Reading: The Red Notebook - Antoine Laurain

All I seem to talk about on here is books. Books. Books. Books.

When I was little I was an avid book worm. You'd find me on the spare bed, lying in the sunshine, devouring books. Whole novels over the weekend. I would barely move because I loved reading them  all. Roald Dahl. Judy Blume. Robin Klein. John Marsden. Duncan Ball. I just really loved them.

And I still do. 

So this year I set a goal for myself to read 16 books. That might not seem like a lot, but previously I would have probably been lucky to have read a book a year. 

If you befriend me on Goodreads, then you can follow along with what I'm reading and loving (and FYI - you can set yourself a reading challenge and track it! I'm 38% through mine - huzzah!).

I also joined a real-life book club. 

I was looking at ways to fill up my own buckets, I don't go out much - so I went to my local bookstore, found a book club and joined. And I flipping love it!

So anyway - book. 

'The Red Notebook' is translated from French and is a real beauty.

When I was told I would knock it over in two sittings - I inwardly scoffed. But at 159 pages, this little novella is a quick read that will keep you flipping the pages. 

Apparently the French love a handbag sized novel, and this is it. 

Set in Paris, bookseller Laurent finds an abandoned handbag on a street and is compelled to return it to its owner. So starts the story of the small red notebook - which contains no defining details, but some insights and thoughts from the owner. 

This is a charming book, full of whimsy. Fast-paced and quite lovely I really enjoyed it and would recommend as a light read. 

Reading:: Eugenia - Mark Tedeschi QC

If you're looking for an uplifting read - this is not the book for you.

My long time readers will know that I have a fascination with the Sydney's history of crime from the early 1800s - 1950s. 

A friend recommended I read this. And I did. It was heavy, my goodness, it was bleak. 

But am I glad I read it? Yes. Of course. I got to put myself in someone else's shoes, and learn about the hardships of life in the late 1800s through to 1931. It was tough if you didn't have the support of your family. 

Without giving to much away - Eugenia is born into an Italian family, moves to NZ, and at a young age realises she identifies as a male. It's a book of heartbreak and hardship, lack of understanding and compassion, and gritty real-life sadness. 

While the first half of the book was loaded with interest for me, I did struggle when it came to the trial of Eugenia. I skipped parts because it was just too dense for me. 

I'd definitely recommend it though, it's a fascinating story, delicately written with meticulous attention to detail. 

PS - I joined a book club! 

Bangers.

Things have been a little quiet around here because life is busy. 

But not so busy that I haven't checked in here now and then to sigh at the fact I haven't posted for a couple of weeks. 

Tumbleweeds have breezed through. Sandstorms have covered the keyboard. Crickets have moved in. 

In breaking news I got my hair cut, which has been a long time coming (seven months in fact, no wonder the ends were crispy as twigs). I got a fringe. Or bangs. Whatever you want to call - them - I got them. And I bought a new hairbrush too. Evo has released a new collection of brushes and combs. I am pretty excited by this new purchase! Clearly I am easily excited.

Other good news? The weather is warming up which means I can move into short sleeves. I've loathed Winter this year. So bring on the sunshine fellas!

And I've been cracking out my Victoria Mason 'Enfold' necklace. Vic gifted me this necklace, and it is a firm favourite. I have the matching earrings too - and it's such a cool combo when worn all at once, and individually they're ace too. I love the nod to the 70s, in a current and contemporary style.

I've been reading too. Hopefully later this week I'll finish my latest and can share a short review. 

Oh and... Frocktober is on the horizon. EEP!

Stay tuned. I do want to come back. But my eyeballs are just so tired these days. 

Reading:: My Paris Dream

I haven't been around here for almost two months. I guess I owe a brief explanation. 

So I left a job, and started a new one. Since then it's been a whirlwind of decompressing, travel, learning, commuting and yearning for things to settle down. And they are. 

As part of my new role, I can commute on the train - which is kind of cool. 

