The Year in Books - May

This is actually a bit cheeky - sneaking in a post at the very end of May!

As I'm joining in with The Year in Books with Laura at Circle of Pine Trees, one of the books I've read is on the suggested reading list.  This was Life After Life which many have read and recommended.

So, also in keeping with the theme of The Year in Books, I'll just give my two bobs worth with regards to the book - as opposed to a review.

Life After Life - well, let's be honest here.  I liked it, but I didn't love it!   I probably have more of a liking for her Jackson Brodie character in her mystery themed novels.  I prefer definitive endings and the lack of a real ending took away my enjoyment. The concept of Life After Life was a little repetive but Kate Atkinson brings a strong sense of place and time.  The Nazi connection did not work for me - but it was a good read, though I had to push myself at times to finish it. 

Our library system tags books with a code for easily identified genres.  I'm assuming other libraries do that too?  Notice anything about the three books I've read? It seems that I'm firmly in the 'mystery' classification. The little cap and spyglass shows that I gravitate to a suspenseful or mystery theme.   

I've read a couple more books since these three which I didn't photograph.  The one which stands out of would be Lisa Scottoline's - Keep Quiet.  It was a great read.  A good mystery with more than one twist in the tale. 

Next month (next week!) I will be starting All the Birds, Singing which promises good suspense.  It's not on the suggested reading list for the Year in Books, but I thought I would give it a try.  Might be able to recommend it for the list later.

Do you like reading as much as I do?  I'm glad I've joined this group.  I'm pleased to be keeping tabs on what I read, and to see what others are reading.

Oh!   I was pleased to see that one of my favourite authors Tana French has a new book out which I have reserved from the library.  Can't wait for that one!

cheers for now

Wendy 

The Year in Books - March - Belle Cora

Several reasons for this post, which follows on so rapidly after the garden update.

Firstly, I'm so glad that I discovered Circle of Pine Trees - the year in books blog link up.  Laura started this in January, so I'm pleased thatI have found it reasonably early in 2014.

The two books I've read in March are - Stay Alive by Simon Kernick and Belle Cora by Phillip Marguilies and two more different books both written by male authors would be difficult to find.

I'm sure I've read Simon Kernick before and he has a reputation as a good thriller.  So despite trying to swerve away a little from mystery thriller types, Stay Alive did sound like an interesting read.  However (to this reader anyway) it was a disappointment.  Claiming to be a fast page turner, it was just that.  I couldn't wait to finish it and get it over and done!  With clumsy writing, an unbelievable plot with bodies dropping left right and centre. (I couldn't escape the mental imagery of the movie 'Home Alone' with the boy outwitting the baddies constantly). The ending seemed a bit rushed as the author tries to tie (the many) loose ends together. All in all I would consider it a holiday read - airport or beach!  

However, the book which really engrossed me was Belle Cora - oh my goodness, what an enjoyable read! This is riches to rags story of a daughter of a New York merchant who went on to become a millworker, a prostitute, a notorious madam, a murderess and eventually one of San Francisco's richest and most revered dowagers.

It's beautifully written - a spellbinding story of a single woman ahead of her time - the tale of an epic life.  She managed to rise above many difficult situations to make something of her life when it seemed there was no hope.  The book is tastefully written by Phillip Marguilies (can't believe a male wrote this particular book) and manages to celebrate a particularly strong woman. 

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Have a look over at Circle of Pine Trees for all the details of this wonderful virtual book club!

cheers for now

Wendy 

Books 2014

This page is where I hope to add to my list of books read throughout the year.  It will be separately located near the blog header.  I'm planning to add to this with some comment on the book I've just read, giving my humble opinion on how I found the particular book.  Please comment or join in if you have read it too!

The genre of books I lean strongly towards is suspense/thriller/mystery.  Preferably not too detailed in the blood/gore aspect!  I really enjoy a good mystery with a twist, or perhaps a police procedural type.  The English author Peter James springs to mind, with his Roy Grace crime series based in Brighton.

