Books, Books Everywhere

I Couldn't Help But Wonder...

2011-10-22T21:32:00.008+11:00

Summer and the City
by Candace Bushnell
A Carrie Diaries Novel

Genre; Fiction/Chick-Lit
Publisher; HarperCollins/London/2011
Pages; 409
ISBN; 9780007426935

Plot; Carrie Bradshaw is brand new to New York. Having just left her small town life, Carrie is trying to make it big during her first summer in the golden city.

Carrie is due to start her studies at Brown University in the Fall, so she has just a few short months to make it as a writer. Sink or swim.

With the help of her all-knowing friend Samantha, a fellow small town girl trying to make it with the Upper East Side crew, and her newest friend Miranda, a political activist with a hate for men and the stereotypical roles of women, Carrie tries to decode the workings of New York.

Between the self-worshipping artistic upstarts, the Wall Street and Upper East Side highbrows and the hoi polloi of regular New York, Carrie needs to find her niche.

My Thoughts; As an avid follower of the television series and a fan of the first of this series, The Carrie Diaries (Review), it was almost natural that I would enjoy this book.

Bushnell has again thrown a fantastically entertaining book on the table.

Yes, there were a few things which I was a little dissappointed with, but as a whole I found Summer and the City to be witty, fun, thoughtful and it just makes you feel good.

I really liked seeing the young Samantha and Miranda. It is interesting to see how these characters began and what events shaped them to become the characters they go on to be in the Sex and the City series.

I also liked the men in this book. Just as you would imagine, the men take a back seat to the female characters, but they stand alone quite well, particularly Ryan and Capote who are two of Carrie's study buddies. I really enjoyed looking at these male characters through the, often misguided, eyes of Carrie, Miranda and Samantha.

What didn't I like about this book? Well, there is one main thing for me and that is consistency.

Let's face it, the person most likely to pick this book up at the book store is your Sex and the City fan. Especially those die-hard fans who read anything related to the series (like me!), and we expect consistency.

That is the one aspect which lets this book down. If you ask any heavy Sex and the City fan how the girls all met, we could tell you exactly how they became friends. Unfortunately, I think Candace Bushnell might have missed that bit, because she has them all hooking up in completely different ways.

Yes, I know that technically the books and the television series and the movies are different, and there will always be inconsistencies between the two. But you don't watch the Harry Potter movies expecting Harry to have received his lightning shaped scar from accientally walking into a pole.... There are some things which should just be the same.

Otherwise I do highly recommend this book as a fun, light-hearted read.

I particularly recommend this book to young women, because I find the female characters to be wonderful examples from whom to take inspiration. They are strong, they know what they want, they persue their dreams and they arent affraid to be themselves.

Happy Reading!

What Is To Become Of Us?

2011-10-12T22:43:00.007+11:00

Dance For Your Daddy
by Katherine Shellduck
(a.k.a. Desperate Hearts)

Genre; Memoir
Publisher; Ebury Press/UK/2007
Pages; 213
ISBN; 9780091941079

I know I have been hiding for the last few months. I have been reading, but I have also been renovating my house during that time. So, sadly, some things have fallen by the wayside. But I am back and ready to launch into some open and honest opinions!

Plot; Kathy had a "brutal East End childhood". One of four children, all girls, Kathy was openly disliked by her father. A man who had no job and catered to his own whims, often leaving his daughters and wife to starve at home.

Kathy is nine when her father first pushes her mother into prostitution, and while life is pleasant for all four girls, with the new flow of money, they soon realise that they have been placed on a roller coaster. A roller coaster headed for poverty, affluence, state children's homes, private boarding schools and, eventually, murder.

My Thoughts; I found this book at the local department store for just a few dollars. I thought it might make for an interesting and quick read to entertain me on my train ride to work. Little did I know how much I would enjoy it.

Katherine "Kathy" Shellduck is, by profession, a journalist but this memoir is in no way formal. It is written in a relaxed, easy to read style, making it a wonderful book for all kinds of readers to grab and enjoy.

Kathy is honest. Beautifully honest. She hasn't been affraid to openly talk about some of the most traumatic events of her life, and she writes them in such an innocent way.

Shellduck has written this story through the eyes of her childhood. She has detailed those sweet and innocent thoughts that only a child can have, not really understanding what is going on around them and assuming that all things are good things. One such example is when the girls are first taken away from their parents and one of Kathy's first thoughts is for her hamster and how it will be fed.

There are alot of laughs in this book. I embarrased myself many-a-time by laughing out loud on the train as I read, but the emotion I most felt was sadness. I even shed a few tears, which is not a common event when I read.

The people in this book are so much fun to travel with. Yes her father is a violent figure and her mother is fleeting, but the four sisters are so lovable, as are the children the girls meet as they go from home to home. You become so mingled within the lives of the girls that you just wish you could cuddle them and tell them they will be ok.

One of the things I liked the most about this book was the ending. I hope I am not going to give too much away, but the last two chapters are shown through the eyes of the older Kathy. Shellduck writes as she is now, looking back on her past, wanting to find what it is she missed during her childhood, what the missing link is to fill the void.

I think I can easily recommend this book to anyone. It is entertaining, it is emotive and it is enlightening.

Happy Reading!

And The Winners Are...

2011-06-18T09:04:00.005+10:00

Hello Book Buddies!

It is my pleasure to announce who has won the 5 books which I have had up for grabs over the last month.

I will email these people also. If you don't get an email, please leave a comment for me here.

And the winners are;

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
- Rad Hall

Some Sunny Day by Annie Groves
- Ella Press

Calling Romeo by Alexandra Potter
- Darlyn

The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker by Suzanne Portnoy
- Rhea Katyal

Where Seagulls Soar by Janet Woods
- Dollycas

Congratulations to all the winners! Those books will soon be coming your way!

For those of you who didn't win, I will be holding more giveaways shortly, so be sure to stay tuned!

Happy Reading!

A New Kind of Witch Hunt

2011-05-19T11:01:00.004+10:00

Salem Falls
by Jodi Picoult

Genre; Fiction/Drama
Publisher; Washington Square Press/USA/2002
Pages; 464
ISBN; 9780743418713

Plot; Jack St. Bride is innocent. He never touched the girl. She imagined it all, hallucinated it.

After eight months in prison, for a crime he didn't commit, Jack must start his life over. He jumps in a taxi and heads for a small town he remembers from his past, Salem Falls.

Once there Jack finds work as a dish hand at a diner run by Addie, a woman who has suffered an immense loss. She is known by the locals as being a crazy woman, but to Jack she is nothing but accepting and generous.

Through work and a developing relationship with Addie, Jack is able to reach some level of normalcy. Until the town finds out about his past conviction.

How will a group of teenage girls, a coven, cause a stir in this small town?
How will the daughter of the towns richest businessman cause the cauldron to bubble and the new witch hunt to begin?

My Thoughts: This book is now high up on my list of favourite reads. Not only is it intelligent and thought provoking, but it is entertaining and emotive.

This is the first Picoult I have read, and if her other books are as powerful as Salem Falls, then I understand her popularity.

What I really loved about this book was the occasional sentimental moments. For instance, the image of a young man and old man, sharing a house, pretending to hate each others company and yet, every morning the old man rises and sets a place at the breakfast table for his young house mate. Moments like that all combine to make this book a truly beautiful read.

I also really enjoyed the characters. For Jack St. Bride, the central figure of this story, you can feel nothing but sympathy. This man, with a brilliant mind and a true compassion for his students, is ripped from his life and relationships because of the whims of a teenage girl.

Then there is Addie, the unfortunate diner owner who lost her young daughter and is now left to pick up the pieces of her life, while dragging around her alcohol pickled father.

Even Gillian, the almost villain of the story, you can feel compassion for in the end.

Each character slowly, and beautifully, has each layer of their personality and history exposed, revealing an enthralling cast of people. A cast of characters you cannot help but become addicted to, not wanting the book to end.

The writing itself is immaculate. It flows steadily over the story and gently lulls you into the town of Salem Falls, slowly revealing, piece by piece, the mystery and enchantment.

I really could recommend this book to anyone. The romance of the story would attract those with a warm heart, the mystery would attract the detectives out there, the magic would attract the Gothic fans and the emotions would attract just about everyone.

Happy Reading!

GIVEAWAY - 5 Great Reads Up For Grabs!

2011-04-16T21:58:00.012+10:00

Hello Fellow Book Lovers!

I am so glad to start this Giveaway today, and excited!

I have 5 really great reads to give away to 5 great people.

And, the books are;

Where Seagulls Soar by Janet Woods
Following a romantic shipboard marriage, Joanna Morcant has everything her heart could desire; a dashing new husband and an adorable baby son. But an unforeseen tragedy leaves Joanna destitute and with no choice but to return to her childhood home, the Isle of Portland off the Dorset coast, a place which holds disturbing memories from Joanna's troubled past.

Calling Romeo by Alexandra Potter
Juliet is in a comfortable relationship with Will but can't help wishing that there was more romance in her life and is sorely tempted when she meets a sexy Adonis from a rival advertising agency. A delightful feel-good romantic comedy that gives the story of Romeo and Juliet a contemporary twist.

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
This is an absolute classic. The year is 1327. Franciscans in a wealthy Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, and Brother William of Baskerville arrives to investigate. When his delicate mission is suddenly overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths, Brother William turns detective. His tools are the logic of Aristotle, the theology of Aquinas, the empirical insights of Roger Bacon--all sharpened to a glistening edge by wry humor and a ferocious curiosity. He collects evidence, deciphers secret symbols and coded manuscripts, and digs into the eerie labyrinth of the abbey, where "the most interesting things happen at night."

Some Sunny Day by Annie Groves
Rosie has grown up in the heart of Liverpool's Italian community, treated as one of their own. With a father away at sea and a mother more interested in other men than her only daughter, the bighearted Grenellis are the closest thing Rosie has to a proper family. But when war breaks out, and Italy becomes the Allies' adversary, everything changes.

The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker by Suzanne Portnoy
After an online love affair with a man 3,000 miles away, Suzanne Portnoy—mother of two and a top executive in the entertainment industry—begins her sexual reawakening. Embarking on a sensational and prolific series of liaisons, Suzanne beds a top London chef who cooks her a five star meal on the day her husband moves out. An affair with a famous men’s magazine editor quickly ensues, followed by a top cameraman who takes pictures of Suzanne naked. But this is just the beginning.

For your chance win one of these books, please;

- Subscribe/Follow this blog, and
- Leave a comment on this post with your name, email and a sentence using the title of the book you would like to win.
(eg. "I was in the middle of Calling Romeo when my mother ran in with curlers in her hair and slippers on her feet, screaming!")

Rules;

- The contest is open as of NOW and will go to 11:59pm AEST, 17th June 2011
- The contest is open internationally
- Entrants can be of any age, but entrants under the age of 18 must get parental permission

If you have any issues subscribing to the blog, or posting your comment, please email me at beautybeadsbooks@hotmail.com and I will post your entry on your behalf.

I wish you all the best of luck!

The Beast With Two Backs

2011-04-16T20:50:00.009+10:00

Taming the Beast
by Emily Maguire

Genre; Australian/Fiction
Publisher; Brandl & Schlesinger/Australia/2004
Pages; 317
ISBN; 1-876040-55-6

Plot; Sarah Clarke is not your average fourteen year old girl. She reads books instead of gossiping, studies hard instead of shopping for makeup and she is having an affair with her thirty-eight year old teacher, Daniel Carr.

Sarah thinks she is in love, but is this affair any more than a violent manipulation by an older man?

Ten years later Sarah meets with this dark beast of her past once again and only time can tell if their once dangerous and wrong relationship will be drawn again into the hostile web of sex and reckoning.

My Thoughts; I enjoyed this book, until the end.

Maguire has a wonderful way of describing reality. Not every ones' reality involves inappropriate relations with teenagers, but people do have sex and relationships as part of their everyday lives and Maguire beautifully describes these typical happenings.

I also found pleasure in the development of the characters. This book is broken into three parts and between the first two parts there is a ten year gap. For me, this jump was the most interesting part of the book because I had already thought about what would happen to each individual character and I loved seeing how different Maguire's plans were for their futures.

The characters are very strong in this story. I will admit that I didn't find them likable, particularly Sarah Clarke, the female protagonist, but I did like watching their journey and seeing their reactions to events and emotions.

What I didn't like about this book was the ending. I don't want to give too much away, but while one aspect of the ending is quite powerful and emotional, I found the majority of the final pages to be too open and too inconclusive. They left me with a troubled feeling, questioning what is truly right and what is truly wrong.

In my opinion books either need to have happy endings, or sad endings. Uncomfortable endings are just that; uncomfortable.

Another issue I have with this book is that it, almost, glamorises the relationship between the teenage girl and her teacher. While there are no rules that say a book needs to convey a moral, and I am no prude, I just think there are some things which should only ever be communicated as wrong.

I warn you, this is not a warm and cosy read for a lazy Sunday afternoon. It is, as the blurb states, darkly erotic. This book draws you in, hooks you in and then corrupts you.

I have thought long and hard about who I would recommend this book to, and I am still stabbing in the dark. I cannot imagine this book will appeal to the majority of males, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it to a teenage girl. The only group I could really offer this book too is women who like tales which force them to question their morals and the morals of others.

Happy Reading!

Kids Driving You Crazy?

2011-04-09T14:12:00.012+10:00

The Pissed-Off Parents Club
by Mink Elliot

Genre; Fiction/Comedy
Publisher; Sphere/Great Britain/2010
Pages; 373
ISBN; 9780751543391

Plot; Roxane and Jack are new parents and, like a lot of new parents, they are struggling. With the financial crisis ripping people from their jobs, causing families to battle restricted finances, Jack and Roxane decided to sell up and move from chaotic London to the less stressful and less expensive countryside.

The only trouble is, Jack still works in the city, meaning Roxane and the baby are often left alone for most of the week.

Rox is fed up and alone. After a trip to the doctors she is able to discount Post Natal Depression, but she is still feeling unhappy and isolated. What Roxane needs is someone to talk to.

What better way to get all your worries off your chest that to have a glass of wine, a few ciggies and a bitch at the local pub with a group of equally annoyed and detached parents.

Welcome, the inaugural meeting of The Pissed-Off Parents Club.

My Thoughts; This book understood me like no other book I have read. I felt like one of the group, surrounded by other parents who feel the same way I do and know what a struggle each day can be.

I picked this book off the shelf, purely and simply, because of the title. I thought, "this title really embodies my emotions at this point in time", so I grabbed it and ran straight home to read it.

From the first page I knew I would enjoy every moment of this read. Not only does it understand the woes of modern day parenting, but it makes you laugh at every turn. Elliot makes you realise that you are not alone, and that those evil thoughts you have at times are the same thoughts parents across the world are having too.

This book is like the self help guide for new parents, who hate self help guides. Not on how to change nappies or how to get a toddler to eat vegetables, but this book, to put it simply, makes you feel better.

New parents can often feel alone. They can feel as though they are doing everything wrong. This book puts your mind at ease because you realise that you are just normal.

There were so many times when I thought, "oh, I have done that too!" as I read through this story. It is so realistic and so believable and I think that most parents would see themselves, or things they have done, at some point during the read.

The book itself is written in such a relaxed manner, that you feel as though you are just having a chat with a friend, and each character is like a friend. They are all enjoyable in their own ways, and I found it quite easy to relate to each character in some way or another; from the gay uncle, forced to take care of his sisters children, to the glamour-puss, with the rich and absent husband, to the single mum, forced to work long hours at the local convenience store.

Most importantly, this book is funny. I started to read it on the train and there was one point in the book that was so true and so funny that I couldn't help but laugh out loud, and I don't mean a quick "ha" I mean a full force roar with laughter, tears and all.

I think that every new parent should be given this book, especially the nervous types, or the ones who question each move they make. Not only is it entertaining, and damn funny, but it acts as a wonderful security blanket.

Happy Reading!

"No, That's Just Hemorrhoids"

2011-03-30T17:20:00.010+11:00

Wetlands
by Charlotte Roche
Trans. Tim Mohr

Genre; Fiction/Chick-Lit
Publisher; Fourth Estate/London/2099
Pages; 229
ISBN; 987-0-00-729670-5

Plot; Helen Memel is 18 years old and has an infected ass, to put it simply. Thanks to a shaving accident, Helen now has to have surgery on her derriere to save her from anal incontinence.

Wetlands is about Helen's time in hospital, stuck in a bed, ass up. Helen relishes in thoughts of sexual experiences she has had, both with partners and alone. She talks about her fetishes and fantasies and introduces us to her thoughts on hygiene, odour and bodily fluids.

My Thoughts; This is like the teenage girls' version of the Marqui de Sade. It is open and honest and needlessly vulgar.

When I started to read, I honestly laughed out loud. The first chapter was hilarious, with moments of absolute honesty, that as a woman I could relate to. But then, as the character starts to describe the taste of her own body fluids and how she enjoys accumulating them "for later" my stomach started to turn, as did my interest.

As I read through, I couldn't help but hear the blunt tones of Ellen Page as she played "Juno", which scratched at my nerves. You know the type; the know-it-all teenager, who talks as though she doesn't care, in monotone vocals.

I think, with almost all books, that you either need to love the main character, or you need to love to hate them. With this book, I just plain disliked Helen. Not only is she vulgar, but she is skittish and, for lack of a better word, pathetic. She speaks as thought she has all the answers in the world and all the confidence, but then in the next turn she talks about how she is ashamed to show her body.

The character is making an attempt at being a grotesque Sadist, but then lacks the conviction to truly get there.

I think that this book has one aim and one aim only, to shock and appall the reader with its honesty and abruptness, but it lets itself down. It is too unrealistic to be a depiction of a modern-day young woman, but then it isn't crude enough to compete with something like the Sade.

It either needs to tone up or tone down.

This is not a book for the light-hearted and it is definitely a book that any prudes should walk straight past, actually, I think most should just walk past.

Happy Reading!

(Part of the Take Another Chance Challenge, Challenge 8)

Fits and Swabs

2011-03-30T15:31:00.005+11:00

In My Skin: A Memoir
by Kate Holden

Genre; Autobiography/Australian
Publisher; Text Publishing/Australia/2007
Pages; 304
ISBN; 9781921351075

Plot; In My Skin is an in depth look into the life of heroin addict, Kate Holden.

Once a smart young woman, with nothing but promise, Kate makes the disastrous mistake of trying heroin while with a bunch of friends.

Finding herself in the quagmire of addiction, Kate does whatever she has to do to get her hands on the small, plastic bags of white powder. Even if that means jumping in the cars of strangers and parking in back alleys to earn money.

My Thoughts; I am really torn with this book. I want to like it because of the amazing journey this woman gets herself through, but the way the story is told makes it hard for me to like it.

There is no mistaking that this is a gritty and deep journey into the otherwise hidden world of heroin. There is also no mistaking how hard this journey is for Holden and how brave she is for getting through it. I just found the reading slow and tedious.

For me, this book was really repetitive. From one dirty apartment full of syringes, or "fits", to the next. Or from one brothel full of scantily clad women, to the next. Even the repetitive visual of Holden in the back seat of some car, with some "John". I understand that this is what the story is about, this is what her life was like for those years, but I just found that as it went on it became less and less confrontational and more and more monotonous.

While the point of books like these is to tell the story of some brave soul, it is not also the point to scare others away from taking the same path? I just found that after a while it was hard to care so much. At first I kept thinking, "oh no, this poor women, I couldn't imagine", but after a while I thought, "next!" as I flipped through page after page, handjob after handjob, arm scab after arm scab.

I think I would have liked to have read more about pre-heroin Holden. I think If there had been a more in depth look into her life before the drugs and prostitution, it would have made for a much more contrasted downfall, which would have made for a more emotive and affective read.

What I do praise Holden for is her unflinching honesty. Not only about what she did in those years, but how she felt as she did it. To talk so openly about such a tormented journey takes courage and conviction, from which Holden does not fall shy.

The writing itself is quite relaxed and easily read. It is descriptive enough to tell the story, without being so descriptive it is obscene or offensive.

This is not a book for everyone. If you are prudish when it comes to sex, don't pick this book up. If you are prudish when it comes to drugs, don't pick this book up. If you want a look into the nighttime world of heroin and the way it effects its victims, this may be worth the read.

Happy Reading!

Let's Run Away With the Circus

2011-03-24T09:27:00.010+11:00

Water for Elephants
by Sara Gruen

Genre; Fiction/Drama
Publisher; Algonquin Books/Chapel Hill/2006
Pages; 335
ISBN; 9781565124998

Plot; Jacob has a promising future. He is near the end of his University degree in Veterinary Science and is about to step into the business with his father, when both parents suddenly die in a motoring accident.

Now Jacob is alone and penniless, walking along the train tracks, hoping to hitch a ride.

In the darkness of the night, Jacob jumps on board a train. He doesn't know what kind of train it is, or where it is going, all he knows is he wants to escape. What he doesn't realise is that he is escaping with the circus, the Benzini Brothers Circus.

Claiming to be the Most Spectacular Show in the World, Jacob soon realises that the circus isn't all the glamour and sequins one would hope for. The back lot of a circus can be a dangerous place. A place full of heartless and selfish managers, merciless muscle men and those victims who have no choice but to live by the rules.

It isn't long before Jacob finds himself in the middle of, what will be known as, the biggest circus disaster.

My Thoughts; Beautiful. This glorious work of fiction is another book which can be added to the list of my all time favourites.

