My Reading List

A Conversation With Stephen King

2012-01-28T15:32:00.000+10:00

I've been surfing YouTube and found a few interviews with authors. However, I wanted to find something that was indepth and personal about an author. And so, when I stumbled upon this conversation with Stephen King that was uploaded early last year, I thought you'd like it. For the first 40 seconds or so, he doesn't say anything, but give it time, Steve will. He talks for 26 minutes about his books and writing; mainly about 'Full Dark, No Stars'

Must thank SimonSchulster for uploading this video to Youtube.

2012 The Year of Reading

2012-01-28T15:00:00.000+10:00

This year is the year of reading. Each year, there's a national endeavour of what that year represents, and this is the year of the book and reading books and finding time to read and - most of all - encouraging young people to get in and making it a habit to pick up books and read them.

With the world using the electronic means of entertaining themselves, us humans are turning away from books, musical instruments and other family-orientated things that would keep us more connected with each other. It's more likely now that each child has a computer or television set in their rooms, an iPod or iPhone plugged into their ears and would go for days without talking to anyone in their homes. However, when I was growing up - as it was with my parents - we spent time together playing board games, talking about our day over dinner and watching a movie together in the living room (actually, we did the latter because there was only one television in the house and we had only four channels to pick from if we were lucky).

For me, books were always a passion of mine; and my parents were thankful I wasn't into video games. Being an avid reader meant that if I received a book for my birthday or Christmas, I'd read it a dozen times and rarely become sick of it. And if I did, there was a library up the road I could borrow books from. Even now, a book received as a present is a wonderful thing and I couldn't even think of myself owning an e-reader.

However, this year, it doesn't matter if you read a book on an e-reader or Kindle, so long you pick up a book and read it, and get some of your family and friends to take up the habit by reading for an hour a week. Personally, I can knock off an hour a day; but that's me. There's people I know who say they can't sit and read for hours on end and have never read a book. However, for every person who doesn't like reading, there is sure to be a great author for them and their interests, no matter who they are.

And so, this year, in August, there is going to be a day where you can read for an hour; and see how far you get through a book. Work up to it by reading for a few minutes a day. Be it before you go to bed, or after you wake up, while you're waiting for kettle to boil for a cup of tea or waiting outside the school to pick up the kids, reading at any time is good for your brain; and it's great for a child's growing brain as they're is still learning and they can learn as they read.

There's a fantastic site you can go to for more information about this National Year of Reading and you can join in with this great project; as well as your children and family. So, what are you waiting for? Until my next post, happy reading!

'Christian Slater Back From the Edge' by Nigel Goodall

2012-01-26T10:38:00.002+10:00

Born into a stage and movie family, Christian Slater had acting in his blood from the very beginning of his life. His parents met at an acting school in New York City and - after a quick courtship - married and had Christian in 1969. His life growing up wasn't like most kids, as he was often in the wings of theatres and in dressing rooms watching his father get ready for performances. His mother - Mary Jo Slater - became a casting agent and she helped him with his roles in some of his movies; however she didn't like most of his choices.

This book is a very informative, detailed account of Christian Slater's life. It's the good, the bad and the ugly sides of his personal and movie lives which nobody else had written; and I'm glad it was written by Nigel Goodall. There's some great photos of Christian in the book and it's so easy to read you can get through over thirty pages in one sitting easily.

However, this book is also out of print and can only be found in the UK in the hard cover format. I had to order my copy through The American Bookstore here in Brisbane and wait for it to arrive three weeks later. Otherwise, if you can get your hands on a copy of this book, it is well worth a read.

Keeping Count Online

2012-01-24T21:51:00.003+10:00

I've been a member of a few online book clubs since I joined the internet way back when I was living at my folks house after a nasty break-up with an abusive ex-boyfriend in 2000. This was around the time when dial-up turned into Broadband; and it was hideously expensive and not everyone could afford it. Thank goodness it became something everyone could afford eventually, eh? Well, I thought to put on here the few sites I use on a regular basis to search for books, catalogue some of my books and - at times - keep count of the books I read.

Good Reads

Book Found

Good Reading Magazine

Bookcrossing

Library Thing

So, there you have it, a list of the most-used book sites I use. They're also on the sidebar as well. So, when this post is gone into the archives, you can all see them and use them still. Enjoy! Which book sites are you constantly using? Are they the same - or similar - sites to these? Are there ones you'd like to see here? If so, drop me a line in the comments below and let us in on your secret book site. Until my next post, happy reading!

Altered Books

2012-01-21T16:52:00.001+10:00

I love books like nobody else. I can't stand destroying them or making them into anything else but reading material. However, when books have come to the end of their lives; I just can't stand throwing them out. So, this is what some artists live for... giving them a second life as art.

Book Art

Mackay Art Space

Now, this one above, I couldn't get any photos of because it's in the contract with touring exhibitions that we can't use cameras in the Logan Art Gallery while they are there. So, if you'd like to see the catalogue, I've found it online for your convenience. However, seeing Acrobat freezes up my computer in an instant, I thought to leave the browsing of it up to you guys. Enjoy.

What Are You Reading?

2012-01-20T12:52:00.000+10:00

It's the beginning of a new year and so I cleaned off the Reading List shelf for 2012 to put my read books; to watch them pile up as this wonderfully important year glide by. And so far, I've gotten my nose into some great books - but they're nowhere near finished. I'm halfway through and at the beginning of them.

The first one I'm reading is '11-22-63' by Stephen King. I bought this one in November last year and began reading it immediately. However I'm three-quarters through it and have yet to finish it, and I've figured out why I haven't finished it in my usual fast time of reading books. I love how King has set this book out, how he's written it. It's beautiful in every way; so much so, I don't want the darned thing to finish. So, I'm not rushing it and just letting it take me when I want to read it at the pace I want to read it.

The next book I'm begun - and have yet to get past the second chapter of is 'The Dreaming Void' by Peter F Hamilton. A friend of mine and I have 'The Void Trilogy' together (I have the last two and he had the first book) and so we decided to join forces and read the books all at once. Seeing he was the faster reader, he read them first and then handed them onto me. Well, I began the first book and have been enjoying the lovely plain English that is so lacking in sci-fi fiction now. I have put it down for a bit; but the great thing is that I can go back and pick it back up and not be lost.

The next book I've got my nose into - well and truly - is 'Christian Slater: Back From The Edge' by Nigel Goodall. This book was published in 2005 and only printed in the UK; not exported here to Australia. This was unfortunate as it went out of print almost as fast as it was in print. So, I had to order it into The American Bookstore in the city. It took three weeks to arrive and the day I picked it up, I was reading it on the way home.

So, what have you been getting your nose into over the last few weeks? Have you been reading what you received for Christmas or something you snaffled from a yard sale? Do tell. And are you having problems reading a book you've gotten into - like me and the Stephen King book - let us know which books are the ones you're stuck on and can't get ahead. Well, until my next post, happy reading!

Book Haul!

2012-01-16T10:15:00.000+10:00

Usually, while I'm on holidays down the coast, I buy up big at the markets and enjoy the massive bargains. Then, I arrive home and have to reorganise my bookshelves to make room for the new arrivals; and believe me, it's not easy! This year, I stayed home again (and this time not because of the floods) and Mum took the opportunity and went to the markets for me. I thought this was a sweet gesture; even though I didn't ask her to and wasn't expecting her to. She had the best fun finding the most unexpected bargains in the most unusual places.

The first books we'll look at are 'The Chronicles of Naria' by C. S Lewis. This is an unabridged edition of all the books which was published in 2001; well before the edition that was put out with the movies in 2010 - which came with a poster in the back. Both editions I have are unabridged and both are worthwhile. The next book was one that Mum didn't buy, but found at the laundry. Now, at the holiday park laundry, people leave books in the laundry and they're picked up and replaced by others - a little like Bookcrossing but not - and yet it's a great way of everyone sharing their reading material around the place; so long you have a book to replace the one you've taken. Mum picked up 'Court & Country: Studies in Tudor Social History' by A.L Rowse. This is a non-fiction book studying the history of the Cornwall area of England. Very interesting time of English Society.

Then, Mum found me some wonderful Stephen King books. She was so excited about one that she called me on her mobile and told me about it at the market, then called me again once she got it back to the caravan; and little wonder it was a First Edition from the UK! This particular book is 'Song of Susannah' from The Dark Tower Series. What a find! It's got a brilliant set of coloured plates inside, a beautiful dust jacket and it's never been read; as the attached bookmark is still folded up inside the book! What a find! Mum is so proud of it - and I am too. You just don't find a book of this caliber anywhere anymore; especially from this series.

One of the plates that depict Sai King's character in The Dark Tower Series.

On the opposite page from the Sai King plate.

The next book of Stephen King's Mum found was 'Lisey's Story'. I've been wanting to read this book for some time; however the price of it hasn't really gone down all that much. So, each time I've seen it, it's been a little out of my reach. When she told me she had seen it for a great price, I jumped at the chance of owning. Mum told me that there were many titles of his where she was standing at the market. And so, we went through a lot of them and she found I had most of them - to her amazement - and she decided to keep just the two she had picked up.

When Mum and Dad arrived at my place for coffee yesterday, I knew that 'Songs of Susannah' was going to be a big book, however I didn't know that 'Lisey's Story' was going to be an oversized paperback - nice and big to read. I'm so pleased about what my Mum bought me (even though she didn't have to buy these books). Now, just to find a spot in my overcrowded library for them!

So, over these holidays, have you scored a great book haul? Did you personally oversee it or did somebody do it on your behalf; like my Mum did for me? Until my next post, happy reading!

On The Hunt

2012-01-14T12:09:00.000+10:00

I love books as much as any avid reader out there; and I love to collect them as well (as a good majority of you know). However, what I love to do is hunt down books I would love to read and own. These aren't just any books, these are books that are out-of-print and are rare as hell to find. These are the challenge, my whale, my reason for going into second-hand bookstores armed with my handkerchiefs and antihistamines and looking through the dusty shelves for hours on end on wet, humid days.

However, there have been times where I've rejoiced and found some wonderful books by pure chance. Stumbling upon an out-of-print book by accident is fate; really it is. Hunting for one for years is like having a carrot dangled in front of your face just out of reach and yet you still want it so very badly.

Out-of-print and not published in Australia.

For me, yesterday was one of those days where the hunt for one of my most-hunted books came to an end. 'Christian Slater: Back from the Edge' by Nigell Goodall was a book I've been looking for since it came out in 2005. However, it never hit the bookstores here. So, I had to order it in through The American Bookstore and I had to wait three weeks for it to come in from the UK. I don't care why it didn't come out here, but now I've got it, I am not letting it out of my sight.

There's other books I have that are out of print; such as 'The Letters of JRR Tolkien' edited by Humphery Carpenter. This was my first out of print and extremely rare book I found; and I was on holidays when I did find it at a bookstore in Wales jammed in a bookcase in a dark attic room where I was forced to use a torch (talk about really going Indiana Jones kinda hunting!). I also nearly ended up with the bookcase landing on me because it was so old!

I have had other books that are out-of-print just land in my lap. And strangely enough, when I posted them off (without knowing they weren't in print anymore), I've stumbled upon another better copy of the same book. 'The Stone and the Flute' is such a book. I had a copy of this book from an old boyfriend; and I gave it away as somebody on Bookcrossing wished for it (and being the kind of person I am, if I'm not into that book right now, I'll give it away). So, when I found out it was out-of-print, I started hunting for it. And when the Life Line Bookfest came around mid-year 2009, I found a better copy of it there... actually, I found about four copies there for next to nothing.

So, what books have you hunted around your city, country - or even the world - for? Have they cost you a lot of money once you've gotten your hands on them? Or did you spend very little cash on them (and scored a great deal?)? Until my next post, happy reading!

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace

2012-01-13T21:38:00.000+10:00

David Foster Wallace is a brilliant writer whose life was cut tragically short. And his work wasn't discovered by me until recently when I found myself reading more book review blogs such as The New Dork Book Reviewer. When Greg mentioned some of DFW's titles there, I just had to get in and read some of his work.

So, while I was cruising around on Bookcrossing one day, I found a bookray for 'Brief Interviews With Hideous Men' and put my name down for it. A year or so passed and I received an e-mail from a Bookcrosser in South Africa saying she was almost finished with this very book. I was so excited about it! However, when I received it and began reading the short stories, my excitement waned a little. I did enjoy the language, but the stories were long, complex and didn't hold my attention. They were also about mainly - well - nothing really. DFW had stories in this book about everyday conversations in airports, bars, restaurants and a couple of sordid stories titled after the title of the book which completely confused me.

So, I don't really know what to make of this book. It is a book of short stories; however none of them really make any sense. I can't see anything about the characters. He didn't make me care about any of them, there wasn't really any storyline or real use to them, so I didn't see much point in why he had them in the book; even though they were eloquently and so gorgeously written, they were also very hard to follow. Most of his extremely long sentences made absolutely no sense at all.

David Foster Wallace must have written better books than this one; so I will look out for them and read them. However, this one was not one that I would recommend for your reading pile, unless - of course - you like complex stories like his. Until my next post, happy reading.

We're Mobile People!

2012-01-10T22:23:00.000+10:00

Yes! You've read right! I've decided to turn this blog into a fully-mobile one. So, if you've got an iTouch, iPad or iPhone where you take it everywhere with you and you'd like to read up on my blog (or anyone else's on my blog roll for that matter if they've switched on the mobile devices on their settings), you can.

Peruse, read and enjoy! May My Reading List be yours for 2012! And until my next post, happy reading!

The Joy of Books.

2012-01-10T21:23:00.002+10:00

On my blogroll, I have read many things and seen many links. However, this on from Youtube has got to be the most beautiful one I've seen in a long time. I'd love to see somebody make an e-reader do this and make it look as lovely.

http://youtu.be/SKVcQnyEIT8

Authors We Love

2012-01-10T11:43:00.001+10:00

Being an avid reader and collector of books, I have found myself perusing bookstores for the right book, the exact read, the perfect read to purchase. However, I have never found it. The reason being? Well, I guess I have high standards - sure - but there are so many books to pick from in the stores I go to that I'm never sure of which book I want (unless, of course I have a particular title in mind that I want and I can find it).

Now, over the years, I have loved quite a few authors and they have shaped the way I write. From the first books of my youth to the books I read now, the authors I pick to read have been wonderful guides in my life and imagination. They have made me laugh, cry and believe in love and the bogeyman (yes, I'm looking at you Stephen King for that last one; I did read 'Night Shift' and that story was in it). So, I thought to hand over my list of authors to you who have shaped the way I have read over my many reads of reading. Now, for you new-comers of this blog, I have been reading books since I was 4 years old; so that's a long time, longer than most people as I taught myself to read. So, here goes:

So, who has shaped your life of reading - or writing if you're a writer as well like me - from when you were a child? Do you read from all genres or just one or two? Let us know and until my next post, happy reading!

Currently Reading

2012-01-07T23:16:00.000+10:00

Seeing the New Year has just been and gone, and I haven't really had a lot of time to read lately - due to a more and usual social life - I've just recently sat down and picked up a book that arrived in the mail from Bookcrossing. It's a bookray. This is where a book goes on a permanent holiday... and it might come home, but then it might not. The book I've gotten my nose into in the last day or so is: 'Brief Interviews With Hideous Men' by David Foster Wallace. Now, he's a famous author who's no longer with us; but his work is very much reviewed. And once I've finished this lot of stories, I'll let you know what I thought of them.

I'm still plodding through '11-22-63' by Stephen King. While Christmas was upon us, I put it off to one side; and almost forgot about it. But now the school holidays are coming to an end, I'm going to get back into this book again and make a good attempt at finishing it. Unlike 'Under The Dome', this book is much more exciting and has a lot more promise to it.

So, what are you currently reading? Is it interesting or has it caused you to toss it off to one side? Let us know what's keeping you reading. Until my next post, happy reading!

A Brand New Blog!

2012-01-03T20:59:00.000+10:00

Bloggers like to advertise their blogger friends on their blogrolls. However, I have a Bookcrossing friend who has just started up her own blog and I'd like to let you guys into it. She's never done a blog before and so would like to introduce you to FeistyPom2Love's very new blog called Captivated Reader I hope you enjoy. And be the first to follow it.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T10:44:00.001+10:00

A New Year brings in a lot of things for everyone. A new lot of reading, a new lot of books and a new lot of experiences. I haven't been reading all that much over the last week due to Christmas and New Year celebrations, however I am hoping to get right back into it all.

But on New Year's Eve, I did get out to a party at Camp Hill, here in Brisbane, and found that the people's house was one of the old-fashioned houses which was built in the old Queenslander style. It's been renovated, however it still has the old-world charm about it; with stainglassed windows and decorative woodwork all around inside and out. I also found they had a massive book collection in more than one place - but I only found one of the main collections out near the back verandah. The books were inside this large glassed-in case with doors down the bottom. What I loved about it was that their books weren't in any particular order and you could look at them for hours and still be surprised by the other titles that have been shoved in there. Most of them were non-fiction, however I did find some fiction when I looked hard enough. I found out about the hosts of this party that they were school teachers; however I was told beforehand they were, so it ruined the surprise of me figuring them out just by their books collection.

