Book Chat
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Serendipitous Book Finds
1Have you ever accidently come across a book that was exactly what you were looking for even though you didn’t realise you were looking?
Late last year Meredith (Oh, the Thinks you can Think) and I were browsing online while we chatted on the phone, as we often do. We were both looking at online bookstores, discussing the merits of various books we were considering buying for our kids for Christmas. Meredith stumbled across a book called Peter’s Railway by Christopher Vine and, knowing that I have a train obsessed 7-year-old, she sent me the link.
Not only was the book aimed at the right reading level and one we hadn’t seen before, it was perfect for my son. No, not perfect, PERFECT!
Peter’s Railway is about a young boy and his grandfather who build a 1/8 scale model train line to connect their two homes in the English countryside. The books combine story and information, sharing both the adventures of building and using the train line and the technical side of things – how a locomotive engine works, how carriages and wagons buffer together, wheel flanges, track construction, pistons and cylinders – all that in book one alone.
I bought the first two books in the series for my son for Christmas and he has already read and re-read them. Reading the first book together before he went to bed, he turned to me and wistfully commented ‘I wish that this story could be real in my life.’ He gave a quiet sigh and snuggled in as we returned to the story.
I have a review of Peter’s Railway scheduled at Kids Book Review later this month. I purchased book 1 and 2 from Fishpond, but will buy additional books from the series from the author/publisher website, Peter’s Railway, where I can have a personalised dedication written in the books from the author. If you have children who love trains, I highly recommend these books.
Over the years, I’ve come across several books that seem to resonate with me somehow. Books where the appreciation goes beyond a well written story or well expressed idea, but somehow strikes a more personal chord. Dr Seuss’ Hooray for Diffendoofer Day is one. There have been a few novels and a couple of non-fiction books that were eerily relevant.
Have you ever come across a book that was just perfect for you or someone in your family? A book that seemed like it was written just for you?
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Joyful Books
1Thanks to Waterstone’s Woking (@WokingBooks) and Jacqueline Harvey (@JacquelineHarve) on Twitter, I’ve just discovered this wonderful clip on YouTube (recommended as Video of the Week at Flavorwire here) and had to share.
I can appreciate the benefits of e-books, but I can’t imagine I would get the same amount of pleasure from watching a time lapse of e-readers moving about on the shelves. I’ve recently been shuffling books about on my own shelves and love tht there is pleasure to be found in simply looking at books, not just reading them.
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Reading Upside Down in 2012
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My poor book blog has been sadly neglected this year. I’ve wanted to blog, but it just hasn’t happened.
In 2012, I want to revive Reading Upside Down. I’m going to make a few changes to the way I approach it though. I’ve been thinking about it a bit recently and I think what I am aiming for is something that is more conversational rather than sporadic reviews interspersed with guest posts and the occasional book-related post from me.
In 2012, Reading Upside Down will become focused on only books, reading and writing. I’m inspired by the National Year of Reading and want to revive my own love of books, reading and the written word rather than posting dry book reviews and generic posts. I get so animated when I actually talk with people about books, I want that to come through here too.
There will be book reviews, but there will also be conversations about what I am reading inspired by a character, a theme or perhaps even a simple sentence. Chats about writers, chats with writers and chats by writers too.
I’m excited about putting some energy back into Reading Upside Down this year. I’m looking forward to the bookish conversations to come and I can’t wait to get started.
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Literary References in Song Lyrics
1Driving to school to pick my children up this afternoon, Michael Penn’s ‘No Myth’ came on the radio. This song always takes me back to the year after I finished high school. My best friend and I loved the song and hearing it reminds me of listening to it and other favourites while we hooned around town in her little Datsun 180Y. Ah, those were the days.
As I was listening to it today, the literary references jumped out at me…
What if I was Romeo in black jeans?
What if I was Heathcliff, it’s no myth
…and it got me thinking about references to characters from books in songs. Dire Straits ‘Romeo and Juliet’ comes to mind straight away (love that song) and of course there is Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ (earworm – Heathcliff, it’s meeeee, it’s Catheeeeee…).
I think the heat has caused my brain to seize up, however, because I can’t think of any more beyond these. Can anyone else suggest some songs that mention characters from books (aside from theme songs to TV shows/movies based on books, of course)?
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Reading Preferences
1I tend to describe my taste in books as eclectic – a little bit of this, a little bit of that and I’m happy. I’m not a passionate fan of any particularly genre and I will give most things a go. I read picture books, junior novels, YA, fiction and non-fiction. I’ve even been known to read plays and poetry.
