Wednesday 16 December 2009

Books I've Read in 2009 - December

Here's the list so far, thought I would add it now rather than forgetting half of it at the end of the month.

76. Wolf on the Fold by Judith Clarke

Kenny is 14 and his father has just died. He now has to get a job so that he can keep his family together. Something happens that will change the way Kenny looks at the world. This fantastic story is told with six different tales interwoven together. Told through the generations of Kenny’s family, it shows what happens when youth and adulthood collide. I thought it was very well written.

77. 48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls

Quite a good Australian story about Dan, who is spending a year living with his cousin Jacq and her roommate Naomi. Dan is finishing his last year of high school

78. Little Fur: A Fox Called Sorrow by Isobelle Carmody

I remember reading Isobelle Carmody when I was little, I’ve always enjoyed entering her fantasy world, Little Fur is no different, and I’m reading the third in the series now. Although Carmody has still been quite heavy handed with the ‘humans are the ruin of the earth’, I have really enjoyed this junior series. I think that despite me not liking that aspect of the books, it still sends a positive message about what we’re doing wrong. The series, with its secret wilderness full of creatures, reminds me of animals of farthing wood. For this adventure Little Fur and friend Ginger, two ferrets, a rat and Sorrow, a fox that wants to die have to journey to the Underth, to discover an evil troll kings plans.

79. Little Fur: A Mystery of Wolves by Isobelle Carmody

Little Fur rescues a wolf Greyson, as payment he agrees to take Little Fur deep into the mountains to look for Ginger and the ferrets from the last story. Along the way, Little Fur learns the story of her parents, and elf prince and troll princess. She got a green pendant from her mother and a grey cloak from her father.

80. Don’t Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs, she Thinks I’m a Piano Player in a Whorehouse by Paul Carter.

This was hilarious – I’m looking forward to reading the sequel. Carter has a fantastic way of telling his story. He makes even the scariest situation seem funny.

81. Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy

This was a well written, if rather chilling story. It’s scary to think there are actual children out in the world like JJ. But it raises a very interesting topic – can people really change?

When JJ was 10, she killed her best friend. The story is told in flashbacks by ‘Alice’. Although I knew what was going to happen, it didn’t lessen the impact, Cassidy has taken a very real subject and rather than sensationalizing it, she has written an honest yet unflinching novel.

82. Spy High, Episode 1: The Frankenstein Factory by A. J Butcher

I’ve been listening to this on Playaway and so far, I’m not terrible impressed. The series is set in the US, but this edition is from Bolinda, an Australian company – so its bad American accents all round. But while the narrator is reading the story he has a skippy accent.

83. Spy High, Episode 2: The Chaos Connection by A. J. Butcher.

Against my better judgement I listened to the second Spy High book, the narrator and his crap American accents don’t improve, which is kinda distracting. Who says Van-ness-sirrr? I mean really, even I can do a better accent that this guy. The actual story isn’t too bad as long as you suspend all belief that somehow, fully trained spy/army adults can’t take care of themselves. But 6 teenagers with limited experience in everything but being annoying teenagers, can manage to pull through and not get dead. There are the general grievances between Bond Team members and other students that add a slightly more realistic edge to the series. Overall, it’s not a bad series, just put your suspend reality pants on and go along for the ride.

84. The Song of an Innocent Bystander by Ian Bone

The story is told in alternating sections, Freda, at different ages, the hostage taker, John Wayne Grady and Napkin, which is another hostage. I like how the story unfolds, although it is quite slow in places, a slow build one could say.

85. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The first love triangle with only two people. I quite liked this, although in some places the writing is annoying, particularly when she is talking in the ‘WE’ (Wanda and Melanie together). Overall, I enjoyed the book, it’s no masterpiece, but then neither are her previous books. It has of course been left open for a sequel, and considering the popularity of Meyer at the moment I wouldn’t be surprised if this is made into a movie.

86. Serving Love by Annmarie McKenna, K. A Mitchell and Mary Winter

This is an anthology of gay M/M novellas. I liked McKennas the most, along with the sexy bit, she has good writing and an actual plot, which some romance novels lack.

87. Surrender by Kimberley Zant

This is the first of Zant's I've read. I was buying some other books on Amazon and saw this in my reccommended reading, I enjoyed it, it was hawt, good story, although rather unbelievable (at least in my world it is!).

88. This is not a drill by Paul Carter

This is the second book by Carter and is just as funny and well written as his first. He has the talent of making even the most mundane story interesting.

89. Dreamwalker by Isabelle Carmody

This graphic novel was beautifully illustrated and the story was great, Carmody def has a way with words. I love how Ken's notes are written throught the book, it's a nice touch.

90. How to be bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle

This was a fun book, three girls driving through Florida, seeing the sights and learning about life and each other (corny much!), as the blurb says: "Sometimes it doesn't matter where you're going, since getting there is half the fun."

91. Atalanta by Justine & Ron Fontes

Graphic novel about the Greek myth. I liked it and it's a way to learn about myths and legends.

92. Demeter and Persephone by Justine and Ron Fontes

I liked this myth better, (storywise), both were quick reads, but they still seemed like you got the whole story. Hoping that work has the other four in the series.

93. Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden.

Not sure why I haven't read this series until now, enjoyed the first book a lot. I remember having to read So much to tell you for school & I love his other books. I'll be interested to see what they do with the movies.

94. Spy High 3: The Serpent Scenario

Surprisingly, this was better than the last two. The writing was better and I enjoyed the story more than the previous books.

Books I've Read in 2009 - November

64.Night of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy.

This is the third of hers I’ve read and this didn’t annoy me nearly as much as the first. Just going on what I’ve read and the movie I’ve seen (Circle of Friends), she has a formula and sticks to it – basically, there are is group of people or girls, fleeing something. Bad stuff happens to A. show them it’s really not that bad at home or B. they need to move on, perhaps with one of the new characters they’ve met). As with the first book I read there was the VERY annoying girl who couldn’t see that the man she had chosen was a complete prat – either because in true family saga style, they are already married, thus cheating, have done something to hurt those they love, they like to beat their wife/girlfriend. Although it sounds like I don’t enjoy Binchy, I actually think her books are well written, it’s just her characters and the plot lines that tend to make me cranky.

65. Persuasion by Jane Austen

I’ve seen the mini series, I’ve watched the movie and now...drum roll please… I’ve read the book! This is my second favorite Austen book, I love Anne and Frederick together, all the angsty stolen glances, and it’s fully of Austen’s wit.

66. What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones

This was quite good, another teen verse novel, I’m about to read the follow up to this title. This is all about first love, second love and the sometimes rocky relationship that you have with your parents. I found it insightful, funny, it was easy and fun to read.

67. Free Fall by Robert Crais

This is 8th? in the Elvis Cole series, I’m really enjoying Crais’ books, I find them hilarious, the writing is strong and I’m liking the character development of EC and JP (although I’m not sure if we’ll every learn too much from JP, he keeps it all hidden with those glasses). This adventure sees the boys getting themselves in trouble with the LAPD and the 8 deuces gang.

68. Two Caravans by Marina Lewycka

I actually started listening to this on a Playaway, but it stuffed up so I hade to read the end. This was a little weird, I didn’t mind it, pretty much the same I felt when I read the Tractor book for BC, the dog section on the Playaway was weird also, as his POV is all loudly whispered and very fast, in the book it’s written in capitals. However, it is effective in getting across the excitement a dog feels going about its doggy bid’ness.

69. Emma by Jane Austen

This could possibly be one of my least favorite of the Austen novels. I don’t particularly like Emma, which makes it hard I guess to fully appreciate or like the character.

70. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

If you haven’t guessed I’m on an Austen kick, I’ve never read any of the other books, apart from Pride and Prejudice, so I though I’d give them a go. It’s also part of my plan to read the 1001 books to read before you die. I’ll have to get reading if I’m ever going to finish – I’ve only read about 10 on the list so far.

71. What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones

This was a follow up to What my mother doesn't know, it's a verse novel as well and told from Robin's POV, the male character from the first book. Great writing, captures being a teen well.

72. Betrayed by P.C. + Kristen Cast

This is the 2nd in the House of Night series. This is part of the explosion of teenage vampire novels that have cropped up since Twilight. While I have enjoyed the first two books and the writing is improved from the first one (Marked), it’s still no masterpiece. I’ve not read any of P.C Cast’ other books, but I think her daughter is putting her stamp on the series and that’s where the annoying part comes in. I quite like the main character of Zoey Redbird, she’s now become the head of the Dark Daughters after her showdown with Aphrodite. She’s learning about her new powers and trying to accept all the changes. From my distant memories, the interaction between different groups at the school is pretty spot on, but really, that stuff doesn’t change too much, it doesn’t matter what school you go to There are six books in the series so far and while they do annoy on occasion, they also make me giggle and I like the general storyline, characters, so I’m going to finish the series.

