Aussie Readers discussion

A group read is being held for this title beginning Wednesday 16th July, 2014 - anyone can join!

****No spoilers****

How does a group read work Brenda?

Sorry, I was thinking of buddy read.. That's when you read a book with one other person?

I'm definitely in...can't wait to read this one now :)

Suzanne wrote: "How does a group read work Brenda?"

A group of readers had discussed in the Currently Reading thread about all reading this one together Suzanne, so Carolyn suggested a thread for it, which I thought was a great idea. They had thought starting it Wednesday was a good time for them... they all have copies, either kindle or paper so if you have a copy you can join in too....

I'm ready :)

Phrynne wrote: "I'm ready :)"

I'm all set to start in the morning Phrynne. Just finished Skin and Bone with Julie so we're ready to go.

Carolyn wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I'm ready :)"

I'm all set to start in the morning Phrynne. Just finished Skin and Bone with Julie so we're ready to go."

I'm all set too, will finish Skin and Bone tonight and start Lost and Found tomorrow.

Suzanne wrote: "Sorry, I was thinking of buddy read.. That's when you read a book with one other person?"

Hi Suzanne - you're welcome to join in if you have a copy. I think we just post comments as we're reading and discuss interesting aspects of the book. Anyone who's read it is also welcome to join in the discussion :)

Carolyn wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Sorry, I was thinking of buddy read.. That's when you read a book with one other person?"

Hi Suzanne - you're welcome to join in if you have a copy. I think we just post comments a..."

As long as those faster readers don't lob a few spoilers in there eh Carolyn;)

Michael wrote: "I will be very interested to read all of your thoughts. :)"

It's very *exciting* :)

Hey all, as I always rely on the library, I won't join in this one (and I don't use an ereader!). I'll look forward to catching up with your thoughts though!

Brenda wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Sorry, I was thinking of buddy read.. That's when you read a book with one other person?"

Hi Suzanne - you're welcome to join in if you have a copy. I think we just..."

If it is a really good book I will probably read it very fast - but I promise no spoilers:)

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Sorry, I was thinking of buddy read.. That's when you read a book with one other person?"

Hi Suzanne - you're welcome to join in if you have a copy. ..."

Hi Phrynne, haha I'm generally the opposite, if it's a really good book I try to make it last ...happy reading :D

Have just started....I think I'm going to like this a lot!

No worries Phrynne, it looks like a book you could easily read in a day (especially a nasty damp day like today)!

I've just got up to the end of the shopping centre escapade started the chapter introducing Agatha Pantha. It's brilliant so far. I love the way the author can imagine what a child would do and think in the situations she's describing. Some very humorous scenes.

Will read some more after work and check in with you and Julie. Have a great day :)

Wish I was reading along but my library doesn't have a copy....

I just finished another book I was already reading so I will be starting Lost and Found at lunch time. Looking forward to it.

Marianne wrote: "Wish I was reading along but my library doesn't have a copy...."

Oh that's a shame Marianne, it's looking like a real lovely book which I'm sure you'd like...I am already hooked.
As Carolyn noted, the author has a real knack for viewing and interpreting the world through a child's eyes. Brilliant!
I think this one would be worth purchasing for keeps ;)

I started it while having lunch and I am still in the store with Karl and the mannequin. I am reserving judgement for a bit :)

Phrynne wrote: "I started it while having lunch and I am still in the store with Karl and the mannequin. I am reserving judgement for a bit :)"

I am up to Karl (touch typist), it's a hard one to talk about without giving anything away, but I think it's about so much more than the book. I feel compelled to read more but will stop here for now...at 30%.

I like the sound of this one too but like a couple of others I prefer to use my library for most of my reading needs these days - I have enough trouble keeping the house semi tidy without extra books everywhere! Anyway, I have put in a suggestion to my library and they pretty much purchase anything that goes in the suggestion box so it will just be a matter of $2 reservation fee and a little wait :) Look forward to adding my 2c worth when it comes in.

I have read quite a bit this evening and I am at 51%. Millie just stuck up another notice saying 'In here mum' and that made me feel so sad for her!!! Like any child, despite what has happened she still just wants her mum.

Phrynne wrote: "I have read quite a bit this evening and I am at 51%. Millie just stuck up another notice saying 'In here mum' and that made me feel so sad for her!!! Like any child, despite what has happened she..."

I'm still at 30% but will read some more tonight. It's very moving isn't it? And also quite funny in places.
Haven't heard from Carolyn yet so don't know where she is up to.

I'm also about half way through. I also love that Millie still thinks her Mum will be looking for her and keeps leaving her signs. Karl and Agatha are interesting characters, both having experienced loss and being lonely and ignored. Can't wait to see where the story is going next!

Rachael wrote: "I like the sound of this one too but like a couple of others I prefer to use my library for most of my reading needs these days - I have enough trouble keeping the house semi tidy without extra boo..."

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the library to get a copy Rachel and Marianne, then you can add your comments here too :)

Am up to 61% and loving it! it's definitely another keeper for me. Very funny and LoL in some parts and very moving and touching in other parts. All in all, very perceptive writing. The characters are very credible.
In some ways I am reminded of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin as the characters have that same quirky-ness.

I did speed read on and finished it last night. However the ending left me so confused I have to go back today and read the last chapter again to see if I missed anything.
There is a very moving article after the book has finished written by the author after her mother died.

Michael wrote: "So glad you are all enjoying it. You are right Julie about all being quirky characters. Love Karl with his air typing and how it came about and grumpiness of Agatha and the innocene of Millie or Ca..."

Yes Michael...lots of Lol's and I confess to tearing up a few times too! Love the character traits of all of them :)
So glad you recommended it so highly..and rightly so, I love it!

