Do you read any author’s blogs? If so, are you looking for information on their next project? On the author personally? Something else?BookFreaks
- BTT: Author's Blogs
-
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
bookfreaks- February 13th, 2009
- BTT: Too Much Information
-
- bookfreaks
- February 5th, 2009
- Quote of the Month: February
-
- bookfreaks
- February 1st, 2009
Remember: email me, don't comment!
"'We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.'"
- January: Middlesex
-
- bookfreaks
- February 1st, 2009
Middlesex
Jeffrey Eugenides
pages: 529
published: 2002
host: Allans
meeting: 30/1/09
selector: Tracey
This was certainly an interesting book to start off the new year, with the books, shall we say, 'unorthadox' subject matter spilling over into all aspects of our conversation - newfound supermodels, unusual google searches, explorations of actual medical matters. Even putting that aside, our discussion was a broad one and I feel that we all bought up some interesting points.
We discussed the books style of narration a great deal - first person/third person, male/female, it's self-referencing, and perspective - and even after all I don't think we came up with a group wide conclusion. Some of us loved it and some of us hated it.
Another talking point was the length of the book and breadth of the story - some of us felt that the story was covering too much and spending too much time telling it. Bec was of the opinion that this gave the novel a "gritty and interconnected' feel which was picked up later by Tracey in mentioning that this expression of the desire for connectiveness is only available through telling the story in this way.
The Greek culture was also discussed somewhat in relation to characters (Desdemona) and literary style (tragedy, comedy, myth). This was, of course, greatly helped by the atmosphere there in the Allen's Zebra Bar.
The final major talking point revolved around the choosing of gender. Most of us seemed to agree (even if only for the sake of the story) with Cal's choice not to have the surgery. The right of the parent to make a choice for the infant in such a situation was also considered.
RatingsPre Post Wendy 6 7 Bec 5 6 Rick 7 7.4 Renae 6 7 Debbie 6 6 Rebecca 8 8 Susan 0 2 Tracey 8 8
Other Covers
Next Meeting:
27th February
Debra's House
The Friday Night Knitting Club and Nightfall
- Quote of the Month: January
-
- bookfreaks
- January 6th, 2009
Last year I put up a new quote every month, one related to books and/or reading. Well, this year I thought I'd try something new. Every month I'm going to pick a quote FROM a book - I'll try to keep them reasonably well known, but still have a variety of genres - for you to guess what it's from. At the end of the year, the person with the most correct guesses will win a prize... not sure what yet, but there'll be a prize.
I'll try to start of relatively easy, but if they're too hard or too much of the same thing, let me know. And remember, when you guess, be sure to email me instead of commenting, you don't want anyone to see your answer
----
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife.
- BookFreaks 2009
-
- bookfreaks
- January 6th, 2009
Welcome to a new year of BookFreaks - I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm very much looking forward to our second year!
I've updated our reading list, which can be found on the side bar to the right. And, in accordance with my New Years resolution to be more organised, this blog will be updated more regularly - so check back soon.
- BTT: Why Buy?
-
- bookfreaks
- November 18th, 2008
I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY?
Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?
If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?
- Book Bank
-
- bookfreaks
- November 3rd, 2008
These are the books we currently have in our 'to be considered' bank. If you have any that you'd like to add, just email me or comment below.
Author Title Suggestor Adiga, Aravind White Tiger Tracey Austen, Jane Sense and Sensibility Wendy Barrie, J.M. Peter Pan Brooks, Geraldine People of the Book Rebecca Burroughs, Augusten Running with Scissors Kirsty McCarthy, Cormac The Road Renae Chevalier, Tracey The Girl with the Pearl Earring Wendy/Rebecca Cooper, Susan Under Sea, Over Stone Wendy Facey, Albert A Fortunate Life Renae Fitzgerald, F. Scott The Great Gatsby Renae Ford, Jamie Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Renae Gilbert, Elizabeth Eat, Pray, Love Kirsty Harvey, Samantha The Wilderness Renae Heller, Joseph Catch-22 Rebecca Huxley, Aldous Brave New World Wendy Ishiguro, Kazuo The Remains of the Day Wendy Jones, Lloyd Mister Pip Renae/Rebecca Kundera, Milan The Unbearable Lightness of Being Wendy Lanagan, Margo Tender Morsels Wendy Maguire, Gregory Wicked Renae Marsden, John Tomorrow When the War Began Renae Martel, Yann Life of Pi Rebecca Maurier, Daphne du Rebecca Wendy Mulligan, Spike Adolph Hitler: My Part in his Downfall Wendy Nabokov, Vladimir Lolita Rebecca Noble, Elizabeth Things I Want My Daughter to Know Renae Orwell, George 1984 Rick Reilly, Matthew Seven Ancient Wonders Renae Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye Renae Shaffer, Mary Ann The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society Renae Stevenson, Robert Louis Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Treasure Island Renae Stewart, Mary The Crystal Cave Wendy Stoker, Bram Dracula Rebecca Styron, William Sophie's Choice Wendy/Bec Tolkein, J.R.R. The Hobbit Rick Tsiolkas, Christos The Slap Kirsty Walker, Alice The Colour Purple Rebecca Wells, H.G. The War of the Worlds Wendy Woolf, Virgina Mrs. Dallaway Wendy Wyndham, John The Day of the Triffids Wendy The Midwich Cuckoos Wendy Updike, John Rabbit, Run Renae
- BookFreaks meet the Authors...