What I love about this book is the reality of it. Gruen takes all these events and describes them in such a realistic way that you can relate to each character, no matter how far the circus may be removed from your own life.

I love the contrast of the old man in the nursing home, sitting back wondering if he is going senile, compared to the young man, trying to find his way. It shows how life doesn't really change. Here is this old man, bound by a strict set of nursing home rules, wanting to push against those rules, just like his younger self, trapped in the rules of the Benzini Brother Circus, trying to push against those boundaries.

After seeing the trailer for the film, I knew I wanted to read the book. I imagined the rose-coloured world of the 1920's, with the shadowed background of the great depression. I imagined a slow and pretty tale. This is not at all what I got. This book is funny and lively and there are points where the book is far from pretty or beautiful, you could even say, gritty.

The cast of characters is fabulous. From the alcohol pickled Camel, to the short and short tempered Kinko, to the luscious and long breasted Barbara. You cannot help but fall in love with the members of the rag-tag world of the Benzini Brothers.

I am not going to give away what the "great disaster"is, but I will say that Gruen sets you up to be totally shocked. As I read about the "disaster" I literally held my hand up to my mouth and gasped. This is saying a lot because usually I have a book pretty well figured out by the time the climax hits.

I would recommend this book to anyone. I think the romance of it will appeal to the female readers, while the gruffness of it will appeal to the male. This isn't to say of course that the female readers out there won't also enjoy the gruff bits, in fact, I loved Gruen's depiction of the darker side of the circus.

Happy Reading!

(Take Another Chance Challenge, Challenge 1, "Heather's Picks", Chapter Indigo)

Great Southern Land

2011-02-26T21:47:00.009+11:00

The Thorn Birds
by Colleen McCullough

Genre; Australian/Fiction/Drama
Publisher; Avon Books/New York/1977
Pages; 673
ISBN; 978-0-06-083755-6

Plot; The Australian Outback is tough. Only the brave attempt it and only the strongest survive.

The Thorn Birds chronicles the lives of three generations of the Cleary family as they struggle through life in the beautiful, yet dangerous and hard, Australian Outback. They start as a lower middle class family of five sons and one daughter in the New Zealand countryside and end up riding the great adventure which is the Australian bush, combating drought, flood and fire.

The story focuses on Meggie Cleary as she grows from a small child to a mature woman, all under the loving eye of priest Father Ralph be Bricassart, a haunted man who loves the church, but is also helplessly drawn the the young woman he has seen bloom.

My Thoughts; A brilliant story told by a brilliant storyteller. I have been witness to the genius which is Colleen McCullough before, but I can now see why she is considered one of Australia's best, and most loved, authors.

From the moment I turned the first page I was engrossed in this epic tale, not only as an Australian, but as a living breathing person.

Each character and event is mesmerising and I know that this story will stay with me for a very long time. I don't think I have had such strong feelings while reading a book, as I did with this tale. I felt as though every moment of pain and every moment of happiness was extended to me as I leafed through the pages.

McCullough has masterfully constructed this story.

There are plenty of tears to be shed throughout this story, I do warn you, but McCullough times them beautifully. Just as you come to understand and accept one moment of upset you are introduced to the next. Each moment is far enough away to give the reader time to adjust, without being so far they loose interest.

Having said this, Justine, whose time of introduction is again immaculate, is the character who gives this story the light comic relief it needs, just at the right moments.

I am not a fan of environmental description, meaning I do not usually like pages and pages of descriptive talk of rolling hills and crystal blue lakes. Fortunately McCullough's beautiful depictions of the Australian countryside are intoxicating (and not just because I am Australian).

I honestly cannot think of any negative feedback for this genuine chunk of golden literature.

The Thorn Birds is a book for all readers. It swoons with romance, it works the land, it dabbles in intrigue, it combats disaster and it shows the true nature of life.

Enjoy!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

2011-02-20T14:49:00.010+11:00

The Mirror
by Lynn Freed

Genre; Fiction/Drama/Chick-Lit
Publisher; Flamingo/London/1999
Pages; 198
ISBN; 0-00-225860-9

Plot; Agnes La Grange is a beautiful young woman who emigrates to South Africa, alone, after World War I. She is strong, determined and set on making a proud future for herself, husband or no husband.

She finds work as a housekeeper to an old Jewish family, and while life downstairs is as it should be, of a night, upstairs, Agnes finds new pleasures in the arms of her employer, in front of the mirror.

Then alone again, with a child, Agnes begins her life as a hotel manager and embarks on her life of coming and going guests, troublesome business partners, social climbers and a head strong young daughter.

My Thoughts; This book is enjoyable enough, but I wouldn't race to buy it. I found this book on a "chuck-out" pile at the markets and I think this is the best situation in which to buy this book, at a cheap price for the decent entertainment it returns.

The female protagonist, Agnes, is satisfying. How lovely it is to read about a single mother in the 1920's who is strong and determined and is making her way, all on her own. I'll admit, she isn't the most likable person. If I was to meet her, I probably wouldn't like her too much, but you cannot help but respect her and respect the future she is building for herself.

The one thing I do not like about the character is the relationship between her and her daughter. They seem almost disconnected. This is fair enough, what teenage girl does get along swimmingly with her mother, but it is almost as though Agnes is indifferent towards her daughter at times. This does not sit well, that a mother who dedicates to much of her time towards her daughter can turn her back and then not care at other times.

The rest of the characters are just, okay. None of them are portrayed as being likable, and I think that is suitable, because they aren't likable. The "Newspaper Man" is the only character who you really could come to enjoy, but then even he is weak.

The story flows easily enough, and is simple to follow without too much thought. It is nice to hear the story purely from Agnes' point of view with little snaps and goes at those she doesn't like too much.

There is one thing about this book which did annoy me; "said I". By no means does this book use old and proper English. You don't have any Shakespearean prose and you don't have Professor Higgins trying to teach Eliza about "the rain in Spain". It is, in almost all respects, casual. It is as though a new friend is telling you her life story. Yet, in almost every conversation, Freed uses "said I".

I think authors try to find ways around simply using "I said", but most of the time I find their replacements out of place, to the point of being irritating. There is no problem with using good old "I said" and I wish authors would trust in that.

All in all, it isn't bad entertainment. This is the type of book which you should pick up for a bargain and read on a rainy Sunday. Or you may even like to read it as a bit of light entertainment between reading two more epic volumes.

I cannot see it being a book for men but, as always, I would love to hear the male opinion. I would suggest it more towards single mother's, only because it is good to see a struggling single mother come good, especially in times when such things were looked down upon.

Happy Reading!

Where for art thou Romeo?

2011-01-25T13:51:00.005+11:00

Juliet
by Anne Fortier

Genre; Fiction/Historical/Mystery/Romance
Publisher; HarperCollins/New York/2010
Pages; 496
ISBN; 978-0-7322-8941-6

Plot; When Julie Jacobs' aunt dies, she leaves her a key to a safety deposit box in Siena. This key, she is told, will lead to an old family treasure.

This mysterious legacy leads her on a dangerous journey into the lives of her ancestors- and the truth of Giulietta, whose love for a man named Romeo brought medieval Siena to its knees.

"A plague on both your houses" turns out to be so much more than a notorious curse by an old bard.

Can Romeo save Juliet from her fate?

My Thoughts; I read somewhere that this book was Letters to Juliet meets The Da Vinci Code, and I can think of no better way to describe this brilliant read.

I will admit that the plot was a little predictable, but I still enjoyed every moment. Whether I was zooming through the streets of Sienna on a Ducati with the modern day Giulietta or cantering through Sienna, on horseback, with the gallant medieval Romeo, I was in awe of this story of star-crossed love and medieval mystery.

Fortier has constructed a genius blend of romance, history, mystery and action in Juliet, and with it, a beautiful blend of memorable characters.

I have always loved Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and to see the story appropriated into modern times is wonderful, but what I liked most about this book is the historical take on the story. While Shakespeare's tragedy is masterful, I enjoyed the way Fortier took the story, relocated it and added more depth to the families and their deadly history.

Fortier creates a great balance between modern and medieval, good and bad, love and hatred.

I think my favourite character in this story is Julie's sister Janice. While the "Romeo" and "Juliet" characters are at times tragic and at other times warm and delicious, it is the comedic offerings of Janice that really appealed to me. At first you really dislike her, but she turns out to be a fantastic character to have a laugh with, whether she is toying with Julie, or poking fun at dangerous criminals.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with a love for the old Bard's tale because while Fortier introduces new ideas to the classic, she uses the old story as an, almost, code book for her appropriation.

I also recommend this book to people who love a bit of mystery mixed with their romance.

Happy Reading!

Women's Worst Nightmare

2011-01-10T11:24:00.007+11:00

Eleven Hours
by Paullina Simons

Genre; Fiction/Thriller
Publisher; Flamingo/London/1999
Pages; 299
ISBN; 0-00-655111-4

Plot: Desdemona, known to all her friends as Didi, has lead a happy life. She has two beautiful children, a loving husband and, while not rich, she is comfortable. To top all of this off, she is nine months pregnant with her third child.

On a shopping trip this all begins to crumble as a man forces her into his car are takes her on a ride across the country, gun loaded and blade sharpened.

The next eleven hours of Didi's life is frightening and unsure. Does this man want to claim a ransom for Didi, or are his motives a lot more sinister?

My Thoughts; This is one of the most gripping books I have ever read. From the first word I was engrossed in this fast paced thriller.

I enjoyed every aspect of this book; the characters, the plot, the nail-biting ending. I will admit, from the first few pages I had a fairly good idea of what the ending may be, but this didn't make the read any less thrilling.

This story is all action from the start. A lot of books take a while to warm up, particularly books from this genre. You read and read waiting for the "good bits" to start, and before you know it you have read the first third of the book in anticipation of the action. This book is not in any way as slow as that. Eleven Hours is juicy from the first few pages. Simons grips you from the start and it isn't until later that she fills you in on the back story.

What I really liked about this book is the way Simons gives her characters time to tell their story in turn. The first chapter is from Didi's point of view and the next is from her husband's. This pattern continues throughout the book; wife and then husband, wife and then husband. As I read I thought I may find Didi's chapters a lot more enthralling, but as her husband, Rich, begins his hunt with the FBI, I began to enjoy the story of him and the FBI agents just as much.

If I had to make one negative comment it could only be about the cover. The story in itself is impeccable, but the cover confused me. Didi is a brown haired, brown eyed woman and the cover is of a green eyed, blonde. Can someone explain this to me?

However, this is just me being picky. As a whole this book is perfection and I cannot think of any criticism of the story. If this is Simons' typical style I cannot wait to devour another of her books.

I recommend this to anyone and everyone as a gripping and enjoyable read. Do yourself a favour and add it to your book shelf, you will not regret it.

Happy Reading!

Glass Slipper? No, Glass Feet!

2011-01-09T17:10:00.010+11:00

The Girl with Glass Feet
by Ali Shaw

Genre; Fiction/Romance/Drama
Publisher; Atlantic Books/London/2009
Pages; 292
ISBN; 978-1-84354-919-2

Plot; Ida MacLaird was once a beautiful, fun loving girl with her whole life ahead of her, but lately her hair and skin have gone pale and the life has been drawn from her face. Ida is going through a frightening, traumatic and problematic metamorphosis; she is slowly turning into glass, feet first.

It all started on a trip to the small island of St Hauda after meeting a man named Henry Fuwa, a man she took as being a drunk, speaking of smalled winged bulls, a creature who can turn your skin white with one glance and people, made of glass.

With her delicate feet padded in socks and boots, Ida returns to St Hauda's Land to hunt down Henry and find out how she can save herself from a crystallised fate.

With the help of Midas, a local photographer, and an old family friend, Carl, can Ida stop the transformation before it is too late?

My Thoughts; I sat on the lounge and read this story in the one sitting, enjoying each moment for the light entertainment that it was.

This book can be sad at times, but do not pick it up expecting it to be lifechanglingly emotional. While there were moments I had a tear in my eye, I wasn't moved by the story.

Shaw introduces a likable bunch of characters, the head of which being Ida, who you cannot help but feel for. I only wish I could have known more about her. As I read, I pictured her as the "girl next door" type, but apart from the occasional glimpse at the past, you don't really get to know this girl beyond what is happening to her. I think if I had been shown more of her personality and history, this story could have been a lot more gripping and emotional for me.

This book just didn't have enough depth to make it a gripping read. The storyline and characters are beautiful, but delving further into the characters would have taken this book to another level.

The character I most liked was Midas. There is nothing like a good, quirky character to try to wrap your head around. A character who is obviously caring and warm on the inside while being cold and awkward on the outside.

To whom would I recommend this book? I cannot see this book being read by a fan of epic stories, but for someone needing a weekend read which isn't too light, but isn't too in depth either, this would hit the mark.

Happy Reading!

Confused, but Sexy

2011-01-09T16:27:00.010+11:00

The Devil's Staircase
by Helen Fitzgerald

Genre; Fiction/Drama/Suspense
Publisher; Polygon/Edinburgh/2009
Pages; 217
ISBN; 978-1-84697-045-0

Plot; It all starts when Bronny, a young Australian girl, and her backpacker friends decide to break into a vacant townhouse in London.

Bronny has come to London, spare of the moment, to escape a part of her life which she considers to be tying her down. She is faced by the question; will she live, or die? Which is more than she is prepared to handle when she leaves the doctors office, grabs a taxi and goes directly to the airport with no thought of the family she is leaving behind, or even the lack of clothes she is travelling with.

In London, Bronny and her friends work as cleaners, pool attendants and bartenders, while at night they turn to an oblivion of sex and drugs.

The house they squat in becomes the epicenter of all their adventures, and, for a while, Bronny is happier that she ever thought she could be.

The sex, the drugs and the happiness all start to blur when noises from the basement start to haunt Bronny.

They are not alone in the house.

My Thoughts; In my opinion, this book is confused. It tries to be a thriller, it tries to be a coming of age tale, it tries to be an unlikely heroic story. It has a go at being all three and fails on all counts.

It isn't a bad book, it is entertaining at times, but it didn't grip me like I had hoped it would.

Bronny, the main character, is likable enough. You feel for her in her predicament and you can definitely have a laugh with her as she faces different experiences. I just couldn't relate to her in any way, and I found it difficult to believe her naivety at times, particularly when compared to decisions she makes throughout the book.

My real problem with this book is the ending. I will do my best not to give too much away, but to me the end didn't match with the book as a whole.

I think the book would have worked better if it had gone either way. If it had either been Bronny's story of dealing with her dilemma, or the basement thriller. Instead this book started as a coming of age, dealing with a personal crisis, drama and ended with a big action and suspense sequence. For me, this didn't work.

This book is A Walk to Remember, meets EuroTrip, meets Wolf Creek. If this sounds like an unlikely grouping to you, then I don't think this is a book you will enjoy. But, if you like a bit of quirk, give it a go and let me know your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

The Bennet Sisters

2010-12-16T00:15:00.007+11:00

The Independence of
Miss Mary Bennet
by Colleen McCullough

Genre; Fiction/Historical
Publisher; HarperCollins/Australia/2008
Pages; 467
ISBN; 978-0-7322-8722-1

Plot; Ever wonder what the future may have held for the Bennet sisters after Jane Austen had finished putting pen to paper...

Would Darcy and Lizzie's marriage stay as passionate as it was in the beginning, or would Darcy's inability to show emotion be a hurdle?
Would Jane and Mr Bingley stay as innocently happy once the children had begun to flood in?
Would Lydia stay as naive and quick to pounce as she grew older?
Would Kitty remain a giggling mess of impropriety?
And, would Mary continue to be the black sheep?

My Thoughts; How can you not love a book about Austen's favorite sisters that ends with, "circumcised!" Jane may turn over in her grave with that one, but I can whole-heartedly say I loved every moment of this book!

As you read this book you think to yourself at times, "Oh, Ms Austen would have loved that" and at other times you think, "Oh, glad she isn't around to read that bit". That is the brilliance of this book, it takes a classic and appropriates it to our modern tastes.

I think I can honestly add this title to my top ten reads. There was not one moment while reading this book that I wasn't entertained or enthralled. McCullough has taken much loved characters and flown them to a new level of appreciation.

After reading Pride and Prejudice I often thought up what may have happened to the characters once Austen had left them. I always imagined that there would be dramas in the Darcy marriage and that the Bingley marriage would be a fairly cordial one, for the most part, but McCullough's imagination has taken them much further that I ever could have thought up.

I am a thinker. A quarter of the way into any book and I think I have it fairly well worked out, sometimes I am right, sometimes not. This book kept me guessing. I continued an Austen line of thought, imagining marriage proposals, propriety and impropriety, meddlesome characters playing cupid.. You can imagine my surprise, and pleasure, as I read about hidden treasure, child slavery, highwaymen.

Now, don't let this put you off, I do not mean to make it sound at all melodramatic. I am quite comfortable saying that I believe any fan of the Austen classics will enjoy this story.

The characters are just as one may imagine them to be, and so much more. McCullough has really shaped these characters well, just as she has delved in the relationships, be them marriages or siblings, to give them so much depth.

One thing I will say, it was a little hard to get used to Mr Darcy being referred to as Fitz. Every time the name Fitz was mentioned I would think, "who.. oh that's right, Mr Darcy". Maybe that is borne from years of swooning over the Darcy of Pride and Prejudice, which I must admit, wasn't too "swoony" in this one.

Would Austen liked it? Well.. I think she would like how the characters have developed, she may be a little frightened by some of the language and themes, but all in all I believe she would enjoy it.

I wonder, if she had written a sequel, where she would have taken the Bennet girls? Any thoughts?

My recommendation; If you enjoyed the original, I believe you will enjoy this. If you have seen the movies, I believe you will enjoy this. If you have never read or seen Pride and Prejudice, I believe you will enjoy this. Give it a go!

Happy Reading!

New Proofreading Service

2010-12-12T19:00:00.002+11:00

Hello Loyal Followers!

Today I would like to tell you about the launch of my new proofreading service - Proof Perfection!!

I could go into a lot of detail here, but instead I am going to show you the new YouTube clip and give you the address for the Proof Perfection website.

http://proofperfection.blogspot.com/

Breathless or Emotionless?

2010-12-11T00:54:00.005+11:00

Breath
by Tim Winton

"More than once since then I've wondered whether the life-threatening high jinks that Loonie and I and Sando and Eva got up to in the years of my adolescence were anything more that a rebellion against the monotony of drawing breath."

Genre; Fiction/Drama
Publisher; Hamish Hamilton/Penguin/Australia/2008
Pages; 216
ISBN; 978-0-241-01530-8

Plot; Bruce Pike, Pikelet, is a young boy, in a small town on the western coast of Australia.

Life has been ordinary for Pikelet and his best mate Loonie, until they discover the adrenaline boost of the white, bubbling, swelling surf. It is under the experienced and fearless tutelage of surfing notable, Sando, that they come to explore a new side of life. An exciting side of life.

Years come and go as these two young boys learn to take more and more risks, forcing themselves and each other to push the boundaries further and further.

But, just as there is to any wave, there is a breaking point.

My Thoughts; This is the book for my book club next month. It was decided weeks ago to read this book, but at our last meeting one of our newest members expressed some very strong opinions.

The term which instantly springs to mind, which she used, is "foul". With this opinion most of the other club members were put off from reading it, but it was this strong reaction which immediately made me what to devour it. I wanted to know what could possibly be in this book to cause such a strong reaction in a reader.

The clubber who referred to this book as "foul" also said that it is a book about selfishness, which is in many ways true. Other reviews and discussions also describe Breath as a book about selfishness and the insatiable need for an adrenaline rush that the characters crave.

For me this is a book about depression. My understanding of depression is that it doesn't leave the sufferer feeling neither sad, nor happy, but it is a lack of emotion. The loss of emotion and want of feeling.

For me the characters of Breath are a bunch of depressives who need to push themselves and take risks, not for the fun of it, but for the sheer need of feeling.

Which makes it interesting that this book, with all its risk taking and near misses, left me with a want of feeling. As I read the final page I wasn't happy, I wasn't sad, I wasn't even mad... As I read that final page, all I could think was, "Oh, is that it?"

I don't know whether it was the "foul" build up, or whether I would have felt the same having heard no reviews before attempting it, but I was left feeling.. well, really, NOT feeling.

This is strange because it has all the makings of an emotive read- death, sex, fear, suspense.

I think I look at Breath and see the waste of it. The waste of life, the waste of possibilities, the waste of talent. It isn't that the book is a waste, but the characters are a waste, the choices they make are a waste.

Maybe this is the point of the book. To leave the reader with the emotionlessness of the characters, even after they have pushed themselves and pushed those boundaries.

I am a Tim Winton fan, those of you who have read my other Winton reviews will know I rate them highly, but with this book I am stuck. I don't know how to recommend it.

I can't say it is one to walk past, because I know that at my book club it will make for great discussion, but I can't say it is a "must read" either.

To me this is the kind of book you need to read with other people. I think that with discussion you can appreciate this book, and it will make for great debate as everyone will view it differently.

Happy Reading!

Bless me father, for I have sinned!

