Book Review: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

If you like Jeffrey Eugenides’s books, then you’ll like this effort of his, too. I think he is a terrific writer with terrific ideas but I am constantly frustrated by his endings. He loves the story without reason but personally (as a Gemini) the why is important for me, otherwise I can end up thinking I’ve wasted my time on a book that doesn’t have any answers (and what do we read for if not to find the answers to some of life’s great questions?).

White Wash: Original Chapter One

Two days ago I posted the first chapter of White Wash, the currently unfinished sequel to my currently unpublished next novel, Black Spot. What follows below was originally the first chapter of White Wash until I realised it wasn’t working. It wasn’t working, I believe, because this series of books is Livia Black’s story, not Sebastian White’s story. I hope you agree that I’ve made the right decision.

White Wash: Chapter One

This is the first chapter of the currently unfinished sequel to my currently unpublished next novel, Black Spot. My next post will be what was originally the first chapter of White Wash until I realised it wasn’t working. When you compare them, I hope you’ll agree that I’ve made the right choice.

Book Review: Freakonomics & SuperFreakonomics by Steven D Levitt and Stephen J Dubner

Freakonomics

This book was absolutely fascinating, a quick read, and after I finished reading it, I kept introducing things I had read in it into conversations. I only have two issues.

‘You’re the Best Boss I’ve Ever Had’ and Other Lies We Tell to Keep the Job

Last year I wrote about the lies we tell to get the job in the first place, including ‘I’m passionate about spreadsheets’, ‘I like washing everyone else’s dishes’ and ‘I’m happy to work overtime without being compensated for it’. So you’ve successfully lied your way into the job and you think maybe now you might be able to stop telling mistruths and have someone appreciate you for being honest.

Yeah, right. Instead, you’re more likely to find yourself continuing to lie in order to keep the job. Here’s a few I’ve heard (and perhaps a few I’ve used) over the course of my working life.

Guest Post: Death – Oil on Canvas by Zac Newnham

Another short story from Zac Newnham. If you didn’t see the previous one, please read the intro from it first then enjoy another great piece from a short story writer taken from us too soon.

Book Review: The Rosie Project & The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project

I resisted reading this book for as long as I could because I didn’t want to get caught up in all the hype. Now that I’ve read it I have divided feelings about the hype – some of it is justified, some of it isn’t.

Letter to My Little Sister

If you haven’t read the inspirational guest post by my sister, Genevieve Davey, I would encourage you to read it first.

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Dear Genevieve,

You were supposed to be Alexandra. Mum always wanted to name a boy child Alexander and when we found out you were a girl (and likely to be the last child), we assumed you would be Alexandra. When you were born, she named you Genevieve instead.

Guest Post: Invisible Illnesses by Genevieve Davey

Today’s guest post is from eighteen-year-old Genevieve Davey. Genevieve is my youngest sister, although with the nineteen year age gap between us, we are mistaken for mother and daughter more and more often now (despite the fact that we look nothing alike).

The following piece is the result of a list of thirty prompts published to encourage awareness and discussion of invisible illnesses in society and decrease stigmatisation during Invisible Illness Awareness Week. Gen’s honesty is confronting but impressive and I think this piece also demonstrates that the talent for writing runs in our family.

Book Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. I liked that the book was from the perspective of the alien (damn you, you violence loving humans) but like Stephenie Meyer’s other hugely successful series, it did seem like another contribution to the large collection of books that should all be subtitled “How to Get a Boyfriend”. And, of course, with another bizarre love triangle.