Random books from thewordygecko's library

Winnie the Pooh: Now We Are Seventy by A.A. Milne

My Kingdom for a Horsie! (Coronet Books) by Johnny Hart

Speaking to Each Other: About Society v. 1 (Pelican S.) by Richard Hoggart

Dalai Lama: Man, Monk, Mystic by Mayank Chhaya

Anton Bruckner. by Karl Grebe

Nausea (Penguin Modern Classics) by Jean-Paul Sartre

A Sunday by the Pool in Kigali by Gil Courtemanche

Members with thewordygecko's books

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Friends: AnneBoleyn, DameMuriel, GumboWriters321, maggieball, moukayedr, Murmurs, seemingmeaning, shmjay, sremmah, theoldman, TheresaWilliams, Torteth

Interesting libraries: almigwin, aluvalibri, amanaceerdh, angelrose, angrystarlyt, AnneBoleyn, AsYouKnow_Bob, bleuroses, brusselsbook, camelspit, Catgwinn, claudinec, cmtusa, DameMuriel, dovegreyreader, elan, ForrestFamily, FrankieWhippet, hasprintwillread, LamSon, LizzieD, lizziemc, maggieball, mccardey, michaelbartley, mtartag, Murmurs, ozpierre, philippa58, poeticmedic, prufrock9, seemingmeaning, shawjonathan, sremmah, stellarexplorer, tartalom, TheresaWilliams

LibraryThing authors: Alexandra Kitty (AlexandraKitty), Colum McCann (ColumMcCann), Jonathon Green (abecedary), David Mitchell (davidmitchell), John Reed (easyreeder), Lennard J. Davis (lendavis), Magdalena Ball (maggieball), Susan Johnson (sjohnsonauthor), Stefan Block (stefanmerrillblock)

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Member: thewordygecko

CollectionsYour library (4,246), Read and owned (48), Currently reading (2), All collections (4,246)

Reviews15 reviews

Tagsfiction (74), novel (66), UQ Alumni Book Fair 2009 (53), Australia (44), literature (27), memoir (19), autobiography (18), poetry (18), feminism (15), art (14) — see all tags

Cloudstag cloud, author cloud

Groups"I See Dead People's Books", 1001 Books to read before you die, Art is Life, Australian LibraryThingers, BBC Radio 3 Listeners, Biographies, Memoirs and Autobiographies, Book reviewers, Favorite Bookstores, Loitering with Intent, Lovers of NZ Literature — show all groups

Favorite authorsMargaret Atwood, Yvonne Audette, Jane Austen, John Berger, Charlotte Brontë, Don DeLillo, William Faulkner, Janet Frame, Liz Hall-Downs, Barbara Hanrahan, Henry James, Doris Lessing, Lorrie Moore, Toni Morrison, Ffion Murphy, Flannery O'Connor, Caryl Phillips, Carol Shields, Lesley Singh, Colm Tóibín, Patrick White (Shared favorites)

Favorite bookstoresAvid Reader Bookshop

Other favoritesLifeline Bookfest

About meWriter and book reviewer living in The Gap, Brisbane, with Craig and Jack the Big Cat.

About my libraryWide range: lots of books on mental illness and psychology, literature and writing (not so much 'how-to' as 'why' and 'what'), politics, animal rights, feminism, autobiographies and biographies and memoirs. Fiction is mixture of classic and contemporary, if I can put it like that: more Jackie Kay than Jackie Collins, Bill Shakespeare than Bob Barrett. We're not science fiction or fantasy readers, and there's not much crime and no horror (don't mind a good crime novel, hate horror I'm afraid as it gives me nightmares for days). Mind you, there's a fair bit of crime and horror in King Lear...

