rambles | Lost in a Good Book

Happy (Belated) New Year, Everyone!

10 Jan 2015 4 Comments

by Amy in Rambles Tags: new year, rambles

Look who has returned! I have not disappeared in the mysteriousness that is New Year. I know this is a terrible way to start the year, being absent for the first ten days and I promise this is not a foreshadowing of what the year will be like. It was just so hard to pull myself away from the relaxing time I was having doing nothing to actually start doing something. After a hectic Christmas and December it was so wonderful being able to relax after everything wound down after New Year so I am not really going to apologise any further.

I have noticed though that a lot of my holiday posts seem to be belated recently but as I say I was so busy over Christmas and through December I was really enjoying the week (and a bit) of doing nothing but watching TV and eating leftovers. I will say I started the year out with good intentions. I began the new year reading which was very productive I thought. I read one of my brilliant QI fact books that I had gotten for Christmas on New Year’s Day. It was fantastic, just like the others were.

One thing that has dragged me away from my relaxation is the fact I am now house sitting. I was hoping to use this house sitting time to be productive and separate myself from the distractions of home, but with two golden retrievers and the internet at my fingertips it has yet to prove useful. But at only two days in and eight days left anything could happen. I know once I start writing I will get back into the hang of it, but having a break over Christmas really stops your flow, it is a lot of work to get yourself back into the regular routine. Which is true for everything I suppose. I always marvelled that after six weeks off over Christmas, the first day back at school always feels like you’ve never left. Without the luxury of being forced back into blogging by government laws I must make my own motivations and I am taking the guilt trip route. Too much time off is never a good thing and it makes me feel unproductive.

So now I’m sitting here, on a strange computer, contemplating and trying to find the motivation that is going to kick off my year. I am contemplating to the new album by The Script at the moment which I have to say it is brilliant. There is something particularly magnificent about listening to powerful songs at full volume, it gets your heart going, you feel like you can conquer the world and there is nothing you cannot do. This is how I am going to motivate myself into diving head first into this year. I have allowed myself the luxury of a week (plus a bit more) of relaxing and now it is time to get going again. New year, new goals, and new motivations!

One of the first things I must do is thank everyone who is already sending in review requests. It is good to see having to close submissions for so long last year has not affected things too much which make me so pleased. I hope more come and I look forward to reading all your wonderful books as well as many more throughout the year. One of my goals for the year is to try and read some of the books I already own as well so I am implementing a “one request, one owned” system to try and get through my TBR pile, but more on my goals later.

I should also add in here I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s doing whatever it was you were doing. I had a great night, I had some friends over for a mini soiree where we played some games, drank wine, and watch the fireworks both on TV and those nearby. If you do not yet know about my absolute fascination and adoration of fireworks you must catch yourself up. Two important things to remember are that I will never say a bad word about them and that they must be watched at every possible chance for whatever reason.

I have many wonderful things planned for this year. I have a blogiversary coming up super soon and many goals which I will fill you all in on later when I know about them myself! I am looking to get a review up in the next day or two as well meaning this year is definitely (and finally) in full swing here at Lost in a Good Book!

So welcome to 2015 everyone, may good books be forever at your disposal, and you read something spectacular!

So long 2014

31 Dec 2014 3 Comments

by Amy in Rambles Tags: happy new year, new year, new years eve, rambles

As my second year of blogging comes to a close it is pretty remarkable looking back and comparing this year to my first year. While I learnt a lot in the first year and was given some great opportunities, outside the blog there was a lot going on and there were so many hassles with my old host website that nothing was going right. Jump forward a year and this year could not have been any more different if it tried. I have been to numerous literary and bookish events, read dozens of brilliant stories from people requesting a review from me, and I did it all while finishing my Masters degree.

I have loved blogging this year I loved writing reviews, reading so many, so many wonderful books and getting to share them all with you. I know working on my top five list is going to be interesting since there was no real stand out book, they were all so great.

