Monday, November 19, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
I was reluctant to read this book because reviews described it as shocking, harrowing and depressing. Friends said it was bleak, but compelling. Compelling was the hook. From the first sentence it was a book you couldn’t put down. You were frightened constantly of what might happen to the Father and son wandering the stark desolate landscape. The nameless father and son are trying to survive in some kind of post holocaust world, where vegetation and many life forms have been destroyed. There are other people in the landscape too, but they are all too afraid to reach out to each other. The boy works on his father conscious to try and retain some semblance of humanity. The boy’s hope keeps us all going.
http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,1956973,00.html
http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,1956973,00.html
Monday, October 22, 2007
The March by EL Doctorow
Doctorow’s description of the long torturous American civil war march with thousands of Union soldiers, freed negroes, Reb prisoners and homeless civilians, following Sherman, is tiresomely moving. The picture of a mass of humanity, falling in love, killing each other, adapting to any situation just to survive is quite frightening. The book reveals both the craziness of war and that war sends people crazy.
I loved the character of Pearl who is a survivor. She is a “ white” negro who is determined to live a life she chooses . Emily, the confederate judge’s daughter just hooks up with the union army medical corps because she has no where to go. The army doctor Wrede, doesn’t care what side his workers come from as long as they’re willing to clean up the blood and the severed limbs and he can try his experimental surgery without interference. Arly adapts to the life of a Union or Reb soldier depending the situation. He just wants to save himself and his friend Will. When his friend dies he decides to take a crazy stand that may finally give him some peace.. I was very pleased when the Union finally won the war, because I didn’t think I could have fought another battle.
I loved the character of Pearl who is a survivor. She is a “ white” negro who is determined to live a life she chooses . Emily, the confederate judge’s daughter just hooks up with the union army medical corps because she has no where to go. The army doctor Wrede, doesn’t care what side his workers come from as long as they’re willing to clean up the blood and the severed limbs and he can try his experimental surgery without interference. Arly adapts to the life of a Union or Reb soldier depending the situation. He just wants to save himself and his friend Will. When his friend dies he decides to take a crazy stand that may finally give him some peace.. I was very pleased when the Union finally won the war, because I didn’t think I could have fought another battle.
Friday, October 5, 2007
The life and times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
Christine described this memoir of growing up in 1950's America as very good. She suggests it had many similarities to growing up in in 1950's Australia. The time newspaper describes it as "tender , hilarious and true" , undoubtedly a good holiday read.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Trouble shooting challenging behaviour by Flintant J.O'Regan
This book caught my eye because of its sub heading "Can't learn. Won't Learn. Dont Care. " These are attitudes many teacher, parents and even students themselves are constantly facing.
The book is actually addressing Behaviourial, emotional and social difficultuies in learning. Can't learn are students with Attenjtion Deficit Hyperactivity disorder, those who Won't learn often have Oppositional Defiant Disorder and those who Don't care whether they learn or could be experiencing Conduct disorder. The book offers strategies and suggestions to deal with these behaviours. It is well worth a read if you have had any experience of these disorders.
The book is actually addressing Behaviourial, emotional and social difficultuies in learning. Can't learn are students with Attenjtion Deficit Hyperactivity disorder, those who Won't learn often have Oppositional Defiant Disorder and those who Don't care whether they learn or could be experiencing Conduct disorder. The book offers strategies and suggestions to deal with these behaviours. It is well worth a read if you have had any experience of these disorders.
Belly Dancing for Beginners by Liz Byrski
This is definitely chick lit for the over 50's. You might say lots of sexy stuff then? No just women finding themselves after years of being repressed, with a hint of romance.
Bellydancing is the answer to all. ( I don't remember the belly dancing class I did in Deni a few years ago i being nearly as liberating as this book implies.)
The characters fit a pretty standard mould. Gayle is meek and mild with a brutal husband, living in an austenacious house that isn't of her choosing. She is a librarian ( of course) and generally appears to allow her husband to treat her like dirt. However the belly dancing reveals another side....
Brian is the brutal philandering obnoxious husband. No one can understand why Gayle would even have married him let alone live with him for 30 odd years. ( There is a dark secret here)
Angie, their newly married daughter appears to be repeating her mother's mistakes.
Marissa is the 60 year old dope growing, hippie, bellydancer with a traumatised past, advoiding love at all costs. ( She provides the entertainment at Angie's hens night)
Frank is the uptight Vietnam vet and copper looking for luurv particularly in Marissa's direction.
