Juliet by Anne Fortier, 17 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, Anne Fortier, Book Club, character, Fantasy, Historical, Romeo and Juliet

Well here I am again, another instalment for my blog. I have been very productive if I do say so myself. I have just completed another book in a week which is amazing, obviously working fulltime is a good thing for me. Perhaps because it is a wonderful way to unwind after a long busy day at work and to forget about all the things I haven’t been able to do (ie housework)…my version of not ‘sweating the small stuff’.

This book is an intriguing tale that includes the Shakespearean characters of Romeo and Juliet. I love a historical book of fiction, especially when combined with time travelling, ghosts and mystery. This story held great promise of a complex and fascinating tale, but I have to say that although I polished it off fairly quickly, it just lacked a certain something.

The book itself isn’t really bad nor is it really good, the story is quite fun, but it lacked some real substance and I found the characters all a bit cliched and unbelievable. I enjoyed the historical facts that were laced throughout the book, but the actual linking of Romeo and Juliet to the main characters, Siena, the familial naming that had been passed down for centuries, just left me a bit cold and dumbfounded. Maybe I am hard to please, but the linkages were all too tenous and bizarre to really drag me in. I would say that Kate Mosse  handles this genre in a much more skilled manner in her book Labyrinth.

The main character of the book is waspish and unappealing, she seems to lack much of a back bone and has a dominating and obnoxious twin sister. She finds out on the death of her Aunt that her mother has left something valuable for her in Siena. Julie sets of to Siena, with no italian at all which surprises me also, to find out what money her mother has left her. I had problems with the story from this point, as travelling to Siena she is advised not to draw too much attention to herself. What does she do, she tells everybody that she is Guilietta Tolomei and seems to lack any commonsense even after discovering that her family was involved with something in the not to distant and very distant past that was dangerous.

The end of the story seems to sit so far outside the feel of the rest of the book that I felt a bit disappointed. There is a happy ending and I am sure many people will love it for what it is. Again not a really bad work of fiction, but certainly not a good one or a must read.

Bye Bye Baby by Fiona McIntosh, 16 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, character, death, Fiona McIntosh

Seriously, I can hardly tell you anything about this book without spoiling the whole plot. As you can probably tell by now I have a slightly addictive nature and my latest addiction apart from 2011 Eurovision music, is reading Fiona McIntosh books of every genre. Boy can this woman carve up a great rollicking story.

This story is her first crime fiction novel with the character DCI Jack Hawksworth. Apparently he is stunningly good looking and one cool dude, I’m hoping the next book has a bit more of a description of him for me as I couldn’t really visualise him very well. Something strange happened to me whilst reading the story, one of the characters is a beautiful woman called Sophie, who was in a wheelchair and all I could picture was this girl from Britain Missing Top Model! Amazing what you imagination can do to you, she obviously made an impact on me!

Aside from my personal issues, the book is a classic who dunnit, although I worked out the intrigue well before the end it didn’t ruin it for me. Again Ms McIntosh puts in a little surprise, just when you think you have it all worked out! The story is set in the United Kingdom, which always gives a crime novel a nice feel. Crime set in America always feels a bit twisted, fast-foody and gritty in comparison to the UK’s scones and cream, manners and stiff upper lip. Even when they are murdering people the English are restrained – hmmm well I’ll let you be the judge of how restrained this person was. Certainly a twisted soul! Wow, how many generalisations can I fit into this blog!

I would recommend this crime novel to anyone.  There are enough twists and turns in this story to keep people wanting to pick it up and read more. Well done Fiona, another genre ‘owned’ as my children would say. I’m looking forward to picking up the next Hawksworth novel.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson, 15 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, character, Major Pettigrew, Village Life

What a very real delight this book was. I say delight as a particular way to describe this book, it wasn’t brilliant, a must read or life changing. It was a delightful episode of comfortable english village life; well, certainly as I may imagine it.

