Aussie Readers discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Archives
>
Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets!
☼♄Jülie wrote: "Liam wrote: "Learning to drive stick for the first time - always had automatics.It's weird."
I'd still be driving one Liam if it wasn't for all the hundreds of roundabouts, speed bumps, chicanes..."
Here in Darwin we have "traffic calming" areas in the street - translation? Speed bumps!! Neither my car or I are calm at the end of it - even going slowly its thump bump, thump bump until shock absorbers and teeth are rattled!!!
Sally906 wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "I know Big W has an online store but I like to read to read the first paragraph of a book before I buy it; to see if the writing suits me. ..."I'm like you - like to read..."
I also use this site for excerpts.
http://www.lovereading.co.uk/
Sharon wrote: "I also use this site for excerpts.http://www.lovereading.co.uk/
..."
Oooooh - a new web page to explore - cool!
Sally906 wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I also use this site for excerpts.http://www.lovereading.co.uk/
..."
Oooooh - a new web page to explore - cool!"
Yeah, I like it because you can find the excerpts by genre with many books I've never heard of
Sally906 wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Liam wrote: "Learning to drive stick for the first time - always had automatics.It's weird."
I'd still be driving one Liam if it wasn't for all the hundreds of roundabouts, speed..."
We have speed humps here in Sydney, too. (And for those interested, I'm still on L's but intend to try to get a licence next year.)
I've always had a manual until 2y ago and you can imagine how overworked the gear box gets in inner Sydney! Now I 'share' an automatic with my son who refuses to drive a manual!
Mod
Ron used to drive a manual but he changed to an automatic about fourteen years ago. It's much easier.
I've been in a reviewing slump for several books now and am trying to catch up on them one by one before I post them here. Usually I get them done straight away but a few got away from me while we were on holidays and then.... :[Hopefully I will be on top of them before long and can relax into my reading again! Oh the pressure!! ;)
Mod
Good luck with yours - I'm sure you'll get them done soon:)
Mod
Definitely easier Margaret:)
☼♄Jülie wrote: "I've been in a reviewing slump for several books now and am trying to catch up on them one by one before I post them here. Usually I get them done straight away but a few got away from me while we ..."Aw :/ Yeah, reviewing sometimes can just pile up quickly! I keep saying I won't let that happen but it has for the last bulk reviews I did recently. You'll get them done though :) It'll feel great when you do.
Mod
Luckily I take notes as I read and can usually get the feel of it back by reading my notes and if necessary have quick look at the blurb. Also I don't read anywhere near as quick as "some" here ;) so I can usually remember...especially of I liked it :)So I have caught up with a few and will post them soon, just so you know when they do, that I didn't read and review half a dozen books in a day! :D
RitaSkeeter wrote: "Some books I like to stew on and think about for a few days before writing a review. Other books I like to jot something off straight away."Same for me Rita. Sometimes I feel I appreciate a book better if I think about it for a few days.
Sharon wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "I know Big W has an online store but I like to read to read the first paragraph of a book before I buy it; to see if the writing suits me. ..."I'm like y...
I also use this site for excerpts.
http://www.lovereading.co.uk/"
I use that site too. It's quite good.
Marianne wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "Bette, if you go to https://books.google.com.au/ you can also read the first few pages, as long as the book is available in electronic as well as hardcopy format.... see for example the book you are currently reading https://books.google.com.au/books?id=..."Thank you, Marianne, what a great site. Much appreciated.
I've been all over the place with my reviews lately; some I find much easier to do, especially if the book/character speaks to me; others are like pulling teeth. I have more trouble reviewing books I haven't actually selected myself but chosen from another member's books. Also, like Brenda, I have to review pretty much immediately to my memory in shape.
I like to write my reviews mostly within a couple of days of finishing the book. I'm not one who takes notes as I read so need to write the review while the book is still fresh in my mind.
Mod
Phrynne wrote: "I can't take notes while I am reading either Dale. If it is a good book I am oblivious to my surroundings while I read. Stopping to take notes would seem odd to me:)"That's exactly it for me too Phrynne.
I'm the same. I can't take notes as I read so need to review the book while it's relatively fresh in my mind.