Michael wrote: "So glad you are all enjoying it. You are right Julie about all being quirky characters. Love Karl with his air typing and how it came about and grumpiness of Agatha and the innocene of Millie or Ca..."

I'm really enjoying it too Michael. Lots of lovely insights into the characters who all very quirky (even Manny!). Millie's a great kid - you really feel for her when she says she wishes you could hug all the Mums even when they're not yours.

I'm about 70% through so should finish it later today. Will let you know what I think about the ending Phrynne when I get there - the book deserves a good one.

Carolyn wrote: "Michael wrote: "So glad you are all enjoying it. You are right Julie about all being quirky characters. Love Karl with his air typing and how it came about and grumpiness of Agatha and the innocene..."

Ditto that Carolyn.
Haha...they treat Manny with the same respect that they have for each other...priceless :D

Michael wrote: "Yes i forgot about Manny. I cracked up with the times he was mistaken for an item of sexual fetish lol."

He's a very good and true friend :)

I reread the ending and still find it unsatisfactory. But the book was fun. It reminded me a lot of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

Phrynne wrote: "I reread the ending and still find it unsatisfactory. But the book was fun. It reminded me a lot of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry."

Oh that's a shame Phrynne, I should finish it sometime today hopefully.
I haven't read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry but have put it on my tbr.

Will post an update later.

Finished!! What a little gem! I loved it...didn't want it to end!
I can see what you mean about the ending Phrynne...it was a surprise, but on reflection I had no issue with it as I couldn't envisage it satisfactorily going in any alternate direction. I thought it stayed true to the overall storyline.

Loved all of the characters Michael...even poor ol' Manny! ;)

I won't say too much more here at this stage in case of spoilers.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Looks like this is on order at Wollongong library now Marianne :-)

I've finished as well. I really enjoyed it! Although all the characters are dealing with loss and grief it was very funny in many places and it was great watching the characters grow and develop through the story.

I see what Phrynne means about being disappointed by the ending. As I was reading I was trying to imagine how it could end and there weren't that many options that would have satisfied. Perhaps the ending was a bit abrupt and a bit more of how it all resolved would have helped.

Will post a review soon and then read Julie's and Phrynne's :)

Patricia wrote: "I posted this in another thread a couple of weeks ago...but no-one cared :(
Anyway now that everyone is reading it, I thought I'd copy it over here in case anyone wants to watch:

Did anyone watch ..."

Oh noooo...I missed that! It's not that we don't care Patricia, a lot of the messages just aren't showing up with emails, so many of the posts go unnoticed...thanks for moving it here for us :)

Michael wrote: "Hey Patricia, the vid for that link is no longer up but i tracked down the video here.

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/special... :)"

Nice work Michael!! You're our Captain Everything! ;)

Michael wrote: "Hahaha thanks Julie. I need a new title. :D"

Lol...that cape suits you Michael!

Patricia wrote: "I posted this in another thread a couple of weeks ago...but no-one cared :(
Anyway now that everyone is reading it, I thought I'd copy it over here in case anyone wants to watch:

Did anyone watch ..."

I must have missed your previous post before Patricia. I only caught the last 10 min of the program so thanks for the link (Patricia and Michael). Will definitely watch it all now :)

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Michael wrote: "Hey Patricia, the vid for that link is no longer up but i tracked down the video here.

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/special... :)"

Nice work Michael!! ..."

Good title Jools!!!

Carolyn wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Michael wrote: "Hey Patricia, the vid for that link is no longer up but i tracked down the video here.

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/special... :)"

Nice..."

;D

Rachael wrote: "I like the sound of this one too but like a couple of others I prefer to use my library for most of my reading needs these days - I have enough trouble keeping the house semi tidy without extra boo..."

I am so lucky that my library does not charge a reservation fee Currently have 31 books on reserve. Most of them are new books and still listed as on order.

Margot wrote: "Rachael wrote: "I like the sound of this one too but like a couple of others I prefer to use my library for most of my reading needs these days - I have enough trouble keeping the house semi tidy w..."

Your library must keep you well supplied with reading material Margot! A good well stocked library is a wonderful thing :)

Alik wrote: "Looks like this is on order at Wollongong library now Marianne :-)"

Thanks Alik, every time I looked there was no sign of it. I've now reserved that and The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry which is also on order, as well as a few others in similar vein. At least my library only charges $1 for reserves, with a club card so every 6th reserve is free.
I guess you are somewhere in the Illawarra too....

Yes- proudly Wollongong born and bred :-) Interestingly, the library has both titles- the Storied Life and the Collected Works on order so I have put both on reservation to see which one becomes available first!

Alik wrote: "Yes- proudly Wollongong born and bred :-) Interestingly, the library has both titles- the Storied Life and the Collected Works on order so I have put both on reservation to see which one becomes av..."

see, now that's funny. the other listing doesn't come up when you search under "fikry" because they've mucked up the title. I had to search under "zevin" to find that. I've done the same as you.
Unanderra since the age of about 3, now Thirroul

Alik wrote: "Yes- proudly Wollongong born and bred :-) Interestingly, the library has both titles- the Storied Life and the Collected Works on order so I have put both on reservation to see which one becomes av..."

I just looked at the library website, I can see maybe why they have ordered both titles: they have one The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry under Adult Fiction and one The Collected Works of A. J. Fikry under Adult Non Fiction LOL!!!
sorry, people, sort of hijacked this thread a bit...

Marianne wrote: "Alik wrote: "Yes- proudly Wollongong born and bred :-) Interestingly, the library has both titles- the Storied Life and the Collected Works on order so I have put both on reservation to see which o..."

They're really paying attention over there Marianne, perhaps they think one is a memoir or biography?! Do you think they realize it's the same book?