Major Pettigrew is a man living on his own, with a very proud military history and in possession of some rare guns. His main dilemma presents itself at the beginning of the book, when his brother passes away. The guns were a pair and one was held by his brother and one by himself, he dreams of reuniting the guns again. Not to sell, but to keep them in perpetuity for his family. His family consisted of his only son, who was living the corporate executive lifestyle in London and largely un-concerned with anyone’s feelings apart from his own.

The plot thickens when the family all appear to be angling for the Major to sell the guns, so they could all benefit financially in some way. He is very distressed by this and finds comfort in a blossoming friendship with local shop owner  Mrs Ali.

Mrs Ali was an enigma for me, I had trouble trying to imagine her as I was reading and I’m sure I was mixing up many cultural metaphors unknowingly. Mrs Ali’s husband had passed away and their shop was being run by her sullen and unpleasant nephew. As the Major and Mrs Ali’s friendship grows it becomes clear that there exists very specific race and class systems in the village, particularly around the hallowed golf club. The Major himself does seem to only tolerate most people and really like a very few, but it was never race or class based. He certainly reminded me of my husband at times, with his no-nonsense manner of summing people up. What I did like about him is that he didn’t dismiss people, he gave them a chance to show their true character. Much of the book is about people’s true characters and how much they are apparent or hidden. Some people can not disguise their inherent nastiness, whilst others cover up how they really feel about things.

The story does have a climax, two relationships blossoming and floundering. The characters are well-rounded, but a few are blatant charactertures. It is gave me a very pleasant few nights of reading and I would recommend it, but don’t expect too much.

Write a Winning Job Application by Lloyd White, 14 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, Government, job hunting, Lloyd White, postaweek2011, selection criteria

I came across this book researching for a job interview. It came highly recommended for it’s clear explanation of Selection Criteria. Now it’s been a long long time since I had to apply for a job, well actually not that long, but certainly for a government position this seems to be the standard format required.

This book is a goldmine of information I wish I had last year when I applied for a position I really would have liked, I now realise that I had no idea of the finer detail and meaning contained in a selection criteria statement. It was my first application for a government position and it had been 25 years since I last went through a government recruiting process – and that was fun! I’m not sure anyone would see the job market fun anymore.

This book breaks down the differences between graduate jobs, senior roles and a host of other employement types. I found the explanation of how to understand the difference between ‘experience’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘demonstrated’ etc, very helpful. The author does however say that if you do not fulfill all the essential selection criteria that you should not apply for the position. I have seen others say, if you fulfil 70% then you shouldn’t be put off  applying if you can justify how you may fulfil the criteria and 90% for senior positions. Something I am struggling with at present!

I have done a heap of research in regards to applying for jobs, developing a resume and online applications. I would have to say that this book was one of the best I have seen to date, particularly as it is Australian centric – recruitment is different here as compared to America where most self help information is produced. If you are looking for a job then buy this book, as you will continually refer to it. It isn’t rocket science and if you follow a formula and attention to detail then it will enhance your job search strategy.

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathon Stroud, 13 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, Book Club, Fantasy, postaweek2011

This book was recommended to me by Robyn from our book club, who is a fantasy writing fan. It is a young reader (whatever that is) targeted book, and as someone who loved the world of Harry Potter I was happy to give it a go.

Escapism is something that I think is really important when picking a book to read. I try to find a happy balance between the genres that I read, as you may be able to tell from my blog. After dipping my toes into a healthy dose of fiction about real people and real situations my brain or heart can feel a bit heavy, disturbed or confused. (you know the type of book) So this is where I think fantasy books can provide a theraputic effect. Particularly what is deemed  ‘young readers’ fantasy fiction, which is a great place to go for innocent, but usually very exciting tales of magic, djinnis and mystical creatures.

