What to put up for book group

 It's an annual struggle - what books to put up for my book group. 

I have a few weeks to think about what should go to the meeting and what should stay in my shelves. 

The rules are pretty simple. The book should be: 

• Fiction of literary or good popular fiction standard. Preferably not genre fiction or airport novels. 
• Under 500 pages
• Easily accessible in bookshops, online or second hand. 
• Definitely not memoir, autobiography or non-fiction. 
• And Salman Rushdie, Russian Lit or anything too wanky will probably be frowned upon (but I'm a bit sad about Rushdie. I love Rushdie.)

Anyway, here's a few of my thoughts for my book group books at the moment and why. 

1) Tilda is Visible by Jane Tara

334 pages. Published 2024. Goodreads.com score: 4.00. Australian author. 

I heard about this at Silent Book Group in Darwin and I'm currently listening to it on Audible. It's wonderful. 

It's about a middle-aged woman who finds herself increasingly invisible. It's fun, funny, relatable and wise and there would be a lot to talk about with this one. It's also a fairly easy read, which is never a bad thing. 

2) The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall

320 pages.  Published 2023. Goodreads.com score: 3.58. Australian Author. 

This book defies genre and time. Spanning the period from 1933 to 2181, this book reminded me a lot of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas. 

You meet the characters in their parts, and they all come together in the end - in what was, and is Footscray. Along with the AI component, which is terrifying and hilarious in equal measure. I loved this book. It made me laugh and think. Kate Mildenhall is a bit of a national treasure in the making. 

3) A Language of Limbs by Dylin Hardcastle

277 pages. Published 2024. Goodreads.com score 4.45. Australian Author. Queer Author. 

This is a book of first love and awakenings. I've read their Below Deck (2020) and was very impressed by it. Hardcastle now identifies as trans-masc, not that has anything to do with the price of eggs. Their writing is amazing. And something with queer themes might stir up book group a bit. It's something different. 

4) Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

352 pages. Published 2024. Goodreads.com score: 4.06. American Author. New York story. 

I loved reading this. The story of four close knit sisters, one of whom has passed, and how the rest of the family are coping on the anniversary of one of their passing. 

It's a novel about sisters, addiction, family trauma and grieving. It's also fun, funny and relatable in a lot of places. It's a good, but easy read too. There'd be lots to talk about. 

5) The Thinning by Inga Simpson

235 pages. Published 2024, Goodreads.com score: 4.07. Australian Author. Literary Thriller. 

I picked this up on spec after reading the back and seeing that a favourite author of mine (Sarah Winman) raved about it. The book has an environmental bent too, which will please a few of the book group. It has me intrigued. 

I'll do another five books that make up the long list in the next few days. 

This is such a hard choice. 

Today's song: 

When you don't like the book

 I finished the book in my tea break today. If it wasn't for book group I'd have thrown it against the wall, picked it up when I was cleaning then taken it straight to a street library. 

But I don't like doing that to authors I genuinely admire. 

The book. The Fraud. The author. Zadie Smith. 

It took me 10 days to read - all 454 pages of it. 

The chapters were short. This was good and bad. Great in you could put the book down easily. Dreadful for narrative thrust. It was all over the place going from one part of the 19th Century to the next willy-nilly. 

There was a 70-page bit set in Jamaica which was relevant and interesting - but also short lived. 

I loved that a lot of it was set around North London. 

With the exception of one character, I couldn't get into any of the characters. 

The book was meticulously researched, but it came off as a bit of a passion project. 

And generally, I didn't really care much about what went on in the book. 

It's got a lowly 3.29 GoodReads.com score, which is often a good indicator if you're going to like the book. Looking at the comments, most people gave it around a three and the reviews state they had exactly the same problems with it that I did. 

And in book group, we all had a similar reaction to it. 

But it's good to be a part of a group which, even when you don't like something that much, you can have a lively and civil discussion about something, and nobody gets mad or angry. 

There should be more of it. 

Today's song: 

Notes from a Stadium Show

We went to see Pearl Jam last night at Marvel Stadium. I got home at about 11.45 p.m. Hence no blog yesterday. 

