Book: Sadie

I came across this author because she is similar to Martina Cole - and she didn't disappoint (though not quite at the same standard). A nice easy read.

In the chill of a winter's morning, a sweet and likeable 13-year-old girl unexpectedly gives birth in the bathroom of her council flat. The baby, the product of a brutal rape by her stepfather, is whisked away to hospital and is eventually adopted by a rich suburban couple. As far as everyone is concerned, Sadie will never see the baby again. The girl, Sadie Burrows, survives her ordeal and goes on to become a successful businesswoman, famous in the media, even courted by politicians as an example of young enterprise. Then, out of the blue, there is a knock at the door. And Sadie's shameful secret comes back to haunt her...

Book: Hidden

Summary: Tayo arrives at Cathy's with only the clothes he stands up in. He has been brought to her by the police, but he is calm, polite, and very well spoken, and not at all like the children she normally fosters. The social worker gives Cathy the forms which should contain Tayo's history, but apart from his name and age, it is blank. Tayo has no past. Tayo is an 'invisible' child, kidnapped from his loving father in Nigeria and brought illegally to the UK by his drink and drugs dependent prostitute mother, where he is put to work in a sweat shop in Central London.
Through Cathy he develops into a wonderful young man and we have a fairy tale ending. Brilliant book, easy read - loved it!

Book: Damaged

This book is not for the feint hearted; it broke my heart, poor poor Jodie. This child has suffered at the hands of monsters. Cathy is a saint, she went above and beyond the realms of a foster carer. She is truly an angel sent to care for "damaged" children. This book is addictive for all the wrong reasons; the things this child has suffered is beyond comprehension. This is an incredibly good book but only read it if you feel strong enough too; It makes me appreciate me and I am grateful that I was brought up in a kind loving family. A very very good read but shocking and heart breaking and doesn't necessarily end with a wonderful outcome.

Book: Red Dust

Summary: After the death of her husband Adam, Gemma Sinclair defies community expectations - and Adam’s dying words - by deciding to hang on to Billbinya, the 10,000-hectare station he bequeathed to her. As if Gemma’s grief and the job of looking after Billbinya aren’t enough, a wave of innuendo soon sweeps the community that Adam’s plane crash was no accident. Police officers confirm the rumour when they visit Gemma and tell her Adam’s death was almost certainly related to his involvement in a cattle and sheep duffing ring. And not only that, Gemma is indirectly implicated because Billbinya was used as the holding station for the stolen stock. Intent on clearing her name, Gemma sets out to get to the bottom of what Adam was doing. In the process, she’s stunned at the depths of her husband’s wrongdoing and shocked at the identities of his criminal associates. Struggling to put the past behind her, Gemma wonders if she’ll ever be able to love again.

A wonderful easy read (only a day or so). Very similar to Rachael Treasure (though hers are a bit more depth). Just love the strong independent country lass! Can't wait for the next book!

Book & Bookgroup: Dirt Music

Someone else's view who is the same as mine:

Dirt Music is a wild ride - a story of love, death, the mess people make of their lives, and their redemption through love. It is essentially the love story of Georgie Jutland and Luther Fox: Georgie, on the verge of alcoholism and finding herself in an unsure relationship with a widower named Jim and his two boys; Lu, the survivor of a world of death (everyone he loved has died in ghastly, gory ways) terrified of the thought that he is cursed, that anyone he loves will meet a horrible fate. The other characters are just as dodgy but only Jim (who, in his desire for his own redemption, seeks to help Georgie discover herself, even at the cost of their relationship) is drawn with any of the detail with which Georgie and Lu are delineated. These rough characters exist in a rough landscape: Western Australia, somewhere north of Perth, in a fishing town where most of the locals (who are literally White Pointers) have become rich from harvesting lobster but still maintain their frontier ways, often solving disputes with shotguns. Georgie is a blow-in, unsure of how she ended up living in this wild west town; Lu is a local but he's an outcast in a town of outcasts. He plays the dobro but, after the grim fate of his music-playing family, he is afraid of the psychic pain returning to music might give him so he makes a living poaching fish and crustaceans from his fellow townsfolk - a dangerous game in this unforgiving place. Through this landscape, and the even harsher landscape of the Kimberley, the love story (it would be too banal to call it a romance) of these two is played out. The novel is a genuine page-turner and a quick read, partly because of the effortless prose and partly because we can't wait to see what happens next - in that sense it's full of suspense as well, almost like a thriller/mystery. The dialogue is both sharp and blunt at the same time and only occasionally strays into unbelievability. The novel's climax is in the extreme northern country, where Lu escapes after he is nearly killed by redneck White Pointers. Georgie and Jim follow and try to find this lone, dazed, half-mad figure hiding in the wilderness.

I just loved it. Winton's language is sublime, no wonder it won the Miles Franklin.

Book: Christmas Island, Indian Ocean

Summary: Back in 2001, Australian journalist Julietta Jameson, like many of us, watched the Tampa crisis with a mixture of confusion and compassion. Unlike us, upon hearing of the Christmas Islanders' fireworks send-off for Captain Rinnan, she decided to visit this Australian outpost to see firsthand the place - previously famous only for its red crabs - that now found itself in the world's spotlight. As well as natural tropical beauty, she found a multicultural community conscious of its diverse roots and history, replete with characters and local traditions. In a conversational style, she conveys her encounters with the locals from musicians to storekeepers to uncomfortable navy personnel. She examines the part each plays in her journey of discovery as she tries to reconcile the beauty of a night sky flashing with falling stars over the heads of detention centre inmates whose wishes may never be granted.

