TBR Challenge #3 - Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

SYNOPSIS

The shark was beneath my bed, growing large as the room, large as the lighthouse, rising from unfathomable depths until it ripped the whole island from its roots. The bed was a boat, the shark a tide, and it pulled me so far out to sea I was only a speck, a spot, a mote, a dying star in an unending sky...

Julia has followed her mum and dad to live on a remote island for the summer - her dad, for work; her mother, on a determined mission to find the elusive Greenland shark. But when her mother's obsession threatens to submerge them all, Julia finds herself on an adventure with dark depths and a lighthouse full of hope...

REVIEW

I have such an affection for this book. It is pretty perfect and not to forget the illustrations are absolutely stunning. There is not really anything that I can say which I didn't like. The only criticism is that I wish I had a book like this when I was a child because I know that I would have loved it. But really I don't think that is a valid criticism and a bit trivial.

I love the underlying themes of the story, how there are aspects of the environment, making new friendships, the importance of family tied up with the theme of mental illness and how we should not fear and be open to talking about how we feel. It is an amazing piece of literature that should be in the hands of all children who are beginning to understand more about the world or don't know their place just yet and need that reassurance.

The illustrations are absolutely top-notch and probably the best I have ever seen in a children's book or in fact any sort of book. If you are just a reader who loves to collect a gorgeous book, well you should definitely add this one to your library.

There is also another point that I wish to make which doesn't necessarily include anything about this book per se. I was first brought to the attention of this book by a wonderful and passionate bookseller who was keen for me to read this book because they believed in it. If we didn't have booksellers like this I don't think that I would be reading as religiously as I do today. So I thank you to all the booksellers that do this and to this particular one, it is really appreciated and makes me want to go back even more. You guys are the true backbone of the book industry and I love you all so much.

RATING: ***** (FIVE STARS)

BUY LINKS

Amazon: Julia and the Shark : Hargrave, Kiran Millwood, de Freston, Tom: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Waterstones: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Tom de Freston | Waterstones

Comments

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

I’ve been following Ashley Poston’s work for a while. At first it was the comic con series back in 2020 when she first became known to me during COVID. After I read the series I forgot about her for a while. It was only when I went into my local Waterstones to pick up The Dead Romantics she came back under my radar. She is now one of my must buys if a new book comes out. Her take of the romantic genre has always been fresh and interesting with some form of magical realism. A Novel Love Story follows our heroine Elsy, otherwise referred to as Eileen. Unlucky in love she struggles to try new things. Instead, she is comforted by her favourite book series by her favourite author, Rachel Flowers. On her way to a cabin retreat by herself, she finds her car broken down in a town that is somewhat familiar to her favourite book series. I’m not going to lie, compared to Poston’s earlier novels this book took some time for me to get into. There have been numerous occasions where I’ve had to...

My Favourite Books... So Far

I have only really been reading seriously since I was thirteen years old, but I sure have found some books which I believe have really entertained and changed my perspective of life. Here are a few that I have rounded up that might be of interest to you. 1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Yes, this is pretty much a staple in any young reader's bookshelf, but not for me it wasn't. I didn't get to read this treasure until I was nineteen and I was so annoyed that I left it so long. Seriously, who doesn't love the idea of winning a golden ticket to a chocolate factory? It's the perfect little read for any age. Don't get me started on the writing! Oh, I could talk all day about it. It's simply perfection. 2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell I know I'm basic. This is already such a popular book already, but I just couldn't resist. This book personally came at the right time for me. I read it just as I was going round and researching universities t...

Heiress Apparently (Daughters of the Dynasty) by Diana Ma

SYNOPSIS Gemma Huang is a recent transplant to Los Angeles from Illinois, having abandoned plans for college to pursue a career in acting, much to the dismay of her parents. Now she is living with three roommates in a two-bedroom hovel, auditioning for bit roles that hardly cover rent. Gemma's big break comes when she's asked to play a lead role in an update of M. Butterfly filming for the summer in Beijing. When she arrives, she's stopped by paparazzi at the airport. She quickly realises she may as well be the twin of one of the most notorious young socialites in Beijing. Thus kicks off a summer of revelations, in which Gemma uncovers a legacy her parents have spent their lives protecting her from - one her mother would conceal from her daughter at any cost.

Thoughts of a Bookworm #2: I am a book addict

Throughout my reading life, there has always been something that has made me happy beyond measure. It's the feeling which I get from buying and collecting and placing new books on my shelf. It is even that great excitement when I have gone into my favourite bookshop and be able to walk around to buying that book that I've been eying up after half an hour browsing. But then the pandemic happened and my reading habits changed for the worst. At first, when the lockdown was first announced, everything was fine. I still had my last year studies at university, which were coming to a close and I had my sister with me. So, I would say I was pretty lucky compared to some of the other people that were facing the same problem of the pandemic. It is only when I finished my degree and began looking for a new job it seems my life took a little spiral and I have only come to realise this in the last few months. Then the book requests started to enter my inbox. The inbox that I haven't lo...

The Snow Song by Sally Gardner

Synopsis : 'Women imprisoned by superstition, chained by guilt. Perched on a mountain in a land of ancient forests is a village, rife with secrets. Cut off from the outside world it is run by the elders, men to whom tradition is all. Edith lives alone with her alcoholic father who is forcing her to marry the village butcher. But she is in love with a shepherd who promised to return to her. As the village becomes isolated in a sea of snow, Edith loses her power of speech. And it is this enchantment that will have far-reaching consequences, not only for Edith but for the whole village.'