73. Undine by Penni Russon

I enjoyed this beautiful tale and have always been fascinated by magic and the pull of the ocean, which is what Undine feels. I remember wishing I was a mermaid when I was little and on occasion I still think it would be awesome to be able to swim for as long as I wanted underwater. Russon weaves a delightful tale of first love, magic, family and coming of age. Her writing is almost lyrical in places and I’m looking forward to reading the other two books in the trilogy.

74. That Was Then, This Is Now by S. E. Hinton

I was putting books away last week and saw this. I’ve not read it for ages, so decided to take it home on the weekend. I still love Hinton’s writing, I remember reading her books a number of times growing up and I was so glad that they still read the same for me. I know that isn’t always the case with childhood memories, (I remember when they released Kimba the White Lion on DVD – such a disappointment!) I love the way she really seems to capture the feeling of the small town where it’s set, the discontent that the characters feel. The ending between Bryon and Mark is so sad. I’ll now have to hunt down her other books, I read The Outsiders for Uni last year, but haven’t read her others since school.

No doubt I’ll be reading a few of my old favorites, we’ve just had a huge withdrawing bee at work and a whole heap of books I read eons ago were taken off, so I grabbed them all in the near future.

75. Shadows in the Twilight by Henning Mankell

This is the sequel to A Bridge to the Stars, Joel will soon be twelve. After he is struck by a bus, but is unharmed he believes that a miracle has happened. He now has to find a way to repay the miracle. Again, Mankell has written a brilliant story. I love Joel’s view of the world, how his imagination works.

C.

Books I've Read in 2009 - October

Sigh, back to Australia and reality.

58. Prey by Rachel Vincent – Book four werecats.

I had to wait until we got to London to get this! And it didn't disappoint me. This continues Faythe and Matt's story, with

59. The Quickie by James Patterson

Quite predicatble, although I still enjoyed it. I do like Patterson, although I’ve not read a lot of Patterson’s books. I do prefer his Cross series more.

60. Not a Star by Nick Hornby

61. Daniel X by James Patterson

Fantastic graphic novel, liked the illustrations.

62. My Soul to take by Rachel Vincent

Good teen book, with Banshees and first love - what a combo. I quite liked Vincent turn at YA.

63. Heroes Vol. 1

I think I actually like reading this more than watching the TV show, lest repetition and lots of other characters and stories that are not on the show. I also like the back story that I’ve gotten from reading them. This is the first graphic novels in the series, I’m waiting for volume two now.

C.

Books I've Read 2009 - September

Here's my holiday reading list, finished mostly in Spain, it was lovely and I would like to go again. One day.

45. Reinventing Julia by Muriel Jensen

This was meh really, not fantastic, but since I didn't have much else to read I kept reading. Julia was quite unbelievble, I didn't really like the character, the plot was also choppy and all over the place.
Book one in the Forrester Square series

46. Elusive Dawn by Kay Hooper

47. On Her Doorstep by Kay Hooper

48. Return Engagement by Kay Hooper

49. Stroke of Fortune by Christine Rimmer - Lone Star Country Club

50. Staying at Daisy's by Jill Mansell

51. Kiss Me Quick by Margaret Moore

52. Between Duty and Desire by Leanne Banks

53. The Marriage Medallion by Christine Rimmer

54. Driven to Distraction by Dixie Browning

55. The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

This book was fantastic, enjoyed it a lot, which I’m not really surprised about as I love Pan’s Labyrinth and Del Toro’s take on Hell Boy. I also like that it pays homage to the original vampire myths (coffin full of dirt), and that all vampires come from the ‘Old Ones’. I had goose bumps a couple of times, I read this on the way to Bilbao and made it cover to almost cover (if only my bus trip was 20min longer!), I didn’t want to put it down. The suspense was fantastic, it was scary and I’m really looking forward to the next two instalments. I think what makes this work so well is the realism – who isn’t worried about a virus spreading and not being able to do anything.

56. Truth or Dare by Jane Ann Krentz – Book 2 Whispering Springs

I liked this, good action and the story was fun.

57. Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd

Book two of the Darkness Chosen series.

This is the second book by Carter and is just as funny and well written as his first. He has the talent of making even the most mundane story interesting.
C.

Books I've Read in 2009 - August

And roll on August...

39. The Hunter’s Prey by Diane Whiteside

This is part of the Texas Vampires series and was quite good, I’m looking forward to reading more from the series.

40. Rogue by Rachel Vincent

Book 2 in the Werecats series

41. Pride by Rachel Vincent

This is number three in the Werecats series

42. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The first love triangle with only two people. I quite liked this, although in some places the writing is annoying, particularly when she is talking in the ‘WE’ (Wanda and Melanie together). Overall, I enjoyed the book, it’s no masterpiece, but then neither are her previous books. It has of course been left open for a sequel, and considering the popularity of Meyer at the moment I wouldn’t be surprised if this is made into a movie.

43. The Woman in Black (BC)

This was quite good, it focuses on a group of women that work at a department story in Melbourne.

44. The Given Day by Dennis Lehane (BC)

I enjoyed this book, but gads it took a long time to read, mainly because I had lots of other stuff I really wanted to read.

The book club bizzo isn't in the right month but meh.
C.

Books I've Read in 2009 - July

Here's the next lot of books I've read, I'll have to fill in the blurbs etc later.

36. Token by Alisa Kwitney & Joelle Jones.

Fantastic! Great GN about not fitting in, first love, and even though it wasn’t in colour I put my snobbery aside and read it anyway – in one sitting. Fantastic illustration by Jones and Kwitneys story was fantastic, I’m hoping there’s more where this came from.

37. Last Light by Andy McNab.

This is the second book of his I’ve read and again really enjoyed it. From a military standpoint, I’m assuming it’s fairly correct (he was in British Army), but his stories are also really funny. I’ve read this out of sequence, which wasn’t a big deal, small changes in characters, but as its part of the back story it doesn’t interfere with enjoying the book.

38. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene.

Heartbreaking, this was filled with such anger and love, beautiful writing and I just loved the realness, I sound cornier than a field but just fantastic! It’s the first GG that I’ve read, would love to try more.

I'm being all lazy with this now as it's nearly the end of the year. I'll have to make it a resolution to keep my lists up to date next year. (Cause yes, I'm that kinda cool).

Saturday 5 December 2009

Books I've read in 2009 - June

I've taken off the Last.fm widget off my side bar also, as you now have to pay to use the content. Which I don't have a problem with, but I'm not terribly fussed about either, hence...the removal. But onward and upward peeps, here's the june book list.

27. Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, but Gentlemen Marry Brunettes Anita Loos - This was fun, the main character, doesn't really have any talent, she just pretty and uses her looks to get what she wants, with amusing results. As a feminist, some might be offended, but if you're dumb enough to fall for it too bad I say.

28. Wicked Pleasure by Lora Leigh - This is part of the Bound Hearts series, so needless to say...it's hawt! Jaci Wright has been running from the Falladay twins, Chase and Cam, for seven years now. So this book is all about what happens when they finally catch her. Despite what many think about romance/erotica, the story is good, I like the characters, they're developed well, which serves the series well, as they often pop up in other titles.

29. Only Pleasure by Lora Leigh - The other Falladay brother gets a chance at his lady now. This rather steamy romp also has a few apperances by Khalid, who I think will be the next guy to get a book in the Bound Hearts series. His character was a welcome relief in this book as for the most part this is quite disappointing. The character of Chase didn't resemble the character that was seen in 'Wicked Pleasure'.

Previously, Falladay was a man who was comfortable in his own skin, he was happy, whereas his brother was the moody tempremental one who couldn't deal. This time around, it's Chase that has issues, which is annoying to say the least. This definately was poorer quality than what we usually see with Leigh. I can't help but think personal issues got in the way of her writing (the author was going through a separation), as Mavrick, from another series was also less than stellar.

30. I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroder.

I really enjoyed this. The basic plot is girl meets boy, they fall in love, boy dies, then comes back to haunt girl. Because she’s still in love with him she continues the relationship, weird yes. Not only does she have issues with facing the fact that he’s dead, she also blames herself for his death (they had a dare thingy going and the last dare was cliff diving, from which – obviously he didn’t survive).

I gotta admit, I love the verse novel, it’s a fresh way of telling a story, not often seen with adult novels, it’s mainly in teenage section that I’ve come across them. Check out Breaktime by Aiden Chambers, another fantastic verse novel and Love Ghosts and nose hairs is another great Australian? one.