I could try and count how many beautiful authors and publicists asked me to review their books but I won’t, I will estimate it is somewhere in the 40-50 range which if I have not said it enough I am so grateful for, for all of you asking me to review your works. I already have a few lined up for the new year so bring on more great reads!

As I was preparing to write this I was rereading my New Years Eve post from last year and it brought back a lot of memories. Not just the stuff I was not talking about, but just the things I had been through that year; the blog, uni, the fact that by the end of the year I was a mess and trying to find what I was doing with myself amidst uni and reading and trying to sort my headspace out. Reflecting a year later I do not regret that year, all the drama, pain, and emotions help you grow. It makes you tough and it teaches you a lesson. It also helps you appreciate the good things and this year has been filled with so many good things it has been truly wonderful. The mood was also quite reflective last year. I know you are supposed to be reflective on the last day of the year, and I am, but I think in a much cheerier mindset which is never a bad thing.

Book wise I set myself a realistic goal of reading 70 books this year, which was met by sheer determination to not not finish (which means I bumped it down to match the 66 I did read, shh don’t tell), and I managed to get out on the other side of my Masters which makes me feel very adult, while still fully aware I have no idea what I am doing.

In the last twelve months I also attended so many bookish and blogging events, allowing me to open up my contact range and my eyes in how the book/blogging world operates. I went to PTA Live, the Hachette Bloggers Night, the Book Bloggers Forum, the Book Expo, both Sydney and Newcastle Writer’s festivals, the Sydney Author’s Event, plus a fabulous literary lunch with John Marsden. I am looking forward to 2015 being filled with just as many events and getting to meet some wonderful readers, bloggers, and authors from around the country and overseas.

Before I finish up for the year and go grab myself a wine, some chocolate, and a very adult and mature sparkler to bring in the new year, I want to thank everyone who has been by my side through this year and the last. I appreciate each of you for sharing my reviews, commenting on my posts, sticking with me when I miss posts, back posts, and just plain vanish for a few days (or months), and more importantly for making me feel like I am not just talking to myself out on the internet.

Once again I must ask of all of you to find and watch any fireworks you can get to tonight as they are one of the greatest gifts to the world and sent by the gods. As I said last year, my absolute love and fascination with the beauty and gloriousness of fireworks can never be underestimated and I will not stop forcing people to watch them when they occur, no matter what the occasion.

I wish you all the best for the New Year and may books be forever at your disposal.

Happy New Year guys, I will see you on the other side.

The Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference

24 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in News, Rambles Tags: Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference, fairy tales, kate forsyth, news, rambles, sarah gibson

I discovered the greatest thing this afternoon. I got an email from Sarah Gibson, the filmmaker who wrote and directed the stunning series on ABC and gorgeous website about Re-enchantment, and she was sending out an email to say that her book “Re-enchantment: Ways to Interpret Fairy Tales” was available from the iTunes store for $4.99. That was cool enough, but then, underneath it also had a note to say that Sarah would be speaking at the Australian Fairy Tale Conference on Monday June 9th in Sydney. And I was like, the what now? Now I did not know that there was a Fairy Tale Conference, I thought I had been missing out for years on fairy tale conferences but it seems this is the inaugural year. I am seriously considering going as well; I think it would be wonderful.

The conference is being put on by the Australian Fairy Tale Society with the theme ‘The Fairy Tale in Australia’. The society, which is a national not-for-profit, are focused on “collecting, preserving, discussing, sharing, and creating Australian fairy tales.” according to their website. The conference is being held in Paddington at the Paddington Uniting Church and the standard cost is $95, less if you are a member of the society. The program is also available from the society website where you can see the breakdown of the day plus the special guests. There are a range of wonderful people speaking including Sarah Gibson, Kate Forsyth, as well as a many others.

The conference is on the Queen’s birthday long weekend for those considering going, and at $95 for a day of listening to how Australia plays a role in the creation of fairy tales, it is a pretty good day. You can register your place on the website, as well as check out more about the Society and the conference.

e-flyer

All Your Bits and Pieces Needs
Australian Fairy Tale Society Website
Australian Fairy Tale Society Facebook
Re-enchantment website

Also, for those interested in Sarah’s ebook here is some more information.