I must say the cover synopsis didn’t really make me want to read this book and when in store browsing I am definitely influenced by this.  The book is divided into a narrative format between the two main character, a 12 year old boy and a Djinni. The young boy Nathaniel’s background isn’t covered particularly well, all we know is that he goes to an apprenticeship as a magician. His tutor is a particularly harsh and cruel person who delights in putting down his young ward. We see a child of 12 years of age, given away by his family at age 6 and living with a couple with his only source of affection coming from the magicians wife.

Nathaniel is a very bright boy and it doesn’t take him many years to study and learn skills beyond his years. The result of this is the casting of a spell which brings into Nathaniel’s life a Djinni called Bartimaeus. What ensues is an adventure that is focussed on revenge and the realisation that this young magician is different to others. It was a fun little book, full of exciting escapades and a finale that is sufficiently dramatic for the young reader without being too scary. I’m not sure that it held my interest enough that I feel that I have to read the next book in the trilogy, but I have handed it on to my 11 year old, because I am sure he will love it.

Vlad the last confession by CC Humphreys, 12 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, Dracula, medieval, postaweek2011, Turks, war

If you are here to read about the latest vampire book, then you will be sorely disappointed. This book is actually a story of the life of Vlad Dracula (son of Vlad Dracul) whose actions during the 15th century have become the stuff of legend. Vlad the Impaler’s story is completely compelling in this fictional recount of his life.

Humphreys has chosen a format that I really enjoy, the telling of someone else’s story through the eye-witness accounts of those who were closest to him, Ilona his one true love and a peasant girl, Ion his trusted and devoted life-long friend and Dracula’s confessor the priest Vasilie. I confess that I was a little bamboozled by the first couple of chapters, it took me a while to really understand how this book was being established. However, after the second chapter it became quite clear who the key characters of the story were.

A very tiny spoiler alert, as I felt it was wasted time at the beginning of the book trying to work out the plot. The book starts with a type of trial that sees three witnesses (those people mentioned above) brought to give accounts of the life of Vlad Dracula. This is undertaken in Dracula’s family castle Poenari whose ruins still exist, with current commander of the castle, a papal legate and Horvathy, Count of the Pecs and belonging to Vlad’s Order of the Dragon.

I love history, well as a history graduate it kind of comes with the territory. People are inherently fascinating, why did they act the way they did, what motivations drove certain decisions to be made, how could someone turn to such vile tactics, why do we as human beings fail so often to learn from history? Ok big questions I know, but in the context of this story they are relevant. Dracula has become forever associated with the act of impaling, however, in this book it is established that he was taught how to do this in a Turkish prison Tokat. How did he end up there? It is of passing interest at this time of remembering the ANZACS, that Dracula’s father was double crossed by the Sultan Murad in Gallipoli. As a part of gaining his compliance the Sultan kept two of his sons (Vlad and Radu) as surety, they remained in Turkey for many years and it is here that Vlad Dracula’s future behaviour is molded.

For me the most interesting part of the novel was the tribal relationships and how suspectible they were to being over thrown in grabs for power and land. Vlad Dracula’s main aim seems to be to make the vassals of his land submit to his authority in Wallachia and he dealt with extreme harshness to any indiscretion – via impaling as a preferred and visually persuasive method. Dracula’s other great driving ambition was the desire to launch a crusade upon the Turks and capture back the Cathedral of Saint Sophia to Christianity. He was always committed to this cause right until the very end.

Certainly this is a rollicking good tale, horrendous when you actually comprehend the enormity of the violence portrayed by Vlad Dracula and I’m not sure I really wanted to know how to impale a person – but I do now! I do love a good historical novel, full of intrigue and Vlad The Last Confession delivers this in abundance. I can thoroughly recommend it, I can assure you that the truth is often far more terrifying and haunting than fantasy; who needs vampires when you have the real fascinating story of Dracula.