So I've been reading quite a bit. 

My latest is Kate Betts' 'My Paris Dream'. 

Since returning from New York and San Francisco, I've been struck with the travel bug. Reading this book seemed to satiate the yearning and curiosity. 

'My Paris Dream' is Kate's story of leaving the US as a fresh graduate from Princeton - and relocating to France where she was determined to live a Parisian life, thrust into the depths of culture, a new language and finding a job. 

It's a sort of coming of age story, where she works a number of entry-level jobs - before she lands an incredible apprenticeship with Women's Wear Daily. This is where she carves out her career, working ridiculous hours, sacrificing her own life to document the fashion life. 

She circles the city with Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfield, Christian Louboutin and so many others. But it's not the jerk circle you might expect. She's humble, down to earth and driven. She's hungry for her career, falls in love with the French romantic Herve, and is swept into this vortex driven by WWD. 

It's a beautiful exploration of Paris life, a wonderful memoir, and easy to read. I loved reading about her metamorphosis from La Grande Americaine to one perfectly at home in the heart of Paris.

If you love fashion, Paris and adventure, then this book is worthy of being on your bedside. 

'My Paris Dream' by Kate Betts $29.99 from Berkelouw

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. In 2015 it's my goal to read at least one book per month - and share my lowdown on them with you. Maybe you'd like to read along? If so, let me know and we can virtually have a book club. 

Reading:: Me Talk Pretty One Day (David Sedaris)

I'll be honest - I've been pretty crummy at reading lately. I started the year with great gusto, tearing through three books in one month, and have dwindled to taking two months to read this book.

Which - let me clarify, is no reflection of this book. It's a reflection of me needing to unwind in front of bad tv, with tired eyes, instead of read a book, propped up in bed. 

But today I finished it. Lying on the sofa, with the Doctor fast asleep right next to me, I laughed out loud - so funny is this book, it makes you laugh the whole way through.

I don't think that's an easy thing either, to make someone laugh out loud via a book. But David Sedaris never fails. First published in 2000, it's been out for a long time. A really long time, but it's still as relevant, entertaining and hilarious as ever. 

I read David Sedaris' piece regarding his obsession with his FitBit a few months ago - and it spurred me on to read more of his writing. 

If you want an easy read, that's funny, self-deprecating, and totally good value - read this. I am sure it won't disappoint. Particularly the chapters on living in France. Bloody funny. 



Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris $16.95 from Booktopia

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. In 2015 it's my goal to read at least one book per month - and share my lowdown on them with you. Maybe you'd like to read along? If so, let me know and we can virtually have a book club. 

Reading:: The Goldfinch (Donna Tartt)

I procrastinated on this book really, really hard. 

For one thing, it's 864 pages long. I like fast conquests. Something I can knock over in a couple of days. But a good friend read it, loved it, and so when we went away on holidays, I grabbed a copy, determined to get into it. 

It did not take long and it did not disappoint. 

After the first day of reading (and around 300 pages in) I wrote to my friend: I feel like a leaf floating down a flooding creek, being tossed around. 

And so it is The Goldfinch. 

If you haven't read it. Do it. And don't let the sheer length put you off. 

It's a beautiful, sad, detailed telling of the life of 13 year old Theo. I'm not going to give any spoilers, but for me, it was the poetic prose that just blew my mind. 

Donna Tartt's writing is thick with description. In a good way. You really get drawn in to this world, the story, everything. It's compelling. It's page flipping good. Honestly, one of the best books I have read in a really, really long time. 

One of my other friends thought it was a little too long, a little too wordy, but me? Nope. Perfect. So freaking good I can't stop processing it in my mind. And now I can't pick up another book because it's not going to live up to Tartt's amazing-ness. That's the worst. Not being able to say goodbye to your beloved characters who become friends, and feeling if you start something new, you're abandoning your friends. 

I know. I am a bit crazy. But that's how much this book affected me. 


