Pop Life: Inside Smash Hits Australia 1984-2007 by Marc Andrews, Claire Issac & David Nichols

A quick rundown… The inside story of the hit magazine dealing with all things pop and asking the big questions: have you ever grown cress in a gum boot?

Strengths: Fun to look back at the pop bands of the 1980s through to a few years ago and to read all the inside goss.

Weaknesses: Apparently the print version has a very cool colour section just like the magazine. The ebook doesn’t L

Why I read it: I was a TV Hits purchaser, but I occasionally bought Smash Hits because TV Hits was rubbish at songwords and music.

Pages: 165 (ebook)

Published: 2011

Publisher: Affirm Press

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: reading the biographies of your favourite pop stars from that era, like Jason or Dannii…

When this book was released, I was immediately interested. After reading the autobiographies of some of my favourite pop stars of the 80s (Jason Donovan and Dannii Minogue), I wanted to find out more about what was happening in pop when I was too young and innocent to guess. One problem though: I hardly ever read Smash Hits as a magazine. I bought its rival, TV Hits because I was a firm believer in Home and Away. I read my friend’s copy instead.

No matter. I still got the in jokes and memories of this magazine as well as knowing the majority of the pop groups (I was too young for some of them). The book is written in the same easy style that the magazine was – but mainly without the comments of the ominous ‘Ed’. Three of its former writers detail the uprising and eventually downfall of Australia’s pop magazine. I didn’t realise that the Australian version was an offshoot of the UK one, nor did I know that Smash Hits was still in publication when Take That became big. (I was an uber-cool JJJ listener by then). The book also captures the vocabulary unique to magazines of this era, ‘cor’, ‘blimey’ and other oldish-English words.

Another thing that the book reveals is the change from smaller publishers to bigger corporations and how things are controlled much more tightly these days. One of the writers was the guardian for a lucky fan meeting pop stars (definitely wouldn’t happen today!) and the way that the magazine started very small, continued with a fairly small staff and then was dropped as music tastes changes. The 2000′s also brought with it a lot of change – song lyrics on the internet (I used to cut out and collect these from magazines – I didn’t know it was the writers listening and writing down the lyrics), Napster and other file-sharing programmes, iPods and more diversity in music tastes. Poor ol’ Smash Hits couldn’t keep up.

Still, it seems like it was mainly a lot of fun while it lasted. Marc, David and Claire sound like they had some great times (swimming with Robbie! Talking to INXS!) It’s a pity there’s not another magazine to fill what was a staple for my friends and I.

Burqalicious by Becky Wicks

A quick rundown…The story of the expat lifestyle in Dubai if you’re young and single – all the glitter and all the dust.

Strengths: Lovely familiar writing style (just like one of your best mates is writing you an email)

Weaknesses: More about the social life than any in-depth cultural analysis (but that’s probably not why you’re reading this book)

Why I read it: Cheap, interesting-looking ebook.

Pages: 320

Published: 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins

Setting: Dubai (with a few international holidays)

Rating: 8 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Sophie Kinsella’s fiction, such as Twenties Girl.

 

I still haven’t been to Dubai. Reading this book, I’m not entirely sure about how much I want to go. The book describes incredible awe-inspiring feats of architecture, great shopping malls and fun parties but also gives the reader something to ponder about: expats get lonely.

Burqalicious is the true story of Becky who decides to try her luck in Dubai. It seems that she arrives at the heart of the boom (remember those days?) where mega skyscrapers are built overnight, parties are outlandish, all you can eat buffets last hours and there’s always something fun to do. Besides this luxurious life, where simply everyone has a maid (at least when they’re not living on a landing under a Twister towel), Becky tells of the never-ending heat, the sand, lack of public transport and shops that don’t seem to sell necessities such as tampons.

The book follows Becky through her love affair with Dubai that eventually comes to an end with the GFC and her rocky relationship with M&M (standing for ‘Married and Muslim’). The affair wasn’t the focus of the book, more of a sideline (with some great holidays thrown in). Becky also reveals that an expat’s life is full of ever-changing acquaintances as people fly in and fly out and that it can be lonely. There’s also some cultural differences (including what Becky can and can’t put on her gossip website).

I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read for my commute, plus Becky Wicks has a great ‘voice’ for her readers. I could easily relate her tale of fun, sand, heat and parties in Dubai to a friend chatting. She doesn’t sugar-coat things (we all learn early on in the piece that M&M is married and she doesn’t shy away from changing jobs). It was fun and interesting, like a big blog by a good friend – I’d happily read more of her works.

