One of my friends has started a blog recently (thecookingchook) and amongst her cooking posts has started to list some of her favourite things. This got me thinking that I can't seem to pick favourites lately, apart from my favourite colour (which is purple, by the way). With other things like movies, music, and TV shows, I struggle to even limit what I like into a Top 10 list, because I invariably forget about something I used to love but might not have watched or listened to for a while, and then I have to re-do the list but find I end up with a whole heap.
Actually, that's not entirely true for movies. My favourite film has been and always will be Stand By Me, with Labyrinth a close second. I can't imagine those ever being removed from my Top 2 movies, because they meant so much to me as a child and have carried with them a lot of sentimental value, and I can still sit down and enjoy them, even if I don't laugh as much as I once did while watching them. But beyond those two, the other films are a jumbled mess because it's just too hard to choose.
I've now found the same with trying to reconcile my favourite book. Since its publication in 2005, The Bride Stripped Bare took its spot as my favourite book. I have read it more than any other book and at the time I first read it, it really spoke to me. I re-read it last year and found that, although I still loved some parts of it, I didn't think it was that great and was a bit sloppy in parts. This year I've read quite a few fantastic books which I think are far more worthy of becoming my new favourite, but I simply can't choose one. I think The Bride Stripped Bare might be out of favour though, although I'm sure it'll always hold a special place. But I simply can't be asked to narrow my books into a Top 5 or Top 10 list, it's just too hard!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Freedom
I originally started reading this novel about a year ago, but then stopped at around 300 pages in. I can't actually remember why; I don't think it was because I wasn't enjoying the book, but I think I probably just borrowed something else from the library or from a friend, then got distracted with my studies, and so Freedom by Jonathan Franzen sat on my side table with bookmark in place, waiting for its turn to come around again. I knew, though, that I'd enjoyed what I'd read up to that point, because I wanted other people to read it too, and so I picked it for my work book club.
This month it came up as one of our selections, so I decided to start from the beginning again, and I'm glad I did because there were some key elements of the story I'd forgotten about in the last twelve months. To explain what Freedom is about is difficult, because it isn't strictly about anything. What it does is picks what seems to be a typical American contemporary family and follows their story as their picture of perfection starts to crack and crumble.
I feel like a broken record as I've been reading so many great books lately, but I loved it. I can see this kind of story isn't for everybody, as some readers might want faster development, or find the characters really unlikeable, but the story really spoke to me. Patty is a neurotic mother, quick to find faults in others, laughs at people's expense, but deep down is just hurting and wants some of her love reciprocated. Walter loves her so incredibly much and yet seems to be not good enough for her, so focuses his passions instead on his environmental work. Each of their children are so incredibly different and messed up in their own way, and then there's Richard, Walter's life long friend, who intersects the story now and then, creates a mess and then leaves again.
One of my fellow book clubbers said that when she stopped reading it she missed the characters. That's a perfect way of summing up this book for me, too, as I feel like I know each of them intimately, and as the number of pages left to read dwindled, the more I didn't want the book to end.
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen - 5 out of 5 stars!
This month it came up as one of our selections, so I decided to start from the beginning again, and I'm glad I did because there were some key elements of the story I'd forgotten about in the last twelve months. To explain what Freedom is about is difficult, because it isn't strictly about anything. What it does is picks what seems to be a typical American contemporary family and follows their story as their picture of perfection starts to crack and crumble.
I feel like a broken record as I've been reading so many great books lately, but I loved it. I can see this kind of story isn't for everybody, as some readers might want faster development, or find the characters really unlikeable, but the story really spoke to me. Patty is a neurotic mother, quick to find faults in others, laughs at people's expense, but deep down is just hurting and wants some of her love reciprocated. Walter loves her so incredibly much and yet seems to be not good enough for her, so focuses his passions instead on his environmental work. Each of their children are so incredibly different and messed up in their own way, and then there's Richard, Walter's life long friend, who intersects the story now and then, creates a mess and then leaves again.
