February Purchases

Here we are again; the end of the month; and this time it's the shortest month of the year!  And I've been going well with my book-buying; only buying what I will definitely read.  This has been my New Year Promise to myself; to purchase books that I will read and review for you guys, then I'll definitely get through my massive collection within my lifetime!  And this month, I've been good and bought only two!  But they're wonderful and I took my time picking them out.

The first one that caught my eye was 'Towards The True Kinship of Faiths' by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.  I've always wanted to read something he's written and now I have bought this, I'm really looking forward to reading his words about how religions from all over the globe can somehow get along.

The second book I purchased is 'King Arthur: The Bloody Cup' by M.k. Hume.  It's a very thick book of '... the epic tale of Arthur, King of the Britons'.  I love reading Arthurian tales and books; so I'm definitely looking forward to reading this one too.

Both these books were purchased from QBD at Garden City off the discount tables; which I find always have a great array of books to choose from, whatever your taste in reading!  So, what did you purchase - and from where - this month?  Until next month's purchases, happy reading!

Other People's Bookcases

When I visit people's homes, I notice a lot about the way they live; from the souvenirs they bring home from traveling around the place to the newspapers they read.  However, what I find the most revealing about the people I visit is what they read in their lives; yes, their bookshelves tell me a lot about them.

Yesterday, I visited my brother and his girlfriend for the day and both sides of the family were there to have a good time; eat, drink and be merry.  By the time the sun set, the place sounded like a nightclub and home-made pizza was being pulled out of the oven at a great rate!  

Later on in the night, when we were all kicking back and we had settled after dinner, I checked out the bookcase in the lounge room.  Well, it had the usual amount of books I'd expect from my brother.  He loves motorcycles, cooking, music and gardening.  However, I found some great surprises in amongst it all when I stumbled upon a special edition of 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho which was fully illustrated and hardcovered in its own special little folder.  What a find!  I had to borrow it as I hadn't read this book before and Katrina let me take it home.  

Gabe had a paperback edition of The Skateboard Book by Ben Davidson from 1978 where it shows you how to perform the tricks on your board, how to care for it, replace bearings in the wheels and and completely maintain the board; something you can't find nowadays in bookstores.  It's falling apart, but is still a useful tool in the skateboarding world; and one I hope my brother never gets rid of.  I've looked up this book on Bookfound and it's mainly located in the United States and is worth between $13.95 and $119.00; and they are willing to ship anywhere.  So, the book is still around, for any hard core skaters who want to get into caring for their boards in a big way.

I did enjoy looking through my brother's bookcase; as it's been a long time since I did.  It's an education when I look in on somebody's - anybody's - bookcase as I always learn something from it.  Whose bookcase have you looked at recently?  Have you learned something about them you didn't know?  If so, what is it? 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

When Benjamin Button was brought into the world in the Summer of 1860, it completely shocked the Baltimore hospital staff to find that instead of him being a screaming tiny baby, he was a fully-grown man of seventy years of age.  Nobody was more shocked than his father, Roger Button, who tried to keep him a young boy.  As the years passed by, Benjamin found that he no longer needed the walking cane or eye glasses; his hair started to grow thick as well and he came to look very much like his father as he learned the family business and found himself a wife and they had a son.

However, socially, he was pushed away from educational endeavours such as Yale university as they thought he was being cocky and an idiot when he told them his age and he looked much older.  Yet, when he went in at what was considered the right age, he was accepted, but for him it was too late, Benjamin was becoming too young for the university courses; as his mind and body continued to age backwards towards youth.

I totally enjoyed reading this partially narrated short story of F. Scott Fitzgerald; as I have loved a lot of his works.  This being a part of a collection of stories, have yet to read the rest of the book, but I have always wanted to read this particular one; as it was turned into a movie with Brad Pitt in it (one I have yet to see; but only missed because I like to read the book/story first).  

F.Scott Fitzgerald was born in 1896 in St Paul, Minnesota and went to Princeton University, which he left in 1917 to join the army.  He was said to have epitomized the Jazz Age, which he himself defined as 'a generation grown up to find all Gods dead, all wars fought , all faiths in man shaken'.  In 1920, he married Zelda Sayre and their traumatic marriage  and her subsequent breakdowns became the leading influence on his writing.  Amongst his publications were five novels This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby, The Beautiful and the Damned, Tender is the Night and The Last Tycoon (his last unfinished work); six volumes of short stories and The Crack Up, a selection of autobiographical pieces.

Fitzgerald died suddenly in 1940.  After his death The New York Times said of him that 'He was better than he knew, for in fact and in literary sense he invented a "generation"... he might have interpreted and even guided them, as in their middle years they saw a different and nobler freedom threatened with destruction.'

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.

January Book Buys

Welcome to a new year of reading, book-buying and sharing too.  And this year has been exciting already too with Brisbane City having a massive flood just after Christmas, wet school holidays and many people, schools and homes displaced.  Seeing I live in Brisbane, my family was one of the fortunate ones who didn't get caught in the rising flood waters; however, seeing how much rain we had, it didn't stop me from going out and buying books either. Well, this month, I'm glad to say that I got out there and bought some good books; books I'll be getting my nose into at some point in the next year or so. And here they are:
I bought the only two of the month at Garden City on the same day; how lucky is that?  To find that very books I wanted on the same day?  Well, there was 'Full Dark, No Stars' by Stephen King from QBD purchased for $22.99 which cheaper than anywhere else I looked for a brand new book.