It was ok. I read it when the asylum seeker issue flared here again a few weeks ago so that was good as CI was always on the news! It was however more about her finding herself whilst I was more interested in the asylum seekers. Sounds like an amazing place to visit though!

Book: Ex Libris - Confessions of a Common Reader

Ex Libris is an outstanding book for those who enjoy reading and the pleasures that a library offers the reader. The authors love of books and reading comes alive in every page as only a reader will appreciate. I enjoyed sharing her insightful look at books and their impact on an individual. Easy to read, honest and delightful in that it shares her personal enjoyment with the reader. The book consists of a series of short essays on book and reading-related topics: happy arguments between new spouses about how to merge their collections; the peculiarities of how each of us treats books (to bend down a corner or not to bend), the joys of spelunking in used bookstores; and the like. Lovely!

Book: Plain Truth

After reading My Sister's Keeper I had to go back for more of Jodi Picoult. Plain Truth tells the story of an 18-year-old Amish girl, Katie Fisher, who secretly gives birth to a child out of wedlock. Mysteriously the baby disappears and a few hours later is found dead in the barn located on the Fisher farm. After an initial investigation, Katie is charged with murder and a Philadelphia attorney, Ellie Hathaway - who also is loosely related, is set to defend her case. Adding to the fascination of this particular murder trial is the fact that Katie Fisher is Amish, and the Amish convictions are very different from others in the English world. The fact that an Amishman, who by nature does not believe in confrontation and violence, would kill another is entirely unheard of. A great story, easy read but I think the ending was rather obvious. Picoult has sucked me in though - which one to read next?

Book: I, Safiya

Summary: This is the true, first-hand account of one woman's courageous struggle for justice, and the story that in 2001 made the eyes of the world turn to the small Nigerian village of Tungar Tudu. Safiya Hussaini was accused of adultery, arrested and taken from her farming village in northern Nigeria. Brought before a Sharia court, she was sentenced to death by stoning. Her crime was to become pregnant outside of marriage and to give birth to her little girl, Adama. The child's father at first accepted responsibility, but then changed his story, denied everything and was released without penalty. Betrayed, terrified and outcast, Safiya summoned the strength to fight for her life. Supported by her family, her lawyer and her faith in Allah, she was determined to stay alive to care for her little girl.

What an inspiring woman, but what a different world. How lucky I am to live the life I do. Great easy read.

Book: Taken in Contempt

What a sad book that looks at parents who have abducted their own children. Left-behind parents, abducting parents and some of the children themselves have contributed to the book; so have the bureaucrats who have to implement the tough decisions, and the retrievers - men who risk all for someone else’s children. It is just sad that relationships can fall apart that this has to happen in the first place. It was a really interesting book to see the different perspectives but it is wise to remember that we are only seeing one side of the story. Fascinating to hear the retrievers different stories, almost like big adventures but then reality hits that this is real - scary stuff!

Book: Antarctica on a plate

Summary: Imagine you are a young woman with a stellar career but an increasing dissatisfaction with life. Imagine that your idea of a "remote location" is the distance between a taxi rank and a shoe shop. How do you shrug off your growing ennui? Simple. You apply for the position of cook in the coldest place on earth: Antarctica. Antarctica lends itself to tales of adventure and heartbreak. The landscape is polarized, beautiful and deadly in equal measure. But Alexa doesn't scale mountains or trek to the Pole. Instead, armed with an old cookbook, she attempts to create three-course meals with no electricity or running water and struggles to defrost meat in sub-zero temperatures. Life in a thin nylon tent in the company of scientists, explorers, and eccentrics soon begins to take on extraordinary dimensions. As 120-kilometre-an-hour winds blow and tensions rise, friendships, and love, are forged in this frozen neighborhood.

Not bad, have read better but it did want me to pack up my life and go on an adventure. Just not too sure about the morals of the romance though...

Bookgroup & Book: My Sister's Keeper

I chose this book because Jodi Picoult is so popular and I hadn't got around to reading her yet. Bookgroup forces me to. I loved this book (though maybe not the ending, which came as a huge surprise). My Sister's Keeper centers on Anna, who, at the age of thirteen, decides to sue her parents for medical emancipation. Anna has not only served as a donor for her leukemia-stricken sister Kate, she was, in fact, the product of genetic engineering that guaranteed she would be a perfect match for Kate. This premise touches on many of the issues that affect modern day science, from designer babies to the ethics involved in cloning. The thing I enjoyed most was that it looks at the story from all viewpoints: the mum, dad, brother, lawyer, guardian etc. All that is except Kate whom we only hear from in the end. A nice easy read - can see why Picoult is so popular.

Verdict: Everybody loved it and agreed that it was a nice easy read, great topic and awesome for bookgroups to discuss as many issues arouse.

Book & Bookgroup: The Time Traveler's Wife

I picked this book for one reason - one of the main characters, Henry is a librarian! It is a love story centering on a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to unpredictably time travel, and his wife Clare, an artist who has to cope with his frequent absences and dangerous experiences. This book is thick, with a very complicated story. You will find yourself slightly confused at times, wondering where in life Henry's disorder has placed him. Keep reading. Although it may feel as if you are trying to fit together some strange puzzle of time and places, they do connect, creating a beautiful and absolutely exceptional novel. The prevailing concept that I took with me from reading this book is that love can stand the test of time. In fact, in the case of Henry and Clare, love is absolutely timeless.

Verdict: Everyone from bookgroup loved it! Sometimes it is easier when people don't as it can spark more conversation!