2010-11-30T16:54:00.013+11:00

Circle Of Friends
by Maeve Binchy

Book to Film Comparison

"You mustn't mess me about. I know I may look like a rhinoceros, but I've got quite a thin skin really." Circle of Friends, Minnie Driver, 1995

The Book-

Genre: Fiction/Drama/Romance
Publisher: Arrow Books/2000/United Kingdom
Pages: 551
ISBN: 0-09-941086-9

Plot; Big, generous hearted Benny and the elfin Eve Malone have been friends throughout their childhoods in sleepy Knockglen. When they both go to study in Dublin, they meet a circle of friends that includes handsome Jack Foley and the selfish but beautiful Nan Mahon, whose ambition will drag them all into trouble.

As Knockglem is surprised into a new life, the two girls, Benny and Eve, discover that among the many distractions of growing up true friendship is the greatest gift of all.

My Thoughts: I have been a fan of the film for a long time and when I saw this on the library shelf I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I did.

This is a truly beautiful book which I would recommend to any woman as a brilliant read.

The characters are more than lovable, even the self centered Nan Mahon is likable for the most part. They are also so well formed. As you read you really feel as though you get to know these people and by half way through the book, as each incident happens you almost know exactly how each character is going to react. I feel as though I have a whole knew group of beautiful Irish friends.

As a big girl myself, I can really relate to everything Benny feels; the insecurities, the need to be the funny girl because you know you aren't the pretty one, the want to be like the Nan Mahons of the world. You can tell by reading, and by Binchy's total ability to understand this character, that Binchy must have felt like this girl at one point in her life.

I know this is a small side note, but one of the things I appreciated about this book was that there are no lengthy descriptions of the Irish countryside. It seems that these days, as soon as an author is writing about somewhere like Ireland, in come the lengthy, tedious and monotonous descriptions of green rolling hills and endless blue skies. I much prefer to read about the characters, and that is exactly what Binchy delivers.

As I have admitted before, I am a skipper. If a chunk of text is boring me I will skip over to the juicy stuff. I didn't do that with this book. Not once did Binchy bore me. Each word of this book is meaningful and entertaining, and that is the sign of a great read.

The Film

Year; 1995
Production; Lantana and Price Entertainment
Length; 103min
Starring; Minnie Driver, Chris O'Donnell, Colin Firth, Saffron Burrows, Alan Cumming

Comparison; These two stories are so different that you can almost enjoy them as separate entities.

I had seen the movie first, over and over actually, and it has been high on my list of favourite flicks for a very long time. It is the type of movie that when I am having a quiet night at home, I slap on a face mask, open a box of chocolates and sit in my pajamas and watch this movie. It always cheers me up and makes me feel better about myself.

The characters are a wonderful blend of enjoyable personalities, the scenery is beautiful, the music does a fantastic job of putting you in the mood and the story is, plainly and simply, beautiful.

So you can imagine why I would pick up the book when I saw it at the local library.

As I have said, the two are just so completely different. Of course I understand that due to time restraints the story is almost always changed from book to screen, but this really is an example of mass changes. The way the characters meet is different, there are many characters missing in the movie who are truly integral for the story and, most importantly, the ending is different.

Having said this though, I enjoy both equally. The story really has been changed enough to almost make it feel like two different stories being told.

Both manage to have a happy ending, even though both endings are completely unalike.

One comment I do have to say is that the character Jack, the heart throb of the story, is a lot better in the movie. He may not be as believable in the movie, but it does make for a nicer ending. In the movie he is a kind young man who makes a mistake, whereas in the book (without giving too much away) he turns out to be a bit of a cad. As I read I missed the heart throb which I had been swooning over for years.

The questions is would I change the book Jack or the movie Jack? As nice as the film Jack is, I think he is the one I would change. Before I read the book I never would have thought this, but I think the ending of the book is, not only more realistic, but more empowering for Benny.

My Recommendation; Read the book and see the movie. I enjoy both and I believe most would enjoy both. If you try to compare and contrast them too much you could quite easily kill both of them, but if you appreciate each for the different ways they tell the story you will really enjoy them.

Happy Reading and Viewing!

Final Chance to be a Hero

2010-11-10T13:10:00.005+11:00

Crossing Oceans
by Gina Holmes

Genre; Fiction/Drama
Publisher; Tyndale House Publishers/USA/ 2010
Pages; 368
ISBN; 978-1-4143-3305-2

Plot; Jenny thought she and David would be together forever, but on the night she plans to tell him she is pregnant he beats her to the punch by ending their relationship.

Young and scared, Jenny runs. She runs from her small town home and finds a new life for herself and her unborn baby in the city.

Six years later Jenny has an established life and has begun climbing the ladder of the business world when she gets the devastating news that her time has run short.

With only months left of her short life she must make the journey home. She must set up a life for her daughter, Bella, with the family Jenny once left behind.

My Thoughts; The book is an onslaught of emotions. As I turned the pages the smile was ever constant on my face, as was the tears in my eyes.

This is one of those books which is so light and happy in so many ways, but has such a heavy and saddening undertone. I loved it. I gorged myself on every word and every goose bump.

Holmes is a wonderful talent. She takes what is essentially a devastating story and makes it uplifting and inspiring and makes the reader realise how special each day of their life is.

This really is a story of relationships; watching the beautiful formation of new love, the never ending struggle of love lost, the selfless love of a mother, the misunderstood love of a father and the warm endearing love of kin.

The writing itself is so relaxed and conversational that is allows the reader to focus more on these relationships and their development, than on cliched sentiment which is so often present in this genre.

While this book lead me to shed so many tears, as a mother myself, it also lead me to appreciate life so much more and the time I spend with my child.

Every now and again a book comes along which changes you. A book which forces you to question yourself; your life, the ones you love, how much you love them, the time you spend with them. For me, Crossing Oceans is one of those books.

I'll admit, I cannot see the male readers out there devouring this book, but I recommend this book to every woman. Particularly for those mothers out there, this is a must read.

Happy Reading!

It's Hard to Dance with the Devil on Your Back

2010-11-09T13:31:00.012+11:00

The Ghosts of Sleath
by James Herbert

"I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
They buried my body & they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance & I still go on!"

Genre; Sci-Fi/Drama/Horror
Publisher; HarperCollins/London/1994
Pages; 409

Plot; David Ash is the most cynical "ghost hunter" you will meet, making him one of the more successful researchers at the Psychical Research Institute. In his experience, most hauntings are nothing more than the whims of a depressed person or the selfish actions of someone playing games.

However, as cynical as he may be and as false as most cases are that he researches, Ash cannot deny that he himself has been haunted. A ghost from his past which almost sent him into an emotional and mental breakdown.

It is this ghostly past, on his back, that he carries with him when he is sent to investigate the odd goings-on in the small rural town of Sleath.

From the outside Sleath is perfect; beautiful surrounds, comely cottages, pristine gardens, the type of town you would expect to see on a postcard. From the inside Sleath is a town of fearful people, with a sordid past.

More and more hauntings are going on in this small town and Ash, the cynic, with the help of the town Reverend, Edmund Lockwood, and his daughter Grace, must search out the cause of all these events.

Can he stop it all before it is too late?

My Thoughts; This is the second James Herbert book that I have read and he is quickly becoming my favourite author. So much so, that when I was half way through this book I logged on to EBay and bought myself a stack more of his books to add to my collection!

Typically, I am not a fan of science fiction or horror, but James Herbert makes it seem so real, and he writes so beautifully that you cannot put his books down once you have picked them up.

What I really adore about Herbert novels is that the hero of the tale is not perfect. In this book, David Ash, is far from perfect. He smokes, he drinks, he is unfit, you can imagine that his shirt would be slightly crumpled and his hair would be a mess, and yet you cannot help but like him.

There really is a remarkable cast of characters in this story. It is interesting to watch the world of these villagers. Everyone is being haunted, experiencing terrible things, and yet as they pass each other in the street, or sit next to one another in the pub, these events are not spoken of. They pass each other with a smile, yet the eyes are darkened from nights of haunted dreams.

In this book, Herbert has an incredible skill for making you contradict your own feelings towards these people. You feel sorry for them because what they are going through is so awful and so unimaginable, yet at the same time, you can't show sympathy for people who do nothing to help themselves. People who are turning a blind eye, and even worse, tormenting anyone who does speak out about it.

As I have said, the book is beautifully written. Herbert is an expert when it comes to description. He paints the picture in such detail that you can almost feel the ghostly fog prickle your skin, but he doesn't make the detail tedious. There is a fine line between a book being overly detailed, to the point where you skip over the monotonous chunks of descriptive waste, and a book which is detailed enough to entice your senses without bombarding them. Herbert is the second of the two.

If you like a good scare, this is a really exceptional read. I also recommend this book to those readers who don't usually include sci-fi and horror in their genre list, because this book may just be the one to convert them.

For my other James Herbert review, '48, Click Here.

Happy Reading!

Sex, Drugs, Rock'n'Roll and Shame

2010-11-04T21:50:00.006+11:00

Good Evening Fellow Bibliophiles!

This evening was the fourth meeting of The Blue Mountains Book Club and the feature book for this month was 88 Lines About 44 Women by Steven Lang.

With quiche in one hand and red wine in the other we had a wonderful discussion. I will admit that we slipped off onto tangents quite frequently, our favourite books and life in third world countries being the most popular, but we all had our own opinions of Lang's work, some good, some bad.

In our small turn-up, four ladies, we had three who enjoyed the book and one (me) who did not.

88 Lines About 44 Women
by Steven Lang

Genre; Fiction/Drama
Publisher; Penguin/Australia/2009
Pages; 258
ISBN; 978-0-670-07283-5

Plot; Lawrence Martin was once a famous musician who travelled the world, performing for screaming fans. Now he is spending his days strolling the Scottish countryside.

You see, Lawrence needed to get away, he needed to get away from his life. He needed to escape the shameful events of his past, one shameful action he will never forget.

But as love enters his life again he is forced to confront his past, and those people in it.

My Thoughts; So, as I have said, I was not a big fan of this book. It promised so much and gave so little.

When you begin to read a book about rockstars, drugs, sex, model girlfriends, murder, you automatically set yourself up for some "juicy stuff". This book didn't deliver that. Yes there were glimpses of the adventurous past, but not enough to excite me.

For me there was no climax, no point at which my heart raced or my breath quickened. There were hints at possible moments of exhilaration, but the book ended without those moments coming to fruition.

To me, this book was a massive party over which a wet blanket had been thrown.

At times I found it hard to follow, as did others in my book club. There are constant shifts in not only time, but locations as well; the now, the distant past, the recent past, Scotland, Australia. At the start of each paragraph I had to take a moment to think, "Okay, where and when are we now?"

What all the book club members did agree on was that it was refreshing to see a man discuss, and be candid, about relationships. Stereotypically, this is the realm of women's literature, so it was a nice change to read about relationships through the eyes of a male. Especially after having read the neurotic tangle which is Eat, Pray, Love.

To whom would I recommend this book? I am going to go out on a limb and say this book is the male version of "chick lit". A relationship based drama which would provide a good weekend worth of reading to a male needing a break from the typical "masculine" read.

Happy Reading!

NEW BLOG!!

2010-10-10T23:01:00.003+11:00

Hello Everyone!

As some of you already know, I have a new YouTube Channel.

I also now have a new blog to tie together this blog and my youtube channel, as well as a place to post about general thoughts I have on a day-to-day basis.

Please be sure to check it out!

http://beautybeadsbooks.blogspot.com/

The Pizza is so Good We Can Barely Cope

2010-10-10T16:14:00.021+11:00

Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert

"There are only two questions that human beings have ever fought over, all through history. How much do you love me? And, who's in charge?"

Genre; Autobiographical/Romance/Spiritual
Publisher; Bloomsbury/London/2010
Pages;348
ISBN; 978-1-4088-0936-5

Plot; Elizabeth Gilbert is coming to the realisation that marriage and children isn't the dream she wants anymore. She wants to get away, she wants to travel and, most of all, she wants to be free of her husband.

It is during a night of endless sobbing on her bathroom floor, her husband asleep in the next room, that she has a moment from which her life would always be different. In her moment of sorrow Elizabeth prays. She prays for the answer to her dilemma.

It is in the this moment that Elizabeth begins her journey towards her spiritual enlightenment.

Eat, Pray, Love is split into three sections; "Eat"ing for pleasure in Italy, "Pray"ing for enlightenment in India and learning to "Love" again in Indonesia.

My Thoughts; This book is your typical break-up story on steroids!

When your average woman goes through a break-up, she will go through the three stages;

Stage One; She will, of course, be upset and this will lead her to find ways to bring immediate pleasure into her life. This will typically come in the form of chocolate or ice-cream.
Elizabeth's Stage One; She travels to Italy to find her immediate pleasure at the bottom of a pasta bowl.

Stage Two; A woman will sit and try to figure out what went wrong in the relationship, who was to blame and how she will go about her life without her partner.
Elizabeth's Stage Two; She sits and thinks about the same things, but she does it in an Ashram and wraps the thoughts into the title of "meditation".

Stage Three; The woman, thanks to hours of endless thought, has made a break through and is ready to welcome love into her life again.
Elizabeth's Stage Three; She has a "moment of enlightenment" in the tower of the Ashram, moves to Bali and opens her heart to Felipe.

Having said all this, I did enjoy the book. I found Gilbert's writing style to be very relaxed and her constant bouts of sarcasm forced me to laugh out loud.

"Eat" is the section of the book which I most enjoyed, probably due to the fact it is all about yummy Italian food! Gilbert's rich descriptions of the pizzas, pastries and pastas were so vivid I could taste and smell everything she described.

"Love" came in at a close second, mainly because of the very sensual Felipe and the hilariously funny Ketut, the medicine man.

But, I must admit, I found "Pray" to be tedious. When I read on the back cover that there would be a section of the book spent in India, I imagined that Elizabeth would be travelling around India, experiencing the culture and visiting numerous temples for her "spiritual enlightenment". So I was disappointed as I read page after page about endless hours of meditation in the one Ashram.

I will also say, that while Gilbert's writing style was appealing and her sarcasm entertaining, at times I found her to be a little neurotic. If there are any men out there who have read this book, I would love to hear your opinion of the woman.

All in all, two thirds of the book entertained me, which is a majority vote.

There is one more little comment I have to make, and I don't know if other readers picked up on this. Tense was a bit of an issue for me. At times it seemed as though she was writing in the moment and yet other times she wrote as though she were looking back. It was as though she was sitting down to write the book and decided to write it as though it were a day to day diary, and then in sections she forgot this and wrote as though it were in the past.

I am looking forward to seeing the movie next week and I think I will have to pop back and write a comparative review.

In terms of recommendation it is a good book for any woman to read. I cannot see too many men reading it, but I may stand corrected on that one.

I will warn anyone, like me, who is not the spiritual type that the middle section can, at times, seem monotonous, but once through it the "Love" section is well worth the wait.

Happy Reading!

Dragons and Halflings

2010-09-29T16:42:00.014+10:00

Night's Daughter
by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Genre; Fiction/Fantasy/Gothic
Publisher; Orbit/London/1985
Pages; 204
ISBN; 0-7221-1958-5

Plot; Pamina is the daughter of the all powerful sorceress, the Starqueen, ruler of all lands of the night. She has lead a sheltered and protected life of luxury, never wanting for anything, never in harms way. Or so she thought.

Soon to come in to Pamina's life is her long lost and unknown father Sarastro, King of the Royal House of the Sun. Sarastro has been at war with the Starqueen since the birth of their daughter and has been kept from his daughter. The Starqueen has long spoken ill of the king to Pamina, brainwashing her with tales of sacrifices and evil priests.

As Pamina is kidnapped from her mother's palace and taken to the lands of her Father, is it such a bad thing to be taken from the treacherous talons of her mother?

With her lover, Prince Tamino, by her side, Pamina must not only face the Court of Wisdom and the Ordeals of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, she must also face the decision of which parent she will follow. Which parent is of truth and honour.

My Thoughts; This story is marketed as "a shimmering fantasy of music and magic", and this is exactly what you get. A Gothic story of chivalrous men, mystical women and magic flute music.

I cannot say I didn't like this story, but I cannot say I liked it either. While I enjoyed some aspects of the story, I was totally confused by others.

The general feel of the tale is enjoyable, don't get me wrong, and it would make a good weekend read. But if you are looking for something more in depth and intense, move along.

The characters are well shaped, if not typical for this kind of story; Prince Tamino is the pampered prince who finds his own strength, Pamina is the damsel in distress who discovers she is not so helpless after all, the Starqueen is the evil sorceress and King Sarastro is the kind and worldly king.

The character, for me, who really made this story is Papageno, the bird halfling. Half man, half bird and all over comedic relief. At times this story became too dark and depressing (and repetitive) and at all those times Papageno would appear with a funny commentary. Why fight a dragon when you can sit and eat cake?

I am not going to say this story is anywhere in the league of Marion Zimmer Bradley's other books, such as The Mists of Avalon or Witchlight, but if you are a Bradley fan it is a good, quick read to add to your collection. On the other hand, if you are not a Bradley fan or are unfamiliar with Bradley's books, this is not the book for you. Either grab one of her other, riveting, reads or head for another author.

Stay tuned for Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love which is coming up soon!

Also make sure to go on over and check out my YouTube channel!
http://www.youtube.com/user/BeautyBeadsBooks

Happy Reading!

Millenium Magazine; Issue One

2010-09-08T18:13:00.010+10:00

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson

Genre; Crime/Mystery/Drama
Publisher; MacLehose Press/London/2008
Pages; 533
ISBN; 978-1-84724-545-8

Warning! Any spoilers will be written in red, so if you haven't read the book, or don't want any in depth insights, skip over any red text!

Plot; Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family.

The victim's uncle, Henrick, employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, ruthless computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate.

When the pair link Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vanger's are a secretive clan.

Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves.

My Thoughts; Everyone should at least attempt a read of this book because it is, in one word, Brilliant!

I will admit it, I am a skipper. If there is part of a book which goes into too much detail (especially when describing nature because, lets face it, a blue sparkling lake in one book is the same as a blue sparkling lake in another), or if there is a monotonous or tedious section to a book I will skip over it. I have done this for every book I have ever read, even The Mists of Avalon which is my favourite book.

I did not skip one single, riveting word of this novel.

I will first start by talking about the storyline. It is well constructed, gripping and leaves the reader with no choice but to turn the page through sheer need to know what happens next. The plot is so well thought out, that I wonder what kind of brain can concoct such a story.

Lisbeth Salander, the female protagonist, is nothing short of wonderful. I would say she is a breath of fresh air, but the truth is that if I was to meet this woman I don't think it would be fresh breath I would be taking but something stifled. She is everything that the usual female lead is not; stubborn, awkward, uncomfortable and unique. But, with these faults, she is nothing short of likable and you immediately want this woman on your side, because you are sure on hers.

Mikael Blomkvist, the male protagonist, is a character completely different to his female counterpart. He isn't awkward and he isn't unusual, at first glance anyway. He is the consummate professional journalist who is forced to take a ride on the more wild and delinquent side of investigation. He is an obvious womaniser, and a poor father, but again, you cannot help but like this character.

What Larsson has done so well is to take such polar opposites of people, throughout this book, and combine them in relationships that, none-the-less, work.

(Spoiler Warning!) I do, however, have one issue with this book and it is the ending. Had Larsson ended the story with Blomkvist sitting laughing at the photograph of Salander in a blonde wig at the bank, it would have left me in a wonderful place, but instead he took it a few pages too far and, in a small way, ruined the end for me. Reading Salander's thoughts as she clears her house and discovers her great love for Blomkvist seems so uncharacteristic and out-of-place. This woman does not seem the type to, firstly, come to this romantic conclusion and , secondly, race out to tell him as much. Am I the only one left cold by the ending? But, at the end of the day, it is the matter of a few pages which I am choosing to forget ever happened.

This seems a day for admitting things, because I will also admit that alot of the financial jargon flew straight over my head. When talking figures and finances I am the last one to ask for help, but Larsson has done a good job of not bombarding the reader. He has used enough "money matters" to add to the credibility of the story, without turning off people like me who have a fear of numbers.

I should also add, and this is aimed at those readers with a squeamish stomach, be prepared there are a few "icky" spots, but as an easy queasy myself, it is nothing you can't handle and is nothing irrelevant to this enthralling tale.

As I said above, this book is one of the most riveting, if not the most, that I have ever read. I highly recommend it to any reader. Young, old, male, female... You name it.

Happy Reading!

Discussion Board

2010-09-03T14:58:00.004+10:00

This is just a little tid bit of information for everyone.

My Book Club has a group on Facebook which is welcome for all people to join.

Most importantly we ask for you to come and join in with our group discussions.

Such as;
What is the best book you have read?
What is the worst book you have read?
Books and the films based on them. Which is better?

Come check out "The Blue Mountains Book Club" on Facebook for a bit of fun!

September Book Club

2010-09-03T12:31:00.011+10:00

Well, last night was the second meeting of the Blue Mountains Book Club.

I had double the guests I did last time (two instead of one) and we had a wonderful time!

The book was meant to be The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. But, because of time constraints, I was the only one who had been able to both get my hands on the book and finish it.

However, this did not matter because we were not short of conversation. Over wine, soda and milo we talked about eachother, about books in general, authors in particular and we had an interesting debate about films and the books they are based on. Which is better?

We also had scrumptious food to nibble on; salami and tomato pizza, chicken vol-au-ventes, guacamole with chips and a mezza plate with dolmades, stuffed olives and stuffed peppers.

Sadly the evening was cut short when my son became ill. But, the ladies told me they enjoyed themselves and they are looking forward to the next month's meeting.

