tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82698217395757091522024-03-13T14:41:11.361+13:00The Book Witch...thoughts from the broomstick...TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-32718929398069304892012-09-01T17:56:00.000+12:002012-09-02T17:13:51.691+12:00Picture postcard daysThe last few days have been picture postcard days. Many of the pictures I cut out of travel brochures for our Canada dream board featured Lake Louise & Moraine Lake. A couple of those pictures featured people canoeing in perfect conditions on a mirror lake. Well, we can now tick that box on our dream holiday.<br />
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We arrived in Lake Louise after a lovely few days in Banff. We wandered down to the edge of the lake to where the very large Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise stands. It sure is one large, impressive building! We did venture inside to have a sneaky peak, and check out how much it would be for high tea, but we decided that CAD39pp was just a bit too much for our budget. We did the next best thing and ate a picnic tea outside on the lake's foreshore (same view, just more rustic seating!).<br />
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The next day we headed off to Moraine Lake, and took up the chance to go for a canoe out on the lake. It turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip so far. Sitting out in the middle of the lake, when the light breeze dropped right away, the lake turned to the picture perfect millpond that is so often photographed - it really was just breathtaking.<br />
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Emerald Lake was next on the list - another beautiful, glacier blue lake. There were lots of tourists here too, but it wasn't hard to find a quiet spot to grab a bite to eat with an awe-inspiring view. Although, as you can see from the photo - some things don't change no matter where you are in the world. (Rhys would like to report that <a href="http://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/693970037_half_brother" target="_blank">Half Brother</a>, by Kenneth Oppel, is a really good book. It certainly appeared to be almost unputdownable.)<br />
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Takakkaw Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Canada - and while impressive when we saw it, it must really be something during the spring melt. The falls are 384m high, and water tumbling out from the ledge near the top is quite spectacular.<br />
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We finished the day with a soak in the hot tub on the roof of our hotel - a perfect end to a perfect day.<br />
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<br />TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-87350984435544497472012-08-28T18:34:00.000+12:002012-08-28T18:34:46.858+12:00The first few days - shopping, food, short skirts and dinosaurs It's hard to believe we are actually here. Friday was a very long day, but we finally arrived in Calgary about 6.15pm local time. I was very proud of Rhys and Amy at the airports and on the flights - and I think they were quite surprised at the behaviour of some of the other kids on some of the flights!<div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpeixj3gbBA/UDxQw6umAVI/AAAAAAAAMpk/IK6a1jUxwvs/s1600/P1010113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpeixj3gbBA/UDxQw6umAVI/AAAAAAAAMpk/IK6a1jUxwvs/s320/P1010113.JPG" width="320" /></a>Our first day in Calgary we spent having a good wander around, and visiting The Core - a big shopping precinct right in the middle of town. We were really hungry (Amy's first words of the day were "I starving!") so we hit the food court straight away. A huge choice - but the yummy crepes hit the spot. Right next to one of the food courts is the Devonian Gardens - a beautifully lush garden setting, complete with waterfalls and ponds with gigantic gold fish in them. We followed our yummy breakfast with a session of light shopping. Nice ;-)</div>
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The kids were braver than me - lying on the glass floor (I couldn't do it - but only because of all those germs on the floor you know).</div>
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We ended our day with a meal at the hotel bar & grill - which was great. The food was good and it came with its own entertainment... we'd noticed throughout the day that really short skirts seemed to be the fashion choice for most Calgary females under the age of 25 (and some not so young!).... the only difference at night is that the skirts get really really short and the heels get really really high.</div>
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On Sunday we picked up the car and drove out of Calgary to Drumheller to visit the dinosaur museum. Normally I love a good road trip but I was pretty nervous about this one - you know - other side of the road, other side of the car, big city and all. All the things that you do instinctively when you drive (checking mirrors, being aware of how big/small your car is, not having to think about what side of the road to stay on) all go out the window when you have to adjust to driving on the other side of the road and on the other side of the car! Simple things like checking your rear vision mirror - I'd keep doing it and then have to remember that it was up on my right hand side and not my left. And I have to admit - that first day was pretty tense at times. Rhys was just amazing as my navigator (aka Map Boy). </div>
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<i>As an aside - Amy said today that it was much more relaxed - she could tell as I didn't swear anywhere near as much as yesterday. I'm taking that as a positive comment.</i></div>
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The <a href="http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/">Royal Tyrell Museum</a> was just amazing. I wish that we could have had a bit more time to explore it - there were just so many amazing exhibits and displays - too many to take in in one visit. We went out on a tour into the Badlands behind the museum to learn a bit about fossil hunting and what to look for. Definitely one of the highlights so far.</div>
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And now we are in Banff, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. It's quite an amazing town - very touristy - like Queenstown - but very picturesque. It must look just fantastic in winter with snow all around. Tomorrow we are off up Sulphur Mountain in the gondola - looking forward to it!</div>
TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-74839201774606451842012-08-19T18:55:00.001+12:002012-08-19T18:55:19.160+12:00The excitement is building....I'm not going to make any excuses for the rather lengthy delay between posts on this blog - I have them - they're just not very good.<br />