Then, there was 'Baudolino' by Umberto Eco which I found at The Book Cafe while I was having a coffee and something to eat; actually it was while I was waiting for my order to show up that I found this one and 'Blood Music' by Greg Bear.  But being a fantastic classic that book is; how much I enjoyed it, I thought to leave it for another to find it, so I put it back on the shelf.

The next few weeks, I didn't buy anything.  In fact, I was given the next couple of books by Mum.  These books were being tossed out by some people at Weight-Watchers and were free; so she picked them up and offered them to me.  There was 'The Ultimate Aphrodisiac' by Robert G. Barrett and 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson.  Now, I'm not big on Bill Bryson, but I've heard this book is funny.  And then, I was asked by some friends to do a book review on their son's books titled 'Code Name: Millicent' by Bryon Williams.  It's about a cat who is a spy trying to catch out the drug trade in Nimbin in New South Wales.  I'm currently up to chapter three after only a few hours of reading it yesterday afternoon to kill some time.  And now, I'm hooked on it.  I'm not really a cat person, but this cat is just lovely and tough.  I'll be doing a thorough review of the book soon.

So, that's my books for this month - bought, donated to me and borrowed - and so they are most certainly a motley crew aren't they?  What did you get into buying?  Did any of you Brisbane/Queenslanders get to go to the Life Line Bookfest?  If so, what did you buy?  If not, don't worry, there's another in June/July.

Summer Holiday Reading

As many of you may have heard, Brisbane City has had some pretty horrible floods; the worse since 1974 actually.  And so, it's gotten me into reading more since it was raining over the Christmas/New Year break; more than usual.  I got two books completed that I began last year, and have delved into another two after them.

The first two were 'Shades of Midnight' by Lara Adrain.  This is the seventh book of the Midnight Breed series; and it took me a little while to get through it as Christmas was mega-busy and so I found I was very tired from all the family functions and dinners.  But then, once they were over and done with, I got back into its pages with vigor.  Then there was 'He Died With A Felafel In His Hand' by John Birmingham that had me giggling into the late hours of the night about shared accommodation.

Then, I got my hands on 'The Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in new England' by Brock Clarke.  It's a good book about a man who accidentally burnt down Emily Dickenson's house when he was young; along with two people inside (who he didn't know was there) and he was sent to prison for it.  When he gets out, he goes to uni, meets his wife, marries and they find jobs and move to a lovely home.  He thinks his life is pretty good until other writers' homes being to be burnt down; but he's not doing it.

The other one I'm reading is 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson.  It's a strange one, and hard to get into, but once you do, it's hard to put down.  I love the language, the time it's set in and how everything works in it.  Brilliantly written; but totally confusing; yet makes sense in a weird kind of way. 

So, what are you reading over this time of year?  How many books have you already read?  Are you getting through them fast or are you a slow reader; digesting all you read at your own pace?  

LifeLine Bookfest 2011! It's Still On... dates have changed.

Yes, you read right! The Lifeline Bookfest is on again at the Brisbane Convention Centre.  The date it begins is 15th, January at 8:30am and the admission is FREE!  

Now, for those who can't - or don't like to - go to this one, there's one in June as well!  How good is that?  All money raised from the biggest book sale in the universe goes to the less fortunate... so if you live in Brisbane (or the surrounding areas), make tracks to this wonderful event of books, books and more books!  

You can train it in or bus it in.  I catch a bus from Logan and get off in front of the Museum (not at Southbank).  The MC is a man dressed looking like a safari hunter from the 1940's and he has got the most lovely speaking voice... so if you have little kids with you and they get lost, he's the guy to go to.

There's coffee outlets outside for you to keep up your caffeine levels and plenty of seating all around the place for you when you've finished your big spend-up at this wonderful book sale.

And remember:  if you can't make it this time - or can't find what you're looking for - there is another in June.  That's the one I usually hit because it's a cooler time of the year and I find it easier to get around in my Docs.

Edit:  Due to the flood crisis in Brisbane City, I'm not sure if the this book fair is going ahead.  I have posted on Lifeline's Facebook; but there has been no response and I have tried calling them but have only received a recorded message.  But I do know that the West End district of Brisbane City - which is where the Convention Centre, where this event is held, has been evacuated as of yesterday or the day before. 

I have seen adverts on the television tonight that the Book Fest is going ahead.  It is being held between the dates of 29th, January - 6th, February.  Let's hope it's a success! 

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'. 

Shades of Midnight by Lara Adrian

There has been a mass killing in the Alaskan township of Harmony.  As peaceful as this place sounds, it has torn apart by this tragedy as the family who was murdered was known in some way by everyone in Harmony; especially by Alex, who had lived in this freezing oasis since she was around six with her father, who only passed away 6 months ago.  When she happens to come upon it during a supplies drop, she recognises the way these people suffered; it was the same way her Mother and her brother, Ritchie had been horribly killed.

