Book: Border Watch

Summary: High above the crystal-blue waters of North Queensland, Captain Morgan Pentland patrols the vast Australian coastline. When Customs Agent Rafe Daniels joins her crew, she is immediately suspicious. Why is he boarding her plane when she isn’t there? And why is he asking so many questions? What Morgan doesn’t know is that Rafe has her under surveillance. Critical information about their Border Watch operations is being leaked and she is the main suspect.

Morgan’s ex, elite police officer Carl Wiseman, is back on the scene after she finally found the courage to throw him out. Is he trying to regain Morgan’s affections of are his intentions more sinister? When Morgan and Rafe are shot down in a tragic midair attack, they realise they have to start working together – and quickly. One of Australia’s most loved icons is the next target and they have only nine days to stop it. Will they uncover details of the plot in time, or will the tension that is growing between them jeopardise everything?

What I thought: Loved it. Rural romance with a bit of crime thrown in. Not as good as my "handsome farmer" books but still enjoyable :)

Book: Inside

Summary: At 17, Lee is inside for a crime he has committed. And he soon finds out that prison is not the holiday camp he's heard about. Warned to "play by the rules," he has to decide whose rules—the screws' or the other cons'. Life in a Young Offenders Institution is about survival. But the real struggle is inside Lee himself. Is he destined to be a "career con," or can he choose to change his life?

What I thought: I actually quite enjoyed this. I like the whole "prison insight" thing. Good for teens to put them off being stupid!

Book: Travellers' Tales 2

Summary: With an incisive eye and an Australian perspective, the ABC′s foreign correspondents report from all parts of the globe, including very recent human and natural disaster areas such as: Sri Lanka in the wake of the devastating Boxing Day tsunami; Beslan during the siege (with bullets flying during a live cross); New Orleans in the wake of Cyclone Katrina′s destructive force; London after the terrorist bombings; the violence that continues in Iraq. Also covered are Guantanomo Bay, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Siberia, Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe′s regime and China.

What I thought: Like most short stories it was hit and miss. I really enjoyed some of them and admire what journalists do. I'm too much a a chicken to be a foreign correspondent though. It is amazing to read about different situations in our world while I am safely cocooned in mine...

Tuesday Night Bookgroup: Sarah's Key

Summary: Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours. Paris, May 2002: On Vel' d'Hiv's 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Vel d'Hiv', to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to re-evaluate her marriage and her life...

What I thought: OMG. What an amazingly brilliant and harrowing book. The best book I have read in years. So moving and so very very sad. Just brilliant. Highly recommend.

Monday Night Bookgroup: Keeping Faith

Summary: As Mariah White struggles with depression her seven-year-old daughter Faith seeks solace in a new friend-a friend who may or may not be imaginary. Faith talks to her 'Guard' constantly and begins to recite passages from the Bible-a book she's never read. After a succession of visits to psychiatrists, all of whom conclude Faith is not hallucinating, the unimaginable starts to seem possible: perhaps Faith may actually be seeing God. When Faith's cachet is enhanced by reported miracle healings and alleged stigmata, she is touted as a prophet. Amidst the gathering storm of controversy, most disruptive of all is the arrival of two men: one a renowned television atheist who plans to debunk Faith's claims and help boost his flagging ratings, and the other her divorced father whose fear for his daughter's safety leads him to battle for custody. As Mariah finds herself fighting to keep her daughter, she has to push past her own insecurities and stand up for herself and her competence as a parent.

What I thought: Once again I was hooked. And I actually couldn't predict how it would all pan out. A sensitive topic explored in an amazing way. She really is an amazing writer...

Monday Night Bookgroup: Riding the Bus with my Sister

Summary: When Rachel Simon's sister Beth asks her to ride the buses with her for a year, Rachel is at first reluctant. Not only is she hyperbusy, but her relationship with Beth has never been easy. Beth has mental retardation and, although she is able to look after herself, she can still be a handful.

What I thought: When I first started this book I really enjoyed it however for me it got a little to repetitive as it continued on. It took AGES to finish and I was pleased to be done with it. Probably wouldn't recommend reading...

Tuesday Night Bookgroup: Nineteen Minutes

Summary: In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five.... In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.

Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens - until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town's residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. For them, the lines between truth and fiction, right and wrong, insider and outsider have been obscured forever. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, could be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened in front of her own eyes. And as the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.

