Aussie Readers discussion
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What Are You Currently Reading? (doesn't have to be an Aussie book)
Dale wrote: "Like others I read the Enid Blytons but I never ever thought boarding school sounded a good idea...."Maybe I thought it sounded good because I was an only child - constant friends to play with!! Having said that, I was pretty good at amusing myself anyway when I was a little bit older, so perhaps it was just when I was younger - maybe under 10 years old or thereabouts...
Kathryn wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I also grew up reading Famous Five and Secret Seven as well as a series of books set in an idyllic boarding school called the Chalet School in Austria - does anyone remember those?"..."Yes, I'm pretty sure that's the series. The school was in the Tyrol - the mountains and valleys all sounded very romantic! I don't remember there being 58 books - maybe my school library stopped at a dozen or so.
Finished reading : The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 4★My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dale wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Patricia wrote: "@Kathryn LOL - see you DO read all the books one after the other! ..."Yes, I do sometimes, but not very often!! :-) The Hunger Games in 2011 was the last time I c..."
Patricia wrote: "I missed out on those Chalet school series - sounds like I would have loved them.
I went to a smallish primary school & I think the library was a bit limited. I do remember being frustrated that I..."]
I think some of us must have all read the same books growing up (those of us of a certain age) as I also remember moving on from Enid Blyton to the Katy books, Little Women (my favourite) and Heidi. After that I devoured my Mum's collection of Agatha Christie and PG Woodhouse.
Carolyn wrote: "Dale wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Patricia wrote: "@Kathryn LOL - see you DO read all the books one after the other! ..."Yes, I do sometimes, but not very often!! :-) The Hunger Games in 2011 was the ..."
I wasn't fussed on the What Katy Did books - I don't think I even finished the first - but I did enjoy Heidi, Little Women and also the Anne of Green Gables series (although I had one abortive attempt at these before I fell in love with them). I also did Agatha Christie over - I probably almost read those one after another and I only got into P.G. Wodehouse as an adult - maybe in my early - mid 20's and haven't read very many of his.
On a side note about L.M. Montgomery, I've only recently realised that she wrote Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories and it's in my local library so I'm going to read it this December!
Kathryn wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Dale wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Patricia wrote: "@Kathryn LOL - see you DO read all the books one after the other! ..."Yes, I do sometimes, but not very often!! :-) The Hunger Games ..."
Sounds perfect for a December Challenge!
Carolyn wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Dale wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Patricia wrote: "@Kathryn LOL - see you DO read all the books one after the other! ..."Yes, I do sometimes, but not very often!! :-) T..."
That's what I was thinking!
And I've just realised we've hijacked the "currently reading" thread with books we used to read!! Sorry!
I'm currently reading the second book in the Irish Country series by Patrick Taylor - An Irish Country Village. I'm enjoying being back in the little village of Ballybucklebo and following the life of young Doctor Barry Laverty.
Kathryn wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Dale wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Patricia wrote: "@Kathryn LOL - see you DO read all the books one after the other! ..."Yes, I do sometimes, but not ve..."
Sorry my fault I think! We might have to start a new thread :)
I also loved the Irish Country Doctor series - there's a Christmas one as well An Irish Country Christmas.
I just finished listening to Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.Finding myself torn with regard to the rating. I liked the style of writing, but not so much what he was writing about. The main character is a vile man, and there's lots of detailed gory descriptions in the book that I also didn't like.
In fact there are really no likable characters in the book at all.
Does that make it a bad book?
I don't necessarily think so, but how can you like a book if you don't like anyone in it?
It's made me feel like I need a long hot shower.
Patricia wrote: "I just finished listening to Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.Finding myself torn with regard to the rating. I liked the style of writing, but not so much what he was writing about. The..."
I felt very much the same way when I read The Casual Vacancy, Patricia. Good writing, no likeable characters, icky plot lines, nothing "nice" - I felt grey and grubby, for want of a better description, afterwards.
Carolyn wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Dale wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Patricia wrote: "@Kathryn LOL - see you DO read all the books one after the other! ..."Yes, I do somet..."
I know, Carolyn - it's number 3, so guess what else I'll be reading in Dec this year!!
Patricia wrote: "I just finished listening to Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.Finding myself torn with regard to the rating. I liked the style of writing, but not so much what he was writing about. The..."
I know - you can't say you "enjoyed" it, but I think it can still have been a good read...
I guess I'd call it an "uncomfortable" read.I felt exactly the same about The Museum of Extraordinary Things, every character was unlikable in some way, weak women, cruel men & everyone just out for themselves.
I think I'm learning that in my books I need someone to like!
I don't like the unsettled feeling I have after these sorts of books.
I've finished Shotgun Lovesongs, debut novel for Nickolas Butler - weak and boring read. Gave it 2 stars.Review is here : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm reading Arcadia by Lauren Groff and by page 15, I already knew I could never live in a commune.Back to a previous comment, I do like to read an author's books one after the other. I'm a bit of a compulsive and if I find an author whose writing I like, then I simply have to read everything they have written.
Pretty much every book on my Personal Challenge of Author Marathons here in AR, I have read one after the other. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Kathryn wrote: "Dale wrote: "Like others I read the Enid Blytons but I never ever thought boarding school sounded a good idea...."Maybe I thought it sounded good because I was an only child - constant friends to..."
I was an only child too Kathryn and enjoyed laying with other kids in the street but then being able to be on my own when I wanted to. I suspect too that the only child may often have a closer relationship with parents too.
I have lined up 3 new books to read - Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin.A good week of reading coming up I think :)
Patricia wrote: "I just finished listening to Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.Finding myself torn with regard to the rating. I liked the style of writing, but not so much what he was writing about. The..."
