Rainy Weather

The relentless rain has kept us indoors for the day so I decided to break the spine of a new Penguin book I purchased recently called Perfume: the Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. I have to admit it is an intense read from the very first page and I needed a bit of respite from it after finishing Chapter 7.  Hence I put the book down and picked up and old road map I've had lying around for ages and decided to re-fashion a box of Redhead matches, I know, go figure!  I love maps and always end up holding onto them from road trips. Inspired by the cover of the holiday issue of Lonny I decided I would make a fun matchbox using some old brown card and a map of South East Queensland. Crafting respite over, now back to the book!

The Great Gatsby

Ok, so I'm definitely in a reading groove now.  Last night I finished reading The Great Gatsby which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I love the sense of excitement and glamour of the parties as well the mystery that exists around the gentlemanly character called Gatsby.  Feeling inspired to keep on reading and perhaps something a bit closer to home this time.  I think my next book will be Cloudstreet by Tim Winton.

Crime and Punishment

Last week I picked up Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment again after having put it down almost a year ago.  For a long while I had thought I wasn't much of a reader and never would be however it would seem not so.  Every time I picked up this book I was disappointed to have to put it down.  I suppose it was a completely different world to immerse myself in. One of a completely different place, time and condition and yet very human.  The book does paint a very morbid but real picture of humanity. Why I picked this book to read as opposed to any other I'm not sure, perhaps it was the bold and geometric cover. Anyway, I am certainly thankful to have read it.  Now to decide on the next read...

More Penguin Classics

The final four Penguin Classics I've been waiting for arrived last week.  Meanwhile, I've managed to read Madame Bovary and James is half way through Crime and Punishment.  On to Dorian Gray...

Penguin Classics

I recently picked up my paperback copy of Thackeray's Vanity Fair only to have the cover come clean off the body. Realising it was about time I donated my collection of Penguin Classics and replaced them with hardback versions for a bit more longevity, I came across this collection of Penguin Classics re-released in Coralie Bickford-Smith designed covers. I now have six of the ten and waiting for the last four to arrive. I'm looking forwards to re-visiting some of these over the summer holidays. Nevermind the four other books I have on the go!

The Diving-Bell & the Butterfly

For the past few months Helen and I have been fixated on our careers and our study but today it was time for some much needed us time.  We spent a good few hours reading while the sun lowered in the sky and a showery evening set in.  Helen had been recommending that I read the book 'The Diving-Bell & the Butterfly' by Jean-Dominique Bauby for a while and having now read it I can understand why.  Bauby's tale is a humbling reality check as to our mortality, a stark reminder of the fragility of our existence and of the preciousness of everyday life.  Undoubtedly worthwhile reading.