Book: Broken

This sort of followed on from the Ladykiller but you could have read it out of order if you wanted to (unless you remember EVERYTHING you read in a book). Again it was great trashy crime.

Summary: Leading an investigation into the neglect and abandonment of a number of young Grantley children throws DI Kate Burrows into contact with the most vile and repugnant of criminals. As a mother herself, Kate finds their crimes almost incomprehensible. And with the case becoming ever more sinister, she knows she needs to find answers quickly.

Book: Ladykiller

Back into my crime spree. hadn't read a Martina Cole for ages and she is just as good as I remember. This was fairly predictable etc. but still a great trashy read!

Summary: George Markham has a nasty little hobby, one that erupts into an orgy of viscous sexual depravity. Patrick Kelly is a hard man. His one soft spot is his daughter, and when she falls victim to the Grantley Ripper, Kelly wants revenge. The DI in charge of the case is Kate Burrows. She feels for Kelly but her growing involvement with a known villain is putting her career at risk... As the forces of law and order and London’s underworld converge in a huge manhunt, Kate fears she’ll lose everything she’s ever cared about... to the ladykiller.

Baby news

The reason I actually read the last book was because we are expecting baby number 2! I am about 22-23weeks at the minute so am due in late January 2011. We are very excited and we are sure that Adam will be an amazing big brother. We don't know what we are having but we have affectionately called it Gertrude - or Gertie for short (was the worst name we could think of to go with Frank who turned into an Adam!)

Travelling along OK now thanks to some amazing tablets otherwise the morning sickness has been UNBEARABLE! Have been completely exhausted so hopefully my second wind kicks in soon! No photo to post this time but will be sure to let you know of any developments...

Book: From here to maternity

Summary: Emma and James have waited ages for one to turn up, then two come along at once. Not twins – but an adopted Russian tot called Yuri, and an as yet unnamed bump already wreaking its special brand of havoc. Not only are Emma and James overwhelmed by the crying, the crankiness, the fitful sleeping, the fussy feeding – and that's just the new mother . . .

An new Irish chick lit author to love. I enjoyed this book. It wasn't amazing but gave me a few laughs and tears in all the right places!

Book: Billie Jo

Summary: Terry - the lucky villain with a heart of gold - is riding for a fall. Michelle - the wife he hates and is plotting to leave - knows something is afoot, but not quite what. Billie Jo - their adored only daughter - loathes her parents quarrelling and her mother drinking, but will she understand when Terry tells her the truth: that he is planning to marry his pregnant secretary? Jade - a cut above the rest - waits patiently for the day when she and Terry can live peacefully together on his ill-gotten gains. But fate is about to deal a terrible hand and change everything in a way which Terry has not planned at all, leaving Billie Jo's protected world in tatters...

Really enjoyed this book. They said she is meant to be like Martina Cole and though good, not a patch on her. Will keep reading her books though but may duck into another Martina first!

Book: Big sky

When i was a teen I was obsessed with Dolly fiction and this is today's alternative:

Summary: When her dad breaks his leg, Skye has to lead the muster on her family's cattle station in the Kimberley. She's never been the boss on a muster before and her job gets harder with the surprise arrival of her high-maintenance fashionista best friend from boarding school. On the upside there is the very handsome Dan, a young jackaroo. But while Skye is a great horse rider and a seasoned cattle wrangler, she's ill-equipped to handle the human element and in this beautiful yet harsh country, jealousy, hot-tempers and inexperience may cost her more than she could have imagined. It will certainly be a cattle muster Skye will never forget...

Oh, a sweet teen read. We were so innocent back then...

Book: Travelling tales

Collection of the author's favourite travelling stories. Charles Wooley is a reporter on '60 Minutes' and the 'Sunday Program' and his reporting style is reflected in these adventures which include a trip in the back of a WW11 Lancaster bomber with a couple of septuagenarian venturers, riding the perilous seas in the Sydney -Hobart yacht race, close encounters with voodoo in west Africa and experimenting with an alternative lifestyle in Nimbin. Not a bad read, one you can dip in and out of. Makes me see that I have so many adventures ahead of me!