Favourite bookshops in our town are Avid Reader at West End and Folio Books in the city for new stuff, and Bent Books (just a few steps up from Avid) and Charing Cross at Annerley for second hand. A wonderful sense of community combined with an excellent selection of titles (plus DVDs) at Avid; Folio has beautiful big books on art and photography and history and architecture, as well as literature and psychology and lots of delicious things; Sean will always greet you at Bent, knows his shop inside out and has a great paperback novel selection (and more out the back); and Charing Cross is dangerous (literally- OH&S is unknown there) but a rabbit warren of treasures await.

Homepagehttp://thewordygecko.wordpress.com

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Real nameSue

LocationAustralia

Account typepublic, lifetime

Connection NewsConnection News

URLs http://www.librarything.com/profile/thewordygecko (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/thewordygecko (library)

Common KnowledgeSeries (230), Awards (494), Characters (5112), Places (1031)

Member sinceNov 3, 2005

Currently readingThe brain that changes itself : stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of brain science by Norman Doidge
On the origin of stories : evolution, cognition, and fiction by Brian Boyd

Most recent activity

thewordygecko added:
Rainy Season by Jose Eduardo Agualusa

thewordygecko added:
How Beautiful it is and How Easily it Can be Broken: Essays by Daniel Mendelsohn

thewordygecko added:
Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees by Roger Deakin

thewordygecko added:
The Theory of Evolution (Canto) by John Maynard Smith

thewordygecko rated, added:
John Berger- A Season in London 2005: Culture/ Collaboration/ Commitment by John Berger

thewordygecko added:
Here is Where We Meet by John Berger

It is a glorious privilege to live, to know, to act, to listen,
to behold, to love. To look up at the blue summer sky;
to see the sun sink slowly beyond the line of the horizon;
to watch the worlds come twinkling into view, first one
by one, and the myriads that no man can count, and lo!
the universe is white with them; and you and I are here.

- Marco Morrow

posted by theoldman at 8:41 am (EST) on Jun 6, 2009

Thanks for your response. My blog is http://gumbowriters.blogspot.com/

posted by GumboWriters321 at 10:33 pm (EST) on May 3, 2009

At last! At last! I've finally ferreted out an Ausie who appreciates Patrick White in a big way. Admitedly, I haven't been here very long or looked very hard, but I would consider him a national treasure if I could. (I'm sorry that you don't enjoy scifi. I'm a latecomer there too, and often carried away by the quality of the thought, the writing, and the sheer fun of a lot of it.)
More than you want to know!
Yours,
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 4:29 pm (EST) on Apr 19, 2009

Noticed that you liked The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, and I was wondering if you'd be interested in reviewing my new novel and posting your comments here (as well as on a few other book-related sites). I thought you might like my novel since it's been compared to that novel by a number of reviewers. I could e-mail you the novel in an e-book format if you'd like. Let me know if you're interested. Here's a link to a summary in case you're interested:

http://christophertusa.com/

Thanks,

Chris

posted by cmtusa at 12:07 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2009

Hi Sue

Thanks very much for sending me that. My Brisbane rels had seen it and loved it, it turns out, but I hadn't, so I'm sending waves of appreciation your way.

Jonathan

posted by shawjonathan at 1:54 am (EST) on Mar 20, 2009

I'm glad you're enjoying Paula's book, Sue. I haven't read the published version yet -- that is to say, the results of Allen & Unwin's input -- but my partner is very enthusiastic and I'm looking forward to it.

posted by shawjonathan at 3:07 am (EST) on Feb 24, 2009

You must send me a link to the review -- since the hard copy of the Courier Mail doesn't come my way.

posted by shawjonathan at 2:37 am (EST) on Feb 20, 2009

Hi Sue,
Many, many...years ago I was reading a lot of the big names in literature, Steinbeck, O. Henry, Sherwood Anderson, Hemingway and Faulkner. I not sure which I read, but I think I read 'As I Lay Dying' and 'Light in August'. I had a hard time getting into Faulkner. I also had trouble with Steinbeck the first time around, eventually he became one of my favorite authors. I will probably have to give Faulkner another try sometime.

I recommend O. Henry. They are short stories that have some unique endings.

