What Are You Currently Reading? (doesn't have to be an Aussie book) Showing 51-100 of 15,617

[[deleted user]]

G'day all, I know I have been a little quite, I am currently involved with our Tropical Writers festival & also about half way through writing another story, if anyone is interested here is the link to the JCU university's journal containing my short story/memoire 'Tony the Wogs Mango tree'

http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/idc/grou...


Dave.

[Mandapanda]

Hi, I've just joined the group although I've been a member of Goodreads since May. Glad to find an Aussie group! I'm a nurse and midwife from Brisbane and I'm currently reading a slew of romance books cause I went a bit overboard on the reading challenges this month! I've also got A Continent for the Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa and World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War on the boil. Feel free to PM or friend me.

[Velvetink]

I'm currently reading "Gavin Maxwell: A Life
by Douglas Botting" Maxwell was a Scottish naturalist & writer (among other professions) and wrote "Ring of Bright Water". Enjoying this so far. Botting writes well.

I have a question, not sure if this is the right place to put it.

I find it terribly hard to find Australian books on Goodreads, and when I do usually there is no cover photo. Just wondering of anyone else's experience?. The no cover photo really annoys the heck out of me. If I'm uploading a book GR's doesn't have listed I always scan the cover and upload it.

[Mandapanda]

I was thinking about manually importing a book onto Goodreads (for the first time) the other day but couldn't see how to make the cover come up so I abandoned it. You're right, book listings without covers are not very interesting. I don't know if the Goodreads Librarians have the time to fix up every Aussie book like that but I would be happy to help with any work needed to improve the no.'s of Aussie books on this site or to fix old listings.

[Sandra]

Mandy, I'm a GR Librarian and I'd be happy to upload covers. You just need to tell me the book & where the cover is.

[[deleted user]]

I'm currently enjoying again....Classic Australian verse.

[Mandapanda]

David wrote: "I'm currently enjoying again....Classic Australian verse.

"

I think I remember that from school David! It would be good to read it again.

[[deleted user]]

Never knew it existed until it was given to me as a gift about 1 year ago, enjoyed it then & am enjoying now. (-:

[Jem]

I just finished Now by Morris Gleitzman. And I loved it. Its one of those books that I'll keep forever and will re-read no matter how old I get. I also really like how he incoperated the Black Saturday Bushfires into it.

[Mandapanda]

Velvetink wrote: "I have a question, not sure if this is the right place to put it. I find it terribly hard to find Australian books on Goodreads, and when I do usually there is no cover photo. Just wondering of anyone else's experience?. The no cover photo really annoys the heck out of me. If I'm uploading a book GR's doesn't have listed I always scan the cover and upload it."

Since becoming a librarian myself recently I've seen the problems you're describing. I've been adding books to this group's bookshelf and many of them don't have cover photos. I've tried to upload them as I go but many of the older covers I can't find. Ebay has been a great source of many cover photos! I've been really disappointed in the National Library of Australia which holds copies of all of these books but no photo of the cover to go with the description. Even my own local library has photos of all their book covers!

[Vicki]

I'm about halfway through Take Out by West Australian author Felicity Young and thoroughly enjoying it. I usually read ebooks (means I can read in bed at night without keeping my man awake), but I was given this as a gift. Highly recommended.

[Jem]

I am reading (started but stopped) Stolen by Lucy Christopher. And since it is set in Australia and has some things that maybe aren't usually in a book for teenagers. But this one is for all readers. It is very thought provoking and haunting (as well as confronting).

[Mandapanda]

What's it about Jem?

[Jem]

*Spoiler*

Well, she's kidnapped from an (oversea's) airport by a boy her age. She fnds out that he has been following (or stalking) her and 'loves' her. He wants her to love him back, he takes her out (she's been drugged) too the middle of no-where in the Aussie outback.And it goes from there.

[Anna]

It's very interesting hearing what you're reading. I've just had such a busy two days I've got no reading done - talk about withdrawal symptoms. As I'm still in the UK, I don't find many Aussie books.

If you don't mind me pushing myself forward, I have 50 novels published now (as of July) and quite a lot of the later ones have Aussie settings. My 49th and 50th novels are Books 1 and 2 in a historical series set mainly in Western Australia in the 1860s. (Farewell to Lancashire, Beyond the Sunset). I'd been waiting a few years to write this series, when I found out they imported 60 starving cotton lasses from Lancashire to work as maids. (no cotton because of US Civil War, so no work). It's been fascinating doing the research.

And I have some modern novels with UK settings too. I write for two publishers, because I'm as addicted to writing as I am to reading.

I'd put up the covers with this, but I've not found out how. LOL. I may be able to write novels, but I can't always cope with Internet stuff.

