Stamp Club

The below cards are ones I completed at Stamp Club the other night. I can't decide which is my favourite. Either the butterflies or pin wheel...

Book: Stronger Now

Summary: On 12 October 2002, the beautiful island of Bali was hit by a deadly terrorist attack. It claimed the lives of 202 people and left 240 others severely injured. Nicole McLean had been in Bali for just six hours when she was caught in one of the explosions. That night she lost her arm and was left fighting for her life.
This is Nicole's extraordinary journey. Shown through her eyes, and through the eyes of friends and family who watched helplessly while the horror unfolded before them, this is a gripping personal account of what happened that fateful night and Nicole's difficult yet incredible journey towards recovery. Ten years on, the scars from Bali have not faded. But while those left behind will never be forgotten, this book is a testament to the resilience and strength of spirit in those that survived. It is a story about hope, second chances and never giving up.

What I thought: I really enjoyed this book. I actually went to school with Nicole (she was a year older but I was a dancer with her in the school production). Therefore it gave it more of a personal feel. Just amazing. So strong.

Monday Night Bookgroup: Its not about the bike

Summary: It's Not About the Bike is the story of Armstrong's journey from inauspicious beginnings through triumph, tragedy, transformation, and transcendence. Though he's a hero to millions, he never adopts a hero's pose. In his down-to earth Texas style, he tells of his childhood, early success, near-fatal cancer, recovery, survivorship, victory in the 1999 Tour de France, marriage, and first-time fatherhood. Everyone knows Lance Armstrong is a passionate and fearless competitor. It's Not About the Bike reveals what is truly heroic about the man: his depth of character and generosity of spirit.


What I thought: Hmm. I actually really enjoyed this book. Very inspiring etc. BUT he cheated! I ummed and ahhed about whether to bother reading it for bookgroup but once I started I was hooked. Before the cheating I would be recommending it to others but now it's like a hoax. Just because others were cheating didn't mean you had to too!

Book: Welcome to the Outback

Summary: Sue Williams has delivered us Women of the Outback and Outback Spirit, stories she gathers from the people of the bush. Ever curious, this time Sue puts herself in the firing line, seeking to find the essence of the outback experience – perfect for all us armchair travellers.


She travelled the width and length of Australia by bus, train, car, campervan, Troopy, horse, goat, foot and plane. She took part in the droving of 600 head of cattle through Queensland and got rolled by her horse. She helped pregnancy-test cattle at a remote property in the far north of South Australia, swallowed countless flies and ran through muddy dams carrying a pretend-sheep on her shoulders in an outback Ironwoman challenge. She boxed a State championship contender in outback Queensland in Fred Brophy's Outback fight club. She saw the country in drought, in flood, between swarms of locusts and a mice plague, mixing with old drovers, new backpackers, overseas tourists, Australians out to see their country, grey nomads, new settlers and old-timers.

What I thought: A nice little read. Some parts more interesing than others. I loved the stuff about boxing. Had me in tears (of laughter).

Book: Queen of the Road

Summary: Juggling two jobs, raising her four-year-old daughter alone and drowning in debt, Angela Green is struggling to survive. So when Angela's father offers her a job driving trucks in the tiny rural town of Munirilla, she accepts. After all, it's only temporary…  Despite taking to the road with ease, Angela finds moving to Munirilla may not be the godsend it seemed. Her accommodation is dingy, her fellow truckies are less than happy to see a woman on the road, and the locals are reluctant to use her services.

There is one local who's glad to see her, though — fill-in farm manager and loner, Coop, resists his natural tendency to avoid personal connections when he meets the efficient and gorgeous, Angela. But Coop has problems of his own — sheep are going missing, his neighbours are acting strangely and the demons of his past are urging him to move on again.  In Munirilla, both Angela and Coop will face the ultimate test of character. Will they follow reason and leave? Or follow their hearts and build a home in the small town...together?

What I thought: I loved this book. Great easy read. I thought their might be a bit more about the next door neighbour and thefts etc. but otherwise it was great :)