Books I've read

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2007-08-13T05:12:00.001-07:00

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Fishpond.com.au – A Review

2007-04-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

I discovered on-line booksellers fishpond.com.au (Fishpond) about six months ago and was quite initially impressed by the prices offered on new books, but also by the free postage on orders over $50.00.

Previously, I had bought most of my books from Amazon.com, but due to the expense of shipping, I usually waited until I had a bulk order. Another problem of ordering at Amazon.com was the excessive shipping time.

I saw Fishpond as a new way of buying lower cost books and having them delivered quickly, as Fishpond have a Tullamarine warehouse. However, although Fishpond claims that most of the items will be delivered within 3 to 5 days of ordering, in my experience, I have found their shipping to be excessively slow. In some cases, books that were to be delivered within a week have taken eight weeks to arrive. It is true that Fishpond emailed me to let me know of the delay, but their new time estimates were as wildly inaccurate as the original time estimates.

The best aspect of Fishpond is buying second hand books. Fishpond allows users to list their used books for sale to other Fishpond users. The service is allows users to purchase used books through their existing Fishpond account and therefore simplifying the payment process. I have found the service to be prompt, and so far each of the books I have order has arrived in the condition described by the seller.

However, I have sold several books via this method, and have not found the process as easy for seller of used books. Once the order has been placed, the seller has two days to post the book to the buyer. Selling second hand books on Fishpond allows sellers to ask a higher price than at conventional second hand bookstores, but payment is not immediate. Fishpond collects the sellers asking price, plus $4.95 postage, but then keeps 10% of the total price. In most cases, postage on novels is $5.00, but for hardcover and heavier books is usually $9.00. Potential sellers should factor this into their asking price

Under the standard conditions, Fishpond agrees to make payment to the seller within 7 to 14 days of the order being placed. However, in my experience, Fishpond’s payment schedule is as unreliable as there delivery. If, as a seller, you can afford to wait for payment, it is possible to recover a little more for used books than selling them to second hand book dealers.

In short, Fishpond sells a wide range of books generally at better prices than can be found in traditional stores. A further benefit is that Fishpond offers a service to buy and sell second hand items. However, if your purchase is time-sensitive, I would steer clear of Fishpond, unless purchasing second hand books which arrive within one week of purchasing. When considering selling, it is worth weighing up the time spent packaging the items and the time between the sale and payment being received. It may be easier to simply take your books to a second hand dealer.

The Talented Mr Ripley - Patricia Highsmith

2007-04-24T00:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I must be one of only a few on the planet who have not seen the movie 'The Talented Mr Ripley', so, before watching it I decided that I would read the book. Yes, I am one of those book-people as the blog might suggest.

Anyway, on with the show. The blurb for this book states (and I am quoting the Daily Telegraph here) "It is hard to imagine anyone interested in modern fiction who has not read the Ripley novels." Well, I consider myself as an interested party in modern fiction, therefore, no need to image Mr/Ms Daily Telegraph, there are plenty of us out there (I checked).

Having such a big rap like that from the Daily Telegraph, the Ripley novel might be feeling some anxiety as to its ability to meet the required level to attain the reralms of classic modern fiction. However, it should fear not as I concurcompletely with the Daily Telegraph.

This is a chilling novel, but, not so that it is off the bed time reading list. The protanganist, Tom Ripley has a very warped sense of worth which is evident from his actions in Chapter One. Such is Tom's mindset, that his self worth is nothing unless he considers he is outsmarting at least one other person. His need for power can be found in the smallest of lies to the grand scale of murder. Tom's intellegence puts him in the category of genius, but his execution 'friendship' makes him one of the most frightening people on earth.

The book was filled with a number of twist and turns, which kept me gripped until the very end. The plot is well constructed and each chapter skillfully written. There is a beauty in the detective ways of the 1950s and a sense that other crime fiction is now filled with DNA samples and scientific jargon. In my opinion, I much prefer this style of writing and will be reaching for the next in the Mr Ripley series (once I have gotten through my existing list of must-reads).

In my Skin - Kate Holden

2007-03-03T00:52:00.000-08:00

I found this book incredible and could not put it down. It tells the story of middle-class Kate growing up in a supportive family in Melbourne. Then it tells of her slip in the St Kilda drug scene and eventual prostitution to support her habit.

Kate is, at times, embarrassingly honest about her situation and gave me an amazing insight into how quickly drugs are able to take over one person's world. What is also great about this book is that Kate shows drugs don't just effect one persons world, they affect your family, friends and colleagues.