I do have some limits. I don’t tend to read science fiction (although I have in the past). I rarely read horror (although once again I did in the past. I still pause any time I have to step over a drain in a gutter thanks to Stephen King’s It). I don’t read a lot of thrillers because my reading is interrupted too frequently for me to keep the story straight (and the suspense makes me crazy). And I really don’t get the whole ‘bit lit’ thing. Sparkly vampires? I’ll pass, thanks.
My book choice is often determined by my mood and energy levels. Simpler, less involved stories or familiar favourites if I am feeling tired, more complex or involved stories when I need something to shake up the brain cells a little.
Like me, my sister is an avid reader, however she tends to read extensively within a small number of genres rather than reading a little bit of most things. She enjoys horror and supernatural-themed novels and also likes romance, but not much in between. I was entertained by the contrasts in her readings tastes during a recent visit to her apartment.
That Alexander McCall Smith was totally unexpected after glancing over the other books on the shelf.
What types of books do you like to read?
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Five Random Questions with Peter Carnavas (+ Giveaway)
1I was very excited recently to have the opportunity to pose five random questions to Australian picture book author and illustrator Peter Carnavas. I can still remember the first time I read Peter’s first book, Jessica’s Box, with my children and am honoured to be hosting Peter here at Reading Upside Down today.
Peter lives on Australia’s Sunshine Coast with his wife and daughters and is the author of five gorgeous picture books:
- Jessica’s Box
- Sarah’s Heavy Heart
- The Important Things
- Last Tree in the City
- The Great Expedition
Five Random Questions
I love the mention on your website of Christmas and birthday gifts that included notebooks and pencils etc. Do you have any other suggestions for parents who want to encourage their children’s creativity?
I might be a little biased but I really think the best thing you can do for children’s creativity is help them develop a love of books. There are so many beautiful books that cover so many different things that, with modelling, all children will find something fascinating in them. From there, children will often direct their own creativity (early childhood teachers know all about this). All I ever needed was a pencil and a scrapbook but other kids may try dressing up, building something in the backyard or even making something in the kitchen. Let the books guide you.
What has been the highlight of your involvement in the Artist to Artist project?
The Artist by Artist project was a unique opportunity for artists to pair up together and make a short documentary about each other. It was fun and challenging all the way through but my favourite part was the editing process, piecing together the narrative from random bits of footage and audio. Also, it was great to see somebody else tell my story.
Do you think picture books are an effective way to teach children about issues and emotions? Why or why not?
Unlike some forms of media or entertainment, picture books invite engagement. When you sit with a child and open up a book, you immediately become connected in a way and small conversations start easily. You might talk about a little animal popping up on every page or a rhyming couplet, then as you delve further into the story, the theme becomes more apparent . By the time you reach the end, you have experienced something together and you can then relate the characters and story to your own lives. I think picture books are incredibly important tools for children to express themselves. Of course, I also love books that are created just for fun. Some of my favourites are like that – Mr Magnolia by Quentin Blake, or Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett.
You list an amazing selection of picture book author/illustrators on your website as your personal favourites. What makes these people particularly appealing to you?
My favourite authors and illustrators tell good stories simply, which is what I try to do. They are economical yet powerful with words and there are layers of meaning in their stories, making them appealing to people of all ages.
What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of being a picture book author?
The only challenging parts are grown-up things like not having a weekly wage or working out tax stuff. There are many rewarding parts. I get my biggest buzz when I first think of an idea for a story and it’s even better when I still think it’s a good idea a few weeks later. It’s also wonderful just holding the books in my hands, reading them to my daughters, bringing little characters to life on the page and especially visiting schools and watching children get something out of the stories.
Giveaway!
Four of Peter’s books are available in a Little Treasures set, ideal for posting as Christmas gifts (they even come with their own envelope). Each book in the Little Treasures series has a special message for children as they read:
Jessica’s Box – Self Worth
Sarah’s Heavy Heart – Love
The Important Things – Family
Last Tree in the City – Environment
Thanks to the wonderful people at New Frontier Publishing, I have three Little Treasures box sets to give away, that’s one set each for three lucky Reading Upside Down readers. To enter, just leave a comment below mentioning either your favourite Peter Carnavas picture book (Jessica’s Box is my sentimental favourite) or a message you think would be great to share with a child through a picture book.
- Entry is open to Australian residents only.
- Competition closes 10pm, Sunday 6th November 2011.
- One entry per person.
- Winners will be notified by email and need to reply within 48 hours to claim their prize. Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn after that time.