An Idiot Abroad by Karl Pilkington

A quick rundown… The book to accompany the TV series – Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send Karl, who thrives on familiar surroundings (and food) to the Seven Wonders of the World.

Strengths: Karl’s facts at the end of each section are good, as well as the parts that weren’t shown in the series.

Weaknesses: Pictures are hard to see at times on the ebook version.

Why I read it: I loved the TV series.

Pages: 144 (ebook)

Published: 2010

Publisher: Canongate Books

Setting: India, Brazil, China, Egypt, Mexico, Jordan, Israel, Peru

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: watch the TV show! Or try Long Way Round by Ewan McGregor (yes, that one) and Charley Boorman

I didn’t realise there was a book in addition to the TV series until I saw it on Kobo (although I should have expected it, considering that nearly every TV series has accompanying merchandise these days). The TV series played in Australia on a low key digital channel and gradually increased in hype through word of mouth. Yes, this series is good. It appears to be the brainwave of Ricky Gervais (of The Office) and Stephen Merchant, who decided that it would be incredibly funny to send their friend, fellow comedian Karl Pilkington around the world. Why is that so funny? You see, Karl is a homebody. He likes the familiar – language he can understand, food that he can identify and a ready supply of Monster Munch (some kind of flavoured corn chips according to Wikipedia). Karl does not like surprise, nor does he want to adventure into the unknown.

The book features regular dialogue between Karl, Ricky and Stephen – usually the latter two teasing Karl and getting him to perform something he would have never considered on his own – Mexican wrestling or eating bugs are just two examples. Karl usually does what they tell him, but not without having a whinge about how he’d rather be watching telly at home (probably with some Monster Munch). The book covers what is seen in the TV series and much more. Here, we get to reflect on Karl’s feelings and he really comes across as much more intelligent than portrayed in the show. Sure he’s blunt, but Karl is also very funny with a dry sense of humour. While Karl is no Michael Palin (and he makes several references to this), there are interesting facts at the end of each section of each country. It’s not a comprehensive travel guide, but a unique glimpse at life on the road – both good and bad. Karl does include commentary on the different toilets and bathrooms he encounters in addition to unique foods. A word of warning that some may find his bluntness offensive at times, but this book shines through Karl’s reactions to his experiences.

This is by no means award winning prose, but it’s a fun book that will have you laughing. I read it while on holiday and suggest you do the same.

2:46 : Aftershocks : Stories from the Japan Earthquake by Various

A quick rundown… Short vignettes from those affected by 2011′s Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant meltdown.

Strengths: The raw emotion.

Weaknesses: I would have liked to hear more, but I understand this was a difficult time.

Why I read it: I love Japan and its people.

Pages: 86 (ebook)

Published: 2009

Publisher: Quakebook

Setting: Japan

Rating: N/A

If you liked this, try: after the quake by Haruki Murakami

The story of this book is amazing: a group of people united through Twitter to create a book about the terrible earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan early this year – all in a week. The number of people involved is amazing too: Yoko Ono, journalists from around the world, the people of Japan and others from around the world. Not everyone had a direct link with Japan, but they all cared and worried about the thousands affected. Simply, this book is an example of the caring side of the human spirit.

Why did I read this? I am a Japan-ophile myself, having visited the country on a prolonged visit and fallen in love with the people, the scenery, the culture in addition to studying Japanese for six years. I found the people incredibly kind – from the gentleman who showed me back to my hotel when I was lost (which was the completely opposite way to where he was going) and the schoolchildren at Genbaku Domu in Hiroshima. I wanted to support the Japanese Red Cross (from which the cost of the book went to).

This book conveys so many emotions – from terror, loss and shock to the happiness of being reunited with family and then again to some strangely funny moments. It really does cover the entire spectrum. It’s also put together really well – one moment you’ll be wiping away tears and the next you’ll be smiling through them. It also goes to show that this quake affected many people and the great way people joined together to help others. (I was in Singapore post-quake and the generosity demonstrated by store, school children and the community was impressive).

This book is a must read for those who love Japan and want to help. Well done to those involved, you’ve got a great record of reactions to the quake.

1Q84 Book 3 by Haruki Murakami

A quick rundown… Continues where Book 2 concluded, with Aomame and Tengo looking for each other in 1Q84.

Strengths: The beautiful writing and the need to for the pair to reunite.

Weaknesses: Too short! Open for a further sequel.

Why I read it: Absolutely loved Books 1 & 2.

Pages: 377 (ebook), also available in Australia combined with Books 1 & 2

Published: 2011

Publisher: Random House

Setting: Japan

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Other Haruki Murakami books, such as The Wind-up Bird Chronicle.

