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These are stories I'd love to read. Maya Angelou hey?? Wow. Tell me how it goes :)

Penny wrote: "These are stories I'd love to read. Maya Angelou hey?? Wow. Tell me how it goes :)"

I don't even know Maya Angelou but there are heaps of contributors, some authors, some singers, some actresses, some poets: all famous and a little controversial.:)

The Challenge is called Sshhh�.That’s Taboo! Reading Challenge. It's a great concept for a challenge. Really taking me out of my comfort zone! LOL.

I am temporarily tossing aside .Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen can wait) so I can read Indelible Ink. I've read the back cover (something someone recently advised me not to do). It looks like a book I am going to enjoy

Jacqueline wrote: "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. Ho..."

I've read that book too, seemed to come out at the same times as all the other hooker literature. She does write well...

Candy is another great book that deals with drug addiction (really loved this one)

Just been adding some books to our group bookshelf and I came across this cover from a Scifi Anthology. I just love the artwork, so imaginative. The anthology looks fantastic too if you like that genre!

Just started reading Perfumes the A-Z guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez last night, not far in but enjoying it so far :)

A really great book focussing mainly on author Nathanael West in 1930s New York and LA - who remains a lovable character even though he was a duplicitous so and so who faked his exam results to get into college and plagiarised numerous sources in his books. He also hardly made any money from his novels throughout his lifetime (although he made quite a bit writing movie scripts). A wonderful uplifting tale of how authors need to believe in themselves even if they don't earn a brass farthing from their work! [close] Lonelyhearts: The Screwball World of Nathanael West and Eileen McKenney

Lonelyhearts: The Screwball World of Nathanael West and Eileen McKenney

Just finished a really great book focussing mainly on author Nathanael West in 1930s New York and LA - who remains a lovable character even though he was a duplicitous so and so who faked his exam results to get into college and plagiarised numerous sources in his books. He also hardly made any money from his novels throughout his lifetime (although he made quite a bit writing movie scripts). A wonderful uplifting tale of how authors need to believe in themselves even if they don't earn a brass farthing from their work!

Emma Kaufmann

Seems this topic has been ignored for a short while *grins*.

I have just completed reading two outstanding Aussie books.

Spoilt by Joanne Ellis.
Heart of Glass by L.A Dale.
I gladly recommend both of these new and exciting books to all of you that like romance with quirk and pace as flavouring.
Soooz

Emma wrote: Emma Kaufmann ..."

Hi Emma, I had a look at your website and book Cocktails at Naptime. I love it! I'm a midwife and have seen many a new mother at the end of their rope. I went to visit one woman at home last week and just as I came into her driveway she ran out of her house in her pyjamas, baby in her arms. Before I could even park she was opened my door and sobbed out a tale of lack of sleep and incessant baby crying! I felt so sorry for her... but at the same time her desperate behaviour was a bit funny.;)

I'll get your book. Maybe I'll recommend it to some of my patients!

My kids are older now, but I can so relate to that. My first child. Someone forgot to give me the instruction manual.... I could easily have been that woman in the pj's. It is funny now -- but at the time, god the sleep deprivation.

Soooz wrote: "I have just completed reading two outstanding Aussie books.
Spoilt by Joanne Ellis.
Heart of Glass by L.A Dale.
I gladly recommend both of these new and exciting books to all of you that like romance with quirk and pace as flavouring...."

YES!! Love a bit of romance. Thanks Soooz. Check these great books out:

I think I need to read some more aussie books :) I'm currently reading Cloudstreet by Tim Winton, mentioned above and It's so good to hear the beautiful descriptions of places i'm familiar with. Does anyone recommend any other TIm Winton books? I was thinking of reading "Breathe" but I'm not into surfing.

Penny wrote: "I think I need to read some more aussie books :) I'm currently reading Cloudstreet by Tim Winton, mentioned above and It's so good to hear the beautiful descriptions of places i'm familiar with. Do..."

Have you read Dirt Music? I haven't but it I think it would be the one to read next.

Just added to my to read list, thanks Gail :)

Polk wrote: "I'm currently reading A Wolf Among the Sheep: How God's "Prophet" the Little Pebble Became a Womansing, Millionaire Cult Leader

My main interest stems from the fact that his main 'c..."

It's amazing that people can get sucked into these cults, even to the point of giving your children to these so-called 'holy men'. Do any of the people involved say how they became involved with this monster?

'Brainwashing' is the key to these cults. Some people are more susceptible than others, actors particularly for some reason. I have a friend who was involved in uncovering a sordid story in one of these better known cults. I won't go into the details but some of these cults are extremely well run and they play dirty. My friend’s career was ruined as a consequence of his involvement, even though the truth came out.