Clunes Booktown 2009

The first weekend in May each year sees Clunes come to life with Booktown. Clunes is only 15 minutes from my house so I just love it. Dan was in charge of Adam for the day so I headed over for lots of book bargains. You see Booktown is a weekend where more than 60 book traders come together to sell their wares. The majority are second hand, but there was also a remainder seller this year who had some great books. There was also the good old “Nothing over $5” stand. I only came home with about 35 books this year which is at least half of what I bought last year! Clunes is by far my favourite weekend of he year! They also have author talks which I went to. Here are my notes:

Frank Moorhouse

Country boy.
Began as a short story specialist.
HATES books/storied that begin with a description of the weather.
Funny Publisher’s lunch stories (like ordering steak tartare – raw steak – and having to eat it!)
Began as a cadet journalist – great introduction to his life of writing. As he was young when he started he had to have guts, ie. ringing magistrates, senior officials etc.
As a youngster he PHYSICALLY checked the pier stumps (didn’t think to ring the council engineer) and he stated that “You can’t write about what you didn’t see!!)
Drinks trolley at museum. Curator wouldn’t come down (had to make an application) so he jumped the rope, wheeled it, took pictures, researched it etc.

Matthew Condon

Freelance journalist, likes “work” as such for the people contact compared to solitary novel writing.
When his first child was born he realised that there is more to life. He stepped out of his selfish bubble. Not as self obsessed anymore about getting his name “out there” etc.
Harder now as a writer with expectations, whereas when first starting, it was more passion. Then he “pumped” books out quickly and has now reverted back to that initial passion.

Both

Frank and Matthew are good friends. They met at the launch of Matthew’s first book as Frank like to attend/support young writers. Frank was Matthew’s literary hero. Friendship blossomed.

Eva Sallis

Very funny!
Vogel (Young writer) and Steel Rudd (Short story) Award Winner.
When she was told she won the Vogel she told everyone, even though there was an embargo!
Also judges awards. Stories he likes (that the other judges don’t), she keeps their names and looks for them to appear in the future.
Literary friends essential. Trusts them to read manuscripts and that they are skilled to understand and sophisticated enough to help.
Has her brag shelf. All her novels, different editions/covers etc. but never looks at it – just adds to it.
Novel has to start with a BIG IDEA or she can’t write. Must be a burning issue in her mind.

Julienne van Loon

Winning the Vogel Award opened the Publisher’s doors.
Advocate of the Vogel as it opens the door for young (less than 35) writers and represents them.
Judges awards. Interesting to see what she thinks is a work of genius compared to what other judges think.
Not a planned writer – it just has to flow – to explore.
Her novels grow out of place, not necessarily a big idea. Look for background stories and things that just niggles in the background/mind.

Both

Both were academics doing PHD’s while writing that first novel. Won the Vogel then second novel hard to follow up on. (Interesting as Nigel Krauth, the MC also won the Vogel).Both feel that reviews in newspapers generally don’t get the point of novels. Also that there are so few books reviewed in papers, and those that are get limited to so few words. To get noticed now you need an interview or something bigger to get your name out there.

NLS4

I keep thinking that I need to write about NLS4. It was such a big part of my life for 3 years then, bam its over. I think it was fantastic and so did most people I spoke to. From a personal viewpoint I learnt so much. I got to work with such a fantastic team and hoped that they learnt as much off me as I did from them. I can’t wait for our big catch up as I miss them all so much! The following are blogs that others have written from their experiences at NLS4:

http://virtuallyalibrarian.com/2008/12/07/nls4-conference-wrap-up/

http://quilterjo.blogspot.com/2008/12/tasty-morsel.html

http://roxannemissingham.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-librarians-they-are-out-there-are.html

http://librariesinteract.info/2008/12/16/new-librarians-symposium-nls4-review/

http://librarianidol.blogspot.com/2008/12/yes-moments-of-last-week.html

http://www.alia.org.au/blog/?p=94

It's a boy!

At 4:42pm on Sunday March 15th, Daniel and I welcomed Adam William Siemensma into the world. A healthy baby boy weighing in at 7 pounds 2. He is now approaching two months old and we are loving every minute of it.

Book & Bookgroup: The Eyre Affair

The book follows literary detective Thursday Next, who is trailing the dangerous Acheron Hades. When Hades begins stealing characters out of books, it's up to Thursday to stop him. The 1985 alternate universe is entirely believable and intriguing - filled with dodos, bookworms, and other inventions. Thursday is a wonderful heroine - strong, yet vulnerable in her own ways. This book brings up many thought-provoking ideas, and keeps you reading till the very end. It's a terrific science-fiction-esque novel without being too 'far out'. Bookgroup doesn't meet for another few weeks so I am not sure what others thought but I loved it (it did help that I recently read Jane Eyre though so remembered many of the details)!

Vedict: 50/50, half of bookgroup loved it, the other half couldn't finish it!

Book: Mozart Maulers

The Mozart Maulers is a comic memoir based on Dorian's experiences as a student at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. At the time he was seeing a psychiatrist who encouraged him to externalize his anger and use an alternative to drug therapy: Rugby League. Unable to convince any team to take him on, he formed his own team with other music students at the Con called The Mozart Maulers. They took on Sydney Uni and surprised everyone - by winning! It was a nice little read, not too heavy and with a good outcome. Lots of chuckles and a good look into both the Arts and Sports.

Book: The Game

I kept going with the crime feel and read another Mandasue Heller. This was a good book about Mary who got kicked out of home as a teenager, became a drug addict, prostitute etc. and ended up in the dodgy Manchester underworld, abused by her husband, lying to Police etc. Just a nice easy read!

