brucegargoyle
The Bookshelf Gargoyle
musings on books from a stony-faced reviewer
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Bruce's Shelfies: We have come....to the end.
Bruce’s Shelfies: We have come….to the end.
Well. Sort of. We haven’t come to the complete, grinding end, but it’s time to announce that I will be winding back my output for this blog over the next few months. After nearly five years of blogging and nearly two years of posting five days a week, I have hit something of a wall in both reading and wanting to blog and I have therefore made the decision to ease off a bit. It started with…
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Picture Book Double Dip: Dragons and Planetary Terraforming...
Picture Book Double Dip: Dragons and Planetary Terraforming…
Grab some colourful snacks to accompany two colourful picture books for today’s double dip review. We received both of today’s books from Bloomsbury Australia for review. First up, we have There is No Dragon in this Story by Lou Carter and Deborah Allwright. Here’s the blurb from Goodreads: Poor old dragon. Nobody wants him in their story. Not Goldilocks, not Hansel and Gretel – no one. But…
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#Bloomsbury Australia#books#double dip review#dragons#fairy tales#fiction#illustrated#kidlit#picture books#reading#space
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Top Book of 2017 Pick: The Ethan I Was Before...
Top Book of 2017 Pick: The Ethan I Was Before…
Today’s Top Book of 2017 pick is one for the middle grade readers who like something authentic and realistic, steeped in humour and depth. We received The Ethan I Was Before from Hachette Australia for review and here’s the blurb from Goodreads: Ethan had been many things. He was always ready for adventure and always willing to accept a dare, especially from his best friend, Kacey. But that was…
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#books#fiction#friendship#hachette australia#loss#middle grade#reading#realistic fiction#top book of 2017
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Gabbing about Graphic Novels: The Park Bench...
Gabbing about Graphic Novels: The Park Bench…
Today’s graphic novel is a ode to the humble park bench from Christophe Chaboute. We received The Park Bench from Allen & Unwin for review and here’s the blurb from Goodreads: Chabouté’s enchanting story of a park bench was first published to critical acclaim in France in 2012. Faber now brings his work to the English-speaking world for the first time. Through Chabouté’s elegant graphic style,…
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Meandering Through Middle Grade: The Guggenheim Mystery...
Meandering Through Middle Grade: The Guggenheim Mystery…
What an interesting offering I have for you today! I first encountered The London Eye Mystery by the late Siobhan Dowd back in 2008, a year or so after its release. The story features Ted, a lad on the Autistic Spectrum, whose cousin Salim goes missing from one of the pods on the London Eye. It is a brilliant locked room mystery story for middle grade and YA readers with an interesting…
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#art#austim#books#detectives#fiction#guggenheim mystery#kidlit#Meandering through Middle Grade#middle grade#middlegrade fiction#mystery#reading#robin stevens#siobhan dowd#ted sparks#the london eye mystery#theft#UKMG
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Picture Book Perusal: I Just Ate My Friend...
Picture Book Perusal: I Just Ate My Friend…
I’ve got a new book on the block for fans of subversive picture books of the style of Jon Klassen today, with I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon. We received our copy from Allen & Unwin for review and here’s the blurb from Goodreads: This beautiful, innovate picture book from an enormously talented new creator will make you laugh out loud. The search for a true friend is something everyone…
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#allen & unwin#books#fiction#friendship#humour#illustrated#kidlt#monsters#Picture Book Perusal#picture books#reading#subversive
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DNF with Massive Potential: Give Me the Child...
DNF with Massive Potential: Give Me the Child…
Although today’s book was a DNF for me, I would still heartily recommend it to you if you enjoy psychological thrillers featuring creepy children. We received Give Me the Child by Mel McGrath from HarperCollins Australia for review and here’s the blurb from Goodreads: An unexpected visitor. Dr Cat Lupo aches for another child, despite the psychosis which marked her first pregnancy. So when Ruby…
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#adult fiction#books#creepy kids#DNF#fiction#harlequin#harpercollins australia#psychological thriller#reading#suspense
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Fiction in 50 July Challenge: After Dinner...