RE EBOOK COVER 7 “Written by Jungian analyst and filmmaker Sarah Gibson and designed by Rose Draper, this eBook presents new ways to interpret fairytales in a visually stimulating and immersive way. Chapters explore the hidden psychological meanings of fairy tales symbols and motifs. They unlock the secrets of the emotional power of fairy tales and why they continue to stir our imagination. The eBook features video, audio, animation and stunning visual design. It showcases re-imaginings by over thirty contemporary artists. Be curious. Be surprised. Be inspired.”

Buy from iTunes

iTunes preview

iTunes Preview

The price of eBooks: a contemplation

22 Apr 2014 3 Comments

by Amy in Rambles Tags: books, ebooks, rambles

I recently saw a post on Facebook by a friend who was ~~ranting~~ talking about why she would not spend $10 on an ebook, and that at that price she would rather buy the paperback. That got me thinking. I will admit I am a victim of looking at the price of an ebook and not buying it because I thought it was too expensive. I’m talking $7.99 or something close to it. I see that as being expensive for an ebook, I think the $2 or $3 area is suitable for an ebook but aside from me saying I think that’s reasonable for a book where I don’t get a physical copy, I can’t really tell you why that is.

It is very interesting how ebooks are viewed differently than paperbacks, or even hardcovers (do they make those anymore or is it just those larger paperbacks which throw off shelf height organisation?). Years before ebooks, hardcover books came out first, you could buy it then for $40 or you could wait months to get the paperback version instead which would be lighter, cheaper, and just better in all kinds of ways. I was never a hardcover fan, they were heavy, hard to hold, and while they stood up on their own they weren’t that special in my opinion. Many of my Harry Potter books ended up in hardcover because you didn’t have the luxury in high school to wait for paperbacks, people would have read it over a weekend and you’d be blocking your ears for spoilers forever. My birthday always seemed to be two weeks after the release of each book and even waiting that short time was tough until I pulled the early present rule due to extreme circumstances. I do remember though waiting about four or five years for the hardcover version of the complete Blinky Bill stories to come out in paperback in a bookshop. That was an exceptionally long time but I waited and it finally arrived. Granted this was different than normal books, it was a large hardcover special edition, bigger than a regular hardcover book. But anyway, I digress.

When it comes to being unwilling to pay high costs for ebooks is it because we feel ebooks are not worthy of being more than a few dollars; that as convenient as they are they are not something that you’d waste too much money on? There are many free ebooks in the world, there are also a mass of 99c ebooks that are promoted to us as “only $0.99” or “under a dollar” and we’re meant to see this as a bargain. As it is, a whole digital book for 99c (unless you’re in Australia and it turns into $1.05 because of mysterious stupid reasons) is a great deal. What else do you get for 99c if not a whole brand new book to read and enjoy? Many others are listed as two, three, four, anywhere up to even twelve dollars and various cents for these digital books. Is it because there is no physical copy that there are limits to what we’ll pay? If we are going to pay $10 or $12 for an ebook we may as well pay $15 or $20 and have a hard copy in our hands that can’t get accidentally deleted or stuck on one device and unable to be shared. Or is it the idea that a book is a book regardless and whether it is $3 or $12 it makes no difference. Yes the printing and publishing costs don’t need to be considered but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other factors or costs involved.

The next question I suppose is how an ebook comes to be worthy or their price, what makes one $7.99 or 99c or given for free? I’d say author popularity or pre-existing success has something to do with it, there are no doubt reasons why Matthew Reilly’s ebook version of his new release are $15 and an unknown new author may give theirs away for free or 99c. Ebooks follow the same new release gradual price drop as all others, but the fact that it varies even within a single authors collection is highly curious. Is this due to publication date? size? popularity? Someone out there would know, I however do not.