Hi Carmel :)

I finished Cloudstreet and i LOVED it. I'm no expert on reviewing books but this book has fantastic characters, a beautiful storyline and the descriptions of their environment and their way of living is perfectly done. I highly recommend this book :) Your the second person to recommend "Dirt Music" so now i'm very eager to read it after Cloudstreet :)

Here is the link to the review of cloudstreet by the FTBC if you wanted to see it Penny.

We aim to please. :)

Penny wrote: "I think I need to read some more aussie books :) I'm currently reading Cloudstreet by Tim Winton, mentioned above and It's so good to hear the beautiful descriptions of places i'm familiar with. Do..."

'Breathe' is an awesome book...love all Tim Winton's books... :)

Yes I think I will still give "Breathe" a go, even though I'm not really into the ocean/surfing culture. I just started "Dog boy" by eva H. and I think it's going to be abandoned :(

I am currently reading The Black Opal by Victoria Holt...starts in England and the is set in Australia.

Maureen wrote: "I am currently reading The Black Opal by Victoria Holt...starts in England and the is set in Australia."

Is Victoria Holt still writing these days Maureen? Seems like years since I read one of her books. I used to love them.:)

I am reading 'Sh*t My Dad Says' by Justin Halpern. It is a bit hard to sit on the bus and not laugh out loud with this short book, so I have given up and endure the looks of fellow passengers.

Don't worry Dee-Ann, those looks are probably looks of jealously as they don't have a copy. :)

I’ve just finished King of the Cross. It’s a violent, funny, politically incorrect look at (fictional crime figure) Jacob Mendoza, the King of King‘s Cross. Some blogs say that it’s based on real life Kings Cross crime lord Abe Saffron. I’m normally not a fan of these type of ‘gangster� stories but I enjoyed this one. In general I prefer fictionalised crime stories to true stories of actual criminals.

Hi people,
I just finished Inheritance by Nicholas Shakespeare. The writing was pretty enough, but the characters did nothing for me whatsoever. The story was lacking that special something that brings fiction alive.

I've just started, I Am Number Four, a YA read that's apparently being made into a movie. It's Predator meets Heroes.
J:)

Jenny wrote: "Hi people,
I just finished Inheritance by Nicholas Shakespeare. The writing was pretty enough, but the characters did nothing for me whatsoever. The story was lacking that special something that b..."

Inheritance is receiving mostly good reviews and plenty of publicity but it's not my cup of tea. Hopefully you'll enjoy I Am Number Four more. YA is really the genre of the moment!

Jenny wrote: "...I've just started, I Am Number Four, a YA read that's apparently being made into a movie. It's Predator meets Heroes...."

My 15 yr old son read it recently and raved about it.

I'm thoroughly enjoying Cruel Enchantment by Anya Bast. It's second in a Fantasy Romance series that has an amazing 'Fae' world setting and heaps of romance.;D

I could use a little romance at the moment. ::sigh::
I'll check it out Mandy (the first one that is).

Wait till you get your Kindle and download it. Although it's fairly hot (and I don't mean in a chilli pepper way!) LOL.

'The Brain That Changes Itself' by Norman Doidge... what a book! I love it! I thought that because it was written by a doctor it would bore me to tears, but it doesn't; and that's what's so brilliant about it!

Monette - The Brain that Changes Itself is EXCELLENT. I re-read bits of it all the time.

Dee-Ann - As a sometiems writer of kids' fiction it's good to know your 15yo enjoyed Number Four. From a writer's perspective all I can see is what's wrong with it, but of course readers in general don't notice these things. If Frey had done more work on the characters and the world they came from it would have been more believable and made for a much more engaging story, I feel.

On e-readers - I've got an iPad and LOVE it to death! It's so much easier reading at night now. My eyes have never been good. I won't get started on how great the iPad is 'cause I'll never stop.

Mandy - Romance? Can't say I'm a fan, though did manage to add a bit to my work in progress. A writer friend told me it read in parts like a Harlequin! Maybe there's an inner romantic in me somewhere after all.

Here are some links to books mentioned in previous posts for those interested:
Sh*t My Dad Says & The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science

Happy Reading Everyone!

I'm currently reading Seanan McGuire's Rosemary and Rue, while eyeing off Suzanne Collin's Hunter Games: Chasing Fire in my TBR pile.

Nothing esoteric in my pile, just adventurous fiction.

I've just finished reading Robert Kaplow's Me and Orson Welles - a fiction involving real-life people. Short but sweet and quite well written of a would-be actor's life with Orson Welles for one week

I just bought a Kindle 3 so I'm devouring eBooks at a rate of knots - especially those by some of my writer friends - Jo Ellis, Catherine Chisnell and Charlotte Castle. These are all great authors signed to small independent presses, look out for them!! and Jo is Australian (from Adelaide).
My name is Lindy (LA Dale) I am a writer from Perth so 'Hi' to you all. Pop by and read some of my things if you want.
L A Dale
Jo Ellis

Just finished 'The Brain That Changes Itself' by Norman Doidge... if you'd like to read the review of it I wrote up of it, feel free!

Polk wrote: "I'm reading Wasted: The True Story Of Jim Mcneil, Violent Criminal And Brilliant Playwright which is about Aussie playwright Jim McNeil. (is this on the group bookshelf?)

I actually..."

Just added it Polk. Thanks for the heads-up.:) You read the most amazing books. Jim McNeil sounds like he was a literary genius and a lost cause all rolled into one. Hope you enjoy it.

As usual I am reading a number of books at once. I am reading China Mieville's Perdido Street Station which I am finding a bit of a drag, not as good as The Scar, I am a third of the way through and waiting for the real story to begin. I have just started reading the issue 47 of Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. I read the first four editions and have given it a miss until now because it had too much fantasy, and much of the science fiction was an attempt at humour, I am not really into humour stories and novels, I can watch humourous science fiction and horror, but not read it. Hence, I did not think a lot of the first attempt at zombie humour in issue 47. I am also reading the massive Macquarie Pen Anthology of Australian Literature. I am a third of the way in, and so far I can conclude, we treated the Aborigines terribly, most Australian poets ended up as destitute drunks and many authors were ripped off by thier publishers.

Graham wrote: "As usual I am reading a number of books at once. I am reading China Mieville's Perdido Street Station which I am finding a bit of a drag, not as good as The Scar, I am a third of the way through an..."

I noticed the Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature when I was working on the bookshelf. It's a big achievment to get through it! Good on you.:) Here's a link to the table of contents for anyone interested:

Description: From vivid settler accounts to haunting gothic tales, from raw protest to feisty urban satire and playful literary experiment, from passionate love poetry to moving memoir, the Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature reflects the creative eloquence of a society. Chosen by a team of expert editors, who have provided illuminating essays about their selections, and with more than 500 works from over 300 authors, it is an authoritative survey and a rich world of reading to be enjoyed.

There is also the Macquarie Pen Anthology of Aboriginal Literature. Both of these books have won several awards and have even been recommended by our current favourite redhead!:)

'I am reading China Mieville's Perdido Street Station which I am finding a bit of a drag, not as good as The Scar'

I loved this book, Graham though did feel bogged down at times with too much information, most of which went right over my head. Have you read the more recent, The City and the City?

Hi Jenny,

I have not read The City and the City - I know it was co-winner of this years hugo. When I finish reading Perdido Street Station, I will decide whether I will read any more China Mieville.

Graham

Have you read the more recent, The City and the City?

I'm currently reading The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. I'm reading it because booktopia.com.au recommended it to me and offered it at a reasonable price. (okay so I'm a sucker for a sales pitch). I have only just begun and am having trouble keeping track of the names of the people. Hopefully once the journey continues the fog will clear. The story is about Dutch merchants trading in Japan around 1799. It was on the booker prize list but didn't make the short list.

I'm impatient to finish reading it as I've been really keen to start reading some Australian authors since joining this group. :)

I am 3/4 through Peter J Hill's book & so far loving it, I am a softie for memoires & or true stories & Peters book is no exception, I've promised a full & honest review when finished...so watch this space.

I am currently reading Burnt Snow, by an Australian author. Young-adult/ Paranormal fiction. I think it's going to be a winner for me :D

How did I not see this thread earlier? Now I've lots more books on my to-read shelf!

Anyway, my 14 yo son loved Strange Objects after I read it and recommended it to him. Today at the library I saw Angel's Gate and showed it to him. He started reading right away, didn't put it down until supper, then picked it up right after supper and read for another 1/2 hour. Given his attention span, that's impressive! So, finally I actually looked at it, and yes I'll read it, too.

I've got 5 on the boil at the moment. Indelible Ink for this month's book discussion, Taken by Midnight because it just came out last night and it feeds my paranormal romance addiction!, Light o'love from one of our great AR authors Jacqueline George, some poetry from David J. Delaney and Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory which was recommended on the 'On The Road' special by Jennifer Byrnes last week about travel books.