So, where did you find yourself on New Year's Eve? Were you out and about or at a party at somebody's house - like me - where you could sus out their book collection? And if you did, what did you find out about them? Until my next post, happy reading!

Great Reads of 2011!

2011-12-29T21:51:00.000+10:00

It's that time again! The time when I write down - in no particular order - which books were most-enjoyed by me this year; the ones I recommend you get your nose into next year.

1. 'He Died With A Felafel in His Hand.' by John Birmingham

2. 'Red Dog' by Louis de Bernieres

3. 'The Bee-Loud Glade' by Steve Himmer

4. 'Other Colours' by Orhan Pamuk

5. 'The Bro Code' by Barney Stinson & Matt Kuhn

6. 'Blockade Billy' by Stephen King

7. 'Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemmingway

8. 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho

So, there you have it, my list of recommended reading. Some of them you may have read, some you may not have heard of. However, I did enjoy reading all the books I read this year. I know they don't seem like many, but there were some complex reads this year; and there's one I'm slogging through now and I'm taking my time because I'm really enjoying it! So, until the next time I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookstore Reviews Time!

2011-12-28T22:41:00.001+10:00

I was out and about today with a friend and found we were able to find two bookstores to review. After we ate at the Pancake Manor on Charlotte Street, Will and I walked a few doors down and found ourselves outside the narrow doorway to Archives Books. This bookstore is a large old building here in Brisbane and has been a part of the city CBD since the 1920's when a printer named John Miller owned it. This building - and the one behind it - is in some of the oldest areas of Brisbane; and it's all still here being used. There is a stairway between the front John Miller Himself Building and the one behind which faces a laneway, which is attached to the main building via a wooden stairway (which was once exposed but is now covered and has been fixed up in recent years).

The interior of the back building has had a facelift in the last decade where the owners put in floating floors and added in extra shelving to accommodate for more books; as well as beautiful long, lush red drapes for the windows at the back. However, the books are what the people come for; as I do too.

However as with all old buildings, this one has had its share of strange happenings. My friend, Will, and I were happy and comfortable in the first, larger building where there were many isles of books to find and possibly read, however, once we climbed those back steps, we felt something change. This back building wasn't alone... it wasn't a happy place. We both felt an energy shift and it bothered us. So, Will returned to the front desk and asked if there was anything special about the buildings - besides them being old - and the owners told him that in the alley between the buildings there had been a murder. When Will told me about this, we figured it was a little wonder there were spirits stuck in the rear building... they had nowhere to go but to stick around this place until they were let go. However, I've been coming into this store - and going into the back building of Archives - and have been getting the willies each time and not known why (thinking it was just me not feeling so good after I've eaten something); and now I know why, I'm glad it's not me and it's the building.

Other than the ghosts bumping around the place bothering us mortals looking for something great to read, this place has been a great haunt of my own to go to each time I visit Brisbane City. I enjoy the huge variety of written works here and always find a great book in this place whenever I need to find it.

The next place we were off to was The American Bookstore. Will wanted to find a Latin Dictionary; and seeing there wasn't any at Archives, we took a wander to Elizabeth Street to find what he needed at this great bookstore. Now, The American Bookstore isn't a big one, but is a very interesting place. This bookstore has titles from America you may not find anywhere else. They can get books in for you if you wish about great Americans - even if they're out of print, they'll find it for you second-hand so long you pay in advance - and they are a lovely store too! And so, while I was here, I ordered in a book I had been looking for since 2005: Christian Slater's Biography 'Back From the Edge' by Nigal Goodall; and they found it in the UK for $35.00 in hardcover, second-hand; and I had to pay for it before it arrived. The place is gorgeously set out; however it was a little hard to find as it had moved a few doors down the street and downstairs instead of being on the street; which makes it a very well-hidden and quiet kind of place. However, if you have a disability, there's no way of getting into it without using the stairs. Will loved this place, but the Latin Dictionary he was looking for wasn't there.

So, we moved onto Dymocks on Elizabeth Street. This is a relatively new two-storey one that just opened some months back; and has been doing great business since Borders closed across the road. Will found his Dictionary here and we took a wander around this very crowded, busy store full of bargain-hunters and readers all looking for that particular book! He found another book he wanted and - while I rushed off to the toilets - he bought his reading material and met me outside Starbucks (yes, we still have them here; and no I don't drink their coffee). We walked around the Queen Street Mall for a bit before parting ways; agreeing it was a great day we had. And we had a good look at some great bookstores - two of which he hadn't been to before and was pleased he found with me. I'm just pleased I could review these bookstores for you. I totally enjoyed finding these three stores and looking them over for you today... maybe next time, I'll have a look into West End and see what I find there! Until my next post, happy reading!

Christmas Pressies

2011-12-26T22:05:00.001+10:00

I meant to write yesterday; but by the time I arrived home, it was almost midnight and I was so stuffed that I bypassed the home office and didn't bother having a shower and headed off to bed. Yep, I had one of the longest days on record... however every Christmas Day is usually very long for everyone as it's so exhausting!

This Christmas, I received a journal, a lovely notebook and 'The Year of the Flood' by Margaret Atwood. I also received an Apple iTouch from my folks! What a great thing this little thing is! I have found that I can download books onto and seeing that Bibliotastic has got free books, I might get some free ones from there and put them onto my iTouch... what a great idea to download my own book 'Graveyard Shift' onto it too! It does it to any e-reader! How good is that?

So, how was your Christmas? Fun, enjoyable, beyond your wildest dreams - or was it humdrum? Leave a comment and let us all know what you received in the way of reading material. Otherwise, until my next post, happy reading!

The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams & John Lloyd

2011-12-24T14:54:00.000+10:00

What can I say about a book that's made me laugh and snort all the way through it while it has no real plot or anything to tell? Not much. This wonderful little book on the alternate meanings of towns, cities and words in the English language is hilariously funny and set out in dictionary form; just to make it easier for us to use. There's also maps inside of where these towns/cities are so you know they're real. The best thing is that the funniest man I have read co-authored this book with another I haven't heard of (I know that sounds terrible, but really I haven't) and yet I still loved taking this book down from one of my friend's shelves whenever I visited and opening it at any page just for a giggle.

If you'd like to get your hands on this book, I'm not really sure where you could buy it as I've never seen another copy - and besides I'm looking for a copy for myself to giggle over at odd times of the night when I can't sleep. Until my next post, happy reading.

Just Because It's Christmas...

2011-12-24T11:10:00.000+10:00

It's Christmas Eve, and just because it is, it doesn't mean this blog is going anywhere. I'll still be here up-dating it with the fun and links to sites that I have been for the last few weeks. So, seeing the other blogs you have been frequenting have been shutting down over the Christmas/NYE period for their bit of fun, I have mine keeping on going over this time with my Summer Fun Event.

In the New Year, I will be venturing into the lovely city of Brisbane and looking into bookstores and reviewing them for your convenience, letting you know if they have online stores or a website so you can contact them. I'll tell you about what I'm reading, what I've finished what I haven't finished and what I wanted to but found I got stuck in... you know, it does happen to the best of us.

So, stick with My Reading List over this Christmas Holiday and New Year period and you'll be entertained throughout. I may yet even find a few people's private bookcases and share their tastes... you know, that's how you find out what people are really about. Until my next post, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and happy reading!

A Shameless Promotion

2011-12-21T12:32:00.000+10:00

About a month or so ago, I was offered by Bibliotastic to have my worked published in an anthology. They told me there'd be only a certain number of words and I jumped at the chance; immediately picking out six of my favourite vampire stories from my files and sent them away to two of the best writers I knew to help me with editing.

After about a fortnight of e-mailing files and stories and finally sitting down to the whole book in one file of editings, I had to sit down for a week and read through all the comments and fix-ups. And finally, it's happened, my book 'Graveyard Shift' has been published under my Real Life name. I'm so pleased about this that I wanted to share this day with you all; as it has only just been put up onto the net now!

Now, I'd like to shamelessly promote my first book 'Graveyard Shift' by Lynda Parker to you all.

Graveyard Shift by Lynda Parker

Bookstore Review - QBD Garden City

2011-12-20T14:41:00.001+10:00

Today, I was out and about doing Christmas Shopping. Thank God, I'm one of those rare people who vows to get it all done in one day and then it's over and done with! And today, I broke my record of three hours and finished my shopping in just over an hour! How's that for being quick?

Well, I had to do my shopping at QBD, so I thought to kill to birds with one stone and do a bookstore review while I was there. It was early in the day and Westfield Garden City had just opened its doors to the public - so had all the retail stores - so the place wasn't all that crowded yet. I had the money I needed to buy the Christmas pressie for the Secret Santa and I knew I could get it at QBD.

This store at Garden City is well-known by me; and the staff know me quite well as I'm a regular there. There's lovely large tables out the front with great bargains on them from during the year and last year at low, low prices. From childrens' books to non-fiction to sci-fi to fantasy novels, this place has got them all. And they also sell bookmarks and pens as well; which is an added bonus seeing they have diaries and journals instore too.

With every isle marked out clearly, it's hard to get lost in this rather small shop, however it's very easy to find yourself buying more books than you can possibly carry when you've only gone in there for one or two. But there is an up-side to this place. They have a Book Club where you're given a card with a barcode on it and each time you make a purchase, they swipe your card on the reader as well. When this is done, you accumulate points; and when you've made ten purchases, you acquire a book voucher! I've found this a brilliant scheme as it works well for booklovers like myself.

Another great thing about QBD is that they have an online store. In case you can't get to their stores from your home, you can have your books delivered to you. This has been a wonderful thing for QBD as it's made them more accessible for customers not only here in Australia, but also overseas.

So, if you're looking for a book - and don't like to pay full price - try out QBD. It's a great store; and their motto is: Never Pay Full Price. Believe me, I never have. Until my next post, happy reading!

Reading List Hopefuls for 2012

2011-12-18T12:41:00.001+10:00

At this time of the year, I begin to sort out what I hope to read next year. It's a tedious thing to do, but if I jump on it early enough, I'll be set for when the New Year does come around and I can settle back into some great books! So, here's my list for the next twelve months of great reading!

'The Dreaming Void' by Peter F Hamilton is the first book of a trilogy. I have the other two; but have lent them to my friend who has - in turn - lent me this one. We both wanted to read the trilogy. However, seeing he wanted to read the other two, and I wanted to read the first, it made perfect sense to swap when he finished this first one. However, I'll wait until he finishes them all before starting this one.

'And Another Thing' by Eoin Colfer. This is the follow-on from 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. I do love Douglas Adams and just happen to find this one around The Book Warehouse! Can't wait to read it.

'The Islands' by Di Morrissey. Now, I have heard great things about this book; and so I'll be getting my nose into this one next year.

'Last Night in Twisted River' by John Irving. I bought this one last year as a birthday gift to myself; and didn't read it... however next year is the year I'll get my nose between its pages.

'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S Lewis. No life is ever complete without reading the complete works of this man; especially 'The Magician's Nephew'... I can't wait!

'Excalibur' by Andy McDermott. This is a book I saw a Gallery Copy of on a bus; and so I wrote it down as the guy reading it said it was an amazing book. So, that's another book I'll be reading too.

'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' by James Joyce.

'No One Here Gets Out Alive' by Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugarman. This is the second biography on Jim Morrison... and I can't wait to read it.

'Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant' by Anne Tyler.

'In the Company of Cheerful Ladies' by Alexander McCall Smith. I love the television series of this book; and so I thought to try out reading the books.

'Sage-ing While Age-ing' by Shirley MacLaine

'Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance' by Wendy Leigh

'Getting There' by Sue Williams.

'The Erotic Life of Anais Nin' by Noel Riley Fitch

'The Jester' by James Paterson and Andrew Gross

Well... what a list! There's some nice little books to get through and some really big thick ones as well. I've included non-fiction and fiction mixed into this upcoming year's reading. What have you hopefully got planned for next year's reading? Is it as different and interesting as my pile or have you got something totally different in mind? Let us all know. Until my next post, happy reading!

New People

2011-12-17T14:14:00.001+10:00

Yesterday, I was at a pool party and I came across new people I hadn't met before. It's always great to meet new people as you never know when you're going to run into a new writer or poet at these functions. And this is exactly what happened! I was introduced to Anna Dean and we chatted about writing and what kinds we do. I found out she write poetry and she told me about her blog; which I just found this afternoon (as I've only been home an hour or so) and it's lovely. So, here's the link. And I'll be adding her to the blog roll as well for you all to keep up-to-date with her work as she updates her blog.

Anna Dean Poetry

Books That Changed My Life

2011-12-14T13:37:00.000+10:00

Over my history with the written word, I've had books that have changed my mind, my views and totally did my head in. Then, there's books that have completely changed my life around and made me think long after I've closed the cover and put it on the 'Read' shelf of my bookcase. Now, I got this idea from Misfit Salon Blog where she shared a book that changed her life; and I'd like to share the book/s that have changed mine. Let's start with non-fiction and work into the fictional world.

There's two books that I must say have changed my life completely. The first being 'A Perfect Mess' by Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman is a great book about mess and how we can't live without it; however being too messy isn't good for us. But being too clean isn't either... there is a 'just right' amount of mess we have to live with as the mind is a messy place. And this book covers a lot of ground when it comes to messiness; well worth a read; and yes, it did change my life. It's also the reason why I never make my bed anymore.

The next book is 'The Brain That Changes Itself' by Norman Doidge, MD. Now, for those who have had brain damage in any way - whether you were born with it or acquired it during your life - all is not lost. You can rewire your brain to work the way you want it to; it's called neuroplasticity and it's something you can teach your brain to do. I've taught mine as I've got problems with my brain, however over my life, I have retrained and rewired it to do things it shouldn't be able to do (like read music, keep to the beat of a song and other algorithms to do with maths; as that part of my brain isn't functioning). This book is brilliantly written and well set out by this wonderful doctor. I even e-mailed him and told him my story and he wrote me right back - personally - and told me how impressed he was at how far I had come in my life. Norman Doidge is about to publish a book on Epilepsy and Neurofeedback. This is where he's worked on getting other non-functioning parts of the brain to work; fantastic research.

Okay, here are the fictional books that changed my life.

'Lord of the Rings' by JRR Tolkien. This book - for obvious reasons opened my mind to the possibilities of where my fiction could take me. The immense imagination of this man was amazing.

'The Stand' by Stephen King. What can I say about Sai King except the he is as much the King of literature as Tolkien is of sci-fi fantasy.

'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Trilogy In Four Parts' by Douglas Adams. Another great author; however his life was cut so unfairly short.

'House on the Hill' by Estelle Pinney. Now, Estelle is a new author I've added to my list; mainly because it's been over five years since I read this book; and yet I can still remember the whole plot, the love and laughter and heartbreak of it all... and those pineapple sandwiches too.

'Other Colours' by Orhan Pamuk. This is another new author I've added to my list here as he's a new one I've begun reading recently. I picked up this book in The Book Warehouse on a whim; and found I couldn't stop reading his essays and stories in it. The visual pictures were so clear and beautiful, I felt as though I was right there next to him the whole time. Now, that's how it should be with an author.

So, there you have it. Books that have changed my life. This list never used to be this long; and as time has gone by, I've noticed it's been getting longer. So, I'll keep you up-to-date with what other books have change my life over the next few years; you never know who I might read to add to the list. Who has changed you life? Let us know; you never know we might agree on the same things about an author, or find something totally different about them. Until my next post, happy reading.

Favourite Authors and Their Books

2011-12-13T10:25:00.002+10:00

As with any avid reader, I have a few favourite authors, I can't stick to just one. However, there has been one that I collect quite publicly and that is JRR Tolkien. He has been one of the biggest influences of my life and writing.

However, owning his work and reading it is two totally different things. I love to read his work occasionally as it's hard to get into; and I do love a challenge. And 'Lord of the Rings' is a brilliant set of books to get your nose into - however it does start with 'The Hobbit'. The series doesn't end there, but continues on with 'The Lord of the Rings' and then 'The Silmarillians' - which I haven't read as yet.

There are books that I have hunted down that are no longer in print, such as 'The Father Christmas Letters'. Mum found a copy of the original hardcover edition for me and I'm thrilled to own it - as well as the reprint in miniature (which I haven't taken the plastic off of). This book is brilliantly illustrated by Tolkien himself and it's about the letters between his children and Father Christmas; and how he created a whole world for his own children to fall in love with each year. I love the book's colour and imagination; yet I have never read the letters themselves as I feel I don't need to.

There are other books of Tolkien's that really have struck a nerve with me and why I keep them; like his Bestiaries. David Day has put out a couple of these books on Tolkien's creatures and they are fantastic. I bought the purple one on a whim when I was standing in the bookstore and flipped through the pages and happened upon Smuag (the dragon from 'The Hobbit'). He was so beautifully drawn that I couldn't put the book down; and so I bought it. I have since bought the second book and another book called 'The Ring' which is based on the movies.