The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - $13.95 from Booktopia

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. In 2015 it's my goal to read at least one book per month - and share my lowdown on them with you. Maybe you'd like to read along? If so, let me know and we can virtually have a book club. 

Reading:: Hector and the Search for Happiness (a book review)

By now you should know that there's no rhyme or reason why I pick up books. I just go for random books and read them. By no means is this Oprah's book club either. I don't have enough dress changes to warrant that. 

But again (I know, I know) I saw the movie trailer for this film, and was drawn to reading the book.

So Still Alice was about a psychologist, and Hector and the Search for Happiness is about a psychiatrist. Maybe there's something going on with my sub conscious ? Never mind, I saw the trailer and thought it looked pretty darn funny. It made perfect sense to me to read the best selling book as translated from French to English by Lorenza Garcia. 

I did wonder if some of the depth was lost because of the translation (Lost in Translation anyone), but then again - I really enjoyed this - delightful, simple and fun, this book has been read by over two million people. It delivers an easy-to-follow story, and some important lessons along the way.

About 18 months ago I read The Happiness Project. I am always on the hunt for happiness (who isn't!), and reading this book (it's a really swift and simple read) was a good - and different - kind of adventure. 

It's the story of Hector. A psychiatrist who leaves his office in Paris to travel the world to find out what makes people happy. In over 20 neat lessons, Hector narrows his lessons down to succinct findings - and then tests them against a happiness researcher with happy results. 


Hector and the Search for Happiness by Francois Lelord $18.50 



* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. In 2015 it's my goal to read at least one book per month - and share my lowdown on them with you. Maybe you'd like to read along? If so, let me know and we can virtually have a book club. 

Reading:: Still Alice - A Review

I picked this up at my local bookshop on a whim. You see I really love Julianne Moore, and I'm not a literature snob - if it's been converted to a film, I am not above buying the film adapt cover. 

You see it's the story of Alice, a way above average woman who happens to be a psychologist, who happens to teach at Harvard, who happens to be married to an incredible man, and have three incredible children. You think she's got it all. Well she does. And then some. 

She's diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers and the following story is heartbreakingly sad, but also really beautiful. The story captures the descent into the disease - the memory loss, the loss of self, and the futile snatches at claiming back her memory. Fifteen years prematurely, Alice struggles with memory loss, disorientation, loss of words - and losing her thriving and super successful career. 

I read this book in record time. It is an easy, compelling, engaging read that is beyond sad - informative and insightful. 

Written by neuroscientist Lisa Genova, Still Alice is a New York Times bestseller, that's a pacey page-turner.  


Still Alice from Booktopia $15.95



* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. In 2015 it's my goal to read at least one book per month - and share my lowdown on them with you. Maybe you'd like to read along? If so, let me know and we can virtually have a book club. 

Reading:: Mr Rosenblum's List

It's been a while between books. But I have been reading. But incredibly slowly. Slower than a snail. 

My local bookstore recommended 'Mr Rosenblum's List' post 'Gone Girl' (totally unrelated reading matter) and it wasn't the same pace. But that was kind of nice coming off the adrenal high of that thriller. 

It took me a little while to get into, but I am so happy I persevered with this book.

Set in mid-century London, it's the story of Jack and Sadie, a Jewish husband and wife, together with their daughter who leave Germany to start a new life. 

Despite his thick accent and foreign sensibilities, Jack is determined to become an English gentleman. On arriving in England he is presented with notes on how to acclimatise to his new home - and sets about adding to this list with his own observations. A huge part of Jack's plan to become an English gentleman is to build a golf course. 

He wants to blend in, but the best thing is - he doesn't. At five foot three and a half inches, wearing dowdy tailored suits, he stands out, which makes him all the more endearing. 

This is a beautiful, delightful read. You will laugh, cry, be gobsmacked and be thoroughly enchanted by this couple, who despite all odds, find peace and a new place to call home. 

