Sally spends her time pulling the petals off strelitzia and counting rainclouds. She is a voracious reader and our latest kid's specialist (lucky girl!). With a background in fluid dynamics, decoupage and cake baking, she is a logical addition to the team at BRTD.
When she's not working, Sally can usually be found up a ladder at your local set of traffic lights.
The Time Travelers Wife
Audrey Niffenegger
2004
PB $24.95
In this incredible love story we follow the lives of Henry and Clare as they discover that they are meant for one another. Yet this is like no other love story. Theirs is a complex relationship filled with uncertainty and doubt. Henry's sudden and frequent absences place a strain on their relationship that they struggle to cope with. The cause of which is Henry's genetic disorder where suddenly, with little warning, he is pulled into the past or the future. I was immediately drawn into the story and struggled to put it down, even for a second. Whatever you do don't let the fact that this has been made into a movie put you off reading the book.
A Piece of Cake: A Memoir
Cupcake Brown
2006
PB $24.95
It is difficult to imagine whilst reading this that Brown is still alive, let alone a lawyer in a large firm. Following the death of her mother, at the tender age of eleven, she was ceremoniously dumped into the American child welfare system. It was in this supposed home for orphaned and neglected children that she was subjected to daily abuse, physically and mentally. In order to escape this systematic abuse Cupcake ran away only to find herself running headfirst into a world where drugs ruled. This is a truly inspiring book and a real eye-opener. Despite her horrific and tragic past Cupcake has been able to retell her story with humour that doesn't deflect from the gravity of her story.
Valley of the Dolls
Jacqueline Susann
2008
HB $27.99
In 2008, to celebrate Virago's 30th anniversary of their modern classics, they released 8 hardbacks with jackets that were designed by 20th Century women textile designers. When I first saw the books come in I decided that I had to have them all, as the jackets are stunning! Valley of the Dolls has been the first book in the set that I've read and it has proved to be not only a beautiful book to look at but also one of the most provocative stories I've read in awhile. Beginning in 1945, at the end of the War and spanning over two decades, it follows the stories of three friends Anne, Neely and Jennifer. Each woman has made certain choices in their lives in the pursuit of finding happiness, love, fame and fortune. However, in the end they are all left struggling to cope with the consequences of their choices.
The Princess Bride
William Goldman
2000
PB $23.95
This would have to be one of my all time favourites. Being a big fan of the movie when I was a kid I was naturally a bit tentative to read the book but after much insistence from a friend that the book was just as good as the movie, if not better, I took the plunge. Who could not love a story that has it all; pirates, villains, giants, adventure, screeching eels, sword-fights, torture and, most importantly, true love. This book is just pure fun and enjoyment and is a must read for anyone who enjoyed the movie.
My favourite book
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky
It's extremely difficult for me to pick a favourite anything but in this case I'm going to go with the book that I'm always drawn to reading again and again. This book came as a recommendation from a former work colleague. Hugely popular in the US with teenagers it wasn't all that popular here. Recently however, the word on the street is that MTV, its publisher, wants to make a film adaptation but don't let this sway you from reading it. This is a fantastic coming-of-age story as told through letters from Charlie to an anonymous person that we only know of as 'Dear friend'. Set in 1991-1992 it's the perfect vehicle to reminisce about those turbulent teenage years. When I'm reading it I'm reminded of how important music was to me and the hours spent sitting at the tape deck creating the perfect mix-tape for friends. I even admit that I too went to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the George St cinemas back in the day. There are facets of Charlie's life and character that everyone will be able to identify with. This is just a beautiful novel and it's hard to believe that its Chbosky's first and only book to date. I can't wait to read his next book!
My favourite author
Haruki Murakami
Murakami is perhaps Japans most famous contemporary author. He is a master of the surreal, infusing the everyday ordinary with the fantastic, sublime and supernatural. Born in Kyoto in 1949 he grew up in a nation that was struggling to rediscover its identity in a world very much changed as a result of the War and its role in the War. This time of uncertainty produced some of Japan's most influential artists, authors, playwrights and filmmakers that drew from the social unrest and disillusionment that embroiled Japan. Reading Murakami's novels it's clear that he too has been affected from this time in Japan's history as all of his main characters are searching for something that they've lost. If you are new to Murakami start with Norwegian Wood, his most famous novel, and lose yourself in his world.
What's beside the bed
Right now I'm reading The Slap - Christos Tsiolkas. Before I started The Slap I was reading another Virago Modern Classic (VMC) Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston. Set in the deep south of America not long after the Civil War I had to put it down as I was struggling because of the phonetic writing style adopted. I do plan on finishing it though as the story is quite interesting, just waiting to be in the right mindset. If I'm not ready to read Their Eyes Were Watching God after finishing The Slap I'll be reading the next VMC, A Far Cry From Kengsinton - Muriel Spark.