This competition is now closed. Winners have been selected at random and will be notified by email. Thanks everyone for your great comments.
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There’s Something About Jane
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I indulged in some book buying retail therapy this week. When I arrived home I realised that two of the four books I bought had links to Jane Austen in the title. After an emotionally draining week, I decided to give the romantic fiction A Weekend with Mr Darcy by Victoria Connelly my attention first and I was rewarded with just what I needed – a light, enjoyable story with entertaining characters and multiple references to Austen’s life and work.
The second book, Talking about Jane Austen in Baghdad: the True Story of an Unlikely Friendship by Bee Rowlatt and May WitWit, is one of the 2011 ’50 Books You Can’t Put Down’ and is a memoir-style story that I am looking forward to reading soon.
The books are very different in content, style and focus, but it amused me to think that 50% of the books I purchased were linked with Jane Austen in some way. What is it that makes her name so easily recognisable and her works so enduring that they are still so strongly part of our modern popular culture?
I know it’s a discussion topic that has been raised a thousand times over, but
My beloved HSC copy of Pride & Prejudice
I find her ongoing appeal quite fascinating. I’m an Austen fan from way back, although I have read most of her works only once. My favourite, Pride & Prejudice, has had multiple readings. I still have my high school HSC copy, which, like my copy of Othello, is filled with notes and cross-linked references. Part of the pleasure of re-reading it now comes from reviewing the notes as well as the enjoyment of the actual story.
My preference for Pride and Prejudice is based on the beautiful symmetry of the novel. To me, it is a work of supreme balance. There is humour and quirky characters (also a drawcard for me), but it is the beautiful use of language and the shaping of the novel with such a wonderful series of points and counterpoints that appeals to me most of all.
I am by no means an Austen purist. I’ve read a few spin-offs and modern novels with links to Austen’s works. I have my favourite Austen classic movies/TV adaptations, but I also enjoy some of the modernised Austen-based movies such as Clueless and, one of my favourites, the colourful and vibrant Bollywood version Bride and Prejudice. Regarding sequels, I enjoyed Regina Jeffers Darcy’s Passions but didn’t bother to follow up on the next book in her series Darcy’s Temptation. I read a sequel called Pemberley (unsure of the author’s name) many years ago that I disliked intensely and I could never quite bring myself to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. I enjoyed The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler and A Weekend with Mr Darcy for similar reasons, both reminded me of favourite scenes, themes and characters from the classic Austen books that I love.
I am an Austen fan, but far from being a Janeite. What about you? Are you a fan? Do you have a favourite novel? Do you stay away from modern sequels and Austen-themed novels and simply limit yourself to the Big Six? Do you have a favourite character or quote? Do you simply just not get what all the hype is about?
By the way, if you’re looking for a little Austen indulgence, head over to Very Jane Austen for some great Austen and Regency-period inspired posts, discussions and thoughts.
Related posts:
- Review – Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen at Reading Upside Down
- Review – The Jane Austen Book Club by Joy Fowler at Suite101.com
- Review – A Weekend with Mr Darcy by Victoria Connelly at Reading Upside Down
- Review – Darcy’s Passions by Regina Jeffers at Suite101.com
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The Guardian Top 100 Books (1998 – 2010)
1As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a sucker for lists, books and, therefore, book lists. I often feel a little nervous when a new list comes to my attention (worried that I won’t mark off as many books as I would like), but I just can’t help myself.
My late night lurking on Twitter included coming across this link to a Boomerang Books (@BoomerangBooks) blog post about the Top 100 Books list recently published by The Guardian.
The Guardian article includes a link to a Google Doc with all the book details. It even has the book list divided into different categories. Obviously some at The Guardian has a bit of a list thing going on as well. In the interest of curiosity (and compulsive list check-marking), I have reproduced just the Title and Author details below, highlighted the books that I have read and those on my TBR list. Obviously my disinterest in Dan Brown, Stephenie Meyer, Philip Pullman, dieting books and celebrity cookbooks has not served me well in my desire to come up with an impressive ratio of read/unread. It’s worth keeping in mind that this list is compiled from UK data only.
How many of the following books have you read? Do you have a favourite? I confess is warms my literary heart to see a classic novel like To Kill A Mockingbird and the picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar present on such a contemporary list of best sellers.
Da Vinci Code, The – Brown, Dan
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – Rowling, J. K.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – Rowling, J. K.
Angels and Demons – Brown, Dan
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Rowling, J. K.
Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince:Children’s Edition – Rowling, J. K.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Rowling, J. K.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Rowling, J. K.