Sonya is the public servant boss invited to Angies wedding. She seems to make friends very easily. ( That is why she quickly becomes bosom buddies with the other belly dancers even though they only met last week.) She is everyone's friend and adviser except for family. They still treat her like a 12 yearold (so what's new). She has a few family skeletons she needs to sort out.
Oliver is a friend of Gayle and than Sonya. He thinks he is a feminist, following in his mother's footsteps but in actual fact all he can really think about is himself. He turns to the tango ( rather than bellydancing)and therapy to find his answers. I can't really see where he fits into the story except that the girls leaving on a belly dancing trip give him the opportunity to have coffee on his own ( and have even more deep and meaningful thoughts.)
Some how these characters mesh to make a story where each one tries to confront their dreams, their fears, their long lost relatives , friends and enemies. Somehow the key to all is bellydancing and a little therapy and lots of coffee and wine. I am surpised at how quickly these people clicked when individually they had been isolated ( and often hiding from each other) for so long. The story line is predictable and comfortable as all great chick lit should be. You feel slightly sick after reading it, like you have just eaten too much chocolate, but you still go back for more.There will probably be a sequal, or if not, a novel that has very similar characters and story lines that you can pig out on.
Bellydancing is the answer to all. ( I don't remember the belly dancing class I did in Deni a few years ago i being nearly as liberating as this book implies.)
The characters fit a pretty standard mould. Gayle is meek and mild with a brutal husband, living in an austenacious house that isn't of her choosing. She is a librarian ( of course) and generally appears to allow her husband to treat her like dirt. However the belly dancing reveals another side....
Brian is the brutal philandering obnoxious husband. No one can understand why Gayle would even have married him let alone live with him for 30 odd years. ( There is a dark secret here)
Angie, their newly married daughter appears to be repeating her mother's mistakes.
Marissa is the 60 year old dope growing, hippie, bellydancer with a traumatised past, advoiding love at all costs. ( She provides the entertainment at Angie's hens night)
Frank is the uptight Vietnam vet and copper looking for luurv particularly in Marissa's direction.
Sonya is the public servant boss invited to Angies wedding. She seems to make friends very easily. ( That is why she quickly becomes bosom buddies with the other belly dancers even though they only met last week.) She is everyone's friend and adviser except for family. They still treat her like a 12 yearold (so what's new). She has a few family skeletons she needs to sort out.
Oliver is a friend of Gayle and than Sonya. He thinks he is a feminist, following in his mother's footsteps but in actual fact all he can really think about is himself. He turns to the tango ( rather than bellydancing)and therapy to find his answers. I can't really see where he fits into the story except that the girls leaving on a belly dancing trip give him the opportunity to have coffee on his own ( and have even more deep and meaningful thoughts.)
Some how these characters mesh to make a story where each one tries to confront their dreams, their fears, their long lost relatives , friends and enemies. Somehow the key to all is bellydancing and a little therapy and lots of coffee and wine. I am surpised at how quickly these people clicked when individually they had been isolated ( and often hiding from each other) for so long. The story line is predictable and comfortable as all great chick lit should be. You feel slightly sick after reading it, like you have just eaten too much chocolate, but you still go back for more.There will probably be a sequal, or if not, a novel that has very similar characters and story lines that you can pig out on.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Questions of the Week
Here are some of the questions I was asked recently , if anyone ever wonders why we get such a wide range of resources
What have you got on hippies?Is there a book on Enzyme and temperature?
Do you have any good gossipy magazines?Where’s that book with the orange cover I used last year?Have you got the Ginny Reid's County style? How do you print envelopes?
What have you got on Aboriginal art? Have you got any nice art books with landscape?
What's a good read? Have you any minties left? What have you got on dementia?
Have you got any old magazines? How do you write a resume?
How do I treat the gash on my pet cat? Whats my password again?
Who is the most tattooed man in the world? How do you find books on car restoration?
What is the chairperson meant to do at a meeting? Can you help me apply for a job at Coles?
What have you got on hippies?Is there a book on Enzyme and temperature?
Do you have any good gossipy magazines?Where’s that book with the orange cover I used last year?Have you got the Ginny Reid's County style? How do you print envelopes?
What have you got on Aboriginal art? Have you got any nice art books with landscape?
What's a good read? Have you any minties left? What have you got on dementia?
Have you got any old magazines? How do you write a resume?