One of the older books I have - which I just happened upon down the coast one year - is 'The Complete Guide to Middle Earth: From The Hobbit to The Simarillion' by David Foster. I bought it, put it onto my bookshelf and didn't read it. It was the age of the book that attracted me; and the fact that I haven't seen another like it around any other bookstore. I don't know how much it's worth as I'm not interested in its value. But I do like it for the information that is held within its pages.

So, which authors and their books do you enjoy collecting the most - and why? Did it begin with just one book and your curiosity was piqued? Or have you always been curious about this particular author? Until my next post, Happy Reading!

Library Love

2011-12-12T21:19:00.002+10:00

My first love of books came from the Springwood Library; situated up the road from my house when I was just 4 years of age. However, as I grew older, the library at school and the libraries of my Grandparents were places I enjoyed. So, here are some links to some the world's libraries and librarians.

20 Famous Libraries of the World

Famous Libraries

25 Famous Librarians Who Changed History

World's Best-Looking Libraries

More Than One Book At A Time?

2011-12-10T11:47:00.000+10:00

As with most people, I'm reading more than one book at any one time. It can get very confusing. So, when I stumble upon this article through Bookcrossing I thought it would be a brilliant one to put here for Saturday reading.

Ramelli's Bookwheel

Book Warehouse Review

2011-12-09T14:07:00.003+10:00

In my area, there's a great book store. It's not big and flashy like Dymocks and QBD and it's not poor and old like those Life Line charity stores (even though I have found some great and brilliant finds in those charity stores every now and again). I'm talking about The Book Warehouse. This is a place where all the books go that can't be sold by the publisher; before they are sent off to be shredded and used again for another book. I buy a lot of my books at the Springwood branch of this store simply because they are about a quarter of the price they normally are in the stores; also there are some books in these places I've never seen in the usual stores, let alone heard of. So, these Book Warehouses are very good for those people you find hard to buy for.

The Springwood branch of The Book Warehouse is easily found at the Arndale Shopping Centre in Springwood, just inside the back doors closest to the Service Road. The best thing about this store is that there's steps up to it and a ramp as well; for those in wheelchairs or who have prams. Straight away, you feel very welcomed by the atmosphere here. There's easy-listening music softly playing and nobody bothering you about what you'd like to look at; it's all spread out for you on the tables. The General Popular Fiction is along the right hand wall as you walk in and from there, you walk around the store poring over the titles, authors and books; in no particular order.

However, in amongst the madness of the set-up, there is order. There's sections (once you've been there a few times, you'll see it) where there's cooking, travel, non-fiction, Hollywood Stars and Artists, Biography, musicians and also books on the weird and strange, science and questionable books with titles such as 'Strange Thoughts We Have Like: Was It The Chicken Or The Egg That Came First' by two doctors you've never heard of from Europe.

Yes, The Book Warehouse isn't a place you visit once and it's done. This is a place you go back to time and again; as there's always something different there each time. The stock is always being changed over and the prices are wonderfully low and the books are of good quality as well. It's well-lit, welcoming and I do recommend more than one visit; even if you're passing through and you don't have any money on you... as you will make sure you do the next time you visit 'The Book Warehouse'.

An Interview With Estelle Pinney

2011-12-08T10:21:00.004+10:00

Today, I thought you'd all like an exclusive interview with Estelle Pinney. Now, Estelle is an old friend of mine who I met while singing in the Southern Cross Singers. We were voice-placed in the same section, right next to each other; so it had to be fate that we were bound to become friends. I've since quit that choir for personal reasons, however, Estelle still sings in it and loves doing so; as well as writing.

Estelle Pinney is a jill of all trades. The Brisbane author has been a photographic colourist, cake shop assistant, hand-grenade manufacturer, ambulance driver, nurse, mother and wife - all before turning 21. However, not one to run from adventure, Estelle has found she drew her best writing and characters from life itself.

I e-mailed her recently and asked her some questions about her books and publishing; and was delighted when she replied.

Did you know from a young age you loved to write? Or was it a passion that came later on in life?

English at school was always a favourite and later in life letter writing to soldiers and sailors World War 2 was a pleasurable hobby. An avid reader from seven years onwards it never occurred to me that one day I'd be a published author.

How long does it normally take to publish one of your books?

Too many Spears. co-authored with my late husband Peter Pinney and including research over a long period of time took up to nearly ten years with lots of non-writing in between. Net Full Of Honey(young adult fiction): about one year/ Time Out For Living: two years/ House On The Hill: eighteen months/ Burnt Sunshine: nine months.

How many books have you published overall?

Six. Too Many Spears/ Net Full of Honey/ Time Out For Living/ House On The Hill/ Burnt Sunshine/ reprint by Penguin of Time Out For Living

Which one of your books is your favourite? Why?

Burnt Sunshine... I enjoyed my characters/ the timeframe and locale. Maybe because I was in familiar territory which brought back memories of my own time in the Torres Straits and the Orimo River PNG.

Do you include real people in your books, or are all your characters fictional? Or are they based on real people?

Characters are mostly fiction. Perhaps shades of people met and lived with, linger in the mind but the only real live character I brought into the HOUSE On The Hill- was my photographer grandfather Steve Dublo. And I must admit Belle had a touch of my Mum in her.

I must thank Estelle for this wonderful interview. She's a lovely person to know and I hope to read more of her books soon to review here on My Reading List.

(NB: Some of this article came from another online article written by The Courier Mail from 2008).

Poetry Prose

2011-12-07T14:55:00.001+10:00

Since high school, I've written poetry to get out the bottled up feelings of being trapped as a teenager. After high school, I found myself writing books; however whenever I finished writing a book, it was poetry I found myself settling back into to relax; whether it was writing it or reading it, it was something I found helped me find the next idea for my next book.

So, for all you poets out there - inspiring poets and lovers of poetic prose - I've thought to find some links to blogs and sites for you to delve into over this time of the year.

Enjoy!

Poets Who Blog

Blogs by Writers & Poets

Poets.org

Scottish Poets & Authors

Canadian Poets

New European Poets Blog

The Great European Poets

Old Australian Poetry

Modern Australian Poetry

Summer Reading

2011-12-04T12:08:00.000+10:00

Okay, it's the beginning of Summer - Winter in the Northern Hemisphere - and so, we're all settling into getting our noses into books for the Christmas/Festive Season. What are you big ticket items to get through for the next three months? Or don't you plan that far ahead?

Me? I've got my nose into the most current publication of Good Reading Magazine and this one works over December and January; what an issue! I bought it last Wednesday and haven't been able to get my nose out of it! A great magazine full of great suggestions for Christmas pressies and fantastic reviews; well worth purchasing. Or, if you're not into collecting magazines throughout your home, why not purchase an online subscription? It's just as good but it's on your computer.

I'm also reading '11-22-63' by Stephen King. Right now, I've just past page 270 and I've been reading it for almost a month. Now, it's taking me a little time because a lot has been happening socially, but I do love this book; it's not boring, it's got great narrative and it's well worth the money. Do go out and buy it, read it - but don't give it away. I think I'll be re-reading this one in the next few years (just like his older work).

Now, that's all I'm reading at the moment. I have been trying to read 'The Lady of the Rivers' by Philippa Gregory, however, it's not really holding my attention right now. I will try it once more after I finish the Stephen King novel, then let you know how I'm going. otherwise I'm hoping to get his book finished before Christmas Day. I do have some books I have my eye on to read over this time of year; however, I won't give away which ones yet as I don't plan ahead what I read. Until my next post, happy reading!

New Products

2011-12-03T13:11:00.002+10:00

About two months ago, I celebrated a birthday and received a sewing machine... something I really didn't wish for. However, as the saying goes: 'When you've got lemons, make lemonade'. So, I got to work and wondered what the heck, I was going to do with a sewing machine in my life? Well, what indeed but book baggies. I began working on baggies that will protect your books while you're not reading them, make them look lovely and cool, colourful and pretty and yet help keep their pages from being turned or torn on the corners or the spines being bumped.

I have made a few different sizes that cover all sizes of e-readers and ipads as well. If you'd like to own one of these just let me know by leaving a comment on the size you'd like and (once I have my Paypal account up and running next week)and I'll work on it. The baggies will have a button it so it stays closed in your bag and they are hand-wash only. The prices are below in Australian Currency:

Small: $5.00

Small-Medium: $7.00

Medium: $7.50

Medium-Skinny: $7.50

Medium-Large: $8.00

Large: $10.00

P/H: $5.00 flat rate.

If there's something you don't see - and would like done differently to yours (like an initial or something else), let me know, however it may add to the cost a little.

Summer of Fun!

2011-12-01T22:03:00.002+10:00

Welcome, welcome! It's the beginning of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere and thus far, we've had a storm grumble by and temperature drop by about six degrees... yep you heard me right! It's cold instead of hot and steamy.

But that isn't going to stop us from having the Summer Fun I promised. As the saying goes here in Australia: 'Rain, Hail or Shine, the show goes on'... so will this one. And as promised, I've been busy with looking at what to do this Summer. And so, I've been spontaneously going through Google and found a few book blogs that looked great.

The first book blog that caught my eye was Kate's Book Blog I clicked on it and found myself in a very plain - yet informative - blog about books, authors and a world of a lawyer who loves to read. Kate covers all genres including poetry and has a massive list of other blogs down the sidebar of blogs I've never seen before. Well worth a look into; so much so, I'll be adding her blog to my blog roll to you can all keep up to date with her blog.

Another I found while perusing the huge number of bloggers who love books is I Heart Reading a lovely bright blog which I haven't heard of until tonight by Majanka Verstraete in Belgium who loves books and reading. Her most recent review is of 'The Lady of the Rivers' by Philippa Gregory (a book I received for my birthday and have been attempting to get into unsuccessfully). Majanka has written a wonderfully indepth review of this book, about its characters and why this book - in particular - didn't work this time around for this author (who is usually fantastic). So, do check out her blog; it's well worth looking into; as there's a lot of work put into it and she has a lot of other previous reviews that look great.

Now the third one I've found in a number of places - not just on Google. So, I thought to put her blog up here for you all to have a look at it. Becky's Book Reviews is a lovely-looking blog straight up. Before you look at anything in particular, you like it immediately for its colour and beauty. Right now, Becky has a few challenges going; and there's one up on the most current post, offering if we'd like to join her. She's mentioned that she read 20 books last month; now, this is a serious reader! I will be adding Becky's Book Reviews to the blog roll for all of you who are interested in her work.

Well, that's all the blogs of interest I've found so far. I hope you enjoy them. I'll be looking around for others as the next three months pass by (our Summer here in Australia) for you all. Otherwise, until my next post, happy reading!

Summer Reading Challenge

2011-11-29T22:09:00.000+10:00

Okay, I took on the Spring Reading Challenge on Good Reads and only managed to knock over four books. So, when I was invited to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge, I was taken by surprise; and began to look at the books I wanted to read over the Christmas/NYE break - as well as the ones I wanted to read right through February.

Seeing I'm sticking around Brisbane - and my home - I'm hoping to get in more reading time and so I'll have more of choice to read as I'll have my collection at my fingertips. Right now, I've got my nose well in truly into '11-22-63' by Stephen King; which will take me into the Summer Reading Challenge. I'm reading about 30 pages a day; some in the afternoon and some in the evening before I turn out the light at night. I'm just over 200 pages into it and it's kicking along really well; I'm enjoying it completely.

So, what books are you hoping to read this Christmas/NYE? And where are you going to be at this time of the year while you've got your nose in your favourite reads? Have you themed your books for the Silly Season, or are you just reading anything you can grab off the shelf? Well, until my next post, happy reading!

November Purchases

2011-11-28T11:33:00.001+10:00

The next few days are going to be very lazy and very busy... in that very order. So, I thought to jump in and get my few little purchases I have made over this month fitted into today before today got any hotter (as it has become very hot over the last month!)

I purchased both my books on the same day. How's that for efficient! The first one was one I had to purchase because I was going to a baby shower for my cousin. She's due next month and I thought a Baby Book would be just the thing to give her (and you know? It was! Nobody else bought her one). This one is fun, beautiful and has recipes in it too; very much the baby book for either a boy or girl as the colours on the cover and inside the pages are yellow, green, pink and blue... very pretty and would suit either. It even has an envelope for their first loch of hair; now that's something most baby books don't have. I did see another one; however it was a memory box with a book inside it and it was horribly boring and bland. So, I'm glad I purchased this one at Garden City (darn, I've forgotten the store!) for only $24.99.

My next book purchase was at QBD and I ordered it in. I had heard that '11-22-63' by Stephen King was coming out on 8th, November on the news. So, I called up the Garden City store and ordered my copy (hoping that this tome of a book - at 740 pages - would be more exciting than 'Under The Dome'). By pure chance, I hadn't used my QBD Book Voucher as yet; and so I took that with me. And instead of paying $22.99, I paid only paid $14.99 thanks to that voucher! I do love vouchers... they are fantastic. I have been reading this book 30 - 40 pages at a time and finding it hard to close it as it's really a great story.

So, what great books have you purchased - for your own pleasure or for presents? Did you happen to score them for a bargain or were they gifts from others? Until my next post, happy reading!

Summer Fun

2011-11-25T23:31:00.000+10:00

This Christmas I won't be going to the coast. I'll be here in Brisbane for the whole of the Christmas and New Year's Eve Period to read, enjoy and relax as much as possible. And while I'm here, I was thinking about what I'd be doing over this time with the blog.

I've taken on a Summer Reading Challenge on Good Reads. So, this means I'll have a line-up of books I'll be reading over the next few months that I'll be reviewing as I finish them.

There is an interview of an Australia Author I'd like to introduce to you all; and she's a wonderful friend of mine (actually, I've been meaning to interview her for a while, and thought this would be the best time).

And there's some book blogs I haven't mentioned on here that I'll install the links to for you all; as well as improve the events calendar for you all next year so it's easier to read.

So... there's the plans for this Summer. I will be doing a little bit of traveling around Brisbane in search of the perfect bookstore for you to guys to come and look into, the best book-cafe to check and some of the rarest books I've found out there as well.

All of this will be going on over Christmas, New Years Eve and throughout Summer (Winter for you guys in the Northern Hemisphere) to keep us all occupied. All of this will begin at the end of next week; so until then, I hope you guys have a great weekend, and - of course - happy reading!

The World Loses Anne McCaffrey

2011-11-23T13:22:00.001+10:00

Anne McCaffrey passed away this week in Ireland at home after suffering a stroke aged 85. She was the daughter of a retired Army Colonel. During WWII, Anne attended Stuart Hall, a girls' boarding school in Staunton, Virginia, while her father was in Europe. She graduated from Montclair High School and, in 1947, graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College with a major in Slavonic Languages and Literature.

Anne helped usher in a new era for women writers of science-fiction and fantasy by being the trailblazer into this mainly male arena.

She was the first to be given a Hugo Award in 1968 and a Nebula Award one year later. She was also the first woman with a science fiction title on The New York Times Best Seller list in 1978, with "The White Dragon.". Extremely prolific, she published nearly 100 books, mainly fiction, starting in 1967. She emigrated to Ireland (from America) in 1970. McCaffrey was also a large collaborator. Up until 1990, she co-authored more than 30 books -- 15 with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough. She also co-wrote with Margaret Ball, Mercedes Lackey, Elizabeth Moon, Jody Lynn Nye and S. M. Stirling. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame inducted her June 17, 2006.

Anne will be greatly missed in the Sci-fi arena; however her work will live on for generations to come. May she Rest In Peace.

The House on the Hill by Estelle Pinney

2011-11-17T12:40:00.002+10:00

It's the 1920's in Far North Queensland and the three Dalton Sisters are boarding with Mrs Sanders in the house on the Hill. There's Josie - the eldest of the three - who has big ambitions for herself and finds her life throwing her curve will test her in more ways than one. Then, there's Molly who reigns in as the head cook at King's Hotel. She can whip up any style of gown right down to the finest detail. However, her happiness with her sweetheart, Fred, has been threatened by something out of their control. And the youngest of the three, Belle, is a talented singer and dancer who tours with a vaudeville troupe as they follow the rodeos and shows of western Queensland. Belle is being romantically pursued by the hot and handsome Greek local Nicos Alexandros; the owner of the swankiest cafe around. However, will she choose to settle down and leave her beloved troupe and marry Nicos?

I loved reading this book after buying it from Estelle herself; then she signed it for me in 2005. However, I'm sure I did a review of this book a few years ago here as I have a photograph of it on my files (and I would have used it on here for this particular purpose; oh well). The one thing I do remember from this wonderfully-written book is the pineapple sandwiches that Estelle writes about. She has told me about them; saying she ate them when she was young and traveling around; and that I really must try them out. However, I don't like pineapple and can't see them in a sandwich; but that's just me. Have a read about how they are served up are in this book; as they do sound delicious.