Another favourite is Elly Griffiths with her lead character, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway always with an interesting challenge placed in front of her.  I'm eagerly waiting her newest book, which is on my library reservation list.   However, as per my resolutions of sorts post at the end of January, I am trying to read different styles of books.  So I have stepped out of my comfort zone a little and have read a few different genres to date.

However, I have a major confession to make regarding the books I read!  I have an obsession love to read new releases and have a backlog of books reserved at the library.  At last count it was 23. All my reading is done via the library now.  Over the years I have decluttered (yes really!) the majority of my book collection. I really enjoy reading book reviews, and then following up to see if I can reserve the item in question at the local library. Fortunately, we have a wonderful library system here, and I'm usually able to find the book I'm seeking.

I'm not a particularly fast reader, and some take longer to complete than others.  The Luminaries would be one case in mention - what a doorstopper of a book!

This is the list of books I've read to date in 2014.

2014


July 
Paris Letters - Janice MacLeod
Through the Cracks - Honey Brown
The Disappeared - Kristina Ohlsson

June
The One Plus One - Jojo Moyes
All the Birds, Singing - Evie Wyld

April / May
The Weight of Blood - Laura McHugh
Life after Life - Kate Atkinson
Someone Else's Skin - Sarah Hilary
Keep Quiet - Lisa Scottoline

March
Stay Alive - Simon Kernick
Bella Cora - Phillip Marguilies
The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton

February
The Visionist - Rachel Urquhart
A Tap on the Window - Linwood Barclay

January
North of Boston - Elisabeth Elo
A Narrow Margin of Error - Faith Martin
Burial Rites - Hannah Kent
The Mayne Inheritance - R Siemon

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I realise this is probably another major swerve from decluttering!  However, I've wanted to get a few things sorted on the blog for a little while, and this was one of the changes.

Thanks for the comments regarding my indecision on the blog name in my last post.  I've realised that I'm quite happy where it sits, and hopefully fellow declutterers can find some hope/inspiration/kindred spirits here!

cheers for now

Wendy 

The use of a word ...

Well it was a big day yesterday.  I had a medical appointment  (well now that you ask, it was an MRI.  Who would have thought that a middle ear infection back in July would still be annoying me now!?  ENT fellow wanted to have a look at the big picture .. ahh that would be my brain).

 

So before I headed off to the 10am Melbourne Cup Day morning appointment, I thought to myself well at least it’s before all the hoo-ha starts, and the nation stops to watch the race.  I certainly didn’t want to be stuck in the machine while others watched the race!

 

Then I remember that hoo-ha was an expression my Mum used quite a bit, and I don’t hear it very often now.  I pondered whether it actually was a word, or just a made up.  So of course I asked Mr Google who confirmed that it is a term for fussing about, but also a slang word for something else entirely .........

Well!  I didn't know that - you learn something new every day. I've led a sheltered life it seems.  So  I will have to use the term more carefully now it seems – maybe I should try out brouhaha.

Melbourne Cup Day always leaves me a little nonplussed.   Like most people, I've have enjoyed quite a few lunch outings over the years and have joined in the office sweeps on many occasions.  However, I’ve never been to the race itself and as a horse lover I just don't really enjoy watching horses race.  It was sad to hear that one of the horses, Verema was put down.

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A few snaps about the place.  Luckily the gardenias are flowering at moment, not much else is.  The lorikeets are happily enjoying one of our gums that is in full flower at the moment.  It seems that a side order of sunflower seeds is popular as well.

Two books heading back to the library.  The yarn one is beautiful to look at, but a bit complex for me.  The Hilary Mantel novel is .......well, interesting.  It started off as a witty - bordering on humorous - toned story about nuns and priests in ‘50s England ... until the strange visitor Fludd appeared in town.  Things become slightly more complex and the expression ‘putting the cat amongst the pigeons’ springs to mind.    However, maybe that’s just my mind at the moment.  It’s just a bit addled from being x-rayed from many different angles!

Cheers for now

Wendy 

Year End and Lazy Holiday Reads

One thing I really enjoy about this time of year is that I can do plenty of reading without feeling guilty about it!  I’m usually a fairly keen reader anyway - looking back over the past year I’ve realised that my love of books has exceeded any boundaries previously set.