I know how you feel. Kudos to you for finishing it, I couldn't bring myself to. I too needed a shower after reading to rid myself of the grime of the words.
I'm currently reading 3 different books. The first one is Beautiful Creatures. When I first heard about this book it was around the time that there was the big hype because the movie was coming out and I wasn't over excited because I just kinda thought like yeah it's just gonna be over rated like a lot of those kind of book/movie deals are. I noticed however that my friend was reading it and she told me it was actually really good. So last time I went to my town library I saw it there and thought "why not?" So I got it and I'm about half way through and loving it. Probably going to get rated 5 stars.
The next book I'm reading is My Place. I started reading this because we were supposed to be looking at a couple of chapters in my English class at school. They asked that we read between certain chapters that were like a third of the way through the book and I just can't not read the whole book. So while I assume the majority of the class didn't read anything I'm nearly halfway and find it to be one of the most interesting books I've read in a long time.
The third book is A Fortunate Life which is another I'm supposed to be reading for school. Once again we only have to read certain chapters but I going to read the whole thing. I haven't actually started (well I read about the author if you count that) but I will be starting it today and am really excited for this one because like My Place I think this book sounds really interesting and will be a good account of what Australian life was like.
Maddie wrote: "I'm currently reading 3 different books. The first one is Beautiful Creatures. When I first heard about this book it was around the time that there was the big hype because the mov..."
I haven't read Beautiful Creatures but I have read and enjoyed the other two.
Bette Book Babble wrote: "Just finished Arcadia by Lauren Groff 4.5★My review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Great review Bette. Thanks for recommending it :)
Sharon wrote: "Bette Book Babble wrote: "Just finished Arcadia by Lauren Groff 4.5★My review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Great review Bette. Thanks ..."
Excellent review - have just added it to my TBR :)
I don't have a coin Michael but hubby said The girl with a clock with a heart - he had never heard of either book but that title appealed to him :)
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Brenda wrote: "Ok back on my phone now so no linking ;) But the toss of my trusty coin tells me you should be reading book #1 :)"Yaaaay - same as hubby, but the coin would have been easier for you to toss than it was for me to pick up and toss my 6ft hubby :)
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Yaaaay - same as hubby, but the coin would have been easier for yo..."
Oh my goodness..the mind boggles Sally!
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You'd better enjoy it ;)
Leonie wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Bette Book Babble wrote: "Just finished Arcadia by Lauren Groff 4.5★My review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Great review..."
Thank you; I didn't think I was going to like it as much as I did. Bette (who aint ever gonna live in a commune!)
Sharon wrote: "Bette Book Babble wrote: "Just finished Arcadia by Lauren Groff 4.5★
My review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Great review Bette. Thanks ..."
Thanks!
Michael wrote: "Well it sounds good so that's half the battle. :)"You'll have to let us know where he title comes into it.
I have just finished reading Orphan Train, which I found to be a little gem! I really liked it. Here is my reviw: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dhitri wrote: "I have just finished reading Orphan Train, which I found to be a little gem! I really liked it. Here is my reviw: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Great review Dhitri :)
Finished and reviewed A Love Like Blood by Marcus SedgwickReview is here : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dhitri wrote: "I have just finished reading Orphan Train, which I found to be a little gem! I really liked it. Here is my reviw: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."I have this on my TBR pile ready for an upcoming group discussion
Patricia wrote: "I just finished listening to Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.Finding myself torn with regard to the rating. I liked the style of writing, but not so much what he was writing about. The..."
I avoid reading crime books that include gory details and those that put the reader inside the head of the murderer. Unfortunately, that means I sometimes have trouble finding a suitable book because so many of them in the crime genre (my favourite) include one or both of those elements.
I'm finished and I'm floored by Gone Girl by Gillian FlynnMy review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am currently reading We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler and so far it has been a real delight; I would often find myself smiling at the protagonist's quirky observations of the present and her witty recounting of her childhood (I have yet to get to the tragic part!).
Mish wrote: "Dhitri wrote: "I have just finished reading Orphan Train, which I found to be a little gem! I really liked it. Here is my reviw: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Gr..."
Thanks, Mish!
Sally906 wrote: "Dhitri wrote: "I have just finished reading Orphan Train, which I found to be a little gem! I really liked it. Here is my reviw: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."I ..."
Can't wait to hear what you think about it! :)
Bette Book Babble wrote: "Finished On Beauty by Zadie Smith; definitely ★. It is rip-snorting read!My review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Bette, It seems you mean 5★ cos it looks like 1 ★ in your post......
Marianne wrote: "Bette Book Babble wrote: "Finished On Beauty by Zadie Smith; definitely ★. It is rip-snorting read!My review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Bette, It seems you mean 5★ cos it looks like 1 ★ in your post..."
Fixed, thanks Marianne, must have been over-excited when I posted my entry:P
Right now , I am reading "How The Other Half Die" by Susan George. Sounds like a murder mystery but really about world hunger, and really sobering information.
I just couldn't resist starting on
, the first novel by Marianne Kavanagh after I looked at the first few pages when I got it in the mail from Text last week. I am really enjoying it. Can't post a review until after the embargo date 23rd April, but the comparison to
by David Nicholls is spot on and I think anyone who enjoyed that book will like this one too.
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How the Other Half Dies by Susan George
Finished reading : Upside Down, Inside Out by Monica McInerney 3★My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Started reading Bereft by Chris WomersleyOnly read a couple of chapters and I'm already enjoying it :)
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Aussie Readers
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Of course that's the UK, it probably stayed nice and cold all day in their little picnic basket...take it to an Aussie beach, unr..."
When I think "potted" meat, I think tinned meat - ugh! Only to be eaten in the most dire of circumstances!