Book & Bookgroup: Eucalyptus

What can I say except interesting book. Only half of the people in bookgroup managed to get through it. I didn't mind it. What wrecked it for me was that I read it over about 6 weeks in between other books and only in chuncks. Once I got into it it was good but otherwise it definitely wasn't something you could dip in and out of. However, now I can say that I have read a Miles Franklin winner!

Summary: On a property in western New South Wales a man named Holland lives with his daughter Ellen. Over the years, as she grows into a beautiful young woman, he plants hundreds of different gum trees on his land. When Ellen is nineteen her father announces his decision: she will marry the man who can name all his species of eucalypt, down to the last tree.

Book: The Charmer

This is the first book I've read of this author and whilst I was impressed and it gripped me from the start, I was a bit disappointed at the ending - it makes you want a sequel to finish it off completely. Also, I felt the author doesn't do enough research into the detective/criminal side of things as there were bits that seemed a bit "unreal". I mean I did love it but it was a pretty basic storyline. Needed to be a little more gritty, druggie and gangstaish! She will definitely be an author I continue to read though but she isn't quite up to Martina Cole standards yet!

Book: Blueback

Young Abel and his mother, Dora, lead a peaceful, idyllic life by the sea in Western Australia. They live off the land and sea, taking no more than they need to survive, carefully husbanding the natural resources at their disposal. Abel's best friend is an enormous fish named Blueback. Time passes, Abel grows up, and he and his mother find it harder to protect Blueback and their "Robbers Bay" from unscrupulous fishermen and developers.

WOW - what a beautiful book. Though it is quite small and easy to get through the language is just beautifully mesmerizing. Just the description of nature and the sea really made me feel like I was there - no wonder it won the Wilderness Society Environment Award. Just a magical little book.

Book: The Pact - three young men make a promise and fulfill a dream

The Pact is about three young men who lived in the projects around drugs and peer pressure from old friends who did not want anything out of life. So George and Sam and Rameck made a pact to go to college and not to let peer pressure rule their lives. I mean it wasn't all smooth sailing. Two of them ended up in juvenile detention but they overcame this. They went to college, all became Doctors and in turn gave back to the neighborhood. Very inspirational read to see what came be achieved if you have dedication and determination and little bit of help, regardless of your background.

Book: Random Acts of Kindness

Product Description:
In his bestselling book Join Me, Danny Wallace instructs his legions of followers to perform a 'Random Act of Kindness' every Friday. As a result, his thousands of followers (dubbed the Karma Army), without warning, made people happier the length and breadth of the country. Now in Random Acts of Kindness Danny and the gang bring you a hilarious, well-meaning book to encourage you to perform Random Acts of your own. 'Now, at last, the secret to a happier world! You have the power to make it a nicer place! All over the planet, thousands of people just like you are performing Random Acts of Kindness for complete strangers- Buy an old lady a hat! Give a policeman a helium balloon! Pat a dog! Hand a stranger your umbrella! Applaud a lady who's clearly made an effort! This book contains 365 real Random Acts of Kindness real people have done for real strangers- so read it, learn it, and start making your world the nicer place, today!'

Ah - this was a cool little book. Now I have to read "Join Me" (which is in my bookcase) so that I can see where it all started from.

Book: Kaitlyn

Now this one was like Martina Cole and much better than Frankie. It's the story of a girl who goes from the slums of a south London council estate to being the richest drug baron in the UK. Again the story lines are far fetched but who cares! Everything Kaitlyn does in life is for her younger brother who was taken away from her mother when he was a baby(except her brother doesn't know she exists). Drugs, murder, child abuse, prison - it has it all! Just brilliant.

Book: Frankie

I had this book because I was told the story would be similar to Martina Cole. It wasn't similar at all though. However, I still really enjoyed the book and raced through it. It's based around a young girl, murder and fraud. How do they all come together? By weaving all the different stories together. It was more detective than gangland stuff but I still really enjoyed it even though the story lines were a bit far fetched! In fact I liked it so much I read another book by the same author straight away which I very rarely do!

HLI Conference

(Laura, me and Michelle but not at the HLI Conference but at NLS4)

The 6th HLI conference was once again held at the RACV City Club on Friday October 24th. It was great to go as I hadn't seen my girls (Laura and Michelle) since May. Normally I head down for library events and we catch up every few months but not in 2008! Anyway, I was the MC for the afternoon. I must admit public speaking does get easier. I wasn't nervous at all really. Compared to the first time I chaired a conference session I think I have improved (Well I hope I have anyway!) I enjoyed most of the sessions but I mainly just love to catch up with everyone once a year from across different health libraries. Naturally I always stay on for the dinner too - any chance to socialise. Here are my notes, the theme for the day was The Evolving Library:

Jason Clarke (from www.mindsatwork.com.au)

The idea that information wants to be free.

Less expensive, more expensive

Substitute, combine, magnify, re purpose, adopt, minify, simplify, modify, adapt, rearrange, reconfigure, reverse, eliminate.

He was a wonderful speaker, very motivational.

Jenny Ward (print serials)

Discussed different storage options all which are bloody expensive!

Jill Aron (records management)

Integrating a RM and LMS together.

Interesting that one may need RM skills which are similar but VERY different to library skills.

Marie Anne Slaney (future)

We are a sector - health librarians.

Other health and library professionals look to us.

Key to our professional practice is finding QUALITY information.

How we might work = add value, drive initiatives, share, lead, develop, extend, learn.

Skills you need = business, core IM, health IM, job specific, personal niche.

Richard Sayers (professional development)

ALIA NAC paper on professional development.

Libraries are about people, not books and bytes.