Have You heard of the 'Tomorrow Series' by John Marsden? They are set in Australia and are about a group of high school students who are out camping when the country is invaded. The kids become freedom fighters. I found one at a library sale (there are 7)and read the entire series. They are young adult, but I really enjoyed them.

I saw on BBC that there are some bad brush fires in Australia. Are they anywhere near you?

Have a good one,
Mark

posted by LamSon at 8:58 pm (EST) on Jan 31, 2009

Hi Sue,
Thanks for the comment. I would like to visit the used bookstores in Australia, but it's not likely to happen. However, I have gotten a few things through the internet from 'down under'.

It's obvious from my tags that I am interested in the Vietnam War. In the US it's hard to find material on the Australian and New Zealand involvement in the war, but every so often, I get lucky.

Thanks for adding me to your interesting libraries.
LamSon

posted by LamSon at 9:56 pm (EST) on Dec 22, 2008

Hi Sue,

Yes! It indeed seems we have a great number of interests in common! I have bookmarked your blog too! :)

Best,
M

posted by mtartag at 11:47 pm (EST) on Oct 29, 2008

Hi Sue, thank you for your note. It is interesting that you are spending a lot of time at the art muesum. Yesterday I did my first volunteer shift at the Portland Art Museum. A little Portland pride, Portland has the oldest art muesum on the west coast. They just opend a new exhabit, sorry about being a terrible speller they really need spell check feature, anyway it a photo exhibit on the Columbia River. The first pictures were taken in 1860's wonderful stuff. By being a volunteer I can get into the muesum for free, that why I became a volunteer. There are some works of art. Another wonderful way to spend a raining weekend day.
Michael

posted by michaelbartley at 5:41 pm (EST) on Oct 10, 2008

Hi Sue, thank you for adding my library to your interesting libraries list. It great to know that other readers find your taste in books are interesting. Of course I wish I had more time to read. The raining season is about to start here in Portland, it runs from October to July 4th, so it is easy to stay home in the evenings or on weekends and read. Or go to a bookstore or the library to be surrounded by books. I am noticing how much fun there is when finishing a book deciding what the next book will be. Take care
Michael

posted by michaelbartley at 11:09 am (EST) on Oct 3, 2008

thanks sue! i saw we had 300 fantastic books in common and thought i may wanna visit your page again!

posted by amanaceerdh at 3:24 pm (EST) on Jul 11, 2008

Thanks for writing back - as it turns out I grew up in Ashgrove and went to the Gap State High, so we probably do have a bit in common. I'm still doing basic training in paediatrics, aiming to sit the exam next year: finding it hard to study with the combination of shift work and planning a wedding. I'm usually quite an avid reader - especially when I am doing evening shifts and never see friends or family -but I am finding that study is taking up a lot more of my mental energy.
What are you reading at the moment?

posted by poeticmedic at 1:04 am (EST) on Jun 20, 2008

Hi - we share 59 books, and had to smile when you listed your favourite book shops as a fellow Brisbanite. What kind of stuff do you write?

posted by poeticmedic at 8:07 pm (EST) on Jun 17, 2008

Thank you for your kind message, I feel really honoured to be an "interesting library", and I will definitely look at yours once in a while! Thanks, kind regards, Margriet

posted by brusselsbook at 1:43 pm (EST) on May 27, 2008

I really liked The Ha-Ha. I first read about it in a Sylvia Plath biography. I found a pristine first edition copy w/ a press photo on ebay for about $10 and bought it because I wasn't able to find it in any of the local libraries. I started searching for other books by her and realized they were really hard to find. I found a reasonably priced copy of Hospital Wedding (a collection of short stories) and a paperback copy of The Cold Country. I also found a copy of The Upstairs People which is probably my favorite book by Dawson. It is extremely disturbing. I'm not sure why her books are so difficult to find. When I do come across copies for sale, they are way out of my price range. I wish someone would print them again.

posted by DameMuriel at 10:16 am (EST) on Jan 31, 2008

Thanks for your prompt response, it was very helpful.

posted by reading_fox at 4:04 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2007

I've come to your profile following links off Patrick White's page.

