5 posts tagged “books”

 

I read about this book in the weekend newspaper and thought it sounded like something I really have to read.  I still remember the experience of reading 'Backlash' in the nineties when I was first exploring feminism and thinking how much sense it made (even if it does present a very bleak, one-sided picture).  I haven't seen this book for sale in Australia yet but might think about ordering in from overseas if its not available. 

Here is what I bought:

 

 

This is quite a thin little book from Japan and is described as 'A picture of an eccentric world that clearly passes on what goes on in the minds of young women today: a radical depiction of our time' (Ryu Murakami).  Probably wouldn't have taken a chance on it except for the price ($6.94) and the fact that it has won a Japanese literary prize.  Can pass it on to my mum when finished as she is interested in Asian literature.

 

Bought this one to read for Rory's Book Club.  Think I might have read it previously but honestly can't remember!  Also a bargain at $7.94.

 

 

This is the first book in a YA fantasy trilogy.  Thought it looked intriguing. 

 

  An old favourite and a gift for a girl turning six this week. 

 

 

Also just finished:

 

 

and still gathering my thoughts.  I actually watched a discussion of it on the ABC's First Tuesday Book Club where Jennifer Byrne talked about Afghanistan itself being the main character in this book which I thought was pretty apt.  For me, this was a bit of a problem as I have previously read a few non-fiction accounts of that period of time in Afghanistan so kind of had an idea of what was going to happen next in the political landscape. 

 

 

Preferred the Kite Runner in that sense as the political events more of a back drop to the interplay between the characters.  Also thought Kite Runner was good in that it delved into less well-known issues (to me at least) such as the historical divisions between the different ethnic groups in Afghanistan.  Also coincided with some media reporting about the particular problems of Hazara asylum seekers in Australia so gave me a bit more of an insight into that.

I loved this book by Australian writer, James Moloney:

 

 

Like a lot of what I read, it is ostensibly for 'young adult' readers but I found it very moving myself.  The main character is Josh who is spending part of his holidays working in the Lost Property office at Sydney's Central Station.  Turns out Josh has lost something himself although it takes him a little while to work out what he needs to do to recover his loss.  Some great male characters including Clive, Josh's boss at the Lost Property office, and Josh's dad, a Rugby League 'legend'. 

A bit about the real Central Station Lost Property office:OK, who left their bobcat on the train?