We did managed to decide on the books we will be reading for the rest of the month;

Thursday 7th October 2010;
Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Plot; At 32 years old, Elizabeth Gilbert was educated and had a home, a husband, and a successful career as a writer. However, she was unhappy in her marriage and often spent the night crying on her bathroom floor. In the midst of an affair, she separated from her husband and initiated a divorce, which he contested. The affair continued for some time but did not work out, leaving her devastated and alone. While writing an article on yoga vacations in Bali, she met a ninth-generation medicine man who told her she would come back and study with him. After finalizing her difficult divorce, she spent the next year traveling around the world. She spent four months in Italy, eating and enjoying life (Eat). She spent four months in India, finding her spirituality (Pray). She ended the year in Bali, Indonesia, looking for "balance" of the two and found love (Love) in the form of a dashing Brazilian factory owner.

Thursday 4th November 2010;
88 Lines About 44 Women
by Steven Lang
Plot; For a while Lawrence Martin had everything. He was the keyboard player in a successful rock band; he had money, his choice of women. It was all a long way from the British boarding school where he met Roly, the charismatic front man who lured him to Australia in the first place, and with whom he shared the song-writing. Only after it all went wrong did Lawrence learn they'd been sharing other things as well.
Two decades on, living in the highlands of Scotland, he's again confronted with those turbulent years, and with the accident that changed everything . . .

Thursday 2nd December 2010;
Morgan's Run
by Colleen McCullough
Plot; Richard Morgan is the wholly noble protagonist of Colleen McCullough's latest historical saga, a man who falls afoul of villains and suffers the degradation of the 18th-century British penal system. But, as even he admits, he has great luck as a convict. His resourceful cousin, a druggist, fixes him up with survival necessities, and wherever the beautiful, strong, educated Richard goes -- overcrowded jails or the hulks of convict transports, suffering the appalling conditions of passage to an unknown continent -- he becomes a leader of men.

So these are the books for the rest of the year, and I am really looking forward to getting stuck into them!

Happy Reading!

The Unfulfilled Life of a Female Artist?

2010-08-29T19:07:00.008+10:00

The Passion Dream Book
by Whitney Otto

"The main difference she could see between the male expatriate artist and the female expatriate artise was this; The men seemed to want to sleep around and drink, and the women wanted to be free of the expectations of marriage and children." (pg180)

Genre; Fiction/Drama/Women's
Publisher; HarperCollins Publishers/New York/1997
Pages; 274
ISBN; 0-06-017824-8

Plot; A blending of fiction with history, The Passion Dream Book is a love story about artists and their tendency to migrate and colonize.

Beginning in Florence during the Italian Renaissance, the novel portrays a young girl named Giulietta Marcel, who is unconventionally apprenticed to her artist father. Dressed as a boy, she is engaged to spy on a famous artist who is at work on his masterpiece sculpture, David. She grows to want the artist and, at the same time, wants to be the artist.

Four hundred years later, Giulietta's descendant, Romy March, struggles with similar artistic aspirations in the sheltered comfort of her California home.

For Romy, to embrace the life of an artist would be quite unorthodox in the early part of the 20th century. Her love affair with Augustine Marks, a black photographer, provides the novel's structure: they are together, they break apart, they reunite, they move on as they drift to various artists' colonies - a movie studio in silent-era Hollywood, the Harlem Renaissance, the end of the twenties in Paris, London in the thirties, and San Francisco at the start of the Beat Generation.

Although Romy's devotion to Augustine remains constant, her artistic progression as a photographer grows at a different rate from her lover's and she must pursue her vision.

My Thoughts; I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was thrilled to be taken around the world by these splendidly loveable characters.

I admit that I have not read the book, but How to Make an American Quilt is one of my favourite films, so I went into this book with high expectations and I was not dissappointed.

The Passion Dream Book is a typical Otto, showing love's many guises; unrequited, unattainable, desperate, casual, unfulfilled, romantic, life-altering. And as I read through each character's story I felt both happiness and sorrow respectively.

Firstly I would like to talk about how the story has been constructed. Otto has divided this story into seven books and three chapters of information, which I think is very effective. The books clearly define the story into different eras and locations while the chapters offer additional information to help the reader immerse themselves in the story.

While this book is marketted as being about the conflict between love and work, with a particular emphasis on the decisions women have to make between the two, for me the story was more about social boundaries and what happens when you push them.

The three social boundaries which, to me, are most questioned are;
- the pressures on women, both during the Renaissance and the early years of the twentieth century, to choose a life of marriage and children.
- the strict social predjudices placed on relationships in terms of sexuality and race. And,
- the expectations put on children by their parents.

I think that Otto attacks these boundaries and questions them in a very respectful yet rebellious way and that is what makes the characters so appealing. They live in worlds where they are not allowed to be who they want to be, in worlds where they are looked down on and shunned just for wanting more for themselves.

Just quickly, I would also like to make a note of the art and artistic thought throughout this book. I have studied art and as a person who appreciates and enjoys art, of all forms, I found the rich desciptions of, not only the characters work, but the work of such artists as Michelangelo and Whistler to be beautiful and well contrived. Otto displays a sound understanding of art and artists which is easily conveyed.

I would recommend this one for the ladies, as a wonderful look into love and life. I would also recommend it to anyone who loves a good swoon over a French photographer or an Italian painter.

Happy Reading!

Book Parade!

2010-08-29T18:39:00.005+10:00

Darty's Pre-school Book Parade!

On Friday my son, Dartanion (yes, of The Three Musketeers) had his Pre-school Book Parade.

Dartanion is an absolute Thomas the Tank Engine fanatic so I spent the better part of a day (or 2) painting and gluing to make a costume for him.. with his strict and unrelenting criticism!

We met his other little costumed friends at the parade and we had a wonderful time!

I will not put pictures of the other children (without parental permission) but I will tell you that the kids all looked fantastic!

I would have to say that the best costumes were those that reflected the modern, Burton version of The Mad Hatter, from Alice in Wonderland. Some parents put in an immense amount of effort, and skill!

I thought Darty's make-up (an almost Village People like moustache) was good, but the make-up skills of some parents was enough to make your jaw drop.

I would have to say my favourite part of the day was getting to see Darty interact with his friends. I usually drop him at pre-school and leave, but it was good to stay around and see how different he is with his friends, and how confident.

The whole experience reminded me of my school book parade when I was just a child of seven or eight...

I went as Rapunzel. My Mother took a long time making this beautiful hat for me. The hat was a tall tower of mini foam bricks and glittery cardboard and at the top was a small cuttout window with a Rapunzel doll, with long hair which I used to tie the hat on under my chin.

I remember feeling invincible in my Rapunzel hat!

Have you been to a book parade?

Just an Update

2010-08-26T10:54:00.004+10:00

Hello Everyone!

I just thought I would give you a little update on whats been happening;

1. My son has his first book parade tomorrow so I have been very crafty and have made a cute Thomas the Tank Engine costume for him. He is going to blow all the other kiddies away! (Photos of the creation process)

2. I am half way through reading The Passion Dream Book by Whitney Otto. You may remember her as the author of How to Make an American Quilt, which is one of my favourite movies (no, I haven't read the book). So far I am really enjoying this book and I cannot wait to write up the review in a few days time.

3. My second book club is coming up next Thursday evening and we will be discussing The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. I haven't read the book yet, I am leaving it till next week so that it is fresh in my mind for the meeting. But I am very excited to have a few more people sign up for the club.

4. After the book club, my next read will be Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt.

Happy Reading!

Big, Beautiful and Proud

2010-08-21T00:03:00.018+10:00

No Fat Chicks
by Margaret Clark

"I was big. No Doubt about it. But in a way, in a big way, in my own way- I was Mandy Miratoosi, figures freak. And, okay, beautiful."

Genre; Young Adult/Fiction/Comedy
Publisher; Random House/Mark Macleod Books/Australia/1998
Pages; 199
ISBN; 0-09-183740-5

Plot; Mandy comes from a blended family. She has a truly beautiful younger step-sister, a lovingly caring older step-brother and a nightmare step-brother who hates her for one pure reason, to him, she is a "big fat, large, plain pain".

You can only imagine the horror for Mandy and her curvaceous friends when her step-brother Mark arrives at school in his mates car with a "No Fat Chicks" bumper sticker.

Mandy and her band of friends cannot, and will not, stand for a bunch of troublesome boys and their attempt at derogatory humor.

This is war!

My Thoughts; This book should be the bible for all those young women who are teased, taunted and bullied for being themselves.

As a big and beautiful woman I found this book to be a true breath of fresh air. How wonderful to find a story about a group of young women who are proud to be themselves.

Mandy, Lexie and Krystal are three curvy girls who are full of self-esteem and self-worth. I thought it was empowering reading this story of their battle against their superficial and judgemental peers all through which they never waiver in their belief of themselves and their right to look and feel as they wish.

As well as sending a powerful and ever-important message this book has been well written, catering to the language and style of today's youth. This book educates while it entertains.

In a world where physical beauty seems to be emphasised more and more, I think Clark successfully sends the important message to young woman that beauty is within. Clark sends the message that no one can pull you down without your permission, and she does this without preaching but through the eyes of a grounded and intelligent young woman who has the world at her feet.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an empowering read and I particularly recommend this book to curvy young women or those who once were curvy young women. "Large Legends Live On!"

Happy Reading!

Ebay, The Book Lovers Heaven

2010-08-07T14:49:00.005+10:00

Ebay is My New Heaven!

The other day I was just browsing Ebay, not for anything in particular, when I decided to look up what books where up for grabs.

You can imagine my surprise to find a lot of over 140 books for sale, with a then current price of $11. Of course, I automatically put a bid on this pot of gold.

For 24 hours I watched the auction like a hawk eyeing its prey.

Does anyone want to guess the final price I bought this lot for? Anyone? $51.oo!!!

I am now the proud owner of the 138 fiction and non-fiction books and 15 cook books.

You can also imagine my amazement to find that this mecca of reading was less than a hour away!

I have now spent the morning cataloging these books and am pleased to announce that this collection contains the works of such brilliant authors as; Maeve Binchy, Michael Connelly, James Patterson, John Marsden, Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel, Diana Gabaldon, Bryce Courtenay, Monica McInerney, Cathy Kelly and Paula Simmons.

My Recommendation; CHECK OUT EBAY IMMEDIATELY!

Happy Reading!

Blue Mountains Book Club

2010-08-06T14:39:00.005+10:00

Our First Meeting!!
The Blue Mountains Book Club

Last night was the first meeting of my new book club. Sadly only one lady was able to make it on the short notice, but we had a fun night!

I had set the place up with comfy chairs and a lovely set out table ready for the food to come out, which was; an avocado and spinach salad with a Dijon and mayonnaise dressing, smoked salmon quiches, ham and chive quiches and a mixed cheese plate with fruit and crisps.

Waiting for the first guest to arrive my nerves were building. I was worried that no one would come, and if they did, I was worried I would run out of conversation.

Then Annette arrived, a lovely lady from a neighbouring suburb who was easy to chat to and very entertaining.

We had a lovely time chatting about books and film. Annette talking about her love for biographies and me talking about my love for historical fiction. Annette with a cup of tea and me with a glass of Chardonnay.

Thanks to the lack of numbers, when it came to choose book for the next month it was quite easy. Annette has the entire Charles Dickens collection and I have never read Dickens so I left the decision up to her.

The first book that the book club will be reading is The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.

If you would like to join us, please email me; nicoletrist@hotmail.com

And The Winner Is...

2010-07-30T10:26:00.005+10:00

I would like to thank everyone who entered The Carrie Diaries bracelet giveaway.

Sadly, there can only be one winner and that winner is;

Denny!

Her Entry; "My favorite is my black leggings - you can dress them up with boots and nice jacket .. or dress them down with slip on's and a cool men's shirt - sleeves rolled up .. lol"

An email will be heading your way shortly.

A Sad Tale's Best for Winter

2010-07-29T20:37:00.008+10:00

Witchlight
by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Genre; Sci-Fi/Drama
Publisher; Tor Books/New York/1996
Pages; 303
ISBN; 0-312-86104-4

Plot; Winter Musgrave is a Wall Street whiz who has a good job, a fantastic apartment and was brought up by a well-to-do family. So, why does she now find herself escaping a sanatorium?

All of Winter's life has vanished. Apart from a few memories here and there, Winter has lost years worth of her life. Has she gone mad or has something happened to her, something inconceivable? Winter believes she has gone mad, for nothing else can explain the shattered glass and bloodless animal corpses she leaves in her wake, without explanation.

With the help of Truth Jourdemayne, the daughter of a well known "warlock", and her partner Dr. Dylan Palmer, Winter must now piece together her past, reconstructing the memories that can save her from the danger which looms closer and closer.

My Thoughts; Brilliant! Intoxicating! Enthralling! Why read the classics when there are so many wonderful contemporary books like this one.

As you may have heard me mention before, Marion Zimmer Bradley's book The Mists of Avalon is the book which acted as a catalyst for my life. I had never been much of a reader, to put it lightly, until my first semester of University when I did a unit of study on Gothic Literature and The Mists of Avalon was the little gem we were given to read. Since that moment you will almost always find me book in hand. So you can understand why I had to pick up Witchlight when I saw it poking out at me from the library shelf.

I will not go so far as to say it has left as lasting impression as The Mists of Avalon, but Witchlight is definitely a journey I would suggest everyone takes.

Again, Bradley is at her best. The way she builds and developes the characters and plot is, well, exciting. I was intrigued and dumbfounded until the very end, which is always a good sign.

Bradley has a wonderful knack for taking her readers on an exciting adventure. Not one moment of this story dissappointed me, or left me wanting more.

If I had to make one negative comment it would be the use of "witchy" jargon. At times I felt a little behind the eight-ball when the characters used chunks of terminology I was unsure of. However, having said this, those moments are few and far between making them a mere blimp on an otherwise entrancing tale.

To any reader who hasn't read a Marion Zimmer Bradley book, you are missing out! Go out right now and buy one! You will not regret it.

Happy Reading!

The Versatile Blogger Award

2010-07-29T08:33:00.015+10:00

I would like to thank Strange Candy Reviews for passing on to me the Versatile Blogger Award!

7 Little Facts About Me;

1. I love driving. My family just got back from a driving holiday and, while most would feel tired after a 12 hour drive each way, I feel revitalised.

2. I am a DVD addict. I cannot walk past a second-hand DVD store without buying something.

3. I treat cameras badly. The average shelf life of one of my cameras is around 6 months, then it starts to play up. I don't know why this is true, maybe it is because I just throw my cameras in the bottom of my handbag, in amongst my keys and phone and forget about them.

4. I am terrible at maths. I have a wonderful skill for remembering numbers (I can still remember my high school student number off by heart, and the home phone number I had back when I was 10 yrs old), but ask me to add them together and you may be sitting waiting a while. 3+3=7, right?

5. When in comes to books, I am the eternal optimist. Once I start reading a book, I cannot not finish. No matter how bad, I keep holding onto the hope that the book will surprise me with a brilliant ending.

6. I love to sing! In the shower, in the car, sitting watching TV, I sing all the time. I actually had singing lessons when I was younger, and really loved them, but now I sing in a more private setting (alone, completely alone!)

7. My best friend is getting married! I don't really think this is a me fact, but she has been my best friend for over 10 years and she is getting married next year and I couldn't be more happy or more excited!

The 15 Lucky Recipients;

1. Ellz Readz
2. Ginger High - Books R Us
3. Literary Litter
4. London's Boutique
5. Paper Cut Reviews
6. Past the Print
7. Reading Teen
8. SmallWorld Reads
9. The Book Tree
10. There's a Book
11. We Be Reading
12. The Sweet Bookshelf
13. Aubut Life
14. Book Review Cafe
15. Broken Teepee

Thanks!

Happy Blogging and Happy Reading!

Blue Mountains Book Club

2010-07-27T19:09:00.017+10:00

The Blue Mountains Book Club

Live in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia?
Love reading?
Interested in a Book Club?

Read on!

I am looking to establish a book club that either meets fortnightly or monthly in the Blue Mountains. A book club that reads a variety of books from all kinds of genres.

First meeting;
Thursday 5th August 2010
7:00pm in Lawson (email for address)

Important Note-
This is not one of your typical community centre type book clubs.
I am looking to make this club a more personal experience.
Rather than sitting in a circle, on plastic chairs in a hall, I am looking more for a group who can relax back on lounges at eachothers houses (or local cafes), with warming fingers foods and a glass of wine or hot coffee in hand.
I am looking more for a social group who chats about books, rather than a strict literary circle.

If you are interested, please email me ASAP with your details and what you are looking for in a book club, or to RSVP to the first meeting; nicoletrist@hotmail.com

Also, check out the post about us over at Readers in the Mist.

Our Facebook Page

New Youtube Clip!

2010-07-16T17:23:00.001+10:00

Check it out!

A Smaller, Slower World

2010-07-15T03:17:00.006+10:00

The Wintering
by Derek Johns

Genre; Drama/Fiction
Publisher; Portobello Books/London/2007
Pages; 272
ISBN; 978-1-84617-900-6

Plot; Set in post-war England, the Palmer family was once a well-to-do family living in Bath but after a list of bad business decisions and a claim of bankruptcy they find themselves in the small town of Glastonbury.

The family of four must now find a way to fit into their new lives and leave their old lives behind, exchanging an exciting city life full of restaurants and theatres with a more quiet country life filled with farms and wood fire stoves.

My Thoughts; This book had so much promise, but I found the ending to be empty, leaving me with an uncomfortable and disappointed feeling.

The characters were likable enough but I didn't feel as though they evolved as the story went on. The selfish and less-than-thoughtful Father Jim stayed as such, just as Margaret, his wife, continued to tune out his selfish and less-than-thoughtful ways. From half way through the book I continued to hope that he would wake up and change his ways and I hoped that she would stand up for herself, but neither lived up to the potential.

Throughout this book there are so many times when you think it is going to pick-up, such as when the son, Billy, is lost in the cave, or when the threat of police at their door looms, but on all occasions the suspense turns into a lacking.

As I read and became less and less interested I held on the the hope that Johns would finish this book with a bang but, just as the rest of the book, the ending was a total anticlimax for me.

What I will say, however, is that Johns does have a very readable and relaxed writing style and I found that the book flowed easily from the first to last page.

If you are looking for an easy read that doesn't require much thought to fill in a lazy afternoon, this book would fill in the time. But if you are looking for an evocative and absorbing read I would continue browsing the shelves.

Happy Reading!

Schnapps Gives Me Mint Farts

2010-07-14T17:48:00.012+10:00

You Suck
A Love Story
by Christopher Moore

Genre; Comedy/Satire
Publisher; HarperCollins Publishing/New York/2007
Pages; 328
ISBN; 978-0-06-0592-29-1

"You bitch, you killed me! You Suck!"

Plot; Tommy and Jody may look like your average young couple, but if you take a closer look at their pale skin and blood spiked coffee it won't be long before you are running for your life.

You Suck is the sequel to Christopher Moore's Bloodsucking Fiends and is a satirical take on the current love of vampire fiction.

What would it really be like to be a creature of the night? Would you have the courage to take a human victim? What would it feel like to have fangs?

My Thoughts; This has to be one of the funniest books I have read in a long time, if not ever.

As we all know, vampire fiction is extremely popular at the moment with such series as the Twilight saga, the Blue Bloods novels and the Vampire Diaries. All of these series romanticise the life of a vampire, but Christopher Moore has taken a comical stand.

What is so wonderful about this book is how the young couple deal with becoming vampires. I imagine it is how your everyday person would really deal with the situation; the lisp which comes with the fangs, the desperate want of coffee you can't have, the use of wet wipes to clean the victim's neck before you bite.

There are so many hilarious scenes in this book. The visualisation of Tommy with a fur filled mouth after having tried to drink the blood of the "huge cat" was enough to make me laugh with tears, let alone after they shave the cat and dress it in a red jumper.

One of my favourite characters would have to be Abby, the "dedicated" minion. Any day on the street you can see those faux vampire teens, clad in black, wearing striped stockings and spiked dog collars, and I have often wondered how they would handle it if they were to encounter a real vampire. I wonder if they would take it in their stride as Abby seems to in this book.

What was lacking in this book was continuity. The first half is hilarious, to the point of making your gut ache from laughter, but in the second half it is as though Moore is so focused on the story progression that he leaves the comedy behind. Yes there is still the occassional spark of humour, but it was more sparatic than the page-by-page laughter of the first half. I found this to be a little dissappointing, because I wanted that comic relief to continue.

One more little tiff I have with this book is that I had no idea that it was a sequel until about half way through when I kept encountering characters I hadn't met before. Has anyone else ever had this happen to them? When I found this book, and read the synopsis on the back, I thought, "this sounds like alot fo fun", but nowhere on the cover, in the synopsis or in the leading paragraph does it mention being the sequel to another book. A big "2" on the front may have been a help!

With all this said, I would happily read the next book, Love Bites. If it is as funny as this one, it is guaranteed to be on my list of top comedies.

If you enjoy a book with "bite" you will love this book or, if you hate this current influx of teen vampire fiction, you will love the satire of You Suck.

NB. This book fulfils Challenge 2 in the Take Another Chance Challenge and has also been reviewed over at Find Another Book Here.

Happy Reading!