Some of the living conditions and extreme lack of money told a take that I am sure is currently being lived by more than a few people. But I was more interested in how Kate eventually overcame addiction and restarted her life.

This is a great first book from Kate, and I look forward to her upcoming novel.

Life of Pi - Yann Martel

2007-03-03T00:41:00.000-08:00

I found this Man Booker Prize Winner for 2002 to be well written, but, given the rave reviews I received from friends, I thought that it fell a bit short. I am open to the possibility that my expectations were just too high, but still I was disappointed.

Anyway, on to the story. I really enjoyed the first part of the book where India and the philosophy of religion are discussed. I found Pi's adherence to four religions enlightening and was interested by the science discussion and how Pi was lead to his career choice.

While I found the middle of the book imaginatively written, I did think that it dragged a little too long (Sorry to all you lovers of this book!). I was interested by the alpha male play-out but was totally lost by the digestive island!

The final part of the book, after Pi's rescue, contained an interesting twist and I was grateful for that. I believe that this was a great story, but not one I will be reading again. Having said that, I would recommend that everyone at least give it a go as so many other have loved it

Marley and Me - John Grogan

2006-10-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

Ok - I never judge a book by its cover, but if I did the cover of this book would tell you this is one cute story!

I was initially drawn to the book after the arrival of our two trouble makers - Toby and Elvis, four month old puppies. (OK, I admit the cover was really cute too!) I guess I was hoping to find secrets in dog wrangling from someone who had been there and done that. What I did find out was what not to do!

Marley is a lab retriever who went for a small cute pup to a massive, dopey handful of a dog. Marley was lovable though, and this was evident throughout the book. John wrote about Marley, but also included the most intimate details of his family's life that occur during the "Marley Period". This included the birth of his three children, a bout of post natal depression (which nearly saw Marley searching for a new home), relocation from Florida to Pennsylvania and the inevitable aging and passing of Marley.

This was a funny, touching story about a man and his love for his family and a four legged, neurotic beast! Although I didn't find out how to tame the trouble makers at my house, I was directed to Cesar's Way. Cesar is a National Geographic Star and Dog Psychologist. Let's hope he has some tips, because at the moment I am getting less sleep if we had a new born here!

Night - Elie Wiesel (Translated by Marion Wiesel)

2006-09-23T23:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have to admit that Oprah led me to this book. I was watching her show one day and she interview Elie Wiesel and awarded college scholarships to the winners of her essay competition. (The students were required to write an essay on how 'Night' effected them.

The book is a memoir of Wiesel's time as a Jew in Europe during the second world war. The book follows Wiesel's journey from concentration camp to concentration camp as the end of the war draws near. We learn how Wiesel is unable to be shocked the the atrocities and why he is unable to sleep at night. The book is not a cheerful one, but I emensly enjoyed reading it.

The edition I have has only recently be translated from Yiddish to English by Wiesel's wife Marion. Wiesel tells us in the preface that this translation is much closer to the original text, that that which was translated some 45 years ago.

If I were to enter Oprah's essay compeition, I would write of emptiness that is Elie Wiesel at the time of liberation. He does not provide details of the months between his father's death and his own liberation. Horrors which I can not comprehend become a part of every day life for Wiesel and slowly, camp by camp, Wiesel is reduced to an emotionless human.

I recommend the reading of 'Night' simply for the amazing story of survival. Wiesel himself puts his survival down to chance, but he has used his chance to form some meaning of life.

Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs

2006-09-12T18:26:00.000-07:00

Well this one, Running with Scissors, came highly recommended from Anna and I can definitely vouch for its promising beginning. However, the subject matter turned a little(?) unsavoury somewhere around Chapter 3, and I must say that I didn't enjoy this book very much at all.

I did complete the book (as I always do) and it is true that the unsavoury subject matter is punctuated by hilarious moments, but overall I wouldn't recommend this one. If you are able to accept this as a story rather than a memoir, you might have more success than I.

It is wonderfully written, but just not my cup of tea. Needless to say, I won't be purchasing Dry, Burroughs second book.

EDIT
I realised that I never actually told you what the book was about. The bare bones of the story is this: Augusten is 13 years old when his parents divorce and he is left to live with his mother who is battling her own internal demons. Through her battle, she has Augusten adopted by her psychiatrist. The story follows Augusten unusual life as he moves between his mother's house and the psychiatrist's house.

