Aussie Readers discussion

Mandy wrote: " Only 81 days till Christmas! Just bought my first Xmas present on the weekend and I see the shops are starting to put up their decorations! Anyone else a real Christmas tragic like me?"

Mandy you are so organised. Every year I promise myself I'll start the Christmas shopping early. Every year it's a mad scramble in the last two weeks. I love Christmas.:)

Jenny wrote: "Re: audio books - I've tried to listen to them, but my mind tends to wander too much and I've found I 'come to' with no idea of what's going on. It's a shame becasue I reckon audio books would be s..."

Our public library has audiobooks in playaway format which is a bit like an MP3 player ... these are terrific. I listen to these books whilst doing dishes late at night, doing laundry, grocery shopping and sometimes on the bus. Sometimes the voices of the narrator is a bit weird and not what you pictured for the character and is even weirder when they are doing dialogue of characters of the opposite gender, but after a while I ignore this. The main danger is the strange looks I get on the bus or from my kids when I start laughing for no apparent reason.

Dee-Ann wrote: "Our public library has audiobooks in playaway format which is a bit like an MP3 player ... these are terrific. ..."

How do they work Dee-Ann? Do you download them from the library website? or is it a CD?

Mandy wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "Our public library has audiobooks in playaway format which is a bit like an MP3 player ... these are terrific. ..."

How do they work Dee-Ann? Do you download them from the librar..."

It is actually a small unit, about the size of a deck of cards, and all you have to do is provide 1 AAA battery and headphones (which you use for the next one you borrow out). Our libraries in Darwin probably have about 100 titles on them now since they introduced them early this year, and they seem to be growing in popularity. For an idea of what they look like, here is and address of one of the publishers who use this format now ...

http://www.wfhowes.co.uk/playaway/

How to accomplish your Christmas shopping in one day.
1. Make a list of all the people you are going to shop for, take this list and a pen with you. If there are young chidren to buy for, jot down some possible book titles from our children's books thread. Also read through what are you reading for some more ideas.
2. Head to a large shopping centre with as many bookstores as possible. Perhaps two specialty bookstores, an ABC shop, a large department store and two discount department stores. Hopefully there'll be a sale table as well.
3.Look at the sale table first. Snap up some bargains here. Make sure you write the title next to the person's name so you know whose gift you're still looking for.
4.Next go to the bookstores, all the time keeping track of which book is for which person.
5.By the time you get to the discount stores you'll need a trolley, which they provide. Don't forget to get your wrapping paper and cards here. If you're also buying toys,games, or appliances you can put those in your trolley but don't forget to write things next to the names on your list. Dvds might suit some people.
6. If you haven't been to the ABC shop yet, you'll find more dvd and book ideas there. As well as classical music, folk and jazz.
7. As a last resort, there's always the gift voucher, and if you're uncertain about a bookstore voucher, get one from a large department store, some people actually like to choose, after all.
8. Check through the list again. Make sure you haven't missed anyone. Done. Now go buy one of those irresistible bargains for yourself. You deserve it!

Carmel wrote: "Now how many scotch's do I have before entering said shopping centre!"

Ha ha, I want to come shopping with you Carmel. The rellies might be in for a few surprises this Christmas but is sounds like a good way to start to me. :)

Dee-Ann wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "Our public library has audiobooks in playaway format which is a bit like an MP3 player ... these are terrific. ..."

How do they work Dee-Ann? Do you download them f..."

Oh the Playaway books are great. I tried out one for my mother who has vision problems. They are no bigger than a mobile phone, maybe smaller. On the central coast (nsw), the libraries are just starting to stock them. You only get borrowing time for 2 weeks here so were not suitable for my mother (her library in Sydney doesn't stock them yet) I was going to take them down to her, but too much petrol.

Anyhow you just need a battery and your own headphones (any mp3 player headphones work). I do a lot of long distance driving and have been considering trying them out. There seems to be a lot of decent new and classic titles, just depends which one's your library stock.
I think they are a fantastic idea.

oh btw if anyone is interested in info about free cd audio books for the visually impaired I've got some info that would be helpful having just organised it for my mother, will post the info later tonight..in a rush just now.
Actually here's the link now.in case I forget..
http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/inf...
People need a letter from their doctor or eye specialist confirming they have vision problems but that is the only requirement. Am happy to answer any questions if I can.

