Emu with a Clue

The Terror Dream

nobody@vox.com(Emu with a Clue) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:25:47 -0700

The Terror Dream: Fear and Fantasy in Post-9/11 America

Susan Faludi

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.

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Need to stay away from bookshops on my lunchbreak!

nobody@vox.com(Emu with a Clue) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:36:18 -0700

Here is what I bought:

Snakes and Earrings (Vintage)

Hitomi Kanehara

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.

Sense and Sensibility (Penguin Classics)

Jane Austen

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.

Uglies (Uglies Trilogy, Book 1)

Scott Westerfeld

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

Milly-Molly-Mandy Stories (Young Puffin Books)

Joyce Lankester Brisley

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

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What I'm reading now ...

nobody@vox.com(Emu with a Clue) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:40:43 -0700

Black Girl/White Girl: A Novel (P.S.)

Joyce Carol Oates

Also just finished:

So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading

Sara Nelson

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Just finished reading this ....

nobody@vox.com(Emu with a Clue) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:13:47 -0700

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Khaled Hosseini

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.

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini

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.

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Lost Property - by James Moloney

nobody@vox.com(Emu with a Clue) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:41:49 -0800

I loved this book by Australian writer, James Moloney:

Lost Property

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?

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