[Mandapanda]

··¤(`×[¤ Jem ¤:]×´)¤·· wrote: "*Spoiler*
Well, she's kidnapped from an (oversea's) airport by a boy her age. She fnds out that he has been following (or stalking) her and 'loves' her. He wants her to love him back, he takes h...">

Stolen: A letter to my captor
I just read the blurb and several reviews. It's a great premise for a story! Amazing and disturbing at the same time. Seems like it's a YA style but quite dark. Most of the reviewers talk about how beautifully the author wrote about the Australian desert. I'm going to put it on our "currently reading" bookshelf. Hope you're able to finish it. :)

[Jem]

Yeah. I started and stopped but still haven't picked it back up. Its fantastic, just a book I need to take slowly.

[Jem]

I just read Mockingjay. And I am pretty much emotionally spent. I finished it within a day (needless to say not much homework was finished), and I am still...thinking. I didn't love it, too much happened that I didn't want for me, but it was the best book I have ever read. While I was reading it (and now too) I was pretty much put on an emotional rollercoaster, along with Katniss. It was very different to what I expected and a very different book to others out there. I may not have loved it but I'll always have a place for the girl on fire.

[Mandapanda]

I'm reading by Eve Kenin. It's the Sept BOM at the Scifi Romance group and I'm leading the discussion. This book has won some awards and is very popular in its genre and scifi fans are so passionate I'm looking forward to some great discussions! The cover is a manga style artwork which I never liked before now but I did some research into the artist and the history of manga and anime and how it's become popular in the west and that's totally changed my opinion.

[Colleen]

I am reading Australia's Greatest Peril 1942 Bob Wurth as well as Hawke The Prime Minister by Blanche D'Alpuget and am enjoying both as they both cover a topic of Australia's history i am interested in

[Mandapanda]

Just thought I'd add the links for other readers.:)

[[deleted user]]

I'm not reading a book written by an Australian at the moment. Are you interested in only Australian books or just generally what we are reading?

[Colleen]

I am sure it would cover any books as well as those of Australia writers

[Mandapanda]

I'd love to hear about anything that people are reading!! Definitely doesn't have to be Australian books.:)

[Colleen]

whacko!!!

[[deleted user]]

Good because I've been going through a bit of a classic's reading phase. I'm currently reading Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (I'm pretty sure I didn't need to add the Author but did anyway.)

I'm a huge Jane Austen fan. Northanger Abbey is the only one I haven't read several times.

[Colleen]

I Like her also and the Bronte sisters and Georgette heyer

[[deleted user]]

A new anthology released at a wonderful lunch/launch on the inlet of Cairns & is titled 'Cracks in the Canopy' by the Tropical Writers group here in Cairns (of which I am a member) it's a collection of short stories & poems written by authors in the far north, & 1 of my poems was accepted for this 4th anthology.

If anyone is interested in purchasing one (which I highly recommend of course) please contact Diane here.

http://www.tropicalwriters.com/home/i...

[Lauren]

I am reading, White Tiger by Kylie Chan - she is an Australian author from Queensland who has set her fantasy series in Hong Kong around her vast knowledge of Chinese mythology. She sure does know her stuff but so far I am finding the dialogue rather clunky and the story verges on absurd at times. I am rather confused because this book was recommended to me by a friend whose taste in books I usually agree with...Has anyone else read this?

[Mandapanda]

Lauren wrote: "I am reading, White Tiger by Kylie Chan - she is an Australian author from Queensland who has set her fantasy series in Hong Kong around her vast knowledge of Chinese mythology. She sure does know ..."

I haven't read any of her stuff yet although I just added her books to the bookshelf on the recommendation of another member. Sorry you're not enjoying it so much!

[Capsguy]

Not a fan of urban fantasy, so yet to check it out.

Just finished The Story of the Eye and A Hero of our Time yesterday. Currently reading Beauty and Sadness by Yasunari Kawabata, which received the Nobel Prize of Literature. Haven't read much of it to really give any input, but since I've been to Japan twice in the past year, and going for a three month holiday at the end of the year, it's nice to read up on some authors from that country. Just a comical reason I suppose, but it doesn't matter if it's good literature.

That, and I believe a large portion is set in Kyoto, a city which I love with a passion. Heard the beautiful city is described in a gloomy atmosphere throughout the novel though. Only time will tell!

Highly recommend A Hero of our Time by the way.

[Mandapanda]

Here's some links: Story of the Eye and A Hero of Our Time (is that the right one Capsguy?) Beauty and Sadness by Yasunari Kawabata.

And some pics of Kyoto to make us all jealous.;)




[image error]

[Colleen]

that top picture looks like they are really crammed in to watch the flaming colours of autumn

[Capsguy]

Those are, in fact, the correct novels in which you posted. I'm about 30% through Beauty and Sadness, and if you don't mind quite a depressing read (but not in the traditional sense), then I recommend this! It obviously won the Nobel for a reason.

After this, I plan on reading Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo, and possibly The Last Day of a Condemned Man (might be wrong name, at a rush at uni at the moment) by the same author, if I can get a hand of a copy. Don't know why the later isn't public domain, but the earlier is, when they are by the same author.

Never thought I'd fall in love with classics, especially Russian, but there you go!

[Capsguy]

Oh, and I've been to both places in the photos, just during summer though. I'll be in Kansai (region in which Kyoto is located) for 2 and a half months through winter, so I hope I can go when it's snowing, but apparently it doesn't snow that much in winter in Kansai.

