The Curious Case of the Disappearing Book
Our family has an extensive and enviable library of childrens’ books. It contains the likes of Richard Scarry, Julia Donaldson, Mem Fox, Graeme Base, Dr Seuss, Eric Carle and Pamela Allen. We have some brilliant books that we all enjoy reading and are happy to read over and over … and over.
But there are a handful of books that my husband and I cringe at. When our three-year-old son picks one of these books up and says ‘This one Mummy’ I run for cover – ‘Please don’t make me read it. I’ll do anything. Anything!’ … Continue Reading
Bookshelf love
As bibliophiles we like to read books, talk about books, buy books and touch books. Some of us even like to smell books. (So I’ve heard.)
And then there’s the pleasure of looking at books. Books on a shelf. At home. In a bookstore. In the public library. There’s something very comforting about lots of books living in order and harmony on a shelf. Normally the shelves themselves go unnoticed – they’re the road crew behind the scenes. Or so I thought until I saw these very cool bookcases. … Continue Reading
So many books, so little time
Once again it’s been a long time between posts. I’ve still been concentrating my writing efforts on my novel (first draft about 85% there) but I’ve been missing my blog so have decided to make the time again for regular posts.
The arrival of baby #2 plus not commuting to work by train at the moment has meant a significant drop in the amount of time I have for burying my head in a book so I haven’t been reading a whole lot lately. … Continue Reading
The Great Dan Brown Mystery
I can’t believe how long it’s been since my last post. Where has the year gone? My excuse – if it’s worth anything at all – is that I’ve been spending my writing time on my novel. Plus, I’m pregnant and everyone knows that time goes quicker when one is pregnant.
Anyway, I just wanted to comment on the Dan Brown mania which has reared its (dare I say, ‘ugly’) head with the release of his latest novel, The Lost Symbol. Footage on the news last night showed the hardcovers being grabbed out of boxes by crazed fans before they could even get a look-in on the shelf. … Continue Reading
2009: My Year of Buying No New Books
Inspired by a book columnist for a Melbourne paper (who’s article I now can’t find online) I have declared 2009 my ‘Year of buying no books’! This columnist (whose name I can’t recall) did the same in 2008. And I thought if she can do it so can I.
Ever since my income has allowed me the luxury I have bought books on a regular basis. But I have developed a bad habit of biting off more than I can chew.
The pile of unread books gradually grew to the point where it fell over and I had to start stacking them on the bookshelf. And then some even made it into boxes – the death knell. There’s no coming back from the box. … Continue Reading
Age banding anyone?
It seems whenever I walk into a bookstore these days I end up browsing the novels in the young adult section. I find it more exciting and promising than the section that, as an adult, the bookstore is telling me I belong in.
My interest in YA fiction was reignited a couple of years ago when I found myself reviewing a lot of YA novels. Suddenly I realised how much fantastic literature is out there now for teenagers. And with some of the books I read the only thing that identified them as YA fiction was the fact that the main character (or characters) were teenagers. … Continue Reading
Man Booker 2008: Longlist
Another year, another Man Booker Prize for fiction and the longlist has been announced.
Now I’m not a particularly patriotic person but … Two Aussies on the list!! Go team! Three actually if you include Aravind Adiga’s, author of The White Tiger, who was educated in Australia and holds Australian nationality.
The Aussies are first-time author, Steve Toltz with A Fraction of the Whole and Michelle de Kretser’s The Lost Dog. … Continue Reading
What I’m reading