Meanwhile back in Boston, Lucan and his brothers-in-arms choose the only Breed who can survive the freezing North Alaskan Winter, Kade, to go and find out all he can to see why this has happened.  Kade not only knows the area of Harmony well, but his family owns a Darkhaven there; however when he arrives, he finds that it's not as peaceful as he had hoped, it's worse than when he left the year before.  Will he be able to make peace with his family, find out who the murderer of the family is and figure out exactly why his Breed nerves jump all over the place when he's in the presence of Alex in time to save the entire township of Harmony before the whole place is turned in to a bloodbath?

This is the seventh book of the series; and I waited until this one came along before I added it to the rest of them to post them all off in one hit to the next person in line for this book spiral on Bookcrossing.  I thought it would be not only fair, but cheaper in the longrun.  This book is a little slower than the others; but it does have it's hot spots that melt the snow when you're following Kade and Alex through the freezing temperatures of Harmony.  Definitely read it on a hot Summer night to cool you down.

A New Year - A New Endevour!

I've loved being here on blogspot; really I have.  And I think I'll be here for a long time yet.  However, it's time to spread the word of this blog and its ideas a little further than this here bookcase and purple/lilac background with the links and official sites of the authors.  I've decided to start a group on Facebook for My Reading List; and to make it easy, I've called it the same thing as this blog; or here's the link: My Reading List Group

It's only been opened today, so there's not much on there; and only a few people I know who are book lovers and readers as members.  However, if you'd like to have a look and make any suggestions on how to make it better, I'll take it all on board.  Hoping to see you there.

My Reading Plans for 2011.

Happy New Year to you all!  And I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas - or however you celebrate this time of the year; depending on your beliefs.  So, what are your reading plans for this year? Mine?  Well, seeing I've read such wonderful books for the last year or so, I'm hoping to get my nose into some newer titles and classics as well; as well as my usual mixture of non-fiction that I add in.

This year, I'm not going to be stuck with a book for a few months like I was last year; which was unfortunately for me, 'Under The Dome'.  This book had many followers who said it was brilliant King at his very best, yet it had a few like me who didn't think all that well-written.  But I did see another book that had just been published recently by him in 'Borders' the other day and it looks promising as it has four short novels in it and I was very tempted to purchase it to see how it went.  But I want to finish the reading list I have first before buying any more books this year.

So, this year, I'll be delving into books such as:

'Everyman's Rules for Scientific Living' by Carrie Tiffany

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

'Bless Me, Ultima' by Rudolfo Anaya

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' by F. Scott Fitzgerald

'Big Bang' by Simon Singh

'The Six Sacred Stones' by Matthew Reilly

'A Left-Handed History of the World' by Ed Wright

There's another fifteen books that I am eying off on my Mt To Be Read and these are just a few that are on the top of that pile of books that I aim to read this read.  To me they sound brilliant; and I can't wait to get my nose into them.  However, I'm reading a few books right now that I need to finish before I start on any of these.

'Shades of Midnight' by Lara Adrian

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

'Neuromancer' by William Gibson

All of these books are fantastic reads; but I do aim to finish 'Shades of Midnight' first as it needs to be sent off overseas with the other six books that are sitting by my bed waiting to leave with it.  I'm really looking forward to reading and reviewing more and more books for you all to read and get into.

And I'm also working on my own writings too; which I haven't been doing for a while and I've just gotten back into.  Both reading and writing make my life a lot easier and happier.  So, what are you getting your nose into at this time of the year and what kind of fiction makes you the happiest?

December Book Buys!

Now, I didn't buy any books until late in the month; and this is because the After Christmas Sales are to die for!  I love them and do get the best bargains possible at them.  But I hate the crowds... I do think getting in amongst the crowds are worth the hassle though.

The first books I bought are from QBD at Garden City.  I bought them on a Westfield Gift Voucher and am proud to say I went by another person's opinion this time.  One of my old friends - and job search people from a few years back - recommended 'The Six Sacred Stones' by Matthew Rielly to me; and I never bought it until this week.  He's a big fan of his; and I'm going to find out why next year or so when I get to reading it.

The next book in line I bought was a strange one that I had never heard of; but I found I might like as I've never heard of the author.  And new authors can be like food you've never tasted before; fun and exciting or poor and disgusting.  So, I thought to try out an author just like this in 'The Monsters of Templeton' by Lauren Groff.  I hope it's a good read; Stephen King certainly thought it was.

Today, I while I was out with my brother - who took me out to celebrate my birthday rather late (only because he was in Asia for it and didn't get a chance to give me a pressie) - I found 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' by F.Scott Fitzgerald and the most gorgeous orange 'Penguin' tin with book titles on it.  so, I bought those with my Westfield Voucher.  Very cool if you ask me!  

Well, that's my December Book Buys; and just in time too!  So, until next time I hope you guys have a wonderful new year and enjoy calling in your resolutions and fun for next year.  Happy Reading and until next time, keep doing just that.