Blue Bloods Quickie

2010-07-14T16:28:00.008+10:00

The Blue Bloods Series;
Revelations and
The Van Alen Legacy
by Melissa de la Cruz

Genre; Young Adult/Contemporary/Science-Fiction
Publisher; Atom/2010/Great Britain
Pages; 264 and 369
ISBN; 978-1-905654-78-9 and
978-1-905654-79-6

After having read and reviewed the first two books of this series I am not going to go into too much detail about the third and forth installments, for two reasons. Firstly, I do not want to give away too much to those who have not been lucky enough to read the first two books yet and secondly, I don't want to harp on about this series post-after-post if there are readers who have read them and didn't find them as enjoyable as I did.

However, for those who are interested, I am going to tell you a few thoughts about Revelations and The Van Alen Legacy.

If you enjoyed the first two books in this series, you are going to continue to love these next installments.

I do have one little issue with The Van Alen Legacy and that is the, truly missed, lamp posts of information. As you may remember, in my previous Blue Bloods reviews, I talked about the effective use of diary entries and newspaper clippings as tools which not only created mystery but added to the rich back story. In Revelations Melissa de la Cruz has continued with this writing tool and has intorduced the use of Repository Archives, but sadly these little snippets have been omitted from The Van Alen Legacy, and I did miss having these juicy bits to mull over.

Having said this, I am as addicted as ever to this series and I am waiting with baited breath for the next book.

What I am really enjoying about this series is the character development. In the first book we are introudced to your typical group of high school students; the prima donna, the socialite, The jock, the ditz, the social outcast. But as each book continues we see new and more interesting sides of each character.

I hope that you are enjoying this series as much as I am and I cannot wait to share the next one with you!

Happy Reading!

Jewellery Giveaway!

2010-07-06T23:08:00.006+10:00

In honour of my recent review of The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, I am offering all my readers the chance to win a handcrafted, black and pink, beaded bracelet!

For your chance to win;

Tell us, in a few words, about your favourite article of clothing, and why it is your favourite. It may be an old pair of boots you wear everyday, or it may be that little dress you have hanging in the back of your wardrobe that you have never found occasion to wear.

Also, make sure you leave your name and email.

If anything happens it will not allow you to leave a comment on this post, email me your entry to nicoletrist@hotmail.com and I will leave the comment for you.

The giveaway is open as of right now and will close at Midnight, (Australian EST) on Thursday 29th July 2010. Winners will be announced shortly after.

Open to International Entries.

Make sure to check out the review HERE.

Best of Luck!

I Couldn't Help But Wonder...

2010-07-06T18:37:00.016+10:00

The Carrie Diaries
by Candace Bushnell

Meet Carrie Bradshaw before Sex and the City!

The Giveaway! Click Here!

Genre; Chick-Lit/Comedy
Publisher; HarperCollins Publishers/UK/2010
Pages; 389
ISBN; 978-0-00-731206-1

Plot; I think it is safe to say that we all know the sexily funny, forever stylish, New Yorker Carrie Bradshaw, but I think it is also safe to say that we don't all know the over-alls wearing, small town origins from which she came.

The Carrie Dairies is an introduction to the character that we all know and love.

Carrie is from a single parent household with two younger sisters in the small town of Castlebury. A student of Castlebury High, Carrie is far from being a member of the "popular crowd' but she does have a band of unforgetable and dramatic friends who are always by her side.

Throughout this "diary" we meet all the crew of Castlebury High and we watch as Carrie comes to terms with who she is as a woman, a person and a writer.

Raising such issues as homosexuality, virginity, fidelity and humility, The Carrie Diaries is the story of a young woman, during her senior year, deciding on what her future may hold.

My Thoughts; If you are a fan of Sex and the City , you are going to really enjoy this book.

I have always been a SATC fan. I watched the series, bought the DVDs and lined up to see both films. So when I saw this book on the shelf at my local bookstore, I knew I had to grab it. I am not dissappointed.

As I read this book I couldn't help but imagine the gestures and hear the voice of Sarah Jessica Parker, circa Footloose (1984).

While the Carrie of Castlebury may have the heart of the New York Carrie, from the outside she is a far cry from the Carrie we all know. At not one point did the importance of shoes even grace the pages! Not to mention the fact she enjoys cooking!

What does come through in this book is how confident Carrie is, even in times of distress she is sure of herself and her actions. This is the Carrie we know.

But, before I "carrie" on with the good stuff, I do have a few little issues with the book and that is continuity with the series. Firstly is the sister situation. In the book there is the typical sibling rivalry which you would find in any household containing three sisters, but having said this, the three are very close to oneanother. This begs the question; why no appearance of sisters Missy and Dorrit in the TV series?

The second issue is Carrie's highschool boyfriends. In the book she makes it clear that during highschool she only has three boyfriends; Sam, Doug and Sebastian. Now, as any of you SATC nuts will remember, in the final season of the show we get to meet Jeremy, played by David Duchovny, who is said to have been her main highschool relationship.

I don't mean to knit-pick, because I did love the book, but I am a big fan of continuity.

With all this said, this book is a real page turner. Even if you haven't watched the series, or seen the movies, you can enjoy this book as a coming of age tale. The charcters names can, at times, be questionable (Donna LaDonna?) but the characters themselves are very enjoyable, as is the relationships between these characters.

One of my favourite bits of this book, which actually brought a tear to my eye, was the appearance of another familiar name, but I won't say any more about that!

I would recommend this book to all SATC enthusiasts, as well as anyone who loves a fun read. I found I could relate alot to this book, as I think most of you will too.

Happy Reading!

The Truth is in the Blood

2010-07-06T18:12:00.007+10:00

Masquerade
A Blue Bloods Novel
by Melissa de la Cruz

Genre; Young Adult/Contemporary/Science-Fiction
Publisher; Atom/2010/Great Britain
Pages; 304
ISBN; 978-1-905654-77-2

Plot; In the first book of this series we meet Schyler Van Alen and the Blue Blood crew of Duchesne who are fighting to find the identity of the Silver Blood among them, slowly killing these immortal creatures one-by-one.

Masquerade is the second of this series and while planning the ball of the year, the annual Four Hundred Ball, Schyler thinks she may be onto the secret Silver Blood in their ranks. This knowledge takes her on a hunt to Venice to find her grandfather, Lawrence, who she has been told will know how to defeat this foe.

Will she find her grandfather before it is too late? And, will he be able to offer her the help she needs?

My Thoughts; Yet abother great book in this series! After reading the first Blue Bloods novel I was hoping that Melissa de la Cruz would keep up the suspense and intrigue, and she most definitely has.

I don't want to say too much through fear of giving away the surprises for those who have not read the first book, but I must say that I think this book is an improvement on the first, which I didn't think was possible.

Again Melissa de la Cruz has used some very effective writing techniques throughout this story. In the first book she used regular diary entries as kind of lamp posts to move the reader forward in terms of knowledge of the history of the Blue Bloods. In Masquerade she has used a similar format, only she has exchanged the diary entries for newspaper clippings. This is a wondeful tool for not only marking inportant events in the plot timeline, but it also adds to the mystery because, if you have read the first book you will know, that each diary entry or newspaper clipping is relevant to the modern day Blue Bloods. At every clipping I enjoyed sitting back and trying to reason who the clipping may be referring to.

As much as I love the New York setting for this series, it was nice to take a trip to Venice in this installment. There is something so lucious about seeing this ancient line of Blue Bloods against the historical backdrop of Venice; riding in gondolas, slipping through the maze of alleys, walking over cobbled bridges.

As I have said before, I do not want to say too much, because I do not want to give away too much to those who have not read the first book, so I will end my review here. But I will say this, if you see these books sitting on the shelves of your library or corner store, you should definitely reach out and grab a copy, because, if you are anything like me, you will become quickly addicted to them.

Happy Reading!

A Forbidden Romance

2010-07-02T14:10:00.016+10:00

The Spanish Witch
by Anne Herries

Genre; Historical/Fiction/Romance
Publisher; Manga Large Print Books/2004/England
Pages; 365
ISBN; 0-7505-2274-7

"She was a Spaniard - and beyond his reach..."

Plot; When Dona Magdalene d'Ortega was summoned to take her place next to Nicholas Treggaron, Queen's Elizabeth's envoy, at dinner with the King Phillip of Spain, little did she guess that her days of innocence were numbered.

Magdalene would soon be caught up in the nightmare of the Inquisition, and accused of witchcraft and heresy.

Treggaron was prepared to disobey his Queen to save her, but what would he demand in return?

When Dona Magdalene learnt the true nature of his mission, would she turn from him in hatred?

My Thoughts; What a great fast-paced thrill for a lazy, rainy afternoon. Once I picked this book up I couldn't put it down until I had reached the heart stopping end.

Strictly speaking this book is classified as a romance novel, but in my opinion it should be shifted to the historical fiction pile. Yes there is romance, and it is cheek-reddening romance, but this book also has a rich dose of English history thrown in to make it a very entertaining, and very enthralling read.

In terms of romance, this is your typical "abrupt and lonely pirate treating his woman badly and she loves him anyway" type novel, but what makes this book so much more entertaining is the the great dialogues with coarse but endearing Queen Elizabeth, the thrilling canon-ball battles, the heated chase of the evil Spanish Inquisition and the snake-like threat of a conniving, murderous priest.

I found the characters in this novel to be very enjoyable people to take this journey with. Magdalene may be your typical damsel in distress through most of the book, but you cannot help but feel for the woman, whose only curse is that she is beautiful and naive, which of course makes her a witch in the eyes of the heartless Inquisition.

Nick, the hero of the tale, may be domineering and jealous by nature, but you cannot help but like him. He has had a terribly troubling past which haunts him and it almost makes his faults understandable.

I must give a hand to Herries for the research that must have gone into this book; the old language, the history of the Inquisition and Armada, the ways of the English court. Herries has taken what could have been a sappy and disinteresting story and made it an engrossing page-turner.

I must also give Herries a hand for the way this book has been constructed. At times it made me laugh at how different men and woman really are. Herries has, ever-so-cleverly, written this book so that you first see it through Magdalene's eyes and then through the eyes of Nick which, for most of the time, showed exactly how men and woman vary in their understanding of events and actions.

I would recommend this book to anyone who, like me, loves historical fiction with a touch of forbidden love. It is definitely a book to curl up on the lounge with, cup of tea in hand.

Happy Reading!

YouTube

2010-06-30T18:59:00.003+10:00

Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to tell you how excited I am to have a new YouTube Video!!

Come and check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnGvnDDMdJw

Happy Viewing!!!

Blue Blooded Creatures

2010-06-30T16:16:00.013+10:00

Hello Everyone!
I know it has been a while since I have reviewed anything, but with a bunch of assessments out of the way and a few days child-free you can expect a few reviews over the next week!

Blue Bloods
Part 1 of the Blue Bloods series
by Melissa de la Cruz

Genre; Young Adult/Contemporary/Science-Fiction
Publisher; Atom/2010/Great Britain
Pages; 302
ISBN; 978-1-905654-74-1

Plot; Schuyler Van Alen is part of the New York aristocracy, but she has never felt as though she fits in to her high-brow Manhattan school, Duchesne.

Clad in layers of black, Schuyler didn't think she was anything like the typical blonde, Versace wearing Duchesne student until she discovers the one characteristic that ties her to them; the blue blood coursing through their veins.

Only the most exclusive of students at Duchesne are vampires and, unbeknownst to them, there is someone, or something, hunting each one down and killing them.

With their powers developing and their bewitching pasts coming to light, will the young vampires discover who or what is draining the blue blood from them one-by-one?

My Thoughts; After writing this review I am going to rush out and buy the next installment of this addictive and intoxicatingly enjoyable series.

I have never been one to get into the current trends. I have seen the Twilight and Harry Potter films, I even own the DVDs, but I never raced to buy the books. Having said this, I am definitely going to get my hands on the books of this series.

Blue Bloods is like Twilight meets Gossip Girl. However, the one aspect of this series which leads me to enjoy it more than the Twilight series is the depth and intrigue of history. As well as the depictions of modern day, young vampires bustling about New York in their designer garbs there is also a rich historical aspect, going as far back as Ancient Egypt, and it adds so much more juice to this story.

I will be honest, when I first saw this book on the shelf at the store I though, "not another teen vampire book..." but I am now glad I picked it up. What this book has that the others don't is the vibrant and engrossing back story.

The characters in this story are very likable and there is something so wonderful about watching how each character handles the news of their new identity; some using it as a new way to enforce their power, some laughing it off as the talk of crazy people, some fearful of what their new life will bring. I think, however, that the way in which Schuyler handles it is the way I would like to think I would handle it. She takes it in her stride and delves into understanding it more.

This book has been well written. The sparatic inserts of old diary entries really adds to the intrigue and works as a great tool for creating mystery, even if at times I had to really take my time to be able to understand the old hand-writing.

Another aspect of the writing which works extremely well is the bouncing back and forth between perpectives, from Schuyler to Mimi to Bliss. This adds another dimension to the reader's understanding of this huge change the characters are going through and how it effects them.

This may be classified as Young Adult but, unless Melissa de la Cruz makes some dire mistake, this is quite a good series for anyone to get hooked on.

Want to read my review of the next installment?

Happy Reading!

A Hero is Born

2010-06-02T23:44:00.010+10:00

Identity Assumption
by Raymond Beresford Hamilton

Genre; Fiction/Thriller
Publisher; Virtual Bookworm Publishing/USA/2009
Pages; 199

Plot; Steven Heidelberg is an ordinary man, with a loving wife and two beautiful children. On just a regular day, as Steven goes about his usual duties he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Ivan Morozov is a deadly Russian assassin who, using the false name of Stan Emerson, has been following the movements of Ernie Radix, Steve Heidelberg's employer, who has stolen millions of dollars from the Russian Government.

As the paths of both men cross their lives are changed irrevocably, leaving Steven in a fight for his life.

My Thoughts; This little gem is a wonderful Sunday afternoon thrill.

I sat and read this book in the one sitting and in that sitting I managed tears, I managed smiles and most of all, I managed to hold my breath countless times waiting to hear what happens next.

This book is marketed as a "strong, multi-plot thriller" and that is exactly what you get. Hamilton has taken a fast paced action plot and blended it with the emotionally strong family plot, and he has done it successfully, with a fluid movement between the two.

There is only one negative comment I have for this book and that it can be a little simplistic at times. There are moments in this book where things are implied and they are easily understood, but Hamilton goes on to say it anyway and I found this to be a little unnecessary. This as times takes the writing from an adult level to the way one may speak with a child; stating the obvious, using basic terminology.

However, having said this, it is well written for the most part. Hamilton gives wonderful, easy-to-follow descriptions of events, but he isn't overly descriptive to the point of monotonous. Hamilton has also formulated a cohesive crew of characters which I couldn't help but enjoy the company of.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, fast paced thriller with a touch of passion, a pinch of family love and a heaping of suspence.

Happy Reading!

Lurking in the Shadows

2010-06-02T23:00:00.013+10:00

Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley

Genre; Classic/Fiction/Thriller
Publisher; Isis Press (Large Print)/Oxford/1986
Pages; 319

Plot; Victor Frankenstein is a young man from an aristocratic family. He has a keen interest in science and, after his studies, he realises that nothing is more important to him than the acclaim and appreciation he would receive for creating some new scientific masterpiece.

Frankenstein begins his work building the body of the human and believes his dreams of success will have been reached when he can bring this "human" into existence, but the creature he creates is not what he has bargained for and Frankenstein finds himself in a hell of his own making.

My Thoughts; For the first book review I have written in weeks, I was hoping that Frankenstein would be a wonderful start. Sadly, only one word comes to mind with this book; disappointing.

As I started this book I was so excited, knowing that this book is one of those select few which acted as an avante gard work, leading to such modern works of paranormal fiction as the Twilight saga. I was also excited knowing that Frankenstein is considered one of the most frightening of tales.

As I began to read and the fear factor was just not there I reasoned that down to being my own modern level of fear because, as we all know, us modern folk can handle alot more creepy bits than those of times gone by. What I didn't expect was the monotony of the read.

What frustrated me the most about this book was the detail of description that Shelley has gone into when describing such things as the surrounding landscapes (and believe me, this book travels through alot of very similar and mundane landscapes) and yet she doesn't give us much of a description of the key elements, such as the "beast". I understand the concept behind this, to keep the reader from experiencing the vulgarity of knowing how such a creature looks, but I would have rathered a description of the creature than to read page after page of trickling waters, rolling clouds and rocky hills.

There were alot of times when I skipped through large chunks of text and this mainly comes down to the repetition of landscape. The first few times Shelley talks of the glorious mountains it is beautiful, but after a while one mountain just starts to sound like the next.

Another aspect of this tale which I found frustrating was the detail in which Shelley goes into when talking about the peasant family and their history. As I read the history of the family I was expecting from then on that it would play some important role in the continuation of the story. By the end of the book I realised that it was, in my opinon, a totally irrelevant waste and I felt cheated.

What I did gain from this book, however, is a lesson on judgement. From the start the "beast" is feared purely because of his appearance even though he is not only well spoken but keen to be educated. It is a classic case of don't judge a book by its cover, and what better payback for that judgement that murder and mayhem!

What I must commend Shelley on is the fact that she wrote this book when she was only nineteen. Looking back, I am fairly sure that at nineteen I was more focused on writing messages to friends to even consider accomplishing something as wonderful as writing a book.

I think I am now going to have to visit the local DVD store and pick up a copy of a few Frankenstein movies to see what the fuss is about. After having read the book, and knowing how popular the Frankenstein flicks have been, I can only guess that their is a marked change between page and screen.

To anyone who has their heart set on reading this book, don't let my review put you off. Go for it. But for those expecting a scarey, nail biting thriller, there are other less monotonous reads out there which will give you the scare and a good read at the same time.

Happy Reading!

Giveaway Winners

2010-06-02T22:49:00.003+10:00

Long overdue is the announcement of who are the lucky winners of the two giveaways which ended in May, and they are;

Double Out and Back - Janet Faye

Terror's Child - Megan

Both winners will receive their books via email shortly!

Congrats and Happy Reading!

I'm Back!!

2010-06-02T22:31:00.008+10:00

Who would have known that studying publishing would keep me away from reading!

I have spent the last few weeks immersed in getting to know the process of how a manuscript becomes a published work, and when not doing that I am proofreading sheet after sheet of textbook pages.

But, I am back! I am so glad to be back!

Firstly I would like to let you guys know that Amy over at The Black Sheep Dances has sent me an award. Now, I should say that this award is fairly ironic considering it is the "Prolific Blogger" award and I have been less than a "Prolific Blogger" over the past weeks. Having said this I am so excited to accept the award and promise to do a bit better from now on.

Now, onto the juicy stuff; books!

I have two reviews for you today; one being a classic which I am sure you have all heard of (unless you dwell under a Siberian rock, and even then I am sure you would have heard of it at some point) and the other is a newbie book full of action and thrills.

Then in the coming weeks I have a big selection coming your way, including (in no specific order);

The Eye of the Leopard by Henning Mankell
The Hurricane Party by Klas Ostergren
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey
Metra City: Destiny's Kiss by Jaree Francis
Musical Chairs by Jen Knox
The Uniques: Act 1 Dawn by Adam Stiles
Cannibals' Gold by Richard G. Tomkies
The Cicada by Inge Meldgaard
The Health Farm Murders by Merryll Manning
The Pack by LM Preston
Revenge by Sharon Osbourne
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Love in a Torn Land by Jean Sasson and,
Quentins by Maeve Binchy

I hope you guys can read along with me on a few of these and I look forward to each and every one of your comments!

Happy Reading!

Fiery Bum Syndrome

2010-04-22T13:16:00.018+10:00

Bravemouth: Living with Billy Connolly
by Pamela Stephenson

Genre; Biography/Comedy
Publisher; Headline/London/2003
ISBN; 0-7553-1293-7
Pages; 241

Plot; Abused child, turn welder, turn folk-singer, turn comedian, turn actor, Bravemouth is about living with the enigmatic, genius who is Billy Connolly.

Focusing on Billy's upcoming 60th birthday party, Pamela Stephenson talks about her husband and the traumatic roots from which he has grown a successful career and happy family. The book climaxing with one hell of a birthday bash and a troubling, yet beneficial, trip to Africa.

My Thoughts; As Billy would say, "Och!"

What a fantastic read! I have not laughed that much in a long, long while. "Pamsy" takes the man that we all already know and love and manages to make him all the more lovable.

Firstly I want to compliment the writing. Stephenson has structured this book brilliantly, focusing the story on the extravagant 60th birthday party she throws for Billy with continual flashes back to how the Billy Connolly we know became the Billy Connolly we know. She spreads light on all those things we didn't know about Billy, sometimes making us angry, sometimes bringing a tear to the reader's eye and, most commonly, making us roll on the floor with uncontrollable laughter.

What I think is one of the most precious things about this book is how Stephenson exposes the real Billy. The real Billy who may joke about his "saggy arse" on stage, but who is just as concerned about the sag as any other 60 year old male. The real Billy who everyday questions why he has been so lucky and wonders why he is showered with accolades which he feels he doesn't deserve.

Another aspect of this book I found irresistible was trying to figure out who all the celebrities are Stephenson talks about. Billy has alot of celebrity friends (the man had over 300 guests at his birthday party, I would be lucky to wrangle 30!) and while there are alot of names mentioned there are alot which Stephenson hints at without full disclosure. Such as, the young male actor Billy has worked with who, on a flight seated next to Billy, complained of how exhausting it was to "entertain" two to three L.A. women a day! After reading that paragraph I found myself looking up Billy's film list on IMDB looking for young, male stars.

