I’m sorry that I haven’t blogged in quite some time.  It has been a busy time in my real life. However, things are gradually slowing down and so things will be getting busier on this blog. 

Now, I know I maybe a little slow on the uptake.  But, something just recently dawned on me. This summer is going to be a bit boring for a semi- republican sport hating avid reader/arts lover like me. So, I have set myself an Olympian reading challenge. I want to start to get through the books that are; sitting on my to be read table, sitting on my kindle (both whole books and samples), waiting on my TBR list on Goodreads, and on my Amazon Wishlist.      I will try and review all the books that I read (or at least those book that I rate higher than 1 star on Goodreads). I will pin all titles on my pininterest board http://pinterest.com/vikzwrites/books-helping-me-ignore-the-torch-and-races/

Thief of Lives by Lucy Sussex My rating: 3 of 5 stars why am I reading this book? This is another book for the Australian Women's Writers Challenge. This brilliant challenge maybe found at www.goodreads.com/group/show/59176, https://www.facebook.com/AustralianWomen... and http://www.australianwomenwriters.com/p/... It's not too late to get involved. Get reading. about this book This is part of a series of novella size books which is currently being by published Twelfth Planet Press (http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/). These books are short story collections. This book is a series of fairly unrelated stories; Alchemy Fountain of Justice The Story of O Thief of Lives What I thoughtThis book is an interesting introduction to the work of an interesting writer. I will definitely read more from this author. View all my reviews

Mistification. Kaaron Warren by Kaaron Warren My rating: 4 of 5 stars why am I reading this book I am reading this as part of the Australian Women's writers challenge (http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/5917...) (http://www.australianwomenwriters.com/p/...) Summary A young boy grows up in a room with his grandmother, hiding from a foe who he can only hear and going on covert stealing missions. This book shows him; growing up, leaving his cage, falling in love and developing his own talents. Themes This book looks at the concepts of myth, story and realty. Marco gift allows him to throw a mist over peoples eyes. This mist allows him to distort reality, giving the person a new story and allowing Marco to alter their history. Through out his journey he encounters people who tell them his story. As a reward, he alters their story to take away their painful memories. Marco becomes aware that these stories are needed if humanity are to survive. Humans would go mad if they were forced to face the truth. In addition, it takes a look at the difference between the world as it is portrayed in the media and the reality of our own lived experience. Marco spends his life in a room watching TV with no sound and this does not prepare him for the real world. my thoughts I was fascinated by the world that Warren creates within this work. I loved the ideas that she explores. The stories interspersed within the narrative make for interesting reading. But, the characters, especially Marco, left me cold. They didn't engage me. Therefore, I was not able to give it a five. View all my reviews

The Trojan Women by Euripides My rating: 5 of 5 stars why am I reading this I am reading this book since it is the chosen read of The Classics of the western Cannon reading group (Good read) http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1986... summary This play is set in the aftermath of the Trojan wars. These events are viewed from the perspective of the Trojan Women. It shows their grief at the death of their husbands and children, following the defeat of the Trojan armies.It shows their fear of their future and of their future life in slavery. Conclusion The stories of the women are heart breaking. The story of Casandra is particularly heart rending. Her sadness at the loss of her husband and son bring tears to the eyes. The play brings home the pain of war. And, since we are always at war, this book always seems timely and modern. I am glad that the reading group encouraged me to read it. View all my reviews

Love and Romanpunk by Tansy Rayner Roberts My rating: 5 of 5 stars summary I have beeb listening to Galactic suburbia http://www.galactisuburbia.podbean.com/ for quite some time and I was interested in reading this book. It couldn't have been better for me. It takes the Roman world, turns it into a mythological sphere and then brings it forward to the modern world. structure The narrative is told in a series of short stories that contain a overarching narrative arch. Each is set in a different historical period. Each one shows the fight that takes place between the Julias and various mythological creatures. characters Some of the characters are historical characters altered slightly. While, others are fictional characters placed in historical settings. The final section being fully fictional contains fictional characters. But, they are all believable. The research is evident but the author uses it with a light touch. conclusion READ THIS BOOK, View all my reviews

To Ride Pegasus by Anne McCaffrey My rating: 3 of 5 stars Since I read this book out of sequence, it took me a long time to get into it. I only continued because it was written by one of my favourite authors and part of one of my favourite series. It was well worth the effort. This well-written book charts the beginning of an organisation for the talents. It shows the problems, and successes, of a group of people who began the organisation. It asks the question- how do we treat those who are different and how do we treat those with unique talents. It is well worth a read. View all my reviews

The Curse of Tutton Common by Geoff Tristram My rating: 1 of 5 stars I didn't want to write this review. I wanted to like this book. Firstly, because it is a local author. Secondly, it is self published and I admire authors who are brave enough to take that route. And thirdly, because, I like boring museums. I find them a refreshing anti-dote to the flashy ones born in the 1980s/1990s. And, at first, I liked this book. The quiet humour matched the quiet backdrop of the story. However, once the main character enters the tale it becomes a series of pratt - falls and the story goes out the window. I am sorry. But I hated this book. View all my reviews