Aussie Readers discussion
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What Are You Currently Reading? (doesn't have to be an Aussie book)
John wrote: "Have you folks heard of the American humour essayist Laurie Notaro? I think her stories would travel very well. Is there an Aussie writer who pens stuff about daily life there? I'd b..."
Hmmm... I'll have to think about that John. Probably some other group members might have some suggestions. But a good place to start if you're looking for articles and essays on Australia and its people would be the national newspaper, The Australian. Check the 'Features' and 'Opinions and Blogs' sections.:)
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
Thanks -- I learned a new word ... I was a bit struck by describing a group of teenagers as 'schoolies'; I was also rather startled to see mention of Sarah Palin in the paper as well!
John wrote: "Thanks -- I learned a new word ... I was a bit struck by describing a group of teenagers as 'schoolies'; I was also rather startled to see mention of Sarah Palin in the paper as well!"Yes Schoolies is a very Australian phenomenon! We have had a little discussion about it recently (the fors and againsts) in our General Chat thread.
I would be surprised if there was any adult in the world who hadn't heard of Sarah Palin and her plans for the Whitehouse, John! ;D
I tried to read City of Bones too, Amber, but found it took Harry Potterish. After your glowing review maybe I should give it another go.
Jenny wrote: "I tried to read City of Bones too, Amber, but found it took Harry Potterish. After your glowing review maybe I should give it another go."Jenny, it was a little slow to get into but I did end up really enjoying it. If you persevere with it I think you might enjoy it too.
John wrote: "Is there an Aussie writer who pens stuff about daily life there? I'd be quite interested in that..."John I found a book you might like:
The Best Australian Essays 2010
I have just started Lovesong by Alex Miller and I'm enjoying it very much so far. I really liked his Conditions of Faith but was less keen on Journey to the Stone Country.
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Currently reading
by Sunny.... Heard a lot of good things about it...
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I'm going to a forum this afternoon, cos our council is talking about closing some of our libraries, for budget and funding cuts!!! Not happy! It's life blood for so many people, how can they even think of doing that!
So I'm going to see what it's about, and voice my disapproval for the thought, and support for the libraries, and the amazing work they do!
Will keep you updated!
I have just started reading 'Nation' by Terry Pratchett. I had borrowed this from the library for my son, but alas it was gathering dust on his desk and I needed a book to read on the bus. The only misgivings I had was the size of the book, but it is easy to read and am enjoying it, so it is worth the burden of lugging it around.
Hope you enjoy it Dee-Ann. Once you have finished don't forget to post some comments in the discussion thread!
Nation Discussion
Nation Discussion
Will do, I have been reading the comments for a while, which encouraged me to see what the book was about.
I hope there weren't too many spoilers. I want my daughter to read it, but it's on my kindle. She might not give it back if I hand it over. :)
I'm reading Gypsies because of the mess in France. I'd say it's dated, but one of the first thing the author says is that the Rom haven't changed their lives much, in part because they don't have much of an historical tradition.
That looks like a great book Cheryl, gypsies are a facinating lot.
I haven't been taking a lot of notice of what's happening in France, other than the headlines about the riots due to the government wanting to increase the retirement age. The book I'm reading currently is set initially in post revolutionary France,Parrot and Olivier in America.
I haven't been taking a lot of notice of what's happening in France, other than the headlines about the riots due to the government wanting to increase the retirement age. The book I'm reading currently is set initially in post revolutionary France,Parrot and Olivier in America.
I finished Wild Swans yesterday..Was a little torn about that book in my review of it.Now, I'm onto a childrens novel called Nanny Piggins and the Wicked Plan. <3!
Just charged through a reread of Redback by Lindy Cameron and now I'm trying to finish Die A Little by Megan Abbott because I've got to lend the book to somebody tomorrow night and got curious :)
Amber wrote: "Carmel wrote: "Amber wrote: "Thanks Carmel & Dee-Ann, I'm really enjoying it, can't believe I haven't read it before :)"If you're emotional like me, you're in for a rollercoaster ride Amber:)"
..."
Just about to collect City of Bones from the library. Will let you know what I think - haven't read this author before. And I'm 4th in line for Sister - we could be starting something here!
And Brenda, I cant imagine anything much worse than my library closing. Definitely worth fighting for. Think of the huge numbers of people who use the facilities (libraries are not just books anymore).
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There has been a huge uproar about it, with much being said in the local paper, also online...they sure have a fight on their hands!! I think if they cut the councillors massive salaries, they wouldn't have to worry about the library budgets!!
I think this will be a long, drawn out process, with hopefully a good result in the future...
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I am reading my way through Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. She has the same weird sense of humor as me. I can't stop reading them.
