Monthly Archives: October 2009

People Being Angry About Issues + Heartless, WTWTA, Plus an In-Depth Look at the Popularity of Vampires!

Hello everyone!
Today I went to the library after class, and, looking like a giant idiot, walked out carrying in my arms four books cuz they didn't fit in my bag.

They are:
Elsewhere by Gabrielle ZevinThe Truth About Forever by Sarah DessenKat Got Your Tongue by Lee WeatherlyHeartless by Tasma Walton

A victim of non-stop publicity, I've wanted to read Heartless since I saw Tasma on several TV shows that I watch (like Rove and The 7PM Project).
While Googling her to find a link for the above list, I stumbled across this article from The Age, which I think is interesting, because when they talk about Heartless, it says,

The story of the book's publication seems typical of Walton. She mentioned ...

BUSYBUSYBUSY

Hello!

And now I must say sorry for not blogging for, like, three days. Or was it four? Either way, it's been a while, and I am sorry.

The truth is, with the three twenty-firsts, work, life, study and such I barely have time to breathe.

Also, I've started a new job. This will be job number five if anyone is counting. Technically, it's an old job. I used to work at this particular place back when I was in school - was there for about four years or so - but when I moved interstate, the owner sold it to another woman, and so, although I had an advantage of knowing the store and the products, I still have to prove myself to the new boss. I've worked twice, and she already asked me to cover ...

Travelling Books + STACKS of Discussions, Writing Advice, Blurbs & Links!

Afternoon all!

Yesterday was a good day! I spent a very leisurely almost two hours at the girl I tutor's house, just listening to music, chatting about babies and concerts with her mum, and generally being all relaxed. We did get some work done *hehe* but overall it was a nice day.

Also yesterday was my bestie's 21st so HAPPY 21st BECK!!! I know she doesn't read this blog (pfft!) but either way :P

I went to the supermarket several times yesterday, and on the last time I walked past a cafe to get home.

On the silver ledge a lone book caught my eye:

If you can't read it, it's a copy of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and it's a Travelling Book.

The book is a part of a world-wide book ...

BookChat Posted/Cooking With Off Milk/Links/Comps/Large Word Counts

Hello all!

What an awful day it is - well, in Melbourne anyway.

I myself have been at home all day, because *I am stupid* I cooked with off milk yesterday, and woke up this morning feeling quite ill. So after a morning in bed, I got up and continued and finished my bestie's 21st present. Hoorah! Then, one of the girls I tutor came over to be tutored, and now I am blogging.

Overall, a pretty slack day. Although I am annoyed that I was up all night working on an assignment that was due today, that I didn't hand in due to obvious reasons. Gah!

Firstly, those writers out there should hop, skip and jump over to Nathan Bransford's blog, because he's holding a first paragraph competition. As with all Nathan's competitions, there's already ...

Problems, Time, Fairies, Liar and Justine

I've been going through a lot of personal stuff in these past few days, which is why I've been slack with the posts, and I'm sorry.

This man I know - let's call him John - and I have been emailing (he moved over seas, thus why we can't talk face-to-face) back and forth and a lot of mistakes have been made when we've spoken. About the reason we're having these talks, about what we've said.

Sometimes, one of us remembered events incorrectly. Other times we've taken what the other has said the wrong way (a common occurrence via email when you can't tell tone etc).

And this made me think of the book I'm currently reading: Liar by Justine Larbalestier.

I have to admit, I was kinda of excited to finally pick up a copy ...

Awesome New Cover Art/Links/THANK YOU READERS!

I have to say, I think that Allison Winn Scotch has the cover art fairy sitting on her shoulder. ALL THE TIME.


Take a look at the brilliant new cover! How perfect is it?! God. If only we could all be so lucky!

And here's the cover for Time Of My Life. Another hit cover.
They're making a movie out of it too. And you know what? I can't wait! Loved the book, and can't wait to read the new one.
Okay, lots of exciting links today!
Rachelle Gardner has an awesome chat happening over on her blog. She asks: what is your English pet peeve?

My most hated word in the English language? COOL. I HATE when people send a reply sms, only saying "Cool". What is the point?! ARGH!
Head on over to Steph's ...

FTC/Taylor Swift/The INTERN

In totally awesome news, Taylor Swift has announced an Australian 'Fearless' tour. BOOYAH!

I got right on the phone to the friend with who we saw Taylor last time she was here, and we're going.

HOORAH.

I. CAN'T. WAIT.

Anyway, back to book news :P

Janet Reid has a really interesting article about the whole FTC debacle.

She made me see if from a different point of view: it's just like in magazines and such where they have those advertisements made to look like articles the magazine would normally run, and up the top or down the bottom it says, "This is a paid advertise from XYZ" or whatever.

Honestly, when I look at those I feel cheated, like they're trying to get me to read it and want the product, like ...

New Rules for Book Reviews: As Set Out By The USA

Interesting stuff about blogging and book reviews, from Ask Daphne, which in turn came from Galley Cat.

There's a new law that says bloggers must inform people if we keep the books we review, and got them for free in the first place.

I'll be the first to say: generally, when book bloggers review books, that's because publishers/agents/authors have contacted us and asked us to review the books.

Sometimes, we'll review books we've picked up ourselves from the library, or bought in a bookstore.

But majority of the books are from publishers, including ARCs (advanced reader copies, these are sent to reviewers and bookstores before the book is released to we can build the hype up).

You can read the entire document here, and although I haven't read it (eighty pages, come on people!).

HW=KILLER plus no blogging news!

Wow. Slow day in the blogging world today!

This could be cuz of A) the public holidays which seem to be everywhere in Australia BUT BLOODY VICTORIA or B) the fact that Australia is ahead (hehe) of America, and therefore it might possibly still be Sunday night/early Monday morning.

Today in class I was slightly freaked out by one of the guys listing all the work he has to catch up on. As I laughed along with everyone else, I thought to myself....hang on....I haven't done that either!

So a huge *GULP* as I try and whittle down this huge list.

ARGH!

And that being said, I might head off until more interesting news crops up.

Wish me luck!

Michael Pryor: Book Launch

A very good Saturday to you all!

This morning saw me head off to Fairfield Library to see Michael Pryor's launch for his new book, Time of Trial.

Paul Collins opened the launch by asking everyone to cast their minds back to when they first met Michael.

My mind was cast all the way back *cough* to Kirsty’s launch, where Michael gave me his business card – with his home address on it! – and I felt vaguely like a stalker. Good times!

Then, Paula Kelly from The State Library read a beautiful speech about Michael, and finished by reading a passage from the new novel.

The first thing that struck me about Michael’s speech was how incredibly confident he was publicly speaking. He described the book’s journey and his research, before pulling out a ...