But, here are some notes from what I found at Marvel Stadium. 

1. The Pixies are still God. And Emma Richardson the new bassist is excellent. 

2. Get a mob of Gen X people together in a stadium and they tend to look after each other. It was a really respectful crowd. 

3. You have to buy the t-shirt. If you don't buy the t-shirt, you weren't there. Okay, that's not really true, but in memory of my mate Andy, who had the best collection of band t-shirts ever, I'm trying to catch up a bit. 

4. Eddie Vedder appears to be a really nice man. At one stage somebody in the audience got into trouble. He stopped mid-song, made sure the person got help, then went on.  It was a really cool moment. 

5. Pearl Jam fans seem to be middle aged men. And a lot of rather fine middle aged me. Where do they hide normally? 

6. How is it a t-shirt can cost the same as a round of drinks? The drinks were a dollar more than the t-shirt. Oh well. 

7. There is a big difference between loving a band and LOVING a band. 

I LOVE The Pixies. 

I like Pearl Jam. 

I can see the appeal of the latter, but The Pixies will always be my band. 

8. Standing up and not moving much over four hours in a stadium is hard when you're in your 50s. The thought, I'm too old for this shit comes to mind, but it's still fun. 

9. Loop Engage earplugs make concerts all the better. I put mine in for Pearl Jam - got to hear everything, but 20 decibels quieter. No ringing ears the next day. I love that. 

10. Pearl Jam did a wonderful cover of Hunters and Collectors Throw Your Arms Around Me, and Neil Young's Rocking in the Free World. The latter I heard from outside the stadium as I was walking to the train. 

Thank the Universe for live music.

Today's song:

Sunday Stealing: Being Authentic

 It's going to be a quick Sunday Stealing this week. I'm trying to finish my book group book. I will get there, but I'm not enjoying the book at all, making it hard. And it's a huge week. 

Anyway, questions were supplied by Bev at Sunday Stealing. 

When do I feel most authentically myself?

In Europe. I was meant to live in the UK or France. I'm just more comfortable over there. 

What I'm thankful for today?

That I'm healthy enough to donate blood. I donated blood today. It doesn't hurt. It doesn't take long. You're doing a good thing. 

A memory I hope I never forget

Too many of them to count. Going to France last year is up there. So many experiences. 

Other ways I connect with long distant friends

Normally I email or chat online. If they're really lucky I'll hop on a plane and go visit them. 

How I reconnect with myself when I feel lost

I read a book. Books make you realise how good you have things. 

What would be my signature drink if I owned a café

Probably an almond decaf latte if it was on-alcoholic. A coffee negroni if it was an alcoholic drink. (Or a gin and tonic)

Something I’ve let go of, as I’ve grown older

The thought that one day I'll have a flat stomach. 

The things I’m most likely to lie about

The reason I'm running late. I'm often late on the weekend. Quite often I'm just messing about and lose track of time. I'll often blame my lateness on a phone call. 

What’s something I wish I had more time to learn

How to play the piano.  And maybe tango. I love the look of the tango, but I dance like a fridge. 

Social media trends that puzzle me

I don't get Tik Tok or Snapchat. Never used them, don't like the look of them. 

Local phrases and terms I use often

Yeah/Nah. It's an Australian thing, which means "No, you have to be joking."

If I could only wear only three colors, I’d pick these...

Bright red. 

Melbourne black. 

Green. 

Favorite books, music, tv, movies, and media this month

Favourite book: I've just discovered Philip Pullman and I'm working my way through the His Dark Materials series. Yes, I know I'm late to the party. 

Favourite music. I'm seeing The Pixies and Pearl Jam tomorrow night and The Hoodoo Gurus on Thursday. It's a big week. 

Favourite TV.: I'm about to start watching Bad Sisters on Apple +. Hopefully it's as good as the first series. 

Favourite Movie:  I've seen two movies I've loved in the last month. Memoir of a Snail is an Australian film, and that was excellent. I love Adam Elliot. 

