August Book Buys!

Well, it's been a relatively plain ol' month of me buying things this month; but also a month of buying a brand new book too!  What a great thing that is!  I had been eying off a book for a long time; and finally, I bought it at the more expensive price!  Yay!

Now, I only bought three books this month; but they were well worth forking out the money for.  And I only bought them because I want to read them at some point.

The first book I purchased was 'The Lost Diary of Don Juan' by James Carlton Brams.  It's a look at the man behind the myth of Don Juan and how the name became so famous throughout history and the world.  I've yet to read it, but I do have it on my Mt To Be Read.

The next book was purchased a few days after the first (on 8th, August) and it is 'The Brain That Changes Itself' by Norman Doidge, MD.  This book was turned into a television series that interested me greatly.  It's about how people with average intelligence - or other things mentally wrong with them - can form new pathways in their brains and learn new things.  It's called Neuroplasicity; and it's something that's been working for some time now for a lot of people with disabilities ranging from Autism to Stroke Victims; and it works.  When I saw the book on the shelves, I wanted and bought it with a book voucher; and now I'm reading it.  Very interesting stuff!

The third book is something I'm absolutely obsessed with:  being left-handed.  It's titled: 'The Left-Handed History of the World' by Ed Wright.  It's about the people throughout history who have been known left-handers and have change the world in some way.  It's a very interesting book; and I look forward to reading it soon.

So, there you have it.  My book purchases for this month!  Until next month's book purchases, I hope you keep reading as much as I am.  I'll be back doing more reviews soon; my reading schedule has been a little slow for a few weeks as I've been busy with another project.  Once that's finished, I'll be back doing what I love best.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

From the back cover:  'Six interlocking lives - one amazing adventure.  In a narrative that circles the globe and reaches from the 19th Century to a post-apocalyptic future, David Mitchell erases the boundaries of time, genre and language to offer an enthralling vision of humanity's will to power, and where it will lead us.'

I love reading unusual books; but this one just hasn't done it for me.  It's got all the hooks and wonderful bits I'd expect from an usual text but it took too long to pull me in with too many characters to keep a track of.  I found myself feeling dragged down and not wanting to read it when I really did need to get going with it.  So, I haven't finished this book and moved onto another.

Born in Southport in 1969, David Mitchell grew up in Malvern, Worcestershire, studying for a degree in English and American Literature followed by an MA in Comparative Literature, at the University of Kent. He lived for a year in Sicily before moving to Hiroshima, Japan, where he taught English to technical students for eight years, before returning to England.

His first novel, Ghostwritten (1999).  His second novel, number9dream (2001), was shortlisted for the 2002 Man Booker Prize for fiction.  His third novel, Cloud Atlas (2004) was shortlisted for the 2004 Man Booker Prize for Fiction, and was followed by Black Swan Green (2006).

David Mitchell lives in Ireland. His most recent book is The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet (2010).

Night Owl Sessions

I do love getting my nose into a good book; but then, don't we all?  For me, the best time is before bed or in the afternoons just before the kids come home from school (here in Australia, that's around 3pm).

I find that reading at night is something that relaxes me and I can enjoy the activity of reading more than I do in the daytime where noises and people being around are the main distractions.  At night, there's not really all that much to distract me from the pages and I enjoy a book more; so thus I'm a night owl when I really need to get into a book or when I do want to get through a book for the sheer pleasure of it.

But my night-time sessions can go until really late and I forget to look at my watch to turn out the light.  Last night, was one of those nights with 'Cloud Atlas' where I was planning on getting to bed at a good reasonable hour and hoped to read just a little bit, however the book turned out to be better than I thought.

I began reading at 10:50pm and the next time I looked at my watch, it was midnight!  Wow!  Where'd that time go?  The best thing about that was the storyline just pulled me along and I loved where it was going.

And since I have so many books to get my nose into - and these are books that I will be reviewing in the future for you all - I do try and keep my reading as varied as possible.  But I am becoming a fan of David Mitchell's as I get further into 'Cloud Atlas'.  

So, what time of the day do you read better?  Are you daytime reader?  Do you read over lunch or afternoon tea? Or are you like me and burn the midnight oil; reading when everyone else in the house is sound asleep?