Blackwater Lightship by Colm Toibin, 11 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, character, Colm Toibin, death

What a gorgeous, gentle exploration of families, friends, the unsaid, guilt and how our relationships are forever changing and evolving over our life course. I chose to read this story as my own family was facing the loss of a very much loved one. We have just been through 15 months of facing the challenges of that horrible disease cancer with my father-in-law. He passed away peacefully, in his own home, in the arms of my mother-in-law on their 47th wedding anniversay at the end of March. Our own family had to come to terms with what the dying experience would be like for all of us, much of the time singularly devoted to the needs of my parents in-law. We have been so blessed to have found a greater depth in those relationships than before and I was very curious to read a book about another families experience.

All families have things unsaid and misunderstood, that  is part of being human and emotionally complex. This story beautifully captures a family that has emotional wounds that have been left to fester and take on a lifeblood of their own. It is a family that did not survive intact after the early death of a father and how this death was dealt with determined the relationships of the future. I find it interesting that the ending shows how influenced we can be by other peoples own value systems and sometimes ignore our own inner voice that may suggest we take another path. In this story, the mother made a decision in a time of extreme stress based on others advice and in good faith.

The main character of this story is Helen, because she seems to have been so much more emotionally damaged from losing her father. The story centres around the family coming together when Helen’s younger brother Declan is suffering from advanced Aids. Each character in this story is beautifully written, I particularly enjoyed Declan’s friends who brought loyalty and caring where it was missing. The character of the mother however, really stands out for me. She is so conflicted and hurt by the passing of her husband that I dont think she had ever truly recovered. I find her the most human and poignant of all. She is the exposition of what is means to turn away from that which hurts and to fill the void with something new. The end of the story for me brought a real sense of resolution and hope for them, but sadness that it was so very late in coming.

Fields of Gold by Fiona McIntosh, 10 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, Cornwall, Fiona McIntosh, India, Mining, postaweek2011

Yes I know another Fiona McIntosh book, but I have become such a fan of her writing over the last couple of years. I tend to do that, just want to devour as much of an author as I can when I find something I like. I did that many years ago reading pretty much every book by John Fowles, The Magus being an absolute stand out book for me still.

The great thing about Fiona McIntosh is that she writes in several genres now and hasn’t limited her writing to fantasy. Not that I would say fantasy is a limiting genre in any sense or meaning. I have yet to read her crime writing, which I am sure will have me hooked and will be doing so soon as my Dymock’s voucher is busting to be spent.

This book is Fiona’s (She feels like an old friend now and as such I’m going to refer to her by her first name) first foray into a historical family epic of fiction. It centres around two key characters, Edward  and Jack, both young englishmen who find themselves in India in the earl 20th Century. It is about culture and cast and provides a really interesting look at how the English established their lives in a foreign land.  

Edward and his young sister find themselves in India through several episodes that will have you completely hooked – again I wont be giving any plot details away as I think that it spoils the surprise and you need to make up your own minds as to how you interpret the book.  Jack born into a proud Cornish mining family; that is they ran the mine. After a tragedy in Cornwall, Jack leaves for India and re-establishes himself in the mining community there. The two young men meet in India and become great friends, their lives entertwined in many ways. The story is wonderful and apparently loosely based around Julia’s own grandfathers life. It really is an epic tale and I would recommend it to anyone, particularly with the great love of all things India these days in the literary world.

A tiny bit marvellous by Dawn French, 9 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, A tiny bit marvellous, Dawn French, family, postaweek2011, relationships

It’s been a long time between reviews folks. Not that I haven’t been reading, just that life has been distracting me from writing up my reviews. It seems to be no coincidence that my lack of reviews has corresponded with a decline in the health of my father in law and my starting a new job. Unfortunately, my wonderful father in law passed away on the 30th March 2011 after a 15 month long battle with the dreaded cancer. Whilst a difficult time, requiring much of my emotional resources, I also reflect that it was a very special and important time in our lives. Families are all very different in the way they deal with the various things that life throws up at us…my family are private, self sustaining and incredibly stoic.