This is Lisa Schroder’s first book – www.lisaschroederbooks.com

31. The King of Torts by John Grisham.

I don’t mind JG, but he can get repetitive and there’s only so much law talk I can take, so it’s actually the first one of his I’ve read in a long time five dolla. Basically, Clay, who works for the Public Defenders Office, gets approached with the deal of a lifetime, become a tort lawyer – make lots of money in an unsavory manner, generally by stiffing your client. Clay says yes, makes millions of dollars, spends millions of dollars then loses millions of dollars. Grisham is generally a good storyteller, I do sometimes get bored, this wasn’t as thrillery as some of his earlier novels, I loved The Client and The Pelican Brief. I haven’t read any of his non lawyer ones, I did start A painted house, but haven’t finished it yet. Not so much because I don’t like it, more that I have other stuff I would rather read.


32. A Bridge to the Stars by Henning Mankell.

Joel lives with his Father Samuel in Sweden. His mother has abandon him and at night he sneaks out of the house to look for a dog that he has seen from his window. One night he discovers that his father’s bed is empty, he has found a girlfriend in Sarah, the local barmaid. Which Joel resents, he and another boy for a secret society and wreak havoc on the towns no nosed lady. As Winter moves to Spring Joel discovers more about life, culminating in an event on the bridge

I thought it was beautifully well written, I’ve not read one of his adult novels (this is his first young adult effort).

33. Beast by Ally Kennen.

Stephen has a secret pet he keeps in a reservoir near where he lives, it’s one of the last things his father gave him. He’s been in and out of foster homes most his life. His mother is in a mental institution, his father lives in the forest and his brother is gone. About to be kicked out of the latest home, he decides he needs to kill the ‘beast’, he asks his father for help. He forms an attachment to Eric, who has his own welding/metal business and is a father figure to Stephen. The beast is both animal and a euphemism for all that’s gone wrong in Stephens life. By getting rid of the beast, he’s finally free to begin again, without the past coming back to haunt him.

I thought this was well written, engaging and I wanted to find out what happened. The mix of danger and excitement and the psychological aspects all tie the story together.

34. Little Fur: The Legend of Little Fur by Isobel Carmody.

This was a beautiful junior novel, really cute (not really the word I’m thinking of) characters. The story isn’t original, LOTR to name one, but Carmody is such a fantastic writer, that it doesn’t matter. I’ve been a fan of her novel since I was a kid and read Obertwynth. I did find some of it a bit hinky and it may well go over some kids heads, but there’s a strong moral woven into the story – basically we’re killing the earth and a. we’re doing nothing to stop it and b. we don’t care. I found that aspect a bit patronizing.

35. Marked by P.C. Cast & Kristen Cast. - This is the first in the House of Night series. I didn't mind it although, and I think it's the daughters influence, but the writing is annoying sometimes. The characters say/do immature things and while I know it's a teen series, it doesn't mean the readers should be treated like idgets. I did like it enought to keep reading, there are 6 in the series so far.

K, leaving it here today, will have to add the next few months of books tomorrow. Coming up also...my review of New Moon and Where The Wild Things Are :) Awesome.

C.

Books I've Read in 2009 - May

Well I've very neglectful of the blog since I've been back, so I though I would at least try and add the books that I've been reading throughout the year. So here goes. Ranther than do a review of each one I'll keep it simple and do a couple of lies for each.

19. The Divide by Nicholas Evans - Fantastic, this is Evans' latest. His books always make me want to pick up and move to Montana, his writing is just so descriptive. This is a family/mystery, with just a splash of eco terrorism. Loved it!

20. The Watchmen by Robert Crais - First in the Joe Pike series, this also has a cameo from Elvis Cole, who Joe works with in his books (around 10 in the EC series). I did start at the wrong end, but it doesn't have a huge impact of the story. I found Crais' writing very funny and as this was a playaway, the guy who read it, really added to the story. It could just be me and my very black humour - but this was hilarious.

21. Rural Bliss by Lou Wakefield - Not a favourite of mine, a few of the characters grated a little. I did contemplate not finishing, but pursevered as there were elements that I did enjoy. Typical chick lit really.

22. Nauti Intentions by Lora Leigh - Yay! The next Nauti installment. I enjoy Leigh's series a lot, she has action - of both kinds :), humour and alpha males, which are ever so genrously displayed on the cover! I love the characters from this series, larger than life and not willing to stand by and let someone get hurt, even if it means they're going to pay for it.

23. Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Bream - This was another playaway and I'll admit, if I'd had to read this in print, I don't think I would've picked it up. Glad i did though, this is what the movie Gladiator is based on, which I didn't mind. I thought Bream's writing was strong and I did enjoy the story more, it seemed imo, to be slightly more historically correct.

24. The Travel Writer by Simone Lazoo (Book Club) - I didn't particulary like the title for this months book club. The female characters all seem rather vapid, don't really stand up for them selves and the male characters are portrayed as 'bad/unsavory'. Rather disappointing.

25. The Life and Times of Michael K by J. M. Coetzee - This is the first I've read of this author, I was being all 'Coetzee's one of those brilliant authors I really should read'. I agree - he is brilliant, but the going was tough, his style is very dry. And while I did enjoy the book, I didn't enjoy reading it...if that makes sense.

26. Frantic by Katherine Howell - This was quite good, set in Melbourne (or maybe Sydney), the main character is a paramedic, she comes off shift to find her husband shot in the head (he survives), and their son is taken by someone, who may or may not be involved in shady dealings with the husband - who's investigating a bank robbery, which is supposed to be pulled off by a group of police officers. That explanation maked it sound terribly difficult to understand, it's not, it a rather enjoyable light thriller/mystery.

Well that was May, stay tuned for the next exciting adventures in the land of books.

C.

Friday 23 October 2009

I'm Baaaaack!!!

I'm sure you're all now brimming with joy...after my travels overseas and sadly not finding a rich older titled gentleman to keep me in a manner I'd like to become accustomed to, I've had to return home, and gasp - to work. Details and photo's from the trip can be found on Cathy and Asha's European Vacation sadly as we went on the wifi got worse, so there aren't a lot of posts.

So now that I'm sort of back into the swing of things lets get down to stuff! Like what you ask...like a noice book review. I discovered these on the Bookmobile this week.

Never Ever Before by Stephen Michael King

Blurb, craftily found on the back of the book:

In the drifting, swirling land of small, Big is born. Big stands solid, strong and predictable, until the day a breeze bigger than never ever before begins to blow...

The illustrations are really simple, different shapes in bright colours. It's not terrible long, so it would be a good length to read to a pre school storytime group, although it may not hold everyones attention span. The lovely morals of the story is it's good to be an individual baby, because it takes all types of things/people to make life work, and team work is awesome, because sometimes you can't do everything on your own! It's not preachy in it's message, which is how I like my books.

The next book is:


Once again I'm making use of mah blurb reading skillz:

Chester and Gil live in the same goldfish bowl. While Gil just floats around the same old place, Chester knows he can save the world. His motto, 'Life is what you make it', takes on epic dimensions in this funny story of a fishy odd couple and the power of thinking big.

Methinks someone slipped Carol the 7 Habits book! That aside, I thought this book was really cute. The illustrations are water colours and while the colours themselves aren't bright, the pictures 'pop' on the page. Ann James is a beautiful artist. While the book is quite wordy, it would be great to read for pre school storytime, (I just read it aloud to myself), and Chester allows the reader to get as dramatic as they like - and I do have a flair for the dramatic :)
What a sterling start for my return to blogging, check the books out, either from the websites above or if you don't want to buy them, borrow them here. Enjoy kiddies.
C.

Saturday 3 October 2009

Trying to blog with my iPhone but it's not really working...again.

I've had to again add the body of the message once I've logged into my puter dammit. Which isn't really a message, just two sentences :)

C.

Wednesday 19 August 2009

Almost in Europe!!

I've been flat chat organising stuff for the European vacation, so have been neglectful of my bloggin duties, hopefully with my netbook, I can catch up on the usual stuff here and blog bout travel stuff on Cathy & Asha's European Vacation. Will we ever have a doozy about the Virgin transfers from Adelaide to Melbourne, but of course I'll save it, plus I only have 6 mins left on my time of the innerwebs.

So looking forward to the trip, it'll be my fist overseas adventure. I of course think I've over packed but, you can never be too prepared I'm sure someone's mother once said. I'm still stressed at the moment as I don't have enough reading material I'm sure, I'd take a whole nother suitcase of books if I could. But I'm sure I'll be able to muddle through with what I've got. Fingers crossed they have good movies on the plane, I'll be able to add to my reviews, which have been sadly lacking of late, not really for lack of trying, just lack of time.

