I really enjoyed this book and have a new respect for people who work the graveyard shift, especially in servos. I now view the lighting, sounds and mI really enjoyed this book and have a new respect for people who work the graveyard shift, especially in servos. I now view the lighting, sounds and merchandise in servos suspiciously. ...more
What an amazing memoir. Hard to believe that it is not fiction. This is a good introduction to living in remote tropics in Australia. There were so maWhat an amazing memoir. Hard to believe that it is not fiction. This is a good introduction to living in remote tropics in Australia. There were so many mixed emotions when reading this. There were laugh out loud moments and times when I had to reread parts because I could not believe it actually happened. Many times where I was impressed (and envious) by how friends and strangers came together to help out in extreme situations. In particular, the women (especially the writer) are so strong and inspirational. I felt angry and despair with the struggles with bureaucracy, which seemed unfair and so wrong and unfortunately so familiar. Throughout this book I had overwhelming sense of not wanting to watch but at the same time can't look away to see the change/demise of Rod through out the book, from hero to villain. ...more
When the prologue of the book includes a description of someone as 'anal retentive', you know that it is going to be an interesting read .... and I waWhen the prologue of the book includes a description of someone as 'anal retentive', you know that it is going to be an interesting read .... and I was not disappointed. Funny, shocking, frank ... loved it. The author signed this book when I bought it and it was the only time that I had met her. It is weird to think that having only spent 5 minutes with this person and 5 days reading her book, I feel as though I know more about her than many people I have known for decades/a lifetime....more
Wavering between 4 and 5 stars. There are a lot of statements/themes that are repeated, but I was compelled to continue reading as the description of Wavering between 4 and 5 stars. There are a lot of statements/themes that are repeated, but I was compelled to continue reading as the description of the medical procedures and events and I was traumatised by the bureaucracy and sexism which was standing in the way for a good surgeon/s to do their job that they love and what we need....more
This is a book (or the subject at least) be part of the school curriculum. Most of the sheroes I had never heard of, but now I will not forget them, eThis is a book (or the subject at least) be part of the school curriculum. Most of the sheroes I had never heard of, but now I will not forget them, especially Mary Ann Bugg and Lores Bonney. There should be a movie or series about these ladies....more
This is an important gentle book which highlights the love between Indigenous men and their sons and fathers. This was written to counteract the negatThis is an important gentle book which highlights the love between Indigenous men and their sons and fathers. This was written to counteract the negative reports recently about indigenous male parents. The twelve personal letters written to sons and fathers are beautiful, honest and needed. ...more
If had a choice would have given it 4.5 stars. Some of it was a bit repetitive, however really enjoyed the excitement, travels and anecdotes. I read tIf had a choice would have given it 4.5 stars. Some of it was a bit repetitive, however really enjoyed the excitement, travels and anecdotes. I read this book with the song ‘Treaty’ in my head....more
Amazing book and I had create some more bookshelves for it. The journalists who wrote have explored the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty from the smallAmazing book and I had create some more bookshelves for it. The journalists who wrote have explored the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty from the small Northern Territory town of Larrimah. It is a great read and it documents the information, history and ‘tall stories’ that the journalists encountered in Larrimah and other regions in the NT, including Tennant Creek, Elliott, Mataranka and Borroloola and well as the proceedings from the first inquest in 2018. It is very current and timely as the inquest is going to continue soon. It is funny, puzzling, often unbelievable, shocking, uncensored and am amazed at the lengths the writers went....more
One (if not the) of the best books for this year. Amazing insight into how individuals perceive and define love and how it comes about. More than romaOne (if not the) of the best books for this year. Amazing insight into how individuals perceive and define love and how it comes about. More than romance, but love of children, family, country, life and more. Thank you. This is a comfort book. It deserves to always be in hard cover. ...more
This book will stick with me for a while. Besides the 'handy hints' to prepare for dying, there was also an intriguing story in the background. I loveThis book will stick with me for a while. Besides the 'handy hints' to prepare for dying, there was also an intriguing story in the background. I loved the chickens, the grumpy neighbour, the family and the ending was the best it could be....more
Wow. Amazing story, most of which was derived from real events and people. I wish it had a slightly different ending and it was confronting in that onWow. Amazing story, most of which was derived from real events and people. I wish it had a slightly different ending and it was confronting in that one of the biggest turning points happened not long before the end of the book. I would love a few more pages to find out what happened in between and what happened to Odile afterwards. This was a unique war story and I loved how it was melded into a present day story as well....more
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and basically went straight to the next one. I did not quite like it as much as the first one, but therI really enjoyed the first book in this series and basically went straight to the next one. I did not quite like it as much as the first one, but there are some cool recipes at the back, which made up for it. Still give it five stars. I like the enthusiasm and resilience of the author and his partner and friends (human and animal) which helped make Block Eight a success....more
At times I found this hard to read as it did not proceed in chronological order and often events were repeated. But I found it fascinating to get a glAt times I found this hard to read as it did not proceed in chronological order and often events were repeated. But I found it fascinating to get a glimpse in the challenges of working between different cultures, personalities and the amazing opportunities that can arise. I ended up reading it with Dr Gs music playing in the background (thanks to Youtube) which was very decadent. The book was also a bit of a treasure hunt for names of people and places I know. Thank you to all involved for the music....more
This book will have me thinking about it for a while … not necessarily about the unusual childhood that the children in the story had, but of how it aThis book will have me thinking about it for a while … not necessarily about the unusual childhood that the children in the story had, but of how it affected them in later life. It was interesting observation of recent Australian history....more
I was teetering between 4 and 5 stars, but 5 won. It is an easy book to read, light but with some heavy issues. Loved reading about the making of the I was teetering between 4 and 5 stars, but 5 won. It is an easy book to read, light but with some heavy issues. Loved reading about the making of the movie 'Top End Wedding' which is a favourite movie (though I have one gripe about the movie in which I have never seen the Spotlight carpark empty as depicted in one of the scenes of the movie). A lot of thought-provoking discussion about Aboriginal issues, which I still ponder. I was teetering on 4 stars due to the story being very self focussed, but I suppose that is to be expected due to the confidence of the author. I really liked the ending main chapter....more
What a fun read. Seen the movie a few times and thought I would be bored by the book, but not at all. Found the break away comments interesting, sometWhat a fun read. Seen the movie a few times and thought I would be bored by the book, but not at all. Found the break away comments interesting, sometimes disturbing in that not sure if I would want to meet the author. The ending was a bit 'meh', but the Cliffs of Insanity scene made up for it, as it does in the movie....more
This really was a diary. It contained daily accounts of what the bookseller did in his shop and elsewhere. Some of the accounts were only a one liner,This really was a diary. It contained daily accounts of what the bookseller did in his shop and elsewhere. Some of the accounts were only a one liner, but most were three or more paragraphs. It was interesting hearing his blurb about different customers. I am not sure if I entered his store if I would be more upset if he did or did not mention me. Each day had a tally of the number of customers in the shop that day and the amount in the till at the end of the day. Could not work out one day, when he said he sold a book for 300 to a customer in the store, but the till recorded way less. ...more
So many memories were dredged up with this book. I loved the snippets from the Womens Weekly ... I am sure I have read these. The food section made meSo many memories were dredged up with this book. I loved the snippets from the Womens Weekly ... I am sure I have read these. The food section made me laugh. Some of the chapters were harrowing. We have come a long way, and the author is correct, that in most ways the world is a better place....more
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