Author Natasha Solomons struggled with dyslexia as a child, but her grandfather always believed she would be a writer, leaving his writing desk to her in her will. Isn't that the coolest? Seriously can't wait to read more of her beautiful writing. 

You can buy Mr Rosenblum's List here. 

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. I've read seven books this year. This is seven more than I did last year.

Reading:: This One Is Mine - Maria Semple

This is a great book.

Remember when I read 'Where'd You Go Bernadette?'. This is penned by the same author, and delivers the same pacey, awesome, realistic, laugh out loud, feel a bit sad story.

I may have devoured this book whole in just a few sittings. It's that good.

It follows the life of Violet Parry - a woman who has everything. Except Teddy Reyes.

Running alongside her story, is the story of Sally Parry - a woman who wants everything.

Both stories are cracking, will have you cringing, laughing, feeling angsty, and almost shouting at the pages in disgust and surprise.

I really, really loved this book (and Semple's previous) - she writes so beautifully, she's witty, clever, and the storyline is compelling. Semple worked previously as a TV writer (Arrested Development, Ellen, Saturday Night Live etc), so she sets a cracking pace and knows how to keep you engaged. Sharp as a tack.  

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. I subtracted .5 of a star because I wanted it to keep going, and it didn't. 


This One Is Mine - Maria Semple: from Booktopia $15.95


* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. I've read six books this year. This is six more than I did last year.

Reading:: The Fault In Our Stars

Get excited because I have been reading again.

Honestly I think I forgot how much I really, really love reading - ever since having kids. And these last few months - I am back, ride 'em cowgirl! 

So The Fault In Our Stars is categorised as teen fiction. But I really, really loved it. It's a great read - easy, straight into it, and for me, I felt immediately bonded to the characters. 

Narrated by 16 year old cancer patient, Hazel, it tells the story of three friends all battling cancer. It's beautiful, funny, insightful and needless to say - desperately sad. 

Hazel is forced to attend a cancer patients' support group - where she meets the love of her life Augustus Waters. 

John Green wrote 'The Fault In Our Stars' after working as a chaplain at a children's hospital and wanted to rehumanise the sick or dying patients, ""the stories that I was reading sort of oversimplified and sometimes even dehumanized them. And I think generally we have a habit of imagining the very sick or the dying as being kind of fundamentally other. I guess I wanted to argue for their humanity, their complete humanity."

Inspired by Esther Earl, Green was inspired to create a book that shared the idea that a short life could be a full life.  

I won't give any more away because part of the joy of reading is discovering another world for yourself, but I really, really recommend this book - for teenagers or adults. 

The film is set for release very soon. 

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - $13.95 from Booktopia

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. I've read five books this year. This is five more than I did last year.

Reading:: Gone Girl

It's been a long time since I tore through a book.

That drought is over. 

I read Gone Girl in less than three days. It was that good. That page turning. That action packed, psychologically compelling, easy to read, crazy good. 

I'd heard people talking about this book - but it wasn't until I saw the trailer for the film that I thought I better get my roller-skates on. I had to read it before I saw it on the big screen.

Right from the get go I was absorbed into this book. About a marriage turned sour, and written from the two differing perspectives of a married couple, Nick and Amy, fired from their respective magazines - and life spirals from their. It all starts on their fifth wedding anniversary - when Amy goes missing. In case you didn't read the cover - it's a thriller, and it's fast-paced - it's so good I didn't want it to end. 

The film is set to be released soon. But read the book first. It's really super good. 

Gone Girl from Booktopia $13.95

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. I've read four books this year. This is four more than I did last year.

Reading:: #GIRLBOSS

I could go all out and say what a great read this is. But I would be completely lying. 

What starts out as a good, empowering, girl power type read, wound up for me being a repetitive mission to finish the book. 

Founder of Nasty Gal Sophia Amoruso writes about how she came to be this amazing fierce leader. But man, I spent the book wishing they invested in a ghost writer.