Twilight – Meyer, Stephenie
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – Rowling, J. K.
Deception Point – Brown, Dan
New Moon – Meyer, Stephenie
Lovely Bones, The – Sebold, Alice
Digital Fortress – Brown, Dan
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The – Haddon, Mark
Eclipse – Meyer, Stephenie
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The: Millennium Trilogy – Larsson, Stieg
Kite Runner, The – Hosseini, Khaled
Time Traveler’s Wife, The – Niffenegger, Audrey
World According to Clarkson, The – Clarkson, Jeremy
Atonement – McEwan, Ian
Lost Symbol, The – Brown, Dan
Short History of Nearly Everything, A – Bryson, Bill
Breaking Dawn – Meyer, Stephenie
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – Rowling, J. K.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Rowling, J. K.
Girl Who Played With Fire, The: Millennium Trilogy – Larsson, Stieg
Child Called It, A – Pelzer, Dave
No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,The:No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency – McCall Smith, Alexander
You are What You Eat: The Plan That Will Change Your Life – McKeith, Gillian
Man and Boy – Parsons, Tony
Birdsong – Faulks, Sebastian
Labyrinth – Mosse, Kate
Island,The – Hislop, Victoria
Life of Pi – Martel, Yann
Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution: The No-hunger, Luxurious Weight Loss – Atkins, Robert C.
Tales of Beedle the Bard, The – Rowling, J. K.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – De Bernieres, Louis
Delia’s How to Cook:(Bk.1) – Smith, Delia
Gruffalo, The – Donaldson, Julia
Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation – Truss, Lynne
Northern Lights: His Dark Materials – Pullman, Philip
Interpretation of Murder, The – Rubenfeld, Jed
Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest, The: Millennium Trilogy – Larsson, Stieg
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason – Fielding, Helen
Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, A – Lewycka, Marina
Alchemist,The :A Fable About Following Your Dream – Coelho, Paulo
Notes from a Small Island – Bryson, Bill
Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The - Boyne, John
Stupid White Men:…and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation – Moore, Michael
Jamie’s 30-minute Meals – Oliver, Jamie
Broker,The – Grisham, John
Bridget Jones’s Diary: A Novel – Fielding, Helen
Very Hungry Caterpillar, The – Carle, Eric
Thousand Splendid Suns, A – Hosseini, Khaled
Sound of Laughter, The – Kay, Peter
Jamie’s Italy – Oliver, Jamie
Small Island – Levy, Andrea
Memory Keeper’s Daughter, The - Edwards, Kim
Billy Connolly – Stephenson, Pamela
House at Riverton, The – Morton, Kate
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Rowling, J. K.
Nigella Express – Lawson, Nigella
Memoirs of a Geisha – Golden, Arthur
Delia’s How to Cook:(Bk.2) – Smith, Delia
Subtle Knife, The: His Dark Materials – Pullman, Philip
Jamie’s Ministry of Food: Anyone Can Learn to Cook in 24 Hours – Oliver, Jamie
Guinness World Records 2009:2009
Why Don’t Penguins’ Feet Freeze?:And 114 Other Questions
Jamie at Home:Cook Your Way to the Good Life – Oliver, Jamie
White Teeth – Smith, Zadie
Devil Wears Prada, The – Weisberger, Lauren
At My Mother’s Knee …:and Other Low Joints – O’Grady, Paul
No Time for Goodbye – Barclay, Linwood
“Times” Su Doku, The: The Utterly Addictive Number-placing Puzzle:(Bk. 1
Chocolat – Harris, Joanne
Return of the Naked Chef, The - Oliver, Jamie
Angela’s Ashes: A Memoir of a Childhood – McCourt, Frank
Schott’s Original Miscellany – Schott, Ben
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance – Obama, Barack
Dangerous Book for Boys, The - Iggulden, Conn & Iggulden, Hal
To Kill a Mockingbird – Lee, Harper
Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince – Rowling, J. K.
Summons, The – Grisham, John
Lost Symbol, The – Brown, Dan
Catcher in the Rye, The Salinger, J.D.
I Can Make You Thin – McKenna, Paul
Happy Days with the Naked Chef – Oliver, Jamie
Brick Lane – Ali, Monica
Anybody Out There? – Keyes, Marian
Undomestic Goddess, The – Kinsella, Sophie
Book Thief,The – Zusak, Markus
I Know You Got Soul – Clarkson, Jeremy
Sharon Osbourne Extreme: My Autobiography – Osbourne, Sharon
Guinness World Records 2010
Amber Spyglass, The: His Dark Materials – Pullman, Philip
Can You Keep a Secret? – Kinsella, Sophie
Down Under – Bryson, Bill
Spot of Bother, A – Haddon, Mark
Dear Fatty – French, Dawn
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You Always Remember Your First… Shakespeare
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Of course I have a Shakespeare action figure. Don't you?
