Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

The 2020 Booker Prize winner. Set in Scotland, 1980’s, the Thatcherite years. A working-class family story, of a Mother not coping with being abandoned by her husband, poverty and bringing up her family but intent on keeping up appearances whilst spiralling into an alcohol addiction. The story told through a third person narrator, showcases youngest child Shuggie, who cares the most but has his own issues. A boy that is ‘no right’ according to the locals. Written in authentic dialect, (reminiscent of Trainspotting) lending an authenticity to what could be a bleak, dark read – yet it is imbued with love, that shines through and gives this book its heart. A book to challenge the reader. It is to be found in the Senior Reading section of the Library.

Respect by Inti Chavez Perez

Tying this book in with the "Loves Me Not" workshop for Year 12 students.

The world has changed, and the revelations of the #MeToo movement have raised serious questions about how men are raised to understand consent and their own sexuality. Respect is the first guide to sexual health and relationships built around consent. Inti Chavez Perez draws on his vast experience as a sex educator to lay out how to build positive, respectful relationships with friends and partners, and how consent factors in at every stage from introducing yourself to having healthy sexual relationships with others, all with the same frankness that guys have talking about sex with their friends. From gender identity and sexual orientation to body image, sexual health and more. — Politics and Prose bookshop.

Inti Chavez Perez is a writer and sex educator from Gothenburg, Sweden. He left a career as a journalist to focus full-time on issues concerning equality, sex, and sexuality. He regularly teaches sex education to teenagers in schools, as well as lecturing on education to midwives, teachers and government officials. Chavez Perez has been appointed by the Swedish Government as an expert on matters regarding the sexual violence of boys, lgbtq+ issues, honour violence, and other issues, in addition to serving as a member of their advisory council for The Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society. – Penguin Random House

Fushigi Yugi by Yuu Watase

Fifteen-year-old Miaka Yuki is transported into an ancient Chinese kingdom by an old library book, The Universe of the Four Gods. Following the legend in the book, Miaka becomes the Priestess of Suzaku and must find her seven celestial warriors before she can save the kingdom and return home.

This is a classic Manga story, first published in 1992, so interesting to compare with more recent Manga. It is a schoolgirl / time travel / Chinese-Japanese mythology blend with acclaimed artwork. Here is a link to the anime version of volume 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3QVsz5H-q4

Hunting November by Adrianna Mather

Do you like reading mystery and suspense books? Solving clues? Assassins and action? The much-awaited sequel to Killing November has arrived.

After a crash course in espionage at Academy Absconditi, November needs to find her missing father. Along with fellow student (and heartthrob) Ash, November follows the clues her father left, embarking on the deadliest treasure hunt of her life. The first clue is in her hometown, where unexpected enemies lurk. The second is in Europe, where revelations about her family’s history will plunge her into a web of deception. The third clue is deep in enemy territory, where everyone wants her and her father dead. Can one girl with limited training infiltrate a centuries-old organization that is powerful enough to topple empires? November only knows that she’ll do whatever it takes to save her father … or die trying. – back book coverAfter surviving a crash course in espionage at the mysterious Academy Absconditi, November has only one purpose: finding her missing father. Along with fellow student (and heartthrob) Ash, November follows the clues that her father left, embarking on the deadliest treasure hunt of her life. The first clue is in her hometown, where old friends beckon and unexpected enemies lurk around every corner. The second clue is in Europe, where revelations about her family’s history will plunge her into an international web of deception, lies, and intrigue. The third clue is deep in enemy territory, surrounded by the most skilled assassins and master strategists, and where everyone wants her and her father dead. Can one girl with limited training infiltrate a centuries-old organization that is powerful enough to topple empires? November only knows that she’ll do whatever it takes to save her father . . . or die trying. - back book cover

And you can access the library website here at any time to see what else is new, search for items and for links to Research and Academic databases.