Anyway I've got 3 min left and I'm worried that it'll take a while for this to load, so until Milan cyabye!!

C. :D

Friday 31 July 2009

Kid friendly (well I am...most of the time)

I've seen some really cute kids books in the last couple of weeks, so I thought I'd share! Enjoy :) Pictures & links are a bit sucky, but I was on the truck so deal :P

First up is one of my absolute fave authors Mick Inkpen, he is responsible for Kipper, Wibbly Pig & Bear to name a few. Lullabyhullaballoo! is a very cute story about a little princess trying to sleep, but it's too noisy. There is also a CD read by Helen Lederer. I've always loved his illustrations & the stories are fantastic to read aloud.

Even with the prolificness (I too can make words up), of swine flu I've decided to put Ella Of Course! by Sarah Weeks, Ill. by Doug Cushman on the list. Ella is a little pig with a big problem! Ella may be a problem solver, but when she receives a present, she becomes a problem maker! Gasp horror! But she can't help it, after all - her umbrella makes such a lovely 'whoosh, click' sound. Pretty, bright illustrations, it's nice & easy to read.

Who's Yawning By David Bedford & Leonie Worthington is part of a series that Rustyn loves & so do I. It's simple, with only a few words on each page - "Who's yawning?" "Miiaaaaoooow." "Cat's yawning" - or sommat to that effect :) The illustrations are beautiful & it's another book you can get the kids involved in, it's got great animal sounds which they love, it was also a great way to teach Rustyn what each animal was.

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems isn't a new book, but I just love the pigeon series, (Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Bus, Time For Bed Pigeon). The story is essentially about sharing, Willems is great with how he words things and I love how the pigeon gets frustrated & splodes, he sarcastic, just he's a great character. The series is for kids, but adults love them too (and by adults I mean me!)

Good Luck Bear is the 3rd book from Greg Foley. I like how the illustrations are very simple, almost washed out. There isn't a lot of colour, but I think this adds to the book overall. It's a sweet tale about luck not always being where you think it will.

Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas is great. There are 3 very silly looking dust bunnies (ed, ned & ted) who love to rhyme and then there's bob, who doesn't rhyme at all.

Me and My Dad! by Alison Ritchie, ill. by Alison Edgson. Beautiful smiley pictures, cute words, it's just the book to read with your dad! I'm a bit of a sucker for cute bears in a book I must say.

Forever Young by Bob Dylan (yes, that Bob), ill. by Raul Rogers. I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of the illustrations, I like the colours, but the peeps have weird faces, but I do like the illustrator's notes. Mostly, I love the words, the song was written in the 70's (from the album Planet Waves), about one of Dylan's sons.

Okay, that's about all the cutesy kid shit I've got time for, back to being my normal, bitchy, foul mouthed cranky self!

C.

Thursday 23 July 2009

Books I've read in 2009 - April

I haven't added my books I've read lately - only a few months behind, so here's Aprils. Be thrilled people, be thrilled!!

15. Poppy Shakespeare by ??? - This was a playaway, not sure if I would have finished it otherwise. It was actually a little annoying. The main character, known as 'N', narrates the story of how Poppy came to be at the mental health daycare centre. There was one thing that N said over and over which got annoying quickly. That said, this did have funny moments and the author describes the menagerie of characters so that they add to the story rather that detract. Overall, not a bad noivel, the ending is just depressing and really sad. It ended completely differently to what I was expecting.

16. Mavrick by Lora Leigh - Yay, new Lora was my first reaction. But I was actually a bit disappointed with this. It continues the Elite Ops series that has spun off from her Tempting SEALs series. Many of the reoccuring characters shor up in this. It continues and (sort of) conclues the back story of the kidnapping of Kari and Emily by her father and the beginning of the relationship between Kari and 'Mavrick', who wants to avenge his mothers death and the hands of Orion, who also had a hand in kidnapping the girls and is the new threat in Kari's life. It's safe to say that Leigh has a reoccuring theme that runs through her books - her leading men find redemption through the women they love, but it would be great to see her write something where this wasn't part of the story. I'm hoping that the Australian character that she has will steer clear of it, especially since he seems a bit frisky and rather happy go lucky. Personally for me, the best bit of the books - all for the wrong reasons mind you - was when he and Mavrick are talking about Mavricks 'stare' or as the skippy dude puts it - his 'Mossad facade' - absolute gold.
17. Marley & Me by John Grogan - This was April's book club book and I really enjoyed it, I guess everyone is able to relate in someway to the story. Growing up we had a dog just like Marley, who thought nothing of destroying the house if we were so insensitive t o leave her home. But she was such a good dog, she got forgiven quick snap. I enjoyed Grogan's style of writing, he was quite funny and I think Istarted tote book not thinking I would like it so much, but the balance between Marley stories and Grogan's life were a nice mix, I coiuldn't help but get on the Marlye bandwagon.

18. Body Double by Tess Gerritson - Another author I hadn't read ye, I'm doing quite well with the resolution to read anything and everything this year. This is part of a series that features ME Maura Isles and Det. Jane Rizzoli. It was well written, snappy and kept me interested. Maura comes back from a trip to Paris to be confronted by a murdered woman in her front yard, one that looks exactly like her. She discovers truths about her past and the sister she never knew. Meanwhile, her friend Det. Rizzoli is investigating the murder, while trying to prepare for the birth of her first child. Uncovering the truth could harm Maura and Jane in more ways than one. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Well that's it for April, I'll have to get the butt into gear and add the rest, sometimes I really wish I had those damn innerwebs at home! Would make my life a whole lot bloody easier I tell ya. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday :)

C.

Monday 13 July 2009

Hottest 100 of all time Part II

Well, the polls are in and it's no suprise really, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana was #1. I love SLTS, but went for Something In The Way instead, I ended up getting 2 of my official picks in #25 Alive by Pearl Jam and #4 Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division. Overall, I was happy with the line up, Jeff Buckley kicked ass with four songs and I was well pleased that that Hallelujah made it (#3). I was also very happy that Hurt by Johnny Cash made it at #60.

There was of course a distinct lack of female artists, not sure why, from memory, the only female voice was that of Elizabeth Fraser (of Cocteau Twins - which I've never heard of), from the Massive Attack song Tear Drop #22. I had 3 female artists in my picks, but obviously we're not loving the ladies. Don't ask me why, I could think of a few that I would pick, Laura Marling, Tori Amos, Camille, Madeleine Peyroux, but on the day, I was feeling what I was feeling and I picked mostly boys.

For your listening pleasure, here is the Hottest 100 Of All Time. This is of course was not my doing as I am a lazy beggar, the brilliant @Warlach did this. Check him out if you're on twitter, he's good people and here's the thingy he made, that plays the music...no not a stereo...a blip.fm Hottest100playlist!!

Enjoy, I know I did :)

C.

Friday 10 July 2009

Triple J - Hottest 100 Of All Time

Thought I'd add my picks for the competition on here, so far one of mine has made it in. Yay for Pearl Jam - Alive. It came in at #25. Fingers crossed I get some more in. I didn't really have a hard time picking songs, but I'd probably pick all different ones if I did it again. I'll have to do my own Hottest 100, cept I suckass at making decisions - unless of course it's where I'm going to holiday next, then I'm all like gangbustas with the decision making. Anyway here are mine in no particular order, plus my number 1 at the time.

11. Mother Love Bone - Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns
10. Paramore - My Heart
9. Pearl Jam - Alive
8. Flogging Molly - What's Left Of The Flag
7. Jeff Buckley - Mojo Pin
6. Johnny Cash - Ring Of Fire
5. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
4. Nina Simone - Feelin' Good
3. Nirvana - Something in the Way
2. Doors, The - The End
1. If I Were A Carpenter - Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

Johnny got two songs as he has a special place in my heart - my dad and I used to spend a lot of time together and he was generally what was playing. He already has one song in the countdown at #60, with Hurt, which is a fantastic song. Flesh & Blood is another of my faves. Looking forward to Sunday, Sandbar is playing the Top 50, so I'll be having a few adult beverages and kickin back to the tunes.

C.

Sunday 5 July 2009

Blogging on my phone! Cept I can't get curser 2 go in main box dammit! So while this will be longest ever post title - I'll have to do rest @ work.

