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Allan Rennick

A book that I recently read that I would thoroughly recommend is ‘Fifty-Six. The Story of the Bradford Fire’ by Martin Fletcher.

The book is in parts harrowing, gripping, heart wrenching, extraordinary and startling. On May 11 1985, fifty-six people died in a devastating fire at a football match in England, at Bradford City's old Valley Parade ground. Twelve-year-old Martin Fletcher was at the ground that day, celebrating Bradford's promotion to the second division, with his father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Martin was the only one of them to survive the fire - the biggest loss suffered by a single family in any British football disaster. In later years, Martin devoted himself to extensively investigating how the disaster was caused, a culture of institutional neglect and the government's general indifference towards football fans' safety at the time. The book tells the story, 30 years after the event, of how 56 people could die at a football game and of the truths that have only recently emerged.

Nella Lithgow

THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE

By Audrey Niffenegger

Some years ago I was “isolated” on an outback property because the roads leading in and out were flooded and we couldn’t drive out…for nearly 3 months. During that period I had to fill in my spare time with a lot of extra activities and so read more than I usually do. I found The Time Traveller’s Wife sitting on the book shelf and it turned out to be a good “escape” of where I was and what was happening.

So due to COVID 19 and some more unusual “isolation” time, I decided to read it again.

The story is about a man who time travels into the past or future without warning and for any period of time. This was a rare genetic condition he had no control over and during his life he found himself in strange places, embarrassing situations, dangerous scenes and bewildering periods. But during one of these strange times he actually meets his future wife, and later she has to endure her husband vanishing repeatedly for any length of time and returning in any condition.

This book was later made into a movie starring the Australian actor Eric Bana. It’s a good version of the book, but it is always worth reading the book before seeing the movie.

Maidi Mitchell

I just recently finished reading “The Boy Who Steals Houses” by C.G Drews.

It’s about two teenagers, Sam and his autistic brother Avery, who live in empty houses of families who’ve gone on holidays. When the owners return they move on to another home to live in relative comfort. Until one time when Sam gets caught in a house which isn’t empty and is swept up into the movements of a large family and stays for awhile because each member thinks he’s the friend of another. It’s a little bit sad because the brothers are homeless but also heart-warming because the family that Sam lives with are really nice to him. This book is shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year in the category of “Older Readers”. I gave it 4/5 stars and I would recommend it to just about anyone.