tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19689317960774507832012-01-19T20:26:46.441+11:00Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.comBlogger241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-48655595190967614322011-09-06T00:08:00.002+10:002011-09-06T16:00:26.777+10:00

Writing is fun! I enjoy it so much! Here is the point where I ought to apologise, because I'm sure it's difficult to read some of my posts, but I can't. Although I LOVE it when people read this blog and respond, (thank you, you know who you are) I think I'm going to keep it going for my own sake, as my literary outlet, if you will. I suppose that does not bode well for a would-be author: the

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-2398541135713053952011-09-05T23:08:00.010+10:002011-09-06T15:59:22.627+10:00

Dracula - Bram Stoker The legend of Dracula has so pervaded our modern Western cultural consciousness that in reading it, one expects to be denied the suspense, the apprehension, the terror that aught to accompany a genuine horror story. In fact, in our current media climate, vampirism has become almost common, from the teens of “Twilight” to “Vampire Diaries” and “True Blood”, these demons of

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-62481602568368232152011-07-02T22:44:00.003+10:002011-09-06T15:56:27.038+10:00

Dracula. I finished this book almost a fortnight ago, and I almost wish I hadn't. It was so chilling and frightening and fascinating and compelling and... insert synonyms for 'compelling' here... that I want to keep reading it! Except of course, it was so chilling that I get scared easily at anything that reminds me of the book, and I now have to sleep with the covers over my throat. Can't wait

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-80210854182319619262011-06-11T23:48:00.003+10:002011-09-06T15:55:02.995+10:00

Somehow, in the midst of all the chaos surrounding the recent birth of our second beautiful daughter A. (hooray!) I have managed to read six books. Six books in the past eight weeks! Granted, none have been difficult reads (like 'Robinson Crusoe', or 'The Aenid') nor have they been wordy, but still SIX books! Furthermore, I am currently juggling another four; 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker (duh), 'A

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-53768785673007137702011-01-06T16:51:00.003+11:002011-06-11T23:09:04.807+10:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2011!!!!! The silly season has come and gone in a flurry of food and festivities and now that I've had a chance to catch my breath, I have realised how long it's been since I last posted anything. Now, admittedly, I wasn't too worried about my extended absence, assuming that not only was everyone likely to be as busy (if not more so) as I have been, and

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-45459666826358907602010-10-26T22:06:00.001+11:002011-01-06T16:54:43.471+11:00

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so I hope you're all feeling very fond of me by now! Apologies for the extended hiatus, my excuses include: I'm pregnant and looking after a toddler - busy, busy, busy! I'm attempting to write a book which consumes all of my writing... brain... thingy It was my birthday! (No books for birthday pressies though. Sad.) I've been too social seeing friends and

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-45036561633238687652010-09-28T21:48:00.002+10:002011-09-06T15:48:33.426+10:00

'Once and Future King' is finished, closed, done and dusted! And now, naturally, I need to know more about King Arthur, Camelot, the Knights of the Round table (or as my daughter calls them, the 'noses lala table'), Lancelot, Guenever, etc. Whilst the book was a wonderful read it has unfortunately ignited a latent passion for historical-cum-fantasy fiction in the literary heart of yours truly,

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-5049392537882382032010-09-10T21:44:00.002+10:002011-09-06T15:47:25.414+10:00

First up, to my lovely, supportive encouraging friends: THANK YOU. I did try to enter the book review comp on The Book Depository but all my reviews hover around the 1,000 word mark and the limit was 200 words. And after a while of heavy handed editing (which was like choosing which of your limbs to cut off, I might add), I realised that the competition closed at 5:00pm today. *Sigh, ah well!

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-77154283447048215032010-09-09T21:53:00.002+10:002011-09-06T15:45:11.372+10:00

A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens One of Charles Dickens' best known books is certainly also one of his most memorable, poignant and best loved works. I am, of course, referring to 'A Christmas Carol'. Its influence is easily seen throughout modern Western culture in one form or another (particularly during the festive season); in dozens of theatre productions, in silver-screen movies, as an

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-82502694502097163242010-09-09T21:15:00.003+10:002011-09-06T15:44:34.266+10:00

There have been very few times in my life where I have been able to say this with any sincerity: I have nothing to say. No new news!  I finished book two of George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series - an epic fantasy series, compelling reading - but I can't bring myself to read book three. I literally feel sick at the graphic descriptions of wounded/maimed characters, and the

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-74666719130036517552010-08-14T23:12:00.001+10:002010-09-09T20:31:39.538+10:00

It's been two weeks since I last wrote anything, and although I can legitimately plead a hectic schedule the truth is...I have nothing much to say. I'm supposed to be reading 'The Life of Pi', and I do (sometimes), but I seem to inexplicably be consumed by George R.R. Martin's 'A Clash of Kings'. I can't put it down. I keep thinking about it. I've dreamt about it (well, more truthfully, I've

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-36125911884125984982010-07-31T22:49:00.003+10:002011-09-06T15:42:24.210+10:00

ARRRGH! Book lovers, to arms! Kindle and its kin are taking over the universe! Well, okay, maybe not. But it's just a matter of time before the practical appeal of e-book readers conquers the romantic notions of the printed word.  So what if an e-book saves space? I love bookshelves crammed with tomes. So what if they'll save us heaps of money when, for example, we travel to Tasmania to buy

