Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets! Showing 23,851-23,900 of 26,036

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Thanks Elaine!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "It's still 29 degrees in Sydney and not long until bedtime. I think it will be an uncomfortable night."

It's been terribly hot - still 26 here and due to be 43 tomorrow:( AND it's not even summer yet!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Had a lovely afternoon with Judy Nunn - she is so passionate about her books; so interesting to listen to; so casual and down to earth. She had everyone laughing on a number of occasions; for example: "oh, I've gone off on a tangent again haven't I - what was your question?" and when signing she talks to everyone with patience and interest in what they are saying. She is an extremely knowledgeable lady:)

If you get a chance to see her in Sydney or anywhere else on this book tour, do yourselves a favour:)

Signed for me are: Spirits of the Ghan, Elianne, Tiger Men and Beneath the Southern Cross

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Michael...it was a great experience:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I am going to see her in Sydney next week Brenda :))

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "I am going to see her in Sydney next week Brenda :))"

You will love her Jools! She is an inspirational lady! Loved the cd at the beginning too. Listen hard..it's good!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "I am going to see her in Sydney next week Brenda :))"

You will love her Jools! She is an inspirational lady! Loved the cd at the beginning too. Listen hard..it's good!"

I gather that it will be in the Dymocks store so I don't know how they will do that? :/

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

They will do it..it's part of her "act" :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "They will do it..it's part of her "act" :)"

Oh good :))

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just checked the gauge out in our patio (which is undercover!) and it's 43.5 out there!! Holy moly!

[Mikana]

Too hot - I kept my son home from school today because he was sick all week, and his school still doesn't have air conditioning. Poor thing already has a fever. He's curled up under the air con now looking miserable.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's a good idea Mikana...way too hot - and it's only spring! I dread the actual summer! Hope he'll be alright - give him lots of fluids:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lucky you - though your earlier temps weren't envied!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Just checked under my patio which faces north so it does get full sun, atm it is nudging 48C or Very Blurry Hot!! The plants are collapsing with this sudden change even though I gave them a good warning drink last night and early this morn..they will be ok but sheesh, it's a bit of a shock!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Just checked under my patio which faces north so it does get full sun, atm it is nudging 48C or Very Blurry Hot!! The plants are collapsing with this sudden change even though I gave them a good wa..."

Oh my goodness Jools! That's terrible:( I haven't been out the back again!

[Zoey]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Just checked under my patio which faces north so it does get full sun, atm it is nudging 48C or Very Blurry Hot!! The plants are collapsing with this sudden change even though I gave them a good wa..."

48 degrees!!!! No Thanks, that sounds awful - Come to Tassie it just started raining :)

[Dale]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Just checked under my patio which faces north so it does get full sun, atm it is nudging 48C or Very Blurry Hot!! The plants are collapsing with this sudden change even though I gave them a good wa..."

Ouch! Wouldn't like that!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zoey wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Just checked under my patio which faces north so it does get full sun, atm it is nudging 48C or Very Blurry Hot!! The plants are collapsing with this sudden change even though I gav..."

Yes please Zoey!!!!

[Sharon]

Yes, Zoey, Tassie sounds like a wonderful place to be today ... although its warm here, we get a touch, very light brush of air from the ocean.

[Neko]

Zoey wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Just checked under my patio which faces north so it does get full sun, atm it is nudging 48C or Very Blurry Hot!! The plants are collapsing with this sudden change even though I gav..."

Yes, it did!! Wow it came down hard..lol But it's passed...However, it always rains close to when school lets out..ahahaha! Thankfully, I finished early so I was home when the rain hit.

[Margaret]

I went outside four times today to water our newly-established plants in the front garden, but a few look as though they have been baked. It's been a tough day here in Sydney, but the southerly has now hit, thank goodness.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm glad it's hit there Margaret - that means it won't be far from here (hopefully!) Still 30 here:(

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It's supposed to drop to 19 but not till early hours!

[Dale]

Beautiful cool here today with a little light rain.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dale wrote: "Beautiful cool here today with a little light rain."

It's definitely cooler Dale...thank goodness! But our overnight didn't get below 21 - the breeze is lovely now:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Dale wrote: "Beautiful cool here today with a little light rain."

...And here, who'd a thought it eh? ＼（＾ ＾）／

[Dale]

Brenda wrote: "Dale wrote: "Beautiful cool here today with a little light rain."

It's definitely cooler Dale...thank goodness! But our overnight didn't get below 21 - the breeze is lovely now:)"

Down this way, it was beautiful walking along beside the by this morning before the soft rain came.

[Carolyn]

Good Morning Aussie Readers! Loving the cool breeze this morning after that scorcher yesterday!

I need a recommendation to finish my Aussie challenge.Just one book left to go in the Romance category. Not my favourite category so I need a good backstory to get me into it.

I've just finished and enjoyed Cathryn Hein's The French Prize which involved a hunt for historical artifacts while the romance waxed and waned (you know the story - beautiful, warm hearted, intelligent historian meets handsome, reserved frenchman with a family feud to settle). So now I'm looking for one last Aussie Romance. Any suggestions?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Oh I have lots Carolyn:) Check out here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... and here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Just check if they're Aussie in the first link - second will be:) Good luck!

[Carolyn]

Lol! I knew you'd have lots Brenda! I'll have a look (might take some time!)

