Book Loving Kiwis discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Archives
>
Chit Chat Board
Mod
I'll have a look at work. If there is anything it will be hardback (unless something has arrived since Monday. :)
Yes, I can't find my way round the GoodRead's listing which seem to have retitled most of the novels for the American market!As I've put mine into boxes it's a bit tricky. I'd be grateful for info re any titles of hers you have in case it's one I haven't now got. A pox take all bad borrowers.
Lesley, I am enjoying that Country House literature course. It's a lot more demanding than most. I can't coast through as I have been doing with the other courses. Still I am not doing the comments bit. Drives me mad. Half the comments, and there are usually over 100 to trawl through, are inane. I just yell at the computer or compose emails to friends re the books.
Mod
As I've put mine into boxes it's a bit tricky. I'd be grateful for inf..."
I think it's more that the most popular edition becomes the default - & GR is an American site.
No Ngaio Marsh's out the back - I forgot to check what was on the shelves but I'll be back in next Monday. :)
Mod
All we have for Ngaio Marsh is 2 copies of Off With His Head. It's number 19 in the series so I would think Alleyn & Troy would have been together by then.
Hi team, I know you'll all have great suggestions for me, so here's my question. My just-turned-ten daughter is an avid reader. She's been assessed at reading at a 16yr old level. Which is great...but I don't want her reading 16 year old type books!She needs longer books, because she reads so fast. She loved the Nancy Drew books. The school librarian has suggested Agatha Christie books...
Her favourite author is The Jacqueline Wilson Collection, but we've had some interesting conversations about some of the content of some of her books... "Mum, what does 'top yourself' mean?" etc.
Can anyone else suggest something modern, but suitable, and good?!?!?!
Hi Kirsten - I'd recommend The Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley (featuring an 11 year old girl sleuth) - the first book is The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and kiwi writer Lorraine Orman said this about it in her review - "Would be a great series for those gentle readers (usually girls) who are aged about 10 but have a reading age of 15 or higher." Also some other great books for good young readers are From the Cutting Room of Barney Kettle by Kate de Goldi, first two books in Anne of Green Gables series (LM Montgomery), Inkheart (Cornelia Funke), and the Little House on the Prairie series.
Melinda wrote: "Hi Kirsten - I'd recommend The Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley (featuring an 11 year old girl sleuth) - the first book is The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and kiwi writer Lorraine Orman..."Awesome recommendations thank you!!! That review description is exactly what I (we) were after.
Mod
Yes, I second Carol there. with the Tamora Pierce series, the Allana four and the page squire Knight 4 would really be great for her. Also Harry Potter, Rosemary Sutcliffe's books, Arthur Ransome's books, Cynthia Voight's books, Diane Wyn Jones's books and that excellent NZ women who wrote those two in our Book Pool challenge. jean? Joan? The books are Rebecca and I am Not Esther.I do not recommend the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley, the first book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is based on poor research. He is a North American who assumes that poison ivy grows wild in the UK. Also that you can distill the poison from poison ivy. Neither is true.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is meant to be about an upper crust English family in the 1920s or 30s but the protagonist talks like a modern N Am brat and the dialogue and manners are way off.
I was so disgusted with the publisher and editor that I actually contacted the Kew Gardens staff for confirmation about poison ivy and took that information and blasted them and the author online and in letters to them. No apologies or corrections made of course.
P.D.R. wrote: "Yes, I second Carol there. with the Tamora Pierce series, the Allana four and the page squire Knight 4 would really be great for her. Also Harry Potter, Rosemary Sutcliffe's books, Arthur Ransome's..."Thanks PDR. Funnily enough, when she was 15 months old, when we were on a walk through bush up to the RAF Memorial, we had a run in with some poison ivy whilst being 'off path' for toddler reasons...not a pleasant experience.
I've been bumping up Amazon's revenue by adding these books to her Kindle...
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Keep them coming!
Where did you run into poison ivy, Kirsten? The genu9ine N Am stuff?
P.D.R. wrote: "Where did you run into poison ivy, Kirsten? The genu9ine N Am stuff?"In the forest around The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede, in Surrey. We'd gone for a long walk in the bush, as you do, but as the toddler needed a toilet stop, we'd wandered off the path...a very foolish thing to do.
Real genuine poison ivy? The N Am stuff? It's a registered noxious weed and pest plant in the UK so Kew said. It can only be grown in special circumstances with a license and there is only one place in the UK. as far as Kew know.Sure it wasn't that nasty itchy cousin to the nettle?
P.D.R. wrote: "Real genuine poison ivy? The N Am stuff? It's a registered noxious weed and pest plant in the UK so Kew said. It can only be grown in special circumstances with a license and there is only one plac..."Hmmm, now you've got me thinking...
