What We're Reading Now...

We are an office full of self proclaimed book worms. There is no hiding it! So in recognition of Book Lovers Day on the 9th August and with the Byron Bay Writer's Festival just around the corner, we wanted to share with you the books that The Candle Library team are reading right now.

Angela: Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

Right now, I am revisiting my most favourite series, Harry Potter, in anticipation of reading the latest release. I am in the grips of the second half of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' - an I'm equal parts dreading and anticipating the ending. I wish J.K. Rowling would just keep writing Harry Potter books forever. This year has been a really busy, crazy year, and reading Harry again has been the ultimate escapism for me.

It had been a few years since I had read Harry Potter last, and I have so loved re-reading the series. There are so many things that you forget, and it's interesting to read again from the beginning once you know the whole story, as you pick up on things you would not have previously noticed, and you know exactly where those details are going to take you in future books. You get to fully appreciate the complexity and genius of the series.

J.K. Rowling has created the most thorough magical land, and I am so fascinated and in awe of her brain. Even now, as an almost 30 year old woman, I find myself thinking that perhaps the wizarding world really exists, because it's almost impossible to believe that someone has come up with this all on their own!

Niall: 'Pamela Stephenson: Billy'

Billy Connolly has been an idol of mine since I first discovered his unique style of observational comedy and hilarious story telling. This autobiography, written by his wife, takes you on an emotional journey from his desperately tough childhood in working class Glasgow to the legend of comedy that we know him as today, with injections of the mans wicked humour all along the way.

Alanah: 'April Fools Day' by Bryce Courtenay

I have been meaning to start this one for a while, but the size and topic of it overwhelmed me. The book is a tribute to Bryce's son, who contracted HIV/AIDS through a blood transfusion, so the I knew it would tug on the heart strings. I am only a few chapters in and am thoroughly enjoying it, to the point that I think I will want to re-read it as soon as I am finished!

Sam: 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith

'Just Kids' is Patti Smith's personal memoir of herself and Robert Maplethorpe and it's written as beautifully as her songs. I love the details of their 'rock n' roll' lifestyle and getting an insight into NYC and The Chelsea Hotel in the late 60's and 70's.

Raani: 'The People Smuggler' by Robin De Crespigny.

This book is a true story about Ali Al Jenabi who escapes Saddam Hussein’s torure chambers and flees Iraq in the hope to find a safe place for him and his family to call home. There are eye-opening comparisons throughout the book of what his home town in Iraq used to be like and what it is like now as a war-zone. After being rejected asylum in Australia, Ali becomes a People Smuggler in an attempt to help himself and others find refuge. Written in first person and in a highly persuasive manner I don’t believe that anyone could read this story and still not empathise with those seeking asylum.