One of my fellow book clubbers said that when she stopped reading it she missed the characters. That's a perfect way of summing up this book for me, too, as I feel like I know each of them intimately, and as the number of pages left to read dwindled, the more I didn't want the book to end.
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen - 5 out of 5 stars!
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| Freedom by Jonathan Franzen |
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
My personal journey
As my 30's kick on, the importance of family, close friends, being
comfortable in my own skin, and being happy in my career, have
definitely been magnified. 2012 has already been a year of
self-reflection and self-discovery, and I'm sure that will continue. To
that end, I try each day to be a good wife. Our inability to conceive is
constantly on my mind though, and to be honest makes me feel like less
of a woman. I just hope something can be done about it soon,so we can continue our journey towards a family. In the meantime, we'll keep going to these appointments with doctors and specialists and I'm trying to stay positive, but it's hard.
I'm desperately trying to be better to my family; my sister is now in Tasmania and I miss her terribly, and I need to learn more patience when I speak to her and appreciate the time we have to talk to her more.
I seem to be perpetually studying although am brilliant at procrastinating. I truly hope one day I'll get to write and work in the communications sector, but at this stage I can't see how I can afford a career change, and so I continue my studies without a real plan, but with a very real dream.
Financially, things haven't improved a great deal in the last year, although now I do have a strict budget which is a positive step forward. A lotto win wouldn't go astray though ;)
There's so much more going on but that seems enough reflection for one morning. I tell you, this personal journey definitely doesn't seem to slow down even as priorities change.
I'm desperately trying to be better to my family; my sister is now in Tasmania and I miss her terribly, and I need to learn more patience when I speak to her and appreciate the time we have to talk to her more.
I seem to be perpetually studying although am brilliant at procrastinating. I truly hope one day I'll get to write and work in the communications sector, but at this stage I can't see how I can afford a career change, and so I continue my studies without a real plan, but with a very real dream.
Financially, things haven't improved a great deal in the last year, although now I do have a strict budget which is a positive step forward. A lotto win wouldn't go astray though ;)
There's so much more going on but that seems enough reflection for one morning. I tell you, this personal journey definitely doesn't seem to slow down even as priorities change.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
The Kingmaker's Daughter
I recently finished reading The Kingmaker's Daughter, a work of historical fiction by Philippa Gregory, probably best known for books in the Tudor series such as The Other Boleyn Girl. Although I have collected a lot of Philippa's books over the years (after all, I have over 230 books in my bookshelves yet to be opened once), this was the first one I've actually read and I must say I was quite impressed and can see why she's so popular.
In this novel, Philippa has taken the era of the Cousins' War, or War of the Roses, and has written about events leading to the crowning of Edward IV and Richard III through the eyes of Richard's eventual wife, Anne Neville. No prior knowledge of this time in history is required (I certainly didn't have any, seeing as I only have vague notions of Richard III); the story can be enjoyed just as it's written, and perhaps, for historical fiction, that's the better way, as then the reader doesn't come into the novel with any expectations due to their prior knowledge.
Philippa writes beautifully and has a way of describing place so well that your imagination can soar and picture everything described perfectly - the castles, the court, the dresses, the customs... The story itself started off very strongly and started out as a real page turner, but for me it then slowed towards the end and became a little repetitive. It grew a little tiring reading for pages on end about the paranoia felt by Anne and her family, and about how Elizabeth was a suspected witch. It got to the stage where it felt like I was reading the same chapter over and over as the pace slowed and became more of the same.
Overall though it was a well-told story and I'd recommend it to anyone who's even remotely interested in historical kings and queens of England. They all seem just that bit messed up ;)
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory - 3.5/5 stars
In this novel, Philippa has taken the era of the Cousins' War, or War of the Roses, and has written about events leading to the crowning of Edward IV and Richard III through the eyes of Richard's eventual wife, Anne Neville. No prior knowledge of this time in history is required (I certainly didn't have any, seeing as I only have vague notions of Richard III); the story can be enjoyed just as it's written, and perhaps, for historical fiction, that's the better way, as then the reader doesn't come into the novel with any expectations due to their prior knowledge.
