This is a little book of 30 ideas which push us, prompt us, and dare us to move beyond our training to conform and comply -- and reach for something Seth Godin calls 'graceful'.
Category: Reading
BOOK REVIEW — The Dead Girl: A True Story
The Dead Girl by Melanie Thernstrom is one of those books that has been popping up on my 'must read' lists for years (it was first published in 1990). It's a memoir written by a young college student who's best friend was brutally murdered.
Book Review: Poetry in the Making by Ted Hughes
This excellent book by Ted Hughes is a collection of the programmes he wrote for the BBC Schools Department ‘Listening and Writing’ series.
Book Review: Faith by Tim Costello
Faith by Tim Costello My rating: 5 of 5 stars It is easy to speak highly of book where you agree with nearly everything the author has to say, and in some ways acts as an endorsement for some of…
How to Get Your Books Back Without Using Violence
Last week I was having coffee with a new friend, and she was suggesting things for a newbie to do here in Iloilo City. Museums, galleries, historical sites ... the type of stuff to help you get to know a…
Book Review: The Everyday Work of Art by Eric Booth
Imagine finding an award winning book (signed by the author) -- that teaches you how to awaken the extraordinary in your life -- in a second hand book bin for less than $3. ‘The Everyday Work of Art’ by Eric Booth is…
Accessing my local library from anywhere in the world
How wonderful to live in a period of time where you can be anywhere in the world and still use your local library. Even better when you spend 10-11 months of the year abroad with a 10 year old boy…
Book Review: ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ by Li Cunxin
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin My rating: 5 of 5 stars 'Mao's Last Dancer' has become a favourite of mine and I read it again between Christmas and New Year -- well listened to the audiobook compliments of the…
Book Review: Faunaverse Tasmania
'Faunaverse Tasmania' is a book of 26 fun and funky poems about the unique wildlife and flora of Australia's island state (Tasmania). It doesn't matter whether you are a kid or all grown up, you'll delight in Alex and Jane…
Book Review: ‘Cold As Ice’ by Lee Weeks
Cold as Ice by Lee Weeks My rating: 3 of 5 stars A few weeks ago Simon and Schuster featured Lee Week’s British ‘DC Ebony Willis’ crime series in one of their newsletters. The first book was free, and books…
Book Review: Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou
This wonderful book was found in a shelf of ripped and jaded books in a little department store in the rural Philippines. I've been waiting until Christmas to post my review, and what a wonderful time to read it again.…
Book Review: Dead of Winter by Lee Weeks
Dead of Winter by Lee Weeks My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book was promoted for free on Kindle and Apple Books in this week's eNewsletter by Simon & Schuster (26.NOV.2018). It's the first in a crime thriller series…
Book Review: A Separation by Katie Kitamura
A Separation by Katie Kitamura My rating: 4 of 5 stars First, if you are expecting a page-turning psychological thriller (as I was) don't buy this book. 'A Separation' is certainly unsettling and makes you feel awkward (and at times…
Book Review: The Nine Lives of Dudley Dog
The Nine Lives of Dudley Dog by Ann Hassett My rating: 5 of 5 stars My ESL (english second language) adopted son and I both loved this fun and curious tale about a naughty dog, birthday wishes and a mix-up…
Book Review: The Moon Dragon by Moira Miller
Finding 'The Moon Dragon' in a little department store in a rural province of the Philippines 2 years ago, began my real commitment to introducing Jerry to cultural stories and folk tales from all over the World. We just read it again.
Book Review: Diana and Her Rhinoceros by Edward Ardizzone
Diana and Her Rhinoceros by Edward Ardizzone My rating: 5 of 5 stars I'm not sure how long this old book has been in the family, or how many times I've read it. But reading it again was a delight.…
Book Review: The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur My rating: 3 of 5 stars As a writer and poet I felt compelled to read a recent New York Times Bestseller poetry collection. Especially when 'The Sun and Her Flowers' was…
Book Review: Me, the Tree by Ann Louise Ramsey
The earth has worked her magic on me, in return for my love of being a tree. Anne Louise Ramsey.
Book Review: I’ve Been There and Back Again by Joy McKean
Slim Dusty and Joy McKean's lifetime of travel, stories and songs I've Been There (And Back Again): Slim Dusty and Joy McKean's lifetime of travel, stories and songs by Joy McKean My rating: 4 of 5 stars You don't have…
Book Review: Habit Stacking by S.J. Scott
Habit Stacking: 127 Small Actions That Take Five Minutes or Less by S.J. Scott (2017 edition). My rating: 5 of 5 stars Habit Stacking is a handy little book to help you make some simple changes in your day that lead…
Book Review: Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is definitely a woman's book though I think all men should read it. I'm not sure how many will, If could insist upon it I would.…
Reading Jerry ‘The Magic Pudding’
When I was home in Australia last October mum produced a box filled with the books I read and loved as a little kid. They all fit in my luggage too (returning to the Philippines) and Jerry loves most especially The…
Book Review: Force of Nature by Jane Harper
Force of Nature by Jane Harper My rating: 5 of 5 stars 'Force of Nature' is one of the best new fiction books I've read in ages. I'm definitely a fan of Jane Harper now! Force of Nature is Jane…
Book Review: The Woman in the Window
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn My rating: 3 of 5 stars When I saw all the rave reviews and Stephen King giving this book the thumbs up I bought it right away. But I confess I'm a…
Book Review: Back to Reality
I think we've all had times in our lives when we'd love to reach out to our younger self and say "don't ... or ... keep going" and this book brings that concept to life in a way that's silly and crazy and just a little bit believable.