 I also loved Saturday Night. I was so well done. 

Today's song (which was playing in the blood bank earlier today):

Placating

 I arrived back in Melbourne first thing this morning. After unpacking, and doing a load of washing and having a big sleep, before going out to pick up the cat. 

To say he's miffed is an understatement. 

My friends who look after him love him to bits, even if he did piss on a box of Mister's Porsche car parts (he only got the cardboard, and after made a big effort to pee directly into the centre of the litter tray). Why he decided to pee on the car parts I could not tell you. He's an exemplary cat when it comes to those sorts of things, but he's decided that the one of love of my friend's is one too many loves for him. 

We also had a bit of a trial getting him into his travel cage. Once he was in, he was fine. 

Since being home, he's been in a better mood, but there is still a lot of placating to do. 

Lots of treats have come his way, after his late dinner.

He's ignoring the remote-control flappy bird toy I bought him as a guilt gift. 

And although he's letting me pick him up, he's not happy about it.

I'll just have to keep trying to placate the little bugger. I have my work cut out for me. 

Today's song: 

20 Beautiful Things

 It's another night for another card draw. I'm due to go to the airport in about an hour and a half and I want to get my blog out of the way before this. I'm showered and mostly packed, so it's blog time. 

Well, that and I have to drop off my recycling and then I'll go to the airport. 

Tonight, it's another one of Catherine Deveny's writing prompt cards. Tonight the prompt reads "20 things you find beautiful, and why.

So here I go. 

1. Kerbside roses

I love any rose that I find in people's front yards where I can stop, smell the rose, take it's photo and enjoy the whole experience of slowing down, admiring the beauty, and smelling something wonderful. I love the scent of rose. Even better when they are overblown and a bit neglected. They're the ones the smell the best. 

2. Darwin Sunsets

I had to put this in. They are some of the best sunsets in the world. Some times they're dramatic, other times understated. You never know what you're going to get, and that's what makes them so good. Melbourne has some of the best sunsets in Winter. 

3. The feel of satin.

I find satin has a very calming effect on me. It's something so everyday, yet so perfect. I think it runs from when I had a security blanket which was lined in satin. 

4. My cat. 

My bog-standard black cat, Lucifer, is magnificent. He's really a small house panther, majestic and powerful, but he's tucked into a six kilogram body. He's just a beautiful boy, and I tell him this every day. 

5. My work suitcase

It may be a bit strange to say that you find your black, plastic, $80 Kmart suitcase that you bought for work trips beautiful, but it's covered with stickers from the Northern Territory and it reminds me of fun times and good friends and great trips, which makes it beautiful to me. 

6. The Poetry of Rumi

Rumi gets you all over. As a poet who has been dead for many centuries, that is a feat.

Love Rumi.

7. Open fires

This is from my childhood. I could stare into an open fire for hours. I love being in charge of the fire at home. There is something comforting about them. 

8. Deserted beaches, particularly in winter

I don't get to the beach often enough, but I love the pure energy you feel from being near the ocean. Sure, some beaches are lovelier than others, but there is nothing better than walking along a long stretch of beach, taking in the sounds and smells. 

9. English Cathedrals

I find their sheer size incredible. The work, the carving, how they ever go stone to do such things with rudimentary tools... Leaving aside the damage the Catholic Church has done to the world over the last 2000 years, I like English Cathedrals because they've weathered a lot of change. I find going into a space which contains the prayers of millions incredibly moving. 

10. My eyes. 

I have pretty eyes. I find their deep green colour incredibly beautiful. Is that vain of me? 

11. The Stained Glass Roof at the Art Gallery in Melbourne. 

It is art. Lying on the floor, looking at the ceiling is transformative experience, and it's different every time you go, and depending on the time and the weather outside. I try to go there regularly. 

12. Autumn

The cooler weather. The changing leaves. The mellow evening. Autumn is my favourite season by far. 

13. Juliette Binoche

Possibly the only woman I would turn for. Even in her sixties, she is an incredibly beautiful woman.