This book, by Dawn French, isn’t really a family like that…communciation issues abound to the point I would just get so frustrated with them. The story is split into narrative components by each main character, with the glaring omission of the father’s narrative. The family is made up of Mo (the mother), Dora (the daughter) and Oscar (the son). Each individual brings their own perspective on what is happening around and within the family at that time; with the main focus being on the relationship between mother and daughter.

Mo is a family psychologist, writing a book about families, who seems to have little capacity to deal with her own family’s issues. Her daughter Dora has dreadful low self esteem, is struggling at school,  has boy issues, friend issues and body image issues. I so wanted to go and give Mo a big old shake up for being so self absorbed and unable to talk to her daughter. Now I’m not saying I would probably do a better job with my daughter, but I definitely know I at least try. So this book has been a useful parenting manual for me – of what NOT to do, although I wouldn’t buy Mo’s fictional book.

Oscar’s story is somewhat peripheral, but gave me the ‘irates’ as his egotistic ramblings about Oscar Wilde and how he should attire himself for that day at school, became slightly tedious and unbelievable. His obsession with Mo’s co-worker was cringe worthy and perhaps this was how I was meant to feel; but again Mo seemed completely oblivious to what her children were up to. Oscar does redeem himself later in the book, just in time actually as I had just about decided not to read his narrative any more.

In the final few chapter of the book the father’s voice is heard and there we learn who the grounding force is in this family. I dont like to talk about book’s plots too much as I think we all interpret things very differently, suffice to say I enjoyed this story in the end. The story is simple, but there is enough nuance and complexity in the characters, who are mostly believable apart from oscar, to keep you entertained. The sub title of the book could be ‘a parents guide to facebook safety for their children’ and fair warning indeed.

Graduate Opportunities 2011, 8 of 52

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52 books in 52 weeks, Graduate, Matureage, postaweek2011, University

Last year I completed my Honours degree in Anthropology and History. Hurrah!! This year, after giving myself a well earned holiday, I have started looking for work. The good news is that I got the first job I went for! Really looking forward to another working experience, this time with a Non Government Organisation that does valuable and much needed work in our community. This is only a short term project that I will be working on, so I am still looking for a permanent job.

This brings me to this little publication that I have recently picked up at The University of Adelaide careers service, who I have been accessing their great services. The Australian government each year produces this publication for Graduates to assist them in making career choices. Now I like to think I am pretty cluey and able to access information, but gee it is hard to trawl through the myriad of graduate information sites. This publication is definitely a help, but I do not expect it is a comprehensive list of graduate opportunities in Australia.

The publication is divided into Government and Private and giving a brief description of the organisation, where the position would be based and the degree profiles they are seeking. University education is becoming a more specifically named degree vocational training pathway than ever before, if you judge it by Graduate profiles being sought. Whilst I understand the need to recruit those who have received specialised training in a named degree for certain jobs, I suggest it is also important that businesses think laterally about the profile of their organisation and the prospects for innovation through diversity.

My biggest point of contention with this document is the ageist nature of it. Fantastic to have vibrant, enthusiastic young people applying for these positions, but recruiters you are ignoring a gold mine of employees. Those people who have returned to study after a sea change, career change, life change, end of parenting responsibilities change – I could go on. Graduates who are looking for work are not all ‘young’ and many of these ‘older’ workers bring with them expertise and experience from other industries that recruiters may not have considered. So why am I banging on about this? Because no where in this document is there an image of a Graduate who is over 25 years old, and in the age of not discriminating on age this document in fact makes a largely exclusionary statement of who and what a Graduate is.

So if we are going to spend upteem 10s of thousands of tax payers dollars on a Graduate publication, website and University careers centres then we need to revisit what the profile of a Graduate actually is. They’re not all 22 year old Bachelor of Commerce students (no offence if that is you). I wish the very best of luck to all Graduates looking for work, you’ve worked damn hard, made sacrifices and deserve to find a fantastic job and career. I’m sure looking forward to mine…