Aussie Readers discussion
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    What Are You Currently Reading? (doesn't have to be an Aussie book)
    
  
  
        message 4101:
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          Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen
      
        
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      Oct 10, 2012 11:26PM
    
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   Ashleigh wrote: "Reading
      Ashleigh wrote: "Reading  by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded in time for NaNo ..."
 by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded in time for NaNo ..."What is NaNo?
 Now reading the brilliant, 'Lost Voices' by Australian author, Christopher Koch. I cannot believe I haven't heard of or read any of this brilliant writer's books before!!!!!! See today's 'Age' newspaper for further bio info about Koch. Delightful narrative and beautiful writing style which absorbs you into the storyline.
      Now reading the brilliant, 'Lost Voices' by Australian author, Christopher Koch. I cannot believe I haven't heard of or read any of this brilliant writer's books before!!!!!! See today's 'Age' newspaper for further bio info about Koch. Delightful narrative and beautiful writing style which absorbs you into the storyline.
    
      Ashleigh wrote: "Reading  by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded in time for NaNo ..."
 by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded in time for NaNo ..."
I hope you like this more than I did Ashleigh. I'd loved her other two but didn't finish this one - it just bored me unfortunately. I'll look forward to hearing what you think of it
  
  
   by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded in time for NaNo ..."
 by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded in time for NaNo ..."I hope you like this more than I did Ashleigh. I'd loved her other two but didn't finish this one - it just bored me unfortunately. I'll look forward to hearing what you think of it
 reading Private Oz as it's set in Australia, I wanted to see if the dialogue, etc is noticeably Australian. It's not! This is written for American readers, who obviously can't get their heads around the fact that here we have a mum, not a mom (just the start of a long list......)
      reading Private Oz as it's set in Australia, I wanted to see if the dialogue, etc is noticeably Australian. It's not! This is written for American readers, who obviously can't get their heads around the fact that here we have a mum, not a mom (just the start of a long list......)
    
        
      Simone wrote: "Now reading the brilliant, 'Lost Voices' by Australian author, Christopher Koch. I cannot believe I haven't heard of or read any of this brilliant writer's books before!!!!!! See today's 'Age' ne..."
Lost Voices by Christopher J. Koch...I haven't heard of him either Simone..thanks for sharing:)
  
  
  Lost Voices by Christopher J. Koch...I haven't heard of him either Simone..thanks for sharing:)
        
      Marianne wrote: "reading Private Oz as it's set in Australia, I wanted to see if the dialogue, etc is noticeably Australian. It's not! This is written for American readers, who obviously can't get their heads arou..."
I wondered if this might happen Marianne...and frankly, it shocks me that an author of his calibre didn't do the necessary research to have things like 'mom' turned into 'mum' for Oz! Very disappointing!
  
  
  I wondered if this might happen Marianne...and frankly, it shocks me that an author of his calibre didn't do the necessary research to have things like 'mom' turned into 'mum' for Oz! Very disappointing!
 Now reading the ingredients list on a frozen dinner. The character development appears to be weak, but the teratogenic potential is arresting.
      Now reading the ingredients list on a frozen dinner. The character development appears to be weak, but the teratogenic potential is arresting.
    
        
      Mark wrote: "Now reading the ingredients list on a frozen dinner. The character development appears to be weak, but the teratogenic potential is arresting."
Pick up a book Mark!! lol Or at least some frozen peas;P
  