How do I treat the gash on my pet cat? Whats my password again?
Who is the most tattooed man in the world? How do you find books on car restoration?
What is the chairperson meant to do at a meeting? Can you help me apply for a job at Coles?
Tuesday's Child by Kathy Evans
This was a heart wrenching read. The author Kathy Evans uses her writing as a tool for venting her grief, anger and joy about giving birth to a little girl with Downs Syndrome. Her grief was for the child she didn’t get. Her anger was about the medical profession, family and friends who refused to see her child as an individual, rather she was described as a downs baby. Her joy was the overwhelming love she felt for Caoimhe whenever she looked into her beautiful face.
This is really about one woman’s struggle to come to terms with a much unexpected twist in her life. As a reader you felt very voyeuristic reading such raw emotion. It was almost too much to bear, yet I couldn’t put it down. I wanted love to conquer all. I think we will have to wait for the sequel to see if it does.
The book does give a great insight into the types of prejudice and stereotypes, a family with a child who has a disability, would have to deal with. It really makes you think.
This is really about one woman’s struggle to come to terms with a much unexpected twist in her life. As a reader you felt very voyeuristic reading such raw emotion. It was almost too much to bear, yet I couldn’t put it down. I wanted love to conquer all. I think we will have to wait for the sequel to see if it does.
The book does give a great insight into the types of prejudice and stereotypes, a family with a child who has a disability, would have to deal with. It really makes you think.
The Seamstress by Geraldine Wooler
I read this book in a weekend. It was very moving and easy to read although I found the first few chapters confusing. The narrator, Jo, slips back and forth through different time frames , so you get some idea of the early life of Jo’s mother,Willa ( the seamstress of the title) . They seem to come from a large extended family so you had to keep flipping back to work out who was who. The second half of the book is really the nitty gritty of the story. We find out that Jo’s mother, Willa, is slowly sliding into dementia. Jo's frustrating struggle to deal with it is very emotional. She misses dearly the mother of her early life.
I wonder now if the flicking from one character to another and one time to another in the first part of the story is actually a reflection of how the memory of a person suffering from dementia would work.
I wonder now if the flicking from one character to another and one time to another in the first part of the story is actually a reflection of how the memory of a person suffering from dementia would work.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Two Caravans (Audio book) by Marina Lewycka
Audio books are fantastic for travel. This one is a lighthearted story. Just what you need to set the mood for an out of town meeting. We also have the print version of the author's first book. - A short History of Tractors in Ukrainian. Louise has highly recommended both titles.
Check out the review
http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,2046719,00.html
Check out the review
http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,2046719,00.html
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Dumi and Jenny discuss Alexander McCall Smith's Lady Detective Series. Listen to the discussion at
http://jenniferhogan.podomatic.com/
http://jenniferhogan.podomatic.com/
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
I'm Not Scared ( DVD)
Movie review
A young boy discovers a shocking secret in his isolated southern Italian village.
At first he thinks it is a fantasty or nightmare but gradually he realisesthe adults of the community have all engaged in a horrific crime. As he stuggles with his loyalities at home and his desire to save a new friend, you realise that he is showing true heroism. This is a beautiful story about a young boy conquering his fears. He is trying to do the right thing as well as save the villagers from their own worst enemies, themselves. The story is absolutely enthralling. The stark landscapes and stunning music makes it visually, a very beautiful film. However the boy conquering all in adversitity was definitely heart stopping. I cannot understand why this had an MA rating. I would be happy to let any 10 year old watch it, because it is truly inspiring.
Lizzie told me the book is even better than the movie, so I may have to buy the book for the library.
A young boy discovers a shocking secret in his isolated southern Italian village.
At first he thinks it is a fantasty or nightmare but gradually he realisesthe adults of the community have all engaged in a horrific crime. As he stuggles with his loyalities at home and his desire to save a new friend, you realise that he is showing true heroism. This is a beautiful story about a young boy conquering his fears. He is trying to do the right thing as well as save the villagers from their own worst enemies, themselves. The story is absolutely enthralling. The stark landscapes and stunning music makes it visually, a very beautiful film. However the boy conquering all in adversitity was definitely heart stopping. I cannot understand why this had an MA rating. I would be happy to let any 10 year old watch it, because it is truly inspiring.
Lizzie told me the book is even better than the movie, so I may have to buy the book for the library.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Magazines
The library receives numerous magazines every month. We have just subscribed to a number of new ones.