I'm trying to research a book to get my dad for Christmas. He claims he's enjoyed Patrick White but read all of his that he intends to. Would you have any suggestions for a similar author?

Much obliged if you do happen to think of anything. No worries at all if you don't.

Fox.

posted by reading_fox at 5:02 pm (EST) on Dec 13, 2007

How's the writing come along? For me, I need to get my brain in active writing mode or else I'll perish.

posted by seemingmeaning at 4:12 pm (EST) on Sep 29, 2007

Thank you so much for adding me to your Interesting Libraries! Despite my many friends on LT you are the very first to declare I have a vaguely interesting Library. I am truly honoured you have brightened up rather a grey day in Northern England!

Anon.

posted by AnneBoleyn at 5:15 pm (EST) on Sep 23, 2007

Sue,

I just read "Incision" posted in November 2006 and was so moved.
The cadence, your quietly devastaing descriptions...I was especially
affected by the women with breast cancer.

“I am filled with this horrible feeling that they weren’t silent because of death, it didn’t worry them so much, but because their mouths were tight with the wasting of yet another life.”

This reminded me of a book by Carole Maso - AVA. It, too, is
poetically powerful about life faced with death. Ava Klein is 39,
and dying of a rare blood disease. This book is what passes through her
thoughts on her last day.

I've read it over and over with many highlighted passages
of astounding emotion. Carole Maso is more than
a writer - she has the ability to fill the white spaces.

I look forward to spending more time on your blog.
You have a wonderful talent, indeed.

Cate

posted by bleuroses at 2:39 pm (EST) on Jul 23, 2007

Hi Sue,

Thanks for adding my library! I see we share 120 books! And I see you know
that crazy italian girl...aluvalibri...she's a sly one!

Looking forward to seeing your around LT - and in the VMC group!

Cate

posted by bleuroses at 12:17 pm (EST) on Jul 23, 2007

Hi wordygecko, thought you might like to check my forum site out, www.ChessForums.org, thanks, Greg

posted by gregfindley at 7:49 am (EST) on Jun 29, 2007

Yep, the "online 1st tuesday bookclub" (what a mouthful) is pretty good, you only really have to listen to the bits that interest you and they have some fun celebs join the group. Andrew Denton for one, only realised from watching this that he and Jennifer whatsit (last name escapes me for the moment, lets call her Mrs Denton) were married.

I can imagine those lifeline bookfests are bad news for book addicts, never made it to one yet in Canberra, but would be bad for the bank balance if i did.
Dymocks seems to take their pound of flesh most months, and thats worst. :-)
Anyway happy hunting....and go with the motto.."you can never have too much of a good thing"
Cheers

posted by KimB at 3:42 am (EST) on Jun 21, 2007

Hi Wordy gecko
Just joined LT last month and thought I would say hi.
Is the First Tuesday Book club group good, I check out the podcast from time to time.

Cheers
kim

posted by KimB at 3:45 am (EST) on Jun 20, 2007

Hi wordy gecko, I used to live in Brisbane too, but only for a few years while my farm was rented out in the NSW Northern Rivers area. You have an interesting collection of books coinciding with mine, and also a number of books that I have owned but have been borrowed (possibly stolen) over the years.
cheers
artnjan

posted by artnjan at 5:54 pm (EST) on Feb 21, 2007

Hi Sue
The first point to note about the First Tuseday Book Club is that we now have a panel discussing books so there are differing points of view. This is great because it's difficult to trust one reviewer but when you have a group pretty much agreeing that something is worth reading, then there's a good chance it is. Marieke Hardy and Some Bloke are the regulars - intelligent, polite, pleasant and worth hearing. Guest panellists have been a mixed bag, including the dreaded Germaine Greer who is not polite and prefers to listen to herself.
As far as the content goes the panel discusses one new work and one classic (their definition of)each month. Some of the books are: The Transit of Venus, American Psycho, Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, The Ballad of Desmond Kale, The Rachel Papers. I'm not interested in every book they discuss but I am interested and entertained by listening to the opinions.
After all that I have to say, more power to you for not having a TV.
The program is available on podcast if you're interested.
Amanda