Best Laid Plans...

This Winter, I had the best intentions to read up a storm and get through a fair bit of my Mt To Be Read.  But that just didn't happen.  Instead, I ended up on here; online e-mailing people and playing Farmville.  It's so addictive!

Don't get me wrong, I'm reading; but not as much as I had hoped.  I have been outside my unit reading on the curb in the sun to keep warm (as the unit can get quite cold at this time of the year) and then I'll get my nose into the books before I turn out the light late at night.  But then, I've also been out and about attending gigs of my brother's bands and visiting family too.  It's like that saying:  The best laid plans never work out... or something like that.

I guess John Lennon was right:  'Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.' I actually have a broken keyring with that one it by my bed so I don't feel so bad when I can't do something I've planned to.

So, what's gone astray when you've planned to do it?  For me, it was my Winter reading.  I've got so many books to get through and more coming in the mail from across the miles.  What have you been feeling guilty about lately in your part of the world that you wish you had gotten done at this time of the year? 

Back On My Feet!

I'm back on my reading feet again... there's no more headaches!   Yay!  Last night was the first time I could read without thinking my head was going to explode; actually, last night was the first time in three days I had cracked open 'Cloud Atlas'... so I had some catching up to do!  And I did some of it just before turning out the light and promptly crashing blissfully into a wonderful nights' sleep.

My chiropractor told me yesterday - when I paid him a visit - that the bone at the base of my skull that supports it (the neck bit that is) was pushing on my skull in such a way that I would have had symptoms of dizziness, nausea and a thumping headache; which I did.  So, once he fixed that, I was relieved of the most of the pain.  And this morning, I woke to a lovely, bright day where my eyes didn't hurt, I was starving like you wouldn't believe and I didn't feel like I had a constant hangover.

And today, I've been on the computer since around 9:30am and there's been no problems with the glare... wonderful!  So, I thought to let you guys know, I'm getting back into reading faster and more books now I'm feeling better.

A Short Lull In Words

For the last week, I haven't been reading all that much.  And the reason why?  Well, I've been suffering through some of the worst headaches I've ever encountered.

Now, I know what the problem is; it's my neck.  It's not the strongest thing on me and once in a while it'll get out of line and I'll need to head off to the chiropractor and get it put straight again.  And today's the day I'll be doing that.  So, this is why I haven't been writing much here of late.  But once I've been to see him, I'll be back on here writing about what you all love... books and related subjects.

Otherwise, right now, I'm partway through 'Cloud Atlas' by David Mitchell and have just bought the current issue of 'Good Reading' Magazine for August.  It looks wonderful!  I'll be back on my feet again this weekend, for sure, doing what I love doing... reading all day.

July Book Buys!

This was a good month to get into some serious reading - as you can see - and it was also a great month for sales as it's the end of the Financial Year.  So, I got out there and bought up as much as I could before the sales vanished on us for another year.

First off on the list, I bought two books from QBD at Garden City - where I have never paid full price for anything, even if they aren't having a sale.  The first book I saw was 'Home:  My Memoir of My Early Years' by Julie Andrews.  Now, I love this actor as she's so talented and have wanted to know more about her off screen.  And when I saw this book in the bargain box, I knew it was meant for me.  It's in hard cover and it's in lovely condition.  I can't wait to read it

The next one was 'The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun' by JRR Tolkien.  This was also in hard cover and I've heard good things about it.  Many books have been published posthumously by him and they have made his name more famous than ever; and this one is no exception.  I bought these two on 1st, July.

On 6th, July, I went for a walk around my local area and dropped into the nearby Thrift Shop where there's a great supply of books on sale there.  Initially, I only go in there to browse; but on this day, I ended up buying two books.  The first one was 'An Indecent Obsession' by Colleen McCullough in hard cover and the other

was 'Black Hearts' by Arlene J Chai.  The second one will be registered on Bookcrossing and posted off to a good friend of mind in Asia who loves these kinds of books.