Book: Behind the bestsellers

This is a collection of 50 fascinating stories about the lives, loves and literature that inspired the world’s greatest books. There is a small chapter on each book such as Pride and Prejudice (of course), Peter Pan, Jaws, DaVinci Code and Harry Potter and each chapter attempts to delve behind the scenes. For instance I never knew that as a young child, Charles Dickens was forced to work in a rat infested factory as his father served a prison sentence. I really enjoyed this collection as it helped me to learn more about where each novel originated. The only problem is that now I have added another 20 books to my TBR pile!

Book: Balanda - My year in Arnhem land

This is the story of the year Mary Ellen Jordan spent living and working in Maningrida, an Aboriginal community in Australia's Far North. I actually quite enjoyed the book though she is no fantastic author. It was refreshing to look at the way she saw the culture and community she became a part of rather than what we always see and hear on TV. Not sure if I could survive a year away from all my creature comforts!

Uni: Business Economics & Competitive Analysis

So the first half of 2010 has been busy. I did two subjects at uni and received Distinctions in both (so happy as Business Economics was horrible!) That now leaves me with 7 down and 5 to go before finishing my MBA. It may take a few years though but am sure I will get there in the end!

Books: The Ellie Chronicles, x 3

So after reading and falling in love with The Tomorrow series, I had to keep going. I read all three of the Ellie Chronicles which continues on with the story of Ellie and her remaining mates. Again, just brilliant. Quite different to the Tomorrow books which are based in war time, but still had the same theme and flavours throughout. All I want now is more follow up as questions still remain unanswered... John Marsden = brilliance!

Book: No place for a woman

Summary: Finn Delaney longs to join the family building business, but her dad Joe insists the building trade is no place for a woman. Finn’s determined to prove him wrong, even if it means telling a few white lies along the way. Meanwhile, Gina Tate’s having similar trouble trying to get her wealthy father to take her seriously. She and Finn don’t seem to have much in common, but little do they know they both hold the key to each other’s dearest desire..

I really enjoyed this book though it was typical chick lit. Will definitely keep an eye out for more of her stuff (and no, this is a different Donna Hay to the cookbook one!)

Book: Silver in the sun

I love Tony Parsons (the Aussie one) as he is very similar to Rachael Treasure and co. When handsome young Ian Richardson inherits Kanimbla, a vast merino stud property in the Queensland Murrawee district, there's great speculation about whether he'll sell up and take the money and run back to England. But Ian soon proves himself to be a capable boss, earning the respect of his employees, and winning hearts too, especially of the beautiful Fiona McDonald. A lovely rural romance from an author that is in his 80's!

Night Bookgroup: On Chesil Beach

I am a glutton for punishment because I joined another bookgroup with my friend once a month on Tuesday night's. I am still in the Saturday one but have had problem actually getting there! Nights are easier sometimes. Anyway, so we read On Chesil Beach. It was OK. I mean nothing really happened! It was all a big build up to.....nothing! It opens on the anxious Dorset Coast wedding suite dinner of Edward Mayhew and the former Florence Ponting, married in the summer of 1963 at 23 and 22 respectively; the looming dramatic crisis is the marriage's impending consummation, or lack of it. Their fears about sex and their inability to discuss them form the story's center. It was an easy read but not one that I would be recommending in a hurry...

Book: Librarian's passionate knight

I got quite sick so didn't read much for a while and instead opted for trash in the form of a Mills and Boon. Only read it because it was about a librarian. Easy trash, happy ending yadda, yadda....

Books: The Tomorrow Series, the final 3

I finally got back around to finishing the Tomorrow series and I wasn't disappointed. Just disappointed that it had taken me so long to read them! Absolutely brilliant. The inspiration to get cracking on them again was because the movie is released in a few weeks time. I can't say much more than if you haven't read them - why not? Just fab. John Marsden really is amazing...