-
- bookfreaks
- October 25th, 2008
I assure you we're not stalkers ... we don't have long trenchcoats.May 19, 2008 - Emily Rodda (Sydney Writers Festival, Penrith Library)
October 22, 2008 - Matthew Reilly (Penrith Library)
May 19, 2009 - Catherine Jinks and Phillip Gwynne (Sydney Writers Festival, Penrith Library)
- October: Cloudstreet
-
- bookfreaks
- October 25th, 2008
Cloudstreet – Tim Winton
Pages: 426Published: 1991Month: October 2008Suggested by: WendyHost: Allans
What can you tell him, Fish? Right now, while you're down there on that side of the water with your strange brain and your black, wide eyes. What do you understand enough to say? You stand there in the morning and the afternoon and see Quick all closed, white and hard. Motes rain down. The sun is alive. The whole house is shaking with sound. Why won't he look at you? How do you bear it? How can you just stand at the end of his bed like that, with the patience of an animal? It's like you're someone else down there, Fish. Or does it just hurt me to think it's not so? (p. 92)
Book Wendy 8 Bec 5 Rick - Renae 8.5 Debbie 9 Rebecca 9 Sue - Tracey 8
Next Month:
Book: The Last Lecture – Randy Pausch; and The Devil's Dictionary - Ambroise Bierce
Host: Renae
Date/Time: November 21 - hosted by Rebecca
October’s meeting, for Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet, marked our most lively meet-up since our first gathering. While it is clear that Cloudstreet was an excellent choice for our little group, credit must also be given to our two new members: Debbie and Tracey, who both added considerably to the discussion. So thanks and welcome to them both.
As said, it was a very active meeting, with many opinions (only some of which corresponding) about almost every aspect of the book – we really could have used another meeting for this one. Questions of Lester’s moral fibre, Dolly’s past, and the ‘haunting’ of the Cloudstreet house were just three of the topics bought up. The question of Dolly, in particular, was interesting, and I can happily report that after sitting everyone down and having them listen to our arguments (as well as plying them with many cookies) the last holdouts came over to our point of view…
…
What? I can’t make up whatever I want just because I’m writing this? Oh fine then.Overall, I think we had a great night, far too much was discussed to take note of everything but I’m sure we’ll be talking about this one again over the next few months.
Other Book Covers:
- Quote of the Month
-
- bookfreaks
- October 25th, 2008
The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man. Nothing else that he builds ever lasts: monuments fall; nations perish; civilization grow old and die out; new races build others. But in the world of books are volumes that have seen this happen again and again and yet live on. Still young, still as fresh as the day they were written, still telling men’s hearts, of the hearts of men centuries dead.
- Clarence Day
- BTT: Coupling
-
- bookfreaks
- October 23rd, 2008
“Name a favorite literary couple and tell me why they are a favorite. If you cannot choose just one, that is okay too. Name as many as you like–sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful. Or maybe that’s just me.”
- October - The Mist and Black Juice
-
- bookfreaks
- October 19th, 2008
It seems that the mist has decimated everything in it's wake - eradicating our finely written report. Fortunately, an outcast mist alien, sympathetic to our cause, was kind enough to deliver the rating statistics and ensured that his kind would never again munch on our notes. He apologised profusely before heading back to his own realm.The Mist – Stephen King
Pages: 230Published: 1980Month: September 2008Suggested by: RickHost: Rebecca
Overall Rating: 5.5 / 3.5
Blackjuice – Margo Lanagan
Book Film Wendy 5 2 Bec 6 3 Rick 8.9 7.7 Renae 5 4 Debbie 4 -2 Rebecca 4 5 Sue - 5 Tracey - -
Pages: 259Published: 2004Month: September 2008Suggested by: WendyHost: Rebecca
Overall Rating: 4.3
Book Wendy 8 Bec 0 Rick 5 Renae 2.5 Debbie - Rebecca 6 Sue - Tracey -
- BTT: Stories
-
- bookfreaks
- August 28th, 2008
If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?
Nb: Wendy, I can anticipate your respose to this already ... have fun answering but please don't hurt yourself.
Or, um, is it just me?
