End of Year Meeting

Hi BBC members
We wound up the year with a terrific night at Enjoywine, with all those attending receiving a personalised award which no doubt has already taken pride of place in the trophy cabinet. Every one talked about the 'recommended read' they had selected at the previous meeting (see attached ratings' list) and we discussed selections for 2009. There are sooooooooo many great books out there! Our first book for 2009 will be Catch 22 by Joseph Heller so let me know asap if you want a copy reserved. We will meet at the Buronga Library on February 19th at 6pm. If you need something to read in the meantime do drop in to the library before we close on December 22nd; after all Santa may not bring you a book this year!
Cheers Penny

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Hi BBC members
What an animated discussion we had at our last meeting,leaving us pondering such questions as whether For Whom the Bell Tolls IS a classic, is there such a thing as a boys' book and whether the fact that Hemingway's mother called him Ernestine until he was three was at the crux of it all!!
Our next and final meeting for the year is on Thursday December 4th. To wind up the year we have decided to meet at Enjoywine. We will start at 6pm for drinks and nibbles with the option to stay on for a meal. I will ask for confirmation of attendance closer to the time. As well as a change of venue, our book discussion will be a little different. We have generated quite a list of members' recommended reads during the year and a lot of them are available through the library. Members are invited to choose one that interests them to read and discuss on December 4th. A list of titles is available from the Buronga library. Some have already been snapped up, so head into the Buronga Library asap to browse the remainder. Please be aware that there is a three week loan period on these items.
At our December meeting we will also decide on dates for 2009 and propose some books to read. So be there or be square!!
Happy reading
Penny Edmanson

The Gathering

In spite of the inclement weather we had another good turn out for our discussion of 'The Gathering' by Ann Enright. Having warmed up with some wine and nibbles, the discussion flowed freely and was particularly enlightening for those of us who had managed to miss the crucial facts about Ada's occupation!!. Our next meeting will be on October 23rd when we will discuss Ernest Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls". Let me know if you would like a copy reserved through the library.

What an animated BBC meeting we had on June 12th. Although only a few members had finished 'Carpentaria' by Alexis Wright, they were united in their praise and spurred others to give it another go. Unfortunately Alexis is not participating at the Mildura Writers' Festival but it's a great line up of authors nevertheless. Check out the programme at www.mrimf.com.au or pick up a copy from the library. Sonya Hartnett is the winner of this year's Philip Hodgins Award and many of her books are available through our library system.
Several of us are taking advantage of the "Saturday at Latrobe Package" ($65 six events plus lunch) on July 19th so come along for all or part of the day. I will also be attending the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal Dinner on Friday 18th ($66 per head) at which Sonya Hartnett will be presented with her medal. Let me know soon if you would like to join me as tickets sell out fast for this event.
Our next BBC meeting is on August 21st and we will be discussing 'The Gathering' by Anne Enright. Once again copies will be available through the library so let me know if you want one reserved for you. If you prefer to purchase your own copy, Angus and Robertsons should have some in shortly with a 10% discount for BBC members.
Happy reading
Penny

'Carpentaria' comments invited

After only 100 pages of Carpentaria, I am realising that it is not the book for a lazy reader. No skimming here!! Every paragraph is laden with images both dreamtime and contemporary. At this stage I am finding it a bit too slow moving but anticipate that the pace may increase once the author has set the scene. I am also finding the concept of the 'fringe dwellers' on the outskirts of a white settlement pertinent to the whole Dareton/Namatjira set up.
Penny E.

Hi Book Lovers
We had a great discussion on "The Book Thief' last Thursday. Another good turn up of contributors and quite a few new faces. All up we had 17 people reading the book, so if every one turns up at once we might have to share wine glasses!
Our next meeting will be on June 12th. We have decided to read Carpentaria by Alexis Wright . The book won the 2007 Miles Franklin award and as Alexis will be in Mildura for the Writers' Festival in July, we thought it would be appropriate to tackle it. It is another long book and could be quite challenging but hey it's good to be taken out of your comfort zone.
Some of you may choose to access the boook independently, however copies will be available shortly through the library. Please let me know if you require one to be reserved for you.
I look forward to seeing you at the Buronga Library (next to the Bakery) at 6pm on June 12th. Wine and nibbles will again be provided and you might like to consider a donation of about $3.
Happy reading,
Penny Edmanson