Without people there is no need for libraries.

He left ALIA PD Scheme as a stand that it doesn't encompass or ensure him to undertake PD for accreditation.

Ancora Imparo - "I am still learning".

Still learning in all stages of life.

Breadth and depth of LIS courses (he thinks there are too many library schools).

Thinks we must embrace compulsory PD because if something isn't compulsory it doesn't get done.

PD is compulsory in the UK and NZ.

PD needs to add real demonstrative value to an employer.

Problems = ALIA membership may drop off, hard to co-ordinate, hard for rural/regional members

need transition, cannot happen overnight.

Stephen Due (statistics)

Most article requested are within 5 years of publication.

Most books on loan were published in last 5 years.

Books loans are on the increase.

Print journal copies on the decrease.

New libraries increase library usage so build for people, not collections.

Lisa Kruesi (MLA Cunningham Fellowship)

Patient Informatics Consult Service (PICS) - specifically targeted at patients. The doctor fills in a "lit form" specific to their patients care needs and consumer information is found for the patient.

MyHealth@Vanderbuilt - where patients can log on and look up there own medical records.

Patient Information - Australia

myDR

Aust. Health Directory

National Health Call Centre Network

Cochrane Consumer Network Project

HealthInsite

Jane and Virginia (23 things, web 2.0)

iGoogle - your own Google homepage

NLS4 Meetings

I did manage to make two trips up and down that highway for NLS4 meetings.

September 20th and November 15th. (October was a teleconferece).

Just blogging about it here so that come tax time I remember to claim the kilometres!!

Ballarat Library Industry Dinner

In November (the 12th) we once again had a dinner in Ballarat for everyone and anyone who works in a library. This time it was at Rinaldo's on Sturt St. The food wasn't that good and the room was very squishy and hot. However it was wonderful to have some faces from the public library present. I sat with Helen who I know anyway as she does the housebound books and Jan who always serves me at the counter. It was nice to chat to them more informally and learn about them and their lives in libraries. Also just by chance I went to the Avoca Races for Bec's Hen's Day a few weeks earlier and saw Melissa who works at the public library (she was in the marquee next to us) so I got to catch up with her too as she was always my favourite public library worker. She went on maternity leave but is back working now, just not at Ballarat branch which is where I most often go.

Bookgroup

The other thing I was really bad at was bookgroup. I missed a few meetings due to illness but once I got sick in August I never read another bookgroup book for the entire year (and I had read everyone so far). I was so annoyed at myself but because I wasn't choosing the books as such I just couldn't be bothered. Plus at that stage the size of a novel could make me feel ill, or even just the sight of one! I have however vowed to be better in 2009. Luck has it I was the only one who put in a booklist for this years group so all the books we will be reading have been chosen by me! So I have February's book next to my bed and hope to get onto it soon. The plan is to stay one book ahead - wish me luck!

ALIA stuff

As previously mentioned I was rather sick in my initial stages of pregnancy (pass the bucket please) so I spent most of my time sleeping. This meant that I could no longer commit to many extra curricular ALIA activities so I had to resign from many committees. I said goodbye to:

ALIA Vic LT - I have learnt so much from this group as it was my first foray into ALIA. Just a great bunch of people who I will miss. I was pleased to be able to stop Technotes, the groups newsletter as I think I had run out of steam.

ALIA Vic - this group was so different to the LT group for lots of reasons. I will miss the experience of group members the most and admire many of them for what they have achieved.

ALIA NGAC - I felt bad about pulling out of NGAC as I had just been reappointed for another term (sorry guys). I did however learn so much more about ALIA the Association and how the Board works etc. Good to see "the other side's" view. I won't miss those reports though!

The only thing I kept was NLS4 as we had been working towards this for over 2 years. I will blog more about them later.

Uni

Ok, so back in February I told you all about how I was going back to Uni to do my MBA. The first semester of 2008 was great. I thought Accounting and Finance would be really hard and scary but I had the best lecturer I have ever had in my life. Brian West - just an amazing lecturer, truly outstanding (and that is saying something). I learnt so much and am so thankful. I put the work in and it really paid off. I am still so amazed at what I got out of one subject. Never in my previous undergrad or masters in LIS have I learnt so much. I was rewarded for my efforts too by getting a Distinction (a hard fought one I tell you!).

The other subject however was crap! Marketing is very interesting but basically it was read the textbook and understand the concepts and remember the jargon for the exam. The lecturer knew a lot but it just wasn't as good as Accounting. I also got a Distinction for Marketing though so was very pleased with myself!

I definitely know that the MBA was the right course for me to pursue. It is a little MIA right now though! You see I started Business Economics in semester 2 but was really sick due to my pregnancy that I hadn't done any reading and was falling chapters and chapters behind. So I deferred for a year and had a great 6 months off at home letting bubs grow (plus working on NLS4). I have enrolled for semester 2 later in the year but I will just wait and see how I go at home with bubs and see what I feel like doing. So you may hear more about "Organisations, Behaviour, Structure and Processes" later in the year. If not, I am sure I will one day complete this course but it just may take me 10 years!

Book: The Know

The first book of 2009.

I really do love Martina Cole. I know sometimes her writing isn't perfect and that stories and characters sometimes overlap between novels but I still love her work. There is nothing like a bit of East End London Gangster/Mafia crime to get me going! The Know was a little different from the other stuff of hers I have read because it actually all took place over 6 months or so. Often her books span decades so that was a nice change. Joanie Brewer and her children, Jon Jon(18), Jeanette(14) and Kira(11) live in a run-down London Council estate. The two eldest are accustomed to crime and little Kira is innocent perfection. Then Kira goes missing... This book deals with the worst life can offer - child abduction, paedophiles and murder. But it also shows how family life can be pushed apart and thrown back together. Just brilliant!