Bravemouth, at times, can be an emotional book. Yes, Billy has had a troubled youth which can stir up feelings from the reader, but what I found most upsetting was the times when Stephenson voices heart-felt regrets of the time she is not with her husband while he is either touring or travelling. When Billy is home, or when the couple is together, you can imagine how fun and funny their life is, but you can also imagine how saddening it must be to spend those months apart, particularly when Billy is such a strong presence when he is at home.

This book is an educational read. I now know that when I have a craving for curry and plan to spend a night gorging myself at the local curry house, in anticipation of "fiery bum syndrome", it is beneficial to leave a few rolls of toilet paper in the freezer before leaving the house!

If you are a fan of Billy Connolly, or if you have ever watched the man and he has made you laugh, this is the book for you. Treat yourself, the countless laughs are well worth the purchase.

Happy Reading!

Happy 101 Award

2010-04-16T15:18:00.006+10:00

The Happy 101 Award

I would like to thank Cate Masters for this award, it is greatly appreciated!

In order to accept this award I need to tell you 10 of my favourite things before passing the award on to 10 blogs. So here they are;

1. Favourite song - Metallingus by Alter Bridge
2. Favourite colour - Purple
3. Favourite movie - The Other Sister
4. Favourite number - 21
5. Favourite era - The 1950's
6. Favourite animal - The Koala
7. Favourite historical figure - Marie Antoinette
8. Favourite holiday spot - Cairo, Egypt
9. Favourite male movie star - Channing Tatum
10. Favourite food - Thai Stuffed Chicken Wings

Now, to those blogs I think are fantastic and are worth the follow;

Advance Booking
Better with Books
Book Bites
Deb's Book Reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Ginger High
Home Girl's Book Blog
New Shelves
Patricia's Vampire Notes
Wendi's Book Corner

Happy Reading!

Love means never having to say you're sorry...

2010-04-11T09:17:00.015+10:00

Book to Film Comparison
Love Story by Erich Segal

Book
Publisher; Wheeler Publishing/USA/1970
ISBN; 1-58724-268-0 (Large Print)
Pages; 136

Film
Director; Arthur Hiller
Starring; Ali MacGraw/Ryan O'Neal
Details; USA/1970/99min/IMDB

Plot; Oliver Barrett IV, a law student and sportsman, is the son of a businessman whose family's wealth travels back generations. Such a wealthy and powerful family that one of the buildings at Oliver's school, Harvard, is named after the Barrett family.

However, the Barrett family is not a happy family, with a strong rift between Father and Son which threatens their already delicate relationship.

Jennifer Cavilleri is an outspoken and talented music student. The devoted and loving daughter of a single Father who owns a bakery, she has dreams of studying in Europe.

They are an unlikely couple who find an honest and intimate love with one another, for which there is a cost.

My Thoughts; I admit that this book and film did have the "built up to disappointment" cling to it. I had, of course, heard the famous line, "love means never having to say you're sorry" and I knew of its award winning past, but I think because I knew all this I was expecting so much more. But, once you look past the cliches and the overly predictable plot this isn't such a bad story.

Firstly I want to have a major knit-pick about the opening line of both the book and film. I wish that I hadn't known from that first line that Jennifer would die. I think that if I had not known from the start that Jennifer would die that the ending would have held alot more emotion for me, because there would have been that shock. Yes, there is the shock of how she dies, but I would have preferred to blindly travel through the story without knowing until the end. Did anyone else think this?

I would have to say in this case, and this is a rarity, that I actually preferred the film. Usually I prefer the book because it delves into the story further and introduces the reader to a richer storyline. In the case of Love Story, I preferred the simplicity of the film. The film focuses more on the couple. The book does focus on the couple but with more appearances from the other characters, while the film keeps the other characters to a minimum, which I think enriches the depiction of the bond between Oliver and Jennifer.

One thing I must note though, is that I didn't like the portrayal of Jennifer in the film. As I read the book I pictured Jennifer in a completely different light. In the book when she refers to Oliver as "preppie" I was reading it as a more comical term of endearment, but as I watched the film it was almost as though she was looking down her nose as she said it. Actually, through most of the film as she talked she looked down her nose, whereas the Jennifer I pictured in the book was outspoken but lighthearted.

Having said this, I thought the portrayal of Oliver was spot on, if not better that how the character was originally written. I though the Oliver of the film seemed alot softer than the Oliver of the book, which I found more appealing.

All in all the book is a nice, quick and entertaining read and the film is a good one to relax on the couch with on a Sunday afternoon.

A touch of trivia for you; Love Story was the film debut for Tommy Lee Jones and I must say that, although the film was shot over 30 years ago, apart from a few grey hairs Tommy Lee Jones looks basically the same!

Happy Reading and Happy Viewing!

Book Giveaway

2010-04-08T21:35:00.006+10:00

Terror's Child
by Richard Parr

Book Review
Author Interview

For your chance to win a copy of Richard Parr's Terror's Child eBook please leave your name and email address.

If you have any issues with leaving a comment, please feel free to send your entry via email to nicoletrist@hotmail.com

Giveaway Close - Midnight Thursday 6th May 2010

Good Luck!

Author Interview - Richard Parr

2010-04-08T21:27:00.006+10:00

Author Interview with
Richard Parr
Author of Terror's Child

Book Review
Book Giveaway

A Bit About the Book;

Why this book? Why this story?
There is a lot of suffering in the world, and it struck me that although many refer to it as a reason not to believe in a God, there are many (maybe even more) who see suffering as a reason to embrace God the more firmly. These accept the concept that God is in control, but also that he allows, and may even use suffering to prompt us toward eternal things. Along those lines there are also those who create suffering to fulfill what they believe is God’s will. This story attempts to portray these viewpoints. However, it is Christian fiction; therefore the story leans that way.

How long did it take you to write “Terror’s Child”?
I managed to write the story in four months. There were some very long days involved.

Who is your favourite character and why?
That would have to be Jasim. A man whose actions and decisions seem despicable, but whose heart and integrity prove genuine. He struggles throughout the book with questions we all face, but his zeal pushes him further than most are willing to go.

Which character is most like you?
I can see myself in most of them, but none in particular.

Are any of the characters based on living people?
No. Although people I’ve known do come to mind when depicting certain characters, I’ve based no character around anyone in particular.

There are some very confronting issues in “Terror’s Child”, are these things that you have had to deal with yourself or have you put countless hours of research into this novel?
My writing is, in part, a way of dealing with these issues, presenting them in a story that creates a specific context and personal attachment. Have I personally experienced the issues and dramas of my books characters? No. Do I think about what I would do if I was confronted with these situations? Yes. That also takes research, lots of research.

A Bit About the Author;

When you’re not writing, where would we find you?
Normally either with my family or in the garage building something. My son and youngest daughter love hanging out with me in the garage. We’ve built everything from a sword and shield to a jewelry box to an off-road buggy.

Who do you take your inspiration from? Do you have a role model?
As a Christian I aim to take example from Christ, but there have been many throughout my life you’ve shone in some way or another and demonstrated something noble to imitate; to many to mention infact.

Who is your favourite author?
In the fantasy genre I’d say Raymond. E. Feist; In the action genre, Clive Cussler; in Christian literature, Lynn Austin; historical fiction, Robert Harris, but there are many more I could add.

What are you currently reading?
Four books actually: Mourning into Dancing by Walter Wangerin, Jr; Imperium by Robert Harris; The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh; Equinox by Michael White.

If you could be any character from any story, who would you be and why?
I think that would have to be High King Peter from the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S.Lewis. I read and re-read these books so many times when growing up that I could recite most scenes now if ask to.

What is next for Richard Parr?
I’m currently working on a third novel, Truth to tell, which deals with the topic of skeletons in the closet and what happens when such secrets are forced out into the open.

Anything you would like to add?
Only to thank you for this opportunity and to let any readers now that I would love to hear from them if they have any comment regarding my book. I can be contacted on parrster@gmail.com

You can purchase Richard's book at; http://terrorschild.yolasite.com/

Happy Reading!

In The Name of God...?

2010-04-08T20:34:00.012+10:00

Terror's Child
by Richard Parr

Author Interview
Book Giveaway

Genre; Fiction/Drama/Terrorism/Christian
Publisher; eBook/Self-Published
Pages; 406

"Tears fell warm down his cheeks, their salty tang an emphasis to the bitterness of his loss, and the sweetness of her memory..." (Page 127)

Plot; Terry Sinclair, by all appearances, is the average man until his wife is murdered and his infant child abducted by terrorists.

With the help of his renewed faith and a motley band of characters, including a snap happy atheist, an unwaveringly strong policeman, a christian aid worker and an ex-terrorist guide, Terry goes on the search for his daughter. Spanning various continents, Terry's journey takes him from Australia through Indonesia, Egypt and other nameless locations with a heart-pounding climax in Niger.

My Thoughts; This book is not at all what I was expecting when I accepted it for review. After reading the plot synopsis on the author's website I was expecting an action packed read filled with gun toting terrorist and bomb blasts, and don't get me wrong those are in the book, but for me the book was more about people and their internal struggles with their emotions and, more importantly, their faith.

I am not a religious person and when I first started to read this book, and I realised it was Christian fiction, I thought, "Oh no, I am going to have read through page after page of preaching" but Terror's Child is so much more than that. What I found with this book is an indepth look into how people use their faith to survive their struggles and how sometimes it is even that struggle with faith which is the help.

What I especially liked about this story was that, although it is Christian fiction, you have a variety of characters with a variety of beliefs, all of which are expressed and most of which pose no true rift between the characters (with the exception of the terrorists and their beliefs of course).

This book has been well written and well constructed. The erray of individual characters is balanced and credible while the back-and-forth format from terrorist to the innocent provides distincition and entertainment.

As previously said, I am not a religious person but I do have an interest in how people form, sustain and cope with their faith and I would suggest this book to anyone who has that same interest.

I would also recommend this book for the entertaining, nail-biting adventure that it is. Parr has put alot of research and effort into this absorbing read.

Book available from; http://terrorschild.yolasite.com/

Happy Reading!

Book Giveaway

2010-04-06T15:51:00.004+10:00

Double Out and Back
by Lisa Lipkind Leibow

Book Review
Author Interview

For your chance to win a copy of this EBook, please leave your name and email address in the comment section.

If you have any problems with leaving a comment please email your entry to nicoletrist@hotmail.com with "Double Out" as the subject line.

Giveaway Close; Midnight Tuesday 4th May 2010

Good Luck!

Author Interview - Lisa L Leibow

2010-04-06T15:42:00.004+10:00

Interview with
Lisa Lipkind Leibow
Author of Double Out and Back

Book Review
Book Giveaway

A Bit About the Book;

Why this book? Why this story?
I wrote Double Out and Back because I became curious and fascinated with the sociological and societal impacts of assisted reproductive technologies. There are so many different ways we can start families these days, ranging from good old fashioned sex, and adoption, to artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, donated eggs, sperm, or embryos. Children may grow up in homes with a mother and father, single parents, or same-sex parents. Women can give birth to babies not biologically related to them, and the list goes on. I wanted to explore these issues from a literary perspective.

How long did it take you to write Double Out and Back?
I can write a first draft in a couple of months. But it’s a brain-dump only fit for my eyes – a means of getting the story out of my head and onto the page. From there I can refine and revise for years. If left to my own devices, I could probably work on the same novel for my entire life. I can always find a way to enhance a character, weave in a new subplot, or tweak the language. With Double Out and Back, my editor finally had to tell me it was time to let go and let the public have it. From the beginning of the first draft to the time my editor told me, “enough” about five years passed.

Who is your favourite character and why?
Hmm...That’s a tough one because I know what happens to all of them and I don’t want to give any spoilers! I guess if I had to choose one to be, I’d choose Amelia. She soothes her nerves with gourmet therapy, and I wish I had the time to cook the delicious meals she does! I also find her quirkiness quite amusing. I love her. Don’t tell the other characters, because they all think that I love them best. It’s part of the way I coax them out of my imagination. {wink!}

Which character is most like you?
Really, there’s a bit of me in every character I write. I have to stand in their shoes to create believable reactions and meaningful perceptions. However, in Double Out and Back, many friends and family may see close ties to the background and profession of Summer and my own. However, she had to face so many challenges to starting a family that I luckily never had to face in real life. I only had to imagine and live through the trials and tribulations with her and perfect it on the page.

Are any of the characters based on living people?
Some qualities and quirks of my characters are inspired by real people, by images conjured from family folklore, and by amalgamations of anecdotes gleaned from friends and acquaintances who shared their experiences coping with infertility.

There are some very confronting issues in Double Out and Back, are these things that you have had to deal with yourself or have you put countless hours of research into this novel?
I’m lucky in that my life has been quite boring from a literary perspective. While I’ve taken nuggets of experience I have observed or come close to, much of the drama, obstacles, and moral dilemmas faced by the characters on the pages of Double Out and Back are purely borne of my wild imagination, my constant anxiety over Murphy’s Law, and my constant questioning of what if…

A Bit About the Author;

When you’re not writing where would we find you?
When I’m not writing, I love to spend time as my kids’ biggest fan. I have so many opportunities to cheer in the stands and applaud in the audience with their busy extra-curricular lives playing baseball, basketball, lacrosse, trumpet, viola, singing in chorus, and more. I also love to going to great restaurants, to the theater, to professional and college ball games, and to the movies with my husband and friends. In between all of that happy chaos, I try to choose activities that counteract all of the sitting that writing requires. Some of my favorite pastimes are yoga, spin class, and jogging. You might be surprised to find out that I just received a gift certificate to take trapeze lessons! There’s got to be a future story in that odd activity…

Who do you take your inspiration from? Do you have a role model?
I find inspiration from all around me. Character traits come from my parents and sisters, my husband and sons, as well as from strangers on the street, on the metro, in a coffee shop, or airport gate. My curious nature and love of travel, sightseeing, and museums opens up the world around me, bringing ideas for new settings, situations, and story lines. I’m fascinated by the choices people make in life and the obstacles we overcome. There’s always a story in there, somewhere. I love to people-watch and imagine what someone’s story might be. In fact, so much around me inspires my craft, I devote my blog Lisa Leibow’s Fodder For Fiction to this very topic. There, I share observations about the quirky, silly, deep, and meaningful things in life that not only entertain on the spot, but also contribute to a great store of facts and tidbits I draw from in developing character, setting, and plot in my fiction writing. As for whether I have a role model? I may have too many to count. However, I’ve named a few in my answer to the next question. (How’s that for a transition? {wink})

Who is your favourite author?
I’m heavily influenced by what I love to read. I have so many literary heroes, I could write volumes on the subject. I’ll share a few with you here.
I’m in awe of Alice Munro’s ability to sum up an entire lifetime in a sentence. I love the quirky characters of John Irving , the vivid, detailed descriptions of Ayn Rand, and the strong, pithy dialogue of Ernest Hemingway. I admire the character driven fiction of Julia Glass and the expertly plotted tales of Steven King. I admire the boldness of Barbara Kingsolver to tackle multiple, first-person points-of-view in one novel, and Amy Tan’s ability to carry me to a time and place I’ve never been and make it seem real to me.

What are you currently reading?
I’m in the middle of a couple of books at the moment. I’m reading The Photograph by Penelope Lively for fun, and The Hemings’s of Monticello as part of the research for my work in progress, which takes place in Colonial America.

If you could be any character from any story, who would you be and why?
This is another one of those questions that I would answer different on any given day. Why, on a day I shared one of my favorite Children’s stories, I might choose, Bartholomew, from Dr. Seuss’s Bartholomew and the Ooblek. Why? Well, it would be amazing to be the one to set the King straight and save the empire from green goop. On a day where I’m feeling romantic, I might answer I wish to step back in time and become Phillipa Gregory’s Other Boleyn Girl, so I might experience the excitement of life on Henry XIII’s court. You might even catch me on a day where I’d choose to be Sidda from Rebecca Wells’s Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood because it would be nice to be given the gift of seeing my mother through her friends’ eyes and learning something new about her that might help me to make decisions about my own future. But you asked me this question today. And, today, if I could be any character from any story, I’d be Chief Bromden from Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. You might find this an odd choice since this is a character in a mental institution. However, at the moment, I feel the challenge in my current work in progress to improve my narrative voice. I’m striving to become a silent observer, a perfect narrator. That is why I wish to be like Chief Bromden.

What is next for Lisa Lipkind Leibow?
I tend to have several projects at once, at various stages of development. Right now, I’m putting the finishing touches on a novel that is a tale of modern feminism in a complex world. It chronicles the life of an Iranian émigré, from her repressed childhood in 1950s Tehran to her eventual liberation over 40 years later. The main character’s saga begins in pre-revolutionary Iran—a land of contradictions, where mini-skirted women with college degrees face arranged marriages. At the same time, I’m in the midst of revising the first draft of a middle grade high fantasy novel that I wrote during moments I needed a break from more serious subject matter. It’s pure fun! I’m also well underway in the first draft of a novel that takes place during the Revolutionary War. It’s turning into a fictional slave narrative. I’m excited about it. While I divide my time among these projects, other ideas are percolating, and I have three or four other concepts in research phase, which means I’m reading everything I can on the subjects, conducting interviews, and visiting locations.

Anything you would like to add?
Sure! First, I love to participate in reading group discussions of Double Out and Back. Book Clubs should feel free to contact through my website to arrange for me to join you via telephone, skype, on-line chat, or live if you’re in the D.C. Metropolitan area.
Also, look for my latest success! My short story Forbidden Passion will appear in the 2010 issue of Sanskrit Literary Arts Magazine. I’ll also be reading a passage at The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia on April 8, and appearing Reading Day in Hagerstown, Maryland on May 1.

Next, I encourage you to support small presses like Red Rose Publishing and buy Double Out and Back direct at Red Rose Publishing.

Double Out and Back is also available at the following:

All Romance Books
Mobi Pocket
Book Strand
Amazon

Finally, thank you so much for asking me such thoughtful questions. I enjoyed participating in this interview so much!

Thank you Lisa for taking part in this interview!

I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did.

Happy Reading!

Not All Going to Plan

2010-04-06T15:35:00.006+10:00

Double Out and Back
By Lisa Lipkind Leibow

Author Interview
Book Giveaway

Guest Reviewer- U.L. Harper, author of The Flesh Statue

Genre; Fiction/Drama/EBook
Publisher; Red Rose Publishing/New York/2009
Pages; 496

U.L. Harper’s Review; We talk about books being a way to take us somewhere else, to enable us to be somewhere where we could never be. What people usually fail to mention is how books let us think in ways we usually wouldn't think. With that being said I'm a man who has never thought about giving birth and has no intention of giving birth--not just because that at the moment it's mostly impossible, and not just because if I were pregnant my friends would seriously make fun of me, but because I simply couldn't handle all the aspects of it. Solidifying my thoughts on this was my read of Double Out And Back by Lisa Leibow.

This story focuses on Amelia, Summer and Chandy--three women brought together because of one thing: infertility.

Amelia suffers from chronic bad luck with men. At one point she found the perfect wrong man. Perfect because he was attractive and they got along for a duration of time as platonic friends and, well, they were single. He was the wrong guy because he was gay. It took her a few decades to figure it out but there it was--her last chance was, low and behold, pretty darned fond of the same sex. And to make matters worse he found someone to be with, which was something she couldn't do with any reasonable amount of hope and/or luck. Though she still wanted a kid…badly.

Keep that snapshot of Amelia with you as we move on to her niece, Summer.

Summer has bigger problems. Her body is being difficult so she needs to get serious help in getting pregnant by her husband. The question is if that's the actual problem or not. It seems the real problem is that she wants to move up in the chain of command at work. See, if she acts quickly her chances greatly increase to have a child; however, she thinks she can become a partner at the firm and if that can happen then she wants to time her pregnancy so that her life is a little more convenient. To add to it she's pretty sure that her firm is too old fashioned to let her be pregnant with a child and be a partner at the same time. This makes her hesitant to get it done, so to speak. All the while I'm thinking this: What's convenient about having a child? Girl you're crazier than wearing a purple dress on your wedding day. Start your family.

What ties them together is Chandy--the doctor that performs the procedures that can change these women's lives forever. Chandy specializes in infertility and has many answers. She has answers to questions that I didn't even know existed. Or questions that I didn't care existed would probably be more accurate.

In Double Out And Back there isn't some twist at the end when the author reveals that he/she has fooled you and the story isn't really about what you thought it was about. There aren't any huge holy cow ideas floating around as themes. There are no super heroes (and even if there were, do you really want to see Wonder Woman pregnant? Think about it). This book simply relies on solid writing. Period. Because of the spot-on characterizations of Amelia, Summer and Chandy I could connect with this story. No matter the subject matter I can always connect with people. So let's briefly talk about the development of the subject matter. The author clearly knew the subject or researched it well. In the story there are chat rooms that discuss the subject matter in nicely portrayed everyday conversation. I never felt lost in what to me was quite a lot of new information, and you know what, I think I learned something. So there. How all the information came in a timely fashion and through families and through time was a nice touch. All of the information given was meant to be learned through growth of people as a whole, not only growth of intellect.