I remember it well. I was a nerdy 11-year-old browsing my parents’ bookshelves looking for something to read. The primary school library no longer held any new delights and I was keen for a challenge.
The shelves were full, but hardly inspiring for a young girl – Wilbur Smith, Robert Ludlum, Geoffrey Archer, Danielle Steele… I’d almost given up when I finally struck gold. Two Readers’ Digest book sets, one of classics and the other the complete works of Shakespeare, just waiting for me.
I hauled the books off to my room and debated where to start. I eventually chose Shakespeare because I thought it would give me some literary street cred (I did mention I was a nerd). I decided to ease myself into the world of The Bard with a comedy, which seemed much more likely to be appealing to my uneducated palate. I opened the first page of The Comedy of Errors and I was hooked.
I’ve read many other Shakespearean plays and sonnets since that time. I’ve never really ventured into the histories (happy to receive recommendations) but have meandered through the comedies and tragedies and I still have my high school copy of Othello filled with my scribbled notes.
HSC Othello (Act 5, scene 2)
Despite my many other Shakespearean encounters, The Comedy of Errors remains a sentimental favourite.
Do you remember your first Shakespeare? Were you forced to read it at school or did you, like me, read it because you thought it would sound impressive that you were so amazingly literate and cultured? What age do you think is a good time to start reading Shakespeare and what would you recommend to someone for their first experience with the Bard of Stratford-on-Avon?
And now for a little light entertainment: ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’ from the Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson 1953 musical Kiss Me, Kate.
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Fun Author Facts about Tania McCartney
1To celebrate the launch of the latest book in the Riley the Little Aviator travelogue picture book series, Australian author and all-round amazing individual Tania McCartney has called in to visit and tell us a little bit about herself. I’m so excited to be part of her Riley and the Grumpy Wombat book blog tour.
So, here we go, 35 Fun Facts about Tania McCartney:
1. I write every single day.
2. I’m a keen amateur photographer and stylist.
3. I have an obsession with paper and products made from paper (especially books!).
4. I am a Francophile and Nipponophile.
5. I love The Simpsonsand The Office.
6. I have two children – Ella and Riley – and a very supportive husband.
7. I have an obsession with, and large collection of, children’s picture books.
8. I love to travel and have been to over 500 destination in 16 countries.
9. I adore history and foreign cultures.
10. One of my greatest joys is running Kids Book Review and reading books to kids.
11. I have a hairline fracture in my sacrum – it’s been there since birth.
12. I love the cold.
13. I knit, sew and make things from paper, especially travel books and other mementoes.
14. All of my best friends either live overseas or are overseas far too often.
15. I always wanted to be a graphic designer.
16. I have a very sweet tooth.
17. I dream of having a cutting garden full of flowers; my favourite flowers are the peony and hydrangea.
18. I read books every single day.
19. I wore a pale green wedding dress.
20. I think Brussels sprouts are delicious.
21. I love decorating for and throwing children’s parties.
22. I’ve always loved acting and I nearly applied for NIDA.
23. I was born in Tasmania and have lived in almost every Australian state and territory.
24. I love to wrap gifts.
25. I adore old black and white movies and musicals.
26. I have moved house over 60 times.
27. I have lived in four different countries.
28. I absolutely adore going to the theatre.
29. I speak intermediate French and beginner Mandarin.
30. I don’t like unpacking the groceries nor the dishwasher.
31. I can’t stand tailgaters.
32. My favourite authors are Mo Willems, Enid Blyton, Dr Seuss, Oliver Jeffers, Jackie French, Morris Gleitzman and Emily Gravett (among many, many others).
33. I’m impatient.
34. I’m a very visual person but I have terrible eyesight.
35. I adore good coffee.
Tania, Riley and the Grumpy Wombat have had a busy week. You can find details of their blog tour here and you can follow Riley’s activities at the Riley the Little Aviator Facebook page. Tania’s gone all high tech this time around as well – you can even view a Riley and the Grumpy Wombat book trailer on YouTube. What will she think of next? 
Make sure you leave a comment to say Hi! to Tania and pick up a copy of her latest Riley story. My kids love it and I’ll be posting a review soon. I might even have to pick up an extra copy to offer as a giveaway…
