 3-8. RRP: $14.95
From the magical writers of Tashi… Wiggy and Boa by Anna Fienberg
Boadicea lives with her grandfather, Admiral Bolderack, and is always dreaming of excitement and adventure. But when Boa discovers a secret from the Admiral’s past, and accidentally releases four terrifying pirates from her grandfather’s curse, she gets more excitement that she ever could have imagined. Great ages 7 plus. RRP: $16.95
With Emily Eyefinger, anything can happen….Eyespy Emily Eyefinger by Duncan Ball
Emily’s parents were shocked when Emily was born with an eye on the end of her finger BUT … Emily has discovered that an extra eye can be very handy. Now, in Eyespy Emily Eyefinger, books five to eight in the Emily Eyefinger series have been brought together in one exciting volume. Follow our heart–warming heroine on many adventures as she rescues her good friend Malcolm Mousefinder from evil bandits, when she’s kidnapped in a hot–air balloon or when she has to solve the mystery of a ‘ghost ship’ sailing all by itself. Great ages 8 plus .RRP: $19.99
Ooh-arr, watch out for sharks below…Pirate Stories by Gaby Morgan
Haunted wooden legs, captains good and evil, parrots a-plenty – they’re all here in this wide-ranging collection of illustrated pirate stories, brought to you by authors such as Cornelia Funke, Colin McNaughton and John Grant. Read them while you’re scrubbing the decks, walking the plank or navigating the open seas. Perfect ages 7 plus. RRP: $12.95
This beautifully styled book for girls is full of everything you will ever want to know about Flower Fairies. Featuring stories, poems, recipes, craft ideas, fairy facts and tips for how to spot fairies in your own garden, this stunning gift book brings the glorious world of the Flower Fairies to life. Great ages 9 plus. RRP: $29.95 HardcoverAction packed…Lee Raven Boy Thief by Corder Zizou
Lee Raven, boy thief, has stolen something he really didn’t mean to. Now he faces a perilous flight through London (and the murky sewers below) as he tries to escape capture – because Lee has stolen the Book of Nebo, a book that has existed for thousands of years and tells every story and legend known to man. It’s priceless, but more than that – it’s peculiar. Some will even kill to possess it. Great for ages 12 plus. RRP: $19.95
The sixth book in Garth Nix’s blockbuster fantasy-adventure series, The Keys to the Kingdom. Arthur Penhaligon has wrested five of the Keys from their immortal guardians, the Trustees of the Will. But winning the Sixth Key poses a greater challenge than any he has faced before. Superior Saturday is not just one of the Trustees, she is also the oldest Denizen and the most powerful sorcerer in the House. Everything seems to be part of a plan she has been hatching for ten thousand years. Superior Saturday is the sixth book in the enthralling Keys to the Kingdom series. Great for ages 12 plus. RRP : $15.95