Book Review: The Maps That Contain Us
"On the clean wall of your bedroom, or on the space above your desk, imagine: a map of all the places you've ever been to. Run your hands through the islands, the bumps and the crevices. Imagine a line tracing…
Helicopters Came and Broke the World
"I want to live there" he sees something beautiful in a painted book of peace From a Distance "Helicopters came and broke the world" he shouts upset He can't comprehend What all this war is for This wonderful book was found…
Grandma’s Last Gift
Finishing a book that's been on your reading list for six years always feels like an accomplishment. Especially when it's something my grandmother had specifically requested. Here is my Goodreads review of Michael Baldwin's "The Way to Write Poetry". You…
Rehearsals Started for Literacy Day Celebrations
Rehearsals for our World Literacy Day celebrations started today and as promised here are the details to watching live on Friday. Today we went back over some materials we learned last year and I also began teaching the kids a little…
Join Us Live with Dr June Perkins and the Children of Botongon
Less than a week now until World Literacy Day 2017 and I'd like to invite all my readers and supporters to join us live via YouTube on Friday, 8 September at 6.30pm AEST. I'm so excited to be hosting an activity…
You Can Only Give What You Have
Ethical studies around charity and compassion are what interest me most at this time. I hope to do a lot of reading and research on this topic in the coming months and share what I learn here on the blog.…
Reading Plato
Since recommencing my freelance copywriting business back in January I've had writing assignments on a wide range of topics, but last week I had to write a short piece about the reading habits of extraordinarily successful people. It was a…
The Successful Delivery of Magic Fish Dreaming to the Philippines
Arriving back in Estancia after more than two months in Australia and one of my first visits was to the family of Jerry's best friend. I had a small bag of gifts from Australia including a Koala plushie and the…
The Arrival of Magic Fish Dreaming
The Christmas mail to my parent's house brought a wonderful surprise today, the much anticipated book (and some extra surprises) by my dear friend June Perkins, Magic Fish Dreaming. If you have been following my blog you will know that…
Releasing my very first book: Paperbark Wetlands
Paperbark Wetlands is a multimedia eBook, and what is that exactly? Well it reads like a coffee table picture book, but instead of being limited to photographs you can interact with the high resolution picture galleries, listen to the sounds of the Australian bush or hear narration (yeh my voice) and commentary. It's a unique, interactive experience and all of the media (meaning the photos etc) is my own work. Grab a free copy now for iBooks and Kindle or in PDF format.
Magic Fish Dreaming
Author and poet June Perkins is launching a book of children's poetry Magic Fish Dreaming in Brisbane on 30 October 2016. This is my greeting video.
Another clueless #ParentFail (reading Faunaverse)
Wednesday night, reading Jerry's bedtime story I decided to video the experience for my friends Alexander Dudley and Jane Sullivan who had sent me a copy of their newly published book Faunaverse. Faunaverse is a wonderful book of poetry about…
Jerry opens Faunaverse
Faunaverse is a marvellous book of poetry appealing to both kids and adults. Fun educational and inspiring, Faunaverse was written by two passionate and talented environmental activists (and also my friends): Alexander Dudley and Jane Sullivan.
The Way to Write Poetry
A tribute to my grandmother and those who teach us to write The Way to Write Poetry is a book by Michael Baldwin. I found it among the many bookcases in my grandmother’s house after she died in the winter…
The Poetry of Ink
Book have always delighted me, not just their words and pictures, but their physical presence in my hand. I am still most happy lost for hours in a second-hand bookshop among the little books of poetry, big books of visual arts,…
Little marketing pants
Thrilled to announce the impending release of "Paperbark Wetlands" a multi-media poetry book through iBooks. The book is a collection of my poems that speak of the Australian landscape using images, audio and video as well as traditional text. I truly…
Dr June Perkins: overcoming racism with love and education
My friend, creative and author Dr June Perkins was interviewed yesterday on ABC radio. I am sharing here a link to her beautiful family story relating how she learned to deal with racism through the love and kindess. June is currently…
Art Books for Children
Yesterday I was watching Bubble Guppies with my little house mate Jerry; an episode where the little mer-people were visiting the post office. It became immediately obvious to me that Jerry would have no concept of the post office and what it…
Little Jackie Hare
For ten years, maybe longer I have had boxes of stuff and a beautiful cedar coffee table stored at mum and dad's house. My decision to sell or give-away all material possessions prompted me to finally clear it all out.…
Creative recovery: human responses to calamity
When a category 5 cyclone rips up your life some people speak to the sky and curse God for his injustices; others despair for a world in which there is no God; others loot and steal from their brothers; other…
After Yasi: what happens after a cyclone (an interview with author June Perkins)
I am guest blogger today for a blog hop (virtual book tour) and launch of the eBook After Yasi by June Perkins. This is the full transcript of our interview. Your book is called 'After Yasi', so could you tell me…
How do you measure time?
Waiting for coffee this morning in the Freckles Café in Inverell, I actually took the time to look around. Apart from mutli-coloured napkins and a hundreds and thousands sprinkled theme, I discovered that every table has an inspiring little book of…
Book Review: Demons at Dusk
After a visiting the Myall Creek Memorial on the road to Bingara, NSW and subsequent trips to the Inverell library, I stumbled across this book by Peter Stewart. I managed to buy it from an awesome second-hand book shop in Armidale…