As promised here's the actual post, I played around a bit, but still couldn't get the cursor into this part, I also noticed I missed a couple of words in the excitement, but anywho, I loves my phone anyway. No buyers remorse for me - and yes, I did get an iPhone3Gs. Besides, I couldn't fit anymore words in there. I'm a little afraid to see how much data I used over the weekend, I got it friday night and was on it al over the weekend, putting apps on it - (seriously addicted to the bubblewrap game and toobs), good thing it was Independence Day in US, otherwise I never would have got off twitter, I'd be too busy chatting. So my guess is that I'll be stuck to it for some time to come, not only cause got a little lust happening for it, but cause I'm also still trying to work the damn thing out.

I was also going to add to my books to read list (which were photo's in my old phone - that I can't get to. Oh, it's a long and complicated road I travel). Anyway, here's what I remember, with clicky bits from Amazon cause I'm a lazy bitch:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Teen horror/action, part of series.
Generation Dead: Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters - Teen horror/romance with zombies YAY!!
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - I saw this at work and liked the cover (yes I'm one of those people :)) AND...more zombies (it's also a teen title).
Thirteen Reasons Why Untamed (House of Night, Book 4) and Hunted (House of Night, Book 5) - Vampires this time, I've just finished the first one and quite enjoyed it, there are a few things that annoy me about the writing, hopefully it's fixed as the series goes on.

I had a bunch of others, but can't remember them, which is going to annoy me. But they'll turn up eventually I'm sure. But for now it's goodnight from me to you.

C.

Thursday 2 July 2009

Mmm...I forsee more popcorn dinners in my future.

I've gotten side tracked - yet again - by some new stuff I'd like to see. My list is growing a whole lot faster that I'm watching stuff at the moment. But no doubt I'll get to them eventually.

First up with Chris Evans, Dijimon Husson, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle etal.

PUSH in HD


Next up is the very cool Where The Wild Things Are. It's based on the book of the same name & it looks fantastic, I'm hoping that it is.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE trailer in HD


I want to see this as well, it's all a bit thrillery. It has Sarah Michelle Geller & the guy from Final Destination 2 & the guy from that other movie...you know the one...that movie with the actor guy.

Possession


And this looks funny too.

Talk to Me


This looks so silly, but I wanna watch it anyways :)

Fired Up! trailer


And this looks good too. It's got Sam Rockwell in it, he did the sexy dance in Charlie's Angels 2 after he's all "I'm bad, I'm bad, you know it".

Choke


Ok, have to stop watching trailers!! I need to go do other stuff. Enjoy, no doubt I'll find more.

C.

Tuesday 30 June 2009

UFC 100

It's nearly time for new UFC and they're ringing the big 1-0-0!! Sweet, what's even better is that GSP is fighting (Georges St-Pierre Vs. Thiago Alves) and Frank Mir (Brock Lesnar Vs. Frank Mir) and Mike Bisping (Dan Henderson Vs. Michael Bisping). I've seen Dan Henderson and Thiago Alves fight before but the boys in bold are the ones I want to win. There are of course a number of other fights on the night, but I don't think I've seen any of them fight before, so I'll have to do some research and pick my winners (please note that my usual method of picking fighters is cause they're hot - it's Cathy logic, just run with it :) generally it works in my favour).

I'm also hoping that while I'm on holiday, they have some UFC in UK *fingers crossed* That would kick ass, not only would I get to see UFC live - I would also be able to ring Jason up and go 'guess where I am biatch" that's right UFC!!!! Sucka.

That would be brilliant, it would be the perfect end to my holiday.

C.

Friday 26 June 2009

More movies I wanna watch

I found this through @insidefilm today on Twitter, Daybreakers which is out in January in Australia. Take a looksee, it has Sam Neill, Ethan Hawke, Willem Defoe, Claudia Karvan & Isabel Lucas. Shot in QLD, it's got vampires!!



And them I found a different trailer for G.I Joe that I hadn't seen before, it's got Channing with no top & I got all cited!!



I think it's got a fairly high chance of being crap, but I don't care, I wanna watch it anyway. Well If there's no more bloggy goodness for the rest of the weekend enjoy yourselves :)

C.

Wednesday 24 June 2009

iSpam you!

I love it that my latest comment is about iPhone insurance, all because I mentioned iPhones in my last post. Maybe I should write a fake post about how Will.I.Am beat me up n then I'll get some actual comments.

Anyways, I tried the whole tethering thingy on my puter & it didn't work - not cause I can't, but cause my stupid fucking phone is broken. That's right ladies & gentlemen - I could have been happily tethering away for the last 2 years!! Baa Fricken Hum Bug! Thems the breaks & there's no point saying fix it stupid phone fix it cause it's officially out of contract and warranty, as is the way of things. But chin up, I'll have a new phone soon old chums :) I just have to plod away until then.

On a much more exciting note - Transformers 2 is on tonight so Dani, Ash & I are up for a hot girly date. Looking forward to it. I'm going in with no expectations - well okay one - that there be hot boys and plenty of them - but beyond that I'm just waiting for all the ploding bits, they're always fun. Oh & getting to see more Decepticons. So I'll try & not be a slackarse & get a review up on the old blog soon. I also saw The Hangover last week. Classic!! It was pure gold, I'm talking so funny I was snorting & I almost peed myself. It was a laughter flashback to the nut punching scene from Bad Santa - still what could possibly be my favorite cinematic moment ever & the second time popcorn has tried to kill me. No seriously - it tried to kill me. The first was - spookily I might add - when we went and saw Fahrenheit 9/11. Right when Michael Moore was talking bout WMD - the popcorn attacked & was dubbed and forever shall be known as the popcorn of mass destruction or PMD. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen again, it was rather painful.

Okay, heading off to buy tickets, blog ya later.

:)

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Slackarse? Moi? Well okay yes!

I've been as usual, negelectful in my bloggy duties and I'm really beginning to think that having that new fangled interwebs at home would be a bonus! I've got limited Twitter & Facebook on mah phone, but beyond that, I can't easily acess the net from it & as previously discussed my trials at blogging from said phone resulted in an epic fail. So I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet & get connected @ home, or get an iPhone so I can do me some tethering...on that front, I'm actually going to try do that tonight with my phone now - so fingers crossed. Although I'm not holding my breath. It would def. make life a hell of a lot easier, on the down side - I'd turn into a total mouse potatoe - cause hell, I'm so damn active now. lol.

Planning for the holiday is coming along, slowly, but still moving along, Ash & I are now officially delegates, with our conference fees paid for, along with flights, insurance & accomodation in Milan. Sweet!! We've found a couple of places to stay in Spain & a nice place (if photo's can be trusted in Paris & Berlin), plus quite a few scary backpackers that I hope never to set foot into. It's only 57 days til we touch down in Milan & it's all very citing!!

I'm thinking of getting an iPhone, so I can organise some ebooks to put on there, (this is where I conveniently forget that I already have an iPod that has lots of space for audio books), I'm not sure exactly how to overcome the whole away for 6 weeks when I would probably read around 30 books in that time. One good think is that Ash & I read the same thing, so we can swap books, but still taking 60 or so books away isn't an option. Obviously there is the swap box factor, but I like to keep my books, as I tend to read them more than once. Ideas people are always welcome. I could always seamail some over, as they would get over there in time for the 2nd half of holiday, but that seems silly as I'd have to send them back also. Who knows!

Talking bout books, some of my presents from amazon arrived today, so I have 4 new books to read. Huzzah! They are all sexy books, I got the 3rd in the Magnus Pack series by Shelly Laurenston and the first in her Mane series, (the 2nd & 3rd in that series are still coming), plus two Maya Banks ones & I've got 3 more to look forward too. So sorry book club book, I'm putting you on the back burner!! Okay it's half 7 and I've got elsewhere to be, enjoy the rest of your am/pm :)

C.

Monday 15 June 2009

Cadbury Eyebrows = The Devil?!

WTF is up with Cadbury's latest add campaign?? Eyebrows? Huh? I got my stick on eyebrows a couple of months ago in a magazine and was all I don't get it? Then the other day I was on the Empire website and saw the add with the two kids, all I can say is - Mummy! That shizz freaked me out bad. One thing it didn't do was make me want chocolate. Then I was in target on the weekend and they had the eyebrow mirror and I was all ahh...*lightbulb* I still don't like it tho.

My thoughts are if your add's that elaborate it takes me months to 'get it' and doesn't make me want to eat chocolate, there's something wrong with your advertising. At least the gorilla playing drums was funny, instead they decided to reanimate the evil spawn from Children of the Corn and slap some wiggly eyebrows on 'em - NOT FUNNY.