- BTT: Libraries
-
- bookfreaks
- August 22nd, 2008
Whether you usually read off of your own book pile or from the library shelves NOW, chances are you started off with trips to the library. So …
What is your earliest memory of a library? Who took you?Do you have you any funny/odd memories of the library?
- Book Quote of the Month
-
- bookfreaks
- August 14th, 2008
Sidda can’t help herself. She just loves books. Loves the way they feel, the way they smell, loves those black letters marching across the white pages. When Sidda falls in love with a book, she is positive that she is the very first person in the world to have discovered it, poor child. Thinks that no one else anywhere, anytime, has ever heard of the book.I’ll never forget the time she flipped over The Secret Garden, which Buggy gave her. She lived inside that book for days. You couldn’t even talk to the child. Then, after a while, she went to the library and looked that book up, and when she found that other copies existed and all kinds of people had their names on the borrower’s card, she just broke down in tears. She had truly believed that she was the only one who had ever read that book! After that, everywhere she went she stared at people, trying to figure out which one of them had trespassed on her book.- Little Altars Everywhere (p. 51)Rebecca Wells
- Monthly Linkage: Your Shelves
-
- bookfreaks
- August 14th, 2008
Now come on, you just know you can't give up the opportunity to spy on someone else's bookshelf. Go check some out. If you're feeling in any way inclined, why don't you go take a picture of your own bookshelf, email it to me and we can show off our own collection here.
P.S. Please remember that you are NOT allowed to hunt these people down to steal their library ... at least, not unless you're taking me along.
(click for more)
- BTT: Gold Medal Reading
-
- bookfreaks
- August 14th, 2008
You, um, may have noticed that the Olympics are going on right now, so that’s the genesis of this week’s question, in two parts:
First:
- Do you or have you ever read books about the Olympics? About sports in general?
- Fictional ones? Or non-fiction? Or both?
And, Second:
- Do you consider yourself a sports fan?
Because, of course, if you’re a rabid fan and read about sports constantly, there’s a logic there; if you hate sports and never read anything sports-related, that, too … but you don’t have to love sports to enjoy a good sports story.
- July - P.S. I Love You
-
- bookfreaks
- August 14th, 2008
P.S. I Love You – Cecilia Ahern
Pages: 503Published: 2004Month: July 2008Suggested by: RenaeHost: Renae
Their plan had been very simple: to stay together for the rest of their lives. A plan that anyone within their circle would agree was accomplishable. They were best friends, lovers and soul mates, destined to be together, everyone thought. But as it happened, one day destiny greedily changed its mind.
The end had come all too soon.
(p. 2)
--
In the meantime, she would just live.
(p. 503)This month’s BookFreaks meeting was a very special one as Renae, playing Wonder Host, treated us to a lovely Irish dinner – and quite outdid herself, I must say. I think she’ll be getting random surprise dinner-time drop ins from the rest of us for quite some time. The atmosphere she set for our discussion was wonderful, very romantic, with our specially reserved table. Though I think the young man she hired to open the door and show me to our seat was the best part – his Batman outfit truly made the night!
Of course, we attendants did our best to help with the atmosphere-setting. Most of us turned up in green - with only one notable piker who shan't be named - with Bec and Rick getting high marks for coming as a nymph and leprechaun, respectively.
Like last month, this book garned very strong (and even opposing) opinions from our members - what can I say, we really are an opinionated bunch who like to have the occasional friendly argument. We had one side of the table being generally annoyed at Holly, our lead character ("get over yourself"), and another half just feeling bad for the poor girl (relating with her situation) ... in the end I don't think we came to any real conclusions, but, seeing as we all made arrangements for next month, we must have agreed to disagree.
Once we decided to leave Holly alone, our conversation turned to the reasoning behind Gerry's leaving of the letters, and whether or not it just made the situation worse. Again, both sides could be seen to this situation, with some of us feeling that the letters fostered a "prolonged attachment", some felt that it made the separation gradually easier, and yet another thought was that it was another way to control her, to treat her like a child.
Overall, the views of the book were widespread, as can be seen reflected in the ratings.Book Film Wendy 1 -1 Bec 4 7 Rick 2.5 3.5 Renae 6 10 Debbie - 10 Rebecca 6 4 Sue - 7 Tracey - -
Next Month:
Book: The Mist – Stephen King; and Black Juice – Margo Lanagan
Host: Rebecca
Date/Time: September - date to be confirmed
Other Book Covers:
- What's On Your Nightstand?
-
- bookfreaks
- August 9th, 2008
The guidelines are simple:
- Write a post on your own blog (or feel free to play along in the comments if you don't have a blog).
- You can simply post a picture, or tell us how and when these books got into your to-be-read pile, or give a mini-review of the books in progress.
- Read around through the links and find out "What's on Their Nightstand?"