Now let me make something clear. This is a page turner but not in the traditional sense. It's not that the book reads fast, it's that you read it fast. It has moments when it's more exciting than others, for sure, like when that guy gets murdered, or, of course, the more, let's say, sensual scenes if you know what I mean. Though for the most part this is a novel that you lean back on your couch, turn on some slow jazz (Miles Davis) and just watch these lives read by. Nobody is in a hurry here. Take your time. Let it come to you. Marinate in it. Someone might think of this as slow, but it's not. By the time you leave the story you know the situations and main characters so well that a week later you want to call up the main characters and see how they're doing, which I did. Just kidding.

This isn't to say everything was perfect. There were times when I would have loved to chime in and speak for Summer's husband. I would have been using curse words while telling her that we had to get crazy with it, now woman, now! Look at that clock it's ticking!, but that might just be me. I don't know. There are other times when I wanted to stop Summer from pining over her lame boss. Yes, I gave it away. There is a lame boss in the story. I'm horrible. Spoiler alert!

It's an ebook and by the way it's the first ebook I've ever read. Picked it up on the kindle for under $6. A great reading experience if you haven't tried it. It's like a double out and back as far as reading goes. It'll be out in traditional book form in not too long.

Now to rate this book. Nope. Won't do it. I don't do ratings. I'm an author. I write books and have opinions on books and things related to those books but I can't justify putting what I think on a random scale. What's wrong with 1-7 stars or 1-8.5? How'd we get 1-5 or 1-10? What I can do is this. I can highly suggest this book. I suggested it to my girlfriend and I'm going to suggest it to you readers. I'm also going to suggest it to the other crowd of readers who have already decided it's not for them. Because remember, reading is about not just going to different places, but thinking differently, being inside the mind of someone you might never meet. Enjoy.

My Thoughts; Firstly I would like to thank U.L. Harper for such an in depth, honest and entertaining review.

I am not going to bombard you with too much more, as U.L. has done a great job at laying it all out for you, but I am going to agree with him that this is a highly recommendable book.

This book takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster; sadness and happiness, anger and stress, laughter and tears. Although I am not typically a fan of eBooks (the artificial light gives me a terrible headache) I found that this story glued me to the computer screen. It is well written, full of emotion and the story captivates its reader, be them female or male.

Like U.L. I am going to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written, well balanced and entertaining read.

Happy Reading!

Happy Easter!

2010-03-31T12:28:00.002+11:00

Hello All My Followers!

I know that I am few days early, but I just wanted to say;

I hope that you have a Happy and Safe Easter!

Go easy on the eggs and make sure you read a good book over the Easter weekend!

Happy Reading!

Giveaway Winner!

2010-03-30T12:29:00.004+11:00

Congratulations to Nota PTO Mom for winning a copy of Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male.

For the giveaway I asked all entrants to tell us a story of when a man has done something thoughtful for them, or if they are a man, when they have done something thoughtful for a woman.

This was Nota's answer;

When I was going through an extremely hard time after a close friend died, he simply held me in his arms and was silent. I cried on his shoulder and fell asleep only to wake hours later in the same position. When I asked him why he had not moved me...he said. "you needed to wake up to love and I wasn't going to leave you."

Thank you Nota! A book is on its way!

Happy Reading!

Hershey's Better Basket Blog Hop

2010-03-28T14:18:00.006+11:00

Hershey's Better Basket
Blog Hop

I have just received this lovely Easter present from Dollycas's Thoughts. Thanks!

And the best part is that Hershey has partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network over 20 years. CMN is a non-profit alliance of children’s hospitals dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care, life-saving research and preventative education across North America. This Easter season, Hershey is celebrating it’s new Easter products sold exclusively at Walmart and their legacy of making a difference and Hershey’s will donate up to a total of $5,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network together with bloggers.

Please join in and help make this a child's sweetest Easter ever !!! Its easy to participate...
Participate to Hershey’s Better Basket Blog Hop of giving away virtual Easter Baskets by creating a blog post with specific rules described here.

*Hershey Company will donate $10 per each blog post to CMN, up to total of $5,000.
*One blog post per URL counts towards the donation, but you can give as many virtual Easter baskets as you want.
*The Hershey’s Better Basket Blog Hop will officially begin at 12 AM EST on March 18th and end at 12 PM EST on April 4th, 2010. Blog posts submitted to us before or after that time period will not be counted for.
*The blog post link has to be submitted to us for the donation to be counted.
*In addition copy and paste the following text in your blog post:

HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES
*Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
*Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
*Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
*Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
*Leave your link at http://betterbasket.info/bloghop/ comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.
*Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).
*Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

I would like to pass this Easter Basket on to;

Jenners at Find Your Next Book Here

Happy Reading!

The Scandinavian Reading Challenge

2010-03-27T10:17:00.004+11:00

The Scandinavian Reading Challenge

Firstly, I would like to thank Amy over at The Black Sheep Dances for setting up this challenge. What a great way to broaden our reading and learn about different authors from different regions.

The aim of this challenge is to read 6 books by Scandinavian authors.

The books I will be reading are;

The Eye of the Leopard by Henning Mankell
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Hurricane Party by Klas Ostergren
Let me Sing you Gentle Songs by Linda Olsson
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson

I hope you will join me on this challenge!

Happy Reading!

GIVEAWAY- Sensitivity 101

2010-03-25T14:53:00.005+11:00

This is just a quick post to remind you all that the Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male Giveaway is in its final days closing Monday 29th March.

Don't forget to get your entry in to win a copy of the book. All you have to do is visit the post and tell us in a few words about the most thoughtful thing a man has done for you or, if you are a man, what the most thoughtful thing is that you have done for a woman.

http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/2010/02/book-giveaway.html

Happy Reading!

All in the Family

2010-03-17T22:36:00.011+11:00

Now That We're Laughing
by Margaret Trist

The heading for this post, "All in the Family", has two meanings. Firstly, this book is a fictional tale about Australian families and secondly, and most importantly, because it was written by one of my family members.

One of the challenges in the Take Another Chance Challenge is to read a book by your doppelganger (a person with the same name, or part of the same name). In passing I mentioned this to my Father who, ever so matter-of-factly, pointed out that my Great Aunt Peggy was a famous author. My first thought was, "thanks for keeping that from me for the last 23 years, me not being into books at all!" and my second thought was, "I have got to find out all I can about this woman, and I simply must read her books!"

After a few weeks of searching I managed to find first edition prints of three of her four novels and, luckily for me, the forth is the only Margaret Trist book held by my local library.

So, here is my review of my Great Aunt's novel Now That We're Laughing, which is the one I managed to find at the library and was the last one that she wrote. Now that We're Laughing was published in the United States as Sun on the Hills.

Genre; Drama/Australian/Wartime/Fiction
Publisher; Angus & Robertson/Halstead Press/Sydney/1945
Pages; 224

Plot; The Carlingford family are a typical, lower middle class family living in Upper Glen in the Australian Blue Mountains. Delia and Tom Carlingford, a salt-of-the-earth couple, are the parents to several children, the eldest of which is Sheila, a very proper young lady.

The Blairs are an upper middle class family who also live in Upper Glen, but they live in the mansion overlooking the small town. Carol, snooty and antisocial, and Herbert, quietly friendly, are the parents to only child Jimmy, who has just returned home on leave from months away at war.

The Henderson women are a group of sisters living with their loud, rude and overbearing Mother. Throughout the small town they are known as women of ill repute; their husbands are oversea fighting and yet they still manage to keep reproducing.

What brings these three families together, and draws their stories together, is a love triangle between Shelia Carlingford, Jimmy Blair and Joyce Handerson.

My Thoughts; I am not just saying this because of my newly found ties with the author, but this is a brilliant read. As I travelled page by page through this story I could not help but immerse myself in the story and the truly wonderful characters.

In terms of the writing there is an author to whom I can relate style and that is Tim Winton, particularly Cloudstreet. They both write in a truly Australian, make no concessions, way that is honest and beautiful, even when depicting the not-so-beautiful.

The one main difference between Winton and Trist, apart from the obvious difference in time, is that Trist mainly writes from the female point of view. She has a wonderful way of pointing out those differences between men and women, almost making the male of the species simple by comparison. She depicts the women as judgemental but she also depicts them as having many layers while the men are depicted as the friendly go betweens, oblivious to the social world of women. This is all with the acception of Jimmy Blair.

Ah, Jimmy Blair, the character that you love to hate. The shiny new toy in town. Devoted to Sheila one minute and Joyce the next. Although he was a bit of a cad, I couldn't help but put Jimmy on my "Favourite Character" podium. He was the character with the most storyline and the most meat to sink your teeth into.

I must also admit that the Henderson women, all though they are meant to be the social villains of the story, are the characters that made me laugh the most. There was no haughty facade to this family, they were happy to be themselves, making them all the more appealing to me.

There was not one moment that I was disappointed while reading this book. It may not have the power of a wartime story set on the fields of battle, but it leaves you with a warm heart.

Happy Reading!

"It's Called a Swastika"

2010-03-17T22:00:00.008+11:00

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
by Judith Kerr

Genre; Children's/Depression/Fiction
Publisher; Harper Collins/London/2002
Pages; 240

Plot; Anna is only young when her parents, her older brother and her move from Berlin to Zurich. They are a German Jewish family and Hitler has just pushed his way into Government, leaving them with no choice but to flee what would soon become a dangerous situation.

In Zurich the family forms friendships with other families and the children attend school and come to enjoy their new lives, but it isn't long before the family's savings have dwindled and they are forced to move to Paris so that their father can search for more work.

My Thoughts; This was a beautiful read. Told from young Anna's point of view, this book is a fantastic read for any child learning about world history.

We are all familiar with The Diary of Anne Frank which, although it is a moving and powerful, is heart-breaking. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is told from another side of such a distressing time, and that is the side of one of the lucky ones who left Germany in time to escape the devastating atrocities which followed.

What I really loved about this book was the way in which Kerr describes smells. One such example is the "scent of Paris"; garlic, French cigarettes, coffee and fresh baked bread. Each place that Anna visits we get this wonderful description of the aromas she experiences and it was as though I could smell Paris too.

One nice touch is Kerr's small drawings throughout the book. At the beginning of each chapter Kerr has done a small illustration, usually of something within that chapter. As I read I found that the best thing was to finish the chapter and then look back at the little pictures because they mean so much more then.

As I said earlier, I think this would be a great read for any child studying world history, particularly those who have read The Diary of Anne Frank because I think it would compliment it brilliantly. It is simply written and describes people, events, places without going overboard with the imagery.

However, this book is not only for children. It is a book which makes you laugh, cry and get angry and it would be a gem of an addition to any library.

Happy Reading!

Try eating the books that you read...

2010-03-15T02:37:00.012+11:00

The Merciful Women
by Federico Andahazi
Translated by Alberto Manguel

Genre; Historical Fiction/Mystery
Publisher; Anchor/Australia/2000
Pages; 188

"I recommend that you try it: try eating the books that you read" (pg91)

Plot; Set in Switzerland in 1816, Dr John William Polidori is the personal secretary of Lord Byron. As one of five guests staying at the Villa Diodati, on Lake Geneva, Polidori starts receiving disturbingly secret letters from an unknown woman.

Polidori, an unpopular member of the party, knows there is only one way that he can raise himself to the level of Lord Byron and this is exactly what the mysterious woman is able to offer him. But she asks for something in return. She will only scratch his back if he scratches hers, but is the itch worth the scratch?

My Thoughts; I think it is official that unusual books about eating and drinking unsavory "things" are magnetised to me. First it was Pleasures of the Flesh and now The Merciful Women.

This book may have some distasteful sections and gaging moments, but I did really enjoy it.

Firstly I must discuss the characters. You may recognise the leading male of this story, Polidori, as the author commonly accredited with the creation of the vampire genre of fantasy fiction with his short story, The Vampyre. You may also recognise the names of the other house guests; Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, Mary Shelley and Jane Clairmont. All well known poetic and literary figures.

It is the nature of these characters that establishes the plot. This book tells a fictional account of how The Vampyre came to be, and Andahazi really has concocted an intriguing take on the story. You cannot help but be hooked in, particularly if you are familiar with the controversy surrounding the publishing of The Vampyre.

The best bit of this book really is the ending. As I was reading, I admit, I was a little worried as to how Andahazi would end the story, fearing an unsuitable happy ending, but I never saw this ending coming. I am not going to tell you much about it because I don't want to spoil the surprise, but Andahazi takes what is a good story and makes it great with that final twist.

I was surprised by this book because although it is dark in nature, I did get a few laughs. There is a fantastic part where Andahazi introduces the idea of eating a book page by page as you read it so the reader can become more intimately linked with the story. Andahazi even goes as far as picking that perfect wine to sip as you chew your Chaucer. Brilliant!

I would recommend this to people who do appreciate their authors because there are alot of literary references and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a bit of a dark book now and then. I must say though, this is a not a book for prudes or the faint of heart.

Happy Reading!

For Love or Money?

2010-03-09T19:03:00.009+11:00

Death of a Hussy
A Hamish Macbeath Murder Mystery
by M.C. Beaton

Genre; Fiction/Crime/Mystery
Publisher; Constable & Robinson/London/2008
Pages; 204

Plot; Maggie Baird is a cold and unfeeling woman who has more than her fair share of money in the bank, so when she dies under mysterious circumstances is it the money the murderer is after?

At the time of the murder Maggie has five suspect house guests; the young and timid niece whom Maggie constantly puts down and four former lovers who are there at the invitation of Maggie who is looking for a marriage proposal. A has-been musician, an advertising industry failure, an unlucky gambler and a car salesman.

With five broke house guests looking to get rich and all with the opportunity, who is the culprit? Who tampered with the car? Who has the most to gain?

My Thoughts; Death of a Hussy is offbeat, intriguing, enthralling and entertaining. This is a great book for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Beaton has a very relaxed and easy-to-read writing style which isn't overly descriptive and, at times, says exactly what you are thinking (whether that thought is politically correct or not).

There are two really great things about this book. The first point is the book's complete intrigue. Not until those final pages did I even have a clue as to the books ending. Beaton has a wonderful ability to lead your suspicions in several ways at once, keeping you in the dark all the way until the end. This not only builds and holds the reader's interest but also makes for great entertainment.

Secondly, is the characters. I really enjoyed reading about this blend of misfit characters. Wild seducers, insipid victims, wheeler-dealers, corruptors, religious know-it-alls, this book has them all.

After reading this book I am tempted to run to the bookstore to find others in the series and I recommend it as a wonderful, quick-yet-satisfying read which will hook you into the series too.

This book goes towards Challenge 9 of the Take Another Chance Challenge for book with the same title, when teamed with Death of a Prima Donna.

Happy Reading!

Blog Award

2010-03-07T16:08:00.003+11:00

The Beautiful Blogger Award

I would just like to thank Book Lovers Delight for passing this award on to me.

This is the second time I have been given this award, and it never gets old!

To accept this award I now have to tell you seven things about myself before passing it on to seven other blogs;

1. My newest favourite song is Metalingus by Alterbridge
2. I have a son named Dartanion who is named after D'Artagnan of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Muskteers.
3. I am terrified of spiders, even the small ones
4. My favourite colour is purple.
5. I have killed every indoor plant I have ever owned. Either too much water or not enough, it is just too confusing for me.
6. I love figurative drawing, and am not too bad at it, if I do say so myself.
7. I once had 2 pet mice, Dora and Boots. One day Dora ate Boots, it was very traumatic!

Bloody Bad
Judge a Book by its Cover
Reversing the Monotony
The Sweet Bookshelf
We Be Reading
Wendi's Books Corner

Happy Reading!

Fast Friday Fable

2010-03-06T21:57:00.005+11:00

Blueback by Tim Winton

Genre; Fiction/Children's
Publisher; Bolinda Press/Sydney/1998/Large Print Ed.
Pages; 147

Plot; Described as a "fable for all ages", Blueback is the story of Abel Jackson, a young man who has spent his life by the sea hoping to unlock its secrets.

The only child of a widowed Mother, Abel spends his days in the sea at Longboat Bay. It is a tough life, but it is a happy one, filled with fun and adventures. Most importantly, this life includes an old and wise friend; Blueback, a large and cheeky groper who befriends the boy and his Mother.

It is this life that Abel must leave behind. He must leave it behind so that he can better understand it.

My Thoughts; This is an exceptional little read. It doesn't take long to devour this little gem but you walk away feeling more than satisfied.

To some this book is about the fight for the environment and the effects of people on that environment, a story about people learning from nature, but to me this is a story about the circle of life. It starts with a young Abel who has many fun times with an energetic and "go-getter" Mother and as the book progresses the reader watches these characters progress. We watch the Mother deteriorate and we watch Abel grow to be a man. The book then ends where it begins; a child and its parent watching Blueback fin through the water.

Maybe this is the reason why it is referred to as the "fable for all ages", because anyone, no matter age or background, can read this book and take something different from it.

This may not be Winton's most intricate or immense novel, but it is a great yarn.

I recommend this little gem to anyone, young or old, as a valuable coming-of-age tale.

Happy Reading!

A Holy War

2010-03-05T16:11:00.019+11:00

72 Virgins
by Avi Perry

Genre; Fiction/Terrorism
Publisher; Gradient Publishing/USA/2009
Pages; 385

"The FBI, the Israeli Mossad, the US-based Iranian clandestine terror network, and the Islamic Jihad fraternity are engaged in a timeless conflict, playing out to a crescendo that comes to a head before the dramatic conclusion." (Avi Perry, 72 Virgins)

Plot; Arik has just finished his service with the Israeli Defence and is enjoying travelling when he and his girlfriend Rachel are grabbed from an Indonesian street and forced into a car. Arik is able to escape, but he is unable to help Rachel who is taken to places unknown.

In the search for Rachel, and any information regarding her abduction, Arik finds himself undercover in a Muslim extremist terror cell based in New York. Arik must rely on his training to find his kidnapped lover while trying to undermine the plans of the callus and dangerously unstable Jihadists.

With the help of the Israeli Mossad and the FBI, will Arik be able to save the life of the woman he loves while putting a stop to a devastating attack on U.S. soil?

My Thoughts; Avi Perry's latest novel is a fast-paced thriller which is not only captivating but masterfully constructed.

When I read a book for review I take a "time out" every few pages to make notes. This story was so enthralling and so engrossing that I could not tare my gaze away long enough to put pen to paper.

I think it is important to note that Perry has a background in Israeli intelligence, which is evident in the quality of the knowledge on the subject matter, but Perry has also put alot of research into this work. This knowledge and research comes together to form a well constructed and well plotted storyline, with believable characters who stir up the emotions, believable actions which quicken the breath and believable moments which make this book unforgetable.

Perry has a very readable writing style. At no time did I struggle with material which is, ordinarily, unfamiliar to me. I found 72 Virgins to be an easy-to-follow story, even thought there are ongoing plots and sub-plots, there are no moments of confusion.

The intense mix of characters and their personalities is gripping. I found Arik, the male protagonist, to be a very likable hero. He never questions himself. Arik is confident and intelligent and he is just the type of man I would want hunting out my abductors.

Abu Musa, Arik's main adversary, may not be a likable character but he is a great "baddie". I do, however, have one issue with this character and that is his relationship with Hilga. Abu Musa is an extremist Muslim who refused to trust Naguib at the beginning of the book purely because of his green eyes and yet he forms a realtionship, a sexual relationship, with Hilga, a honey-blonde German. I do not understand this realtionship.

This book has a bit of everything, and in my opinion, it will appeal to a wide audience. It is eye-opening and informative while it also tells a great story with great characters.

I recommend this book to anyone who can get their hands on it!

Check out the authors website to buy a copy.

Happy Reading!

Author Interview; Philip Nork

2010-02-28T14:27:00.007+11:00

Author Interview
Philip Nork

I recently read and reviewed Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male. Not only is this book a great read but it also teaches the reader alot of lifes most important lessons.

Once I had read the book I knew that I had to ask the author, Philip Nork, all about the book.

This is how the interview went;

A Bit About the Book...

This is a very personal story which reveals a lot about you and your younger years. Did you intend for this book to be seen as an autobiography, or was your intention to pass on a message through the use of your own experiences?

The intent was more to get two messages across. One is that no one ever sees you as you do. Trust in who you are because that is what really matters. The second is that there will be times in your life when you feel as though you are alone and no one understands you; however there is always a higher power watching over you, maybe even guiding you. I am not a religious person but do believe something is watching over us, and that even if you make mistakes, you’ll still be accepted by that Deity if you allow yourself to be.

In the book there is a list of 16 “lessons”. Are these “lessons” something which you structured for the book or is this list something you have been caring around, folded up, in your wallet for years?

They were more structured as the book came to me. I knew that certain people of my past had taught me lessons and as I began to outline the stories, the lessons came to me.

Throughout the book Joyce is really the only female character who voices a negative view of your “activities”. Since the book has been published, has it been met by any negative responses?

I have had only one negative response, which came from a lady who wouldn’t read the book because of the title saying it was sexist.

How long did it take you to write Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male?

Obviously the stories have been with me for a long time. The overall process of putting it on paper, editing and then publishing it took about 2 years. Most of this took place on my many business trips as a way to pass the nights in a hotel.

This is your first book, did you find the writing and publishing process at all daunting or intimidating?

I find writing a soothing way to relax, to remember old-times and to reconnect with my inner self. The publishing part was more difficult. I used a POD (print on demand) company because I needed this book done quickly for my 30th high school reunion. AuthorHouse gave me the opportunity to do that. I am now looking for a literary agent and a traditional publisher so that I can get it into more retail outlets. I caution new writers—do your homework—there are many scams out there just waiting to take your money. I found it better to rely on professionals, like my editor and others that I have met through the process, rather than searching on the internet and settling for whoever pops up. The only thing I would change, and will if an agent accepts me, is the title of the book. I think I can find a better one that more people can relate to—one that brings to life better the struggle a divorced child has as they search for the two desires all humans share: to be accepted and to be truly happy.

