What I Got My Nose Into!

In the past week, I've been working on quite a few things for my Crafty Pegs Hobby Business.  So, reading has taken a back seat for little while; but not totally.

After the funny parody I wrote about 'Jaws', I looked for the book in my collection that night and have been reading a few pages of it each night before bed... and it's more detailed than I thought it would be.
I'm only a few chapters in, and I'm thinking that the film has only covered a tiny fraction of what Peter Benchley had written about the Great White Sharks.  His prose isn't stunning, but it pulls me along in such a way that I have read ten pages without realising it.  The dialogue in this book isn't snappy or anything you'd be able to quote - unlike the movie - however, it makes me feel as though I'm watching the whole story unfold; as though I'm a fly on the wall and a bona fide guest into the mind of this author.  I feel honoured to be part of this story, and yet it's being shown to be bit by bit, instead of being thrown at me.  I love how this is set out.

All this from only about three chapters of the book; and I haven't really made a dent.  Yes, this book has impressed me so far.  It's a book from the 1970's.  Yes, it's was a debut book for its author where it was  greatly unrecognised for its ability to go further than it did (it was knocked off the #1 spot by 'Watership Down' so didn't get to be in hardcover).  And the movie didn't do it justice.  

I have found a great article about 'Jaws' and how the movie differs markedly from the book here so have a read of it and let me know what you think of it; as I found it very indepth and caused me pause to think about how I'm going to approach the book now.  So, what are you reading at the moment?  I'd love to see what you're all up to now, as the seasons change.  Until my next post, happy reading.

'The Naughty Book for Girls' by Candice Hill

Are you a good girl or a bad, bad girl?  I bet you women out there are laughing at the question with a wicked grin on your face... saying you can be very bad if the mood strikes you, but good if you want something out of somebody.

Well, I've discovered 'The Naughty Book for Girls' by Candice Hill which will clear this mystery up for you - and everyone else around you for good. 
For the first few chapters, it asks you all kinds of questions about your personality and I found them dead easy to answer, then it gets a little more detailed.  
This book is a fun, easy read and has a candy-striped pink cover with a hot redhead on the cover in a kinky pose to make it more appealing to our naughty side.  However it does make you wonder about just how naughty us girls can get... doesnt it?  Until my next post, happy reading.

What's Inside Your Collection?

Have you ever done it?  You know?  Gone through your book collection and found out just what you have in it?  I have once in a while.  And you know, it's a big surprise to me just how many books I really do have that I don't get to read or books I picked up and wanted to read at one stage and don't want to anymore.
The shelves are stacked beautifully, all the spines are facing out.  I have books piled on top of the ones standing up properly, as well as books on the tops of the shelves where they lay down so they don't fall down.  And all of those look like mountains; where they are all leaning in on each other from the edges just so nothing falls down if I add one more book on by throwing it on top.  Or if it teeters a little, something in the way it's sitting will keep it from falling down.  Or - funnier still - at some point in the next few days or nights, I'll hear a thump, and a few seconds later, a crash and race in to find all my books from the mountain on the floor!  And this book avalanche was caused by that one book on top teetering a little when I should have found a good spot for it.  Lazy me!

But seriously, do you know what you have in your shelves?  And I don't mean a rough estimate... I mean, do you know exactly which authors you have right now?  I can honestly say that I don't.  I know a few of them, but not all of them.  And that's a good thing to know.  And here's a few of them just off-hand:

Stephen King
Paulo Coelho
Maeve Binchy
Umberto Eco
John Connolly
JRR Tolkien
Douglas Adams
Imogen Edwards-Jones
Sara Douglass
Helen Garner
Jim Morrison
Donald Stephenson
Colleen McCullough
Bill Cosby
Ray Bradbury
Mark Twaine
Alan Alda
Charles Dickens
Oscar Wilde
Hugh Lunn
John Irving
Estelle Pinney
Matthew Reilly
Peter Straub
Nigel Goodall
 

I have more than one book of the above authors in my shelves... and this is who I can see from where I'm sitting. So, do tell!  Who have you got in your collection?  Are you proud to have them?  Or are some authors a big, bad secret?  Like for me having a Dr. Seus book isn't my proudest moment.  But then, I guess everyone's got a few hiding in their past.  Until my next post, happy reading!          

Death, Taxes and a French Manicure by Diane Kelly

Tara Holloway is a special agent on the IRS's payroll and she makes sure that you  pay your taxes; and keeps her finger on the pulse her love life at the same time.  After all, she needs one!

After being attacked by a small-time tax cheat who slices her wrist open with a box-cutter, Tara is put onto a case where she has to be under cover with an agent from the DEA.  They are tailing - of all people - an ice-cream man who is suspected of selling drugs from his truck in the poorest area of town.  And Tara and her partner for this case get down and dirty dressing in clothes she'd rather give to charity; and dressing like anyone but herself.