  
  Pick up a book Mark!! lol Or at least some frozen peas;P
 I do not even hope that there will be peas in our time. I am, however, reading "The Trouble with Physics: the Rise of String Theory." The trouble, it would seem, is that a cabal of quantum physicists in Iowa has been winding this immense ball of string in eleven dimensions, and someone has let a multidimensional kitten into the room. It's not a very tight yarn, unfortunately, but then, anyone who thinks the universe needs seven extra dimensions when the ones we already have utterly suck, has to be viewed with a measure of skepticism.
      I do not even hope that there will be peas in our time. I am, however, reading "The Trouble with Physics: the Rise of String Theory." The trouble, it would seem, is that a cabal of quantum physicists in Iowa has been winding this immense ball of string in eleven dimensions, and someone has let a multidimensional kitten into the room. It's not a very tight yarn, unfortunately, but then, anyone who thinks the universe needs seven extra dimensions when the ones we already have utterly suck, has to be viewed with a measure of skepticism.
     I had also planned to get started on
      I had also planned to get started onGet It Done When You're Depressed
but I find that I'm too depressed to bother reading it.
      Finishing this one:The World Without Us
   . It's brilliant, depressing, and strangely uplifting (yep, the world without us) at the same time. I'll be giving it 5 stars, unless it goes dramatically downhill (don't envisage that). Starting on this one straight after:
. It's brilliant, depressing, and strangely uplifting (yep, the world without us) at the same time. I'll be giving it 5 stars, unless it goes dramatically downhill (don't envisage that). Starting on this one straight after: 
   Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free.
Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free.
Also reading this (for my writing): Breathing Life Into Your Characters: How to Give Your Characters Emotional & Psychological Depth , which I highly recommend.
, which I highly recommend.
    
  
  
   . It's brilliant, depressing, and strangely uplifting (yep, the world without us) at the same time. I'll be giving it 5 stars, unless it goes dramatically downhill (don't envisage that). Starting on this one straight after:
. It's brilliant, depressing, and strangely uplifting (yep, the world without us) at the same time. I'll be giving it 5 stars, unless it goes dramatically downhill (don't envisage that). Starting on this one straight after: 
   Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free.
Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free.Also reading this (for my writing): Breathing Life Into Your Characters: How to Give Your Characters Emotional & Psychological Depth
 , which I highly recommend.
, which I highly recommend.
    
        
      Michael wrote: "Just finished The Guilty One and found it a really good read.
Review will be soon."
That's good Michael...I'll look forward to reading your review:)
  
  
  Review will be soon."
That's good Michael...I'll look forward to reading your review:)
 I think stupidity has always been a perceived virtue in America. I live in the most grotesquely anti-intellectual country in the history of the known universe.
      I think stupidity has always been a perceived virtue in America. I live in the most grotesquely anti-intellectual country in the history of the known universe.
    
      :D I suspect it's a world-wide phenomena. (How do you like my attempt at being tactful? :)) The book looks great, the intro is entitled: Dinosaurs with Saddles.
    
  
  
  
      Had to add, we don't have a leg to stand on. We are a nation that reveres its sportsmen more than its scientist...
    
  
  
   Georgina wrote: ":D I suspect it's a world-wide phenomena. (How do you like my attempt at being tactful? :)) The book looks great, the intro is entitled: Dinosaurs with Saddles."
      Georgina wrote: ":D I suspect it's a world-wide phenomena. (How do you like my attempt at being tactful? :)) The book looks great, the intro is entitled: Dinosaurs with Saddles."Hilarious (but very apposite) description. No tact needed where I'm concerned, though. You needn't finish the book: I'll give you the (predictable) outcome. One hundred million drooling, illiterate, worshipful followers of Fox News will vote for their own economic evisceration and the reinstatement of the endearing social mores of the ninth century. The global economy will tank as sociopathic predators break free of the last vestiges of restraint, and billionaires appropriate the last drops of blood that can be drained from the dying middle class. We'll all be urged to crawl out onto ice floes, and a few hundred gleeful plutocrats will rub their hands and smirk. The end. (No sequel is projected at this time, since the publication of books will become illegal.)
        
      Mark wrote: "Georgina wrote: ":D I suspect it's a world-wide phenomena. (How do you like my attempt at being tactful? :)) The book looks great, the intro is entitled: Dinosaurs with Saddles."
Hilarious (but ve..."
Hahaha!!! Mmmm!!
  
  
  Hilarious (but ve..."
Hahaha!!! Mmmm!!
      Extremely dangerous things, books...Unless written by TV celebrities, of course.
    