Philippa writes beautifully and has a way of describing place so well that your imagination can soar and picture everything described perfectly - the castles, the court, the dresses, the customs... The story itself started off very strongly and started out as a real page turner, but for me it then slowed towards the end and became a little repetitive. It grew a little tiring reading for pages on end about the paranoia felt by Anne and her family, and about how Elizabeth was a suspected witch. It got to the stage where it felt like I was reading the same chapter over and over as the pace slowed and became more of the same.
Overall though it was a well-told story and I'd recommend it to anyone who's even remotely interested in historical kings and queens of England. They all seem just that bit messed up ;)
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory - 3.5/5 stars
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| The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory |
Thursday, November 1, 2012
2013 Adelaide Festival
In yesterday's mail, I received the program for the 2013 Adelaide Festival. Traditionally, I have only been able to get to Adelaide Writers' Week which forms only a part of the festival, but this year as I happily leafed through my guide, I discovered a number of shows I would love to attend. In no particular order, these are:
If you'd like to see what else is on offer, you can download the program and perhaps find something for you. Or, you could help me decide...
- The free opening night concert with Neil Finn and Paul Kelly - Oh. My. God!!!
- Nosferatu
- Kamp
- Murder - inspired by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' Murder Ballads, you say? Say no more!
- Goran Bregovic and the Weddings and Funerals Orchestra - love this kind of music. Reminds me of home.
- Into the Bloodstream - Archie Roach, you legend.
- Van Dyke Parks - with special guests including Daniel Johns! Oh. My. God!!!
- Unsound Adelaide - 3 shows to choose from. Decisions, decisions, or a season pass to all 3.
- Australian String Quartet - this will be beautiful.
- Turner from the Tate - to mix a bit of art with my theatre and music.
- Adelaide Writers' Week - would not miss this for the world.
If you'd like to see what else is on offer, you can download the program and perhaps find something for you. Or, you could help me decide...
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
So much crammed into a fortnight
It's been a topsy turvy couple of weeks around our household. There have been more of what seem to be endless blood tests, and a couple of appointments coming up to keep us moving in the 'please let us have a child' quest. The longer this goes on, the harder I'm finding it to stay positive...
We've had a BBQ with some online gaming friends which involved an interstate visitor staying with us a night, which was a genuinely fantastic weekend. The weather was perfect, the company was fun, and the house guest was so easy to take care of. My cat, Kira, made a new best friend, and since he left she's spent a bit of time wandering around the house looking for him.
In much sadder news, some friends of the family had to face the death of their 24 year old son, who died in a motorcycle accident. The funeral was yesterday and it was touching and heart wrenching. I wish I had known him as an adult as he sounds like he was an incredible young man who'd made such an impact on the lives of those he knew. Gone too soon, most definitely. I have noticed that the older I get, the more likely I am to catch up with people at funerals rather than weddings or birthdays or other things. It's happened twice in a month now. Quite a shame, that. Anyway, just an observation...
Today I have my last class at Uni for the year and next week I have my last assignment for the year due. I am looking forward to some time without worrying about homework, to be honest. This weekend we have some friends from Brisbane coming to the Barossa so we'll be spending a day there with them which I am looking forward to. Bring on the Rockford's Black Shiraz!!!
We've had a BBQ with some online gaming friends which involved an interstate visitor staying with us a night, which was a genuinely fantastic weekend. The weather was perfect, the company was fun, and the house guest was so easy to take care of. My cat, Kira, made a new best friend, and since he left she's spent a bit of time wandering around the house looking for him.