What I thought: Once again I really enjoyed reading Picoult. Only criticism is that the ending was a bit short for me. Needed more info... But overall thoroughly enjoyed. I really felt for Peter's mother. So tough...

Book: Promises

Summary: Sophie Dixon is determined to leave her tragic past behind and forge a bright future on her beloved farm. While looking to buy a new horse, she is drawn into her neighbour Aaron's Laidlaw's orbit, despite the bad blood between their families. As the racing season unfolds, Sophie and Aaron's feelings for each other deepen. But Aaron is torn, haunted by a dark secret he fears can never be forgiven – especially by Sophie. Sophie believes herself strong, but the truth behind her mother's death will test her strength, and her love, to the limit. She's been broken once. No one wants to see her broken again. Least of all the man who has grown to love her...

What I thought: Loved it! Another awesome country romance. I just so can't get enough of these. There are so many new authors coming onto the scene it's hard to keep up with them all!

Book: Nowhere Else

Summary: On the surface, current affairs reporter Nicola Harvey has the world at her feet — she's at the top of her profession, part of Australian television's celebrity A-list, has a wealthy, successful fiancé and a beautiful warehouse conversion in Adelaide. But appearances can be deceiving and not all is perfect in Nicola's world. So when her boss offers to send her on an extended research trip to investigate the effects of the drought, she jumps at the chance to indulge in some country-style relaxation.

When Nicola arrives in the little town of Nowhere Else, nothing is as she expected: there's no spa in town, the locals are tight-lipped, and she senses it's not just the drought that is making the town nervous. So why has her boss sent her out here? The deeper Nicola digs into the town's history, the more she realises coming to Nowhere Else wasn't a mistake after all. In fact, it may just unlock the mystery of her own past. And hold the key to her future happiness...

What I thought: Once again another rural romance which has me reading like never before. Loved this book. Sure a bit far fetched in places but who cares!

Book: The Cattle King

Summary: At the age of 13 Sidney Kidman ran away from home with only five shillings in his pocket. He went on to become a horse dealer, drover, cattle buyer and bush jockey and he also ran a coach business. Above all Kidman created a mighty cattle empire of more than a hundred stations, fighting droughts, bushfires, floods and plagues of vermin to do so. His enterprise and courage won him a huge fortune and made him a legend.

What I thought: WOW! What an amazing person. This book made me love the outback even more. Just can't get enough of reading out this wonderful country. Also amazing to still see how much of his legacy still remains. Highly recommend reading.

Book: The Bay

Summary: When Sydney corporate wife Holly Jamieson turns 40, she shocks her husband by buying an old house in The Bay, a beautiful and peaceful town on the Australian east coast, and transforming it into a charming B&B. What began as a gesture of independence changes her life. Holly soon discovers that beneath its tranquil surface, The Bay is a whirlpool of passions and conflicts. Once a whaling town, then a sleepy resort that became trendy... and now developers are moving in for the kill. Holly, her family, and an unusual band of new friends are in the battle lines.

What I thought: Once again I really enjoyed. Just love the vivid imagery. Must admit though that in this one there were a few too many characters and I got a little mixed up...

Tuesday Night Bookgroup: Prime Cut

Summary: Meet Cato Kwong — disgraced cop and ex-poster boy for the police force. Banished to the stock squad after the fallout from a police frame-up, Cato is brought in from the cold to solve the case of a torso washed up on the wild shores of the Great Southern Ocean. But Cato faces powerful opposition when his investigation lifts the lid on the exploitation of migrant workers and disturbs an even darker criminal mind...

What I thought: I really enjoyed this. Lots of different layers to work through... Also loved the vivid descriptions of the scenery. Recommend reading it.

Book: Someone Special

Summary: Romy Kilkenny loves her life in Australia – she has her dream job, lots of mates, and a best friend in Keith who understands her better than anyone. Best of all, she couldn't be further from her family. But when her brother rings to say she's needed back in Ireland right away, Romy's world is turned upside down. Flying home to see her mother and her half-siblings, Romy doubts she'll fit in better now than she ever did, and she's still not ready to forgive her mother for her truly disgraceful behaviour a few years earlier. Romy also worries that the accidental half-kiss with Keith at the airport may have brought their easy friendship to a sudden end. Whatever lies ahead, it's not what Romy's expecting – even the people we grow up with can surprise us, and if love is to be found, it will find a way.

