Reading nooks and winning books!
After receiving the always-gorgeous Anthropologie catalogue this week, I am craving a weekend of reading, with warm afternoon sunshine slanting through the blinds onto a deliciously inviting bed. A reading nook would seriously make my life complete. (So would having George Clooney and the TimTam Genie at my beck and call, but that's another story.)
Check out this reading nook from Anthropologie, divine! And that bedspread is scrumptious!
I'm dreaming of all the books I would read whilst cosied up in that doona with an enormous mug of green tea.
I would start with some Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller, perhaps enjoy some great American literature (hello John Steinbeck, I love you), then maybe a light crime story to get the heart racing (I highly recommend Val McDermid), and move swiftly through the realms of cynicism and despair to end up at that sweet Saturday afternoon read, the romance novel. Ahhhh. Take a look at the works of Chris Manby if you feel like a no-holds-barred, trashtastic romp through the minefield of dating. Or just read my diary. No, on second thoughts, can that thought, My diary will put you off men! I'd have to finish with a few chapters of A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, and absolutely anything all by Carl Hiaasen, perhaps even just his latest Miami Herald columns. No matter what that man writes, I chuckle.
But what would a weekend of lounging, reading and relaxing be without my two favourite authors in bed with me. No, not like that, get your mind out of the gutter! I really can't ever have a big day of reading without devouring something by either the late, great, funniest-man-alive, Roald Dahl (ideally Boy and Going Solo, but his compilation of macabre tales in Someone Like You is fantastic), or the so-true-you-can't-help-but-cringe reads by Brisbane-based author John Birmingham. If you have ever lived in a share house and haven't yet read He Died With A Felafel In His Hand, then stop reading my blog this instant and go and read that book. Go. Now. What are you still doing here? If you feel up to the challenge however, wrap yourself up in JB's Axis of Time trilogy. Lord, can that man write a convincing story!
To encourage all my sweet and obviously attractive readers to get out there and read something new, and also to broaden my own reading scope (which admittedly is reasonably small, I tend to read favourites over and over and not really try new things unless they come highly recommended), I am offering up a book voucher as incentive! Yup, I will give away a $75 Angus & Robertson gift card to a random commenter!
All you need to do is leave me a comment on this blog post before midday Wednesday 19th May (AEST), and let me know what I should be reading, what you've recently read and loved, or whether you too love this bedspread! Winner will be randomly drawn, and notified Wednesday afternoon.
**Twitter users, retweet this post and receive a second entry into the competition! Just write me a second comment linking your tweet and my twitter username @Katy_Potaty and you're in!**
Check out this reading nook from Anthropologie, divine! And that bedspread is scrumptious!
I'm dreaming of all the books I would read whilst cosied up in that doona with an enormous mug of green tea.
I would start with some Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller, perhaps enjoy some great American literature (hello John Steinbeck, I love you), then maybe a light crime story to get the heart racing (I highly recommend Val McDermid), and move swiftly through the realms of cynicism and despair to end up at that sweet Saturday afternoon read, the romance novel. Ahhhh. Take a look at the works of Chris Manby if you feel like a no-holds-barred, trashtastic romp through the minefield of dating. Or just read my diary. No, on second thoughts, can that thought, My diary will put you off men! I'd have to finish with a few chapters of A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, and absolutely anything all by Carl Hiaasen, perhaps even just his latest Miami Herald columns. No matter what that man writes, I chuckle.
But what would a weekend of lounging, reading and relaxing be without my two favourite authors in bed with me. No, not like that, get your mind out of the gutter! I really can't ever have a big day of reading without devouring something by either the late, great, funniest-man-alive, Roald Dahl (ideally Boy and Going Solo, but his compilation of macabre tales in Someone Like You is fantastic), or the so-true-you-can't-help-but-cringe reads by Brisbane-based author John Birmingham. If you have ever lived in a share house and haven't yet read He Died With A Felafel In His Hand, then stop reading my blog this instant and go and read that book. Go. Now. What are you still doing here? If you feel up to the challenge however, wrap yourself up in JB's Axis of Time trilogy. Lord, can that man write a convincing story!