This is my current stack of holiday reading.  Our local library is fantastic, and I’ve not bought a fiction book in years.  I may have mentioned my almost obsessive habit about new release books.   Most times the book that I'm wanting to read is already available through the library.  

Book review blogs make great reading too and one of my favourites is Milo's Rambles (and of course my long-time favourite LibraryGirl).   I have just finished reading Perfect People by Peter James which was Milo's No.1 read for the year also.

It’s a great book, and a real page turner.   Designer babies and a great story combine for a highly recommended read indeed.  I’ve read a lot of Peter James other works, police procedurals featuring Roy Grace, but Perfect People is a standalone novel.

I think Peter James would be one of my fave authors.  I am also awaiting the newly released novels of Nevada Barr and also Sue Grafton.   I think I have read every book written by both these authors and have followed the adventures of both Anna Pidgeon and Kinsey Milhone for many years.  

The other reads in this stack cover a rather diverse range, which shows how my tastes have changed and/or are changing.   I used to be a stickler for mystery/suspense books and would rarely try anything else.  Now I am drawn to various other genres and am currently exploring dystopian books in the YA (young adult) range.  I find that they are usually  better more interesting, not too gory or weird and often with less swearing!  I don't think I'd  handle the really heavy SciFi style!

 

Another book I’d like to mention is Knitting Beyond the Edge, which I was lucky enough to win as a giveaway from Suse at  pea soup.  It’s a drool-worthy book and although my knitting is pretty average, I’m determined to try some of the techniques soon.  One of my nieces is having her first baby mid-year and I’m hoping to knit a baby blanket, maybe with a few fancy bits added on!  Thanks again Suse!

Here’s to a Happy New Year!  Whatever you are doing, stay safe and enjoy the start of 2012.
Hope that it is a wonderful one for us all. 

Cheers for now – Wendy 

PS - the photo is one of my favourites was taken several years ago from the holiday house we were staying in at Iluka on the northern NSW coast about this time of year.    Just so peaceful.   Stay peaceful in 2012.

Have been seeing a lot of trains lately

 

Photo courtesy Google Images (www.trackstotravel.net)

Not looking quite like this one, and definitely not quite the same scenery, but you get the picture.  Lots and lots of train miles covered.  I wonder if there is a Frequent Traveller scheme. ... I should see how many bonus points I'm up to!

I'm sure that there are lots of fellow commuters out there who travel similar distances.  However, it never fails to amuse me when I tell friends who don't know that I'm back working, exactly where I commute to.  The look is priceless.  You commute to W H E R E?? !

Of course, working does have its benefits.  Although always at the back of my mind, the thrill came back when it happened.  I was paid!!  Yayyyyy.  Payday is only once a month, so I'll have to wait a little while till the next one..... but still, it was an exciting moment when I saw all those $$ landed in my account which had been looking very bare.

The job itself isn't perfect, and not what I'd really like to be doing long term.  Particularly not commmuting for 2 hours each way!  However, I'm still really grateful for the opportunity and I know that it's really going to help me get back into an area more suited to my skills.

I'm also reading a lot of books... sometimes one a day.  I have noticed my reading standards have lowered a little, and I am now into paperbacks from the library.  Heading towards the more lightweight (literally and figuratively) style of literature.  Not trashy romances, but I've found that I do quite enjoy YA (young adult) books.  They suit a quick read and some surprisingly good.  I like ones with a touch  of the paranormal, but not too heavy.  Then at home, I have my stack of  'heavier' reading.  

Photo courtesty Google

The animals (and the family) and are all surprisingly OK and surviving.  Now that school holidays are upon us, son is looking forward to chilling out at home I think.  Lots planned, and we just have to work around it.

Thanks to all who have read thus far..... if you're still out there!  I have been reading and commenting on some blogs, but this is the first post on mine in a while. I haven't have time to sort out our computer probs, so we are still struggling on via the aged laptop.

Cheers for now 

Wendy