I really wanted to love it. I really wanted it to be so much more. I wanted it to give me a kickstart to kick some ass, but instead I just found it like some circular jerk fest. 

No doubt she's cool, clever, brave, smart and stylish - but this book left me gagging to finish it. It was self-serving and by the end I'd heard enough of how bad ass she was. I mean if you're bad ass it's not meant to be you saying that, is it?!

I did take away a few small cherries of wisdom - and loved that she's come from scratch and built her empire, and enjoyed the back stories, but it's not a book I imagine I'll revisit anytime soon. Or ever. 

However I do love her spirit. The idea that anyone can do anything with hard work and an idea. That you don't have to have a pedigree and a university degree to succeed in life. I liked that. I loved that she shared so much about her life, where she's come from, where she's been, but I just felt like it really lacked a punch. And I really wanted it to punch me from here to infinity. 

I give it 2.5 stars. 

#GirlBoss from Booktopia $23.95 


* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. I've read three books this year. This is three more than I did last year.

image via Levo

Reading:: The Coat Route

Holy cow this is a great, great book. 

A book that I couldn't put down. That I got immersed in. That I faffed around at the end just so it wouldn't finish. I loved it. And I will read it all over again.

Author Meg Lukens Noonan heard about a $50,000 coat that was made in Australia. $50,000 - ouch. Sounds like high fashion pomp and circumstance, and some wankery too for good measure, right?

Wrong. 

It's all about the artisans who created this coat. About the dying arts that culminated in this incredibly beautifully crafted coat. She travels the world to learn about every stitch that goes into it to form the sheer understated beauty of something made with such thought. 

It's the antithesis of fast fashion. It embraces the slow beauty of handmade. Lovingly created. It delves into history. Beauty. And musty old button factories in small UK towns. 

Honestly, if you hate the smell of cheap clothing (H&M I am pointing my finger at you) - and what it is doing to our world (not only the ethical issues with cheap labour, but that polyester doesn't breakdown easily - and so many other implications), then I have a big hunch you are going to love this book. 

I can't recommend it enough. Five out of five stars. 

You can buy The Coat Route here. 

Reading:: Murder in Mississippi

It's been a long time between good reads. In fact, I've been so flaky I start reading and then drop off. Like a fly.

There are so many books beside my bed, and I hang my head in shame - I've finished none of them.

I start with great gusto - all a-buzz to get into something new.

I get a few pages in, and since adopting the idea that if it doesn't grab me, I'm not going to further punish myself to read it, I abort mission.

Not so with this book. John Safran's 'Murder In Mississippi' is a really, really great read that I could barely put down. In fact, while stirring risotto one night, wooden spoon in one hand, I had the book in the other. I churned through this in a short term - as testament that it's so well written.

Without giving anything away, the true story is about the murder of a white supremacist in  deepest Mississippi, by a black man. Safran digs up all the grit behind the scenes, finds out more about the supremacist (who he'd met the year before), and about the murderer. 

For the longest time (since I was a teenager and Safran appeared in Race Around the World on ABC) I've been a fan of Safran. His wit, intellect, and ability to pull out an enthralling story and make it not only hugely engaging, while weaving it with humour - it is a real rare talent. I found myself laughing in many places - while Matt looked at me quizzically. I was after all reading about a serious subject.  


You'll like it if you liked: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. 

Reading With My Kids

Tonight I started something new with my children.

Tonight I came home from work. I got out of my work clothes, showered, and into my pyjamas. I ate my dinner. And then I asked my children if they'd like to read a book with me. 

They were both for it - which made my little heart sing! 

Initially they both brought independent books to me. 

Tiny wanted 'Hello Kitty' and the Doctor wanted 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'. But I'd have none of it. 

We needed a book that was mutually awesome. For all three of us. (And then Matt too, if he wanted to join in). 

I pulled some books out. I asked if they were keen. While Tiny was interested in one book, the Doctor was interested in the other. We were going nowhere fast - and when it's bedtime, the clock ticks even faster. 