Estelle Pinney grew up and Cairns in the tobacco town of Mareeba, North Queensland. She left school at the age of thirteen to work as a colourist in her grandfather's photographic studio. Estelle's eventful adult life saw her working as an ambulance driver for the US army during World War II; as a beauty consultant; and as a registered deckhand on her husband's crayfishing boat in the Torres Strait. She is the author of Time Out for Living (1995) and A Net Full of Honey (1996), and co-author of Too Many Spears (1978) with late husband Peter Pinney. Burnt Sunshine, was released by Penguin in 2008. Estelle currently lives in Brisbane.

Stephen King's New Book Is A Must-Have!

2011-11-14T22:26:00.000+10:00

Just in time for Christmas, Stephen King has published his new book '11-22-63'. It's a story of Jake Epping, an English teacher of Lisbon High School who is handed the opportunity to step back into the 1950's... literally. How he does this is through the pantry of his local burger joint owned by a friend of his who suddenly closes it down. However, it's why his friend has offered Jake this unique opportunity; it's to see if he can save John F Kennedy's life.

I found out last Sunday this book was coming out on the market on 8th, November. On that very day, I ordered it in through QBD. Within two days, I received the phone call that my copy of SK's new book had arrived and was waiting for me. By last Friday, it was in my hands and I had cracked it opened and began reading it before the sun went down; and I haven't stopped reading it since.

Seeing how quickly I raced out and bought 'Under The Dome', I did find myself hesitating about ordering this one in. However, once I read how many people loved it on Goodreads, I thought to try it out. And if I don't like it? Well, I could always give it to my Dad. He did like 'The Da Vinci Code' when I didn't. Until my next post, happy reading!

Another Win on Romance Bandits

2011-11-10T11:36:00.000+10:00

I won another prize on this site (which I really need to put on this blog's side bar today for you all to have a look at). It was about a month ago I won, and the prize arrived just today. However, what I won I thought was the kindle of a book; and I e-mailed the author and had to let her know I didn't own a kindle.

So, today in the mail, I received a surprised. I thought I had won only one book; however as I opened the envelope, I found there were two book inside! And both of them were signed with a two lovely bookmarks for them both! How cool is that?

It was 'The Accidental Couresan' I won; the other one was a surprise.

Finding Firsts

2011-11-05T16:16:00.001+10:00

There's nothing like settling back in my lounge with a cup of tea or a glass of Root Beer and getting my nose into a good book. What I really love to do is get into a first - or second - edition of a book; and I don't mean a brand new book, I mean the old ones, the ones that have been around the world a few times and made it into my hands - and my collection - in one piece. This is something I love to possess.

Scattered around this small office, I have a good lot of First and Second Edition books. There's some I've read and some I haven't. However, with these books, they aren't new ones, they are old books; books that I have spent many years tracking down, so I have no intention of letting them go.

However, my first time at finding a rare or first edition book was in a place and time of my life where I wasn't even thinking of beginning a collection of them. I was in the UK on a 7-week holiday with Trafalgar Tours and we were at a toilet stop in a small Welsh village; and I had 45 minutes to kill. Of course I asked for a bookstore and was pointed in the direction of the only one in town. I found this place was massive. It not only had a cafe, but a basement room and a huge area out the back where there was isle upon isle of books. I seriously needed to come back and look at this place (unfortunately, I didn't have time during that trip; but next time I will take the time to get out there for a few days). Well, I found 'The Letters of JRR Tolkien' edited by Humphrey Carpenter in hard cover in a small attic room where the wiring was stuffed and I had to use a torch to look at the books. It cost me twelve pounds and fifty pence; and I did offer more but the lady refused telling me that '... it's just a book!'. Well, I took my book in its brown paper bag back to the bus and asked my co-ordinator about the book; and told him I had the feeling I've done something terrible. He took one look at the book and ordered the driver to pull out my suitcase and put it in it until we reached our next hotel. At the time, I didn't understand what the hell he was fussing about; not until I returned home to Australia and took it in to get it looked at in a reputed book evaluators in the city. The old man tottered over to me as he pulled out the large black ledger and opened it, wrote down my name and gestured for me to show him the books I had for his perusal. I had found a few books since I had returned home and wanted to get them all looked at in the one sitting; so waited about a year before I took them in. He saw I had brought in 'The Stephen King Story' by George Beahm in hard cover and wrote it down. Then, there was 'The Stephen King Companion' by the same author and gave me a quick quote on them both. Then, I pulled out the JRR Tolkien book and he dropped his pen on the ledger as his Einstein eyebrows nearly popped off his forehead. He gingerly handled this book, placing it on the counter and flipped through it, looking at the condition and smiling through his scruffy, gray mustache before asking me exactly where I had gotten it. I produced the receipt of the bookstore I bought it from and he wrote down the name of the town (seeing I can only pronounce it and not spell it - too many double L's). He handed the book back carefully and told me to care for it as though it was cash as it was the one of four copies in Australia! My eyes nearly fell out of my head as my ears didn't believe what they were hearing! I had to get him to repeat what he said - twice - and he had written the book down in the ledger; so it's now registered as a very rare book and its worth goes up every year I have it in the condition it's in.

Since that find in 1997, I have been one of those people who will track down market stalls, old book stores, antiques shops and charity stores just to find a first edition. There are bookstores I haunt when I go on holidays and bookstores I haunt when I go into the city just to look around. And you know, each time I go on holidays, I always find something brilliant and interesting to bring home.

So far, I've found 'Mozart' by Alfred Einstein (yep, Albert Einstein's cousin!) a great man who looked into how musicians and their music made them the way they are! It was published in 1946 and the copy I have is a first edition. Brilliant, I tell ya! Then, in the same store, I found as second edition of 'Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemmingway which has great illustrations by two artists because the publishers couldn't make up their minds about who they wanted and ended up hiring them both! It's written in the notes in the front of the book.

I do enjoy finding these books by pure chance; and when I do, it's as though they have been waiting for me the whole time on that very bookshelf in that very store for me to show up and buy them. It's as though it's fate... and I love it. So, what books have you stumbled upon by pure chance and found out they were not only First Editions but rare as hens' teeth? And which book set you off as a person who hunted down these types of books? Or have you been like this the whole time? For me, it's what the book looks like, as well as how it's been published, the style of the writing, illustrations and how it's bound that attracts me to first editions. They are so much better than the new books around today. Until my next post, happy reading!

Book Score!

2011-11-03T10:58:00.000+10:00

Last weekend, I was invited at the last minute to attend my niece's school fete. I turned it down as I had a lot to do here at home and needed to catch up on a fair few things around here before my very busy week started out. This was something I regretted when my folks called back that afternoon asking me about books. Mum had found a hall there chock full of near-new books for next to nothing. The organisers were handing out boxes people could fill for $10! What was I missing out on! An absolute bargain, that's what! Well, that was my fault, nobody else's. However, Mum bought me some great books I haven't read.

The first I do have (somewhere around here) but this one is a first edition; and I love digging up these things. It's 'Misery' by Stephen King. Finding a first edition of his isn't easy these days - especially his old works; but Mum found this one; and isn't it great! She bought it for about $1.00 or so.

Then, there was 'Dream Thief' by Stephen Lawhead. Now, this author is famous for his sci-fi fantasy works of the King Arthur series; not science fiction. However, he has written this genre before and so Mum bought me this works; something I haven't read of his. Brilliant! This edition is the UK edition; what a find!

Then, Mum mentioned 'Under My Skin' by Doris Lessing. Now, I have wanted to read something about this wonderful writer for a long time; and now I have the first volume of her autobiography! What a wonderful book! I can't wait to get in and read it next year (as I have so many now I really do need to get my nose into a few of them).

And last - but not least - is 'The Wayward Bus' by John Steinbeck. I haven't heard of this work by this author, but when Mum read the blurb on the back, it sounded very interesting and made me want to read it. So, she bought it for me. What a great selection of books! I'd like to thank my Mum for tracking down these books - however few they are - for me as they really do look like great reads and fantastic classics in their own rights. I can't wait to read them. What books have you found at markets or fetes that you've bought for a steal and made you wonder what they were doing there in the first place? Have you bought up big, or did you just pick out a select few like my Mum did for me on Sunday? Until my next post, happy reading!

October Book Buys!

2011-10-29T11:45:00.001+10:00

This month, I've been pretty good at not buying books; well, that was up until the day before my brother's birthday when I spotted the full volume of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S Lewis in QBD for $9.95. What a steal! Now, I've only owned the second book in that series to read since I was a child and that was it; now I own them all; along with a full-colour poster in the back! Very cool!

The other three books I purchased were all purchased on one day while I was going out to the doctors. I had to buy something for a Bookcrossing Birthday Buddy and couldn't find any books on her wish list. So, I went out to The Book Warehouse to see if there was anything there I could buy for her. I did have 'How to Hepburn' by Karen Karbo in mind for her; it's funny, witty and very informative about Katharine Hepburn, however, I didn't know what else to get for somebody who is hard to buy for. And the last few birthdays, I have bought her Jodie Picoult book collections; and I thought she may becoming a little tired of receiving those and I wanted to be different.

So, I bought 'Thief: A Love Story' by Peter Carey for her and added that one into the box I sent her along with a block of Whitaker's Dark Chocolate with almonds, two hand-made book-baggies (my own invention), a mug I bought her, and a Bookcrossing book as well as a birthday card I bought from the Southbank Markets of two Rainbow Lorikeets sitting together on a branch (like two buddies do!). I posted the box off on Wednesday last week and I hope it arrived safely.

Another book I bought on 24th, October was 'And Another Thing...: Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Part Six of Three' by Eoin Colfer. It was published two years ago; but I bought it for a little under $10. A pretty good deal as I love Douglas Adams's work! Such a funny man.

Well, they were the only books I bought this month; and they all had a purpose - thankfully! Until next month's purchases, happy reading!

Good Reads Spring Challenge

2011-10-28T23:02:00.001+10:00

Well, it's almost the end of October, and the Spring Challenge I taking part in on Good Reads; with one more month to go. I have read some great books over the last two months; reviewing them as I finished them (just enter them into the Search Box on the side bar and they'll show up).

The first book I got my nose into was one that had been offered up at high school (in year 10 actually) but I didn't read it. It's 'Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemmingway. I loved it from the very beginning to the very last page. It was brilliantly written and had me on the edge of my seat - especially when he was fighting the fish. Actually, there was a stage where I was sitting outside and I found that I gripping the book so hard that I had to stand up and begin walking around or I might do the old edition I owned some damage by accident (I was reading a 2nd edition of the book; and it was brilliant! The publishers used two artists in the book for illustrations purely because they couldn't choose between them! How great is that?).

The second book I read for the Spring Challenge was 'Red Dog' by Louis De Bernieres. Now, I went and saw the touching film this book was turned into before I read this book; which is something I don't normally do. However, not a week later, Mum showed up at my door and gave me a new copy of the book for me to read before she read it. Well! What a great book! I couldn't put it down! I laughed out loud and I cried my eyes out too! And like the critics said about E.T. when it came out: if you don't shed a tear, you've got a heart of stone.

I did have some problems with my third book I chose to read for this challenge: 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I had heard some brilliant reviews about this book and thought I'd try to tackle this book... well, this was my third year on trying out this book - my third time. However, each time I tried to get into it, something stopped me and the whole thing turned into one great big haze - kind of like the ocean spray that was taking over the castle that was hanging over the cliffs in the book! I felt as though my mind turned in a haze too each time I picked up this tome... so it never got finished.

The fourth book I read was 'The Bee-Loud Glade' by Steve Himmer. This was somewhat of a challenge within itself that I received in the mail. It was something where I was invited to read for a book discussion early in October; and I accepted. Seeing I don't normally go in for these, I thought it would be good for the Spring Challenge. So, once it arrived, I dove straight in and knocked over 40 pages or so on the first day (as there was nothing else to do on that day). Then, I was reading up to 30 pages a day until it was finished just this Monday gone at around 1am when I was kept awake by the beginnings of a dreadful cold. This book is something completely different to what I'd normally read - a narrative - and yet it kept me interested the whole time. I took part in some of the discussion on Goodreads and enjoyed the banter... enjoying the talks about how the book was written and the characters in the book and the nuts and bolts of this book as well as the back-story and other things about it. When this book does come your way, don't hesitate to read it, as it's brilliantly written and will keep you thinking well after you've closed it.

With another month to go, you never now how much more there is to be read during this challenge. Well, until my next post, happy reading!

Narnia Chronicles Renewed and Other Reads!

2011-10-23T14:47:00.000+10:00

This month, I've read more books than I thought I would; and I'm proud of myself. However, I also purchased only one book thus far. This book is 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis. Now, I have only ever read 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' by C.S Lewis and absolutely adored it! So much I adored it, I ended up buying a copy of this very book for my niece so she could read it one Christmas (the same Christmas when the movie came out!). Riley also loves the book. Now, I was in QBD the other day when I came upon a large volume of all the books - all seven of them - printed up in paperback for only $9.99! I had been looking for this one for some time at this price without success; and finally, I found it and - of course - bought it. I began reading it at Gloria Jeans' Coffee House to kill some time before I had to catch a bus home.

Other books I've been reading lately are 'The Bee-Loud Glade' by Steve Himmer. I've written up a review of this one below and I'm only two or so short chapters from finishing it. It's a very interesting narrative in such a way that it's not a heavy read and doesn't take long to plow through around thirty pages in one sitting. In my first sitting, I read over forty pages - and that was because the book arrived late to me and I was in an online discussion and wished to keep up with them all.

The next book I've just begun is titled 'How to Hepburn' by Karen Karbo. This book is a great little book and I'm only about twenty-five pages into it so far. I am enjoying how far Katharine would have gone to get a part in a film, how brash she was (and stayed that way for her whole life) and how popular she became for being exactly who she was right up to the day she passed away. I can't wait to get into this book this afternoon again and read more of it. Well, now you know what I'm currently reading - and how it's all going - what are you all reading? Let us know. Until my next post, happy reading!

Book Baggies

2011-10-17T15:17:00.000+10:00

I haven't been reading all that much lately. It's not a focusing problem; it's something I've been working on lately. And once I begin working on something I tend to drop everything else around me and concentrate on that one thing. Yep, I become very single-minded.

As you all know, I received what I thought was a strange kind of present from my folks: a sewing machine. I really didn't expect it and didn't want it. However, as the saying goes: when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. So, I began thinking about what I could do with this machine. I'm an artistic person and wanted to work it in with my art; as well as integrating it with my love of reading and books. So, I looked over the patterns Mum gave me and found a design for a pillowcase (but I have plenty of those!). Then, it struck me! I thought to design a simple baggie for books to protect them from wear and tear when you're out and about reading them.

I worked out the prototype from cheap, light material and then - just today - I worked on my first two real ones from good quality material. And it's worked out well! However, I'd like to have some people's opinions about them. So, what do you think? Would you buy them if I began making them? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about my new baggies.

I found that I can fit 2 books in one baggie along with a bookmark.

I hope you all enjoy my new design on book baggies. I can make them in any colour (the green ones I've got here are for one of my friends who loves this colour and it's her birthday soon). So, until my next post, happy reading!

First Reads I'd Read Again

2011-10-12T14:01:00.001+10:00

Now, we all have a list of books that we adore; and would love to go back and re-read again at a much slower pace if given the chance. I have a good list of them bumping around my head and thought to share them with you. I got this idea off The New Dork Review of Books and thought to share mine as well here.

10. 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - the Trilogy in Four Parts' by Douglas Adams. This book is hilariously funny and I had a paperback edition of it; and once I read it, I stupidly gave it away. So, I hunted down another copy and found a hardcover copy; this is one book I'll keep forever.

9. 'Marley & Me' by John Grogan. If there's any funnier book about a man and his dreadfully misbehaving dog, I'd like to read it... and then see it turned into a just-as-funny movie!

8. 'I Am Legend' by Richard Matheson. Brilliantly written novella with just enough creepy to keep me interested; along with a collection of other stories to turn this book from a before bed read and into an afternoon read within 24 hours.

7. 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons. I don't read graphic novels often, but when I do, it's usually due to them being brilliantly plotted and subplotted and because I've heard and read great reviews about them. This one had the best reviews and I loved it completely. Now, I want to own it.

6. 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury. I had heard a lot about this book; and received it for Christmas in 2010. Over that Christmas/New Year break, it poured rain; giving me the chance to read it. I finished it and gave it to my Mum; who got her nose into it immediately. We both love the way his style is so dry and yet pulled us into the story effortlessly.

5. 'Other Colours' by Orhan Pamuk. I had never heard of this author, but his words and stories are just beautifully written ... they are like oxygen to a reader like me. If you ever come across this book, buy it and read it.

4. 'He Died With A Felafel in His Hand' by John Birmingham. This Brisbane writer had me in stitches about where he had lived and how many people he had shared with. Well-written book; and I'm sure I'll re-read it at some point.

3. 'The Dead Zone' by Stephen King. Now, who doesn't like a book like this? Any older books by SK are sure to get a great billing from me. And this one is most definitely up on the top rankings there with me.