In much sadder news, some friends of the family had to face the death of their 24 year old son, who died in a motorcycle accident. The funeral was yesterday and it was touching and heart wrenching. I wish I had known him as an adult as he sounds like he was an incredible young man who'd made such an impact on the lives of those he knew. Gone too soon, most definitely. I have noticed that the older I get, the more likely I am to catch up with people at funerals rather than weddings or birthdays or other things. It's happened twice in a month now. Quite a shame, that. Anyway, just an observation...
Today I have my last class at Uni for the year and next week I have my last assignment for the year due. I am looking forward to some time without worrying about homework, to be honest. This weekend we have some friends from Brisbane coming to the Barossa so we'll be spending a day there with them which I am looking forward to. Bring on the Rockford's Black Shiraz!!!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Just like that
Just like that, two weeks seem to have flown by. I don't know where the time has gone to be honest, so a brief summary of what's been happening.
I recently got a new tattoo. I love it so, so much! It's almost fully healed already and is beautiful. I cannot recommend Andy from Tattoo Gallery highly enough, he's such a great artist particularly for work involving fine lines and shading. It was a very early Christmas present to myself, courtesy of my tax return.
Recently it was Glen's birthday. I took the day off work and despite me still having Uni in the morning, we had a great day. The weather was gorgeous so we went to Carisbrooke Reserve and walked around a bit, then we had some pizzas for dinner and a night on the couch watching some shows. Nice and relaxing. The family birthday lunch also went off without incident, which was a relief.
Last Friday night my Dad asked me if I wanted to go to a bonsai show with him on the Sunday. I can't begin to describe how happy I was that he had asked me to something. We used to do things together all the time, and I couldn't remember the last time he actually wanted to spend some time with me. I would have dropped any other plans to go to this bonsai show as a result, as long as I got to be with my Dad. My natural reaction following this initial phone call then would normally be one of constant worry. It would not be surprising for me to look forward to something only to have it ruined by my Dad's alcoholism.
Thankfully this group therapy stuff seems to be helping. I have been going regularly for the past 3 weeks and, although I did still worry a bit and came up with a backup plan just in case, there was definite improvement in my state of mind. It'll be a slow process, but it seems to be working for me in any case. The best part was that Sunday rolled around and Dad picked me up and we had a fantastic afternoon together. I really am going to remember that for a long time, and am grateful for it.
As for the family planning thing, that's still an ongoing saga. I got my latest test results back and everything is normal, so now I'm booked in for another set of tests, as well as a visit to a fertility clinic. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't getting me down...
I recently got a new tattoo. I love it so, so much! It's almost fully healed already and is beautiful. I cannot recommend Andy from Tattoo Gallery highly enough, he's such a great artist particularly for work involving fine lines and shading. It was a very early Christmas present to myself, courtesy of my tax return.
Recently it was Glen's birthday. I took the day off work and despite me still having Uni in the morning, we had a great day. The weather was gorgeous so we went to Carisbrooke Reserve and walked around a bit, then we had some pizzas for dinner and a night on the couch watching some shows. Nice and relaxing. The family birthday lunch also went off without incident, which was a relief.
Last Friday night my Dad asked me if I wanted to go to a bonsai show with him on the Sunday. I can't begin to describe how happy I was that he had asked me to something. We used to do things together all the time, and I couldn't remember the last time he actually wanted to spend some time with me. I would have dropped any other plans to go to this bonsai show as a result, as long as I got to be with my Dad. My natural reaction following this initial phone call then would normally be one of constant worry. It would not be surprising for me to look forward to something only to have it ruined by my Dad's alcoholism.
Thankfully this group therapy stuff seems to be helping. I have been going regularly for the past 3 weeks and, although I did still worry a bit and came up with a backup plan just in case, there was definite improvement in my state of mind. It'll be a slow process, but it seems to be working for me in any case. The best part was that Sunday rolled around and Dad picked me up and we had a fantastic afternoon together. I really am going to remember that for a long time, and am grateful for it.
As for the family planning thing, that's still an ongoing saga. I got my latest test results back and everything is normal, so now I'm booked in for another set of tests, as well as a visit to a fertility clinic. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't getting me down...
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