Andrea’s Comments (group member since Sep 13, 2012)

Andrea’s comments from the Aussie Readers group.

Phrynne wrote: "I have been a bit slow putting books out here lately. Going on holiday tends to do that! Anyway here are a few that I certainly mean to get round to reading..."

I just came across Vinegar Girl yesterday, and it went straight onto my TBR. Sounds great, although I don't think I've read Anne Tyler before.

Kathryn wrote: "Winter Journey by Diane Armstrong is currently free on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com.au/Winter-Jour......"

And on Amazon US, happily: https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Journey...

I only caught the second half, when they were discussing A Million Little Pieces. Very entertaining. They wouldn't have been able to speak like that in their former (early) timeslot!

I've selected 10 books, but I'll be happy to get through 3 or 4 by the end of July, after finishing my current monster-read.

1) The book that's been on your list the longest
2) A book recommended by a GR friend Salt Creek* (recommended by Elaine)
3) A book from your favourite genre Staying On 4★
4) A book with over 400 pages Shantaram*
5) A book by an author new to you Bitter Greens* 4.5★
6) The book you want to read the most The Sudden Appearance of Hope
7) A book by a male author Cairo * 4★
8) A book by one of your favourite authors The Hungry Tide
9) A book by a female author A Field Guide to Happiness: What I Learned in Bhutan about Living, Loving, and Waking Up
10) A book with a cover you love The Marriage Bureau for Rich People 2.5★
11) A book set in Australia by an Aussie author
12) A book set in another country Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan

Linda wrote: "It gives us a chance to think that we are sophisticates, since we read "foreign" languages. ..."

Love it!

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "This week The Book Club sails into icy waters to discuss a chillingly brutal novel "The Midnight Watch" by David Dyer. The team is joined by guests Rosie Waterland and Omar Musa..."

The show was recorded last night, and this morning Omar Musa has tweeted that it was a very fiery episode - should be fun to watch! It wasn't clear which book he was referring to, though.

Suzie wrote: "Struggling to get going this month, first book just finished. 5. Readers choice: No Chopsticks Required by Katrina Beikoff 2★"

Oh no... sorry! But I suppose I only gave it 3.

Mish wrote: "It was the most disturbing book I've ever read since You..."

Definitely adding that one to my TBR, then!

My mid-year top 5 are:
Songs At the River's Edge: Stories From a Bangladeshi Village (not yet reviewed - still enjoying the warm fuzzies)
Nine Days
A Little Life
A Fine Balance
Eleven

Honourable mentions for:
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos, Why You Are Australian: A Letter to My Children and A Golden Age

Looking back, I think I am having a much better reading year in 2016.

Michael wrote: "Fingers crossed that you will be able to attend Andrea. :)"

Thanks Michael. Hopefully all the lovely folks from last time can come again, plus a few more!

I should be able to come - hope so. Please add me to the Maybe list for now. Thanks Mish

With some trepidation (748 pages!!!), I started reading A Place of Greater Safety this afternoon. Already I can see glimpses of what I loved about Wolf Hall etc; the wit and so very dry humour. But it's had very mixed reviews including an 'abandoned' from a fellow GR reader whose tastes closely match mine. We'll see...

Veronica wrote: "Dropped into Vinnies today and picked up a few books. The price has gone from $2 ea to $3 but really I can't complain, still cheap..."

I went into my favourite Salvos yesterday, and came out empty-handed. Their prices are getting a bit steep, I think. The average paperback is now $5.25, and the only one yesterday that I seriously wanted was $7.25. I know it's still very cheap, but I figured I could get the eBook for about the same price. But I still supported their work by dropping off some donations :)

Here's the program for Rare Book Week (14-24 July) in Melbourne.

http://www.flipgorilla.com/p/23837411...

There are some really interesting events.

For anyone who is interested, here is a link to the Dymocks podcast interview of Hanya Yanagihara when she was here recently for the Sydney Writers' Festival. A 9-min discussion on A Little Life. Among other things, the interviewer asked Yanagihara about which character she identified with the most - I was a little surprised at her response.

https://soundcloud.com/dymocks-booklo...

Michelle wrote: "I've had to move them all so many times (whenever we've moved house or renovated) and they always end up in the same spot without me having to really think about it. ..."

Haha last time I moved, I took photos of each shelf just to make sure I could get back up and running very quickly.

Kathryn wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Has anyone had a look at the latest GR homepage overhaul? (Link to beta site available in June newsletter) It's really not clear to me how we are meant to access Group discussions, o..."

Thanks Kathryn, that's good to know. But it still sounds like it will be buried at least one page deep (ie not on the homepage). Let's see what they come up with.

Has anyone had a look at the latest GR homepage overhaul? (Link to beta site available in June newsletter) It's really not clear to me how we are meant to access Group discussions, other than going through multiple clicks to the Group's homepage. Unless I'm missing something, I think this is a big step backwards.

*I submitted feedback on this.

After catching last week's ABC Bookclub, I couldn't resist going out and getting hold of Notes on a Scandal.

Rationalising procrastination is the ultimate form of procrastination! I'm impressed.

I also got Norman McLean, which is only fair as I am the Queen of Procrastination.

Norman Maclean, author of A River Runs Through It, published for the first time at the grand age of 73 years old.
You love the idea of being a writer and you’re really great at gathering ideas, making notes and talking about your vision (which really is worth talking – and writing! – about). The actual writing of your book is a little trickier. You may have been called, at one stage or another, something of a procrastinator.