Solomon's Song - Bryce Courtenay

What is there not to love about Courtenay's "Potato factory" series! I was curious where it would head, and it went straight to hell, a hell endured by thousands in the form of Gallipoli. I must admit that I have never put myself in the position of the men that went so amiably to war, but now I have a hunger for more information and a GREAT respect for those that lost their lives and those that had to carry on without their mates. I feel a deep loss for the families that would have got their men back, but possibly only the shell of the man and how this set of events has affected our nation as a whole.
I have been moved to tears, lost friends and whooped with joy while reading this tale of two families and received a history lesson like no other, what more can I say - 5 PLUS Stars.
(I have read this series using audio books read by Humphrey Bower, which I believe has brought the tale even more to life!)

The Private papers of Eastern Jewel - Maureen Lindley

If you want suspense, spies, Chinese history and little bit of the naughty stuff then don't bother with this book. What promised to be "riveting" was disappointingly not.
1 Star

Soul by Tobsha Learner

Alternating between the 1800s and 2002, Soul tells the story of two headstrong women, who are betrayed by the men they love and are driven to "rectify" the situation. Lavinia Huntington married young to a prestigious anthropologist thirty years her senior and is transported from her Irish village to start a new life in Mayfair, England. One year later she was standing trial for murder.

Lavinia's great great grand-daughter Julia is a geneticist with a US defense department commission to research the propensity to kill without remorse. After losing her husband and unborn child, will history repeat itself?

I enjoyed the book, but seeing as I read it only a couple of pages at a time at night I don't think I really did it justice. I did find the ending a little lame though.
2 Stars

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult

Another of Jodi Picoult's signature style books that despite myself I really enjoy. A boy, Ethan, with XP (can't go out into the sun), his single librarian mum Shelby, troubled Ross who despite his best efforts cannot die, Meredith the single geneticist and her asthmatic and ghost seeing daughter Lucy are intertwined so neatly it keeps you guessing throughout how she will tie them all together by the end.
Craftily woven around paranormal sightings and different generations, the characters become lifelike and believable in their misgivings and struggle to make sense of extraordinary circumstances.
Well narrated on audio book and a pleasure to listen to, if not addictive.
4 Stars

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A new me?????? Younger and funkier????

#23 Are you kidding - am I really there???

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I really made it, only 2 months later than the original goal but I did do it. My favourite discovery has to be Flickr and big huge labs, one of the most useful skills would have to be being able to blog, as I think I might use it too keep track of my titles. I would use library thing, but I don't think I could add my own blurb about the book.
I am alot more receptive to trying new technology things, I just need to know that they are out there. Some unexpected outcomes are that I like to blog!, and possibly would do more of it except for the privacy aspect and that I used big huge labs for my change of address notices which I thought was quite advanced of me (thanks Deb!)
The only problem with the program was time - I am hopeless at time management and scheduling time to do things. I loved the program, the format and even Helen's soothing voice by the end. I would like to thank my 2 person cheer squad - Deb and Linda, it is nice to get comments and someone to keep pushing me on as I know they are the only 2 reading this!
Ciao till the next post - Mon
Photo from Susan Sabo Photography blog, another unexpected thing I like!

#22 Audiobooks

I am a big fan of audiobooks, but the selections currently available really don't do it for me. The human voice sounds like a computer and the computer voice sound like an alien trying to speak English though a computer decoder - well I imagine that's what they would sound like! I am not sure if I am missing anything, but actors reading books are the way to go and dramatic characterisations are brilliant. I am looking forward to Bolinda coming online with "popular" titles. In the meantime I will just stick with listening to audiobooks on CD and MP3.

Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich

Nothing better than going on a journey with with a newly found friend, and Jamie Swift was this friend. Quick witted, sexy, sassy and up for anything, this chick rocks! With a thing for sexy lingerie and a certain Maximillian Holt keen to remove it, the book has a little raunch, a bit of murder, some intrigue and a lotta laughs. Time to look up past titles and join the Evanovich fan club!

Format : Audio Book
Rating: 4 Stars

Prey by Michael Crichton

What a great book this one was!
Jack was average honest guy that had lost his job in a "hot" field in Silicone Valley and was now at home looking after the kids while things "cooled off" at his old job. His wife Julia was the vice president of Zymos, a company heavily involved in Nano technology (not a usual topic of choice for myself I must say!) But there were subtle changes in Julia, she was quick to anger, was at work longer and longer and she was lying or not coming home at all. It wasn't till she had a car accident and Jack was asked to come in to her company to solve a problem that they were having that he realised the extent of her changes.
Format: Audio Book
Rating: 5 stars - couldn't put this one down!

#21 Podcasts

I found podcast.net had little familiar / Australian content, seems religious groups are hot on the podcast trail.....Podcastalley.com seemed similar, a little easier on the eye but still no content I recognise. It did have a good description of what a podcast is and that it works on RSS/XML technology - I know what that is - sort of! Anyhow I really liked Yahoo Podcasts and I found a cool Veronicas video song site. This would be my choice of podcast search, only thing I thought that was missing is a browse function with categories, and it didn't seem to search itunes for video podcasts that I knew where there - any ideas why??
Anyhow, have had a little experience with podcasts from iTunes and using my iPod, so this has given me a more broader view.

#20 You Tube

#19 Discovering Web 2.0 tools

I am determined to finish this if it kills me.... but the site I had a look at as part of this exercise may help - Cocktail builder it was quite handy, and although not traditionally part of the librarian scene, could be useful for next staff development doo, birthday or chrissy function..... afternoon tea anyone????