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Category Archives: Distractions
Thank goodness for the variety of DVDs at the library
The recent switching off of Analog TV on the Gold Coast has meant that the elderly friend I deliver library books to, has had to buy himself a new digital TV. Last week when I dropped his books off to … Continue reading
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The ‘Big Library Read’ is here
Join fellow library lovers worldwide this month in the ‘Big Library Read’. The ‘Big Library Read’ is an initiative of our ebook vendor Overdrive. Libraries across the globe will offer the same book for all customers to read until 1 … Continue reading
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One week to Literati!
Woah! It’s only one week until Literati. If you love books and you are anywhere near the Gold Coast don’t miss out on this fantastic free book festival. Running from noon to 5pm on Friday 17 May and from 9am to 5pm … Continue reading
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Tagged Gold Coast book festival, Literati, literati 2013, Upper Coomera
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Best books ever?
Everyone loves a reading list, right? So have you checked out the Dymocks booksellers 101 club’s 2013 list, which is the Best 101 Books of All Time as voted by Dymock’s Booklovers? Go have a look – I’ll wait here. … Continue reading
The Pacific by Peter Watt reviewed by Jill Smith
Jack Kelly has two children, a son Lukas, adored as a friend and fellow combatant in their adopted country’s struggle for freedom. Papua New Guinea is the place Jack calls home and WWII sees him retired from active fighting, but, … Continue reading
Savage Continent – Keith Lowe
A must read for those who want to understand what life was like when WWII ended in 1945 and the dancing in the streets was over. A powerful, graphic and disturbing account of life in post-war Europe where life was hell for a further ten years.
Painstakingly researched and quoting from the world’s most respected war correspondents, political and military figures of that time Lowe has produced a book that will live in the mind of the reader long after the last page has been turned.
The work explores the physical and moral destruction of civilisation after the war; not only would infrastructure be destroyed and people reduced to living as animals but the human psyche would be so damaged men and women would lose sight of any decency toward each other; committing acts of murder, violence, looting and rape shaking their heads in bewilderment at themselves. These were the very people who had those same acts perpetrated against them during the war.
Lowe explores the disbelief of both British and the American politicians who had early knowledge of the German internment camps but would not release the information to the news media/general public feeling the information incredible. It was not until allied troops entered the camps the full horror was comprehended and filmed. Some allied troops allowed 24 hours retributions, Russian troops allowed longer against German troops and German citizens. Unfortunately, it became an indiscriminate bloodbath.
Considering the subject matter it is a surprisingly easy book to read; flows well and chapter headings for subject matter. I was engrossed in the book and discovered I had read as many chapters as I would when reading a good novel.
Keith Lowe is a British author and historian. Lowe’s works have been translated into more than a dozen languages. “Savage Continent” is an innovative history of the chaos and lawlessness that gripped Europe at the end of WWII. The book took five years to research in eight languages. “Savage Continent” was shortlisted for the 2013 Longman/History Today Prize and for English PEN’s Hessell-Tiltman Prize for History
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Game of Thrones – Best thing on the Box??
Since viewing the first season of Game of Thrones based on the Wonderful series written by George R. R. Martin (in a marathon viewing of the whole season in two afternoons/evenings) I’ve been well and truley hooked. Season 1 was … Continue reading
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Tagged Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin, Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Sean Bean
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International Year of Quinoa?
OK, so the United Nations has also declared it the Year of Water Co-operation and that’s laudible, but a year of quinoa? That’s something I can support as a reading and skill development challenge. The Library Service has only four … Continue reading
The happiness and sadness of being a bibliophile
So, today is the thirtieth anniversary of Possum Magic’s publication. On the way to work (late shift) I heard a great interview with Mem Fox on ABC Radio. On a far sadder note, I also heard that Iain M Banks … Continue reading
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Tagged consider phelbas, Iain Banks, Iain M Banks, Mem Fox, Possum Magic
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