Euro-Country, By CMAT

CMAT’s striking third album Euro-Country manages to stay catchy while maintaining her unique blend of humour and insight, laden with pop cultural references you wouldn’t hear in a standard pop album (Corrie, Kerry Katona and a general dislike of Jamie Oliver to name a few).

Euro-Country shows that CMAT is in a league of her own when it comes to song writing that can blend themes of identity crisis and social commentary with a country-pop sound and sharp-witted storytelling. The album’s boldness and ambition are what make it so great – it can have you thinking, dancing and laughing all at once. Not just a fun listen, but a powerful and bright artistic statement.

– Ali Roy

Precipice, By Robert Harris

Robert Harris is a master of historical fiction, blending real-world history with creative story-telling to create some un-putdownable novels. His latest, Precipice, was published in hardback last year and, just recently, in paperback for those of us – like me – who prefer the physically lighter format.

Precipice is set at the start of the First World War, and tells the incredible tale of the extremely close relationship between Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and 26-year old socialite Venitia Stanley. Based on actual letters from Asquith to Stanley, as well as other genuine documents, it tells an almost unbelievable story of politics, obsession and scandal at a pivotal time in the nation’s history.

A great read that is both educational and entertaining, and a book that leaves a lasting impression well after the final page has been turned.

– Brian Cooper

The Last Bear, By Hannah Gold

April Wood travels to Bear Island with her father where she finds Bear. She is on a mission to save the beloved polar bear before he starves to death.

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I loved The Last Bear, it made me think how important our world is and that we should protect it. I never wanted the book to end.

I loved how much the characters bonded, it made me want to dance. It is also one of my favourite books and I think everyone should get the chance to read it.

– Imogen Cunningham, Age 9