A Bit About the Author...

When you are not writing where would we find you?

Mostly at work or spending time with my ten year old son and my wife. I enjoy baseball and horse racing.

Who do you take your inspiration from? Do you have a role model?

I don’t have one particular role model. I find that everyone has something to offer to you, if you take the time to discover it.

Who is your favourite author?

As I get older I read less and less. Growing up I really enjoyed reading about “real” things and people, or least situations I could relate to and see myself maybe living out. I really wanted to see how all of us being so different could just get along.

What are you currently reading?

Right now I am not reading anything as I find more pleasure in the writing aspect rather than the reading.

If you could be any character from any story, who would you be and why?

I relate to Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His life wasn’t what he wanted it to be, yet he always looked on the brighter side and treated people with respect and understanding. In the end, he got what he wanted by being a sensitive and sharing human being as those around him, all who were selfish and only looked out for themselves, got what they deserved.

I notice on your website that you plan to publish Sensitivity 102: Choices this year. What can we expect from this book?

This will be a continuation of the life you read about in my first book. It will start just after the character celebrates his eighteenth birthday and goes until he passes away. It again will take pieces of my real life and then will weave some situations (some real and some made-up) and some more of the people that I have met and show the reader how the lessons I learned earlier affects the decisions that need to be made. Hopefully I will be able to again share laughs, tears and enjoyment as I hope the readers may learn even more about themselves in the process. I am sure the book’s title will change after my editor gets to it.

Anything you would like to add?

I want to thank you for reading and reviewing my book. I know how hard that sometimes is. Also I want budding writers to know that we all have a story to tell…just do it. Don’t worry about what others are saying or how they will look at you. Even if it never gets published, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. Then if and when it does, and people respond favorably, the feeling is even greater.

Thank you Philip!

To read my review of the book; Click Here
To Enter the Giveaway; Click Here

Happy Reading!

Book Giveaway

2010-02-27T19:38:00.006+11:00

GIVEAWAY
Sensitivity 101
for the Heterosexual Male
By Philip Nork

Book Review
Author Interview

For your chance to win a copy of Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male tell us in a few words about the most thoughtful thing a man has done for you or, if you are a man, what the most thought thing is that you have done for a woman.

Don't forget to leave your name and email so I can contact you if you are our lucky winner.

If the comment section doesn't allow you to post your entry please email me your entry and I will post it on your behalf; nicoletrist@hotmail.com

Giveaway Closes; 11:59pm on Monday 29th March 2010.

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Yes Pretty Lady, I Can Make You Feel Good

2010-02-27T18:41:00.011+11:00

Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male by Philip Nork
(Reviewed on Request)

Author Interview
Book Giveaway

Genre; Non-Fiction/Autobiography/Relationships
Publisher; AuthorHouse/USA/2009
Pages; 228

Plot; Phil is a young man dealing with the divorce of his parents, the absence of his Father and the death of his Grandmother. Disappointment and a lack of confidence lead Phil into a life behind the closed door of his bedroom, listening to country music, wondering what he has done and how he can fix his life.

It is through the bond of female friendships and the liberation offered by alter egos that Phil is able to break free of the bedroom and enter a world where he learns how to treat women and how to become a better man than all those men who have let him down.

But it is in this world that Phil is presented with the question of what is good and what is right.

My Thoughts; In my opinion, Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male is a self-help book for people who don't like self-help books. It gives the reader an insight into women, relationships and how to love yourself without the preaching tone of a self-help manual.

The title of this book may lead you to believe that it is for the eyes of the heterosexual male but as a heterosexual female I learnt just as many valuable lessons. This book may be aimed at the male reader and how that male reader can learn to gain the respect and acceptance of women, but to me it is also an insight into how to appreciate yourself as a woman and how to form valuable relationships.

This really is a great read. Not only do you get the education but you get the entertainment. This is an emotive book and at various points throughout this book you find yourself on the emotional roller coaster of tears, laughter and anger.

This book has also been well written. Alot of books like this are written in a purely one-sided format, but Nork has introduced the female opinion, which not only adds to the entertainment but adds to the message and understanding of the book. What I really liked about these female tid-bits is that they didn't always agree with Nork's assessment of situations. Phil may have been thinking one thing, but it was good to hear the woman's opinion of the same thing.

Another aspect of the writing which is well done is Nork's ability to elaborate on those things which we need to know and not to elaborate on things we don't. For example, Nork tells us about his sexual experiences and details all the emotions behind them and the feelings afterwards, but he does not disrespect the women by going into detail about their "performance", so to speak. I found this added class to what may be a touchy subject.

I am not a religious person at all, however I did not feel bombarded by Phil's religious dilemma, which is another aspect which Nork has approached successfully. He has conveyed the religious troubles which he faced without overdoing it, which means the book can appeal to a larger audience.

I do have one small negative thing to say though and it is in reference to the line, "yes pretty lady, I can make you feel good". I am surprised that no woman had a laugh at that line, because if a man said that to me it would be enough to make me stop, drop and roll around on the floor in fits of laughter. Phil, did that line really work for you?

I really would recommend this book to anyone because there is a lesson in there for everyone. One of the lessons which I really learnt is to accept people for the person on the inside, as alot of the women Phil meets are not at all like the person you may expect on face value.

I do think that, as the title states, this is an important read for any heterosexual male. I think that if more men read this there would less of a rift in the ever-ongoing "battle of the sexes" as Nork really has opened a window into the female mind.

Happy Reading!

Death of a Novel

2010-02-24T13:41:00.011+11:00

Death of a Prima Donna
by Brina Svit
(Translation by Peter Constantine)

Genre; Fiction/Drama
Publisher; The Harvill Press/London/2005
Pages; 186

Plot; Lea Kralj, who is known to her closest friends as Lejka, is a Slovenian born prima donna who is beautiful and passionate. But, at the height of her career, Lea Kralj suddenly dies. A death shrouded in as much drama and mystery as one of the stage heroines whose roles she sang.

The narrator, a young Frenchman who met Lea Kralj in curious circumstances, is the only person who can tell of her final days, spent in her old bedroom in her old forth floor apartment in Ljubljana, tended to by her controlling and unemotional Mother.

My Thoughts; I thought this story was confused and disappointing.

Death of a Prima Donna is a story narrated by a young man, whom we never know the name of, who has been asked to do an interview on the subject of Lea Kralj for a Ljubljana Magazine, which is in search for the "Ljubljana Woman of the Century". The format of the story is that this young man is writing in answer of the questions the magazine has asked.

I found this format to be a little far fetched and, at times, aggravating. The reader is constantly bombarded with answers to unknown questions and the answers given make it unbelievable. This young man is being asked to talk about Lea Kralj and whether she is worthy of the "Woman of the Century" title and he answers with stories of his own sexual exploits.

Another aspect of this novel which adds to the unbelievable is the detail with which the narrator describes events he was not present for. The conversation between Kralj and the narrator is limited and at times constrained to the point of the narrator guessing the feelings of Kralj, in other words, he has to read between the lines of their conversations. Yet, when describing things that have happened to Kralj, things he was never a part of and could not possibly know about, he goes into the finest of detail. One such example is the first time that Kralj meets Julijan Remeck. The narrator was not present at this meeting yet he goes into such detail as, "the sky in the west grew increasingly purple, pink and yellow, thought it was still early, and the trees lay like dark patterns against it." (pg. 123)

"I will tell you about that later" is a line that I do not like to read at the best of times, but to have it said on most pages is something that does irritate me. There is alot of this in Death of a Prima Donna and it goes get to a point where you want to scream at the book, "tell me now, or leave it till later!" I think Svit is using this as a technique to try and build suspense, and used once or twice it can be effective, but frankly, the overuse of the words just annoyed me.

I think the thing that disappointed me the most was the lack of Kralj's actual story. Most of this book was about the narrator; what he thought, what he did, what he wanted. I wanted to hear about Kralj. I wanted to hear about her tense relationship with her mother. I wanted to know more about her life and her eccentricities, such as the head scarf.

The format that Svit has used to tell this story is a very limiting one and I think that has had a detrimental impact on what could have been a very interesting story.

What Svit has done well is evoke sympathy. You cannot help but feel for this prima donna being drawn in by her want of love and having no one to catch her before she falls.

I am not going to say, "do not read this book" because I am sure there is an audience out there who would enjoy it. But, if a friend was to ask me if they should read this book or another, I would pick the other.

This book will fulfil Challenge 9 of the Take Another Chance Challenge once it is teamed with a review of Death of a Hussy, for books with titles containing the same word.

Happy Reading!

My Visit to ABC Studios - Part 3

2010-02-22T11:57:00.011+11:00

My Visit to ABC Studios - Part 3

In Part 1 of this series of posts I talked about the filming of Jennifer Byrne Presents: Book to Film. In Part 2 of this series I discussed the filming of First Tuesday Bookclub with a particular focus on the first half of the programme which was about Cloudstreet by Tim Winton. Today, in the final part fo this series, I will discuss the second half of First Tuesday Bookclub about Dave Eggers' Zeitoun.

For a description of the panellists on the show, please refer to Part 2 of the series.

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

Genre; Non-Fiction
Publisher; Hamish Hamilton/2009/Australia
Pages; 335

Plot; Abdulrahman Zeitoun is a Syrian born, Muslim American living with his wife, Kathy, and four children, Zachary, Nademah, Aisha and Safiya in New Orleans. He is a house painter and handy man who is not only well respected in his neighbourhood but is also friends with many of his neighbours. He is an honest man with honest values. He works hard and treats his family and friends well.

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, after making sure his family was safely away from the city, Zeitoun took it upon himself, with the help of his $25 second hand canoe, to paddle the streets on New Orleans feeding the stranded dogs, helping the trapped people and couriering food and water to those in need. Little did he know he was being watched.

Kathy, Zeitoun's wife, was in constant contact with her husband as she took their children to safety with her family in Baton Rouge. In the first days after the Hurricane they were in contact over their mobile phones, until Zeitoun managed to find a working landline, then promising to phone his wife at noon every day. This happened for many days after the Hurricane until one day the calls stopped.

With Zeitoun's family calling her from Syria and Spain, Kathy must now find her husband, and find him fast.

Panel's Thoughts; All of the panellists agreed that Zeitoun was a superb book with breath-takingly, gripping suspense.

"Incredibly readable book" Jennifer Byrne
"Heart-in-mouth writing" Marieke Hardy
"Fantastic tension!" Jason Steger
"Engrossing" Peter Garrett

What the panellists did point out, however, is that the book is not the best written book that they have read. As Mem Fox pointed out, there is not one simile or metaphor, she called the writting a little flat and admitted that she would not have wanted to write one word of it. Marieke Hardy voiced her opinion that the story was a little bogged down by the diary structure, saying the day-by-day approach was too limiting. But, with this in mind, they still all agreed that the story is so gripping that you can see past the bad writing.

My Thoughts; I agree with the panel that this is a superb story. I sat down with the intention of reading a few chapters in the afternoon and ended up finishing the story in the one sitting because I was so hooked.

Firstly, I just want to point out the one negative point I have about the book so that I can go on to the good stuff. I honestly found the first fifty-or-so pages to be a little nauseating. I understand that Eggers must establish Zeitoun as a respected person with good values, but it was a little too much for me. Eggers fell just short of coating Zeitoun in twenty-four carat gold! I feel that he could have toned the praise down a little. But, I am glad I kept reading past that because after those first few pages this story really is enthralling.

I must also say that I do not agree with the panel about this book's lack of simile or metaphor. Yes, the book isn't the most descriptive work and it doesn't give the reader any juicy imagery, but I think this is fitting of the style of book that it is. It gives it a documentary feel which I think makes the book more convincing and more believable, you may even say that it keeps the fidelity of the real events.

What I think Eggers has done really well is the shift between the husband and wife. The first half of the book is mainly told from Zeitoun's perspective, with the occasional snippet from the wife's point of view, but from the time Zeitoun dissapears the story shifts over to the wife and I think that Eggers has used this as a wonderful way to inject suspense into the story. It allows the reader to take the emotional rollercoaster with Kathy, rather than just read about how she is feeling while we, as the reader, know where Zeitoun is.

Reading this story really conjures up concern and makes you think about how people behave in tense and intense situations. It makes you think about who would be in charge in a disasterous situation and how those in charge would treat everyone else. The Zeitoun family is a strong family who love their country and their fellow countrymen, but after Katrina the family's whole belief in America is pulled out from under them.

I think that the two quotes the Eggers uses at the start of the book are really fitting,
"... in the history of the world it might even be that there was more punishment than crime..." (Cormac McCarthy, The Road)
"To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail" (Mark Twain)

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone as a thrilling read which will make you sit up and think about what you would do in a disaster and who you would and could trust.

Happy Reading!

The Beautiful Blog Award

2010-02-22T11:37:00.005+11:00

The Beautiful Blogger Award

I have won another award! How exciting! I just want to thank everybody who takes the time to read and enjoy my blog. I would also like to thank Socrates' Book Reviews for passing this award on to me.

In order to accept this award I must tell you seven facts about myself;
1. My favourite colour is purple.
2. I really dislike warm/hot desserts, I am a cold dessert kinda girl.
3. Right at this very moment I have a terrible cold. I hope it isn't the flu.
4. I have only just recently discovered The Clash, even though they are decades long gone, and I can't stop listening to their music.
5. When I was younger I studied ballroom and latin dance for a few years. I was never particularly good, but I gave it a go.
6. When I was a young girl I played the violin for almost three years and at the end of it I could still only manage Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
7. I really enjoy singing and I think I have a fairly decent voice.

Okay, so who are the lucky ones I am going to pass this award along to;
Advance Booking
As Usual, I need More Bookshelves
Better with Books
Book Lovers Delight
Book Review Cafe
Dollycas's Thoughts

I hope that you guys are as welcoming of this award as I have been!

Happy Reading!

One Lovely Blog Award

2010-02-16T00:35:00.007+11:00

One Lovely Blog Award

I would like to thank The Book Nerd Club for passing this award on to me, it is nice to be appreciated. It is also nice to be rewarded for doing something that you love!

There are no rules for this award, other than naming the blog who forwarded it to you and passing it on to five other blogs, so the blogs I will pass this award onto are;

Book, Line and Sinker, Books I Done Read, Find Your Next Book Here, J.Kaye's Book Blog and We Be Reading.

I hope that you all enjoy this award as much as I have. Your hard work deserves the acknowledgment!

Happy Reading!

My Visit to ABC Studios - Part 2

2010-02-13T17:49:00.016+11:00

My Visit to ABC Studios - Part 2
and Cloudstreet by Tim Winton

In Part 1 of the ABC series of posts I talked about the filming of Jennifer Byrne Presents: Book to Film. This post will focus on the filming of First Tuesday Bookclub, focusing on the discussion concerning the great Australian novel, Cloudstreet by Tim Winton.

The Show...

Firstly I will just introduce the show to those of you who are not familiar with it and I will introduce the special guests.

First Tuesday Bookclub which, as the name depicts, is a bookclub programme that is aired on the first Tuesday of each month.

As the ABC Website states;

"First Tuesday Book Club is ABC TV's first nationally televised book club. Hosted by Jennifer Byrne it draws on the basic models of national and international book clubs, the series brings to the screen the pleasures that draw millions of clubbers worldwide to these groups with their shared love of reading. It is a nationally televised forum for literary debate and conversation not easily found elsewhere.

First Tuesday Book Club gathers Australian booklovers together on a monthly basis, a reading shot in the arm on the first Tuesday of each month. Each episode aims to rekindle nostalgic literary favourites and encourage viewers to read books they might not have otherwise read . a spine tingling experience."

The host, Jennifer Bryne, is well known for her work as a reporter on both television and in print. She has reported for such programmes as Foreign Correspondent, Lateline and the 7:30 Report and has worked for such publications as The Bulletin, The Age, The Sunday Times and The Weekend Magazine. While continuing to write, she hosted the ABC's successful My Favourite Book programme, and now has what she describes as her "dream job" as host of the First Tuesday Book Club.

The show also showcases the reviewing genius of Jennifer Byrne's two co-hosts, Marieke Hardy and Jason Steger.

Marieke Hardy has made a name for herself by appearing in such Australian television shows as Blue Heelers and Always Greener which lead her into scriptwriting. She also has a successful blog and a radio show and is currently writing a feature film and attempting her first novel.

Jason Steger has an extensive career in the newsprint industry and is currently the book editor for The Age and The Sunday Age.

The two special guests for this programme were Peter Garrett and Mem Fox.

Peter Garrett is the current Australian Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts but he is also known for having been the lead man for rock band, Midnight Oil from 1973 to 2002.

Mem Fox, having started as a University lecturer, is one of Australia's most beloved children's writers, with her most famous (and most beautiful) work being Possum Magic.

The Book...

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton

Genre; Australian Drama
Publisher; Scribner Paperback Fiction/USA/2002
Pages; 426

Plot; The Lambs and the Pickles are two, post-war, working-class, Australian families living together in a big old house in Perth which as been left to the Pickles by a wealthy family member.

Both families have suffered catastrophes and this is the story of how these two families survive these catastrophes and come together in their big old house.

The Pickles are a self-described "unlucky" family, with an alcoholic mother and a gabling obsessed Father. The Lamb family believes in making their own luck and use their side of the house to open a successful grocery store. But this is no ordinary house, it is a house with a past, a past which is trying to make itself a present.

Cloudstreet is the story of these two families from 1944 to 1964, running the gamut from drunkenness, adultery, death to resurrection, marriage and birth.

The Panellists Thoughts; All of those on the panel agreed that this is a must read for all Australians, with Mem Fox going as far as saying that "if you have not read Cloudstreet your life is diminished".

"Rhythm of a hymn" - Jennifer Byrne
"Tim Winton at his best" - Jason Steger
"One of the best sex scene writers in Australia" - Marieke Hardy
"Great Australian novel... a true classic" - Peter Garrett
"Few books have given as much pleasure" - Jennifer Byrne

My Thoughts; I agree with everything that the panellists had to say about Cloudstreet. It is a powerful story which hits on every Australian note, making it great.

Firstly I want to talk about how beautifully written this book is. Tim Winton has cultivated this tale in such an emotive way paying the most detail to the most mundane things which paints such a brilliant portrait of these two families, while limiting the detail given to the catastrophes of the story to instill suspense and shock.

Winton isn't afraid to describe in detail those things, which are part of life, that other authors quite happily steer clear of. The less attractive sides and aspects of life. That is what makes this book so real and so appealing, it doesn't shy away from reality.

Jennifer Byrne posed an interesting question during the show; does this story depict how Australians really are, or how we would like to be? I would like to think this is how Australians really are. The type to laugh in times of absolute turmoil. The type to wish for luck when all we have had is bad luck.

When I sit back and think of all those pathetically bad novels they made us read in High School, even making us watch the movie Witness (which is a great movie, but totally irrelevant to the Australian teen), it makes me sick to think that those children are missing out on a book like Cloudstreet. Why is this book not on the curriculum? Not only is it a great story, but it is our heritage and about our way of life.

I recommend this book to every Australian as an important addition to any library.
I would go as far to say that it would be a good read for the international audience as well, but Tim Winton has made no concessions for the international reader so it may be a challenge. But, it really is worth the challenge.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of the ABC Studios series of posts.
Part 3 will focus on Zeitoun by Dave Eggers; a true story of Hurricane Katrina.

Happy Reading!

Sugar Baby Award

2010-02-13T11:06:00.005+11:00

The Sugar Doll Award

I would like to thank Dollycas's Thoughts for passing this award on to my blog. It is great to know that there are people out there reading my blog and enjoying it.

As part of this award I must now tell you 10 things about myself;

1. I am one of 4 children. I have 3 half brothers, making me the only girl and the youngest.
2. I have a huge celebrity crush on Edge from WWE! I think he is gorgeous and in real life he isn't as mean as the show makes him out to be. Go EDGE!!
3. I hate parsnip. It is a horrible vegetable!
4. I think that 1950's pin-up girls are sexier than any of the women who are classified as sexy in modern times.
5. I enjoy cooking and would classify myself as a good cook.
6. Driving is one of my favourite "quiet times" because my son is happy to sit in silence in the backseat leaving me time to think.
7. I don't like the beach. I am not a fan of the sand and, being the beach, the sand gets whipped up into your face by the wind and the water has "things" in it. I much prefer a pool, and preferably a pool with a cocktail bar!
8. I have a dream book. In this book I paste clippings from magazines of clothes I would like or rooms which I think are beautiful or gadgets I would like to own.
9. I have travelled the world, and while the tourist spots are nice, the best times I have had have been in coffee shops or tea houses chatting to locals learning about the local culture. eg. the back alley teahouses in Cairo, they were a great place to talk to locals.
10. I have terrible handwriting. It never looks the same from line to line!

The Blogs I am passing this award on to;

A Few More Pages
Deb's Book Reviews
A Reader's Respite
Page After Page
At Home with Books
The Sweet Bookshelf
The Book Bloggers Shelf of Shame

I hope you guys appreciate this award as much as I do!

Thanks everyone for reading my blog! Stay tuned for some more exciting posts!