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I'm also not going to make excuses for the fact the over the next few weeks I'm going to hijack this blog from its original purpose, and put it to work as a family travel diary. You see, in just a few short days, our Canadian adventure begins. And goodness me - there is palpable excitement in the household!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9yLqzurNWM/UDCLowwWnlI/AAAAAAAAMdI/41FqX-O11Ec/s1600/grizzly-bear-brown-bear_w467_h700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9yLqzurNWM/UDCLowwWnlI/AAAAAAAAMdI/41FqX-O11Ec/s320/grizzly-bear-brown-bear_w467_h700.jpg" width="213" /></a>In January 2011, I read an article about Vancouver and British Columbia - and right there and then - one of my lifetime dreams crystallised. I've long dreamt of travelling to Canada and seeing grizzly bears. Until that moment, it was just that, a dream. But a little voice in my head started asking "why not now?" The more I thought about it - the more it seemed like a great idea - and a great place to take the kids.<br />
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And so the planning began. For the last 20 months we've been surrounded by pictures cut from magazines of bears, Orca, snapshots of Vancouver, float planes and maple leaves. There is a calendar of bears in the loo. We've had a map of British Columbia and Alberta under glass on the coffee table - a daily reminder of where we're going. Rhys & Amy have saved almost all their pocket money for the last year (I'm very proud of both of them, and I admire their self control!).<br />
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I have to say that this trip would not have been possible without Mum & Dad's help, and their inspiration. When I was 13, I was lucky enough to travel to England with Mum & Dad. I loved it - I loved the travel, I loved the amazing things we saw, and the experiences we had. I have such vivid memories of that time with them (although I have tried to dim the memory of the "expired passport incident" at Auckland airport).<br />
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For a number of reasons, I haven't followed up that first overseas experience with the usual Kiwi OE, but the dream has always been there. One day, one day. Now that day is very nearly here. And I am going to share this experience with the two most important people in my world - my kids.<br />
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I do hope that if Mum & Dad are watching from "the other side", they are smiling with approval. And yes Mum, I've just done all the cleaning today, so the house will be left in a clean and tidy state. Oh, and I've double checked the passports too!TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-90051134744386056512011-10-06T09:00:00.000+13:002011-10-06T10:27:16.954+13:00Fantastic non fiction for kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><a href="http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Really-Really-Big-Questions-Stephen-Law-Nishant-Choksi-Illustrated-by/9780753417812?cf=3&rid=1918287408&i=4&keywords=really+really+big+questions"><b>Really Really Big Questions</b></a></i> (by Stephen Law) and <i><a href="http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/My-First-Classical-Music-Book-Genevieve-Helsby-Jason-Chapman-Illustrated-by/9781843791188?cf=3&rid=909407951&i=1&keywords=my+first+classical+music+book"><b>My First Classical Music Book</b></a></i> ( by Genevieve Helsby and Jason Chapman) are two non fiction books for children that have really struck a chord with me. They both provide information on relatively complex subjects, and they both do it in such a fun accessible way.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Really-Really-Big-Questions-Stephen-Law-Nishant-Choksi-Illustrated-by/9780753417812?cf=3&rid=1918287408&i=4&keywords=really+really+big+questions">Really Really Big Questions</a></i> is a fun introduction to some of those big philosophical questions - did someone design the universe? Is my mind my brain? Is it OK to eat animals? Do fairies exist? These are the sort of questions that aren't normally covered in children's non fiction - maybe because they are so hard to answer. But as any parent will know, they are the sort of questions that get asked quite regularly, and we are often left floundering for an answer. "Just because" doesn't really cut it!<br />
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<i>Really Really Big Questions</i> is a delightfully accessible, full of quirky illustrations, and is perfect for dipping into. It is written in a conversational manner, encouraging the reader to think on the question themselves, and formulate their own opinion.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/My-First-Classical-Music-Book-Genevieve-Helsby-Jason-Chapman-Illustrated-by/9781843791188?cf=3&rid=909407951&i=1&keywords=my+first+classical+music+book">My First Classical Music Book</a></i> is aimed at a younger age group (I'd suggest 5 years and upwards). It is accompanied by a CD with snippets of great classical pieces, such as Mozart's <i>The Magic Flute</i>, Saint-Saens <i>The Carnival of the Animals</i> and Prokofiev's <i>Peter and the Wolf</i>.<br />
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The book encourages readers to think of what the composer was saying with a piece of music and how it makes them feel. It goes on to introduce the different instruments that make up the orchestra, and how these instruments are used by a composer to tell their story. All of this is achieved in an easy going, fun, storytelling manner. The illustrations are bright and playful with lots of action for young readers. A real joy to share.<br />
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Both books are available through your local independent bookshop, as well as through <a href="http://www.fishpond.co.nz/">Fishpond</a> and <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/">Book Depository.</a>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-10128177995799394032011-05-06T21:30:00.000+12:002011-05-06T21:30:46.344+12:00Aftershocks and afterwardsForgive me - it has been many months since my last post.<br />
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Over these last few months I have experienced the whole range of emotions - from fear starting at 12.51pm on 22 February, when the 6.3 aftershock struck, to absolute overwhelming relief one and a half hours later when I finally saw my two children...and they were OK. Through to grief and pain as we saw the damage that mother nature had wreaked on our city and our friends.<br />
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I was relaxing and chatting to the wonderful Michelle at Kudos Hair Salon when the quake hit. In the first few seconds we all thought it was just another largish aftershock. It soon became apparent it was so much more than that. The back wall of the building partially collapsed, and in the strong aftershock that hit 10 minutes later the front of the building across the road collapsed in terrifying style. We all knew that Christchurch wasn't going to get away from this unscathed.<br />
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Quinns (minus its front wall) across the road.<br />
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</tbody></table>People rushed to help each other - to check that everyone was able to get out of the buildings they were in, helping those who needed help.<br />
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Everyone had the same look on their face - shock, disbelief, and fear. Nearly everyone held a cell phone - desperately trying to reach loved ones. None of the calls or texts were going through. I couldn't contact my children, their school, or their father. I was desperate to find my children.<br />
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I eventually made my way home, a journey which earlier that day had taken 10 minutes, but that afternoon took an hour. I was amazed that Christchurch drivers - usually renowned for their singular lack of road manners - were polite, outwardly calm, and considerate.<br />
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I arrived home to find that my ex had collected the children from school. I am not ashamed to say I sobbed with relief.<br />
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Ten weeks have now passed. Along with the rest of Christchurch we are slowly adjusting to the new normal. We are still experiencing aftershocks, and will continue to do so for some time. The chairs are back in their place around the dining table (I always knew there was a reason I'd insisted on a good <b>solid</b> table), but we are yet to put up a lot of the stuff that fell down (I'm using the very effective Floor Storage System). We are yet to go into a multi storey carpark; and when we go into a large shop we make a quick plan and agree where we will meet should we be separated. We all have torches by our beds, and there is always a clear path to the nearest doorframe when we go to bed at night. (This is a real achievement for Miss 9, who has perfected the art of the Floor Storage System.)<br />
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However, there are still nights when I wake up in the early hours. Listening. Waiting. I am sure that given time, this too will pass. I hope so.<br />
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Everyone has their stories to tell. "Where were you?" is a common greeting when seeing people you haven't seen in a while - and we listen while they share their tale.<br />
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Twitter has been a real boon - it is great to feel in touch with your fellow Christchurchians late at night when there is an aftershock. Then play a quick game of guess the magnitude, and for bonus points, pick which faultline was the culprit. Many companies are using Twitter as a tool for getting vital information out there fast, with a personal touch.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Throughout this whole experience, I have seen the amazing spirit of Canterbury people - helping each other, and doing what it takes to fix our city and help its people. And when I took the kids south for a few days, to get away from the aftershocks for a bit - we were welcomed everywhere we went. I have always been proud to be from Christchurch and to be a Cantabrian. But I am even prouder to be a Kiwi - we really do have a beautiful country, and wonderful caring people.</div><div><br />
</div>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-8928949188753198972010-11-29T16:28:00.001+13:002010-11-29T16:37:08.395+13:00Juli, Stargirl & Alaska - three girls who will move you<a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780375825446/Flipped"><b>Flipped</b></a>, <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781846165993/Stargirl"><b>Stargirl</b></a> and <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780525475064/Looking-for-Alaska"><b>Looking For Alaska</b></a> - three books that each feature a remarkable, larger-than-life girl, who stands out from the crowd, and has a life-long impact on those around her.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TPMZtGmGbyI/AAAAAAAAD-s/d_AN-LG7WvY/s1600/Flipped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TPMZtGmGbyI/AAAAAAAAD-s/d_AN-LG7WvY/s200/Flipped.jpg" width="129" /></a><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780375825446/Flipped"><b>Flipped</b></a> by Wendelin van Draanen is about two teens, Bryce & Juli, who have lived next to each other since they were 7. Juli fell in love with Bryce the moment she saw him. Bryce on the other hand wishes Juli would just leave him alone. The story is told in both Juli's and Bryce's voices, in alternating chapters. This in itself is entertaining - the different take the two of them have on the same situation is quite enlightening. Over the years, Bryce and Juli both come to realise that sometimes first impressions aren't so reliable. This is a lovely story, filled with humour, well developed characters and a certain truth about it.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TPMaJsYev1I/AAAAAAAAD-w/rmAPkp0hFyo/s1600/Stargirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TPMaJsYev1I/AAAAAAAAD-w/rmAPkp0hFyo/s200/Stargirl.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781846165993/Stargirl"><b>Stargirl</b></a> by Jerry Spinelli tells the story of Stargirl Caraway, an unconventional girl who finds a deep and rewarding joy in making those around her happy. When she starts attending Mica High (having previously been home schooled) she quickly becomes popular, mostly as a result of her uniqueness. However, it doesn't take long before she gets offside with the in-crowd, and she is shunned. The story is narrated by Leo, who is fascinated by Stargirl, and wants to understand what makes her tick. Leo finds it increasingly difficult to be associated with Stargirl, especially once he too feels the effects of being shunned by the crowd. </div><i>Stargirl</i> provides an interesting commentary on how humans (and no, not just those of the teenage variety) tend to feel happier if they are part of a groups. And how unpleasant we can often be to those who we don't consider part of 'our group'.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TPMaQYDhZ4I/AAAAAAAAD-0/O1XfzhfHHvY/s1600/Looking+For+Alaska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TPMaQYDhZ4I/AAAAAAAAD-0/O1XfzhfHHvY/s200/Looking+For+Alaska.jpg" width="136" /></a><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780525475064/Looking-for-Alaska"><b>Looking For Alaska</b></a> by John Green has found a place in my all-time-fave-books list. This was a debut novel but what a remarkable piece of writing. The story is narrated by Miles as he transfers to a new boarding school, where he falls in with a group of teens lead by the enigmatic Alaska. The story is told in two parts - Before, and After. Before focuses on the group and their various pranks and antics; After focuses on how the group deals with a tragedy that befalls them. <br />
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The characters are skilfully drawn, and achingly real. It has humour, and pathos, and love, and lust, and tragedy. It had me laughing as I read one page, then crying just a few short pages later. I loved it. I felt quite lost when I finished reading it - I didn't want to leave these characters.<br />
<br />
These three books are probably often considered to be "coming of age" books, and to be fair, they are aimed at different age groups (<i>Flipped</i> more for the tweens and younger teens; <i>Looking For Alask</i>a young adult and adult; with <i>Stargirl</i> falling somewhere in between) - and yet, as an adult, I found each of them left a little piece with me that I will keep and continue to reflect on.TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-2334468017053007532010-11-03T13:41:00.000+13:002010-11-03T13:41:52.085+13:00Books that change your lifeNot long ago I blogged that Marcus Zusak's <i><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780330423304/">The Book Thief</a></i> was what I would consider a life-changing book for me. That got me thinking - is it the book? Is it the stage in our lives? Or is it a combination of the two?<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>If I had read <i>The Book Thief </i>ten years ago (a difficult feat in itself since it hadn't actually been published, but that obvious flaw in my argument aside) - would it have had the same effect on me as it had when I read it last month?<br />
<br />
I remember clearly the first time I read <i>The Hobbit</i> - my brother gave it to me for Christmas when I was about 11. I spent the rest of Christmas Day curled up in Dad's chair, only coming out briefly for pavlova and Mum's Christmas pud.<br />
<br />
We all have songs that we associate with different events in our life (I know that Phil Collins' <i>Groovy Kind of Love</i>, which once made me go all dewy eyed, now has the same effect as sticking my finger down my throat), but do we have books that we remember the same way?<br />
<br />
I'd love some feedback on this. What are some of your life-changing books? And do you ever get nervous about re-reading a life changing book?</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-21991374810105334512010-11-02T14:15:00.000+13:002010-11-02T14:15:31.331+13:00Read. This. Book.I recently finished reading <i>The Book Thief</i> by Marcus Zusak. It was one of those ones that had been on my list-of-books-I-must-read (which is so long it is practically a book itself) - but I always ended up choosing something else off the list instead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TFfb8YzIIAI/AAAAAAAADZA/WjzLzAQzoN4/s1600/The+Book+Thief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TFfb8YzIIAI/AAAAAAAADZA/WjzLzAQzoN4/s200/The+Book+Thief.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>But wow - what a book! It is now officially one of the best books I have ever read. It is beautifully written, second to none. It is one of those very few books that could be considered life changing.<br />
<br />
I never believed I would have sympathy for Death as a character - but I did. And as for Liesel - I became so caught up in her life - I couldn't stop thinking about her even when I wasn't reading it (my apologies to my work colleagues for the numerous slip ups over the past week or so).<br />
<br />
Beg,<a href="http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Catalogue/keyword.asp?9780330423304"> borrow</a>, <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780330423304/">buy</a>, dare I say steal, a copy of this book. You will not regret it.TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-50435290923000894492010-08-27T09:46:00.000+12:002010-08-27T09:46:07.218+12:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/THbf4XiJOdI/AAAAAAAADaw/PMtytLNBY2U/s1600/Dad+b%26w+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/THbf4XiJOdI/AAAAAAAADaw/PMtytLNBY2U/s200/Dad+b%26w+cropped.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Ruane<br />
1922 - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-15724711926365267112010-08-27T08:31:00.000+12:002010-08-27T08:31:41.206+12:00So long Dad, and thanks for all the booksMy Dad passed away last Sunday. Over the past week I have spent a lot of time thinking about the things that made Dad special.<br />
<br />
He had a kind and gentle nature; a great sense of humour; and eyes that sparkled when he laughed. And he was a great storyteller. He could do all the voices - you just had to close your eyes and you were there. I owe my love of books and reading to the treasured times Dad and I shared, exploring books and stories as I was growing up.<br />
<br />
Whenever I see a copy of <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781904633402/The-Just-So-Stories">Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories</a> I can hear Dad's voice rumbling "...on the banks of the great, grey-green, greasy Limpopo River; all set about with fever trees." Some of his other favourites were <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781590171035/Mistress-Mashams-Repose">Mistress Masham's Repose</a>, <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780199536849/Gullivers-Travels">Gulliver's Travels</a>, and <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780525478560/The-House-at-Pooh-Corner">The House at Pooh Corner</a>.<br />
<br />
He would regularly recite passages from his favourite stories and poems - with <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780141324623/A-Childs-Garden-of-Verses">Robert Louis Stevenson's<i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">A Child's Garden of Verses</span></i></a>; <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780571240616/Old-Possums-Book-of-Practical-Cats">T S Elliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats</a> and <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780151007158/Cautionary-Tales-for-Children">Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales for Children</a> being his favourites to share with me.<br />
<br />
He was a man for whom words held a special power. In his flight log book was a neatly typed copy of the poem <a href="http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/s,johnmagee.html">High Flight</a> by John Gillespie Magee. A book which held a special place in his heart was <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780753826782/Omar-Khayyam">The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam</a>. He carried a small copy of the Rubaiyat in his flying jacket, on every mission he flew for 75 (NZ) Sqn during WW2. That book was one of his most treasured possessions.<br />
<br />
My only regret is that my two children have never really been able to meet the man I knew as my Dad. You see, Dad suffered from vascular dementia (which has basically the same degenerative effect on the brain and memory as Alzheimer's) and his memory was already failing him before my son was born 11 years ago. They missed out on those amazing storytelling sessions, and getting to know him as the wonderful, kind-hearted gentleman he was.<br />
<br />
I'm sure that by now Dad has found himself a comfy chair, an endless supply of good books, some good bread and cheese, a gin and tonic close at hand, and no doubt a couple of cats to keep him company.<br />
<br />
So long Dad. Ake ake kia kaha.TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-83168184249449132422010-08-09T10:00:00.002+12:002010-08-09T10:00:00.412+12:00Review: How To Clean A Hippopotamus by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page<a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780547245157/How-to-Clean-a-Hippopotamus">How To Clean A Hippopotamus</a> is a children's non fiction book looking at symbiotic relationships in the animal kingdom.<br />
<br />
What a great book! The information is presented in an entertaining and easily accessible manner, and the amazingly detailed paper collage illustrations are a delight in themselves. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TFfWIVt5mtI/AAAAAAAADY4/O-VSMba5BHY/s1600/How+To+Clean+A+Hippopotamus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TFfWIVt5mtI/AAAAAAAADY4/O-VSMba5BHY/s200/How+To+Clean+A+Hippopotamus.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>This is a book which would be read again and again, not just as a valuable resource, but for the sheer delight in looking at the fantastic illustrations and reading the animals' stories.<br />
<br />
I haven't read any other books by this husband and wife author/illustrator team - but I am certainly on the look out for more now. Brilliant.<br />
<br />
Highly recommended.TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-40216030932475379992010-08-05T14:40:00.000+12:002010-08-05T14:40:53.967+12:00Review: Trigger by Susan VaughtWhat would drive a young man who seems to have everything - top sportsman, popularity, girls, great grades, a bright future - to kill himself? Jersey Hatch's parents don't know, his best mate doesn't know, and Jersey himself doesn't know. But he is determined to find out. You see - Jersey's suicide attempt failed. And now, after a year of rehabilitation, scarred, blind in one eye, with a limp, a non-responsive left hand and permanent brain damage...Jersey is deemed ready to go home. To carry on with his life. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TFobompcioI/AAAAAAAADZQ/wqRVvOO1ILs/s1600/Trigger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TFobompcioI/AAAAAAAADZQ/wqRVvOO1ILs/s200/Trigger.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>Jersey can't remember anything about the year before he shot himself in the head. And everything he thinks, tends to come straight out of his mouth, so he blurts out random words like wench, frog farts, sock - this makes most social situations awkward, to say the least.<br />
<br />
As Jersey searches for the answer to his burning question, he learns to cope with life in the real world again, and he begins to understand the fallout his actions had on his friends and family.<br />
<br />
Susan Vaught weaves a powerful and moving story, tackling a difficult subject with skill and humour. It will stay with you long after you finish it.<br />
<br />
My thanks to Amanda who kept telling me "you must read <i>Trigger</i>, it's really really good" Thanks Amanda, you were right!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781582349206/Trigger">Trigger</a> was also published under the alternate title <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780747582847/Blowout">Blowout</a>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-90767786691356902722010-08-03T14:22:00.001+12:002010-08-03T14:33:03.964+12:00Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780545123273/Shiver">Shiver</a> is basically an overcome-the-odds-love story about a girl and a boy, except that the boy is sometimes a wolf. It is funny, and sad, and romantic, but far from soppy. The narration switches between Grace and Sam, maintaining a nice balance between the two main characters. Both characters grow and develop throughout the story, and the ending leaves you wanting to know more. The story seems to have a really earthy feel to it - there is a strong emphasis on the seasons, and many of the descriptions are drawn in sounds and smells as well as images. You'll be yearning for the great outdoors while reading it!</span></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TFd4YjVIeCI/AAAAAAAADYo/nqUmeyoV57U/s1600/Shiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TFd4YjVIeCI/AAAAAAAADYo/nqUmeyoV57U/s200/Shiver.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I love this cover - and I love that <br />
the blue has been carried<br />
through to the color of the text - nice.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
One of the best things about this story is that Grace is a strong female character with a backbone, not willing to be run rough-shod over by a bunch of werewolves.<br />
<br />
The only thing I found that didn't quite gel was that Grace states she had never really been interested in boys until Sam, but she proves herself to be an accomplished flirt. Maybe that just serves to illustrate that they really are soul mates, and totally at ease and in love, but to me it just didn't sit quite right.<br />
<br />
Shiver is the first of a trilogy. The second book Linger has just been released, and debuted at number 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.<br />
<br />
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I also thoroughly enjoyed reading <a href="http://maggiestiefvater.blogspot.com/">Maggie Stiefvater's blog</a> - check it out - she is a woman of many talents. Need another example? Here is her book trailer for Linger, not only did she create the stop motion herself, she composed the music too.<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l59sMzeA_vQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l59sMzeA_vQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-4117967295681746552010-07-31T12:30:00.001+12:002010-07-31T12:30:00.745+12:00A sure fire way to banish your bad moodAnyone who has ever watched young children playing battle games with their toys will laugh out loud at the hilarious toy battle scenes in <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780316007627/Shark-vs.-Train">Shark vs Train</a> (written by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TE6e7ivdYfI/AAAAAAAADWw/tj8Ve2K2pD8/s1600/Shark+vs+Train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TE6e7ivdYfI/AAAAAAAADWw/tj8Ve2K2pD8/s200/Shark+vs+Train.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>Each page reveals a different contest - from roasting marshmallows (which Train wins easily) to trick-or-treating (Shark's clown costume is very effective at pulling in the treats: "the clown is <b>very</b> hungry") to playing video games (where Train comments that it "sure would help if we had thumbs").<br />
<br />
The illustrations are vibrant, full of action, and the facial expressions are hilarious.<br />
<br />
I'd suggest this book for 4-8 year olds, but don't let that restrict you - both my children (aged 10 & 8) thoroughly loved reading it aloud using all sorts of crazy voices as the battles got more intense (between Shark & Train that is!).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TE6phh2poII/AAAAAAAADXM/_qrTq7SP0gw/s1600/Big+Rabbit's+Bad+Mood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TE6phh2poII/AAAAAAAADXM/_qrTq7SP0gw/s320/Big+Rabbit%27s+Bad+Mood.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780811866668/Big-Rabbits-Bad-Mood">Big Rabbit's Bad Mood</a> (written by Ramona Badescu, illustrated by Delphine Durand) is another great book, with hilariously quirky illustrations.<br />
<br />
Big Rabbit has a bad mood with attitude, and it won't leave him alone. Everything Big Rabbit tries to do is ruined by the "big, bad, hairy mood that stuck to him like glue". Children will easily relate to this persistently annoying bad mood that lies about on the sofa, eats chips and leaves its boogers on the carpet! Eventually Big Rabbit takes charge and shows his bad mood the door.<br />
<br />
This is a sure fire hit with 3-6 year olds, and anyone else who has ever had a bad mood with attitude.TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-41238566069898859242010-07-29T21:04:00.000+12:002010-07-29T21:04:30.675+12:00Ladies, look at meThe Old Spice ads have been going viral on YouTube over the last couple of weeks, and with good reason - they are awesome! Just in case you have missed them (where have you been??), here is a sample:<br />
<br />
<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/owGykVbfgUE&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/owGykVbfgUE&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Now check out Old Spice Man's tribute to libraries:<br />
<br />
<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bu-KBxOtJxs&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bu-KBxOtJxs&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
<br />
And finally here is a version from Brigham Young University<br />
<br />
<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2ArIj236UHs&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2ArIj236UHs&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-91552881644197966172010-07-27T20:01:00.002+12:002010-07-27T21:47:34.332+12:00A chilling tale<div class="MsoNormal">I've been doing a bit of reading lately - shock, horror, I know! Over the last few months I seem to have been attached at the fingers to my PC, and consequently have done very little reading of actual paper books. But a long weekend away, coupled with no internet access (I was actually quite concerned that I would go into withdrawal mode) gave me the kickstart I needed to start whittling down the tower of books I have on my bedside table.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First up was Margaret Atwood’s <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780385490818/The-Handmaids-Tale">The Handmaid's Tale</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TE0ILOo-ujI/AAAAAAAADWU/j5GZINks88Y/s1600/handmaids+tale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_91r22PMsPXQ/TE0ILOo-ujI/AAAAAAAADWU/j5GZINks88Y/s320/handmaids+tale.jpg" /></a></div>Atwood creates a terrifying and yet totally believable dystopian world – where the population growth rate has fallen well into the negatives and the ability to conceive and deliver a healthy child has become a rare commodity. Women have become objects, and have been divided into various classes: wives; handmaids; marthas; econowives; and unwomen. The handmaids are proven fertile women and, during their reproductive years, they are valued commodities.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The book takes the form of a retrospective journal, as Offred, a handmaid, looks back on the events of her life and reminisces about her life ‘before’. I am ashamed to admit that it took me a good two thirds of the book to realise that each handmaid’s assigned name actually stems from the household they have been placed with – so the narrator Offred, is of Fred’s household.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The situations that Offred and other women in this society find themselves in are truly terrifying. But it is the notes that form the final chapter that are the most chilling. Without giving too much away, Offred’s journal is discovered, and forms the basis of a series of lectures by experts on the now/then defunct society. As I read these ‘lectures’ – I was reminded of how much we need to be aware of humanity’s past – and how important it is for us to learn from our mistakes.<br />
<br />
This is an important, thought provoking book - read it.<br />
<br />
</div>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-26628480111338065592010-06-25T12:49:00.003+12:002010-06-25T13:01:07.157+12:00Books to movies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There have been some very successful movie adaptations of children's and young adults' books recently - <i>Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief</i> and <i>How To Train Your Dragon</i> are just two that spring to mind.<br />
<br />
There have also been some disappointing flops - <i>Inkheart</i> and <i>The Tale of Despereaux</i> - are both wonderfully crafted, rich stories, and both just failed to fire on the big screen.<br />
<br />
Others books due to make the transition to film include <i>Tomorrow When The War Began</i> (check out the trailer <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdq22z_tomorrow-when-the-war-began-theatri_shortfilms">here</a>), <i>Beezus & Ramona</i>, <i>Legends of the Guardians</i> (based on the first three books of Kathyn Lasky's <i>Guardians of Ga'Hoole</i> series) and of course <i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>The Graveyard Book</i>,<i> Judy Moody</i>, <i>Breaking Dawn</i>,<i> Mr Popper's Penguins</i>, and the one I am most looking forward to, Michael Morpurgo's <i><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/europes-finest-join-up-for-war-horse-2004779.html#">The War Horse</a></i><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/europes-finest-join-up-for-war-horse-2004779.html#"> </a>are all slated for production inside the next 12-18 months.<br />
<br />
Some books just seem </span>perfect for the big screen. Charlie Fletcher's <i>Stoneheart</i> series is a stand out example for me; probably due in part to the fact that Fletcher is an accomplished screen writer already.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Others would be James Patterson's <i>Maximum Ride</i> series. And Robert Muchamore's <i>Cherub</i> series.<br />
<br />
What are some titles that you have read that you would love to see at the movies?</span>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-3769790344047444792010-06-24T12:05:00.002+12:002010-06-24T12:14:28.742+12:00My new toy<div id="zw-1296462465dvBLCL3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;">H<span id="zw-1296462465dhLS883ea243">ave just been playing around with<a href="http://notebook.zoho.com/nb/login.do?serviceurl=/nb/index.do"> Zoho Notebook</a> - and I like it!</span></div><div id="zw-12964908439E6RD23ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;">It is a similar sort of application to Evernote, but on the face of it, it appears to be a bit more user friendly and intuitive than <a href="http://www.evernote.com/">Evernote</a>. Here is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfJFBcF_6cE">video</a> showing some of the things you can do.</div><div id="zw-1296470209cEAHgah3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="zw-12964702a09adcUy23ea243">Any negatives? Well, the extension for Chrome doesn't work in Google pages, so you can't clip a Google page directly into your notebook from a web page. You can still put the web page in by adding the URL, it just takes a little bit longer, and means you are switching from the web page you are viewing, to your notebook. The extension does work for other websites however, and works well, giving you the options of saving the URL, highlighted text, or a screenshot.</span></div><div id="zw-1296474d670IKu7QK3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="zw-1296474d6703WnZ1P3ea243"></span><span id="zw-1296474d670x6b8Q3ea243">A small drawback is that y</span>ou don't seem to be able to tweet directly to it, the way you can with Evernote. B<span id="zw-1296474d670AXILio3ea243">ut that may be just a matter of time.</span></div><div id="zw-129647ae8b1D51d7o3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;">T<span id="zw-129647ae8b2Xdvwnw3ea243">hat is all I have found so far, but I feel the need to explore further. U</span>h oh - new toys!</div>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-23096782001222467142010-06-24T12:04:00.002+12:002010-06-24T22:07:25.537+12:00Wandering as lonely as a cloud....<div id="zw-1296440629d6sOo9S3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br id="zw-129645864c0MpWnGZ3ea243" /></div><div id="zw-12964410510MrWzDc3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;">W<span id="zw-129644105113ULaW3ea243">hile I do use quite a few applications in the cloud - such as Delicious, </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">LibraryThing</span><span id="zw-129648f70575JO5ps3ea243">, </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">Evernote</span><span id="zw-129648f705dl4r0L-3ea243">, Twitter, </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">Picasa</span><span id="zw-129648f7062W4yCqC3ea243"> Web, </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">Google</span><span id="zw-129648f7066SR-TU3ea243"> Reader - I have remained tied to my desktop computer's hard drive when it comes to letters, spreadsheets and reports. Why? Not sure - probably haven't felt the need to access such things away from either my home computer or my work one. Maybe it was a good excuse - "oh, (insert appropriate profanity here) I can't keep working on that assignment now, I don't have access to the file. Never mind, I'll spend that time checking out what has come in on </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">Google</span><span id="zw-129648f706bvvO8Fh3ea243"> Reader - much more interesting!' </span></div><div id="zw-129644d59d62c-IUu3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="zw-129644d59d67GvRO_3ea243">I also usually have a pen drive with me - so anything I have been working on that I know I need to work on at another computer, has been saved to that. Having said that, there have been a few times when I have </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">unexpectantly</span><span id="zw-129648f706fkZxk8P3ea243"> needed to access documents I have been working on elsewhere - only to have to resort to writing myself a note, so I don't forget! I then promptly forgot where I put the note. Somewhere safe no doubt.</span></div><div id="zw-12964452068GsFSNw3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="zw-12964452068fOPqFW3ea243">Time for a change - I have signed up to </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243"><a href="http://www.zoho.com/">Zoho</a></span><span id="zw-129648f7072wOV68D3ea243">. I chose Zoho over </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">Google</span><span id="zw-129648f7074qCUZ_y3ea243"> Docs, mainly due to the excellent reviews I had read. It was interesting to note that along with the many comments about how good it was, many were wondering how long it will be before </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">Google</span><span id="zw-129648f7075FoFnU93ea243"> buys Zoho out!</span></div><div id="zw-12964465f01PuYrYh3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="zw-12964465f01fCDwYx3ea243">I have to say, that from what I have seen so far - it's good! I seem to be able to do all the things I would be able to do using Word and Excel (the programs I use most often). <a href="http://writer.zoho.com/home">Zoho Writer</a> (the only one I have used so far) is clearly laid out, and I like the tabbed format (very similar to Word 2007). I can share documents with others. And I really do like that I can tag documents.</span></div><div id="zw-1296459b120S_ao8t3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="zw-1296459b121FEaXvg3ea243">And, I can post straight to my </span><span class="" id="zw-129648ff358Mt84MK3ea243">blog</span><span id="zw-129648f7077Dk23gO3ea243"> (hopefully - assuming this has post has worked!). No excuses now! Yep, I think I am a convert - I have seen the light!</span></div><div id="zw-129646183d9eGUS_X3ea243" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br id="zw-12964619820Ol0Q53ea243" /></div>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-75800201592172182002010-06-17T14:32:00.001+12:002010-06-24T10:10:03.816+12:00It's not a widget, but it is much more interesting....In my current module of CCL Learn I am meant to do a blog post about widgets. Hmmm, that sounds like a fun read - not!<br />
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While I am waiting for inspiration to strike, have a look at this....<a href="http://www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/Home/">Anne Frank - The Secret Annex</a><br />
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This is a virtual tour of the secret annex Anne Frank and her family lived in for two years. Not only does it provide a virtual tour of the tiny spaces they shared, the site has some excellent resources for further study.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, by the way, I put in a couple of widgets - one to follow me on Twitter, and one to bookmark this blog on Delicious - now wasn't the Anne Frank site much more interesting than that?!</span>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-12491904336799176862010-06-04T14:30:00.001+12:002010-06-04T16:08:58.387+12:00Virtual tour of the Sistene Chapel<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">This is just amazing - a <a href="http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html">360 degree virtual tour of the Sistene Chapel</a>. Take a look, you won't regret it.</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">There are no words or links, just rotate your view using your mouse.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Thanks to the <a href="http://slav.globalteacher.org.au/">Bright Ideas</a> blog for this link. </span></div>TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-80163080045358065192010-06-03T16:35:00.000+12:002010-06-03T16:35:52.604+12:00Twitter and librariesCheck out this article from the SCIS website on the use of Twitter by libraries <a href="http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections/twitter_for_libraries_(and_librarians).html">Twitter for libraries (and librarians)</a> .<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/wcl_library">Wellington City Libraries</a> makes good use of Twitter to connect with its customers, while the <a href="https://twitter.com/NLNZ">National Library of New Zealand</a> regularly tweets photos from the library's digital collection.<br />
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What are your thoughts on libraries that tweet? How have they put it to good use for their customers?TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-48860058251322612702010-06-03T15:57:00.000+12:002010-06-03T15:57:44.246+12:00TwitterTwitter - mention this word and people either roll their eyes in a reaction normally only reserved for a new Justin Bieber song; or they wax lyrical about how great Twitter is and how they didn't know how they made it through each day before Twitter was hatched. I fall into the second group (despite my daughter's very best efforts to convert me to a Bieber fan - THAT I will easily resist til the day I die).<br />
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I have two Twitter accounts - one as <a href="http://twitter.com/thebookwitch">thebookwitch</a> and one as, well, something else ( I like to keep my work interests and my fantasy world quite separate!). As <a href="http://twitter.com/thebookwitch">thebookwitch</a> I follow all sorts of interesting people and organisations. But I'm just a novice - check out some of the people I follow for some good suggestions. So far today there have been tweets on what libraries will look like in 2015, today in NZ history, Wellington City Libraries' top 10 mystery books, and a test for identifying phishing scams.<br />
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Using a client such as TweetDeck or Seesmic is invaluable - it's effectively the same as getting your RSS feeds to your homepage, rather than having to go to each website. From TweetDeck I can see both of my twitter accounts; any lists I use; I can search; I can tweet from one account, or from the other, or from both; and I can post to Facebook too if I so choose. And I am just scratching the surface.<br />
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To date, I am guilty of being a Twitter lurker, and have done very little tweeting of my own - must rectify that, soon. In the meantime, who do you follow on Twitter?TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-14662444002574989422010-05-30T20:52:00.000+12:002010-05-30T20:52:14.284+12:00Mixing it in the wikiHave just finished the wiki section of CCL Learn, and should be feeling totally comfortable with contributing to wikis now.....ummm...not so much. I think it is a case of performance anxiety - what if I do something wrong, what if everyone laughs, why would anyone be interested in what I have to say (although as my friends will tell you, that has never stopped me before).<br />
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I guess it is just a case of taking that first step, grabbing the bull by the horns, crossing that bridge, getting out there and mixing those metaphors.TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8269821739575709152.post-84500552417587960122010-05-27T14:26:00.000+12:002010-05-27T14:26:59.333+12:00The SLANZA wikiThe School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) has a very handy wiki. It contains all sorts of reading lists along with recommended search engines and tools.<br />
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<a href="http://slanzawiki.wetpaint.com/">SLANZA wiki</a><br />
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It has a whole raft of lists for different genres, themes and reading levels, and covers both primary and secondary schools.<br />
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So, the next time you get a secondary school student asking for a recommendation for a book that meets the Wide Reading criteria for, say prejudice against women, then try checking out this wiki for suggestions. <br />
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However, you still need to get them to confirm their choice with English teacher - as some schools have different requirements from others.TheBookWitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01263007005622260517noreply@blogger.com0