Book: Dewey - the small town library cat who touched the world

My last read for 2008.

Dewey was a great book, not only because it was about a library but it was just one of those that pulls at the heart strings. When Spencer, Iowa, librarian Vicki Myron arrived at work that cold winter morning in 1988, she had no inkling that a small thing she would find in the overnight book drop would forever change her life and that of her whole community. That something was a tiny kitten, bedraggled and half frozen. Almost immediately, this unannounced critter won the hearts of the staff. They even named him Dewey Readmore Books. For the next 18 years, until he died in 2006, Dewey added his gentle, independent feline presence to a small library and the surrounding rural community. Am pretty sure I read somewhere that they are making a movie out of it so that should be interesting too!

Book: Rosewater and Soda Bread

I was eagerly awaiting this as I had read the first book Pomegranate Soup back in January. I was however a little disappointed as it wasn't quite as magical as the first. Story lines didn't flow as easily and there were unresolved questions at the end. I mean I still loved reading about the town and characters but there just wasn't "much" to it.

Book: Glory Garage

This was actually a really great book. I love reading about different cultures and this was about growing up a female muslim in Australia. Lots of short stories about different aspects of muslim life, issues, regulations, religion etc. I walked away from it thinking that I need to be more open on my views etc. A really easy insight into a different view from my own and how one can be caught between two worlds.

Book: Three Wishes

Lyn, Cat and Gemma Kettle are approaching their 34th birthday together. These Aussie triplets may share a birthday, but they have their own very different personalities. Gemma floats through life and relationships. Lyn powers her way through her organized and efficient days. The fiercely emotional Cat does battle with co-workers, her husband, and her sisters. In the year surrounding this particular birthday, their lives are thrown upside down by various tragedies and joys and they struggle through as they always have - together. A good chick lit book but not the best that I have read. It is however nice to read Australian authors.

Book: A Little Bush Maid

I remember borrowing these books from the public library when I was a kid. They were awesome books and there are 15 in the series so now as an adult I have been collecting them (I have one more to go - number 15). I decided to start reading them from the start again though so I began with book 1.

Eleven year-old Norah Linton lives on an isolated cattle station in Northern Victoria in the early 1900s. Having never known her Mother, she lives with her father and elder brother Jim. After introducing Norah and her life, A Little Bush Maid tells the story of Jim’s return from his first term at boarding school in Melbourne. Jim brings along two mates, Wally and Harry, and the four youngsters enjoy the Easter holidays together. They entertain themselves riding horses, going on picnics and running a menagerie race in the home paddock. They also cheerfully take care of their pets and various jobs around the station. Whilst out fishing they stumble across a hermit who they befriend without telling their father. A few unexpected twists and the hermit’s identity is revealed at the end of the book. This also continues into book 2.

It is just one of those magical series that makes you see how life really was back then. Yes there is racism etc. but this was how it was at the time (book was first published in 1910). Just a wonderful glimpse into the past to see how Australia and life on the land developed. It will probably take me 15 years to read them all!

Book: Sari and Sins

Oh I do love a bit of chick lit. This one was a bit different from Nisha's usual. Two girls – the timid new Indian bride and the long-term secret girlfriend who slog it out for the favours of the same man. Yes there was arranged marriages and secret girlfriends but this time he ended up with the right chick. Just a trashy novel that offers escapism. Loved it!

Books: Mills & Boon

See what I mean...tragic. I had been really sick and the thought of reading a novel tired me out. However I got to a point where I needed something. So I did the unthinkable and read the only two Mills & Boon books in the house! (Thankfully there were no more). You may wonder why I had two in the first place. Well, Falling for Jack is by a local Ballarat author and I heard her speak once so had a copy of one of her books (and boy it was damn good - just what the doctor ordered! A country romance...) . The second I had because it was about a Librarian. The Notorious Groom married a small town librarian, yadda, yadda... But again, just what I needed. Now I don't want to dis those who read Mills & Boon because I really believe they have a place. I think I should try and hunt out some more because my reading habits may become tragic again once bub arrives!

I'm back....

WOW! Have I been slack or what! There has however been an extremely wonderful reason. You see last time I wrote I had just discovered I was pregnant and lets just say that it has not been the smoothest of journeys. I am currently 30-31 weeks now so am heading towards the exciting part. I have heaps to blog about so will do that now (hopefully) so that I have a proper record of everything. I have to report on NLS4, the HLI Conference, Uni and the few books I have read. Lets just say that my reading habits were non-existent then bad... LOL!

This is the best picture I have of bubs (affectionally called Frank - and NO we do not know what we are having). This was at around 20 weeks or so.

Author talk: Gregory Day

On Saturday I headed over to Daylesford for their Words in Winter Festival. Each year the public library has a free author talk and this year it was writer, poet and musician Gregory Day. He was very different to the previous years actually because he bought his guitar, sung some songs, poetry etc. He was a bit Pete Murray like really. Anyway, I liked hearing him talk as he is sort of local. His books are based in a South West Coast Victorian town so it felt like I knew where he was talking about. He also read some chapters from his book. Not sure if they are my sort of thing as they deal with the ideas of the natural world, animal love and loss of place (a bit too in depth for me I think). Anyway, he was interesting and I had a lovely afternoon out. I love it that I only had 20 minutes to drive to hear him instead of going all the way to Melbourne.