It was a weird weekend I tell you. There were The Eyebrows and then there was The Customer. I had to work on the weekend and has the displeasure of serving a customer that thinks romance/sci-fi/horror paberback novels are for imbeciles (sadly I can't slap our customers. Sigh.) Let me start by saying, I'm unashamedly a reader of romance novels, have been for years. Me loves the 'lady porn' as it's often called (no I don't take offence at that). Back when I was a young lass, I used to read the good old Mills & Boon (a company that's still going strong btw), I also added a healthy dose of Virginia Henley (historical romance). These of course were quite daring when I was younger, I don't really read these anymore. Now I'm more into Lora Leigh, Lori Foster, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Maya Banks & Shelly Laurenston (to name a few), decidedly not writing about giving a good hand holding and if there is any its so the hot boy can firmly guide his lady love to his sexy bits.

To be honest the old M & B no longer cut the mustard, I like my sexy books full of steamy sex, alpha hot boys and no beating about the bush...well maybe a little :P. Lora Leigh - you ruined me for M & B! Along with my sexy bits I like a good story and that's why I choose the authors I do, they so successfully meld romance with suspense, the paranormal, action, science fiction or fantasy. Which was something that the lady I was speaking to couldn't understand. The brilliant thing is they make me laugh, Lori Foster, Shelly Laurenston and Sandra Hill have on numerous occasions caused me to laugh out loud, howl at a situation so funny that I forget my place and have to try and pretend I'm normal so all the other people on the bus don't think I'm a lunatic.

I just don't get the stigma that sexy books have. A book is a book is a book people! Regardless of the content, if it touches the reader, makes them laugh, cry or grab their other half and give 'em a good seeing to, the book has successfully reached it's audience. Not all books have to be 'literary', win a Miles Franklin and be touted as the next great thing. Cause lets be honest...some of those books are boring as all shit and nobody wants to to be bored with what they're reading - what's the point, it's supposed to be fun. Unless of course you're reading something for uni, in that case, chances are you might be a little bored - but that's why the sexy book was created, to distract you from all the boring stuff.

As far as I'm concerned reading is for everyone, not for the few. So lady - you're a wanker! Go read a romance and then come see me when you've seen the error of your ways. Silly Woman.

Here endeth the rant...:)

C.

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Books I've Read in 2009 - March

Hark is that books I hear you talkin bout Willis *pout*, I thought it was bout time I added some more books to my list since I'm 3 months behind. So without further delay...here 'tis:

8. Warnings of Gales by Annie Sauders - This was a playaway and not something I'd normally read, it's about 3 women who take their children on a beach holiday, sans husbands (for two of them), except on weekends. Two of the ladies have never met before and their differing personalities and parenting styles clash with cringeworthy yet funny results. I didn't mind this, but it didn't have me banging down the door at work to get another title from Saunders.

9. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters - This book was great, it was a nice take on teen romance with a zombie angle and really who doesn't love a good zombie story. I'll keep this short here cause I've done a review for this, which I need to add, patience gentle reader, one can't rush a lady :)

10. Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter - This is the 2nd or 3rd book I read of Slaughters and I really enjoy her writing. The stories are all rather grusome, but she has lovely flawed characters which make you want to keep reading. She has 3 reoccuring characters, Sarah and Geoffrey (medical examiner and police chief respectively), they have been married divorced and are back together again and then there's Lori (I wanna say Lori, it might not be that tho), and she is a detective that works with Geoffrey, her sister is murdered in this book. I did managed to guess who the killer was, but it didn't detract from the story, I happily kept on reading and and waiting for the next in the series. I guess you couls say she is similar to Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs.

11. Pack Challenge by Shelly Laurenston - This was fantastic, I hadn't read any of her work before and got this and the next in the series, when I was in Melbourne and one of the greatest bookshops on earth, Rendezvous! They have sexy books! YAY! Anyway, Sarah is a half human half wolf, she just don't know it yet. But she's about to find out - all with the help of Alpha dog Zach. This was hilarious, the interaction between her and her mates (they get their own books), and with Zach and his pack. Brillo I say, I ended up reading this on the way home from Melbourne.

12. Go Fetch by Shelly Laurenston - This is the 2nd book in the Magnus series of books and was equally fantastic, pretty much from me putting the 1st book away to me getting the next one out was a minute, I just wanted to keep reading. This time around the story centers on Miki, Sarah's crazy weapon loving friend from Pack Challenge, I had to keep trying to be quite cause I was laughing so hard while reading these. Conall is a shape-shifting Viking that hangs with Zach and the Magnus pack, but he's sets his sights on Miki and won't take no for an answer, with hilarious results. Miki drugs him, she handcuffs him and has her wild way with him when she comes to her senses. I just can't wait for the next one 'Here Kitty Kitty, which is Angelina's story. I want it like yesterday!

13. Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts - This is the last in the Sign of Seven trilogy and ties everything together nicely, bringing the last couple together. The final battle takes place and if they win the Hollow will finally be safe from the evil that has plagued it since the boys 10th birthdays. If they lose - it's Hell on earth - literally. I don't mind a bit of Nora, now and again. I've really only read a couple of her books, the Irish vampire trilogy and the 3 sisters island witchy trilogy, which I really enjoyed. I've read a couple of her stand alone titles and seen a few of the books that've been made into movies - they are pure gold.

14. The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue - This was the bookclub books, so I'll keep this short here too, but this has been one of my fave books this year, it's the story of a group of changelings and how they go about stealing children to replace and how they cope with the changes that time brings to the world. It was beautifully written and I really enjoyed reading it although it was quiet a sad book.

That's all for March, quite a bit better than the 3 I managed in Feb.

C.

Monday 1 June 2009

Some new movies I wanna see.

While looking at the New Moon trailer I found some other new stuff that I wanna watch when it comes out. First up is Sorority Row, which is a horror and seriously, who doesn't love a movies where annoying sorority girls get dead?

SORORITY ROW trailer in HD


and then there's Fighting, with the very lush and very buff Channing Tatum, it's got all a girl could ever want from a hotboy movie...a hotboy (obviously), some fighting, said hotboy with no top on looking suitably pretty. Plus it's got other stuff as well, but I didna really pat attention to that so much cause he was all hot with no top on :)

Fighting trailer in HD


Then there's Bruce being all hiyaa! in Surrogates, which is based on a graphic novel and actually looks kinda cool, cept for his scary hair. That was the only thing I didn't like.

SURROGATES trailer in HD


Looking forward to them!!

C.

New Moon Trailer!!

How happy was I today - well happy, that's what. The trailer for New Moon was released and after all the fake ones it was lovely to see an official trailer. Here it is below, enjoy I know I did :)

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD


I'm definately loving the CGI for Jacob's wolfing up. He's looks bigger than a normal wolf, but not too fake and helloooo, take a gander at his muscles!! He's done a magnificent job at buffing up. I'm so glad they decided to keep him, I couldn't see anyone else playing him. That is one of my pet hates when they change the actor and you have to pretend it's still the same character. Well, cept for Dr. Who, cause he's all up with that regeneration thingy. Although I wish we were still keeping David Tennant, cause he's been my favorite so far, I'll be interested to see how the new Dr (Matt Smith), plays the character.

It also looks like they've fixed Edwards makeup, so he's not so pastily applied with a trowel, I'd like to see what they do with the sparkles. I don't know if I like Laurent's eyes either, cause in Twilight and the books, if they're hungry, their eyes are black, although the nomads did have a touch of red, which did look good, but when he's going to attack Bella, they're just red. I guess I'll just have to wait patiently...sigh...something I don't want to do. I want to watch it now!! I suppose I'll just have to watch the trailer until the 19 of Novemer when it finally comes out.

C.

Friday 29 May 2009

Flights a go-go

Paid the final instalment on our flights today, just that little bit closer now :D We've been very lucky, with a fairly direct flight. We went with Emerits and we leave from Adelaide, quick stop at Melbourne, then to Dubai (sadly only for 2 hours, not enough time to go outside and see stuff), then onto Milan. Then coming back we leave from Heathrow and do the same in reverse. We also extended the time we're staying in Milan, as we arrive a few days earlier than orignally planned, we're staying in the Hotel Capitol. It is a 4* gorgeous hotel, and in fine upmarket backpacking (we decided we're too old for 'real' backpacking), they have a breakfast buffet, pillow menu, and marble jacuzi - which I do believe I will take advantage of.

Depending on jet lag /time we might try and daytrip to Venice, we were going to go the following weekend, after the confrence, but the Regatta festival is on, so it will be busy busy there. So hopefully if we go the weekend before it won't be as hectic. It's not too far by train to Venice, 200 or so kms, fingers crossed it all works out. We've also been looking at a hostel in Paris which looks quite cute and is fairly close to the centre of Paris, sadly our dream of staying in the same hotel as Carrie in SATC is a bust, at around 7000 Euro a night, it's all a little too expensive, even if we share a room. Maybe next time. Maybe we can have coffee and pastries at the hotel if they have a restaurant there.