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-17166368153108197092010-07-24T22:51:00.004+10:002010-08-01T12:10:56.130+10:00

On my bedside table at the moment is 'The Life of Pi' (chosen via the last poll, by my husband who voted twice), the second book in George R. Martin's 'Song of Ice and Fire' series 'A Clash of Kings', and the sequel to 'Assassin's Apprentice' (by Robin Hobbs) 'Royal Assassin'. All of these books are engaging and interesting in their own right, and yet which fourth tome trumps them all in the bid

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-54752435521421381462010-07-18T22:50:00.003+10:002010-08-01T12:11:52.413+10:00

I LOVE 'JANE EYRE'! With both my sick hubby and our littlie in bed early tonight, I thought I'd have a minute to myself for a cuppa and a quick skim through an old lit fave, 'Jane Eyre' (by Charlotte Brontë, for those not yet in the know). It never disappoints. Every time I open the cover, I swear my heart starts beating a little bit faster, my little hands tremble and my veins glow with the

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-84721808947914312432010-07-17T22:53:00.013+10:002010-08-01T21:20:01.297+10:00

Assassin's Apprentice – Robin Hobb The cover of my edition of 'Assassin's Apprentice' has a quote from The Guardian stating “Hobbs is a remarkable storyteller”, and I wholeheartedly concur. She is unquestionably talented and manages to infuse this book with a modicum of originality, which is something virtually unheard of in the fantasy genre these days. In question then, is not the author's

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-50332100296319087972010-07-09T16:42:00.003+10:002010-08-01T21:09:38.212+10:00

As you can see below, the review for Revolutionary Road is up. I had a bit more trouble writing this review than I did with 'The Lovely Bones', because I feel so conflicted about the book. In terms of how it is written, it's enough to make me drooool, but the storyline (although good) is not compelling. So I've actually rated it on those two separate categories : literary content and story. I

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-81717931626108415672010-07-09T16:28:00.006+10:002010-08-01T13:06:32.738+10:00

Revolutionary Road – Richard Yates  Since it was first published in 1961, Revolutionary Road was widely hailed as a masterpiece, and is acknowledged to be the finest work of its author, Richard Yates. It is an intense portrayal of the tumultuous relationship of a young couple, Frank and April Wheeler, who live a comfortable life in a comfortable suburb and are yet deeply dissatisfied with

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-65249921666989768782010-07-07T23:57:00.005+10:002010-08-01T13:08:09.242+10:00

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold "My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie." Thus begins Alice Sebold's poignant novel of tragedy and loss, familial love and life after death - for both 14-year-old Susie and those she leaves behind on Earth. Susie herself is our posthumous narrator, watching from her own sterile, personalised heaven as her family and friends continue to live their

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-46139704278615514212010-07-07T22:45:00.003+10:002010-08-01T21:15:06.585+10:00

Drumroll please.....I've finished Revolutionary Road! I've been emancipated from the self-absorption of the Wheeler family, and I'm ready to review it. One problem. My grand plan for this blog was to have a page ('Read, Reviewed and Rated') where I posted my reviews. Ideally, it was to have a list of titles which could be selected when you wanted to read the full review. My problem? I have no

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-26472553616850631612010-07-05T14:08:00.014+10:002011-09-06T15:58:03.139+10:00

After an absence of a year or more, I decided to reacquaint myself with the Berwick Market at Akoonah Park this weekend, my motivation being to trade in some unwanted books for some second hand copies of other books on my list. The stall owner gave me a $10 credit for some of the books I traded in, and with the help of some of our own dosh, I walked away with second hand copies of the following:

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-65858052966109383092010-06-29T21:00:00.011+10:002010-08-01T21:24:30.967+10:00

Just a quick pic, this is my 'mini library' (or as I like to think of it, my library in the making). The sacred spot in our home where my growing collection is housed and plundered - mostly by my little girl (read: books artfully 'arranged' on the floor or hidden in her playroom). It makes me happy! A proposal to those so inclined: when you get a spare minute or two, go through the Sci-Fi/

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-81644481979310848712010-06-22T22:44:00.012+10:002010-08-01T21:26:26.461+10:00

So far, I've received four of my books from bookdepository.co.uk, and have been able to exercise restraint...for three of them. I may have begun reading T.S White's 'The Once and Future King', and I may be slightly addicted to it after 50 or so pages of skimming (read: proper reading). Recounting the tale of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere (Guenever), Camelot, and Merlin (Merlyn), this novel

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-87055425649960826702010-06-14T22:04:00.014+10:002010-08-01T21:30:24.950+10:00

First up, it's not my fault. I defy any book-lover to spend any reasonable amount of time on bookdepository.co.uk and NOT buy a dozen or so books. That said, ... I've got a dozen (or so) books winging their way to me as we speak! So exciting! In the next week, I'll hold in my hot little hands the following literature: The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton The Awakening,

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1968931796077450783.post-52957533044629370192010-06-13T23:51:00.005+10:002010-08-01T21:31:00.988+10:00

Well, this may be Day One in the blogosphere, but it's about 6-7 years into this challenge for me personally, and progress is sporadic. Particularly since my daughter E. was born. Parenthood (in the early years at least) seems to be incompatible with voracious reading. Also, friends have introduced me to new books/series, which has sent me off on a tangent (bye bye Literature, we'll see each

Lauzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01626934139885503259noreply@blogger.com1