Reading the same books over and over
People think this is odd but I really don’t see it as being much different to listening to your favourite song over and over. My re-reading list includes: More
The Naughtiest Girl In The School
A sentimental inclusion, as this was the series that addicted me to re-reading. My little girl is currently enjoying the thrills of a communism-inspired co-ed boarding school for upper middle class English children. Who’s up for a midnight feast to celebrate Nora’s goals in the big Lacrosse match?
To Kill A Mockingbird
As a Grade Niner I was forced to read it. I read it again as a parent and have been reading it ever since. I would have called my daughter Scout if Demi Moore hadn’t beaten me to it.
Rebecca
Daphne du Maurier was not considered a serious author. It is a seriously good read. Almost as moody is its predecessor, My Cousin Rachel. Daphne had a thing about creepy women with names starting with ‘R’. They are a bit trashy but they were written a long time ago so they are on the ‘Classic’ shelves at your non-boutique bookshops.
The Accidental Tourist
For years I carried a copy of this when I was travelling. The only reason I don’t carry one now is I don’t travel much any more and when I do, there’s a kid on my lap so I can’t read. It’s about a man who writes travel guidebooks for people who hate to travel. Ann Tyler wrote it. The movie is good too.
A Thousand Splendid Suns
I love this because it makes the veiled women of Afghanistan you see on Foreign Correspondent as real as me and my friends. With families and friends and senses of humor. I rarely cry when I read but this was a rare book.
Memoirs Of A Geisha
The horrible movie almost spoilt this for me but not quite.
Jasper Jones
The lady who owns the Peregian Bookshop talked me into this book by West Australian Craig Silvey (quite cute judging from the pic on the jacket) and I am glad she did. The blurb on the back says it is ‘Australia’s To Kill A Mockingbird.’
‘Yeh, right.’ I thought. But you know what? It might be, it’s that good.
Bridget Jones Diary
Obvious I know, but I love this book. It gave us a whole new way of writing. It was a v.v. important piece of literature. Must emulate.
March
Just to show I do not always swim in the shallow end of the literary pool, I do love this book by Geraldine Brooks.
If you ever wondered what the father in ‘Little Women’ was up to when he was ‘away at the war’, this will fill the gaps.
I actually never read ‘Little Women’ but I do remember seeing a made for TV series and have no especially fond memories of it. However, if I had to pick a favourite war, the American Civil War would be it.
Gone With The Wind
Is it sexist? Is it racist? Is it historically correct? Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn. I just hope that when I’m on ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’, Eddie says, ‘Alright Kate, for a million dollars, was Scarlett’s mother’s maiden name La Rue, Robilliard, Grits or Murphy?’ I’ll be rich!
Less
Watching Telly
My son thinks we are very primitive because we don’t have cable TV. I tell him it’s for his own good and it kind of is.
If we had FOXTEL I would certainly spend too much time watching ‘Mother Of The Bridezilla’ and he could starve. There’s not much on regular TV that holds my attention, but I do enjoy More
The Gruen Transfer.
This is a bit hard to watch sometimes because I think ‘It should have been me, it should have been me ..’ But I get to see some old friends and enemies. It also scares the life out of me so much that I think ‘I really don’t think I’m up to working in an agency again … I’d better get up early tomorrow and get on with my book.’
Mad Men.
See, these were the days to be working in advertising – especially if you were a man. There were no rules, no regulations, and very stylish sideboards.
Survivor.
Tragic, I know, but my husband and I have been addicted since Series One.
Masterchef.
See above. We even watched the Celebrity version. I even cooked the ten layer crepe cake for mum’s birthday. It took me three and a half hours, not fifty minutes. I suspect they make stuff up on that show.
Less
Cooking
I love to cook and I love to eat and I enjoy reading magazines and books about cooking and eating. I’m less keen on washing up. Unsurprisingly, there are no books or magazines about washing up.
Gossiping With friends
If I were to have a hobby, this would be it. Nothing better than a long, involved, analytical natter about anything from climate change policy to who should have married whom in 1997. A meal may or may not be involved.
Hanging Out With My Husband And Kids
This is quite a gag-worthy thing to admit enjoying, but it’s true. I won’t say anything more about it.
Contemplating Which Famous People Would Be My Friends If We Were Ever To Meet
My current list includes: More
Oprah Winfrey.
I would be like a niece to her. I think she is funny and fascinating and has a really nice house in Hawaii. We could have a girls’ getaway there. I could take my friend Paula and O could take her bestie Gail. I think we could have a great time cooking and gossiping about famous people and home decorating.
Princess Diana.
Except that she’s dead. It’s a pity we never met (although I swear I saw her once on the number 10 bus in Kensington, London). I think if we had been friends she would never have got into that car with the dodgy driver. And she certainly would have put on her seat-belt.