Keret's stories are reminiscent of Roald Dahl's adult short stories or more contemporary guys like  Michel Faber, Jim Shepard, Wells Tower amongst others. The thing with Keret is how he can brilliantly make a really brief story feel like it could be an amazing quirky Hollywood film. If you appreciate the short fiction form you must read Etgar Keret. 

- Ben 

The Other Hand is a hugely engaging book. As much I may be jaded or unemotional I could not help being drawn in and towed into quite an emotional roller coaster. That said I can't take anything away from such an imaginative story, the kind with the turns you just don't see, that surprise you in that rewarding way as you turn the page in the early hours of the morning or in the car on the way to work. I could have simply said an addictive read you will force your friends to read just so you can talk about it.

- Ben 

A memoir/companion piece to her recent movie The Future, It Chooses You is filled with July's quirky insight into fears of failing as an artist and human being. This is a great insight into her script writing process as many of the stories behind the most prominent themes from The Future are revealed. Her writing process is tied together by interviews with an array of fascinating, unusual and sometimes creepy characters who use the local Penny Saver classifieds to sell odd bits and pieces. July sets out to chronicle life in LA from a completely bizarre perspective searching for connection and empathy, sometimes finding it and often becoming completely complexed at life.

It Chooses You is full of wonderful characters and a fascinating view into July's creative process.

- Toby

Another great tale from the author of American Born Chinese.

Level Up follows our protagonist Dennis Ouyand as he struggles to find his place in the world. Obsessed with video games from a young age, Dennis tumbles through life pulled in one direction by his Father's expectation of becoming a gastroenterologist and his personal journey through the world of games, friendships and growing up.

Yang has a knack for storytelling and this is a wonderful tale of coming to terms with your life choices and creating your own destiny.

A great introduction to magic realism for younger teens and a nostalgic story for all who grew up in the 80's.

Oh, and it's shaped like a Game boy, WIN!

_ These books are very good. Dwight is an unusual character who does really weird stuff like digging holes in his backyard, sitting in them then filling them back up again. But when he makes an ordinary finger puppet of Yoda that’s when things get veeeeeeery strange. Yoda can predict the future, stop people from making absolute fools of themselves, and can give GREAT advice. Everyone wonders how Origami Yoda can be so great when Dwight himself is so clueless. A year later in the second book, it’s dark time. Dwight’s enemy (Harvey) has made a finger puppet of Darth Vader. Harvey is constantly telling everyone that Dwight is bad. So Dwight needs to be saved.

I love the way that at the end of both books it tells you how to make Origami Yoda, Darth Vader and an emergency Yoda.

- Jager (Age 9)

_ My Sister Lives on The Mantelpiece follows the life of Jamie, a 10 year old boy trying to piece together the tragedy that tore his family apart while living in the ruin it left behind. The main aspect of this story that stood out was the honest and seemingly innocent voice it is told from. His untainted view of the world around him afforded a fresh perspective. It encompasses everything from love, hate, eating disorders and terrorism but most importantly hope. A realistic hope that lives off the page and relates to our own lives where everything might not be perfect but we can see it getting there.

This novel will appeal to those who enjoyed Stephen Chbosky The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Recommended Age: 11-18 years old

- Ruby (Age 14)

_
Is it too early to declare BOOK OF THE YEAR??? Don't look at this book as a young adult fiction title, this is simply a superb book. Having read two previous brilliant books by John Green I was giddy with excitement when I unpacked this book.

Hazel is a 16 year old cancer patient, frustrated that her mother insists she attends a cancer survivors group for teenagers. Hazel rarely communicates within the group but to herself she describes her initial diagnosis with thyroid cancer at 13 (three months after her first period) as like: Congratulations! Your're a woman. Now die. At group she meets Augustus who has lost a leg to cancer, and they forge a strong friendship as he tries to convince her they are destined to be together. Yes, this is a funny book about cancer but it is in very safe hands with this author.

WARNING: somebody may die and you may sob uncontrollably and you may never be able to forget these characters. This is a book you will want to reread and you will insist everyone you know reads it. This is truly a book we will be talking about for a long time.

- Natalie

James Frey is arguably one of the most controversial literary figures of the last decade following the furore after his appearance on Oprah’s Book Club with “A Million Little Pieces”. With his latest novel Frey not only courts controversy but invites it in a imagining of what it would be like if the Messiah returned in Modern day New York City.

When Ben Zion awakes from a coma after a hideous accident he has other worldly powers and is perceived to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Throughout each section or gospel written in the first person you are introduced to Ben Zion, his supporters and detractors. Zion explores the darker side of modern life from crack addicts, prostitution and homophobia. He experiences group sex with men, women and in heady orgies.

 And no matter what you think of the controversy surrounding Frey in the past there is no denying that he is a truly unique author who has the ability to inhabit his characters with complexity and dexterity.

‘The Final Testament of the Holy Bible” is highly readable and ambitious in the exploration of humanity, religion, homosexuality and the very nature of existence. He is highly critical of religion which the protagonist describes as “a beautiful con…the longest running fraud in human history”.

Admittedly I am a huge fan of Frey’s style and his blatant disregard for punctuation and grammer, but this is what draws you in. For me there is no-one who writes like Frey and this latest novel did not disappoint.

This amazing memoir is already one of my standouts for 2011.
With every page I couldn't help but think about the author
"You and I should totally be friends and hang out in a cafe
and drink coffee with Phoebe, Ross and Chandler- but not
that annoying Rachel". Emma started her writing career at 13
and its obvious she is a born writer. This book tells the story 
of her relationship with her therapist who she meets after a 
suicide attempt and his impact on her life over the next ten years
and how she learnt of his death months after he died. An honest
vunerable account from a woman not afraid to wear her 
heart on her sleeve.

Follow her at Twitter @GirlInterrupter

The Paradise Trap is an exciting book full of twists and turns; you never know what’s going to happen next. It’s a light read and doesn’t have much depth. If your looking for a fun, stimulating ride this is the book for you! This book teaches the reader that a true paradise world is one where not everything is perfect and makes you question whether you are strong enough to escape a fake paradise. So will you escape or fall for the paradise trap? 

7/10

- Katie McGregor