Book: Glitz

I just finished Louise Bagshawe's latest blockbuster. Now Louise WAS my favourite chick lit author for many years, but the last two novels have been a bit off. I mean I really enjoyed this but it seems she has slapped it together whereas her first 10 or so were brilliant. Not sure if it is because she has gotten really popular or what?? Anyway, this was about 4 cousins who are accustomed to living the high life, thanks to a trust fund set up by their super-rich, reclusive Uncle Clem. But when Uncle Clem summons his nieces to his mansion in the Seychelles to announce his engagement to Bai-Ling, a woman young enough to be their baby sister, the four girls instantly know trouble's afoot. We read about them trying to stop the wedding and how the four pampered princesses have to cope without their trust fund. But as in all of Louise's books the girls find an inner strength that will be the making of them all. Ah - trashy (but great)!

NLS4 Meeting

On the Saturday morning I was up early and headed back into the city for an NLS4 meeting. It was a great meeting as everything is starting to "fall into place". It really will be a superb event. There is still so much to do (so I want time to slow) but it will be so exciting so at the same time I want it to speed up and arrive. Plus, we also had a new edition to the team. Jill had a baby boy two weeks ago (Ronan Baker Stephens) and I went and visited him at the hospital and he is gorgeous. Congrats to our beautiful Jill and welcome along for the ride Ronan!

HLI Dinner (Life Membership Award)

On Friday July 25th I did head to Melbourne for the HLI Life Membership Award. Kerry Johannes, was the recipient of the 2008 Award. Kerry has contributed in many ways to the development of the Victorian Health Library Sector and to both ALIA and HLI during her lengthy career in Libraries. It was great to hear the citation because as I am relatively "new" to libraries you come to hear about the industry and those who contributed to it before my time. Not to forget of course that the dinner was deliciously and the company superb!

ALIA Rural and Regional NAC Teleconference

On July 16th I participated in the ALIA Rural and Regional NAC Teleconference. It was great to be able to dial into an ALIA meeting rather than having to trek up and down that highway (which I just can't face these days).

The meeting focused on the future of Professional Development and it was great to have a discussion with those that are in similar situations. ie. NOT in capital cities. I mean PD can be really expensive as is, not to mention the costs of travel, accommodation etc. Anyway, Jan who chaired the teleconference asked who was in the PD Scheme etc. and those who were got a prize. A week later in the mail I received one of those cool memory sticks that are bracelets. It was worth dialling in just for that!!

Anyway, it was nice to "meet" Jan as she is ALIA VP and she lives in a regional area so she knew where we were coming from. It will be interesting to see what comes of the discussions around the country.

Book: Alek

I read the above book far too soon after reading the Waris Dirie one as they were very similar. This book was very easy to read and a nice story about Alek who was once a Sudanese refugee and is now a International Supermodel (apparently - I had not heard of her before but that isn't surprising considering I have no idea about fashion!). Anyway, we see her raised from a rural up bringing to the glamour of London and New York. Not bad - but not super either.

Book: Chapatti or Chips

I also read this on holidays in NZ but never realised the author lived and set the books in Milton Keynes in the UK, just down the road from where I was born (so you know I liked it even more!). Basically a chick lit book based on an Indian girl who has a arranged marriage organised. She however, falls for the white Biritsh incorragible womaniser Dave. Just like a Mills and Boon romance he comes in just before she is to be married and sweeps her off her feet. Yes, you could easily read the plot from page one but I still loved it!

Book: Desert Flower

I read this book whilst on holidays in New Zealand. One of those that has been very well received by the public, lots of publicity etc. but just one I had never got around to reading. It was brilliant. Waris Dirie's life story, from her childhood as a desert nomad in Somalia to the start of her career as a supermodel in England, provides a great deal of cultural insight. Her strength of conviction, faith in a higher power, and courage in the face of great danger are truly inspiring. This is a very frankly written, often disturbing account meant to spread awareness of the dangerous but all-too-common cultural practice of female genital mutilation. Just a great heart wrenching read. Her story since continues in more books that have been published since which I need to read now!

Book: Return to the High Country

This was a good book, but not a great one like the first one. It carried on David's story with his wife and three children, which in turn grew into their lives, their children etc. Another great story but just not quite as good as the first. I definitely can't wait to read more of his though!

Book: Call of the High Country

WOW! Awesome - new favourite author. Tony Parsons books are very much like Rachael Treasure's (whose I also love). This is a brilliant Australian saga about life in the high country of NSW. It follows young David and his family as they struggle to maintain their farm and then to build upon there little empire. There is love and tragedy, weddings and funerals. Lots of drama. Just brilliant. I am rushing home tonight to start the sequel!

Ballarat Library Industry Dinner

On Thursday May 29th we had our second Ballarat Library Dinner at Lekkers. It was a good night and as you can see we all got to wear pearls! It was great to chat to those in the region who work in different libraries. We also heard from the Acting CEO of the public library about their new Swift Consortium which was also interesting.

Book & Bookgroup: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

I was so excited to read this because I had never ever read an Agatha Christie book before (hence the reason I joined a book group to spread my reading further!). Anyway, it was lovely. The writing reminded me of Austen and Bronte with villages and towns and estates etc. Naturally I completely missed who the murderer was (the Doctor) but I throughly enjoyed it like a giddy school child!

NLS4: Dinner venue confirmed

How exciting - we are having the conference dinner at the MCG, overlooking the hallowed turf! It promises to be a wonderful night. I was so relieved when it was confirmed as we had heaps of problems securing a venue. Not that its all booked - bring it on!