Thanks to Random House Australia who kindly offered me the opportunity to continue on with Book 3 of 1Q84 (Readings Books let me read their ARC of Books 1 & 2). Book 3 continues where Book 2 left off, with Aomame and Tengo determined to find each other in this crazy world of 1Q84. Leader is dead and Sakigake and Ushikawa are trying to find Aomame. Tengo is in the cat town, as his father lies unconscious. Aomame is waiting for Tengo in her apartment, but the NHK fee man keeps pounding on her door. Fuka-Eri too, is disturbed by an abusive NHK collector. Is it a coincidence that Tengo’s father wants to be buried in his NHK uniform?

If you haven’t read Books 1 & 2, you’ll think that I’ve invented the above or gone mad. But no, this is all logical to those who inhabit the possibly parallel world of 1Q84. The main aim of the book is to reunite Aomame and Tengo. (Isn’t it odd that Aomame is always referred to by her surname and Tengo by his first name? We also find out Aomame’s first name, thanks to Ushikawa). I did feel that this book wasn’t as detailed as the other two, but perhaps this is because of several reasons: a) realistically, it’s a continuation of the same story and doesn’t need the same background; b) Book 3 is translated by Phillip Gabriel in contrast to Jay Rubin, hence a little bit of bumpy ground initially; and c) I believe this book was written later by Murakami after he’d had time away from 1Q84. Maybe I feel this way because I had a break of several weeks before continuing the story, rather than just turning the page to another section. But really, Book 3 is there to make an attempt to tie up the loose ends that Book 2 made you so frustrated about, isn’t it?

Well, kind of. This is Murakami after all, where there are often more questions than answers. Fuka-Eri disappointingly drifts off into the background, as does Komatsu and the dowager. The Little People reappear and new characters are introduced. But essentially, Book 3 is about three people we already know: Aomame, Tengo and Ushikawa. The chaser and the chased.

It wouldn’t be Murakami if there weren’t some weird and seemly unexplainable twists. Book 3 doesn’t disappoint in that sense, and twists make events in the previous two books seem clearer. The ending however, no matter how much you wished it to happen, is a little linear and predictable – unusual for Murakami. It does leave you with a sense of fulfilment though. Does the pedestrian ending means there are more events to unfold in a Book 4? Let’s hope so. I’d love to hear more about this world.

This is definitely not a standalone book – in fact, as very little backstory is summarised; it needs to be read after Books 1 & 2. If you read it all together, 1Q84 will not disappoint.

Next to Love by Ellen Feldman

A quick rundown… Three American women and what befalls them during WWII and after. Three different but plausible stories.

Strengths: Easy to read, light and interesting.

Weaknesses: A lot of pain and compromise. It’s not always rosy.

Why I read it: Reviewed for Net Galley.

Pages: 320

Published: 2011

Publisher: Spiegel & Grau

Setting: USA

Rating: 8 out of 10

If you liked this, try: The Morland series during World War I deals with similar themes.

Next to Love was an absolute find on Net Galley for me. This was such a cozy book to read despite its content. The book opens as Babe, who is running the Western Union Telegram office in a town in the USA, is rushed off her feet as telegrams flood in from the War Office. The town receives many cases of bad news in just one day, affecting her friends Millie and Grace but not her.

The narrative then moves back in time to before America’s entry into WWII when all three of the girls were still at school. It then goes through each of their marriages and how they received the news that their husband was dead – or alive. But the majority of the book focuses on the period after the war and the issues each woman faces. Babe got Claude back, but he’s not the same man. How can they go on? Grace lost her husband and is extremely devoted to his memory – how can she move on? Some say that Millie is moving on too quickly from her widow status, but is she? Feldman covers many topics that are not generally discussed in books set in this time period – post-traumatic stress disorder, remarriage and grief. She also tells us the story from the female, left behind point of view which is refreshing.

This was a quick read and is very easy to pick up again after a day of work or during busy times. My only small gripe would be that it would be useful to have different fonts for each of the girls’ perspectives – it can occasionally be difficult to keep track of whose story is being told.

This is not a war story, but a story about the personal effects of war. The reactions and thoughts of each characters will remain with you long after the book is closed.

Thank you to Random House for allowing me to read this galley.

Empire Day by Diane Armstrong

In a nutshell… The story of Australia post WWII, in particular the ‘New Australians’, told by the residents of Wattle Street, Bondi Junction.

Strengths: Really captures the period of post-war Sydney and the reactions to the immigrants are similar to today.

