The Silver Arrow, by Lev Grossman

Readers familiar with Lev Grossman’s Magicians trilogy, and expecting something similar, should be aware that this is very much a children’s book. On her 11th birthday Kate receives a steam train from her mysterious uncle. She and her younger brother then embark on a magical journey, transporting animals to places of safety. Along the way they experience excitement and adventure, making new friends in unexpected places and learning resilience by using their initiative. This well-meaning story has the worthy goal of educating and empowering children. Unfortunately, it does so in a heavy handed and didactic fashion, with a tone that talks down. Although the heroine is 11, the simple language and unsubtle messaging seem pitched at a much lower level. It might be admirable that Grossman seeks to inspire the next generation of Greta Thunbergs, but it is hard to see this book achieving that high aim.

Isn’t it Romantic (2019), directed by Todd Strauss-Schulman

Talented architect Natalie lacks self-confidence and self-esteem, rendering herself almost invisible at work. Totally rejecting the tropes of romantic comedies, she also excludes any possibility of love or any kind of happy ending for herself. When she is mugged and knocked unconscious, Natalie wakes to find herself in a utopian version of her life in New York and her worst nightmare – a romantic comedy. How can she escape it? Rebel Wilson is very funny as Natalie and she is ably supported by Adam Devine, Liam Hemsworth, Betty Gilpin and Priyanka Chopra. There is a nice underlying message about loving yourself before worrying about finding love with anyone else. The film has a lot of fun poking at the extremes of the genre like waking fully made-up, breaking into song, stopping weddings and stereotypical gay best friends. While enjoyable and at times laugh-out-loud funny, the film ends up succumbing to its own tropes by reinforcing that people should stay in their own lanes and insisting on a trademark happy ending.

Troubled Blood, By Robert Galbraith

The latest Cormoran Strike novel by JK Rowling’s alter ego is more than 900 pages long. It’s not a difficult read, but it is so fucking long it’s hard to keep track of the multitude of characters and plot twists. There is an awful lot going on. Cormoran and Robin continue to navigate their tricky personal and professional relationship while managing their expanding business. Robin is trying to finalise her divorce and deal with her anxious family. Cormoran’s aunt in Cornwall is dying of cancer and his estranged father is trying to establish a relationship, much to Cormoran’s fury. His ex, Charlotte, is still sending provocative texts and trying to inveigle him. And that’s before we even get started on the convoluted murder mystery – the cold case of young doctor Margot Bamborough’s disappearance in 1975. Was she an undisclosed victim of a notorious serial killer? Did she run away from a cold and uncaring husband? Was her ex boyfriend involved? And what about the complicated relationships in her GP practice? Galbraith canvasses all this and more in minute detail, which is for the most part interesting but occasionally excruciating. Several storylines and one whole section (concerning a visit from Robin’s brother) could have been omitted without losing anything relevant to the main plot. A good editor would have done so to the book’s benefit and would also have corrected a few grammatical errors, but who would edit JK Rowling? She draws together most of the various threads pretty well in a satisfying conclusion, but it takes so long to get there it’s kind of anti-climactic.

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London, by Garth Nix

After turning 18 Susan Arkshaw moves to London to prepare for art school and to find the father she has never known. She is immediately plunged into a secret world of booksellers, who are guardians of the intersection between the old world and the new. Things are out of balance in the old world with a malevolent old power growing its influence while the Booksellers have been asleep at the wheel. But what has Susan’s absent Dad got to do with it and will charming but deadly Bookseller Merlin help or hinder her quest? Set in the 1980s, where Thatcher is the second female PM, this novel adds an alt history dimension to its fantasy premise. The alt is subtle, rather than a major a plot component, expressed mainly via women cropping up in positions of strength and authority. Susan is an endearingly grounded heroine and Nix skilfully blends the tropes of myth and magic with the day-to-day of 80s England, tossing in humour to keep it real. The Booksellers are an intriguing organisation and it will be interesting to see if this is the start of a new series.

Firestarter (2020), directed by Nel Minchin & Wayne Blair

The story of the Bangarra Dance Theatre is also the story of the three brothers intrinsic to its development – Stephen, David and Russell Page. Founded in Sydney in 1989, Bangarra has been a triumphant success story, culturally, artistically and socially, but at what cost? Stephen Page was appointed artistic director at the age of 24. He has led the way ever since in reconnecting to country and culture and demonstrating this through dance. Grainy home movies and amateur videos show the early days of the Page brothers, their start at NAISDA and the early years of Bangarra. Later interviews and footage demonstrate the amazing talent of the three brothers and the incredible sadness of Russell and David’s paths. The narrative matches the dance company’s history with high and low points of Australia’s modern history, including featuring at the Edinburgh Festival, a US tour, Bicentennial celebrations, the Sydney Olympics, Keating’s Redfern speech and the Howard government’s denialism. The doco is a little slow in parts and could possibly have been edited more tightly. Continuity and hope are demonstrated through Stephen’s tenacity and through his and Russell’s sons, as well as the new generation of Bangarra dancers.

It Sounded Better in My Head, by Nina Kenwood

Natalie is 18 and living in that tense interim period between receiving Year 12 results and getting Uni offers. At the start of a series of big life changes her parents announce their separation, throwing her a curveball. Excessively introverted and self-conscious, Natalie’s last couple of years at school have been made bearable by her friendship with Lucy and Zach. But she has become something of a third wheel since they coupled up. Navigating an unexpected romance is difficult when you have zero experience and your family and friends are not totally supportive. But Natalie’s humour sees her through extreme anxiety and her tendency to over analyse everything. Occasional flashbacks explain her loner status and underline the true pain many teens experience from literally feeling uncomfortable in their own skin. A deceptively simple tale of teenage angst, the tongue-in-cheek style disguises a note perfect depiction of vulnerability and growth.