Joanne wrote: "Kerry Greenwood is terrific, isn't she! I discovered her a couple of years ago, and love her Phryne Fisher series."Amen! I love her Corrina Chapman series too
Have just finished Keith Richards's autobiog, "Life". Fantastic read, and not only for Keef or Stones fans. Very funny all thru, especially towards the end. I kept reporting to my husband as I read: "Oh, he's left the choir and joined the Scouts... Do you think this band will ever make as much as seventy quid a week?" and so on. Wonder if the Queen knows he sang for her in a choir comp in 1955?Loved every word of it. A great Xmas present.
I so want to read Keith Richard's autobiography. My son is getting a copy and when he is done with it I plan to flog it. :)
@Meredith- That is one of the boks I really want to pick up soon..Once it hits Big W the price on the book will probably go down..Of course that is..If it gets there..lol-
I'm still reading Nanny Piggins and the Wicked Plan
Hehehe...Nearly finished it..Less then 10 pages. Might take a break from reading before the Summer challenge comes up :)
I am five pages away from finishing
and I love it! I hate waiting for the next book in the series...sigh
I am currently reading "Magic in the Wind" by Christine Feehan and listening to "The Peoples Train" by Thomas Keneally on CD for book club (it would not be a normal choice of book for me) and "Ten Men" by Alexandra Ivy on my IPod.My favourite genre at the moment is paranormal romance and in paticular vampires.
I have just finished reading "Dark Lover" by JR Ward and "Betrayed" by PC & Kristen Cast. Keri Arthur is an Austalian author with a terrifice series about Riley Jensen, who is dhampire (half werewolf & half vampire).
I have recommenced reading The Happiest Refugee which I started a while ago, but got distracted. It is an easy to read memoir, and I can see why/how they can make a movie of it as apparently is in the pipeline.
Dee-Ann wrote: "I have recommenced reading The Happiest Refugee which I started a while ago, but got distracted. It is an easy to read memoir, and I can see why/how they can make a movie of it as a..."Oohhh...I saw this book a while ago and was considering picking it up. Worth it?
Laura wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "I have recommenced reading The Happiest Refugee which I started a while ago, but got distracted. It is an easy to read memoir, and I can see why/how they can make a ..."yes ... it is fun and simple to read, but it has elements of tragedy, disappointment but a lot of it will bring a smile to your face as well, and it seems familiar.
Anh Do was featured on Talking Heads (ABC) a few weeks ago - did you happen to see him? He is a lovely person with a very interesting story.Another Australian refugee story well worth reading is Mahboba's Promise by Maboba Rawi. She grew up in Afghanistan and prostested against the Russian soldier occupation while in her early teens and had to be smuggled out to Pakistan, eventually arriving in Australia. There is much more to her story - I found it engaging on so many levels and still think about it even a year after reading it. Give it a go - it's not what you think! :)
Mahboba's Promise
I was just checking to see if this book was on Goodreads Bluesky. It looks really interesting!
Bluesky wrote: "Anh Do was featured on Talking Heads (ABC) a few weeks ago - did you happen to see him? He is a lovely person with a very interesting story.Another Australian refugee story well worth reading ..."
Thanks for the suggestion ... I will look aroound for a copy.
Carmel wrote: "I've been tempted picking up both of those reads Bluesky & Dee-Ann - money can only go so far though!!"I know what you mean ... we have a great public library system which helps, but it is great owning a copy of a book too (though my other half is complaining about all the room my books are taking up).
I have unexpectedly started a book with an Australian author: Life Without Limits! Although Nick's an evangelical Christian, he's not obnoxious about it - I'm just over an hour into the audiobook, and truly impressed by his delivery - reading the print would likely be much less interesting!
I might have to get stuck into my local lib...I've just never been all that impressed with it. I used to go there sometimes during the winter on my work lunch breaks..ehehehe. I've been told the lib system here has updated itself..hmm
My local library will not date stamp the books ... gaaaargh!
Well, then you can't be blamed for returning them late. :)
Do they atleast give you a docket to tell you when they are due? They stopped stamping books long ago here but a docket is now what you get..Plus you can check online.
Ha, well that would be the sensible approach wouldn't it! But no, they have actually refused to stamp a date for me when I have requested - I only ever did it the once!! Nothing scarier than a grumpy librarian! lolI suspect it has something to do with their policy of overdue fines.
They trying to get make up some cash? So they don't do anything..lol I'd be partly tempted to write in the book when it was due (front page) or atleast place a piece of paper mentioning it and then write an extra comment (in a nice manner) to let them know that what they are doing is just stupid.
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We get a computer printed piece of paper with the details of the book, and when it's due back at our library.....
Shame of you Carmel, what kind of a book group do you think we are running here? I think that is a deportable offense.
LOL, okay since it's your first offense I'll take it easy on you.
I'm currently reading eat,pray, love....For some reason I keep going to say/write 'eat,pray, sleep'..oops..lol
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Aussie Readers
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Is there an Aussie writer who pens stuff about daily life there? I'd be quite interested in that.