I'm going to spending New Years here at Gunma (never been to Gunma before) with a Japanese friend and her family as per their family tradition. Ringing bells at the stroke of midnight at a temple, drinking hot sake.

http://www.google.com.au/images?um=1&...

It's beautiful there during winter apparently, and me having never seen snow, I believe it would be a great induction to 'real' winter for me!

Still got to get through this semester though :S

[Mandapanda]

I've just ordered this book that I saw on another AR members bookshelf. It is so intriguing. It seems like a retelling of some of our old bush stories in a scary gothic manner. I can't wait to get it!



The Anthology of Colonial Australian Gothic Fiction

[Sandra]

Just started Fantasy in Death . Looks to be another great 'in Death' book.

[Lauren]

Mandy wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I am reading, White Tiger by Kylie Chan - she is an Australian author from Queensland who has set her fantasy series in Hong Kong around her vast knowledge of Chinese mythology. She ..."

Oh, that's ok Mandy - each to their own I guess! It seems like you either love this series or just get frustrated to tears with it :P

[Penny]

I'm currently reading my first book by Australian author Tim Winton. "Cloudstreet" is such a great book so far, introduction to characters and their backgrounds and stories are beautiful. Has anyone else read this book?

[[deleted user]]

Penny wrote: "I'm currently reading my first book by Australian author Tim Winton. "Cloudstreet" is such a great book so far, introduction to characters and their backgrounds and stories are beautiful. Has anyon..."

Welcome to the group Penny.

I have read cloudstreet. I loved it. I loved the down to earth characters and the style of the writing. I have also heard that reading it a second time is even better. I haven't as yet done that, but will in the future. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
It was one of those books that people would observe you reading on the train, stop you and want to talk about it. :)

[Penny]

:) I can't put it down! The style of writing just makes it so intriguing. Have you read any other Tim Winton books?

[[deleted user]]

I have also read Breath and The Riders. I read The Riders many many years ago, at the time it didn't grab me. It took me a long time to get back to Tim Winton. Fortunately a friend of mine convinced me to read Cloudstreet : A Novel. You will enjoy Breath as well, it is unusual, but all his books are. I really need to go back and re-read The Riders, perhaps my tastes have changed since I read it? :)

[[deleted user]]

Penny wrote: ":) I can't put it down! The style of writing just makes it so intriguing. Have you read any other Tim Winton books?"

Penny, I am not sure where you are interested but The First Tuesday Book Club reviewed Cloudstreet a few months ago. I posted the review in the Thread we have found under Conference Groups and Awards'The First Tuesday Book Club'

[Penny]

Thanks Gail :)

[Amber]

At the moment I'm reading Elizabeth Moon's 'The Deed of Paksenarrion' - the omnibus. I always bypassed her as I figured she was strictly hardcore sci-fi, but I was drawn to this one. At over 1200 pages and me having arthritis in my hands and wrists it gets difficult to hold sometimes, but I think it's absolutely worth it! I found it on the shelf at work - I work for Angus and Robertson - and decided I had to read it...

[[deleted user]]

Amber wrote: "At over 1200 pages and me having arthritis in my hands and wrists it gets difficult to hold sometimes, but I think it's absolutely worth it! I found it on the shelf at work - I work for Angus and Robertson - and decided I had to read it..."

Oh heaven working in a book shop. Do you have an ereader Amber? I don't yet but I am looking into it. We are having discussions here about the pro's and con's of the various ones available. I know some people prefer the paper version, I love the paper verson, I love having my house overflowing with books, but -- sometimes an ereader would be so much more convenient. Hope you enjoy the book, tell us about it when you finish there are plenty of Sci-Fi fans here.:)

[Amber]

Hey Gail "cyborg"/Robyn :-) Yeah, it's great working in a bookstore. My only problem is that I never have any money as every time I'm at work I find books that I have to buy...I don't have an ereader, though I know it would be more convenient. I'll have to see how I go - for the moment, it's heavy books and aching hands all the way lol

[Penny]

I was looking at an ereader in Borders the other day, I love gadgets so it's tempting and so much more convenient, but again, I love owning books :(

[Jacqueline]

I'm half way through In my Skin by Kate Holden. Very interesting so far.

Actually, very sad too, because she got addicted to heroin early on and was working as a prostitute to fund her habit. However, she's not dead and writes very well. Right at the beginning she does mention lots of very sexy but retired dresses in her wardrobe, so I assume there are better things coming.

What a waste of a life those drugs are.

[Mandapanda]

Jacqueline wrote: "I'm half way through In my Skin by Kate Holden. Very interesting so far..."

I'm just about to start Sisters of the Extreme: Women Writing on the Drug Experience, Including Charlotte Bronte, Louisa May Alcott, Anais Nin, Maya Angelou, Billie Holiday, Nina Hagen, Carrie Fisher, and Others, an obscure but fascinating book that was picked for a reading challenge I'm in. It's just arrived from the library and I was thinking you might also find it interesting Jacqueline.:)