While she's working this case, an even bigger case falls in her lap; in the shape of a handsome, well-built landscape gardener called Brett.  He's working for some really big, dirty scammers who are stealing money off the retired folks and leaving them with empty bank accounts and nothing to live on.  But with Brett in her sights as a possible hotty to land, the small-time drug-dealer ice-cream man to bust, can Tara really handle everything on her plate right now?  Can she trust Brett with her heart and with what her job is?  Or is Brett in cahoots with the scammers and will she have to arrest the man who has become a big part of her world?

I won this book on The Romance Bandits site and thought it was the typical run-of-the-mill romance.  But before I turned the first page, I was laughing out loud!  By the end of chapter one, I was really gunning for main character (literally; as she can shoot a gun!) and by the time Tara met Brett and scored her first kiss, I wanted to meet the guy and steal him off her... only kidding.  Before I knew it I was putting aside an hour or two to read this book and today I finished it!  What a funny, sassy, hot book to read; and a great spin to put on romances.  I swear that I won't look at romance novels the same again.

Diane Kelly is a tax attorney by day, a writer by night.  A recipient of the 2009 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Element, she has received more than two dozen RWA chapter awards.  Diane's fiction, tax and humor pieces have appeared in True Love magazine, Writer's Digest Yearbook, Romance Writers' Report, Byline magazine and other publications.  'Death Taxes and a French Manicure' is her first mystery novel, with more in the series to come. 

Born on a Rotten Day by Hazel Dixon-Cooper

Every now and then, I come across a book which really tickles my funny bone.  And this is one of them.  I love reading books that look at the hilarious side of things that we normally take for granted; like our zodiacs.  This book takes our typical, normal and what author Hazel Dixon-Cooper calls our 'own inner brat'.  Forget that Librans are indecisive and that Virgos are Perfectionists... this book will tell you exactly how horrible those star signs really are underneath all that sugar-coating we've been hypnotised with all these years.

I found this book at a Community Thrift Sale two weeks ago, and sat down with my Mum to have a good look at it before going out again that day.  We giggled and laughed at everything that was wrong with us as well as everyone else in the family - and this book came up trumps with everyone.  It told the hard, cold facts and we weren't about to say it was lying either - well because how can you escape who you really are?

I've tried looking for this book online for you all, however, just trying to find the author was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  Besides Hazel's home site - which I found through Google easily enough - I couldn't find anything of her works through the publisher she went through in New York.  However, I did find a great site for rare and out of print books!  What a way to find one thing when looking for another!  Well, until my next post, happy reading!

Community Centre Buy-Up!

Today, I was up nice and early and out the door by 9am to be at the Springwood East Community Centre for their thrift sale.  Almost everything there was under $5.00!  This ranged from t-shirts, plants, knick-knacks, shoes and also books!  So, Mum picked me up and we drove there nice and early to look around.  I had a quick gander, however, I was back looking at the plants to see what I could nab for my garden.  I picked out four plants and paid under $20 for them all (and even scored a lovely pot with some succulents and that was $5.00!).

But it was the books I looked at last; as they were the things I really didn't wish to crash and burn on.  Seeing I already have plenty to choose from, I wanted to pick out only what I wanted - needed - to read and I wanted to do this carefully and in an unrushed manner too.  So, I picked out four great ones I thought would pick up my spirits after the dull old week of sitting around on my butt waiting for a tiny bone to heal:  'You Suck' by Christopher Moore caught my eye immediately.  And being a funny writer, I thought it would make me laugh; also it's a vampire novel too. 

Then, I found 'Born on a Rotten Day: Illuminating and Coping With the Dark Side of the Zodiac' by Hazel Dixon-Cooper.  Now, talk about funny!  My Mum got her nose into this book and laughed her head off at her star sign then just had to look up Dad's; which had her snorting as she read!  So, I'm looking forward to using this on as a good one to read for a giggle on any day when I'm wondering exactly why my friends are like they are.  I found one on the Beatles titled: 'The Music and the Artistry of the Beatles' by Mark Hertsgaard.  I haven't seen this one around before, but it does look like a good read.  And the last one was a book Mum handed me and I bought because it's a Native North American Indian Spiritual one; and I love that kind of thing:  'Native Wisdom for White Minds' by Anne Wilson Schaef.  

Before we knew it, we were off to my parent's house and then off to the World's Greatest Shave event!  I didn't raise as much money as I did last year; but I did colour and shave.  I looked like a melted packet of skittles... all the colours of the rainbow!  And I got a little bit shaved under my red tresses... shocked the hell outa Mum! Until my next post, happy reading!

The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams & John Lloyd

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.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

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.

The Bro Code by Barney Stinson and Matt Kuhn

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. 