I don't stop to take notes, but if something really grabs me I will mark the page for later. When I am reading from my kindle...which is often...I can, with the touch of a finger, highlight passages to come back to or save as notes for later reference. And quotes can be saved straight to my Goodreads review page ;)
Can't take notes either..I try to store away things in my mind but because I've been so slack when following up my reviews often don't get the same sort of omphf they would if I reviewed them straight away.Still when I review sometimes I find myself caught with how much I give out and how much I keep unsaid.
I always take notes, and not just for writing my review, but also to keep track of characters & order of events etc. Also note down typos if it's an ARC. And try to review within a day of finishing the book. With my current read The Small Fortune of Dorothea Q I am going to do a family tree this arvo.
Marianne wrote: "I always take notes, and not just for writing my review, but also to keep track of characters & order of events etc. Also note down typos if it's an ARC. And try to review within a day of finishing..."Ooh that sounds good Marianne, I will look out for your review ;)
I also make family trees for big family saga type books that have lots of family members..it makes it sooo much easier to follow.
I also love it when the author is considerate enough to include one!
I really loved Of Marriageable Age and now that am halfway, I can say that this is as good, if not better. And what's more, I realised there's a prequel/companion volume The Secret Life of Winnie Cox: Slavery, forbidden love and tragedy, so that will extend the reading pleasure...
If I'm reading an e-book, I find it handy to highlight some phrases or paragraphs to help me remember what I thought the highlights were as I read it.When I've finished, it's interesting to see which things ended up being red herrings (if it's a mystery) or which things were actually critical to the plot.
I grew up reading my dad's books, and he was a literature professor, so he was "allowed" to write in the margins, and he DID! I used to love seeing his "Ha!" or "NO! See page 21" and comments like that. I can't bring myself to do it though.
I just watched on A Current Affair a rerun of the events regarding Anita Cobby. How sad. It's been 30 years now gone. I was 19 and working and doing a Travel Diploma and used to have to catch the train home late from Parramatta and didn't go to my course for two weeks, cause I was so scared to do so. It was such a horrible thing that happened to her and even after all these years it is just so sad. Now her mum and dad are gone who did so much to change some of our laws. It is amazing though, that still there is talk that one day, one day those horrible men might be released. Hopefully, the judges words - never to be released will never be overturned.
Sharon wrote: "I just watched on A Current Affair a rerun of the events regarding Anita Cobby. How sad. It's been 30 years now gone. I was 19 and working and doing a Travel Diploma and used to have to catch the t..."With you on that Sharon. We lived in the area at the time so it was very close to home. I have a poem written in response to that in my poetry collection.
Gosh, Dale, you were up early this morning and goodmorning
Gosh, who can forget Anita Cobby? Everytime I think of what happened to her, I shudder. And the public didn't get the whole story so it was probably much worse. It worries me that some civil libertarian lawyer in the future will come along and get these monsters released.
B the BookAddict wrote: "Gosh, who can forget Anita Cobby? Everytime I think of what happened to her, I shudder. And the public didn't get the whole story so it was probably much worse. It worries me that some civil libe..."
Just the tiny bit that they said last night - really was plenty --- found eyes wide open, horror on her face, slit throat, fingers broken, shoulders broken ect
Sharon wrote: "Gosh, Dale, you were up early this morning and goodmorning"I was Sharon but then went back o bed later.
Hopefully Bette they will never be released. It would be a traversty.
Sharon, 'and dragged along a barbed wire fence' - horrific what injuries that would do, not to mention the pain.Well done, A Current Affair, for reminding the public. Let us not let Anita Cobby to be forgotten.
Around same time, a girl from my area went missing, last seen with her abusive boyfriend. They found great hanks of hair with the scalp still attached, all over her apartment. Her parents met up with Anita Cobby's parents and I'd say supported each other. The local girl's father is still alive, very old but still campaigns against women being abused etc.
B the BookAddict wrote: "Sharon, 'and dragged along a barbed wire fence' - horrific what injuries that would do, not to mention the pain.Well done, A Current Affair, for reminding the public. Let us not let Anita Cobby t..."
That is really horrid. Did they every find the girl?