My third purchase was an impulse buy and I really shouldn't have done it.  But looking through bookstores is something I do to get an idea of what people are reading.  I watch what the public pick up and buy so I know what I should be reading too; usually it's not what they're buying to give a wider scope for you all.  So, on this day, I was looking at the

larger tables and found 'Pop Babylon' by Imogen Edwards-Jones & Anonymous.  I've read a few of these and found them very amusing, fun and light to read.  They're not popcorn reading, but still a good fun book to get into.  This is my third one I own of the series.

So, there you have it.  My book purchases for this month.  Few and budget-orientated and yet from all over the place.  Until month, keep reading.

The Traveller by John Twelve Hawks

Michael and Gabriel Corrigan are brothers in trouble; big trouble, and they don't realise it.  For their whole lives, they have been on the run and have been fed stories about Harlequins and Travellers and how the Vast Machine is controlling everyone on the planet; and how it will eventually catch up with them if they don't stay off the Grid.  So, their family lived most of their lives on a farm in the middle of nowhere without electricity, no television or even a radio and the boys were kept out of school as well; being home schooled instead.  This was going okay until the fateful night the ripped their family apart and had them on the run again; the night their father vanished into the night leaving their mother to pack what was left of their destroyed house into the car and to keep them on the run again.

It's years later and Michael and Gabe have grown up to believe whatever they want.  But, while Gabe is careful about his life, Michael isn't.  Both have money and have achieved a lot in their lives and all the freedom they have is about to come to a grinding halt very quickly when they find out the stories they were told about Harlequins and Travellers while growing up are all true.  However, only one of the men is a true Traveller - who has it in his blood - while the other has it chemically implanted into him by the Brethren; the people who ran the Vast Machine.  The main question is:  who is the true traveller and who isn't?

I bought this book last year when I heard great reviews about it.  Then, when my Reading List here at home got chocka-block with other reading, I had to put it to one side.  Then the second book came out ('The Dark River') and I thought to leave it until the third book came out so I could read the whole trilogy all at once.

Well, there's nothing in the book that gives away much to who John Twelve Hawks is.  So, I'll just write what's in the back:

'John Twelve Hawks lives off the grid.'

Books In Verse

Seeing I'm busy reading some pretty good books, it got me thinking about the style of other books I've got in my on-growing collection.

There's a small - but select - group that's beginning to find a place in my reading list and on my Mt TBR of versed books.  These are books that tell a story but they are written in poetic verse.  This is not a new trend.  Shakespeare and other great writers of olden days have been doing this type of written work for hundreds of years; and so it's nothing out of the ordinary that it would come back into style.

While I was away in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland for the week away in May, I had 'The Monkey's Mask' with me and began reading it; not knowing it was a versed book.  From the first page, it had me hooked faster than a traditionally written book.  The way it was written moved so fast and I loved how the scenes didn't need that many words to get the feel and sense of the whole book across.  I enjoyed the first few chapters completely and found it was unputdownable.  I haven't finished it yet, but I will definitely find time after 'The Traveller' to get back into it. 

Another book I've been sent by a Bookcrosser was 'Make Lemonade' by Virginia Euwer Wolff.  I didn't get as far into this one as 'The Monkey's Mask' but this book is also written in verse; setting the scenes were easily done and the feel of it was wonderful.

So, what books have been written in verse - either from Shakespearean times or modern - that have taken you along quickly and easily?  And which ones are your favourite?

Been Busy Readin'

It's been a while since I did a decent book review here; and there's a good reason why I haven't, and I've only been writing about books and reading.  I have had my nose in a few books at the same time.  

There's 'The Traveller' by John Twelve Hawks which I bought sometime last year and have had my nose in for the last few weeks.  It's a good story; however it's full of details and I don't wish to miss them.  So, I'm taking my time with it; re-reading where I need to (which is only a few paragraphs back most of the time).

Then, there's 'The Witch of Portobello' by Paulo Coelho which I haven't gotten very far into, but it's gotten me interested enough to keep going the next time I pick it up before turning out the light.

My third book I'm reading has stalled - which happens sometimes - but I'm not giving up on it as I really do like the way it

reads.  It's 'Parrot and Olivier In America' by Peter Carey.  It's so wonderfully written - and I'm only about 100 pages into it - that I don't want to give up on it.  