• Good Health and Medicine
This month features an article on Raising happy teens and another on Why abdominal fat is bad for your health.
• The Monthly Australia politics society and culture. The feature article is on Wendi Deng Murdoch /
• Australian Horticulture – this magazine is aimed at the horticulture industry
Other Magazines of interest this month include
• Australian Table The August Issue has an Italian theme.
• Choice Magazine July 2007 features an article on Best Value- shopping. Which supermarket costs less? It also looks at anti Aging cosmetics –do they work?
• Rolling Stone ( September Issue) is always a surprise. In spite of its music bent it also covers many current issues. Not only is their a feature article on Dave Grohl of Foo fighters fame, it also has a feature on the Climate Crisis with interviews from Al Gore, Tim Flannery and Robert Kennedy Jr on leading the revolution to reverse climate change
• Good Health and Medicine
This month features an article on Raising happy teens and another on Why abdominal fat is bad for your health.
• The Monthly Australia politics society and culture. The feature article is on Wendi Deng Murdoch /
• Australian Horticulture – this magazine is aimed at the horticulture industry
Other Magazines of interest this month include
• Australian Table The August Issue has an Italian theme.
• Choice Magazine July 2007 features an article on Best Value- shopping. Which supermarket costs less? It also looks at anti Aging cosmetics –do they work?
• Rolling Stone ( September Issue) is always a surprise. In spite of its music bent it also covers many current issues. Not only is their a feature article on Dave Grohl of Foo fighters fame, it also has a feature on the Climate Crisis with interviews from Al Gore, Tim Flannery and Robert Kennedy Jr on leading the revolution to reverse climate change
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Writing your life : a journey of discovery ; workshops & anthology / Miller, Patti, 1954-
Karen gave a great recommendation of this book. " It was a book full of learning, self help ideas written by many students about their real life situations, their family firiends and lives. Very Interesting!" Karen particularly liked "the many and varied interesting autobiographical stories". She gave it a 5 smiles rating of Fantastic.
Goodbye Lenin ( DVD)
One of our students, Sylvia, reviewed this movie. She said it was about a family during the fall of the Berlin Wall. It looks at how two different social structures impacted on their lives. Sylvia liked the way the movie explored "ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances". She gave the movie four smiley faces ( A very good rating)
Moral Disorder by Margaret Atwood
An enticing series of short stories that bring together episodes on one womans life. ( I loved it but I am a big Margaret Atwood fan)
It is reviewed at
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article624346.ece
It is reviewed at
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article624346.ece
On Chesil Beach - audio cd
This is a great one for a long trip in the car, if you like relationships stories and contemplating the twists and turns a life can take.
http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Books/Default.aspx?Page=Book&ID=9781846571008
Reviewed on
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9953.On_Chesil_Beach_A_Novel
http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Books/Default.aspx?Page=Book&ID=9781846571008
Reviewed on
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9953.On_Chesil_Beach_A_Novel
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Stormbreaker : the graphic novel by Anthony Horowitz
Nic and Louise give us a great discussion of this graphic novel.
http://jenniferhogan.podomatic.com/
http://jenniferhogan.podomatic.com/
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sing and don't cry: a mexican journal
Sing and don't cry: a mexican journal" by Cate Kennedy.
A memoir of a woman working as an Australia volunteer in mexico .
http://www.theage.com.au/news/reviews/sing-and-dont-cry/2005/08/13/1123353541291.html http://www.transitlounge.com.au/reviews.htm#singanddontcry
A memoir of a woman working as an Australia volunteer in mexico .
http://www.theage.com.au/news/reviews/sing-and-dont-cry/2005/08/13/1123353541291.html http://www.transitlounge.com.au/reviews.htm#singanddontcry
An Inconvenient Truth
"An Inconvenient Truth" is a thought provoking dvd on climate change featuring, ex American vice president, Al Gore 's environmentally friendly political agenda. http://www.climatecrisis.net/
http://www.an-inconvenient-truth.com/
http://www.an-inconvenient-truth.com/
Kenny
April 2007
We have just recieved a copy of the very funny movie Kenny. Heart warming with lots of toilet humour
http://www.kennythemovie.com/
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1697827.h
http://www.infilm.com.au/reviews/kenny.htm
We have just recieved a copy of the very funny movie Kenny. Heart warming with lots of toilet humour
http://www.kennythemovie.com/
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1697827.h
http://www.infilm.com.au/reviews/kenny.htm
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