2. 'Blood Music' by Greg Bear. I have read his works before and found him amazing. And this book has been on my Wish List for a long time to read; and last year, I got to do just that. I am so happy I did read it; and I did take my time in doing so.

1. 'The Stand' by Stephen King. There are two editions put out by SK of this book: the ordinary edition we all love and know. Then, there's the unabridged edition where they've pushed all the stuff they took out back in... I've read both, and the unabridged one bored the crud out of me.

So, which books are in your top 10 of books that you'd love to go back and read again for a first time? Or just to re-read for the fun of it?

Romance Bandits Win!

2011-10-10T22:44:00.000+10:00

I look around at other blogs of book reviewers, writers and book lovers as well. I also comment on their blogs as well to keep in touch. In the last few weeks I've joined in the banter of The Romance Bandits just for a bit of fun and have been enjoying myself immensely.

Recently, I scrolled through their blog - which works through their 16 managers quickly and so it updates rapidly; and sometimes daily - and found I had won a book from one of them! Yay! Today, it arrived; and little did I know (until I opened it to photograph it), it was signed by the author! How good is that! So, here are the photos for you all to enjoy of my prize!

The Bee-Loud Glade by Steve Himmer

2011-10-08T11:51:00.001+10:00

What would you do if you were offered five million dollars to live in somebody's garden and be a hermit without saying a word for seven years? Would you do it or not? This is the the job offered to Finch, a man who used to work as a blogger for a company that manufactured plastic plants. He found life not worthwhile and just stopped everything; until he found an offer on some spam he saw online which offered some work that was right up his alley. He answered it and didn't expect anything in return... not until there was a knock at the door the following morning.

I won this book off The Next Best Book Blog and what I had to do to win it was to leave a comment of what I would do if I was not allowed to talk for seven years. I was also invited to take part in a book/author discussion on Goodreads. This was something I couldn't pass up and I've found it great fun and interesting to post what I've thought of the book as I've been reading it. And this book is something I've found very easy to read as well. Well worth looking into if you'd like something totally different to get into this Spring.

I haven't found much on Steve Himmer. There's his blog and other information on him in the back of his most recent book. However, that's about it. So, I'll put his blog up on the side bar and you can have a look at it at your leisure.

Birthday Books!

2011-10-06T14:14:00.000+10:00

Yesterday was my 38th Birthday and it was a very cool day; weather-wise. Normally, here in Australia, Spring is nice and warm and sunny. However, we ended up with a cloudy, cold day; but with a birthday to celebrate, we didn't let that interfere with occasion.

The day before, I received a parcel from a Bookcrosser in New Zealand - Sfogs - of two books. One titled 'ShadowLight' by Mike Jefferies was my birthday book; and the other was titled 'Unsettled' by Graham Walker. This one was a bookring I'm taking part in and so I have to read this one before the month is out. It's going well so far.

Yesterday, I didn't get any mail. However, I did receive a very unusual gift from my parents: a sewing machine. I call it unusual, but really sewing is in my family's blood - we come from a long line of seamstresses and dressmakers. I know how to sew, but I just don't like to. Mum's hoping I pick it up again.

Today, I was on for volunteer work and picked up my mail at the post office of a 3kg bag from my Birthday Buddy off Bookcrossing, Froggirlwendy. She lives here in Brisbane and is only on the other side of town; however we've never met. We've been Birthday Buddies for a few years now; and send each other great birthday gifts each year, as our birthdays are both in October. Today, my parcel from her arrived! I was thrilled! So, I took it to the Logan Art Gallery and opened it there! There were four books - all registered on Bookcrossing - and a wrapped present for my birthday! In the gaily wrapped pressie was two coin purse, a lovely card, a card with an inspirational quote on it, writing paper and ' 'The Lady of the Rivers' by Philippa Gregory. The other books were titled: 'What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day' by Pearl Cleage, 'Sixty Lights' by Gail Jones, 'Death At Dawn' by Caro Peacock and 'The Mermaid Cafe' by Andy Maconachie. None of these are on my Wish List on Bookcrossing, however, they do look like great reads! And I look forward to reading them in the future - or better still, over Christmas! Until my next post, happy reading!

September Book Buys!

2011-09-30T15:43:00.000+10:00

As a lot of you know, I have a large collection of books - over 1,000 actually. I'm also trying not to add to that collection until I read some of the books I've already accumulated. So, this month, I've made myself proud and not bought a single book! Yes, I've walked into a bookstore and perused the shelves, thinking of purchasing a book to read; however, I haven't pulled out the cash to do so. Isn't that great?

I have been reading up a storm with The Spring Challenge on Good Reads that I've taken part in; and I've read four books during that time. The first two I had already begun; and I finished them within the first fortnight of September. And then, I meandered between a couple of other books and tried to read 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley for a third time - which I do believe will be my last attempt - and then I opened up 'The Book of Tomorrow' by Cecelia Ahern and dove in. I've been reading that one and 'Metamorphosis: Stages in a Life' by David Suzuki over the last fortnight with great success.

So, instead of buying books this month, I've been reading a fair bit; and this is good. I'm enjoying the lovely warm - and sometimes not so warm - Spring weather Brisbane has been getting lately and look forward to the next few weeks of it as Spring brings with it another four weeks of blooms and pollen and warmer weather. Until next month, happy reading!

The Passing of Sara Douglass

2011-09-27T22:58:00.000+10:00

There is sad news in the world of literature today as I have heard of the passing away of the great Australian sci-fi Fantasy author Sara Douglass. She died this morning at 5am from Ovarian Cancer aged 54, after being diagnosed with in 2008.

Born Sara Warneke she and her family lived in Penola, South Australia with her parents raising sheep on a farm. She hated leaving the farm to go to school; and eventually to Adelaide. They moved to a decaying old Bluestone Victorian house in Malvern - a southern suburb - until she was packed off to Methodist Ladies College; which was a gentle, caring place, totally oblivious to the revolutions of the 'sixties.

She took up the family tradition of being a nurse for many years; and loathed it. After 17 years of being a registered nurse, she traveled to Europe and loved it! Then, returned to Australia and went to study a BA at the University of Adelaide. This BA changed her life completely. After she finished this, she did a PhD in early moderns (16th Century) English History and completed it in 1991. In 1992, she gave up nursing completely and took up a position as lecturer in medieval history in La Trobe University, Bendigo, which is in central Victoria, Australia. This job was the most stressful she have ever held.

So in an effort to find a way out of that job Sara began writing again, seriously (very seriously, this was the only thing she could think of to save her), wrote several really awful novels, a couple of not bad ones, and then one day, sat down to begin BattleAxe.

Since then, as of early 2005, Sara have written 15 novels. Sara moved from Bendigo in Victoria to the house of Nonsuch in Cornelian Bay in Tasmania. She discovered a passion or gardening and cats.

The Impossible Reads

2011-09-27T10:56:00.001+10:00

Over the years, I've read some fantastic books; and I've read some horrible ones too. However, there have been books that have really been unreadable. I have wondered how these authors actually get themselves published - and keep on making enough money to be published again and again. Now, I don't put down a book all that often, but when I do, it's for a really good reason.

This year, I have put down two books. Out of eighteen books that's pretty good. And now, I'm about to put down my third book; and it's a big one. It's 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Now, I've had this book on my shelves for a very long time - years actually - and I've made three attempts at reading it; and failed each time before reaching chapter twelve. So, is it me? Is it my attention span shortening? Have I found better things to read other than sci-fi fantasy? No. It's just this book is huge and it's one of the most vague and difficult to get into - and I read over twenty pages on the weekend and when I put the bookmark back in, it didn't even look like I read any thing!

There's been another post on The New Dork Review of Books

and he has written down the most ban-able books according to him. I think 'The Mists of Avalon' should be included; along with 'Baudolino' by Umberto Eco and 'Tipping the Velvet' by Sara Waters. Now the last one has had rave reviews; it may have been me having problems focusing. However, I found that once the story moved to London, it slowed right down. I have also found 'Enchanting April' a dreadful read too; as that also slowed down to a very pensive speed just when I thought it was going to get interesting.
So what's done it for you? What made you put down a book? Was it how slow it was? Focusing problems (as it can strike even the most avid reader from time to time) or was that book just bloody horrible? Until my next post, happy reading!

Currently Reading

2011-09-20T21:42:00.000+10:00

I know I have what I'm currently on the side bar; however sometimes my interests wonder off in different directions; causing me to chop and change which books I'm reading over time and then come back the others I've written down previously. The books I've been reading lately are:

'Star-Begotten' by H.G Wells. This is a the first UK Publication of this book; with the stamp inside from a flea market to prove it; and it's a second edition. I have been trying to keep my interest in this book; however it's waning as I go along as it's turned from interestingly charming to a dull narrative about a man and his life. I'm up to page 36 and am very tempted to put it down; and I may yet do so soon if it doesn't pick up soon.

'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley is one very thick book I've been attempting to read for a third time now; and with the other two bookmarks still in it, it's a little wonder I haven't just tossed this one on the the Available pile for Bookcrossing and thought: 'why bother?'. Well, for one thing, it's an Arthurian Legend book; and it's about the women who influenced King Arthur, and not really the other things that people have written about him. So, that's why I keep going back to this book. I'm up to page 55; and intend to keep going. I want to know why people say it's one of the best books they've read.

'The Book of Tomorrow' by Cecilia Ahern is a book I don't know anything about. It was bought as an impulse buy a few months back at The Book Warehouse at Springwood for around $7.00 and it's written from a teenager's point of view. It's a light, chick-lit book; and ideal for me to read just before bed. So, I'm hoping to pick at it over time and finish it. I'm up to page 27.

The David Suzuki book is still up to the same page as I was before; being a non-fiction book, I always find it hard to read them. And so, his book will take time to finish. this is why I've picked up other fictional novels to read as I'm reading 'Metamorphosis: Stages in a Life'. I'm almost halfway through it; which is good going for me.

So, which books are you reading; and where are you up to in them? Until my next post, happy reading!

Book Bloggers vs Newspaper Critics

2011-09-18T15:45:00.000+10:00

I don't know if it's just me, but I've been looking around the blogs lately and reading more and more on books and authors here on the net than I would in newspapers. However, I do collect a monthly magazine - 'Good Reading' Magazine - which is invaluable and chock full of information on authors and books as well as competitions and events. This magazine is also online for those who don't wish to purchase the RL magazine. However, I'd rather hunt down my copy each month so I can sit anywhere and read it at my leisure and enjoy it.

I have found that my blog roll on this book blog has begun to become longer recently; as I have gotten rid of those blogs that have become inactive, or have shut down for one reason or another. However, finding those new blogs hasn't been all that hard. In fact, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. There are so many book review blogs out there talking about this very subject, it's just a matter of making sure I pick the right one to suit my audience - and me as well - and to let the managers of that blog know I've added them on, because it's really free advertising for them; and that's very cool.

But allow me to get back to the subject I'm hoping to talk about, and that's the difference between a blog review and a newspaper book critic. Now, I do glance at the newspaper critic - and I have a certain respect for them as they get paid for their opinion in what's great to read and what's not. However, I find that for a completely honest, no holds barred opinion - and yes, nobody being paid to hype up the book you're reading - a blog is always the way to go. Even if you're a newspaper critic and you don't like the book, there are times you must see both sides of the equation to make it sell. But with blogging, if you don't like the book you've read - or tried to read - you just plainly say you don't like it and explain why.

So, now you know which one I read the most - and value the opinion of, no matter if you are paid or not - which type of review do you go for first? Is it the newspaper review (whether that's online or not, it doesn't matter) or the bloggers who review books for nothing and the sheer joy of it? Until my next post, happy reading!

Happy Birthday Stephen King

2011-09-14T14:36:00.000+10:00

Today, it's the King of Horror's birthday. Yes, this man has been scaring the crap out of all of us faithful followers for a good part of our lives for a long time now; and I don't think he intends to stop.

I've been a big fan of his - as you all know - for a long time. And last year's post on his birthday, you'll see how much I do enjoy his work ( and I did find a great photo for that post too!). Even though I have only read 'Blockade Billy' recently, I'm looking forward to reading more of his work soon.

So, Happy Birthday, Mr King. I hope you have a great day and keep us entertained - in one way or another - for years to come!

SK's Birthday Post from 2010

Oooh! Old Sci-Fi to Read!

2011-09-13T21:41:00.001+10:00

I love receiving books - any books - from relatives and today I received a phone call from Mum who bought some books at a club she attends last night for next to nothing. I'm thrilled to find she picked up books that I've been looking at to read lately; and wanting to read as well.

The Pilgrimage' by Paulo Coelho was one book I've wanted to read for a while; and now I own it, I can delve into its pages like I did 'The Alchemist' and enjoy his poetic writings. Then, there's 'Star-Begotten' by H.G. Wells. This is one book I haven't heard much about, however, I have read 'War of the Worlds' and loved it; and did wish to read more of his works. I do look forward to reading this one as well.

There are titles and authors I haven't heard of, however, such as 'The Martian Inca' by Ian Watson, 'The Exile Waiting' by Vonda N. McIntyre, 'The Pastel City' by M. John Harrison and 'Shockwave Rider' by John Brunner. And even though these authors are unfamiliar, I will read them to see how they write; and find out if they have any other works out there I can read and review for you all.

There is another sci-fi book in the pile I received. It's a very modern 'X-Files' book and I do look forward to looking into it. A lot of these books are normally taken from the shows or they're stories about how the shows were written; so it should be a good book to have a look at. Until my next post, happy reading!

A Blow for the Small Bookstores

2011-09-08T14:56:00.001+10:00

It's just dreadful when a small bookstore - somebody's life dream - is closed down due to the owners unable to keep up with everything coming onto the market. This is what happened to the owner of 'The Book Nook' in Cambridge, UK, whose dreams of owning her bookstore were shattered recently when she had to throw out all the books she couldn't give away. Read the article below feel the pain.

The Book Nook in Cambridge Closes Down

Keepers

2011-09-06T21:59:00.000+10:00

During my life, I have had books that have come and gone as I've moved; and believe me, I haven't moved all that often. My brother - Gabe - has moved more than I have and he has really streamlined his book collection to the books that he absolutely needs.

However, with each move I've made, there have been books that have been a constant in my collection; ones I just can't toss out or live without. And here's the list of them in no particular order:

'LOTR' by JRR Tolkien

'The Stand' by Stephen King

'The Dead Zone' by Stephen King

'Christen' by Stephen King

'The Five People You Meet In Heaven' by Mitch Albom

'House on the Hill' by Estelle Pinney

'Magician' by Raymond E Fiest

'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Trilogy in Four Parts' by Douglas Adams

'The Human Animal' by Desmond Morris

I know my list isn't very long, however, some of these have been in my collection for a very long time. I've had the LOTR (this one is one volume from 1978 which I found at The Book Barn in Mullumbimby, NSW years ago) for about seventeen years now. I've loved 'The Stand', 'Christine' and 'The Dead Zone' since high school and 'The Human Animal' has been in my collection since I was around twenty years old (it was a Christmas gift from Mum and Dad).

Some of my children's books are still in my collection today; as Mum kept them for me in storage. Some of those titles are:

'The BFG' by Roald Dahl

'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl

'More About Amelia Jane' by Enid Blyton

'Blinky Billy' by Dorothy Wall

'The Secret Garden'

'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' by C.S. Lewis

'Brer Rabbit Again' by Enid Blyton

'The Mystery of the Tolling Bell' by Carolyn Keene

So, how many of your favourites have stayed in your collection - either from your childhood or your recent past? - or have you renewed all of your books in your collection completely so you have new books to read all the time; year after year? I do enjoy having my older books around, but I do enjoy reading new ones as well. Until my next post, happy reading.

Mt To Be Read? Or Mt Everest?

2011-09-04T10:13:00.001+10:00

When I began this blog, I was only interested letting you into what I enjoyed reading from my past, what I wanted to read in the next year and what I was hoping to read in the next decade or so. However, it turned into something else. This little blog turned into a world wide venture of books, authors websites, events and finding out about people I never dreamed I'd read; well not in my lifetime anyway.

This also made me build a very extensive library of books in my home office - as you know - and I enjoy picking and choosing from those books each year what I read. The best thing is that I don't read the same book twice in a year; and so each year when you all peruse this list, it's never the same.

However, I've noticed that my reading pile has become somewhat large and has turned into a mountain; well more than that. It's looking more like a mountain range from India; one of them is. Yes, I had two Mt To Be Read's. There's the customary one by the door of the office where I slot in the books I hope to read from year to year. Then, there's the massive Mt Everest of books I have piled up on top of the sad-looking bookcase next to the wardrobe.

The Mt Everest of books have had to be remodeled a few times to lay down on their sides - double-parked and up against the wall - so they don't fall down. It does cause me a little worry about the book case itself as it's not the most stable one I own; however, it's now the heaviest one with so many books I've lost count of how many are actually on there. But I do know that the books on the far left side at the front are the ones I have read in the last year and half; whereas the rest of them are the ones I have ready for me to read.