Book & Bookgroup: White Tiger

Summary: The White Tiger is the debut novel by Indian author Aravind Adiga. It was first published in 2008 and won the Man Booker Prize in the same year. The novel provides a dark comical view of modern day life in India through the narration of Balram Halwai, the main character. The overall main theme of the novel is the contrast between India's rise as a modern global economy and the working class people who live in crushing rural poverty. Other themes touched on include corruption endemic to Indian society and politics, familial loyalty versus independence, religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims, the experience of returning to India after living in America, globalization, and the tensions between India and China as superpower countries in Asia.

I thought this was a fantastic book as did everyone at Bookgroup (well, those who read it). We agreed that it was hard to get into but then you got suckered right in. It is just so hard to believe that people live so differently to what we do over here. A really fascinating insight into India.

Clunes Booktown 2010

Once again I headed to Clunes for Booktown. I was very restrained this year as I only bought about 7 or 8 books! I was lucky enough to hear a few talks but couldn't stay for them all as I only had the one day in Clunes this year. Here are my notes from the talks:

Begin a writing career, Stefan Laszczuk & Glenda Guest

Both - writing came from university course
Both - both acclaimed writers but say they still have no $

GG - Age in writing makes no difference, however life journeys and experiences can make a difference

SL - Writers are sometimes the quiet ones at parties listening into everyone else's conversations. Observing.

SL - Uni helped nurture his talent. Met other like minded people. However, thinks that you cannot necessarily teach creative writing. Uni provided structure, goals. ie. assignment x due on date y. Forced to come up with work instead of dreaming about it.

GG - Uni opened up other understandings of the world. Opportunities to meet authors, learn their craft etc. As she had a restricted childhood, uni was an eye-opener.

SL - Music sonata form - he adapted this to his novel aka "literary form". This idea was from his mother (a concert pianist).

SL - Really riled by bad reviews when they haven't read the book properly. However, have to remember that you write for yourself.

GG - In review process she listens to everything (doesn't do everything they say) but looks at the comments from the readers view.

Australian Book Publishing Panel

We are one of the top 5 reading nations of the world.
One of the highest literary rates.
Shelf life of a modern author is somewhere between the milk and yoghurt....
8,500 new books published in Australia each year.
Only 20 of books sold more than 100,000 copies in Australia last year.
Only 2 of those were Australian. The Slap, and breath (Tim Winton).
80% dominated by chain stores for sales.
60% of market through 5 publishers.
Challenging for the minority and for all with the changing environment.
E-books. Lots of issues. No Australian publications (as no one makes $), forced by Amazon, licensing issues.
10% of the Australian book market is owned by Amazon.

Malcolm Fraser

Liberal PM 1975-1983. Packed audience - standing room only.
Having a co-author gave added integrity to the book.
Co-author (Margaret Simons) did all the archival digging.
Many jokes - lots of laughter (but all about stuff from before my time).
From Wanon in Western Victoria.
Strong views on today's political leaders - bit at both parties regarding asylum seekers.
Has hindsight regrets but he acted on the information and resources he had at the time - therefore no regrets.

All in all I just love Booktown. Can't wait to go again next year!

HLI: Drug Information Databases Night 28/4/10

Last month Michelle and I headed down to the HLI: Drug Information Night to learn more about the Therapeutic Guidelines and MIMS. It was great to catch up with everyone as I have been out of the library scene for quite a while. Here are my notes:

Therapeutic Guidelines
New 2010 Palliative Care TG
Roughly 3/13 updated each year.
New Antibiotic TG coming soon
Patient information sheets
Mini TG - application based

MIMS
Image search - shape, number, colour etc.
My doctor - consumer health website
Drug Alert = Drug Interaction
PI = product information ie. full PI/abbreviated PI
CMI = consumer medicines information
MIMS PDA - windows based application, updated with downloads
MIMS mobile - internet based, updated monthly

Book & Bookgroup: Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Summary: This work was set in Berlin, 1942. When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. But, Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than what meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.

What a brilliant read. We all loved it at Bookgroup. An easy read, but such a sad ending (which I didn't see coming). Just thinking about how life was so different just amazes me. I really am a very lucky person.