Finally the Doctor brought out 'The BFG'. 

AHA! Such a classic. I remember being the Doctor's age and burning through all of Dahl's books, I loved them so. It has been a while since I read one. 

After a little more to-ing and fro-ing it was decided. It was to be 'The BFG' - though it was a protesting Tiny who didn't love the lack of colourful pictures, we all curled up on our bed and read at least five chapters together. Those squishy little pyjama clad bodies lay still, those faces - listened intently. 

It was lovely. 

On my drive home tonight I thought about how I could, in a way, close the divide I felt from working long hours and missing out on sharing time with my babies. Reading is a passion we each share. I imagined those little people, listening avidly. The stillness that comes from reading. Books have a way to bring life to a standstill. To fall into a rabbit hole, into another world, and lose reality - even if only for a short 20 minutes. 

My goodness it was worth it. We've got a date tomorrow night to read more - and I have a hunch there'll be no fussing when it's time for bath time. No! Because we'll be edging closer and closer to our shared book time. The time when us three are on the bed listening intently to all that Dahl could fill into those neat pages, and go on an adventure, together. 

Tess, Tom and I

One of my colleagues gave me this great tip. 

Well actually, I totally shunned it when she first mentioned it. 

In fact I might have called her a grandma. 

But after giving her suggestion some careful consideration, I decided to try it. 

I've been listening to audio tapes. In the car. On my way to work.

And oh boy - it's good.

Say goodbye to road rage, or getting frustrated in long conga lines of traffic - and say hello to Tess, Angel and the man reading the audio book.

It's not nana, it's awesome. 

Earlier in the year I had written about how I wanted to read more books this year. And I have been reading more, and while I didn't think it at first - listening to an audio book is just the same as reading. I get taken to another place, my mind travels, and it feeds my dreams. 

Have you listened to audio books? Got any recommendations for me?


image by Georgia Byron Design

The Reading Group:: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

I am ashamed to say  - it's been a long time between books. A long time. Yes I read 'The Happiness Project', but that almost doesn't count because it was a project and not somewhere to get lost in another world. It was great though - it IS great even, and I totally recommend reading it. 

'Where'd You Go Bernadette' is a real page turner. It's light, it's intelligent, it's funny - it's actually laugh out loud funny. It's a really successful epistolary novel that brings in lots of different perspectives, narratives and voices to create the enchanting novel. The patchwork style of the story shows the messy, confusing nature of life, it's real, it's raw, and it's crazy good.  

Bernadette is the brilliant protagonist - she's smart as a whip, talented as all get-up, and kooky as they come. The story focusses on Bernadette and her misfit family life in Seattle. 

I absolutely, positively, definitely recommend it. 

I give it 4.5 stars (out of a possible 5 - that's like Olympic standard).

The next book I'm reading is 'Crazy Rich Asians'. Read along with me? 

Tomorrow Is A New Day:: The End of Google Reader

As of the 1st July - Google is closing down Google Reader. 

Which is not good news, right?

So how are you going to get PottyMouthMama delivered piping hot and fresh to you? 

Check out Christina's post here for details on other ways you can follow your favourite blogs. 

There's no time like the present to change things over and beat Google to the punchline. 

I'm using feedly - just in case you were interested. 

Poo. And Other Fabulous Words.

I'm diarising poo here. 

Tiny is romping ahead with her reading and writing and it's all starting to click.

Which means numerous times daily, she tells me she can spell poo. P- double O. POO! She thinks it's hilarious. I think it's hilarious. And it now means we're both on poo watch. 

Which is why I took a photo of this awesome graffiti - the best of street art really. No pseudo-pumped-up tag. It's just POO. 

You might screw your nose up and think "PMM, don't encourage the poo talk."

Well I will. And I can! Because anything that encourages Tiny to read and write, and anything she can conquer - well it's WINNING! And poo is a funny word. I don't care who you are.