Well sadly my holidays are over. During this time I took a vacation from everything (including this blog obviously). Seriously, I had good intentions, but alas, intentions they remained so I apologise… AGAIN.

As I mentioned in my last post (such a long time ago), I have been having a veritable reading ORGY. I haven’t really read for pleasure in about two years, with the projects consuming so much of my time but at work and at home but boy, I have REALLY caught up over the past three weeks!

I talked about the Harry Potters and the Jean Auels in the last post, but you can add Bryce Courtenay’s new book, Whitethorn, Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Melina Marchetta’s Looking for Alibrandi, Steve Squyre’s Roving Mars and a re-read of Aron Ralston’s Between a Rock and a Hard Place. God Bless Audible.com and a few other sources as all of these were audiobooks! I didn’t even have to turn a page!

There are a couple of these books that might interest a few of you, so I’ll give you a quick biopic of these:

Roving Mars - Steve Squyres

Steve Squyres is the actual guy behind the Mars Rovers project. He’s been involved right from the time the project proposal was written right up to and including launch, landing and scientific experiments on Mars. His memoir takes you through the whole process, what was involved, the dramas, how NASA does stuff and what happened behind the scenes. You don’t need to be a geek to enjoy this book. Trust me.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place - Aron Ralston

Aron Ralston is the guy over in the States who is an experienced climber. One day he goes canyoning in Utah by himself, has a climbing accident in a secluded location where his arm gets pinned by a boulder, and ends up CUTTING HIS OWN ARM OFF WITH A PEN KNIFE when he’s at the point of dying from dehydration. Holy cow.

Lisa See - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Set in 19th century China, tells the life story of a young girl. These were the days that foot-binding was practiced and marriages arranged. Seriously, the life of women then was sure interesting!

As for Bryce Courtenay, I won’t go into detail except to say, onya Bryce! Another excellent read. Looking for Alibrandi is the book on which the movie was based, another good read too.

Now I’m not one of those serious reading tossers, who are all about themes and such codswallop, I’m just in it for a good read and to be transported in my mind to another time or place. All of the above books did it for me.

In other news, I started my new job in corporate communications today. The day didn’t start well with my alarm not going off in the morning and a panicked start to the day, but so far so good. I’ll absorb another couple of days and let you know how I’m going.

Anyhow, that’ll do for now. Gotta ease myself back in here too! :wink_wp:

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