Weaknesses: A lot of characters, occasionally hard to remember where they fit in

Why I read it: Galley from Net Galley, courtesy of Harper Collins Australia

Pages: 512 (ebook)

Published: 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins Australia

Setting: Sydney, Australia

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Bryce Courtenay or Peter Yeldham

I love Australian historical fiction, but the late 1940s and 50s is somewhat devoid of books. It was a time of great change, but perhaps it’s too recent in the minds of our grandparents and parents to reflect yet with must nostalgia. There was still rationing but Australia was changing. The entry of many ‘New Australians’, displaced people from World War II was changing the Australian landscape from one of 6pm pub closing and tea drinking to coffee lounges and exotic food. Many of these immigrants simply had no home to go to – Italians, Russians, Latvians, Ukrainians, the Polish and the Jewish people – and ended up here, sometimes not by choice as there was nothing for them – no home, no family, no friends. This is their story and those of those already settled in Australia. Empire Day has particular relevance to me as my paternal grandparents arrived on such a ship to Australia from devastated Eastern Europe via a refugee camp in Germany – they didn’t (and still don’t) know what became of their family. My maternal grandparents were already ‘Aussie’ so it was really interesting to hear the stories of those in Wattle Street and compare them to that of my own family.

As you’d expect, there are many characters in this book as it’s the residents of the street and it can be difficult to keep up initially with who’s who, particularly the Polish and Latvian residents (my genes lack that ability!). But the established Australian residents soon typically give them nicknames and for the majority, embrace the differences and warmly welcome the refugees. There are several topics covered that are still relevant in Australia today – do the refugees accept the ways of the new country or maintain the ways of the old? Should they forget their horrific past or share it with others? Do they mingle outside their ethnic group? Different characters have different reactions to these – for Ted, it’s falling in love with a Latvian girl; but for her father, dating an Australian boy is something he can’t forgive.

Other topics of the time covered well in Empire Day are the polio epidemic (Meggsie, a red-headed larrikin is told he’ll never walk again), rationing post war (I didn’t know Australia still rationed butter then), the lack of decent coffee (we were still a nation of tea drinkers) and the leftovers of ‘Razorhurst’ (as seen on Underbelly: Razor). I didn’t even know about Empire Day until I read this book!

The Australian spirit of ‘having a go’ and generosity really come through in this book. Whether it’s Miss McNulty helping out Kath or Mr Emil befriending Meggsie, it demonstrates the lack of a class system and the way the ‘New Australians’ were increasingly accepted by the current residents.

This book in general makes me proud to be Australian – Armstrong has perfectly captured the spirit of Australia (better than Qantas anyway!) and it’s a heartwarming read with great characters and very well researched. Bonzer job, mate!

Penguin Lost by Andrey Kurkov

In a nutshell… The sequel to Death and the Penguin is even wilder than the original, including politics, warzones and arm wrestling.

Strengths: Always inventive.

Weaknesses: Sometimes it’s hard to believe that Viktor would go that far for a penguin.

Why I read it: ebook
download from Net Galley

Pages: 256

Published: 2011

Publisher: Melville House Publishing

Setting: Ukraine, Russia, Chechnya

Rating: 8 out of 10.

If you like this, try:
Death and the Penguin (assuming you haven’t read it), otherwise it’s hard to think of anything else this original.

I really enjoyed Death and the Penguin. It was original, amusing and outlandish, so naturally I wanted to read the sequel. Kurkov is never one to do things by halves and Penguin Lost opens to find Viktor a world away from Misha the penguin in Antarctica. (Yes, that’s right – man in Antarctica, penguin in Ukraine). Viktor is asked to give a credit card and letter to the wife of a somewhat shady Russian character dying in Antarctica, so back to the northern hemisphere he goes. Before he can get to Moscow, he is usurped by a wannabe politician as a PR aide after finding his girlfriend has a new lover. Moving to find Misha in Chechnya, Viktor operates a crematorium and later returns to Kiev, sans penguin. But when Misha does arrive back home, there are problems with old friends and lovers. In a moment of inspiration, Viktor creates an arm wrestling team to try to get Misha to Antarctica. What happens on the yacht there is now typical absurd calamity and once again, there’s an opening for the sequel.

What creates these outlandish situations for Viktor? Is it just the love for his penguin or ability to get into sticky situations? Nobody could predict the twists and turns in this book – Kurkov is a genius at making the absurd sound relatively believable (or it is just the Western belief that ‘anything’ could happen in the former Soviet bloc?). While Misha is missing for some of this book, his return gives the story a more human feel (Viktor seems a bit lonely traipsing the world alone) as well as giving the opportunity for a penguin to visit McDonalds. Sonya also makes a reappearance and is the voice of truth more often than not – giving an opinion into the crazy world she lives in.