Kirsten wrote: "Hi team, I know you'll all have great suggestions for me, so here's my question. My just-turned-ten daughter is an avid reader. She's been assessed at reading at a 16yr old level. Which is great......"Hi, Melinda's books are of course highly recommended !! But if allowed, I have a few keen younger female reader fans for my two Secret of Spirits Bay books. They feature a strong female co-lead ( even though they might sound a bit boyish on first glance!) My website stephenbarker.co.nz has the details - all in the library too.
Kirsten wrote: "Hi team, I know you'll all have great suggestions for me, so here's my question. My just-turned-ten daughter is an avid reader. She's been assessed at reading at a 16yr old level. Which is great......"
The Miss Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood which is an Australian cozy mystery series set in 19s0s Melbourne
The Miss Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood which is an Australian cozy mystery series set in 19s0s Melbourne
Melissa, Phryne Fisher is a 1920s version of James Bond and I don't think Kirsten wants to explain why Phryne is always in bed with some man enjoying sex.I agree though, great reads and fun and clever and nicely Australian.
fair point PDR, I forgot about that aspect. oops.
Do you like the Corrina Chapman series as well, Melissa?
Mod
Also with Agatha Christie (as much as I love her) there is the contempt for female staff, racism etc.
I have not heard of that series PDR? is it any good? I might have to check it out.
Mod
http://www.education.govt.nz/early-ch...
Although last year The NZ Society of Authors did something.
http://authors.org.nz/nz-book-week/
Since every week is book week for me, I haven't paid attention to this sort of stuff, but I must say I'm stunned.
Anyone know if NZSA is doing something this year?
Carol ♔ Type, Oh Queen! ♔ wrote: "I've had a problem with recommending what I read as a child. I read a lot of adult books, but I was naive & a lot went over my head.Also with Agatha Christie (as much as I love her) there is the ..."
I hoping that some of what she reads goes over her head!!! But we've also had a couple of interesting conversations when she asked me what certain phrases meant...I don't think I've had those discussions with my own mother!!!
Melissa, I have read all of the Kerry Greenwood novels and enjoy the Chapman series as a modern chuckle perfect for Oz and Kiwi readers.Agatha Christie you treat as historical for her books were written nearly 100 years ago and reflect the attitudes of those days.
We've just had poetry week so that's no help Carol, but a National Book Week or Day seems nowhere to be found.
How about tying in with the Nov 5th book Fair and celebrate NZ Indie books as well?
Mod
Agatha Christie you treat as historical for her books were ..."
I could try that as we do get some self published NZ books that are worth something. The thing is I have three coffee table books about a certain musical artist - two of which are worth decent money. The other one is more common & has a damaged cover. If I put them in the shop there is the risk the covers will get damaged & they will be worth less. & depressingly there is always the risk they will be stolen.
I'm stunned there is no longer a reading or book month. Not saying those other weeks aren't worthy weeks but as a country we are nowhere without a literate population. :/
Mod
Carol ♔ Type, Oh Queen! ♔ wrote: "Due to op shop politics (feel free to yawn) I'm struggling to get our window to do a display of books. Not something I want to take further just before I go away, but I had the brilliant idea of ha..."...Anyone know if NZSA is doing something this year?
Yes, NZSA advises - 2016
Book week: 22 October to 28 October
Bookshop day: 29 October
Mod
Book week: 22 October to 28 October
Bookshop day: 29 October
Thanks Bronwyn!
Good. I can get something done here too.
Right folks, fingers crossed as we hit move tomorrow after bedlam for a week! I should be in my new and horrible home tomorrow night. Bedroom not painted, library shelves not fixed, fence not raised!!!Sigh!!!
Anyone got a magic wand 'cos I can't find a single thing as all boxes went into the garage to allow the painter and carpenter to work! Hah!
Now all my vital things are mixed amongst the boxes containing 3000 books!
Thanks PDR, I shall add those to my to red list.
in an unrelated note, I am pleased with myself. I am an anxiety suffering agorophobe and I have been outside walking every day this week ... progress
in an unrelated note, I am pleased with myself. I am an anxiety suffering agorophobe and I have been outside walking every day this week ... progress
Great progress, Melissa. Well done. I hope you enjoy it more each day.P.D.R. - You'll soon put your personal stamp on it and, I hope, enjoy it. Good luck with all the hard work, hope it works out well and with no hitches.
I plan and organise, no one else cooperates. Have been without internet connections except here in the library for nearly4 weeks.Have had to install new loo, chase up the gas man to get the system working, the heat pump lady, still no shelves! Useless kitchen for a cook. Sigh !