Here is a poem I did for my weekly morning radio slot with ABC far north, I didn't think it was toooo bad since they only gave me 4 days to write a topical poem on what was happening around town, my 'slot' lasted about 9 months.

Christmas, I’m over it !

You finally sit exhausted with presents wrapped to go
When a voice in your head screams “No oh! No”
How could it happen, forgetting dear Aunty Maude
And that single golf ball just wont suit Uncle Claude

Dreading the thought, knowing the battle will be on
Return to the centre and fight the marauding throng
Then stand in the check out queue, forever once again
Avoiding that amorous boy working in isle number ten

Dashing to the car, feeling our Christmas heat
Instantly start sweating from your head down to your feet
Quickly learn the art of driving with one finger
Steering wheels to hot but you know you can’t linger

Now what’s that racket coming from under the bonnet
Certainly doesn’t sound like a beautiful sonnet
In the middle of the driveway, now at a stop
From the air con. The breeze is pumping red hot

Emerging from that oven, stubbing your toe on the gutter
Wanting to scream, but all you can do is mutter
Limp into the house, soaked through from your sweat
Perched in front of the air con, arms outstretched like an egret

Maude can have a card with forty dollars within
This year she can buy her own bottle of gin
Savouring Bellissimo Gelato as on the lounge you sit
Thinking to yourself, “yep! Christmas I’m over it!”

David J Delaney
04/12/2008 ©

Don't forget to watch The First Tuesday Book Club tonight for their review of Indelible Ink. If you miss it I'll put a link in tomorrow so you can watch or read the transcript. We are having an informal discussion of the book starting tomorrow morning in our First Tuesday Book Club thread.:)

My family - a very, very large one - actually gave up Christmas presents years ago and I've never once looked back, nor I think, has anyone else. We do still buy each other gifts but only every now and then, if we see something we know someone would like and we can afford it.

We do still do a Chrissy BBQ though but we try to be as stress free as possible

My cousins, also a very large family, do a christmas draw. This means that each adult gets the name of another adult in the family and buys them a present. They can spend whatever they like but it's sort of expected that you'll buy something nice. Over the years there has been many hilarious stories of weird and wonderful (and totally inappropriate!) presents given.

Join Carmel and I for a drink before you go shopping and we will help you with those weird, wonderful and totally inappropriate presents. :)

Thank you Carmel (-:

Most Wednesday's I take an early lunch and join up with my son's special needs class for a book reading session at the library. Today, one of the books that was read was 'Can you make a scary face' which is written by Jan Thomas, who I have googled and found that she lives in New Mexico. My son and his classmates loved this book, which is a simple book, designed for preschoolers or younger (my son is 9 years old). It is an active book, in that it gets the readers to stand up, sit down, wriggle nose etc. We ended up borrowing the book and my son went back to school hugging the book.

Thus if you are looking for a story book which might suit young active children or an autistic child (like my son) this might work. This book is illustrated with bright simple pictures which worked for my son, however if you are searching for a book for an autistic child who only relates to photographic illustrations this will probably not be appropriate.

Carmel wrote: " my parents decided that rather than give a gift to a couple or person they made a number of donations to Amnesty international for many different projects (eg a goat for a family in an underdeveloped country) and had the family member/s name as the donater..."

I think that's a great idea too but I can imagine the comments if I gave my brothers a "virtual" goat! They'd be living off that joke for years. Last year I saw in the Post Office you can get charity gift cards for several different amounts and the recipient can log onto a central site and actually pick the charity they want the money to go to. I might try that this year.;)

I'm not convinced that giving the 'virtual goat' (or gift of that type) is not a feel good gift for the person giving the gift rather than the person receiving it. (but I'm old and cynical)

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I'm not convinced that giving the 'virtual goat' (or gift of that type) is not a feel good gift for the person giving the gift rather than the person receiving it. (but I'm old and cynical)"
Yes, it would only be ok if the recipient agreed in advance and I think children and teenagers would not go for it.

Jan wrote: "Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I'm not convinced that giving the 'virtual goat' (or gift of that type) is not a feel good gift for the person giving the gift rather than the person receiving it. (but I'm ol..."

Actually I think my children would prefer a real goat, for themselves. I wouldn't mind one either to mow our lawn.

We had goats when I was young. The novelty wears off pretty quickly.