So, they are the books I've got my nose into right now.  Which books are you reading at the moment?  Are there any that you've stalled on that are either frustrating you or you're not willing to give up on?  Or have you fallen into a slump where you feel that any book you pick up isn't good enough?

Reading Management

It's mid-year and for some of us it means a long holiday; particularly for those of us in the USA.  However, here in Australia, it's Winter and has been pretty cold lately. Actually, I'm tackling a slight head cold (and believe me, I'm not the happiest person when I've got one of these - but then, is anyone?).  

So, at this time of the year - when it's holidays or when you've come down with a cold or flu - how do you tackle your Mt To Be Read?  Is it oranised on a shelf a little like mine?  Or is it first come first read as you peruse your shelves?  

For me, I have the system in place like I do because it keeps me from re-reading the same old books over and over; thus pushing myself into a far-too-comfortable rut (which was why I joined Bookcrossing; so I could venture outside my comfort zone and read a wider circle of authors).  Reading the same material may seem like a safe way of being in the world.  However, it can be also bad for you.  I think we all know somebody who keeps on reading the same old series of books they used to read when they were young; and they are your age.  You wonder why they do it, but you feel horrible about wanting to tell them it's not good for them.  This person/s could be a family member, but yet you still can't say anything because it's still too delicate matter to be approached.  Don't worry about it.  If they are happy doing what they're doing, well, that's good.  Just keep to what you want to read and see how far you can go.

Books are wonderful things to read - no matter what age you are.  However, I've been using them as a learning instrument for so long that a good story is hard to come by; and once I have my teeth into one, I rarely let it go.  Sometimes I may re-read a book once or twice, but then I have to move onto other material.  It's just the way it all works.

And you know, reading is a lot like food.  We are what we read.  I used to read poorly written books (without knowing any different) until I began reading Stephen King and then I expected other authors to raise the bar.  When I found the ones I had been reading didn't write to the standard he did, I started looking around to find authors that did.  And so my education - my real education - on reading and being entertained by the greatest authors around (alive and dead alike) began.  And you know, I'll still be learning up until I'm a very old lady... my education still won't be finished.

 

June Book Buys 2010

Well, it's the end of the month; and you all know what that means!  Yep, it's a cover of what I've bought this month.  Most of what I've been buying is for the piano and my learnings; so it's not all that exciting.

The first books I bought this month were on 5th, June while I was wandering around Brisbane visiting the GoMA and being a tourist in my hometown.  I just thought to kill two birds with one

stone and spend a good few hours wondering around at 'Archives' bookstore on Charlotte Street and I found myself two lovely books.  The first is 'Pianoforte Course: Preliminary Grade' it's a 1976 print and hasn't been very useful yet.  But I think I'll get some better use out of it soon.  The other one I found at the same shop is 'Schmitt Op. 16 Preparatory Exercises for the Piano' by Schirmer Inc. This one helps with

having my hands/fingers moving over the keys at the same time and playing the same notes; but my left hand is an octave lower than middle C (for all of you out there who know what I'm talking about, you know when you're beginning, that's hard!).

The third book I bought in the city that day was from Allan's Music on the Queen Street Mall.  This is a fantastic music store that sells everything to do with music and musical instruments.  So, I knew I had found the right place a few months back when I showed up there.  I bought 'John Thompson's Modern Course for Piano:  The First Grade Book'.  I have managed to play three songs from this book without using the c.d in the back!  How good is that?  It was well worth the $19.99 I spent on it.  And I'll be going back in due course when I need more music from them.

The next time I bought a book was at Garden City's QBD.  I had ordered in 'The Golden City' by John Twelve Hawks.  Now, it's only just been published on a limited publishing run and so this is why I decided to get it now instead of waiting for later and find out it's not in print anymore (and this has

happened to me before).  I bought this book only days after I purchased the music books.  I also purchased a little figurine of 'Clifford' the Dog... he now watches over my Reading List as it grows.  Isn't he such a cutie?

Well, until the next time I go out and stock up on my already overflowing collection of books, keeping reading.