I know many priced books are made free by authors being generous for their readers, I have snagged a few that way certainly, I’ve even taken a chance on unheard of authors and novels because they are free. I believe I have only paid for an ebook once and that was under $4, and the only reason I did it was because I wanted to read the next in the series sooner rather than later and figured it was not unreasonable in the grand scheme of things. But this is because one – I am a physical over ebook preferer when it comes to buying books, and two – I am not made of money so if I’m going to spend money it I may as well get the format I like best if possible. This does result in me being a library abuser and splurging on rare occasions (like writers festivals and book fairs).

I have no answers to any of these questions, I do not know the inner workings of the ebook industry or why things are what they are. Who knows, maybe authors decide their price, though I doubt Amazon would allow that so I’m certain that it isn’t the case. But it does get me thinking about it more, something I hadn’t considered at any depth before. I do know that no matter what these reasons are, but at the end of the conversation I am certain that I too would not spend $10 on an ebook, glad to see I’m in good company.

Easter, Fun Facts, and Chocolate

20 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in Rambles Tags: chocolate, easter, easter eggs, fun facts, rambles

Ah Easter. The day of bunnies, chocolate, and refined restraint on eating the entire day’s loot in one sitting. I know for some Easter is a religious weekend but for me it is about chocolate, four day weekends, and…well there isn’t much else. This is the best time of year because this is the only time that the rare and highly sought after Red Tulip chocolate emerges from its hibernation. The chocolate that only is seen around Easter, but when it comes out it will whip Cadbury’s butt any day. My affection for Red Tulip aside, I am not saying Cadbury is bad, but you can get that in many forms all year round, the Red Tulip experience is a once a year delight. Yes, perhaps its rarity makes it seem more delicious than it is…oh wait, my mistake, that’s completely wrong, it’s a godsend. And not those weird Ferrero Rocher ads where those weird nutty chocolate things fell from the gods, no, Red Tulip rabbits of various sizes with pink and blue waistcoats and bow ties should be falling from the sky not those.

Eggs have always been used for Easter because they represent rebirth and the beginning of life. Something which comes with a lot of images of hatched baby chickens and pastel colours as well. The earliest Easter eggs were not the chocolate kind though. They used to just be painted chicken or duck eggs that were dyed various colours with vegetable dye and charcoal. I recall painting a few blown eggs as a kid, though it was more a paintbrush and random squiggles around it with the odd dot or two. I may have only done it once or twice, I wasn’t overly fussed about it, and what were you supposed to do with them when you’re done? Display them somewhere? I suppose giving them as gifts as was traditional but that didn’t happen.

Away from the painted eggs, the very first chocolate Easter egg was created by the Victorians in Bristol, England in 1873. It was made by a company called Fry, Vaughan & Co. and instead of being the delicious smooth chocolate we have today, it was bitter dark chocolate with a grainy texture. They also most likely would have been decorated by hand with marzipan and given as gifts by the rich. Much too fancy I think, though those Victorians were an extravagant bunch with their chocolate tastes.

These were the only chocolate eggs until Cadbury tried to make their own Easter egg a couple years later. Cadbury had been making solid eggs since 1842 but were unable to make finer hollow eggs. Cadbury’s first Easter eggs in 1875 were made of dark chocolate with a plain smooth surface and were filled with sugared almonds, but compared with Fry’s it wasn’t as successful. It wasn’t until the launch of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chocolate in 1905 that their Easter egg sales improved, and improved tremendously. It was so popular it not only increased the sale of Easter eggs but it also made them a seasonal best seller, something that remains true today. Cadbury merged with Fry’s, Vaughan & Co. in 1919 but still couldn’t produce the quality eggs Fry’s was making. May I say, Cadbury also bought out Red Tulip, along with other companies, in the 80s when they were trying to conquer Australia. Very conquery Cadbury when it comes to other companies and chocolate, very conquery indeed.

So, now you know. While you are all eating delicious chocky eggs, bunnies, bilbys, chickens, or any other chocolate styled thing today you can think that it all started with one Bristol company that brought the Easter egg to the Victorians and subsequently the rest of the world.

Have a wonderful Easter, try not to get melted chocolate on your books, and have a great day!