There are so many places that I want to visit, feel free to let me know of places I should visit. I'm always open to suggestions :) I wish I was going for more than 6 weeks, but I have to come back to work of all things, like, how rude! I've got things to see. Somehow I don't think that work would think that's a valid reason for not coming back.

Until next time, sweet dreams, hopefully of the lovely holiday variety, with hot boy baristas, beautiful scenery and not of the evil Slovenian hostel variety *shudder*

C.

Tuesday 26 May 2009

Look out Milan here we come!!

Today Ash & I booked our accomodation for Milan. Yay!! Finally seems real that in 56 days we will be at the start of our holiday. Holy crap, just freaked out a little, beyond that we haven't done anything else. But like anything else that we plan - last minute she goes, it's all good. Finally feels real and I'm all cited and I can't wait. I'm looking forward to visiting all the different places. I've just scared the shit out of myself, it's not 56 days its, 84. Still not very far away, but mama's got a little leyway now. Here's the website for the confrence we're going to, should be good, with lots of library goings on

C.

Monday 25 May 2009

It's Library Week!

It's that time of year again. Library Week. When y'all get to come in and discover all the shizz we have here. This week we are inviting all our users to come and try the literacy PCs. They're a great way to practice your literacy and numeracy skills, all which are cleverly disguised as games!! My fave game is the Nessy program, but Word Shark is fun (Numbers Shark would be too if I didn't suck ass at Maths!).

We've got a few display's up to do with our Book Clubs - if only I could find my handcuffs, then my 6 Seconds display would be complete! We also have National Simultaneous Storytime, this year the book is Pete the Sheep by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley. It's a great book, here's a little blurb:

Shaun is a shearer and instead of a sheepdog to help him, he's got a sheep sheep - Pete. After being rejected by the other shearers and their dogs, Shaun and Pete set up a sheep salon in town. Sheep from everywhere arrive to have their wool shorn in the latest style and even the shearers' dogs end up arriving for a cut in order to look gorgeous.

I think that's bout it, check out our website for more info on times for stuff that's happening. I'm heading off for the evening, enjoy yourselves kidlets :)

C.

Thursday 21 May 2009

It's like a cloud for your mouth...

I've pimped my blog, adding a picture to the title thingy, sexy ja? Of course if you go into any library this is how we're all dressed...no really...would I lie to you. Never. I'm going to Adelaide this weekend which should be lovely and as luck would have it skivving off work early too. Ah the joys of council work. (Contrary to popular belief all of us don't really lean on shovels all day...some of us are lucky enough to have chairs!!

Listening to Gym Class Heroes - As Cruel As School Children at the moment, I'm quite liking it. It's sort of hip hop, rock, R&B and funk. I love their version of Good Vibrations, which is on the One Tree Hill Soundtrack, Vol. 3. It's very easy to listen to, plus they have funny talky bits which is always amusing. I've just discovered that Track 14. Cupid's Chokehold is another some I've heard before and love - just not knowing what I was listening too. I love it when that happens. I've also been listening to Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, which is hip hop, funk and also very (rather appropriately) cool, his song I Gotcha, which I loves is also on the OTH soundtrack.

Well, I'm done for the night at work, so I'm going to finish this post off and try and find my other list of stuff to add, wish me luck, my desk, as usual, looks like a bombs hit it. Organised chaos baby, organised chaos, I know where everything is. Well, almost everything.

C.

Tuesday 19 May 2009

It's Lady Wood station here tonight!!

The official movie poster for New Moon came out today and I wanna see it now!! The boys are looking all hot and angsty. Kristen's all I gots me hot boys and you ain't got shit. Have a look yourself...it's well tasty.
Hello Salty Goodness :) I know what I'll be giving thanks for this November.

And congratulations and hi to Vicki for being my first follower, you're ace!! Not much else been happenin, work, work and more work and some uni, which I must finish stat. I gotta go gang busters on the whole studying jizz. Also have to add new books I've read. Not sure how, but I've managed to read quite a bit so far this year, maybe it's cause I'm actually recording titles, who knows. My place is not to know it's to ponder. Or something silly like that :)

Ohhh, talking bout emoctions...I learnt how to throw a punch with verticons...

(9o'_'o)=@ Hiyaa!! I just threw a punch baby! Look out Chuck Norris...Boutros coming for ya!!

C.

Wednesday 13 May 2009

'Scuse me but I think you stepped in wookie...

Okay, I know Mildura's not the fashion capital of the world and that trends take a couple of months to reach us and when they do they stick round longer than is proper, but surely we are beyond wearing the furry ugg boots. Wait, let me rephrase that - surely we're beyond wearing ugg boots of any kind in public.

SERIOUSLY PEOPLE IT'S WRONG!!!!!!!!!

So what's with all the damn ugg boots? Today, my eyes were even more assaulted than usual - ugg boots with fur trim *ack* the fur of course is to make sure she keeps warm on account of half her ass hanging out the top of her jeans, which led to a very scary muffin top issue. Lady (I use the term loosely, here's a tip - if yo fat, too tight hipster jeans are a mistake in any circumstance.

Plus Monday at work there was a guy wearing a fur trimmed, hooded cardigan. I kid you not. I was all WTF! That shits just naff. Not. Cool. In. Any. Circumstance. EVER. Forever, forever, ever, forever ever?...yes Outkast Forevah!!

C.

Saturday 9 May 2009

Movies I've watched in 2009 - April

Since I'm doing this late I'm trying to remember everything I've seen, so I'll start small and go from there, as they say from little things big things come...or that could just be my arse!

29. Race to Witch Mountain - This was actually lots of fun and I really enjoyed it, which I've already said in another post so I won't repeat it all again - just go see it.

30. Monsters Vs Aliens - FUNNY!! This was fantastic, possibly one of my fave films this year. My fave characters were Seth Rogan's blobby thing and the Insectasaur and Rainn Wilson was hilarious as the evil alien. One of my fave scenes was the Pres. serenading the aliens with the theme tune to Beverly Hills Cop. Pretty much any scene with the General was a hoot as well, I thought he was channeling R. Lee Erny from Full Metal Jacket and Robert Downey Jnr. from Tropic Thunder. I seriously had trouble breathing through the whole of this movie. I'm so glad I saw this at the cinema, I think it would have lost a little if I'd seen it at home. I would totally go see this again fer shizz.

31. Fast and Furious - This was ahem a work of staggering genuis...or not. Don't get me wrong - I loved it, it was crap and I'm okay with that and while I never shun my duty to watch a hot boy this was kinda wooden from all accounts. Michelle seems to have one kind of character she plays, Vin was surly as usual and poor Paul couldn't get a brah in anywhere. I came to the understanding that there was no brahing, on account of them no longer being friends, but come on - right at the end when they were all besties again there was room for one little brah surely...sigh. I will totally admit I loved the opening sequence, suspending all reality, it was brilliant and the drive through the caves was nifty. I don't really know where they can go from here, in terms of the current cast, obviously Vin can't head back to the States, I guess they can take up where Tokyo Drift left off. But one may ask the question, do we really need another FF sequel? Well ok, why not, who doesn't love a hot boy or two driving fast and beating the crap outta each other and lovingly calling each other brah...Dominic and Brian can do a reverse Thelma and Louise and have a bromance that transcends time.

32. Wolverine - Okay I've also done a review of this so I'll keep this one short too. I really enjoyed this, good to be able to see what happened to Logan before X-Men. Hopefully it does well enough that we get some more Origin movies.

I know there were more movies, I just gots to remember them, so until then my pretties, enjoy these lovely reviews and wait ever so patiently and ye shall be rewarded :) Yay bananas!!

Shitballs! I remembered more - how could I forget...

33. 17 Again - I went to this for one reason and one reason only - to perve at the hot boy. Now don't be all mean with the laughing, he's hot and I'm sure that boy could bounce a coin off his butt. I found the actual movie a little disturbing, the movie went to an oh so wrong place when his daughter started mackin on him, complete with sexy talk, growling and biting *gag* The fake dad (Matt Perry's high school friend), is kinda funny. Basically he's mega rich, sounds like he's never been laid and dresses like Clay Aitken. But never fear, he finds time to have some sexy time complete with elf ears. This is by no means an original story and it won't be winning any awards...ok, maybe a few razzies. But it was funny, not pay to see it again fun, but fun no less. Sides did I mention the hot boy?

C.

