Sunday, August 19, 2012

Walking before work

I was in early one day this week, I have to come early every day now, but some days I don't need to start until around 10 or 11 so I will walk.
I can do the 'bridge to bridge' which takes about 1 hour for 5 kilometres, but as the bridges are rather windy and it was only about 2 degrees I walked around the lake.
I was in my beanie and jacket but it was beautiful.

I walk past the carillion, and as I go by it rings the half past.


I walk under Kings Avenue Bridge.


Past the National Gallery's sculpture garden.








I went to the small park and turned around.












And walked back to my Library.

I think I work in one of the most beautiful areas in Australia.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

What I've been reading lately...

The joys of the public library are inspiring - free books!
I have been borrowing a mix of fiction, home design books and some quilting books, whatever I see sitting out on the tables or in the newly returned rack.

I have finished The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, part of the Elm Creek Quilts novels.
I first read The Union Quilters set in the American Civil War, and found it really touching and interesting. This is the second novel of the series that I have read and set much farther in the future, still a good read, and yes it is about women quilting but the characters are engaging.

Now for the bad stuff - Full Blast by Janet Evanovich. I have always found Evanovich's novels, especially the Stephanie Plum series funny, fast paced novels. Full Blast, written with Charlotte Hughes is one of the WORST books I have ever read. I read quite a bit, I am a librarian, this is bad stuff.
In the words of one of the most annoying characters ever written, Dee Dee a forty year old moron who starts every sentence this stupid word but all too relevant to the book 'Eeyeuuw!' Seriously!@#! A 2 million dollar car with feelings called Muffin that talks (just like Nightrider)!

I believe I have read everyone one of the Stephanie Plum novels plus assorted others from Evanovich. maybe the fact that it is written with someone else is the problem - only two people could conceive this crap. I want to complain and get the public library's money back for purchasing this. I felt compelled to write a note to leave in the book, warning the next unsuspecting patron to not waste their valuable time reading this as the public library in the ACT does not have the capabilities for leaving notes on the records.
Another review from Goodreads.com: Really found the book rather annoying. I listened to it on tape, and suspect it was more the voices than anything else. I may have enjoyed it more if I read it. I just could not get past the ditzyness of all the female characters. I found myself hoping that they were the next victim more than anything else.Yes I agree!

I have written two blog entries for my work blog about what staff are reading at the National Library called Page Turners: Worst things happen at sea by William McInnes and Sarah Watt and Crunch Time by Diane Mott Davidson. 

Plus I have joined a Jane Austen Book Club. I have finished the first book Emma, which I don't believe I have read. I was kind of shocked at the language used to describe the 'lesser' people ie. farmers or poor people and wondered how this was received by the people reading the book when it was published, presumably the majority of people reading it were not landed gentry and part of the digusting not fit to look upon set! Anyway our next meeting is this Sunday at my library. Yes, I get to work there all week then visit on my weekends! Oh well.
Cheers