Has anyone read The Perfumer's Secret? Is that a romance?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I haven't read it yet Carolyn but have it down as Historical Fiction. I'll check and see if it can be classed as Historical Romance...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'd say you can read it as Historical Romance Carolyn:) Shellyrae's first words in her review say "dramatic and romantic" - so it would pass;) Enjoy! I'll be interested in your thoughts...

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Or what about The French Promise by Fiona McIntosh it follows on from The Lavender Keeper which you have read Carolyn?

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "I'd say you can read it as Historical Romance Carolyn:) Shellyrae's first words in her review say "dramatic and romantic" - so it would pass;) Enjoy! I'll be interested in your thoughts..."

I saw Shelleyrae's review and a couple of others who describe it as romantic but I don't know if there's a romance as such...

Good thought Jools, will check it on on Amazon (although I am trying not to buy new books!)

I also have Dark Horse by Honey Brown, also not listed as a romance but looks like it could be.

[Ace]

Carolyn Saving Wishes is a aussie romance and free on amazon if you have an eReader.

Saving Wishes

[Carolyn]

Thanks Ace - Brenda's just posted another freebie that I've downloaded, Band of Gold but I'll grab Saving Wishes for next time. I'm always struggling to find something for this genre in challenges.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great series Ace! Love everyone of those books:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Carolyn wrote: "Thanks Ace - Brenda's just posted another freebie that I've downloaded, Band of Gold but I'll grab Saving Wishes for next time. I'm always struggling to find somethi..."

Yeah, Saving Wishes was good! ...in case you want options ;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I went to see Mockingjay 2 last night. This is definitely a case of the book being WAY better than the movie. Jennifer Lawrence was the only thing holding the movie together. Disappointing.

[B the BookAddict]

Saw on ABC last night that Geraldine Brooks will be a guest on Q & A this week.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "I went to see Mockingjay 2 last night. This is definitely a case of the book being WAY better than the movie. Jennifer Lawrence was the only thing holding the movie together. Disappointing."

That's bad luck Phrynne...I wondered how they would hold up. It seemed they've gone from really good with the first, and downhill from there...

[Marianne]

Phrynne wrote: "I went to see Mockingjay 2 last night. This is definitely a case of the book being WAY better than the movie. Jennifer Lawrence was the only thing holding the movie together. Disappointing."

that's a pity. I already thought they were trying to cash in by splitting the last book into two movies, which was a bit annoying...

[PattyMacDotComma]

I'm sure there's a place on Goodreads with list of "writes like so-and-so", but I haven't found it, so I'm asking you lot!

A Kiwi relative has just said she loves Bryce Courtenay's books and wants to find some more like his.

She says that Wilbur Smith is a bit too bloody for her. Any suggestions? Also, she said it's the South African setting of some stories that appeals to her.

And any suggestions where else to look? Thanks.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Marianne wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I went to see Mockingjay 2 last night. This is definitely a case of the book being WAY better than the movie. Jennifer Lawrence was the only thing holding the movie together. Disapp..."

They ended up having to invent all kinds of stuff that was not in the book just to fill in the time. And the ending was awful. Actually it was like the book which had a very weak ending too.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I'm sure there's a place on Goodreads with list of "writes like so-and-so", but I haven't found it, so I'm asking you lot!

A Kiwi relative has just said she loves Bryce Courtenay's boo..."

Malla Nunn is Australian and has her series set in Sth Africa.

T.M. Clark is also Australian and her books are about Sth Africa too...

Don't know if they write like Courtenay - but I enjoy his and the others too:)

[Kathryn]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I'm sure there's a place on Goodreads with list of "writes like so-and-so", but I haven't found it, so I'm asking you lot!

A Kiwi relative has just said she loves Bryce Courtenay's boo..."

If you click on the Bryce Courtenay link, just below the heading of "Bryce Courtenay's books", there's a line that says "Average rating: 4.15 · 96,159 ratings · 6,947 reviews · 35 distinct works · Similar authors". Clicking on the "Similar authors" link give you a list of "Goodreads members who liked Bryce Courtenay also liked:" books.

How accurate it is as regards similarity of author types is perhaps questionable - I see they have Ruth Park there, and I wouldn't say she's very similar, but then I've only read one Bryce Courtenay, so I'm probably not the best person to judge!

For South African books, I like Tony Park (and he's a great speaker too, I saw him at a library recently - he's very approachable!), although some are set in surrounding countries, I believe (I've only read one of his so far as well).

There is also a group called "Around the World in 80 Books", and they have lists of books set in various countries, including South Africa: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..., but they're any style - not necessarily similar to Bryce Courtenay.

I hope your relative can come up with some new authors that take her fancy!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

This is VERY interesting reading!

Australian books sales dominated by Big W, says Meredith Drake

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/...

What a great woman!

[Suz]

What was the gist Brenda, I tried to view it too.

[Carolyn]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I'm sure there's a place on Goodreads with list of "writes like so-and-so", but I haven't found it, so I'm asking you lot!

A Kiwi relative has just said she loves Bryce Courtenay's boo..."

You could also try http://www.literature-map.com where you type in the name of the author and it will show a cloud of authors who have a similar style, although they won't necessarily be writing about South Africa.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Really??? I don't have a subscription Rita! That's weird... I could copy and paste it here, but it's really long...