Sharon wrote: "I just watched on A Current Affair a rerun of the events regarding Anita Cobby. How sad. It's been 30 years now gone. I was 19 and working and doing a Travel Diploma and used to have to catch the t..."The poor woman. I don't remember the investigation - probably partly because I would have been really young and partly because I was in Brisbane - it wouldn't have hit as close to home. However, despite not being alive at the time, I do "remember" the Betty Shanks murder because it was fairly grisly (not as bad a Anita Cobby's) and because a neighbour of my father's was one of the last to see her alive and it remained unsolved by the police, so room for speculation!
On a much lighter and frivolous note, I've just been to the dentist - well, I left 2 hours ago, and she numbed me up before filling 2 cavities and I'm now trying to drink an iced coffee and finding the going a little difficult! Good thing I'm at home and can slurp away as much as I need to! Such an unpleasant time waiting for the numbing to go away. But more pleasant than having cavities filled without being numbed, so I am grateful for that!
Michael wrote: "Just discovered something really cool with Google search. If you go to https://www.google.com.au and type in 'a long time ago in a galaxy far far away' and see what comes up when you press enter. S..."Hahaha..That is sweet!! I love it :D
-
SUPER windy here...So, we didn't get the apparent snow but we are bogged down with Spring type wind...yuck. I'd prefer the snow..lol
☼♄Jülie wrote: "Marianne wrote: "I always take notes, and not just for writing my review, but also to keep track of characters & order of events etc. Also note down typos if it's an ARC. And try to review within aI also make family trees for big family saga type books that have lots of family members..it makes it sooo much easier to follow.
I also love it when the author is considerate enough to include one! ..."
If the author had included one for this book The Small Fortune of Dorothea Q, it would have been a spoiler, so....
Michael wrote: "Just discovered something really cool with Google search. If you go to https://www.google.com.au and type in 'a long time ago in a galaxy far far away' and see what comes up when you press enter. S..."Very cool Michael! Googling this on a full bus and had a good chuckle, getting a few strange looks from somber suited folk going home from work!
Sharon wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "Sharon, 'and dragged along a barbed wire fence' - horrific what injuries that would do, not to mention the pain.Well done, A Current Affair, for reminding the public. Let...
That is really horrid. Did they every find the girl?"
Sharon, I'm not sure if they did. My sister knows so I'll ask her. We often see her Dad in the main street when we go to where we grew up. He's still out there campaigning for protection for women, and he's got to be nearly 80 now!
Yesterday, we had 30C, winds ups to 60km/h and it was a full moon. That's a triple 'weather' nightmare for me. My DH always said the full moon made me a bit dippy:)
I remember the Anita Cobby case because it happened just after I moved to Sydney in my 20s and it was so horrific and received a lot of news coverage.The courage of the parents of young people killed in violent crime always amazes me. They are so strong at speaking out and supporting others.
I watched the ABC documentary "Hitting Home" on domestic violence over the last two nights. I thought it was very well done. Sally Sara interviewed abused women and visited refuges,went out with the police to DV calls, and to prisons where programs for the abusers are running. It was followed by a Q&A where some of the relatives of women killed by partners spoke.
Hello my lovely group of Australians; I am still here and I am still fighting my anxiety. It has been a nightmarish few weeks but my medication has been adjusted so i am hoping we continue to see more progress.
Melissa wrote: "Hello my lovely group of Australians; I am still here and I am still fighting my anxiety. It has been a nightmarish few weeks but my medication has been adjusted so i am hoping we continue to see m..."Been thinking of you Melissa and wishing you well, hope your medication is right this time, it takes awhile to get it just right doesn't it? :)
☼♄Jülie wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Hello my lovely group of Australians; I am still here and I am still fighting my anxiety. It has been a nightmarish few weeks but my medication has been adjusted so i am hoping we c..."
It really does; it has been a battle but I am keeping positive.
It really does; it has been a battle but I am keeping positive.
Mod
Mod
Stay cool and safe everyone in affected areas - stay warm in southern states!
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Aussie Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Tashi (other topics)The Name of the Rose (other topics)
The Name of the Rose (other topics)
To Kill a Mockingbird (other topics)
To Kill a Mockingbird (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Umberto Eco (other topics)Umberto Eco (other topics)
Harper Lee (other topics)
Harper Lee (other topics)
Harper Lee (other topics)
More...
I'm like you - like to read the first pages so I go to Amazon.com and find the book there - it mostly has the first few pages for you to peruse. Doesn't always work of course - so my next task is to go to the authors page and see if they have an excerpt!!!