Surreal in places, but never boring, this is dark but not oppressively so. It would be useful to read the first novel before trying this one though.

The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes

In a nutshell… A heart wrenching love story in the 1960s.

Strengths: Page turner, emotional read.

Weaknesses: Very emotional read and the second main character is not as strong.

Why I read it: ebook
download from Net Galley

Pages: 416

Published: 2010/2011 (different for different regions)

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, Penguin Group USA (depending on where you are)

Setting: England, France, Africa

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you like this, try: The Past and Other Lies by Maggie Joel

This book came out in Australia around Christmas time last year. This was the cover we received:

and to be honest, it really didn’t appeal to me. It looked very chick lit and soppy. However, the American cover enticed me more and I had heard good things about this book, so I successfully applied to receive a Net Galley of this book. Boy, I’m so glad that I did. This is a highly emotional love story that keeps you reading well into the night without being over the top. I was really pleased with this book, and highly recommend it to those that like a well written story with detailed characters, drama and plenty of obstacles. I also think that this would make a great movie.

This book opens with Jennifer, the main protagonist, recovering in hospital after a nasty car accident where the driver was killed. Her problem is that she has amnesia of the events prior and must get to know her husband, friends and home all over again. As time goes on, Jennifer starts to feel that something isn’t quite right, but no-one will tell her anything. She then finds letters hidden in her house addressed to her, love letters signed by B. Who is B?

The story then moves back to the time before Jennifer’s accident and how she and B fell in love and planned to leave her dreary suburban life for him. Unfortunately, a number of unfortunate instances occur and things don’t happen as planned…

In the present day, Ellie is a journalist at the same newspaper as B, stuck in a dead end relationship with a novelist. She discovers the love letters as the newspaper plans to move buildings and decides to make it a feature. During this time, she learns from Jennifer the strength of relationships and what it is to really be in love.

I thought Ellie’s character was a little less engaging than Jennifer, but they are products of different times – Ellie seems much looser and flippant in comparison. Ellie is also instrumental in the ending of the book and the third section provides some lighter relief from the tortured relationship of Jennifer and B. This book was excellently written and produced a great feeling of raw emotion, especially when it wasn’t done to do so (1960′s upper middle class London). It’s more than chick lit, it’s a fine, classy story that you shouldn’t pass by. I couldn’t put this book down, not even when wandering about the house!

Yes Sister, No Sister by Jennifer Craig

In a nutshell… The story of a trainee nurse in the 1950s.

Strengths: It’s true, it’s funny, it’s happy, it’s sad.

Weaknesses: Ending seems a bit rushed.

Why I read it: Serendipitous find on Kobo.

Pages: 352

Published: 2010 

Publisher: Ebury Digital

Setting: Leeds, Britain

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: the Sue Barton books by Helen Dore Boylston

Ever since I read the Sue Barton: Nurse books as a girl, I’ve been interested in reading books about nursing, particularly in the ‘olden’ days when there were Sisters and Matrons and nurses wore caps. (I’m sure some of my nurse friends would be horrified with my thoughts). This book appeared on Kobo and I had to have it. It tells the story of Jennifer’s training as a nurse at the Leeds General Infirmary in the 1950s – the highs, the lows and the friends. This book is very funny in places (eg. climbing up a rope ladder after being locked out of the nurses’ home) and very sad in others (eg. death of a baby, a colleague being diagnosed with schizophrenia).

It also highlights the differences in nursing today and back then – in Jennifer’s days, nurses did some of the cooking for the patients, cleaned the ward (including dusting) and were expected to be subservient to the ward sister and Matron. These days, nurses don’t cook generally (that’s why there’s kitchen staff) or clean (orderlies and cleaners are employed) and everyone’s pretty much on first name terms. I’m not a nurse, but being called ‘Sister’ in my hospital is a term that you’re one of the gang, rather than a sign of authority.

It was interesting to read that about 30% of the other students Jennifer (or Jenny) started with actually completed the course. Nursing seems like hard work – long day shifts, split shifts, night shifts – and then study as well. There was bullying of nurses and restrictions on dress, code of conduct etc. It was heartening though to read about the strong friendships made during her time at LGI.

Easy to read and well written, this is a good read for an insight into those times. Although it wraps up rather quickly and abruptly, it is still an interesting one.