Watchmen Review

I'm taking advantage of the work laptop to catch up on all the posts I've been meaning to add. So here's the first of like fiddy beelion. Now you has to pretend it's like the day after it was released at the cinema, otherwise you'll be a like WTF?!

After many months I finally saw Watchmen after donkeys and despite a number of shite reviews bout it buzzing in mah head - I liked it. By no means a masterpiece, but still good. There was some great action scenes and one song I liked the soundtrack, (we'll get back to the sexy times sone in a minute).

Again hot boy Denny/Mr. Winchester, Weeds dude kicks it...sigh. It's like he's JCVD wife - fated to die!! Poor thing, I dont' know what's worse, dying all the time or being compared with JCVD movie wives - TANGENT - pologies.

What I didn't like was the kinda long intro. I understand why they have long intros, cover backstory etc, but by the end I was over it and just wanted it to start. I wasn't a fan of the editing either, kinda all over the place which was annoying.

Okay, now the sexy times scene for Silk Spectre and Dr. Manhattan - more than a little freaky, I was all dude with the hands, oh dude extra person! It was all a little Michael Keaton for me. The there was the one between Niteowl and SS. I just started laughing and they butchered Halellujah, completely wrong song for the scene, even when it was Jeff Buckley singing. Ugh...red bucket party of one.

Roaschack (scusi the spelling), his 'what ink blot is that?' Pretty butterfly bit made me laugh. His scenes were my fave. For me he was the best character and really captured what I think Alan Moore was trying to put across with the graphic novel - I'm hoping I got the dude's name right :)

Overall, I liked it, more than Underworld 3. I need to read the graphic novel and do a little comparison, fingers crossed it's in clolour - I'm all it's black and white 'I ain't reading that!'. I thought I'd put a link to a different review of Watchmen on here (later of course), different view from mine, but a great review.

Either way, go and see it for yourself, or now if you reading this, wait ever so patiently for it to arrive on DVD :)

C.

Weekly Hot Boy

It's been awhile since I've added a new weekly hot boy, which kinda defeats the purpose of a 'weekly' hot boy I know - but anywho there's hot boys now so it's all good in the hood. Since I'm lovin' One Tree Hill at the moment I'm taking my queue from the boys on the show. So without further delay...here are the hotties of OTH!! Huzzah!! (Okay, it's not all of them, but my brain was hurting on accounta all the searching I was doing).



Starting with the VERY sexy and talented Tyler Hilton (he plays Chris Keller). He's not in it that much, but he makes with the funnies when he's on it and me likes his singing.

It's Lee Norris (Mouth), apparently he's handy with a BBQ, which is always a most coveted talent. He plays one of my fave characters on the show. Last seen after been attacked in cougar town, poor baby, I'd so kiss it better.

Why hello James Lafferty (Nathan Scott), haven't seen you in anything else, but I won't hold it against you...specially since you so pretty.

Chad Michael Murray (Lucas Scott), goodness he's lovely even though he's leaving OTH, meanie that he is. Fingers crossed he decides to make some movies and quick smart.

Bryan Greenberg (Jake Jagielski), sigh...why did you leave Jake - WHY!!!! I wish he would come back and sweep Peyton off her feet - preferably without his top (trust me it'll would help).

Antwon Tanner (Skillz), another of my fave characters, not only is he damn hot, he's funny! I loved his relationship with Bevin and I was laughing so hard at his trash talk the first time he played for the Ravens. Not sure I like him with Deb tho, kinda grossing me out.

Well here endeth the hottness of One Tree Hill, bask in the lushness for it is great.
C.

Friday 8 May 2009

Smidge by Beth Shoshan


I was planning to do a review of some other books I've been reading, but I was putting books away and found Smidge. Very cute, great illustrations (by Jenny Arthur), I couldn't resist. Basically Smidge, likes to eat lollies and lots of them! He goes through the book eating different kinds of lollies, changing his appearance according to what he's just eaten, until he has one lolly too many and then he's driving the technicolour bus - but I think Smidge can boast to being the only creature who still looks cute while doing it.

It's just a whole lot of fun, great colours and use of photography (lollies are from photos, not drawings). As a bonus, if you get the right edition, it comes on the waterproof, tear resistant, child irresistable plasticky paper stuff. Right on!

Enjoy...everyone could use a little Smidge in their lives :)
C.

Friday 1 May 2009

Wolverine Review.

I had a lovely evening out last night some ribs (I'm vaccinating myself the fun way - with lots of porky goodness - it's Cathy logic, just run with it :), then we went and saw Wolverine. Basically I loved it. Here's a review of what I thought - Please note there be spoilers.



I thought the opening sequence was fantastic. It sets a lot of back ground between Logan and Victor and how their relationship started to change. You get to see Logan (although he's Jimmy at this point - slightly confusing yes), discovering he's not quite human. It was put together really well, I liked the idea of it flowing through the wars, until you're introduced to the orginal line up of Logan, Victor, Wade, Zero, Wraith, Bolt and Dukes and their leader, Stryker.

After Logan leaves the group he moves to Canada, shacks with a teacher (Kayla) and becomes a lumberjack (q the song - you know you want too). Of course, happiness can't last and his lady friend is killed by Victor. In his anger Logan allows Stryker to inject him with the Adamantium and so Wolverine is born and yes ladies, this is where Hugh gets nude and we are given a nice view of his manly hotness.

On the hunt for Victor and the mysterious 'Island' we get to see Wraith and Dukes for the first time in 6 years. Dukes is considerably larger and this section of the movie seems to have been filmed by the Farrelly Bros. The boxing scene is probably one of the funniest I've seen since the midget nut punching fight in Bad Santa. Althought Wraith isn't in the movie much , I really like Will. I. Am performance.

The CGI was pretty good, there were only a couple of times when it was really noticable - where Wolverine has his helicopter fight with Zero and where the kids are running towards Prof. X at the end. I thought it was kinda funny having all the skippys in the film, I was waiting for the rest of the cast of McLeods daughters to come toddling out.

I was all upset that they ruins it fats hobbit the hot boy (Wade). He still had the hot bod, just a rather scary face. When he was Wade, he kinda reminded me of Hannibal from Blade Trinity and his character is definately played for laughs. Well cept for the end where he's Deadpool and all cranky and looks well pissed at being attacked with a sharpie.

It was nice to see the beginnings of some of the more well known characters Cyclops, Sabretooth and Prof. X - although he's looking plastic surgery scary on account of trying to look younger than in the first X-Men movie. I'm not sure how this fits exactly with the first movie, cause when Wolverine and Sabretooth meet in X-Men, it's like they don't have that history (I know that this is because the first one wasn't made it a prequel in mind but I'm just saying).

It would have been good if more time had been used to explore the other mutants abilities/backstories. I understand why it wasn't - the movie's call Wolverine not Mutants. But some of the characters were there as plot devices and not much else. Bolt is really only there to show us how bad Victor has gotten - killing his own kind. I'm guessing that if Wolverine goes well there may be other origin movies or perhaps other X-Men movies. A Sabretooth one would be good, seeing the flip side of Wolverine. But I don't know which other characters could carry a movie on their own. I was cranky that the old couple kicked it, they were cool and it would have been nice to see Logan going back and Clark Kenting it.

Overall, the film was great, I enjoyed the performances. I thought Danny Huston (Stryker), was fantastic. Liev Schreiber as Victor was perfectly menacing and I would love to see him in the X-Men world again. I know this has had mixed reviews. I didn't realise X-Men 3 was so disliked. Where was I when that was going down? I guess, when you think about it, I an very easily swayed by hot boys in lycra. It wasn't my fave one of the series, but it was all good where I stood. But has anyone else noticed Hugh's fancy for playing wolfy characters? There's the four X-Men movies and Van Helsing (although it's only for a blink and you miss it). He also loves the scene where he gets to howl over dead love interest. DAMN...Hugh's sexy time with the ladies seems to be following JCVD lead. Soon there won't be nary a lady left alive. At least Hugh's more convincing with his emotional acting and I'm pretty sure he could kick JCVD ass.

I haven't read any of the graphic novels so I'm not sure how the movie lives up to this (badly I guess, if you go by some of the complaints). One of the complaints was with Kayla and why she betrayed Logan. My take on that is that Stryker would never let Kayla get close enough to touch him to just influence him into letting her sister go. If it was me I'd be gun in hand whenever she was in the room. In the end, Stryker's not thinking straight , so she's able to influence him then.

Either way I liked Wolverine and no doubt I'll go see it again. Here's another look at Hugh, although he kinda looks more GQ than Wolverine with his swagger. Noice. Break me off a piece of that white chocolate.

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