Code Name: Millicent by Bryon Williams

Millicent is a highly-trained cat who works for the CIA (Cat Intelligent Agency) and has been sent on a mission by her boss - Tom - in Canberra to investigate and infiltrate the growing drug problem in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales in the town of Nimbin.  While there, Millicent meets King - a very dashing and mysterious Burmese; a character in himself.  But is he a distraction, or is he in on the operations?  Her assignment becomes extremely dangerous when the investigation takes a cat-astrophic turn and unexpectedly leads her into intrigue and murder.  For Millicent, the somewhat quiet inland town of free love was beginning to turn into something she didn't expect; especially when another attractive ginger Tom shows up on the scene to help with the investigation... someone she has never heard of from inside the CIA.

I've had a great time reading this book.  From the very beginning I began laughing my way through; on the second paragraph of the introduction actually, and the adventures don't stop there.  Whether you enjoy cats or animal stories, this is a must-read for anyone who has had these interesting and humourous animals in their lives at some point or another.  And being a person who is horribly allergic, I've enjoyed the company of quite a few cats with the problematic reactions that go with them.

Bryon Williams is an ex-actor, script writer, stage and television producer and director, and recently turned novelist, is settled in the beautiful Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia. 

His previous novels 'Grumpy Old Withered of Oz' and 'The Twilight Escort Agency' were published in 2009 and enjoyed by a very successful launch and reader response.  His next two novels 'The Tourist From the Light' and 'The Burning Boy' are to be published in the near future.

He Died With A Felafel In His Hand' by John Birmingham

John Birmingham has lived in over eighty shared houses spanning across three states of Australia.  There's nothing he hasn't seen; and nothing can shock him.  He learned a lot from people he'd least expect would be big problems; and found that traveling with people he lived with was nothing but problems.  Filled with almost unbelievable stories from him - and from others who have also had funny stories about living in shared houses - John Birmingham has written a light, funny and laugh-out-loud account of what it's like to live in shared accommodation with just about anyone.

I love this book.  Seeing I've lived in a shared house, I can relate to about three of the stories out of the many John Birmingham told in this book... but only the three.  There have been my own weird and funny stories I've got of my own while living in shared accommodation that people wouldn't believe; yet they happened.  But, of course, that's a story for another time.  I did love reading this book as it was easy to pick up and and put down and wasn't demanding; as some books are.  So, if you want a good light, hilarious read, this is the book for you.

John Birmingham was born in Ipswich, Queensland, in 1964 and published is debut novel, 'He Died With A Felafel In His Hand' in 1994; which became a cult classic for today's youth, and eventually a best seller.  For his second book, he used a pen name, 'The Search for Savage Henry' by Harrison Biscuit.  This book is currently out of print; however you can buy it on the official site shop (which I've installed on the sidebar).  This was followed by a shared house comedy 'The Tasmanian Babes Fiasco' .  'How To Be A Man' was his fourth book, which John co-wrote with Dirk Flinhart, published in 1998.

'He died With A Felafel In His Hand' was turned into be a successful play and - eventually - a movie, starring Noah Taylor and Sophie Lee.  This book was published in Italy and England in 1997.  It was The Guardian's book of the week and described by Loaded as "one of the funniest books ever". 'Leviathan', a history of Sydney, was published by Random House in 1999.  In 2002, Duffy & Snellgrove published two pocket-sized guides by Birmingham 'The Felafel Guide to Sex' and 'The Felafel Guide to Getting Wasted'. 

How To Be A Vilain by Neil Zawacki

Have you ever dreamt of world domination?  When you were little, were your goals to be a Supreme dark overlord or a lawyer?  Do you find Unicorns, rainbows, puppies and cute things your worst nightmare?  Well, this could be the book for you... this book is how to be an absolute villain in the present day; and to make sure you don't make the same mistakes the bad guys in the movies do.

From picking out your evil name (which is a lot of fun really) to choosing where you underground lair will be, your main career to what kind evil laugh you decide on, this is a complete - if not funny - guide to finding your evil self. You're told about the heroes, death traps, tools of the trade and you're advised about evil henchmen too; even if you wish you didn't need them.  It also talks about dress and style... and which one you pick could really make or break your evil self.  

Personally, I enjoyed this book.  If the illustrations didn't have me giggling it was the funny types of ways to be evil that did.  I loved picking out my evil name... that's always the most fun (which by the way is: 'Mistress Death Hammer'.  It was from one of the ones in the book... but you can always make your own up).  I decided to get my nose into this book for two reasons:  for one thing it broke me away from the vampire romance I had my head into lately and it was a very quick and light read to zoom through for a day or two.  Otherwise, it got me laughing and isn't a book to be taken too seriously.

I've looked up Neil Zawacki, however I can't find an official website for him; not even Wikipedia is coughing up anything.  So, I'm afraid, he'll be an author we'll have to keep our evil eyes out for, eh?  Well, I will for you all.  Until I find another book he's written and try to get a website of his on here, I apologise for not being able to find him.