tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29649301275829462602024-02-21T16:41:47.228+11:00The Big Book Bonanzabookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17114168001136972746noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-26009392694376386742010-06-03T13:42:00.003+10:002010-06-03T14:10:23.812+10:00Alex MillerHi All, welcome to June and Alex Miller!<br />I hope you read one of his books, I just discovered him last year when I decided to read a few more Australian authors, and found a very old copy of 'Conditions of Faith' my sister had lent me years ago. I really loved it, because he took me on a journey from Australia all around Europe and England. He is also one of those male authors that can tell a story from a female perspective and make it believable.<br />Here is a list of his books:-<br />Watching the Climbers on the Mountain<br />Tivington Nott<br />Ancestor Game<br />Sitters<br />Conditions of Faith<br />Journey to the Stone Country<br />Prochowniks Dream<br />Lanscape of Farewell<br />Lovesong<br />I have a few copies of some of these at Erina to borrow.<br />Enjoy! - Ruthbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17114168001136972746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-73677983042820950712010-05-31T16:43:00.000+10:002010-05-31T16:43:40.795+10:00Some questions....Here are some questions to think about. You can answer them here, or maybe think about it for our meeting.<br />
<ul><li>This book was originally written for adults, but has achieved its success as a Young Adult novel. Apparently it has been published and marketed in the U.S. as a book for teens. Do you think that this is appropriate reading for teenagers?</li>
<li>There is some unusual use of language in the book. I have read some reviews on the internet where the reviewers found the use of language distracting and annoying. Do you agree/disagree?</li>
<li>Finally, did you like this book? Why? (or why not?)</li>
</ul>Reminder: the next meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd June at Woy Woy, from 6.30pm. Email me if you need my exact address.PJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897188434866907438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-76858825748532217852010-05-21T09:57:00.000+10:002010-05-21T09:57:44.998+10:00Book Club Get-togetherLet's get our diaries out and organise our next get together (for 5 mins discussion of the book and a couple hours of eating, sipping and general gossiping!!)<br />
<br />
I was thinking of the first week of June. Can you all nominate which date suits:<br />
<br />
Mon 31/5 OR<br />
Thurs 3/6 OR<br />
Fri 4/6<br />
<br />
and preferred location:<br />
<br />
My place in Woy Woy, with food provided by K.B. Thai<br />
A restaurant/cafe at Erina Fair<br />
A restaurant/cafe at Tuggerah<br />
<br />
I don't mind whichever, but I know that we take in the entire expanse of the coast and beyond in where we live!! Majority rules, so make sure you get your votes in!PJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897188434866907438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-91114442550052099282010-05-17T14:41:00.002+10:002010-05-17T14:41:59.631+10:00Death as the narratorSo, what did everyone think of "Death" as a narrator? Did it confuse/annoy you? Or did you like it? Why?PJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897188434866907438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-91994816879467514042010-05-05T12:01:00.000+10:002010-05-05T12:01:02.946+10:00The Book Thief - Anyone need a copy?Hi all. <br />
<br />
I encourage everyone to try "The Book Thief" (if you haven't read it already!). It is such a wonderful book, very different and very moving.<br />
<br />
I have a box of 8 copies on its way to me, so if you'd like one send me an email or leave a comment here. I may even have some available for our get-together on Friday.PJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897188434866907438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-28651837781815045582010-04-24T18:54:00.003+10:002010-04-24T19:02:46.591+10:00How about a catch-up........to talk about all things Guernsey?<div><br /></div><div>I'm proposing pizza, thai or just coffee and cake at Erina one evening in the first week of May. Will that suit? If so, which evening? </div>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-20921636846480739682010-04-13T18:46:00.003+10:002010-04-13T21:54:45.762+10:00What did you think of the format?Erina Library's bookclub did the Guernsey etc etc (lazy) recently and one person said to me "oh, it was all letters and I couldn't handle it, just gave up" but another liked it and said it neatly avoided overly descriptive, long-winded depictions of people and places as the format restricted it.Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-58748340881221972582010-04-02T17:27:00.005+11:002010-04-02T22:24:53.560+11:00Possibly my favourite book of 2009The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is one of my favourite books. I borrowed it from the library and loved it so much that I went and bought a copy for myself while I still had a library copy on loan. Hope you enjoy it!<div><br /></div>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-51895176098308020552010-03-28T19:57:00.002+11:002010-03-28T20:01:24.158+11:00AprilSeems like we can keep going so I'm going to call for people to take a month, or we can do it over 2-month intervals. I'll do April and you can have: <div><br /><div>a) Crime/Mysteries</div><div><br /></div><div>OR</div><div><br /></div><div>b) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Library copies may be tied up with other bookclubs)</div><div><br /></div><div>Vote before April!</div><div><br /></div><div>And volunteer for upcoming months!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Nic</div></div>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-89685990842931446092010-03-18T21:06:00.002+11:002010-03-18T21:29:59.124+11:00Testing testing testing 1...2...3...Hi folks,<div><br /></div><div>So the Bookclub has kind of slumped, but 2 people have asked me about it in the last couple of weeks, so I'm using this post as a testing ground:</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Who's out there?</div><div>2) Want to keep going?