Eclectic Thoughts

Fiat gallery - Vogue Australia

2010-08-04T13:47:00.000+10:00

The Real Food Companion

2010-08-04T12:34:00.000+10:00

The Real Food Companion: "In 'Real Food Companion', renowned food writer Matthew Evans shows us how to ethically source, cook and eat real food. Written with gusto and filled to bursting with information to inspire and recipes to nurture the soul and family, 'Real Food Companion' outlines everything you need to know to navigate today's complex food world. It's the farmer, butcher, fishmonger and baker by your side. It features a back to basics approach to buying and cooking food. It is a captivating read. It contains tried and tested recipes including how to make your own ricotta and clotted cream."

Photos: Summer Solstice at Stonehenge

2010-07-23T00:00:00.000+10:00

Photos: Summer Solstice at Stonehenge

Photos: Australia's Deep-Sea Creatures

2010-07-22T23:47:00.000+10:00

Photos: Australia's Deep-Sea Creatures

2010-07-22T21:53:00.001+10:00

The High Price of Heaven

2004-09-14T21:26:00.000+10:00

Current book reading: The High Price of Heaven / David MarrNext meeting: Friday 22-10-04Where: Karen’s place

2004-08-20T09:18:00.000+10:00

This book has been recommended by Phillip for consideration after Elegance has been read and reviewed. It's an Australian book about Sydney property development, click on the book cover to read a short commentary on it.

Books we've Read and Rated

2004-08-14T14:59:00.000+10:00

TheBonesettersDaughter by Amy Tan RATED: 10
TheBlindAssassin by Margaret Atwood RATED: 5
AMapofTheWorld by Jane Hamilton RATED: 5
TheMapThatChangedTheWorld by Simon Winchester RATED: 5
AFortunateLife by AB Facey RATED: 10
TakeItPersonally by Anita Roddick RATED: 2.5
AChild'sBookofTrueCrimes by Chloe Hooper RATED: 6.5
AuRevoir by Mary Moody RATED: 6.5
MiracleatStAnna by James McBride RATED: 7.5
TheDreadfulJudgement by Neil Hansen RATED: 8.5
CatchMeIfYouCan by Frank Abagnale RATED: 5
TheDogCatcher by Alexei Sayle RATED: 7.5
BonjourTristesse by Francoise Sagan RATED: 8.5
EnglandEngland by Julian Barnes RATED: 2.5
AThousandDaysInVenice by Marlena DeBlasi RATED: 7.5
BrickLane by Monica Ali RATED: 8.5
Aphrodite by Russell Andrews RATED: 4.5
Hitler'sPope by John Cornwall RATED: 7.5
TheTouch by Colleen McCullough RATED: 6

These books have been rated by the bookclub on an average of what each member felt the book was worth.

New book for reading matters 8/8

2004-08-08T20:13:00.000+10:00

A new book has been chosen after much deliberation. Just click on the linked cover of Elegance to get the review. Note the next meeting will be at Sandra & Chris' on the 10/9. Many thanks to Joan & Gary for hosting the Smith's Lake book retreat, it was a lovely weekend! See you all on the 10th.

Sandra received much bagging for this title and therefore has been banned from putting forward any future suggestions.

This book rated a hot 5

P&P

2004-07-12T00:02:00.000+10:00

Read Print - free books for students, teachers, and the classic enthusiast. Here's a cheats link for the book

A Passionate Life

2004-07-09T19:00:00.000+10:00

Join us for a drink and meet Valerie Barnes, author of A Foreign Affair: A Passionate Life in Four Languages. Valerie Barnes Wed, July 28 Enjoy a glass of bubbly and meet Valerie Barnes author of A Foreign Affair, in conversation with Caroline Baum. 'Walking along the drab, grey streets past bomb craters and piles of rubble, I day-dreamed about a more romantic world where people spoke exotic languages, played music, and sang and danced with passion.' Trapped in the austerity of post-war London, 20-year old Valerie Barnes dreamt of the good times promised by the wartime songs. Then two chance meetings catapulted her into a high-flying career at the UN in Geneva and the arms of a glamorous Frenchman ... Joining an elite breed of independent women who travelled the world in the 1950s and 1960s, Valerie lived a jetset life as an interpreter, working in exotic locales and rubbing shoulders with prime ministers and presidents. At the same time she was juggling a Swiss chalet home, three children and a love-rat of a husband back in Geneva. But whatever Valerie did, she threw herself into it with zest. From dancing flamenco to being kidnapped in Cairo, wooed as wife number 14 by an African president or falling for a passionate Pole, Valerie's tales from home and abroad make 'A Foreign Affair' a lively, funny utterly delightful memoir. Date: Wednesday July 28 Time: 6pm Venue: Dymocks Sydney. 424 George Street (between King & Market Streets), Sydney. Please RSVP by Monday 26 July. Free event, but seats are limited. For more information or to book, phone (02) 9230 9013 or email letitia.davy@dymocks.com.au

Nikki Gemmell

2004-06-26T20:09:00.000+10:00

Nikki Gemmell will be at the Mosman Library on 11th August check the link above under Nikki Gemmell. If you are interested Karen will organise tickets for you. Note it is at 7pm and we can quiz her about which Taxi company she recommends.

RATED: 7.5 This book was quite a shock for it's honesty and sexuality. It was read by the group some 6/8 months ago before it became a best seller and not much was known about the author. Most of us were curious as to whether the writer was using her own real life experiences for this novel. A shocking read but nonetheless an enjoyable read by all.

Vote for name change

2004-06-20T00:52:00.000+10:00

Here are some options for name changes for the bookclub site. If you come up with others just post a comment here so I can update and resubmit

New book for reading matters

2004-06-19T23:00:00.000+10:00

Latest book for review due to be on 7/8/2004 at Joan's place in Smith's Lake in the Myall Lakes Region. Check back for the details on how to get there. Gary can you scan the map and send it to me on jpg form so I post it on this website thankyou. Note there is a review by clicking on the book. RATED: 7.5 Most of us read this book at school but on a second reading found we liked and enjoyed it all over again. We appreciated the writing style of Miss Austen and considering how young she was when she wrote this it is a remarkable achievement on her observations of society at that time, which amazingly are still relevant to this day. It was generally a well liked booked by all.

Reviewed book 18/6/2004

2004-06-19T22:53:00.000+10:00

This book was reviewed Friday night above is a link to a review site. Awaiting Gary's final rating of how member's rated this book. RATED: 8 Majority liked the intrigued of this book but found it predictable and far fetched at the end. Despite this it was given a high rating as it was an entertaining read.