My latest video is a vlog where I answer some questions that no one has asked (let’s get real about that 🤣) The questions are: There’ll be some other questions which I’ll answer on another video (Part 2) and I’m thinking of answering these questions: I’m also thinking of doing a video on how I […]
Looking Forward To Book Club Tonight
It’s a bit hilarious to think that the highlight of this week will be Book Club. We are both looking forward to it as an event not to be missed! Why? Well, the book this month was Australian author, Christos Tsiolkas new book “The In-Betweeners”. For anyone who knows his writing, well you can understand […]
Selling My Books
This year, I’ve taken to selling stuff – mainly my business, HR, management, learning and development books to get some pocket money. Nothing too much mind you (it’s a long game) but I’ve realised that I have some great books which could be references that others may need now in the workforce. The only books […]
Book Review of East of Eden by John Steinbeck
This book was brilliant. Just do yourself a favour and read it. (Just found out that Netflix is doing a series on East of Eden! 🙌)
Our Book Club Author Event
This year I started a Book Club I’ve called Birdies, Bogies and Books at my golf club. Its one of the many clubs (other than golf) that members can become involved with and as I love to read and share my love of reading, I created the group, curate the book list and then run […]
New Second Hand Book Haul
I love to visit second hand book stores so naturally, I went to Savers and saw these wonderful books. Someone was obviously clearing out their Julian Barnes collection so I bought the entire lot for $2 each. BARGAIN. I’m slowly getting rid of some books that simply don’t do anything for me but unfortunately, I […]
Bah! Amazon Shmamazon
I’m not a fan of Amazon. Never have been. Never will. Add to that, Uber and other platforms that invariably, force us in some way or another, to have no choice in using them or be physically, and virtually, isolated. A few months ago, for a lark to see how it works (and the question […]
Bits & Bobs For the Week
Virtual Visit to 🇯🇵Japan I’ve been in a Japanese Culture Appreciation phase for a while now. I can’t get enough of it. It may have been inspired from all those novels I’ve read this year that take part in Japan. Or reading Japanese authors. It may also be because I’ve been living through the travels […]
Vladivostock Circus Book Review
I love the writing of Elisa Shua Dusapin who is a French Korean author. I read Pachinko Parlour this year that set me off on a love affair reading all her books as well as exploring Korean and Japanese books, food and culture. I wanted to read her latest novel Vladivostock Circus which was all […]
Visit to Canterbury
On Saturday it was a lovely day so rather than stay inside, I wanted to go and explore a bit. One of the things I like to do is to visit second hand bookstores and I found out that there was one in the quaint suburb of Canterbury. Our first stop was to the Canterbury […]
Why I Love My YouTube Channel: For The Stories People Write
Even though creating videos to share online on YouTube is a bit of a pain, I prefer reading the comments from viewers and fellow readers. This morning I read one that I loved. As a history buff, this reader brought back to life a part of Melbourne that was long since forgotten: Cheshire’s Bookstore. What […]
New Book Review: Body Friend by Katherine Brabon
I’m a member of my local library’s book club and over the last few months or so, I haven’t enjoyed the books that were chosen for us. However, I guess that’s why we have book clubs. We don’t always need to love the book we read. Instead, if it inspires thought provoking conversation or changes […]
My Book Club Books for 2024
I started a Book Club this year at my local golf club that has various clubs that members can get involved with. It’s a great way to socialise with others other than just golf. Here are the books I’ve chosen for the year. I select them based on recommendations by others but also my own […]
New Book Review on Stoner by John Williams
Here is one of the book reviews I uploaded last week. It’s on Stoner by John Williams. I loved this book so much that I went out and bought his other books. His writing style is beautiful and evokes images in your mind’s eyes. It reminded me of Steinbeck’s writing. Here’s what I have to […]
East of Eden
Why have I not read this book sooner? I’ve yelled out in places when I’m reading this book. I gasp and sigh. It torments me when I put it down and settle to sleep every night. Why is Kathy so evil? This is why I love reading. How great is Steinbeck at story telling? This […]
Books About Revenge
In my latest video, I share some thoughts about a couple of books about revenge. The Revenge Club by Kathy Lette & Lileth by Eric Rickstad. Have you read these books? If so, let me know what you think.
New Book Haul
I bought some new books that were on a sale at Dymocks which is a book seller here in Australia. As a member of their Book Club, there’s various events and discounts for their members at certain times of the year so it was time to stock up on some Shirley Jackson and John Williams […]
Visit to Bastille Day French 🇫🇷 Festivities at the Queen Victoria Market
What a glorious sunny Melbourne winter’s day! Today I decided to head into town to see the French 🇫🇷 Bastille Day winter markets at the Queen Victoria Market. I hadn’t been there in many years so I was keen to see how the place had evolved. It’s usually quite busy on market days with the […]
The Kids Run the Show
Recently I read a book translated from French called The Kids Run the Show (or in French, Les Enfants Sont Rois) by Delphine De Vigan. I’ve read some of her other books and liked them so when I saw this latest one on the shelf at the local library, I borrowed it. It kept me […]
Trip to Moonee Ponds to Check out Collins Booksellers
One of the things I love to do is to go somewhere new in our city and just walk and explore. I was going to meet my friend in Ascot Vale to have lunch at a cute cafe called Old Man Andrew in Ascot Vale. As I was early, I stayed on the tram and […]