</div><div><br /></div><div>Please reply in the comments, even if you have previously been following along but not commenting. I know the blog has maybe been a bit intimidating for people, we are open to comments, suggestions, criticisms and options, leave 'em below!</div><div><br /></div><div>Yours-in-reading,</div><div><br /></div><div>The Book Byte Gnome </div>bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17114168001136972746noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-15552685924056830082010-01-09T10:19:00.002+11:002010-01-09T10:26:02.296+11:00The Next Gen Zombie - A Paradox?To be fair I've also got a question about the remaking of the Zombie character. In the past 5 or so years we've seen zombies go from shambling mounds of brain eaters who rove in packs to fast, vicious and even a bit intelligent.<br /><br />Is this a cop out to make them more interesting because modern writers can't make the George Romero style zombie interesting, or, like "good vampires", perhaps a literary tool to make the character more appealing for a new generation?detecktivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059539523562693078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-6889616334923698342010-01-08T16:26:00.001+11:002010-01-08T16:26:30.393+11:00The "Good" Vampire - a paradox?detecktivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059539523562693078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-78488395980116594632009-12-29T16:15:00.002+11:002009-12-29T16:17:37.916+11:00Zombie vs Vampire stories - undead by another name or fundamentally different?Do you think there are story elements that tend to be particular to zombie or vampire stories?detecktivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059539523562693078noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-4034936552776576842009-12-13T14:42:00.002+11:002009-12-13T14:47:04.315+11:00What's so cool about being dead?Why do you think that undead creatures have had such a long and illustrious career in cultural history, literature, fashion and our psyche?detecktivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059539523562693078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-20726941099452912472009-12-13T14:35:00.002+11:002009-12-13T14:41:56.751+11:00WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?Hi All!<br /><br />Well, first a big thanks to Nicole for the Myths and Fairytales month.<br /><br />Heather and I will be hosting this months theme (which is almost an extension of last months) where we'll be looking at the undead - in particular Vampires and Zombies!<br /><br />Before we begin its very important everyone declares their allegiance...<br /><br />Are you going to be eating brains with Team Zombie or sucking blood with Vampires R Us?<br /><br />Also, just wondering if anyone has any idea of what they might be doing? There's tonnes of stuff out there for people to do - books, movies, games etc. Feel free to do whatever type of medium you like (and maybe even more than one if you like!).<br /><br />Enjoy!detecktivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059539523562693078noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-18367139552013343302009-11-12T21:51:00.002+11:002009-11-12T21:57:31.433+11:00What's your favourite myth?I think mine might be the King Arthur myths - I love nearly all of them. Myths seem to be inherently sad stories, I'm struggling to think of one that has a happy ending. There was an interesting book by Tanith Lee called "White As Snow" which mixed the Persephone myth with the Snow White fairytale - deeply skin-crawly in parts, but good.Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-20620544973649480302009-11-04T21:30:00.002+11:002009-11-04T21:38:16.274+11:00Are there only a small number of plots in the world?Right, lets start with fairytales. I think it is fascinating that nearly every culture has a "Cinderella" story, the article I read said one of the earliest is from China, I think circa 800 AD (featuring a talking, prophetic fish - but lets not get into that...) Does this tie into the idea that there are a limited number of plots in the world and no new material, merely interpretations?<div><br /></div><div>Micah sent me a very funny email on the subliminal messages of the Disney princesses, all along the lines that beauty is their only skill, which is interesting as I don't remember it as being such a focal point of true fairytales, aside from Snow White's "skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood". Also, very few Disney-fied happy endings, fairytales were originally intended for an adult audience and very dark, often without happy endings. So what would our view of fairytales be like, had we not had a Disney-fish-eye on them?</div>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-29789676335561436592009-11-01T21:58:00.004+11:002009-11-01T23:32:46.650+11:00Myths and Fairytales<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh477JdC0pg6HPImtzYp_fe2r8U5_zynSaNbzeI2ZcDou2W1Edc3xppxUFWydf8dEMIDR-uhH9LxNgS8WFVBe1zQPuHiDLM5KdRxviFrvaAzVxYWu4sgne9s-UZep4HkajbMseTZlX30iE/s1600-h/Faery1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh477JdC0pg6HPImtzYp_fe2r8U5_zynSaNbzeI2ZcDou2W1Edc3xppxUFWydf8dEMIDR-uhH9LxNgS8WFVBe1zQPuHiDLM5KdRxviFrvaAzVxYWu4sgne9s-UZep4HkajbMseTZlX30iE/s200/Faery1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399089169978390674" /></a>This picture (left) is why I bought a particular, unknown book from a bargain bin years ago. And because of it I discovered urban fantasy which has become my favourite type of book to read. Maybe it's because I want to believe there is a little bit of mystery in our world. The best of the genre is beautiful and strange and I hope you enjoy whatever you choose to read in November, so lets start with who's reading what...<div><div><br /></div></div>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-13113016642395688852009-10-06T13:36:00.001+11:002009-10-06T13:36:33.726+11:00Wow, October already. Thanks Nic for such attractive looking backgrounds. I have been leaving it open for you to chose your own Tim Winton title to read. A lot of them have been reserved for Kincumber's Book Club but there is a box of Breath (so to speak) which I could order if people would like. Breath comes very highly recommended. So I guess my first question would be - what are you reading and why?Bechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536899956323645580noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-48859199059089981112009-10-03T09:58:00.002+10:002009-10-03T10:02:20.105+10:00Suggested reading for next month<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">I’m just going to briefly cut in on Rebecca’s month to give you a suggested reading list for next month.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Some of the books below are not held by Gosford Library, but are held by me and I would be delighted to share them, let me know if you want to borrow any.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">The Wood Wife, by Terri Windling – Native American </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Almost anything by Charles De Lint, my favourites are Forests of the Heart and Someplace to be Flying – Native American & Celtic</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">War for the Oaks – Emma Bull – Celtic</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Almost anything by Neil Gaiman, my favourite is American Gods – Eastern European, Norse</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Beauty, Rose Daughter, Spindles End, Deerskin by Robin McKinley – retold fairytales</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Almost anything by Patricia McKillip, my favourites Ombria in Shadow and Winter Rose – loosely retold fairytales, mostly just have the same flavour</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier – retold fairytale</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Valiant, Tithe or Ironside by Holly Black – Elves, fairies, goblins etc in the modern world</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Hogfather by Terry Pratchett – Green Man myths</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Almost anything by Mary Renault – retold Greek and Roman myths</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Almost anything by Rosemary Sutcliff – retold Greek, Roman and Celtic myths</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor – fairies</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Yes, vampire books count too </span></span><span style=""><span style="mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">J</span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Further excellent recommendations can be found on the </span><a href="http://endicottstudio.typepad.com/jomareadinglists/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Endicott Studio</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> site.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-1699952242761037622009-09-07T13:16:00.003+10:002009-09-07T13:49:19.520+10:00"I thought he was a very nice gentleman. Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat"Howdy all,<br /><br />Well this month is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, one of the first & in my opinion one of the best true crime novels.<br /><br />The book investigates the 1959 murders of four members of the Clutter family in rural Kansas. I found it particularly interesting the way it covers all aspects of the crime - looks at the family, the members of the community & the affects it had on them, the law officals trying to solve the case & of course the 2 men convicted of the crime. <br /><br />I love Capote's writing style - even though you know the outcome from the beginning he still manages to create a sense of tension, you find yourself wishing that this family will somehow survive the terrible event that is about to happen.<br /><br /><br />I have a copy of the book if anyone would like to borrow it. Also the library has a copy of DVD Capote - which looks at the research he and Harper Lee (author of To Kill a Mockingbird)did into the crime & the relationship he built up with the killers.<br /><br />I also found this fantastic website that looks at the crime & has some great images. I found that the 2 killers were exactly as I imagined them!!<br /><br />http://www.ljworld.com/specials/incoldblood/personalities.htmlgoswanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11843383793473023251noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-47792986532617085972009-08-23T20:20:00.002+10:002009-08-23T20:22:35.236+10:00The Perfect Hero?Here's my question - is Westley the perfect hero? Did you find Buttercup even a little bit annoying? Is this the most perfect love story ever written? (Okay, so it was several questions, but they are all related!)Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-29639560196168162082009-08-05T23:09:00.000+10:002009-08-05T23:10:06.316+10:00Just for fun...A Lord of the Rings/Princess Bride script <a href="http://mollyringwraith.livejournal.com/44608.html">mashup</a> :)Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16727532959085891390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-43241207545204803932009-08-04T16:43:00.003+10:002009-08-04T16:53:39.572+10:00"Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die."<br /><br />Welcome to August, the month of the Princess Bride!<br /><br />I haven't finished reading the book yet but I have seen the movie a zillion times. Played and replayed on the good old VHS (CDs were non existent) my Dad "copied" for us. He even photocopied the cover and we had a proper case for it, that's how much we loved this movie at my house!<br /><br />SO, what I was wondering to start with, have you seen the movie? Have you read the book? What do you think is the best line/monologue in the book or movie?<br /><br />And did you know that S. Morgenstern is also a "fictional character" in Goldman's novel??<br /><br />Feel free to make any suggestions/comments as I have no idea what I'm doing :DGemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176568482183344536noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964930127582946260.post-49765044780385981662009-07-29T12:51:00.003+10:002009-07-29T12:53:18.511+10:00The Princess and the Bookclub MeetingHi Folks!<br /><br />I am scheduling a bookclub meeting at my home for next Tuesday (August 4th) from say around 6.30pm. If you would like to come, please email me (Larissa) and I will forward out my address if you don't already have it.<br /> - Lock<br /><br />The Princess and the Bookclub Meeting - LockedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com1