  
  
   Georgina wrote: "Extremely dangerous things, books...Unless written by TV celebrities, of course."
      Georgina wrote: "Extremely dangerous things, books...Unless written by TV celebrities, of course."Bradbury needs to be updated. I wonder what the temperature is at which kindles melt.
      Burn them all! (Except for mine, of course). :D
    
  
  
   Georgina wrote: "Burn them all! (Except for mine, of course). :D"
      Georgina wrote: "Burn them all! (Except for mine, of course). :D"Since everything humanly possible will be done to accelerate global warming, probably *everything* will burn without much direct intervention on our part. Or drown. Silly ozone layer! Who needs it?
      Too right, it obviously just gets in the way! Silly ozone layer indeed! In The World Without Us I'm reading about what would happen to the oil refineries in Texas, were we to suddenly disappear. Burn, burn, burn, or explode and fill the atmosphere with toxic gases. Also reading about BP's track record. Amazing how little these mega corporations care. Just finished reading: Water Wars: Drought, Flood, and the Politics of Thirst. So my current thinking is that we are fools and barbarians, pretending to be civilized. Not expecting the next book on my list to shift that opinion.
    
  
  
   I've recently finished reading Burning Lies.My review is up. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
      I've recently finished reading Burning Lies.My review is up. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...Probably a little different to some other reviews.
 Brenda wrote: "Marianne wrote: "reading Private Oz as it's set in Australia, I wanted to see if the dialogue, etc is noticeably Australian. It's not! This is written for American readers, who obviously can't get..."
      Brenda wrote: "Marianne wrote: "reading Private Oz as it's set in Australia, I wanted to see if the dialogue, etc is noticeably Australian. It's not! This is written for American readers, who obviously can't get..."I wondered if this might happen Marianne...and frankly, it shocks me that an author of his calibre didn't do the necessary research to have things like 'mom' turned into 'mum' for Oz! Very disappointing!
Wait for my review, Brenda, I'm giving them heaps!
        
      Marianne wrote: "my review of Private Oz http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
was I scathing enough?"
Excellent review Marianne. It's such a shame, and I am shocked at what you have said he's done...obvious ones of mile v kilometre etc..... I have my copy here, and will get to it eventually...
  
  
  was I scathing enough?"
Excellent review Marianne. It's such a shame, and I am shocked at what you have said he's done...obvious ones of mile v kilometre etc..... I have my copy here, and will get to it eventually...
 Georgina wrote: "Too right, it obviously just gets in the way! Silly ozone layer indeed! In The World Without Us I'm reading about what would happen to the oil refineries in Texas, were we to suddenly disappear. Bu..."
      Georgina wrote: "Too right, it obviously just gets in the way! Silly ozone layer indeed! In The World Without Us I'm reading about what would happen to the oil refineries in Texas, were we to suddenly disappear. Bu..."Word! But I don't think it's "amazing how little these mega corporations care." They're institutions of distillate evil and toxicity, run by psychotic, malevolent sociopaths motivated by sick, pathological avarice and a depthless desire to inflict harm on others. Their "heaven" is a hell-on-earth for most of humanity. It's not that they're indifferent -- that's a bad rap -- they're engorged with Schadenfreude, and they urgently want to damage and destroy as many other humans as possible. It's their raison d'être. They view life as a game of Risk, and their objective is to capture all the monetary pieces and leave everyone else destitute or dead. I'm always vaguely frustrated when corporate monsters are accused of not caring. They care overwhelmingly... to wreak incalculable suffering on others. When I was in an MBA program (briefly; I experienced tissue rejection), I noticed that in the student lounge there was an immense mural depicting an endless succession of ever-larger piranhas consuming one another. The problem was, the mural wasn't cautionary... it was *celebratory*. That's when I got out.
      Unfortunately, I think you are spot on, Mark.
    
  
  
   New op shop finds for this week, a few classics, all in great condition, a dollar each ... love bargain book hunting :)
      New op shop finds for this week, a few classics, all in great condition, a dollar each ... love bargain book hunting :)The Grapes of Wrath
Mrs. Dalloway
The War of the Worlds
        
      Zenmoon wrote: "New op shop finds for this week, a few classics, all in great condition, a dollar each ... love bargain book hunting :)
The Grapes of Wrath
Mrs. Dalloway
The War of the Worlds"
Great pick-ups Karen. Well done:)
  
  
  The Grapes of Wrath
Mrs. Dalloway
The War of the Worlds"
Great pick-ups Karen. Well done:)
        
      Michael wrote: "Started this one abit earlier. Dream of Ding Village.
The first book i have read from an Eastern author."
Goodness Michael...that one sounds....different! How's it going so far?
  
  
  The first book i have read from an Eastern author."
Goodness Michael...that one sounds....different! How's it going so far?
        
      Michael wrote: "Very bleak so far Brenda with the clash of modern and traditonal China. makes me wonder if this happens in real life in the country."
It's based on 'real life' isn't it? I'll be interested in your thoughts when you're finished...
  
  
  It's based on 'real life' isn't it? I'll be interested in your thoughts when you're finished...
 Ashleigh wrote: "Reading
      Ashleigh wrote: "Reading  by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded in time for NaNo ..."
 by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded in time for NaNo ..."This one is my favourite by Kate Morton, although they are all good. Her latest, The Secret Keeper has arrived in my letterbox today and I can't wait to get started.
 Michael wrote: "Very bleak so far Brenda with the clash of modern and traditonal China. makes me wonder if this happens in real life in the country."
      Michael wrote: "Very bleak so far Brenda with the clash of modern and traditonal China. makes me wonder if this happens in real life in the country."I have read this book and I agree it's bleak although there's humour in there too. I read that Yan claims that Dream of Ding Village is a sanitized version of the documentary he intends to write. If only a fraction of the events portrayed had truly happened, then it would already be a tragedy of epic proportions: it is easy to see why the Chinese authorities have banned this book. Be glad you donate blood here under hygeinic conditions.......
 Sabina wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "Reading
      Sabina wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "Reading  by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded ..."
 by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded ..."Sabina wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "Reading
 by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded ..."
 by Kate Morton. Although my final essay for uni and my novel keep competing for my attention and the latter needs to be concluded ..."I'm readingvthe Secrte Keeper now. Won and uncorrected proof. Enjoying it.
 Paul wrote: "Currently reading, and almost finished, '2001: A Space Odyssey'. It's been so long since I read it, I had almost forgotten how wonderful, amazing, majestic, mind-bending, fantastic, extraordinary t..."
      Paul wrote: "Currently reading, and almost finished, '2001: A Space Odyssey'. It's been so long since I read it, I had almost forgotten how wonderful, amazing, majestic, mind-bending, fantastic, extraordinary t..."2001: A Space Odyssey
        
      Paul wrote: "Currently reading, and almost finished, '2001: A Space Odyssey'. It's been so long since I read it, I had almost forgotten how wonderful, amazing, majestic, mind-bending, fantastic, extraordinary t..."
Yes - one of the best science fiction books ever.
  
  
  Yes - one of the best science fiction books ever.
      A Bit of YA - The Maze Runner by James Dashner 
   
(Edit) this was so disappointing. I got about halfway in and took it back to library. 1.5/5 stars for what I did read. So not recommended.
  
  
   
(Edit) this was so disappointing. I got about halfway in and took it back to library. 1.5/5 stars for what I did read. So not recommended.
 Phrynne wrote: "Paul wrote: "Currently reading, and almost finished, '2001: A Space Odyssey'. It's been so long since I read it, I had almost forgotten how wonderful, amazing, majestic, mind-bending, fantastic, ex..."
      Phrynne wrote: "Paul wrote: "Currently reading, and almost finished, '2001: A Space Odyssey'. It's been so long since I read it, I had almost forgotten how wonderful, amazing, majestic, mind-bending, fantastic, ex..."I think Childhood's End is even better. Neither is to be missed, really.
        
      Mark wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Paul wrote: "Currently reading, and almost finished, '2001: A Space Odyssey'. It's been so long since I read it, I had almost forgotten how wonderful, amazing, majestic, mind-bendin..."
I had forgotten that one and you are quite right Mark!
  
  
  I had forgotten that one and you are quite right Mark!
 Anybody else out there liking Susan Elizabeth Phillips ? She's one of my favourite authors, but I have to admit, the last two books have been really disappointing!
      Anybody else out there liking Susan Elizabeth Phillips ? She's one of my favourite authors, but I have to admit, the last two books have been really disappointing!About to start my next Lee Child book - can't wait :-)
        
      Iris wrote: "Anybody else out there liking Susan Elizabeth Phillips ? She's one of my favourite authors, but I have to admit, the last two books have been really disappointing!
About to start my next Lee Child..."
I have never yet been disappointed by a Lee Child book. Hope you are not either!
  
  
  About to start my next Lee Child..."
I have never yet been disappointed by a Lee Child book. Hope you are not either!
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