Book: I Choose to Live

Oh this was a sad book. It is the story about Sabine who at age 12 was abducted and held captive and raped for 80 days. She was only found because the nasty man abducted another girl. I was so amazed by the determination of Sabine and how she has become such a strong young woman. Just amazing - I forgot I was reading about real life events!

Book: If I am Missing or Dead

From the blurb I thought this book was going to be about the authors sister who went missing and who had taped a note "If I am missing or dead" to the inside of her desk, but it wasn't. Well it was sort of. The first 300 pages were about the author and her horrible life (abusive husband) and it intermingled bits about her sister to, but not really until the last 100 pages or so in depth. Anyway, apart from that it was an interesting read just looking at the different sort of abuses women out up with. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful husband - the life for these two women was hell.

Book: Daddy's little girl

WOW! I read this in one day (when I was meant to be studying). This is a story about Julia who was sexually abused by her father. When she told people her father made up lies and her mother made her retract her statements. A true insight at what abuse can do to a normal little girl, who turned into a truly amazing woman! And a husband that believed and cherished her from the beginning and stuck with her until she was ready to tell her story, unbelievable! Very sad, but amazing...

Book & Bookgroup: Heart of Stone

I just finished reading this for my bookgroup. WOW! What a story. It was awfully sad, a little obscure etc. but a riveting read. It follows the life of Ellen who is living by herself and trying to figure out what happened 25 years ago. The story eventually unfolds that her mother had postnatal depression and suicided her husband, and 3 of Ellen's siblings. One other sibling survived from the suicide attempt on his life whilst Ellen was completely left out and forgotten about (she was outside playing with her dog). So it follows Ellen trying to accept what has happened and rebuilding her life 25 years on. I really liked it - not sure why but I was drawn to it. No one else in bookgroup liked it though!

Clunes Booktown 2008

On the weekend I headed 15 minutes up the road to the Clunes Booktown Festival. What a wonderful weekend. Not only did I buy a few books that I had wanted for ages (from expensive booksellers) but I also bought about 40 books from the cheap sales (the CFA nothing under $5 ones...) Most books were $1 each so I bought lots for friends and plenty for myself and many for Bookmooch too! OK - so I was super pleased with all my books, I loved wandering through the town looking at books, eating yummy food and enjoying the festival atmosphere. One of the best parts though was the Writer Talks - the Backchat events. On the Saturday morning it was John Marsden and Melissa Lucashenko (in conversation with Nigel Krauth who actually taught John Marsden at Uni!). Then I missed Sunday morning's talk but managed to make it back on Sunday afternoon (after having to drive to and from Melbourne that morning to pick up a motorbike - long story) . Sunday afternoon was again Nigel Krauth leading a panel with the 4 guest writers: John Marsden, Melissa Lucashenko, poet Anthony Lawrence and Miles Franklin winner Alexis Wright. Here are my notes:

Saturday:

John Marsden

Very laid back. Jeans knitted jumper etc. Very casual feel.
Wanted to be a cricketer, rugby player, guitarist, Prime Minister, bus driver...
Power as a teacher is immense. Seeking to empower the readers.
Reordering the world in his own vision through his words.
Young people taken seriously, respected, making there mark on the world.
Every sentence you strive for perfection.
Nice if your ideas connect with somebody else.
Traces of people they know in their novels
Setting fresh and contemporary language but essential the stories don't change (ie. adventure)
Important skills for kids: 1/ Language fluency (not necessarily writing but just language - speech etc. 2/ Confidence 3/ Integrity - values to sustain you.

Melissa Lucashenko

Wanted to be wealthy - LOL! Jockey - anything to do with horses.
Started a psychology degree (never finished).
Helps the homeless, drugos, prisoners (Sisters Inside organisation).
Murri (aboriginal). Laid back - jeans, windcheater with Obama 08 on it - not afraid to voice opinions.
Everything as a writer always feeds into your work.
When writing she comes in and out of perspective. Sometimes she doesn't know if it's any good until she has left it dormant for 6 months.
Structures her novel and plots it our but then sometimes the characters take over and the story changes.
When writing they live in parallel worlds - for instance the may see the back head of a character down the main street.
Not the end of the world if a child can't read or write but it is an important skill.
Very indigenous focused. Saying the KKK is still around in parts of rural Australia!

Sunday: Where Nigel and the audience threw "swear" words at the 4 panel members.

Publishing

Poetry publishers - small/independent, no longer main stream.
Need to work together instead of being enemies.
JM had a just story of a bad experience with Macmillan UK. He is extremely funny.
The Carpentaria novel (AW's) was the only book that small publisher released all year! One book!

Making the most of it

If you change one person - you are changing the world

Audio books

Hard for a writer to hear someone else read your work.

Correspondence

Sometimes they are blatantly questions from students
Sometimes complex questions - too long to answer
Lovely handwritten letters are the best.

Critics

Don't read them - well try not too!

How'd you get into writing

JM - in grade 4 set up a class newspaper
Others all influenced in Primary School


Just a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

Librarian Idol

On Friday night I headed down to the Butterfly Club in South Melbourne to see Andrew Finegan in his show Librarian Idol. I meet the rest of the gang first for dinner at the Groove Train, then we headed into the club for a cocktail before the show. Let me just say - the inside of the club was a little eccentric (trust me - you have to go there to know what I am talking about) .

Anyway - Andrew was great. He had us in tears with laughter (though mind you I was laughing quite hard at Jill's laugh). Naturally there were lots of library jokes, stories of the DDC, public libraries, books, dictionary jokes and Harry Potter. A well rounded show. I never realised Andrew could really sing. He did a great job. Fantastic effort and awesome show! Great work.