This was Ok. Didn't really draw me in like many of her other books have. But still love Irish chick lit.

Book: Race Around the Sports World

Summary: Sports tragic Tony Hardy sets off to see as many great events around the world as he can in 50 days. The problems? Hardy has a delicate constitution, suffers chronic homesickness and loathes leaving his couch. From New York, where he goes to the US Open at Flushing Meadows, and a Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, to Belfast for a World Cup Qualifier between England and Northern Ireland. In Dusseldorf for a famous ice-hockey derby, he escapes with singed ears from a fire-loving Turkish barber, only to be cornered while under the influence for a live interview on German television. In Dublin at a hurling game, he discovers goalkeepers who face death without armour. And at the Australian MotoGP on Phillip Island, he finds lacy women's underwear flying from flags and the greatest sportsman on the planet.

This book was really hit and miss. Some funny parts but otherwise a bit boring which is a shame as it was a great idea...

Monday and Tuesday night bookgroup: The Reader

I am trying to get a jump start on my bookgroup books for the year and this one is in both (not until May and June)! Currently feeling virtuous!

Summary: When he falls ill on his way home from school, fifteen-year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. In time she becomes his lover—then she inexplicably disappears. When Michael next sees her, he is a young law student, and she is on trial for a hideous crime. As he watches her refuse to defend her innocence, Michael gradually realises that Hanna may be guarding a secret she considers more shameful than murder.

I enjoyed this book though it is somewhat depressing. More a winter read when it's dark and gloomy outside than a summer one... Think I might get the DVD now to see the comparison.

Book: The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots

My first book of 2012. Thanks to @sharonu for telling me about this one:

Summary: Lena Todd is a city girl who thrives on cocktails and cappuccinos. So when her boss announces he's sending her to the outback to join a construction team, her world is turned upside down. Lena's new accommodation will be an aluminium box called a dongar; Her new social network is 350 men; Her daily foot attire is steel-capped boots.

Unfortunately, Lena can't refuse. Mistakes of the past are choking her confidence. She needs to do something to right those wrongs and prove herself. Going into a remote community might just be the place to do that, if only tall, dark and obnoxious Dan didn't seem so determined to stand in her way ...

I absolutely LOVED this book. Rural romance at it's best. Can't wait for her next book. Just so excited about this genre at the minute.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Siemensma crew. All the best for 2012 xoxo

2011 books - an overview

I managed to read 40 books this year which was a pretty good effort for me. Here's the break down:

Aussie rural romance - 12
Teenage - 6
Non-fiction - 5
General fiction - 17

I absolutely LOVED sinking into my rural romances this year. Finding Di Morrissey helped! Again though I was bad at reading my book group ones... I was also disappointed in my non-fiction list. I usually read heaps more. But in reflection it has been a massive personal year so all in all I have done well.

Book: Paycheque

Summary: Claire McIntyre has it all: an adoring husband, a bubbly best friend, a chic townhouse and a high-flying corporate career in the city. But somehow she’s forgotten what really makes her happy. After receiving tragic news, closely followed by the loss of her job, Claire’s world is thrown into turmoil. She is then forced to reconsider everything that matters to her.

Claire soon finds herself back at the very place she’s been running from — the family property. A place where the bush telegraph exposes every secret, where reputations are hard won and easily lost, and where fortune is as fickle as the weather. Here, in the rugged beauty of the Australian Adelaide Hills, Claire starts to rebuild her life with her friends, her father and his beloved racehorses — including a promising young horse called Paycheque. But just as she begins to find happiness, and perhaps even love, fate comes to call. Now Claire must decide whether to do the sensible thing, or risk it all on her newfound passion...

Oh tragic rural romance at it's best. Loved it! Looking forward to reading her second one now :)

Clinician's Health Channel catch-up

Last Wednesday I headed to Melbourne for a CHC catch-up. It was lovely to catch-up with folk who I haven't seen for well over a year. It was also good to reacquaint myself with some of the products.

MIMS

MyDR - Consumer health website (includes videos)
MIMS Bi-monthly now called MIMS abbreviated
2,000,000 views per month!
Looking at introducing an overseas "drug equivalent"

Therapeutic Guidelines

Releases in March, July and November each year.

Ebsco

Introduction of Ebsco Discovery Service to CHC and can tailor to individual hospital to include local data. Trials happening.