It's amazing how fast these two Mount To Be Read's have accumulated over such a short amount of time. And yet, I don't think I noticed them until now; well, okay, not until one of my friends walked in and announced how tall and solid it looked since the last time he was here to look for something to read (as he's one of my regular borrowers of my library). It was then I really looked at the piles and realised they had grown over the last year and I had Mt Everest and not a Mt To Be Read in my office.

So, when did you notice your little reading pile had turned into a mountain? Or has it always been a mountain and it's just become a mountain range; taking over a room(s) and parts of the house? Did you notice it by yourself, or did it take somebody pointing it out - like it was for me? Until my next post, happy reading.

Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres

2011-09-03T10:09:00.001+10:00

Going by the name Red Dog, this lovely Kelpi captured the hearts of anyone he met in the late 1970's while he lived in Dampier, Mt Tom Price and around Western Australia. The stories which were gathered about this famous dog are true, brilliantly told and hilariously funny; and yet will touch your heart as you are taken along the life of Red Dog. Even though he never says a single word during this book - and his human friends do all his talking for him - this account of this wonderful dog's life also gives you glimpse of the true Australian outback; its glaring heat, the desert and how truly hot and dreadful it can be.

Being an Australian, I can really connect with the characters of this book; especially seeing I've owned a dog as well. However, my family never owned a dog quite like Red Dog. This dog was most certainly a one of a kind. Now, I think all us dog-owners can relate to the fart-in-the-car experience from our dogs, or the looks they give us when they're trying to tell us they didn't do anything wrong (when the exact opposite is the truth). However, Red Dog was truly a friend to all in the vastness that is Western Australia; nobody truly owned him, he owned the land and its people. He enjoyed life completely and - like they say - Red Dog enjoyed a dog's life.

Louis de Bernieres was born in London in 1954. After graduating in Philosophy from the Victoria University of Manchester, he took a postgraduate certificate in Education at Leicester Polytechnic and passed his MA, with distinction, at the University of London.

De Bernières’ first novel, The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts, was published in 1990 and won the Commonwealth Writers Prize, Best First Book Eurasia Region in 1991.

Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway

2011-09-02T13:53:00.002+10:00

Santiago is going out fishing. He does this every day; however for the last eighty or so days, he hasn't caught anything. This has labeled him as unlucky; and the boy he usually takes with him isn't allowed to go out onto the sea anymore. Today, he lets the boy help him with the gaff, sail, ropes and bait before he watches him go with another fisherman. Santiago wishes he had the help as he's an old man and wants to catch a good fish to show he's not unlucky and it's not time to retire. So, today, he goes out further than the other boats - out where the water turns a darker hue and the land can barely be seen - before he casts his lines and waits.

Before long, one of his lines goes and a fight begins for Santiago; this is between him and a fish - a Marlin, the biggest he's ever seen - to see who will survive. But being such an old man, will he die before the Marlin tires out and he can take it into shore?

Hemmingway has written a brilliant book in fantastic detail about fishing for that one big fish - that whale so to say - which can make or break you. Santiago's struggle with his catch is ongoing; and you struggled along with him as you read this simply written book. The description in it is just gorgeous and I loved how the smallest thing was placed in just right and taken out just as delicately; as though it was a passing wind.

I own a second edition of this book; and so it has the most beautiful illustrations every three pages by two different artists. In the front it stated that the publishers couldn't decide whose art was the best to put in, so they used both as the artwork depicted the storyline the best. I loved how beautifully etched the drawings were and found that they really did pull the story along well.

Ernest Hemingway was born on 21st July 1899 in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. He was one of six children. His father, Dr Clarence Edmonds Hemingway was a fervent member of the First Congregational church, his mother, Grace Hall, sang in the church choir. At the age of 17 Hemingway published his first literary work.

He died aged 61, of self inflicted gun shot wounds. He was the greatest of writers. There is a lot more to know of Hemmingway on his official site; this little bit was just the summary from the site.

Spring Readathon

2011-09-01T12:59:00.002+10:00

I've decided to take part in a challenge this month. Seeing it's Spring here in Australia - and a bit of a damp one at that - I was invited on Good Reads Spring Reading Challenge. We have to get in and read as many books as we can this month; and seeing I began reading some great books in the last week, and I'm halfway through them, I'm hoping to read more than my usual quota of books in a month than I usually do.

So far, I'm halfway through two books. The first being 'Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemmingway. It's a second edition and I bought it at The Book Barn in Mullumbimby in New South Wales a couple of years ago for $14; and only just picked it up this year. The story is fantastic, and I think everyone should read this story of a man, the ocean and endurance.

My next read is something I'm getting a good giggle out of; it's 'Red Dog' by Louis de Bernieres. And it's a great story of a dog - of course - which has been recently made into a brilliant film. I saw the film first and it differs greatly from the book; but is full of just as many laughs; if not more!

I'm still reading 'Owls Do Cry' by Janet Frame. However, I'm finding it difficult to get my head into it for long periods of time; as it deals with part of her real life and people with Epilepsy in it (something that touches close to home with me). So, I still have that one by my bed to read when I can push myself.

Once I finish the first two books for the Spring Reading Challenge, I'll do their reviews. I've been going well with my reading this year; seeing I've had other projects on my plate that I'm working on just as much. Until my next post, happy reading!

August Book Buys!

2011-08-30T21:57:00.001+10:00

This month, I didn't start my book-buying until around the middle of the month - how good have I been? Exceptional if you ask me. Also, I've been been reading some great books while the sun has been out and the winds have been nice and cool this month. Buying my books have also been a hard task of making sure I'll get in and read them.

The first two books are from the Book Warehouse at Springwood and were well worth their prices. There was 'Other Colours' by Orhan Pamuk; which is the the short stories and essays of a Turkish author who lives in Istanbul. As you can see from the review below you can tell I absolutely adored the book; I wallowed in its beauty and breathed in the words like oxygen, and I do hope you find a copy and do likewise. The next book I bought on the same day (19/8/2011), 'The Book of Tomorrow' by Cecelia Ahern is yet to be read by me. I read the back of it and thought it sounded brilliant; and so bought it and now it's on my Mt TBR - well, okay, one of them!

Then this week, I was out and about at Garden City running some errands, and I couldn't walk past QBD to check out 'Red Dog'. However, at $19.95, I couldn't afford it. One shelf down, I found 'One Last Dance: Patrick Swazye' by Wendy Leigh for $6.99 and got both books held until I had been to the bank. When I returned, I handed 'Red Dog' back and bought 'One Last Dance' all due to the price. I thought I may ask for it for my birthday (as I've only just seen the movie last week and loved it!). While I was walking around Garden City, I checked in on The Book Cafe - to see if they had a cheaper copy of 'Red Dog' in store and stumbled upon a first edition of 'Journey From Venice' by Ruth Cracknell for $12.00! What a steal! So, I bought that and ended up with two great books for my day out (as well as the things I had on my list for the day) before coming home by bus. But the strangest thing happened that afternoon. Mum and Dad dropped by and Mum handed me a bag from a bookstore down the coast and - what did it have inside it? - a copy of 'Red Dog'! I laughed and told her I almost bought it earlier that day; but was put off by the price! Now was that fate or what?

Today, I was out at The Book Warehouse at Springwood (on my way to see the doctors about an allergic reaction to some shampoo I had used) and I found 'Thomas Jefferson Travels: Selected Writings 1784 - 1789' Edited by Anthony Brandt which I purchased for the great price of $5.00! I love these books about famous people's writings and travels from those times; as it gives a great insight of what life was like back then, how they lived, traveled and worked.

So, this month, I've been good and thoughtful in what I've purchased in my reading material. Which books have you added to your collection? Were they well-thought out or something you grabbed at the last minute and they totally surprised you in the end? Until my next post, happy reading!

Other Colours by Orhan Pamuk

2011-08-25T23:11:00.000+10:00

Famous for the book 'Snow', Orhan Pamuk writes in this rather thick novel about his passions of writing, books, family and life in Instanbul. From chapters that only run for a few pages, to indepth dialogue about European authors who he loved when he was young - and why - Orhan speaks openly and lovingly through his own words and onto the beautiful, thick white paper about his passion that caused him to become a writer.

However, he takes this a lot further as you read further and he takes you into his life of the heat and bustling city that is his home; along with the smells, the shops, stalls, marketplaces, beaches and noises of where he and his family lives. When you begin reading this book, you feel as though you're being transported overseas and you've become a welcomed visitor into his home; seeing what he's seeing, feeling and enjoying as the sun sets over the humming city of Istanbul and its inhabitants.

Orhan walks you through the horrible experiences of the 1999 earthquake that struck Instanbul at 3am; how his whole family barely slept, how he didn't feel safe anywhere inside his home. He also explains how he quickly and decisively tossed out 250 books from his 12,000 strong collection because he was worried about its weight becoming too much after the quakes.

Yes, this book is worth pouring through; however, it's not like any book I've ever read. I don't have to read from beginning to end. I have found I can pick and choose my chapters as I please as none of the chapters are linked very much; and I like it that Orhan has worked this book like this. This is the kind of book on writing, books and living I've been attempting to write, but have failed. This book is beautifully written; as the words are written as though they are breath upon the page and I'm just here to breath them in, easily and quickly without effort; as a book should be. Orhan Pamuk has written a visually gorgeous book in more ways than one. Until my next post, happy reading.

Favourites

2011-08-21T12:18:00.000+10:00

Over the last few weeks, as I was cleaning out my house, I have thought about the amount of books I have stored here in this office. As in another post I wrote about a month or so ago, I said I have around one thousand books (the number's gone up since I received a few parcels in the mail, Mum's given me a couple of Hugh Lunn books and I purchased a couple more). However, the books I have vary in content, style, author, size and genre; and yet, I don't really seem to have a favourite amongst them.

When I was younger and in my 20's, Stephen King, Raymond E Feist and JRR Tolkien was my staple diet of literature. However, as time went on, and I socialised with other writers and widened my scope of reading with online book clubs, I read more and more; and found myself reading other authors I had never heard of, or I had but didn't have the courage to try out until somebody recommended them to me. My library card received a good working out; and I read books more in 2007 than I did in 2006 simply because I read reviews on blogs and in newspapers; and thought I'd like to try out those books. My favourites have changed markedly from the staple of horror writers and sci-fi fantasy to the large range you see on the right hand side bar on this blog today.

This took a long time to get my head around - especially the non-fiction, seeing how long it takes for me to read those books. Also, reading those books also opened my mind to new ways of writing and finding out that I either liked a book; or I didn't. For me, there's no middle of the road with books now; and that's good as I get through books faster now than I ever did a decade ago.

And even beginning a blog was something very new to me - a very hard thing for me as I found the internet a strange new world to venture into at the time - and yet, I enjoy sharing what I've read throughout my life with you all; no matter at which point I've read those books, whether it was when I was a child, a teenager or when if I read it last week.

Even though I have favourites in my collection in this home office, I don't read the same books twice in a year. In fact, I don't read them again the next year either. I may go for around five years before reading the same book again because I'll still remember a great book that touched me in some way for a long time. So, once it's been reviewed here on the blog, it may not be reviewed again for a few years; and if it is, it's because it was a bloody good book! If not, well, there's not real reason... books are just books. They are read; they are reviewed. Most times, after a review, I pass them onto my friends and family for them to read and enjoy as I believe that I don't fully own a book until I do give them away to others... then that's the way I share the joy of books. Yes, even my favourites are eventually shared.

So, how has your reading habits changed over the last decade to twenty years? Or has it stayed more or less the same? Have you traded authors since you were in your 20's, or are you still dipping into their old works as well as their new? Are there authors you've discovered, loved and wondered why you put off reading them for so long? Or did it go in the other direction for you; you found an author and disliked their work for any reason? Leave your opinion about your favourites; who do you love to hate, and hate to love? Until my next post, happy reading.

Walks in the Wheat-Fields by Richard Jefferies

2011-08-17T14:32:00.002+10:00

A rather thin book which was sent to me through the mail I put off reading it until this time of the year; I thought I'd have more time. However, I'm busier than ever, and yet still found time to sit in the warm sun out the front of my townhouse and read it.

This thin, old book has been published with the thought in mind where you can take the reader on the journey through anything from the migration of Rooks to their roosting grounds to the woods at twilight. All these pieces are around fourteen pages long and are in intricate detail; which took me a little while to become accustomed to. However, once I did, it was like being led by the hand into the writer's imagination and being shown their childhood hiding place.

'The rustling sound of these thousands upon thousands of wings beating the air with slow steady stroke can hardly be compared to anything else in its weird oppressiveness, so to say: it is a little like falling water, but may be best likened, perhaps, to a vast invisible broom sweeping the sky. Every now and then a rook passes with ragged wing - several feathers gone, so that you can see daylight through it; sometimes the feathers are missing from the centre, leaving a great gap, so that it looks as if the bird has large wing on this side and on the other two narrow ones. There is a rough resemblance between these and torn sails of some of the windmills which have become dark in colour from long exposure to the weather, and have been rent by storms of year. Rooks can fly with gaps of astonishing size in their wings, and do not seem much incommoded by the loss - caused, doubtless, by a charge of shot in the rook-shooting, or by the small sharp splinters of flint with which the birdkeepers sometimes load their guns, not being allowed to use shot.'

Written in this way, these descriptions are much like paintings and leave a lasting impression on our mind's eye. The above paragraph was one such part of the 'Rooks Returning to Roost' which stuck in my mind personally as I hadn't read this kind of book before.

'Walks in the Wheat-Fields' has short descriptive prose originally written in the late 1800's. If you're not into heavy description - without dialogue or plot - this may not be the book for you. However thin this book may it, it is full of brilliant work of a great, fertile mind and he put his imagination to work in the best possible ways. Well worth a read if you do find a copy.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

2011-08-11T14:56:00.002+10:00

Rebecca Bloomfield loves money and loves to shop. Her ideal way of spending her lunch hour is go to a sale at her favourite shop and spend up big! However, every day she arrives home there's a letter or two from Mr. Smeath from Endwick Bank asking for her to pay her credit cards; and they are getting impatient. Ironically, Rebecca is a financial advisor for Successful Savings magazine; where she writes articles on how to save money in all kinds of ways. She has every designer brand in her wardrobe from shoes to handbags, ear-rings to every style of dress, skirt, pants, underwear and hat. However, the banks are becoming impatient with her avoiding them, until one day, she runs into Mr. Smeath at a finance luncheon and Rebecca runs. She runs from London, her friends, her job, another finance banker she's been eying off, her life and Mr Smeath to her parents' house; only to get herself into trouble again. This time, though, can Rebecca get herself out of the hole she's dug?

I hadn't heard of the book until the film came out and Hollywood had glammed it up. Then, when this book arrived through Bookcrossing I put it into one of my bookcases to read at some point; and forgot about it until a week ago or so. This book reminded me of why I don't have a credit card, why I only shop with cash and also why I take a list with me when I go out shopping. Deep down, we're all shopaholics, we've all got our own weaknesses - be it vinyls, books, bumper stickers, cds, dvds or handbags - and we have to deal with them somehow.

Born in London, Sophie Kinsella studied music at New College, Oxford, but after a year switched to Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

Sophie wrote her first novel under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, at the tender age of 24, whilst she was working as a financial journalist. The Tennis Party was immediately hailed as a success by critics and the public alike and became a top ten bestseller. She went on to publish six more novels as Madeleine Wickham: A Desirable Residence, Swimming Pool Sunday, The Gatecrasher, The Wedding Girl, Cocktails for Three and Sleeping Arrangements.

She submitted her first ‘Sophie Kinsella’ novel anonymously to her existing publishers and it was snapped up without her editors knowing that she was already one of their authors. It wasn’t until the appropriately titled Can You Keep a Secret? was published that Sophie revealed her true identity for the first time.

Sophie now lives in London, UK, with her husband and family.

Nose Between the Pages!

2011-08-04T20:53:00.002+10:00

Finally, after a month or so of not being interested in anything at all, I've picked up a random book from my third bookcase (the miscellaneous one) and found myself turning from page one to chapter four! Yay! I'm focussed once again on something - anything! - and it's great to be able to look forward to my afternoon reading times. And seeing I'm reading again, I thought to update you all with what I've picked up.
It's 'The Confessions of a Shopaholic' by Sophie Kinsella; something I never thought I'd get into, yet, here I am just over halfway through it and giggling my way through each chapter at the main character's antics of trying to make enough money for her shopping habit; and yet not getting very far! I haven't seen the movie, but that's the joy of reading the book first, knowing how it really worked out and not how Hollywood depicted it.
I do have 'Owls Do Cry' by Janet Frame next to my bed which I'm halfway through. I'm finding that a challenge as it's hard to read and I can only read little bits of it and then have to digest it over a few days; the go back to it and read more. For her first book, 'Owls Do Cry' is a brilliant novel and I don't think I'll part with it. But I will try to read her biography: 'Wrestling With the Angel' by Michael King; which covers her whole life. I received it as a birthday gift some years ago, tried to read it once, but found it far too dense, so put it down (still marked where I left off). I'll have to try to read it again soon.
So, what have you been reading lately that is different from your usual genre? Or have you picked up new book and just couldn't wait to read the rest of your Mt TBR to get to it and have decided to read it now? Do leave a comment and let us know what you think of your current reads. Until my next post, Happy Reading!