Fiction in 50 July Challenge: After Dinner…
Welcome to the Fiction in 50 micro-writing challenge for July, with the prompt: If you’d like to join in, just create a piece of prose or poetry in fewer than 51 words and link it up in the comments section of this post. For more detailed information on the challenge and future prompts, just click here. I’ve gone with a somewhat grim interpretation of the prompt this month and have titled my…
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#after dinner#community challenge#Fi50#fiction in 50#flash fiction#micro fiction#micro narrative#monthly prompt#writing challenge#writing prompt
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Corpselight: Paranormal Creatures and Pregnancy on the Streets of Brisvegas...
Corpselight: Paranormal Creatures and Pregnancy on the Streets of Brisvegas…
If you are as much a fan of Ben Aaronovitch’s DC Peter Grant series of paranormal police procedural novels as we are, you really should prick up your pointy, furry ears for the book we have for you today. We received Corpselight, being the second book in Angela Slatter’s Verity Fassbinder paranormal detective series, from Hachette Australia for review and here’s the blurb from Goodreads: Life in…
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#adult fiction#birth#books#cryptids#fantasy#fiction#hachette australia#humour#kitsune#motherhood#mud#mythical creatures#pregnancy#reading#urban fantasy
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Fi50 Reminder and TBR Friday: The Luck Uglies...
Fi50 Reminder and TBR Friday: The Luck Uglies…
It’s that time of the month again – Fiction in 50 kicks off on Monday! To participate, just create a piece of fiction or poetry in fewer than 51 words and then add your link to the comments of my post on Monday. For more information, just click on that snazzy typewriter at the top of this post. Our prompt for this month is… Hope to see you there! Today I’ve got a book that’s been on my TBR…
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#books#fantasy#Fi50#fi50 reminder#fiction#fiction in 50#kidlit#luck uglies#middle grade#monsters#mount tbr reading challenge 2017#reading#series opener#TBR Friday
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My Lovely Frankie: An Evocative, Timely and Insightful Glimpse into Catholicism of the Past...
My Lovely Frankie: An Evocative, Timely and Insightful Glimpse into Catholicism of the Past…
My Lovely Frankie by Judith Clarke. Published by Allen & Unwin, 28th June, 2017. RRP: $19.99 I sit on the shelf of practicing Catholics. The he-fleshling has a cousin in the clergy and an uncle who is one of Australia’s most prominent theologians. The she-fleshling’s father spent time in the seminary training to become a Christian brother. They are Catholics that, being of the post Vatican…
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#1950s#allen & unwin#books#Catholicism#clergy#fiction#historical fiction#lgbtqi#priesthood#reading#religion#romance#ya#YA fiction
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The Deadly Perils of Social Media: Friend Request...
The Deadly Perils of Social Media: Friend Request…
Today’s book is a psychological thriller that deftly describes the perils of getting back in contact with people from your past. We received Friend Request by Laura Marshall from Hachette Australia for review and here’s the blurb from Goodreads: When Louise first notices the new girl who has mysteriously transferred late into their senior year, Maria seems to be everything the girls Louise hangs…
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#adult fiction#books#facebook#friend request#hachette australia#high school reunion#murder#mystery#reading#social media
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Graphic Novel Double Dip Review: Fears and Fantasy Lands...
Graphic Novel Double Dip Review: Fears and Fantasy Lands…
You’ll require a nice light, colourful snack to accompany today’s illustrated double dip, in keeping with the theme of dark places and a desire for the light. Let’s kick off with The Creeps by Fran Krause, being the follow-up anthology to Deep Dark Fears, and which we received from the publisher via Netgalley for review. Here’s the blurb from Goodreads: A follow-up to the New York Times…
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#adult fiction#books#car accident#double dip review#fantasy#fears#fiction#graphic novels#grief#humour#illustrated#loss#reading#ya#young adult fiction
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Room, with a Dog: Goodnight, Boy...
Room, with a Dog: Goodnight, Boy…
I’ve got some YA/adult fiction crossover for you today that is highly reminiscent of Emma Donoghue’s Room, in that it features a child imprisoned in a suburban home for reasons that aren’t exactly clear at the beginning. We received a copy of Goodnight, Boy by Nikki Sheehan from the publisher via Netgalley and here’s the blurb from Goodreads: A tale of two very different worlds, both shattered…
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Meandering through Middle Grade: The Tale of Angelino Brown...
