"Skylarking" by Kate Mildenhall

I heard of this book this morning when I was listening to an interview with the author on the ABC radio national, and decided to download it right away to read as part of the Aussie Author Challenge 2016. The story is set in Cape Jervis on the NSW south coast in the 1880s, and is an historical novel (my favourite genre), plus I have lots of great memories of camping and exploring that area with my best friend Georgie.
My review will appear shortly.

Started reading: 3rd October 2016
Finished: 6th October 2016
My score: 8/10
Genre: Australian historical novel, young adult

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

This was one of those book purchases facilitated by being in an airport with a small amount of local currency that needed to be spent before leaving the country. It might have been on my Bali trip but I can't really remember. It has been sitting on my shelf, still in the plastic wrap for over a year, and considering the movie is coming out now and the trailers look great, I thought I'd better hurry up and read the book. 

I hadn't realised this was in the genre of Young Adult fiction when I started reading it. I love how the book is based on actual peculiar photos the author found in various collections and markets and antique shops and that he built such an imaginative story around them. There are some really incredible photos included throughout the story, some of which must have been 'faked' in some way by the original photographer, and others that just manage to capture a creepy or peculiar expression on a child or a strange scene. Although creative and interesting, the story itself is a bit childish/teenager-ish in many ways (which is understandable now I know it is meant to be YA fiction) yet it also has elements of horror and supernatural magic throughout. I really liked it as it was unique and interesting and especially since the photos are 'real' photos it adds another layer to the story for me. I would really like to see the movie now. And will be keeping my eyes open for unusual photos at markets and second-hand shops from now on! At the end of the book it mentioned there is a sequel "Hollow City" which I will see if my local library can get in for me to read at some stage.

Started reading: 23 September 2016
Finished: 2nd October 2016
My score: 7/10
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural, Horror