Late-Comers!

2011-07-29T14:12:00.000+10:00

Have you ever gone and done something; and realised later you should have waited? Well, this is what I've done here. I knew I was going out today to a place where there was a good bookstore and there was a bargain bin; however did I leave my 'July Book Buys' until Sunday? Nope, I was too darn eager. Silly me.

The first book I bought was 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slow Cooker Cooking' by Ellen Brown. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a good cook, but get a slow cooker near me, and I'm a complete disaster. The results from these things often either taste like cardboard or worse; and I have to throw the contents out! So, this book was a must! I'm just as bad with a microwave; yes I grew up with them, but I'm not good anywhere near them.

The next book looked good as it's 'The Islands' by Di Morrissey. I haven't read any of her work and have heard a lot about this book through Good Reading Magazine and so when I saw this at a quarter of the price, I thought it would be a good time to buy it. Well, these are the late-comers of the July Book Buys. Next month, I won't be so excited in getting up here... I'll try and wait out the whole month if I can. Until my next post, happy reading!

July Book Buys

2011-07-26T11:30:00.002+10:00

I've had a great month of book purchases; of books that I've wanted to read and books that have surprised me. Then, I became extremely unfocused! How tedious is that? So, I stopped reading for a while and have been concentrating on something else: Spring Cleaning; which has brought me back to reading. How good is that? So, here they are. The books that I've bought this month!

The first book is something I've wondered about on 'How I Met Your Mother' and now I have it, I found it a hilarious read. I bought 'The Bro Code' by Barney Stinson and Matt Khun at QBD Bookstore Garden City on the first week of this month. I was told by the shop assistant that it was the most popular book bought by women in the last year.

The next two books were bought at The Book Warehouse at Springwood. 'How to Hepburn' by Karen Karbo and 'All Together Now' by Monica McInerey. The first one is all how Katherine Hepburn lived; while the second one is full of short stories of this great Aussie author; which I greatly enjoyed (and did a review on as well once I finished the book and handed it onto my Mum to read).

I bought the classic Australian book 'My Place' by Sally Morgan, 'The Wendy House' by Imogen Edward-Jones and 'Angela's Ashes' by Frank MacCourt at the Thrift Store down the road from me for around $3.00 (this is including a nice Glo-Mesh handbag) while I was out and about for a walk on a nice warm Winter afternoon. I bought these on 14th, July and all I was doing was going for a walk on a lovely warm Winter's day; and these two books were a surprise to find.

Well, that's all the books I've bought this month. Good finds, Classics and good fun reads in this lot! So, what have you found while out and about this month? Leave a comment and let us know. Until my next post, happy reading!

Books In Movies

2011-07-24T22:16:00.000+10:00

I was reading a thread in Bookcrossing and the person was talking about the mention of books in books. I thought it was a very cool idea of having the title of somebody else's works inside your own work; as an author (an author's way of namedropping in their own circles).
Then, I got to thinking about where I had seen this kind of thing before; and realised it was in movies where people have been sitting around reading books or have been writers or have run bookstores. So, I'm wondering have you ever paused to remember a title of a book that a character is reading in a film? Or if you were watching a dvd, have you written down the title and author of the book they're reading in the movie just so you can track it down and read it?

I remember when I was watching 'Finding Forrester' on dvd, I paused it right at the beginning when the camera glided up that pile of books in Jamal's room and copied down every one of the titles and authors; and tracked down a few of them just because they interested me. There have a been other times, like in 'Kingdom Hospital' the M.E. (played by Henry Rollins) is reading a different Stephen King novel in each episode; how very ironic of him, not to mention very cool!

So, have you ever done this kind of thing? Or do you think it's to strange to copy down a book title you've seen in a movie just to see if it's a good read. Now you know I do, I hope you don't think I'm too strange about how I find some of my reads. Until my next post, happy reading!

Problems with Blogger

2011-07-23T00:06:00.002+10:00

I'm going to approach an issue I've been having with Blogger and Firefox. Now, it's got to do with something that's been happening with Blogspot and Blogger have been trying to fix it. I have had problems with posting. When I click on the 'New Post' item in the top right corner, it comes up with the Edit page and not the Compose page. If you're having this problem as a fellow Blogger - you're not alone. There are plenty of Bloggers out there having problems like this; people who are using Firefox 4.0.
I'm using Explorer to do my posts here; and if you want to try that out, it'll look like it's not letting you sign in, but once you get to the dashboard, just click on the little blue button which says 'New Post' and you'll come through to a 'Compose' window... easy. And you'll be on your way.

I know this isn't about books; it's more about information than anything else. I just hope it's fixed very soon. Until my next post, guys, keep on following and happy reading!

Update!

I've been trying to figure out what's going on with Blogger and it's editing problems. After waiting for what feels like an eternity, I was looking around their Help forums and found out that their new Editing system has been having problems.. .big ones.... and so I've had to go back to using the old Editing system; another one is to make this blog untranslatable. Sorry, people. You can translate this another way through putting the url through Google where there's a translation tool there. I hope I've helped you with everything you've needed.

Happy Reading.

Unfocussed

2011-07-23T00:01:00.000+10:00

Have you ever had one of those months were you can't keep your head or nose in a book long enough to keep yourself interested? Over the last two months, I've been barely interested in anything; and it's frustrating me beyond belief!
I have had books pretty much thrown at me from all directions, but no real need or passion to read them. However, I know for a fact that this is a temporary thing as it's happened before. Being unfocussed is something that happens to me when I need to clean out my house or get into my writing more (which really does need some work).

I have tried to read some short story books - without success - and attempted reading a few other books that aren't really about anything in particular, but I'm taking a break from reading until I find my mind is going to be more focussed on my reading and less focussed on cleaning out my house... I believe I'm doing the old Spring Cleaning earlier than expected this time around!

Have you ever had this kind of thing happen to you? If so, how did you get around it? Did it worry you, or did you just wait until the passion for the words come back? Until my next post, happy reading!

Fantasy Time!

2011-07-15T23:33:00.001+10:00

Okay... it's time to kick back and use our imaginations. I've been reading about second-hand bookstores taking on a secret life of their own. One is in NYC that's gone secret and another is a floating one - as you have read in my posts below; and aren't they the coolest?

Now, what would you do if you had enough cash, your dream location and plenty of books to stock your dream bookstore? Where would to build it? What would you call it? What kind of books would you stock? This idea has been knocking around my head all afternoon and night and I just can't go to bed without writing it down (being a writer, when I good idea hits me, I must, must, must write it down otherwise I won't sleep).

My dream bookstore would be here in Brisbane on a nice big piece of land in a Queenslander home. Each room would be stocked full of isles of books with good, tall bookcases, tables, lovely winged chairs, chaise lounges and bay windows to sit at to let in natural light with curtains and shades. There'd be fireplaces in two rooms so anyone who wanted to snuggle by the fire could do so in Winter and read to their heart's content. And there's be a large iron fireguard to keep the hearth clean and free from embers. Surrounding the house would be a nice, wide, covered verandah so people could go outside and have tea or coffee at their leisure and look over the well-kept property. Or better still, take their purchases out into the garden and spend the day reading under one of the massive, sprawling Jacaranda Trees around the place.

The books I'd stock would be all second-hand. They'd be between $2.00 and $20.00 and in good condition. I wouldn't be selling anything that is falling apart - after all, you do want to have a good book to take home. I'd stock out of print and rare books so you can come and find those books you've been looking for for years; and yet they have been right under your nose here just on the outskirts of the capital of Queensland.

My brother would have a branch of his coffee shop at my bookstore, for your convenience. His gourmet coffees would be served up to you after you've purchased your books as you sit out the back under the cover of a Star Jasmine vine and enjoy the peace and quiet to peruse your purchases and enjoy your coffee or tea with your eats.

My bookstore would be called: 'A Book Collector's Delights' So, what would you do if you had the cash, your ideal place for a store and any kind of stock you wanted?

England's Book Barge

2011-07-15T11:47:00.000+10:00

As I was saying the below post, there is the demise of the second-hand and smaller bookstores all due to the larger ones pushing them out. So, with these smaller business closing down, they all have to go somewhere. Brazenhead Books - in New York - went secret. And now, there's another in the UK where the owner has turned a barge into a bookstore which will tour the canals around England; and there's plenty of those waterways in that country. This is another ingenious way of selling books; but at a slower speed than the hustle and bustle of the everyday rat race.

Book Shop Barge

New York's Secret Bookstore

2011-07-15T11:38:00.000+10:00

For all of us who have massive book collections; and have thought of them as our own secret libraries, this man has taken his collection one step further. Being a bookseller for decades, he's turned his business away from the second-hand arena in New York City (as so many are being pushed out by the bigger, newer bookstores) and he now runs a hidden bookstore.

Brazenhead Bookstore

The next time you're in New York, look him up in the phone book (no he doesn't have a business card) and call him. He most probably has the book/s you're looking for.

All Together Now by Monica McInerney

2011-07-13T21:33:00.001+10:00

This book is full of lovely short stories that range between three pages long and twelve pages long; with a novella at the very end called 'Odd One Out' (which was published as a separate book a few years back). The stories are unrelated to each other and are funny, very Australian and are ones which could be easily read over and over just because they are good enough on their own for something to dive into to kill time with or if you're looking for something to read in between major reads.

I've read Monica's work before and found that her books are light and easy on the mind and not too time-consuming; and yet they still pulled me into a good well-written, Australian story. Even though I've only read one book of hers, I have heard that her work is very family-orientated and have found her writing leaves me smiling at the end - with pleasure, humour or another feeling depends on the ending; but she puts in the most brilliant twists in her work.

Monica McInerney grew up in a family of seven children in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia where her father was the railway stationmaster and her mother worked in the local library. Since then Monica has lived all around Australia (in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart) in Ireland (in County Meath and Dublin) and in London and also travelled widely.

She was a book publicist for ten years, working in Ireland and Australia and promoting authors such as Roald Dahl, Tim Winton, Edna O’Brien and Max Fatchen and events such as the Dublin International Writers’ Festival.

She has also worked as an event manager and organiser of tourism festivals in the Clare Valley; as a freelance writer/editor and in arts marketing in South Australia; a public relations consultant in Tasmania; a record company press officer in Sydney; a barmaid in an Irish music pub in London and as a temp, grapepicker, hotel cleaner, kindergym instructor and waitress. Her first job out of school as a 17-year-old was as wardrobe girl (and later scriptwriter) for the children’s TV show Here’s Humphrey at Channel 9 in Adelaide. She is now a full-time writer.

For the past twenty years she and her Irish husband have been moving back and forth between Australia and Ireland. They currently live in Dublin.

Bookmark or Dogear?

2011-07-12T11:33:00.000+10:00

Now, for as along there are books, there are people who will belong to two separate groups of readers. There are the people who bookmark a book with just about any thing from a sugar packet to a bus ticket and a napkin; or they'll actually use a very nice, pretty and - at times - expensive bookmark to mark their place in their chosen read.

Then, you'll have the dogearers. The people who fold over the top corner of the page to mark the place (and sometimes, that little top corner takes up half a page! I've seen some books with massive creases in their pages where people have done this and it's left me wondering why!). So, okay, you're stop is coming up and you've got to get off the train or bus; this doesn't mean you have to disrespect the author by flipping over the corner of the page.

My collection of bookmarks in my office.

Now, I'm no saint. I used to do this in high school until my Grandpa told me that dogearing killed books. He said it weakened the pages and cause them to tear easily if they were dogeared enough. So, he insisted that no matter where I was to try and use a bookmark. It didn't have to be anything fancy; it just had to mark the place in the book, that's all. My Grandpa passed away in 1997 and still, I cringe whenever I see somebody dogear a book; actually I nearly ask them to put a bookmark in instead. But I don't; because it's none of my business what they do to that book if it's from their own personal collection. What I do hate is going into a public library (anywhere around Brisbane) and finding a good lot of their collection has been dogeared at some point in their borrowing lives. Even when the brand new books have come back, their clean, white, pristine pages have been marred with the horrible marks of being dogeared.

I must say that books will get damaged during their lives. Their covers will be bumped and torn a little through wear and tear and the tops and bottoms of the spines will acquire a wear mark of where your finger has pushed down on it to pull it off the shelf and push it back on. However, there is no need to dogear a book if you can help it. As you may have noticed, I'm a bookmarker; and yes, I do have a large collection of bookmarks to choose from when I pick up a book to read.

I have given my niece and friends bookmarks as little gifts so when they read a book I've lent them, they know I'd like them to use a bookmark. I know that sounds like I'm being a nag, but really I do wish for my books to last more than just my life; but into my niece's generation and beyond. Books are valuable and brilliant things - as you all know - and I do believe that dogearing them isn't exactly the best for them; even though it may be the easiest thing to do at the time.

So, what do you do? Are you a dogearer or bookmarker? Do you know anyone who are either of these and you find it frustrating they dogear your books; or do they respect your books as much as you do? Until my next post, happy reading!

Short Stories Indulgence

2011-07-11T12:53:00.001+10:00

It's been a while since I've made a post. The reason is that I haven't really been reading all that much; well, I have, but not books. I've begun reading short story books; and I only read these when I've read a massive book or have read a couple of non-fiction and my brain has to unwind a bit.

So, what has happened is: I took a month to read 'Acheron' by Sherrilyn Kenyon (which is around 700 pages or so) and found I really didn't wish to get into another book of that size. So, I picked up a short story book and began reading... then I found another one around my house got into that one too. They're nice, concise stories that have a great little plot with only a few characters and they really don't require me to do anything much in the way of committing myself into a huge story; not when I've read such a massive book.

The two books I've been reading are: 'Altogether Now' by Monica MacInerney and 'Not the End of the World' by Kate Atkinson. Both are totally different genres and have different length stories in them; and I love jumping from one to the other to read something different at different times of the day. So, what are you reading that may be differing from the norm? If you're normally a romance reader, are you getting into sci-fi; or maybe you're crime reader and you're trying out literature. Leave a comment and us all know. Until my next post, Happy Reading.

The Bro Code by Barney Stinson and Matt Kuhn

2011-07-02T15:58:00.003+10:00

The Bro Code is 150 rules of conduct for bros about bros and was written by bros. If you're not a bro, you've got problems. If you're a chick, you're not entitled to knowing the Bro Code; however, if you're a chick and you're known as a bro, then you're more than likely know most of the Bro Codes articles as you've grown up around bros or had close friends who are bros. The Bro Code... if you're a bro and you don't know these rules; well, then, I'm sorry to say this, but, you're not a bro.

This book was first mentioned by Barney Stinson in 'How I Met Your Mother'; the hit comedy sitcom on CBS as the main rulebook to live by if you're a bro. Since he's mentioned it, people have wondered what is it; especially Robin (who is a character from Canada and had a lot to learn about America still). Barney is played by Neil Patrick Harris was first on our screens as Dr Doogie Houser. Even though it's been years since his first television show has been on television, they have aired a 'How I Met Your Mother' spin off of one episode; with hilarious results. I found this book funny and interestingly, I also found that my own brother had pulled a few of the Bro Code Articles on me as I was growing up without me knowing it.

Born in June 1973, Neil Patrick Harris started out his acting career as a child star and starred in Clara's Heart and Purple People Eater. His big break came when he landed the lead role as the young Dr Doogie Houser in 1989; which made him a household name. He's been in a few other shows and movies until he landed a major role in Joss Whedon's Dr Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog. Otherwise, he has been playing a major womaniser on 'How I Met Your Mother' on CBS for the last few years.

Borders Gone!

2011-07-01T13:50:00.001+10:00

Today, I went to Garden City in the search of my monthly magazine 'Good Reading'. It was there; and has a new cover! So, it took time to find it. But that wasn't all that changed! The whole magazine had a complete change inside and out; and the whole thing looks beautiful and makes you want to read it more when you look at it. Now, that's what a magazine is supposed to do!

While I was at Garden City, I had to also pick up some paint and I thought to look through QBD to see what I could find that the way of a great deal (as there's always a great deal in that store), and I found a book that I've been eying off for ages. It's 'The Bro Code' by Barney Stinson and Matt Kuhn. It's a funny book about what the rules are for being a man in the eyes of Barney Stinson (the womanising character from the television hit comedy 'When I Met Your Mother'). I love this show and think these rules are hilarious; and just had to find the book to have a good laugh.

On my way to QBD and the art shop, I walked past where Borders was and found it all closed up completely. It looks kind of sad at how dark is all is now; how it used to be overflowing with books and people, with the aroma of coffee wafting from within. Even though I didn't shop there very often, Garden City now has only one bookstore; this is because when Borders closed down, Angus & Roberston on the upper level also went as they worked together. So, now QBD is getting all the business it used and the place is busier than ever! (Oh, yes, this photo I've put up, I took myself... something I quickly did while there was no security to stop me from doing as usually you need a permit to photograph inside Garden City.)

Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2011-06-30T23:15:00.001+10:00

Acheron, a demi-god, born into the body of a human and forced to live in the mortal realm away from his family in the royal family in Greece, is the twin of Prince Styxx. Because of a birth defect - his eyes being different from everyone else's - he is disowned, shamed and sent away to the city of Atlantis to his Uncle Estes to become a whore; to become nobody; to be ignored. This is until his older sister Ryssa receives a collection of letters, which she thinks is from him, stating that she should come and collect him before it's too late. When she does, she barely recognises her brother as he is treated like a slave by anyone who approaches him, his rooms are kept dark and he's beaten if he does not obey and does not pull in enough money for Uncle Estes.

Ryssa takes him away from Atlantis and brings him back to his original home of the palace, where the family learns soon that if Acheron is treated badly, is starved or beaten, his brother - Styxx - suffers in the same way. The family learns that if Acheron dies - so does Styxx; and so they begin to look after the one they have been embarrassed of for so long; still hiding him from the public. However, the Greek Gods have been watching over him... so has Artemis; who tricks him into her service; until his twenty-first birthday, when Acheron receives the most astonishing gift of all. He is given all of his powers and is turned into the God of Destruction.

Over 11,000 years later, Archeron has adjusted and become a citizen of the 21st Century. He's a God who can walk among humans, travel within a blink of an eye and see the past, future and know the thoughts of every human around him. This is until he meets Soteria, archeologist from Greece; a human he can't read at all. Acheron is warned by his mother that this woman has discovered where Atlantis is, found Ryssa's journals and she orders him to protect her at all costs. However, without knowing what she's thinking, how is he supposed to know what to do? The first thing he has to do is let her into his life; and after more than a life time of distrust from anyone he has been in contact with, can he trust this one human with his heart, mind and soul; as well as his massive secret that he's not exactly what she thinks he is?

Wow! What a book! I found this book with a bag of other books outside a house on Kingston Road last year on my way to the bus stop to go shopping. And going by the size of it, I knew it was one heck of story. So, I waited until this year to get my nose into it. It took me almost a month to read and I'm glad I took my time; as there was so much detail in it. However, I found that the first part was hard-going, but the second part was a lot easier; as the characters were already established and - with all the high tech devices - it was easy to relate to the characters and have a bit of a laugh with some of the Gods and Goddess who hadn't kept up with the times.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, who is proud of her Cherokee mixed heritage, lives a life of extraordinary danger... as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the above have a major fixation with. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she's found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than twenty-three million copies of her books in print, in over thirty countries, she certainly has a lot of friends to play with too.
In the past two years, her books have claimed the coveted #1 bestselling spot twelve times. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. Her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of Avalon, BAD Agency and the Chronicles of Nick. Since 2004, she has placed over fifty novels on the New York Times.
Her Lords of Avalon novels have been adapted by Marvel and her Dark-Hunter novels are now a New York Times bestselling manga published by St. Martins.

June Book Buys!

2011-06-27T11:04:00.000+10:00

Just like last month, I didn't have the urge to buy a book until the last few weeks of the month; and what great purchases I grabbed! The reason for this is because I didn't get to go out until I went to my Chiropractor's and the best book buys I find are over at Springwood's Book Warehouse where the prices are a quarter of what they are retail. How can I shop anywhere else when I can get an absolute bargain there?

My first purchase wasn't anywhere near a bookstore; it was at Life Line at Logan Central. I had to it up to $5.00 for efpos and so, I perused the store and found 'The Mambo Kings' by Oscar Hijuelos. I've always wanted to read this book as it was turned into a film; and I have the movie poster as well because it looked so hot! And now, I have it, there's no excuses for me not to read it!

Before I bought that one, I found the place closed, so I wandered to 'Sam's Warehouse' and found 'Vampire Academy' by Richelle Mead. It cost me $11.99, but it was worth it. Besides, if I don't like it, I can always register it on Bookcrossing and offer it up for grabs; no great loss. And I'll do that after I write a review on it here... hehe.

When I walked out of 'Sam's Warehouse', I found 'The Book Warehouse' had opened up again. The shopkeeper must have stepped out for one reason or another, so I went in and had a quick look around and found the second book of a trilogy I've been looking for: 'The Temporal Void' by Peter F Hamilton. I have now have the second and third books of this trilogy; all I need now is the first one and I can read them all in sequence. How good is that? Might get in and ask at QBD and see if they have it or can order it in for me in the next few months. I'm in no rush to grab it - as you can see from my post below I have plenty of books to choose from to read right now; I won't mind the wait to read this trilogy. Well, until my next post, Happy Reading!

Book Count

2011-06-24T11:48:00.001+10:00

As an avid reader and collector of books from all different genres and languages, I didn't think I had a very big collection. About three years ago, I counted up my four book cases and lost count at around 600 or so; mind you, I was trying to catalogue them at the same time (you know, kill two birds with one stone! I'm tellin' ya now, that doesn't work, it gets so confusing).

So, the other day, while I had some time on my hands and I was on Bookcrossing I came across a topic where one of the members mentioned she was adding to her ever-growing number of books; and really had to stop. It got me thinking that I didn't know exactly how many books I had in my little office here. So, I grabbed a notebook, pen and found the calculator on my mobile phone and began counting each shelf. After adding up the numbers from each book case and making a total from each of them (which was in the 200's), I added them all together. By the third bookcase the number was well over 700 books! When I added on the forth bookcase, I found I have 929 books weighing down this little room above my kitchen!

I was so amazed at how many books I could fit into this room, all I could do was sit in my chair at the computer and just look at the many books I had sitting around me and wonder: how in the hell am I going to read them all in my life time? And to think, I only started out with around 100 books when I moved into my townhouse 8 1/2 years ago and one book case. The one question I have is: will I find the time seeing I'm a Bookcrosser and will have many more books arrive through the mail as well as family buy me more - and I'll also purchase more as the years go by. Most of all, where will those books end up if I don't find space around the house? And soon. This little office won't be able to hold them all... no... soon I will have to find a bookcase that will make my collection venture outside the boundary of the door of my office; something I don't wish it to do (I made it a firm rule that I must contain my collection within my spare room; and nowhere else or it may take over my house; a good rule when I think about it now). How many books do you have in your collection? Have you limited yourself to a small number due to space problems; or has it gotten out of hand? Does it take over the garage and shed, or have you found a way to store your books (a bit like I have) where you can purge them when you need to? Well, until my next post, Happy Reading!

A House Made For Books!

2011-06-19T09:33:00.002+10:00

I was looking around on Bookcrossing this morning and found this link to a site which showed a house built with books in mind. How's this for the book-loving house hunter?

house made for books

Now, to try and fit this kind of thing into my house.

Book-Friendly Neighbours

2011-06-18T11:33:00.001+10:00

Isn't it wonderful when you have neighbours who know you enjoy the written word? I definitely do. Yesterday, I was on my way to the post office and walked past one unit where a Grandmother lives with her family, Betty is her name. She was sitting out in her carport having a smoke and taking in some fresh air when I greeted her with a good morning. She sat up eagerly and said: "Just the person I'm looking for! We've got a bag of books for you!" and gestured to the side door of their unit. I walked over and found a massive, heavy-duty paper bag full of books! I was amazed to find they were all modern books with great titles such as 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson, 'The Jester' by James Paterson & Andrew Gross, 'Dead Man's Dance' by Robert Ferrigno, 'The Wild' by Esther Freud and two Allison DeBois books as well as a biography by Ruth Cracknell. All up, there are twenty-one books covering quite a few genres; from mystery-thrillers, to biography to animals. All of them have been read and now I've got them, I'm looking forward to reading them and handing them onto another fellow reader.

I do love it when a collection of books sees their way to me; and I find out what people have been reading. Some people have a wide variety - like this person did - and others stick to just one genre. However, it's a nice, good and cheap way of obtaining books without spending a cent on them. Until my next post, Happy Reading!

Been Busy Reading

2011-06-15T15:32:00.000+10:00

It hasn't been a very busy time for me lately; thus giving me time to get my nose into some good reading... even if it means to cocoon myself into my duvet late at night and read some twenty pages of my current book 'Tipping The Velvet' by Sarah Waters. This book arrived in the mail last Friday and I'm already up to page 80 or so; and loving it. It's all about the UK and London; a place I've definitely been, and can relate to.

My other read I've only just returned to today while sitting in the afternoon sun to dry my hair is 'Acheron' by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I've read the first very long and detailed section of this man's tortured life where he was treated dreadfully, found out he was a demi-God and was really angry that his powers were kept from him until he was 'of age'. And now, I'm up to the part where it's jumped to the present day where he's still around and living with humans on Earth from day to day, knowing everything about them (as he's cursed to do), until one day he meets a woman who can't read, he can't hear her thoughts and doesn't know anything about her and she intrigues him to no end because of this. But she doesn't want to know him... a typical romance. However, this book is a right tome of a book - a real doorstop if you will - and so I'll keep on plodding through, because I like the style of the writing and the author takes us to Greece, Atlantis and New Orleans... all the places I want to go in my life.

So, what are you reading right now? Is it interesting, boring or have you just started? Let us know. Until my next post, Happy Reading!

Winter Reading Time!

2011-06-09T22:14:00.001+10:00

Here in Brisbane, the mercury has dropped well below the 20 degree Celsius mark; perfect for curling up on the lounge under the feather duvet with your favourite books in your Winter pajamas for a good delve into another world. So, what would you be poking your nose into this Winter? Some classics such as 'War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells or something a little more romantic and close to the heart to warm your insides? Me? I'm reading 'Acheron' by Sherrilyn Kenyon; which an absolute tome of a book, but it's worth every word and page of the 800 page or so. It's also a first of a very popular vampire series, so I think it's worth reading up on the history of how it all began.

As for the rest of the world, it's coming into Summer. So, what would guys be getting into? Warmer, longer days of Summer where you can sit by the pool or out on the deck and read to your heart's content while the kids run around in the yard while you sip iced tea in the shade and read your favourites you've been meaning to get to.

My books I'm hoping to get my nose into this Winter are:

'Acheron' by Sherrilyn Kenyon

'The Cinderella Complex: Women's Hidden Fear of Independence' by Colette Dowling

'A Virtuous Woman' by Kaye Gibbons

'Everyman's Rules For Scientific Living: A Novel' by Carrie Tiffany

I'm hoping to read these by the end of Winter - seeing it's going to be a very cold one for us here. So, do tell us, by leaving a comment or two, what you plan to read this Winter - or Summer. Have they been on your Reading List for a long time or have they just arrived? Until my next post, Happy Reading!

Legacy By David Suzuki

2011-06-06T15:06:00.001+10:00

Our world - our planet - as we know it is suffering. We are killing it at a phenomenal rate and we aren't doing anything to stop it. We are running out of natural resources faster than we're using them; and yet we don't have a back-up plan, we didn't think we'd need one. In this book, David Suzuki looks at what we're doing to our one and only home and asks the question: can we fix what we've stuffed up? If so, how? If not why not? He also poses the argument that we are looking at this planet in the wrong light. David asks what kind of legacy are we leaving behind for generations to come? Will they be the ones who will have to clean up our messes, or will we be able to do it in time?

I've admired David Suzuki's work my whole life; and have always wanted to meet him. However, when he visited the Gold Coast, I missed out by accident (Mum didn't get enough tickets, oh well, next time). I've loved all his programs that have shown on television; and would love to read his autobiography one day just to see how he made it in this life. He's been an inspiration to me in how I look at my home, my planet and the world. This book has such a clear and concise way of telling it as it is, I couldn't put it down.

David Suzuki, Co-Founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, is an award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster. He is renowned for his radio and television programs that explain the complexities of the natural sciences in a compelling, easily understood way.

May Book Buys!

2011-05-28T11:30:00.000+10:00

This month, I found great books and great bargains; but I only bought what I need instead what I wanted, and this is a good thing as I am trying to get into reading my collection instead of reading books that are not included it this year.

My first purchase was on 3rd, May of 'Captain James Cook: A Biography' by Richard Hough. I purchased this one on the day I was in Brisbane City to see the Endeavour which has been touring Australia. It cost me a lot of money and nearly got soaked that day; but only a few pages were wet fortunately.

The next lot of books weren't until later on in the month when I needed to go out to Garden City to pick up some paint. Borders was having its last days sale and I decided to drop in and see what was on offer there. As you've read in one of my earlier posts, the store was emptying out of books very quickly with books they were practically giving away. But I thought to make my purchase worthwhile and bought myself 'Reading by Moonlight' by Brenda Walker. I've always wanted to own this book since it was published and now I do, I look forward to reading it.

On the same day, I wandered into QBD - my usual book haunt - and found two books that looked entertaining. The first was 'Everyman's Rules for Scientific Living - a novel' by Carrie Tiffany; which I found in the bargain bin for only $1.99! How could I pass that up? And then, I found a hilarious book I thought would be brilliant and funny to read 'The Lost Journal of Indiana Jones' by Dr. Jones I saw that not far from the bargain bin for $4.99. Seeing I'm a fan of the movies, I thought it would be fun to have a book about it all to laugh at.

So, there you have it, my monthly book purchases. What have you found in your travels lately that you've bought for a song? Where your finds in the most unlikely places, or did you find you already had a copy when you got home (like I did when I returned home from Garden City with one of my books). Until my next post, happy reading!

What I Did For Towel Day!

2011-05-25T13:21:00.000+10:00

Today, started out cold, and so I got out of bed early and ate a nice hot breakfast and started my day right; by selecting my towel. I thought to take with me a bright yellow one and used it immediately to keep my digital camera from getting wet and cold from my insulated cold pack in my shopping trolley. So, with my towel's first use under way, my shopping list in hand and my Go Card in my back pocket, I was ready to leave the house.

By the time I had reached the pet store to pick up Little Miss Stevie's bird food and millet, I had to repack the trolley again and used the towel to wrap the around the bag so her favourite treat didn't get crushed too much by the weight of the Finch Mix.

I hit the Life Line store and scored myself an original Christian Dior, Italian Made handbag for $12! I'm not kidding... I was looking at it in the glass cabinet and wondered if I was looking at a knock-off; but couldn't be sure. So, I asked for a look and immediately bought it!

The towel came out and was wrapped around the handle of the trolley as there wasn't any space in it anymore after I hit Woolworths; and there it stayed for the rest of the time I was shopping, until I hit Coles.

This is where I pushed the childseat open and laid it in the seat of it and put my eggs in it and then wrapped up a nice mug in the towel to keep it from getting broken or moving around too much. After the checkouts, I wrapped it around my trolley handle again and ordered my taxi where it ended up in the front seat with me and I came home.

The day's not over yet... so I wonder what else I'll get up to with this yellow towel for Towel Day? What did you do with yours?

My Reading List

A Conversation With Stephen King

2012 The Year of Reading

'Christian Slater Back From the Edge' by Nigel Goodall

Keeping Count Online

Altered Books

What Are You Reading?

Book Haul!

On The Hunt

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace

We're Mobile People!

The Joy of Books.

Authors We Love

Currently Reading

A Brand New Blog!

Happy New Year!

Great Reads of 2011!

Bookstore Reviews Time!

Christmas Pressies

The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams & John Lloyd

Just Because It's Christmas...

More To Books Than Reading

A Shameless Promotion

Bookstore Review - QBD Garden City

Reading List Hopefuls for 2012

New People

Books That Changed My Life

Favourite Authors and Their Books

Library Love

More Than One Book At A Time?

Book Warehouse Review

An Interview With Estelle Pinney

Poetry Prose

Summer Reading

New Products

Summer of Fun!

Summer Reading Challenge

November Purchases

Summer Fun

The World Loses Anne McCaffrey

The House on the Hill by Estelle Pinney

Stephen King's New Book Is A Must-Have!

Another Win on Romance Bandits

Finding Firsts

Book Score!

October Book Buys!

Good Reads Spring Challenge

Narnia Chronicles Renewed and Other Reads!

Book Baggies

First Reads I'd Read Again

Romance Bandits Win!

The Bee-Loud Glade by Steve Himmer

Birthday Books!

September Book Buys!

The Passing of Sara Douglass

The Impossible Reads

Currently Reading

Book Bloggers vs Newspaper Critics

Happy Birthday Stephen King

Oooh! Old Sci-Fi to Read!

A Blow for the Small Bookstores

Keepers

Mt To Be Read? Or Mt Everest?

Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres

Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway

Spring Readathon

August Book Buys!

Other Colours by Orhan Pamuk

Favourites

Walks in the Wheat-Fields by Richard Jefferies

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Nose Between the Pages!

Late-Comers!

July Book Buys

Books In Movies

Problems with Blogger

Unfocussed

Fantasy Time!

England's Book Barge

New York's Secret Bookstore