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15 years ago @ http://www.pageturners... - Page Turners 100th Boo... · 0 replies · +1 points

Happy 100th Becky! Here's to 100s more! :D

15 years ago @ http://www.pageturners... - The Corrections by Jon... · 1 reply · +1 points

Oh no! Admittedly, I haven't read any of Franzen's fiction (yet...) but I really love his essays on reading ,writing, and fiction. Well worth reading, and I think they are even if his fiction doesn't really work for you.

(But on the other hand, oh yeah! Becky's back!!)

15 years ago @ And the Plot Thickens... - Reading Slump · 1 reply · +1 points

I know how you feel. Sometimes I think it is the pressure of blogging and writing reviews that contributes to a reading slump - if I don't read, I don't have to write anything!

As for how to get out of a slump ... I wish I knew a definitive answer. For me, it's usually either: finding an amazing book, rediscovering an old favourite, stepping out of my comfort zone completely, less frequent reading, or reading something a bit different than usual. Perhaps you could try a short story collection or a literary journal? Something to pick up and read in bits and pieces?

Anyway, take your time, forcing yourself to read will only make things worse. Eventually you'll feel like digging in again, and then you'll never know why you stopped!

15 years ago @ And the Plot Thickens... - My favourite bookstores · 1 reply · 0 points

I love Kinokuniya! I only discovered it on a trip to Sydney this year, and spent so many hours browsing there - with a non-bookish friend who ended up wanting to spend more time (and money!) there than me. I'm going back to Sydney later in the year, and Kinokuniya is going to be one of my first stops! I also really liked Basement Books (like anyone, I'm sucker for cheap books) and Elizabeth's second hand bookstores. This time I think I'll travel out to Newtown again and check out some of the bookstores there as well.

Still, none of them beat Melbourne's bookstores ;)

15 years ago @ http://www.pageturners... - The Slap by Christos T... · 0 replies · +1 points

I agree with everything you've said about The Slap, Becky, though I did much prefer Richie & Connie's stories because they were so disconnected from the main plot. Maybe we need this sort of negative response to contemporary Australian culture because we have a tendency to view it through rose-tinted glasses, you know? As a culture, we avoid looking at or analyzing our obvious faults - our casual racism, sexism, undertones of violence - in favour of championing mateship, Anzac spirit, sportsmanship, whatever, which isn't always an honest or realistic way of appraising our way of life? Depressing but maybe necessary? Just a few thoughts.

15 years ago @ http://www.pageturners... - You might have noticed... · 0 replies · 0 points

I think we all go through slumps like that, epic reading material at hand or not. Take your time, Becky, chill out & eat lots of your favourite indulgent snack! We'll all still be here when you get back. :)

15 years ago @ And the Plot Thickens... - Our new bookcases · 1 reply · 0 points

Ooh, I love peeking at other people's bookshelves, and your new ones look lovely. I especially love the darker colours of the shelves. Sadly I only have one double stacked tall bookshelf and the rest of mine are heaped in piles around my bedroom & spare room. One day I will have my own wall of books, one day! :D

15 years ago @ http://www.pageturners... - Lovesong by Alex Mille... · 1 reply · +1 points

I've been afraid of Alex Miller for too long. A fear based on presumably false preconceptions, I'll admit. Becky, I think you've convinced me to finally give this one a shot.

15 years ago @ Listverse - Top 10 Listverse Miles... · 0 replies · +1 points

Congratulations on three years, and here's to many more!

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