I also spoke with Anna today, and she tells me she has just completed Dry. Apparently, Dry is not as graphic as the first book, and follows Augusten through his drinking days and therapy. I may reconsider the reading of Dry.

Odd One Out - Monica McInerney

2006-09-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

This book was a freebie as part of the Books Alive 2006 promotion. Having said that I quite enjoyed the book. It was an easy, fast read and I particularly enjoyed the book as it has many references to Melbourne (and I can easily relate to it!)

The books main charater is Sylvie who finds herself at a bit of a cross road in life. She agrees to housesit for her brother, which means a trip from her native Sydney to Melbourne. To entertain Sylvie, her brother organises a treasure hunt. The treasure hunt takes Sylvie across Melbourne, has her meeting new people, and most importantly of all, meets her father after a 21 year absence.

Sylvie makes some important decisions about her life throughout the book. She chooses a life which suits her, not one which others think that she should pursue. I guess this book has a special meaning for me at the moment as I am currently assessing my life. This is not the best book I have read, but is enjoyable and relaxing.

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman - Haruki Murakami

2006-08-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

Whilst I haven't quite finished this book, I thought that it deserves a mention sooner rather than later. The book is a collection of Murakami's short stories, which I describe, are more about the journey than the destination. The stories are beautifully written, and often include something a little supernatural about them.

One of my favourite stories "The Rise and Fall of Sharpie Cakes" is a delightful story conjuring images similar to those seen in Alfred Hitchcock’s "The Birds". Another of my favourites (so far) is "Birthday Girl". Again, this story is told from the point of view of a woman reminiscing about her 20th birthday. The story is all about the untold details.

I absolutely love reading this book, and try to steal a quiet moment so that I can at least finish one story in a single reading. I will post again once I have completed all of the stories.

Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Sue Townsend

2006-07-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

Laugh out loud funny!

This is classic Mole that took me back to my teenage years. Mole's struggle to recover 57.10 pounds, the on again - off again marrige to Marigold Flowers and the letter of endearment sent between Mole and his almost eighteen year old son of the brink of war in Iraq kept me out of society for days.

I would definately recommend this to Adrian Mole lovers, and those who just need a laugh.

Ludmila's Broken English - DBC Pierre

2006-07-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

I was disappointed with the second effort from DBC Pierre. I was captivated by Vernon in Pierre's Man Booker Prize winning first effort, "Vernon God Little" and expected high standards from his second outing.

The story of Lumila's Broken English carries two seperate story-lines through most of the book. It is only towards the end of the story that we are shown how the two stories are entangled. It seems to me to be a rather wordy effort for what is a seemingly simple story.

I am fortunate enough to own an autograhed edition of this book, and to me that's the best bit. Lovers of Vernon God Little, steer clear.

Filthy Rat - Simon Illingworth

2006-07-27T23:55:00.000-07:00

"A first-hand account of courage in the face of police corruption"

This fast paced book is an account of Simon Illingowrth's life, from childhood to his resignation from the Victorian Police Force. It is astonishing to discover the wide spead police corruption as described by Illingworth. From backyard gambling centres to dangerous stagged kidnappings, it is difficult to believe that there are criminals weaved in amongst those have sworn to protect us.

The book follows the career progression of Illingworth and includes details of Illingowrth's hand in the seemingly unsolveable murders of police officers Miller and Silk. Also covered is Illingworth's personal life, and the actions of those which threatened his life.

It is unimaginable to think that at only 22 years of age, Illingworth was forced to make a decision which would not only define his career in the police force, but change his life forever. Illingworth appeared on Australian Story (ABC Television) in 2004. Even is you saw that interview, the book is worth a look.

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

2006-07-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

This book is amazing. But as the jacket says, to say anthing of this book is giving away too much. So, if you want to fully enjoy the book STOP READING NOW.

The book is written from the perspective of nine year old Bruno. It doesn't take long to figure out that Bruno's father in a member of the Nazi Army. Bruno is uprooted from his five storey house in Berlin to "Out-With" where his father is posted. Bruno regrets the families move, as he has left his friends behind in Berlin. The first chilling details of this book is the view of the concentration camp Bruno has from his bedroom window.

To relieve boredom, Bruno wanders from the house to investigate the fence surrounding the men and boys wearing the same striped pyjamas. Bruno is pleased to find a young boy in the vicinity of the fence and begins a strong friendship. The friendship if powerful, it changes Bruno's life at Out-With.

A truely innocent tale of the occupation of Poland by a young boy who is unable to comprehend the horrors of concentration camps.