14. The Great Ocean Road

Australian Landscape at its very best. It twists and turns it way along the South Coast of Victoria and it is just magic. 

15. The turn of a well-crafted sentence

As a writer, there is nothing better than the feeling of a piece of prose that takes your breath away. 

16. My grandmother's yoyo biscuits.

My grandmother died twenty years ago, but her legendary yoyo biscuit recipe lives on. They are the absolute bomb. 

17. A certain friend's chest hair

I can't tell you who owns this chest hair, but it's just perfect. Not to much, not too little, and sure it's peppered with grey hairs now, but it's still great. I love the feel of it. It's comforting. He's neither here nor there about it, but I find it beautiful. 

18. My red wrap

I bought this wrap to wear at my 40th birthday party. It's crepey red wool in that wonderful fire engine red and I feel a million dollars when I wear it. 

19. The hands of old women. 

I remember watchimg my grandmother's hands. You can only ask where they have been, what they have done, what they have touched. They hold such beauty and strength. 

20. Unmade beds in hotel rooms.

They wreak of unseen potential and untold stories. There is something very beautiful about crumpled crisp white sheets. 

Today's song:

Movie Review: Memoir of a Snail

 Movie number 36 of 2024

The Movie: Memoir of a Snail

The Cinema: The Deckchair Cinema, Darwin

Stars: 4

In limited release in most arthouse cinemas. 

The Deckchair Cinema is going into its wet season hiatus next week and I was relishing the chance to go back there one last time. As my contract is up at the end of March, and the "Deckie" as it's fondly known won't be coming back until April, this may have been my last chance to get to one of my favourite bits of Darwin. I love traipsing down the hill, and having the movie start as the sun sets behind the trees, and the smell of the home-grown bug repellent that feels like you're plastering yourself with olive oil and watching the geckos run across the screen and the bats fly into the trees. It's a quintessential part of Darwin that I'll never forget. 

Tonight, a group of new friends, in that they're not in my team and I've befriended them over the last few months, we wended our way down the hill and sundown, we met another there, dinner was had, and a beer, and we settled in to watch Memoir of a Snail. 

Never heard of it? I'm telling you about it now. I've long been a fan of Adam Elliot. I loved Max and Mary and Harvey Crumpet. This is just as good. 

Rotten Tomatoes gives synopsis of the film as such:

"In 1970s Australia, Grace's life is troubled by misfortune and loss. After their mother dies during pregnancy, she and her twin brother, Gilbert, are raised by their paraplegic-alcoholic former juggler father, Percy. Despite a life filled with love, tragedy strikes anew when Percy passes away in his sleep. The siblings are forcibly separated and thrust into separate homes. Gilbert finds himself in the care of a cruel evangelical family, while Grace, grappling with intense loneliness, gradually withdraws into her shell, much like the snails she adopts. As the years pass, and despite new disappointments and sorrows, a glimmer of hope emerges when she strikes up an enduring friendship with an elderly eccentric woman called Pinky."

To break this down further, Grace Pudel has a tough life, but she makes the most of it. The film follows her story as she tries to find a community, although life brings her some pretty hard knocks. 

It is absolutely marvelous. 

The film is only 90 minutes long, but it packs a punch. It is also VERY Australian and plays to the Australian sense of humour. Going to see the film with a bunch of Gen-Xers we probably picked up a lot more of the in jokes that a more diverse audience might miss. 

Voiced by some great Australian talent, with Sarah Snook as Grace and Jacqui Weaver as the wonderful Pinky, this was a joy. 

Hands down, the best thing about this is the stop-motion animation. Adam Elliot, the writer, director and cinematographer, is a genius. The details are so well defined. This only just trumps the pathos that lines the film, along with it's quirky sense of humour. 

And yes, this film looks at some pretty big themes, including isolation, loneliness, othering and the Child Services, it also has some great laughs. Heartfelt belly laughs. 

This is what Adam Elliot does best. 

This film should be getting more attention that it's currently receiving. 

It is wonderful. So, if this was the last time I get to the Deckchair Cinema, I went out with a bang. 

Today's song: