I read a lot of nonfiction, and I love memoir. Catch The Wind was a different and very much welcome reading experience as it took me to a time and plaI read a lot of nonfiction, and I love memoir. Catch The Wind was a different and very much welcome reading experience as it took me to a time and place which I don't usually delve into with my reading. I really loved it for this, my enjoyment overall was unexpected. How good is that.
The music and fashion, the vernacular and the tomfoolery � this will appeal to the right audience. The story of the boys spending $25 plus on bell bottoms of immaculate quality at the distinguished tailor, priceless.
The music, the pop culture, the fashion, the work ethic, city versus country, the old-fashioned values; it made me ponder that younger generations (me included) simply don’t appreciate what and how things were done before � that things weren’t offered up on a plate, you had to work bloody hard.
A coming of age for a young man who dropped everything during emotional turmoil, to escape from the drama unfolding at home. He was quick to make serious decisions, to leave his home in a flash, without financial means and proper supplies.
This trip was full of mirth, hilarity and a bit of vulgarity, too. A memoir for all ages, the older generations to flick the switch of memory, and for the younger crowd to learn a little of what it was like before all our mod cons, technology and fast delivery.
If you enjoy a good yarn, stories of old-fashioned snail mail correspondence, friendship and adventure, this is a fun read. Looking forward to its sequel, which is out soon....more
The trait that sets this apart from other books � and being distinct from others is something that I love � is that this unknown gem tells a story steThe trait that sets this apart from other books � and being distinct from others is something that I love � is that this unknown gem tells a story steeped in fact you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere, with a heavy dose of lively fiction. Told using the long-forgotten art of completely downplaying oneself, which in turn, displays a complete lack of pretention. Completely refreshing. Funny and self-deprecating, I challenge readers to find something else like it.
The themes are heavy, and the trajectory these blokes are on depressing. A whole lot of lack and a whole lot of mess morphing easily into temptation to fulfil the void with unsurprising addiction. What other conclusion does the outsider come to looking in? Treated as the dregs of society located in the outskirts of the western suburbs of Sydney, Lalor Park flailed as a poor part of the Sydney producing poor families.
They developed into the stereotyped hoodlum and metaphorically had it tattooed across their foreheads.
Breeding is rife as the author succinctly says. These kids are chucked in together adding chemicals to their body, letting their hair grow wild coinciding with their debut into the real world. Some kids made it out the other end, and others such as Rob and his mates do not fare as successfully. What could enable this rocky stubby detritus scattered road to create such mayhem? Darrell will explain and even give you a glimpse of service work without even knowing it’s been done. I believe this is an excellent win. The lessons are there.
There are no accolades in sight for Rob and the boys; no handouts. A town created in the 1950’s with the specific and glorious idea contrived by the government to throw the poor folk together on quarter acre blocks, to just get on with it. What was ‘it� meant to be, exactly, and how to get there?
Where diversifying their investments meant buying a carton of beer and a bottle of scotch on the same night.
What would become of the kids lumped together, an unknown collective unleashed by the powers that be? Living in isolation from the more affluent suburbs and town planners, with not a hope in hell of mingling with their own. Asbestos fibro, anyone? These young boys were to be the guinea pigs of the Lalor Park revolution, the pioneering forebears.
Can a young bloke, the youngest of seven who’s been running with the pack since day dot, glean any shred of self-worth, a way to move forward and muster the gumption needed to climb out of the rabbit hole which is the bottle, and give up those desirous chemicals?
I am posing a lot of questions in reflection of this quirky book, the author’s debut, because it speaks to me and suits my innate curiosity. Can a kid remain intact physically and mentally, dare I say spiritually? I encourage you to leave your judgment behind in considering this unique book, and witness one man’s journey. I live in the western suburbs. I have lived experience. This is as real and murky as it gets. So many chances afforded, but if one cannot fill the void, where will their road lead?...more
It is very affirming to see so many Australian women writers continuing to produce great work, especially as a debut. It is exciting to witness the brIt is very affirming to see so many Australian women writers continuing to produce great work, especially as a debut. It is exciting to witness the bright young women who embrace the opportunity to tell their stories with complete openness. I inhale memoirs, I love human stories therefore this was a great match for me.
This is Grace’s story. Embarking on an emotional and sudden choice to leave a life behind, destination unplanned. A random choice, a tumultuous farewell. Initially the author’s OCD and oppressive intrusive violent thoughts are discussed, which have taken over a young woman’s life in an extreme way. Added to this is a physical ailment equally as oppressive.
Always searching for answers both emotionally and physically, her journey morphs into a spiritual odyssey. Grace is a woman who needs answers, and her story in seeking professional and spiritual help is testament to a special tenacity.
Written with an unabashed honesty, the author is unafraid to talk about the hard stuff, topics unspoken, themes mostly unspoken of.
When I see similarities to true stories, I am prone to introspection, and this was my experience with The Shift. Dana has eschewed the secrecy in hard topics, those which are not spoken aloud, eroticism, sexual exploration. I found the link between OCD and gratification in new relationships compelling, Grace’s story is very much a discovery process. This was a journey I enjoyed taking.
The Shift is not a light telling it is full of deep reflection, but conversely overflowing with wild abandon. Dana’s writing is conversational and accessible, I enjoy this style, which teased apart the heavy themes � I enjoyed the contrast. She moseyed around, with shades of a child playing freely, while diving deeply into what it is she really wants in life. To be brave and to not necessarily follow the way of societal expectation. And she is funny, without trying to be.
..exploring their nooks and crannies. Anna and I had a brain fart of an idea.. When the opposition scored it wounded him, as though his balls were in a blender. These were the moments I sensed the author’s true self, the kind empathetic soul: He shook my hand, because that was the kind of man he was, and within minutes, I knew he worked in finance, was somewhat nerdy, and loved to travel. I wanted to throw my arms around him and squeeze.
The Shift is genuine and unique, I held onto this with particular interest after meeting the author at a book launch and I was not disappointed. Because we do not all follow the path most taken.
Thank you Dana, for my eCopy to read and review, in the end I was able to hold the physical book in my hand after having it added to my work library!...more
This is an unusual story that differs from the blurb, a young Australian guy who loves to drive fast cars and does so for a living, has an accident anThis is an unusual story that differs from the blurb, a young Australian guy who loves to drive fast cars and does so for a living, has an accident and comes across an unusual girl named Violet, who works as a physiotherapist. Evan decides he’d like her to be on his recovery team as he will need some ongoing physiotherapy to an injured thumb. He offers Violet a spot on his team. Evan is one of the country’s top race car drivers and is very popular; being spotted while out and about, he’s quite the celebrity. I noticed a few inconsistencies plot wise, I did read an early version that was contained spelling mistakes, so this was noticeable and a little distracting. Violet was seemingly an alcoholic that was able to stop her dangerous drinking ‘just like that� this isn’t plausible. She was the type of drinker that had her water bottle with her 24/7, she drank an awful lot and just stopped. This is a quick read of a review copy, provided by the author in exchange for my review....more
Recommended by a friend, I think these stories are funny. Meandering and lacking any real oomph, it is amusing to read about 18th century life. I’m noRecommended by a friend, I think these stories are funny. Meandering and lacking any real oomph, it is amusing to read about 18th century life. I’m not a feminist, so the carry on doesn’t bother me, but these stories are extremely light. I was a little bored throughout, and I have to say the heroine (is that what they are called in this genre?!) is always childlike at first, and always blooms beautifully by the end! The Duke, endlessly handsome and oh so gruff. Even his handsomeness didn’t really want me to keep reading. A light hearted read, which prompted me to utilise my underused Kindle. Also, the heroine's mother disappeared, never to make a comeback. Odd!...more
I read a review on this today, and decided to read it as it was quick. My first ever book read on a Kindle. I never read this genre so I thought I'd gI read a review on this today, and decided to read it as it was quick. My first ever book read on a Kindle. I never read this genre so I thought I'd give it a whirl. It was a bit funny, sentences were short and there was a twist at the end. The author started with fan fiction and has grown from there. I don't know how to review erotic stories!! It was a good hours distraction of harmless and very different reading on a lazy Saturday, and I finally met my Kindle for the first time. I think I got it last Christmas, or was that the one before?!...more
D.D. has fifty mintues to 'teach' aspiring thriller writers on the art of being a detective. She chooses a great scenario to put to the writers, and sD.D. has fifty mintues to 'teach' aspiring thriller writers on the art of being a detective. She chooses a great scenario to put to the writers, and she has great banter in the back and forth in answering the questions and posing the many possibiliites.
It was interesting how she explains how her team work well together, and have their own shining moments, like getting information without warrants and having the gift of the gab when it comes to questioning suspects, and ably assessing the medical scenarios they may come across. It shows the tightness of her crew, with Phil and Neil. I love how DD works a crowd, she is controlled, smart, and in this arena she is quite the performer.
A very short novella which I tried to source from the library, and in the end had to remind myself I do own a Kindle. I just missed the mention of her injury, she was very badly injured in the preceeding book. I thought this worth a mention.
I have number 8 sitting here ready to be devoured, I love this series; and probably moreso the character development, particularly that of Detective D.D Warren!...more
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