More Books

The other weekend while browsing through various comic book stores I came across this book "The Graveyard Book". Now it wasn't the title that caught my eye, rather it was the name of the author Neil Gaiman. I've read a couple of his books when I worked in a bookstore and really enjoyed them So I figured I'd give this one a try. For those of you who don't know Neil is also the author of Coreline which was also made into a feature film a few years ago. He is also married to one of my favourite musicians Amanda Palmer.

Now I'm not going to tell you what happens but here is the synopsis if your interested in reading it. Needless to say its a great dark read and I loved it.

"It takes a graveyard to raise a child. Nobody Owens, known as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a graveyard, being raised by ghosts, with a guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the dead. There are adventures in the graveyard for a boy—an ancient Indigo Man, a gateway to the abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible Sleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, he will be in danger from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family."

I'm reading....

With the demise of good bookstores like borders and angus & robertson I've found it hard to actually get my hands on books I like, so I was excited to find a copy of Gok Wan's autobiography in discount book store. Hey books for $5, I was bound to look and to my surprise I actually found a few.

If you don't who I'm talking about Gok Wan is a British fashion consultant, author and television presenter. His television series include How to Look Good Naked, Gok Wan's Clothes Roadshow, and Miss Naked Beauty. Wan has published three bestselling style guides to go with them, including How to Dress: Your Complete Style Guide for Every Occasion. This book however is not about how to look good its his own story about his life where he reveals all about his life changing period. The lessons Gok learned during this time helped him bounce back from a difficult childhood to become a stylist to the stars, every woman’s best friend, and a national treasure. In this intimate memoir Gok tells his full story in his own words. Whether he’s recounting the horrors of childhood bullying or riotous anecdotes about his loving family, behind the scenes in the fashion world or TV shows, Gok’s voice jumps off the page with all the honesty, wit, and warmth for which he is known and loved.

I'm only a quarter of the way in but I'm loving it, so if you can get your hands on a copy I do suggest you have a read.

On the Bookshelf

Due to my many hours on public transport going to and from work I have been able to pop in my head phones, tune out and read some great books. Yep I'm the gal singing to herself hiding behind books with pink covers on the trams.

This week I have been indulging in a great read called Dreaming of Dior by Charlotte Smith, and yes I do love the fact the front cover is bright pink!!!

A Bit of a Book Description from Haper Collins

Charlotte Smith has had more than her fair share of fabulous dresses and adventures. Born in Hong Kong and raised in the United States, she lived life to the full in London, Paris and New York before falling in love with Australia and discovering she had inherited a priceless vintage clothing collection from her American Quaker godmother, Doris Darnell.

Then the boxes started arriving, with more than three thousand treasures dating from 1790 to 1995, from originals by Dior, Chanel and Balenciaga to a pioneer woman′s daintily mended best dress.

But when she unearthed her godmothers book of stories about the dresses and the women who wore them, the true value of what she had been bequeathed hit home. This wasn′t a mere collection of beautiful things, it was a collection of life. Women′s lives. Tiny snapshots of our joys and disappointments, our entrances and exits, triumphant and tragic.

Personally I find this book a great read as its part history and part inspiration. For most of us lovely ladies our dresses hold memories of tears, joy, youth; some even hold the memories of first kisses and first heartbreak. After reading the 'Secret lives of Dresses' by Erin McKean this true life tale from Charlotte makes me smile with every page I turn. So please put of your favorite frock, head to the bookstore and get reading.

Afternoon reading

Well I'm in the last few hours of my 'staycation' so what better way to spend it than reading about being a Decadent Housewife.

I picked up this book a few months ago, and you may of seen it on my twitter or instagram, and I still adore reading it. It's a very cute and fun way to spend your afternoon especially if your reading with a good cup of coffee in your hand. Its basically how to live a lavish life on someone else's budget. For all you strong ladies out their I do stress this book is a bit of fun, not serious. There are some great ideas on how to live like a decadent film star with some part that will really make you giggle.

So I'm off to lounge around indulging today in my free time, while I still have it.

It all ends July 13

Nope I'm not talking about the Australian release of Harry Potter, I'm actually talking about something very close to my heart. I'm actually talking about the final closures of the Borders and Angus&Robertson bookstores.

Now regardless on what your personal opinions are on these brands my main reasons for mourning this day is the following
- the loss of places to buy books
- the loss of 1000's of jobs
- the harsh behaviour many of the staff received from people they didn't know

It is with a heavy heart that many staff will close their doors for the final time today. Saying goodbye to knowledge, loyal customers, co-workers and for many their income. My heart goes out to all the staff who were spat at, threatened and abused just for turning up to work. To all of you I wish you all the best in the future.

What also concerns me is the lack of places the Australian community will have to buy books. Sure many people will say 'go online' but what about those that can't or don't have access to the internet. Others will say 'go to readings or another book store'; sure go to another book store if you can find them. However remember that no store is safe and without our trade they will not exist.

So please put down that magazine and read a book. Remember that every dollar we choose to spend in a physical store keeps people in jobs, and please remember that the reason why store prices are higher than online are for reasons such as paying staff, electricity, stock, rent and a thousand and one other things most people don't consider when looking at a price tag.

They often say we don't know what we've got till its gone, so please think about the places and way you shop. And most of all remember that there are people with real feelings behind that counter. Hearing the questions "when are you closing?", "have you lost your job?" are doing nothing but upsetting staff. To be honest its none of your business about their payouts, closing dates, job status. If you want to help give the staff a box of chocolates when their closing or just a simple Thank you.

Ok so I've had my rant but I thought I would leave you with a poem which was read at the closing of one of the borders stores, which brings me to tears to think about the family that many stores created with their staff and have now lost.

"I sing to you for the final time
I send you my love via this terrible rhyme
How far we have come, its been a blast
Our time at Borders has just gone really fast
Be still for a second and look around
At the shelves, at the tree
At the friends we have found
Thank you all for being so amazing
For the good times, for the bad times
For the slacking and the slaving
I'm sure we appreciate just how lucky we have been
To experience a job like this
For the things we've done and seen
So my lovely lovelies its time for us to go
lets lock the doors for the last time
try not to feel too low
thank you for your hard work
thank you very much
Good luck, Farewell and all the very best
And try and keep in touch"

Bakerella Book Launch

The wonderful Bakerella has finally released a book for all us fans of her amazing cake pops. So far its planned to be launched in the USA in september but you can find it on Amazon for all you international readers.

With great images the Cake Pops Book is a great addition to any kitchen, especially with the step by step guide. A wonderful reference for cooks like myself who like a bit of virtual hand holding when cooking something new for the first time.