Am determinedly getting everything fixed before I spend more time with you all as this time I am going to have the mess fixed within months not years!
Give me strength!
Mod
Have had to install new loo, chase up the gas man to get the system..."
If you are talking tradesmen, that is(sadly) a fact of life. Other than it took a year for our builder to get here our lot weren't too bad & were nice guys to have in the house. We have just done up our bathroom & are really pleased with it.
I've come back from having a wonderful time in Sydney. My first time anywhere in Australia & I loved it.
I've started writing about the Georgette Heyer conference I attended in the Georgette Heyer Group.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
If I decide to write anything about the rest of the trip it will be in the Royal Escape from the Topic (heh!) thread.
& I came back to good news at work! I have been given a second display cabinet. It isn't lockable, but I will feel more comfortable putting valuable books in it as hopefully the glass doors will slow thieves down.
How are you doing, Melissa? Progress - please tell us.Same for you, P.D.R., we shall expect a progress report on the new place.
I've been in the same house for 20 years. It was a new build and so not much needed doing. It does now! So I've made a list of jobs that need doing and I'm tackling one a month. When I say 'tackling' that mostly means getting someone else to do it. This month's job is to organize the painting of the outside wooden bits! Two men have given quotes so far. One more yet to arrive.
Shelving arrives on Friday. Once that is up a lot of the mess will go.Builder doing fence is still no show. Builder doing porch cum conservatory got the measurements all wrong! My retired builder and I potter along building the veg beds, one to go, the dwarf fruit tress planters and getting ready for the archgola to go down the side of the house. Just all these little jobs, like insulation in the garage roof and door, take time but should improve the house.
Still India trip looming now!! Yippee!
Mod
Carol ♛ Type, Oh Queen! ♛ wrote: "Everyone ok here? (earthquake in NZ) I slept through the sirens (very busy weekend) We have heard from family we were most concerned about."No chance of sleeping through anything here since midnight! Endless rocking and rollin' in the dark. Power just back on for the second time, and hopefully for good. Had stuff fall off shelves that broke and or spilled. My goodness shampoo and conditioner are not easy to clean up and go such a long way! Don't seem to have any building damage, but some cracks in drive and path.
Mod
No chance of sleepin..."
Glad you are OK. My sil (who lives in our town) had people evacuated to her, but think just precaution. My husband has gone into town to check things out. (his brother's rental mainly as low lying & his brother in Ak at the moment)
I'm in England and we have heard about it on the news. We prayed for you all in church today and wish we could do something to prevent further shocks.Thinking of you and hope you'll come through yet another quake.
I live in Waipara, not far from where it hit. The quake lasted far longer than the 2010/2011 ones and also felt very different with a rolling action as opposed to a sharp jolt. Hours later I swear my chair is still gently swaying as though I am sitting on a boat in a harbour. Schools are closed in North Canterbury while they are inspected for damage and hopefully everything will be back to normal tomorrow.
Mod
My sister near Reefton described it as rolling too!
Glad you are ok A.W.
Let's try a cheerful topic. Christmas!I'm off to India today, armed with lots of ebooks on my Blackberry and an eager anticipation of a mind blowing out of my comfort zone experience. We all need them to blast our complacency.
So apologies for the skite! Apologies for not taking part and chatting books to you all whilst I got this wretched townhouse rebuilt and in order.
And importantly to you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful comfortable New Year.
If I can work out how to ad photos I'll send a good Indian one of Sandy and me!
Have a great time. After Christmas, I'm doing a North Island crawl. Hurray!
Mod
Mod
Merry Christmas to all the other book loving kiwis (or honorary kiwis :)) in this group. Not long till the main day now -looking forward to having a relaxing day in the Hawkes Bay with my parents, sisters and our partners. No doubt we'll be eating lots and playing Balderdash - a great boardgame everyone should try :)
Happy New Year to our BLK readers. Good reading for 2017
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Book Loving Kiwis
Books mentioned in this topic
Six Minutes In May (other topics)Night and Day (other topics)
The Penguin History of New Zealand (other topics)
The Jacqueline Wilson Collection: "The Story of Tracy Beaker", and "The Bed and Breakfast Star" (other topics)
Fifteen Postcards (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Rumer Godden (other topics)Georgette Heyer (other topics)
Tamora Pierce (other topics)
Alix Bosco (other topics)
Olive Schreiner (other topics)
More...
I can't remember which one it is where Troy and Alleyn finally get together. Something about/like Murder in the Mews? I'm trying to put the set back together and would like to replace the missing ones. I have looked at a list of her books but none of them strike me as the missing one. Oh for youth and a good memory again.