Meandering through Middle Grade: The Tale of Angelino Brown…
David Almond is one of those authors that many people categorise as an “auto-read”; that is, such is the strength of his previous work, any new work that is published will be snapped up immediately by his fans. It’s a bit that way for we shelf-dwellers. We loved Skelling, A Monster Calls and Heaven Eyes, for instance, but found some of his other books like Clay and The Savage a bit too dark and…
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#angels#books#children&039;s books#david almond#fiction#humour#illustrated#kidlit#kidnap#Meandering through Middle Grade#middle grade#popsugar reading challenge#reading#ukfiction#Walker Books Australia
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Picture Book Perusal: The Rabbit-Hole Golf Course
Picture Book Perusal: The Rabbit-Hole Golf Course
Today’s book is the perfect pick for the depths of winter, when you need a bit of sunshine and dry, parched desert in your life. We received The Rabbit-Hole Golf Course by Ella Mulvey and Karen Briggs from Allen & Unwin for review and here’s the blurb from A&U: A warm and funny story about a unique Australian experience with a fantastic rhythmic read-aloud text. In the big old ute, on the long…
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#Australian authors#Australian books#Australian story#books#children&039;s books#desert#fiction#indigenous people#kidlit#outback#pets#picture book#Picture Book Perusal#rabbits#reading
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Cheerio my dears! It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it, since we last sat down for a yarn so I am making up for that dearth of craft-related natter with a charming crochet book. Dumpling Cats: Crochet and Collect Them All! by Sarah Sloyer is a book of amigurumi patterns based on that popular app and game, Neko Atsume, or Kitty Collector for the non Japanese-speakers. We received a copy from Dover Publications via Netgalley and here’s the blurb from Goodreads:
Waffles is a relaxed feline who loves to read, and Cheeks just can’t get enough to eat. These fun-loving characters are just two of the 25 dumpling-shaped crochet cats in this whimsical collection. The cuddly crochet critters were inspired by the Pokémon™-like craze Neko Atsume, a game that enables you to attract cats to your backyard and “collect” them. Each little dumpling has a name and personality points that add up to big fun!
You don’t have to be an expert to crochet and collect these adorable kitties — the patterns are suitable for crocheters of all skill levels. Easy-to-follow instructions are accompanied by full-color photos and simple drawings. The directions explain every stage, from ears to tail, and some of the patterns include accessories and costume items. Plus, there are bonus patterns for a cat bed, food bowls, and more!
As craft and pattern books go, this one is quite high spec. The patterns are clearly set out with extra pictures showing how to assemble the pieces, which is always helpful for those who like to see things step by step. Between the 25 kitty patterns are “bonus” patterns for accessories such as bowls and beds so crafters can provide a bit of comfort for their crocheted kitties. I jumped in with the pattern for Dusty, who is pictured on the left of the cover, but since the mini-fleshlings prefer Pokemon at the moment, I modified the ears and tail to make an Eevee instead.
The beauty of this book is that it is perfect for beginner amigurumists, because the patterns are simple to follow and result in a small plush that can be created in only a few hours. More importantly though, from an experienced crocheter’s perspective, the patterns are basic enough that they provide a variety of good base shapes that can be modified, if you have the skills, thereby opening up a whole range of creatures that could be made. I’m already planning a Pikachu mod based on one of the plumper shapes.
Apart from the uses that I can see this having in terms of creating new spin-offs using these patterns, the book didn’t entirely work for me because I prefer working with larger sized plushies. The small plushies produced here, that fit into the palm of your hand, aren’t as forgiving when it comes to little mistakes that can be made here and there while following the pattern. Again though, the small sized pieces mean that a finished piece that looks pretty much like the picture is achievable for those new to the craft.
I can see myself coming back to this book to gain inspiration from the adorably squishy body shapes of the dumpling cats and I would definitely recommend it to beginners and more experienced amigurumists alike.
Yours in yarn,
Mad Martha
Yarning with Mad Martha: Dumpling Cats Cheerio my dears! It's been quite a while, hasn't it, since we last sat down for a yarn so I am making up for that dearth of craft-related natter with a charming crochet book.
#amigurumi#books#cats#craft#crochet#dover publications#dumpling cats#hobbies#kitty collector#neko atsume#nonfiction#pop culture#yarning with mad martha
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