posted by amandameale at 7:17 am (EST) on Feb 5, 2007

Thanks Sue
Good recommendations. And I must re-read Riders in the Chariot because I think I have forgotten everything that was in it. Do you watch the First Tuesday Book Club on ABC? If so, what do you thin of it?
Amanda

posted by amandameale at 7:46 am (EST) on Jan 31, 2007

Hi Sue
I'm Australian like you and another member has asked me to recommend the definitve Sydney novel. I cannot think of anything and gave her your name. I would be very interested if you think of something.
Amanda

posted by amandameale at 7:27 am (EST) on Jan 24, 2007

Hello back, Sue!
I will check out the books you suggest...I am always eager to learn, where books are concerned.
I love your country, which I visited in 2000, before the Olympics, but could not get as far as Brisbane. Hopefully, next time.
I just temporarily interrupted my translation of the LT site into Italian, time for me to go to bed as tomorrow morning the alarm clock goes off at 5!
I have done quite a bit, but of course I will have to review it and, hopefully, some other LT Italian member will participate in the effort. So far, there were only a couple of things translated by BoPeep and lilithcat who, if I am not mistaken, are not native speakers of Italian. But the effort is still VERY appreciated!!
Hope to meet you soon in one group or another and, in the meantime, give all my love to the wonderful land downunder.

Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 9:54 pm (EST) on Oct 4, 2006

Hi Sue,
thank you for joining Virago Modern Classics!

Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 3:39 pm (EST) on Sep 24, 2006

Hi 41 year old layabout hailing from the Gap, from 47 year old library tech from Melbourne. We share quite a few books in common, as well as a leafy address. I lived in Brisbane for about 7 years. In the scary Joe B days. I'm new to this librarything, but am seriously into libraries. Jack is great, I have a tabby called Tom.

Cheers,

Alana.

posted by camelspit at 5:18 am (EST) on Sep 8, 2006

I'm relatively new to librarything, but I noticed I share the most books (32) with you. That seem like a lot though considering my library is so small...

posted by perlle at 3:12 pm (EST) on Aug 30, 2006

Plenty in Titus Andronicus too

posted by papalaz at 12:22 pm (EST) on Aug 13, 2006

Yes - a fine looking cat!

posted by zendo454 at 9:57 am (EST) on Jul 29, 2006

I'll welcome any further note. Meanwhile, "Fly Away Peter" is the only Malouf I have read. It is a beautiful book: good for reading and rereading, so do give it a try. As for "Death of a River Guide," it is a tour de force. . not easy to read, but worth the effort. I seem to remember that no publisher wnted it it, but when it finally did come out it was sold-out, reprinted/sold-out several times! (Don't have time to verify this, so please don't hold me to it!!) Each of the 3 books...this, "Gould's Book of Fish," and "Sound of One Hand Clapping," are vivid and stay in your mind for a long long time after you finish! ESTA1923

posted by Esta1923 at 6:58 pm (EST) on Jul 18, 2006

Aha! You listed "Fly Away Peter'" an unusual and lovely book, I think. BUT can you tell me why its title? Esta1923

posted by Esta1923 at 5:11 pm (EST) on Jul 12, 2006

I was viewing your profile, and noticed one of the books on your "Random Books" widget is listed as "Fielding, Henry by Joseph Andrews/Shamela"
I don't know if that's a LibraryThing glitch, or maybe you just entered the author and title in the wrong fields...
(Handsome cat, indeed!)

posted by laytonwoman3rd at 2:21 pm (EST) on Feb 14, 2006

Copyright LibraryThing and/or members of LibraryThing, authors, publishers, libraries, cover designers, Amazon, Bol, Bruna, etc. | static: /