To encourage all my sweet and obviously attractive readers to get out there and read something new, and also to broaden my own reading scope (which admittedly is reasonably small, I tend to read favourites over and over and not really try new things unless they come highly recommended), I am offering up a book voucher as incentive! Yup, I will give away a $75 Angus & Robertson gift card to a random commenter!
All you need to do is leave me a comment on this blog post before midday Wednesday 19th May (AEST), and let me know what I should be reading, what you've recently read and loved, or whether you too love this bedspread! Winner will be randomly drawn, and notified Wednesday afternoon.
**Twitter users, retweet this post and receive a second entry into the competition! Just write me a second comment linking your tweet and my twitter username @Katy_Potaty and you're in!**
Posted by Katy Potaty CUPCAKE LADY at Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:33 AM 
Categories: art/crafts/cool handmade stuff, Competition, Books/Movies
Categories: art/crafts/cool handmade stuff, Competition, Books/Movies
I loved Catch 22, I have to read it at least once a month! (And yes, I loved the doona cover too!)
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I've been through a bit of a fantasy stage lately. I've just re-read Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy. She really sucks you in with well-rounded characters.
I'm just starting The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie (yes, the actor), and it's shaping up to be a good read.
Oh, and I love the bedspread!
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Recently read Jane Eyre for uni...for the 1st time, can you believe that? And loved it.
A standout read for me in the last 12 months, though, was Chris Cleave's The Other Hand. In Molly Meldrum's immortal words...do yourself a favour! Stunning writing, characters and plot that have lingered in my mind long after the book has been passed on.
In my mind, a reading nook like the above is second only to a bench seat in a bay window. In either place, I'd happily cosy up with that delicious doona.
PS. Green tea shortbread is even better on the 2nd & 3rd days - flavours developed and riot joyously in my mouth.
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I love all of David Edding' books, they are fantasy, and really well written. You should defintely try them if you want something different!
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If you haven't read any of George Orwell's stuff since you were at school, re-read it, you will take heaps more from it!
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I grew up in Boston and now live in NY and work in publishing so have heaps of amazing unpublished local authors at my disposal! (I do dispose of them a lot too!)
I think that for true literary genius, you can't go past Truman Capote. His sense of observation and the absurd is sublime!
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What a lovely blog post, thank you. I like reading Bill Bryson too. If you like him, you'd like Stephen Fry's book about traveling through America.
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The books I love:
1. Still Alice: so sad reading about a 50 year old with dementia, we read it in book club last year and still rave about it.
2. All in the blue unclouded weather by Robyn Klein, the best book of my childhood! I still have it after 17 years!
3. To Kill a Mockingbird. Oh how I love Scout, Jem and Dill and their adventures!
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Divine, we all love reading about what others love to read!
We're currently engrossed in the Poisonwood Bible. An oldy but a goody. And try White Oleander too!
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Great post! The last great book I read was Daphne Du Maurier's 'Rebecca'... wasn't sure initially but persevered and it was so worth it!
Other than that, the following are absolutely great reads:
'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' Haruki Murakami
'Crime and Punishment' Dostevesky
xxx
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I am not the person to tell you what to read - I read lovely trashy things. Like Jilly Cooper (SOOOOO Fun!) and now the Twilight series... my naughty escape from reality.
BB
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Doona me up, baby! Great bedspread.
Best book ever...? Any of the Harry Potter books, yes I'm 31, but I still love them!
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A book that I would whole-heartedly recommend everyone to read in their life time is "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" by John Boyne.
Apparently John Boyne wrote his draft in only 2 1/2 days with barely any sleep till he got to the end but don't be fooled by that. The book is one of those that keeps you reading and turning pages, heck it'll probably take less than 2 1/2 days to finish. It's that good! Convinced? You should be!
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