Maybe you could hire one for a little while. Actually I think that would be a good enterprize to run - a pet hire business for kids/parents with short attention spans. :)

Here's an interesting new development for university students!
iPad replaces uni textbooks at University of Adelaide

So the Spring Racing Carnival commenced yesterday. I love the races. I don't bet too much but I think all those years living in rural Australia where the annual race day was the only reason to 'frock up' has given me lots of good memories.

Here are some ‘must-have’ hats for the 2010 racing season.

Enjoy Ladies!

I'm allowed to have my kindle today. :)

Happy Birthday Gail!!

Thank you for the lovely card Mandy. You've given me the warm and fuzzies now. :D

Happy Birthday Gail

Well now, it must be good to be 21 again (-: HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gail.

Well thank you very much Dee-Ann and David. I have made it past 21 though, I stopped at 29. My husband reminded me today how long I have been 29. He obviously doesn't want to remain married for much longer.

Dee-Ann wrote: "Most Wednesday's I take an early lunch and join up with my son's special needs class for a book reading session at the library. Today, one of the books that was read was 'Can you make a scary face..."

This is a continuation of yesterdays message ... apparently my son, my 9 year old son who can barely write his name and can only read a few words, read this book to a classmate who was sad and they both ended up giggling. Wow! I dont know how well he read it, but this is a big moment for him/us which from experience may never happen again or for a long time to come, but we can wish and/or just treasure the moment!

Dee-Ann wrote: "Dee-Ann wrote: "Most Wednesday's I take an early lunch and join up with my son's special needs class for a book reading session at the library. Today, one of the books that was read was 'Can you m..."

What a lovely moment that must have been! Thanks for sharing your son's achievements with us.:)

Thanks Carmel, we are nice well balanced people (if you believe in that stuff) I knew I liked you for a reason. :D

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Well thank you very much Dee-Ann and David. I have made it past 21 though, I stopped at 29. My husband reminded me today how long I have been 29. He obviously doesn't want to remain married for mu..."

Happy birthday, Gail...hope it was a good one!!! 29 is a good age to be..:)

Belated Happy Birthday to Gail - I enjoyed 29 but I'm enjoying 40 even more, I might stop here though :)

Thanks for the birthday wishes Brenda & Tracey.

I love this photo in the Courier Mail today. For some reason I can hear Michael Caton in my ear saying, "Tell 'er she's dreamin'!".

How well do you know your Aussie authors and books? Try this new 10 question quiz!!

http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/resu...

Oooops I need to to a little more reading of Australian literature. I got 5 out of 10. :(

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Oooops I need to to a little more reading of Australian literature. I got 5 out of 10. :("

Me too...:(

Brenda wrote: "Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Oooops I need to to a little more reading of Australian literature. I got 5 out of 10. :("

Me too...:("

Looking up answers on the internet is allowed.;D

8 out of 10!!! whooo!

Velvetink wrote: "8 out of 10!!! whooo!"

Yay Velvetink!!

The Goodreads dates won't show it, but since we're ahead of the pack Down Under, did anyone realise it's 10/10/10?

Mandy wrote: "How well do you know your Aussie authors and books? Try this new 10 question quiz!!

http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/resu...

That's a good omen Jan! Take the quiz Jan and see of you get 10/10!

Only 6! :(

That's great! You're coming 2nd! :D

Hi everyone, an interview I did has been posted on the net. The address is: http://novelexpectations.wordpress.co...

Thanks very much!

Carmel wrote: "Amber wrote: "Hi everyone, an interview I did has been posted on the net. The address is: http://novelexpectations.wordpress.co...-..."

Hi Carmel, thanks for the good wishes! I'm not offended by the comments about the YouTube video, I have the same problem; he doesn't sound interested in the story at all and it comes across very strongly... The pictures are pretty funky though lol. However, I really hope that you and your daughter enjoy the tale. It's been a long road to get to this point, so now I'm just hoping that people will notice it's there and - equally as hopeful - that they will enjoy it :-)

8/10 which I do not deserve as I guessed more than the 2 that I got wrong.

I think those are called educated guesses Dee-Ann. Congratulations. :D

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I think those are called educated guesses Dee-Ann. Congratulations. :D"

Well done Dee-Ann! You're in the lead so far!

Yay Carmel... 9/10 that's amazing! For anyone else who wants to try here is the Aussie Readers book quiz:
http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/resu...