Oh the charm of the local book store.

There are some towns where a visit to the local book store is almost mandatory. Among the holiday towns of Victoria, the local bookshop draws you in for a post swim meander. There are particular little stores, in Lorne, Melbourne and Daylseford, that ooze charm and often offer an individualised recommendation.

While it may be tempting to grab a bargain in an online shopping frenzie, when it comes to bookshops, please resist.

Over past years in Australia a number of major book retailers have been forced to close their doors; insolvent, no longer viable… broke. The headlines highlighted the vulnerable nature of our retail industry, in particular the small local stores.

The possibility of losing our independent local book stores is a sad thought. There is something deeply relaxing and enjoyable about wandering through the ricketty shelves, flicking through pages and stumbling across intellectual escape or inquiry; finding an author writing on a topic you had not heard about before.

The small stores are absolutely charming. They have staff and management often passionate about the books they stock, who are most likely to be interested in meandering chats to find out precisely what you are after.

These JW pictures are taken in a couple of our favourite stores … Yes, we couldn’t resist picking up a paper bag full of new books while we were there!

Summer reading… war, betrayal and all consuming love.

Many writers have turned their craft and skill to the topic of epic and all consuming love. The longing for love, its presence or its absence …. Our hearts and our lives are largely defined by love.

St. Valentine put his life at risk to wed young lovers in a time when love and devotion was seen as a distraction to the calling of men to war. All for love.

The below JW selection are some of our favourite summer tales of love: Epic love, in times of war, fame, tragedy and betrayal.

Find a comfy nook in some dappled sunlight with your favourite fresh cut flowers in reach (heady and intense with aroma), a glass of sparkling mineral and lime, a box of tissues and an open heart….

Louis de Bernières Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Louis de Bernières vividly paints a tale of intense love and heartbreak against the backdrop of war. The rhythm of the story builds slowly. The complexity and cruelty of humanity is juxtaposed with compassion, grace and courage. It is heart wrenching, brilliant and timeless.

Zadie Smith On Beauty

Contrasting life experiences and perspectives are beautifully captured by Zadie Smith in this accomplished work. She tells a tale that is all too familiar, of long suffering and acceptance… Yet somehow she manages to surprise and shock at every turn. The themes of love, family and devotion are unpacked across cultures and social expectations. Deeply stirring read, beautiful written… Will stay with you for a while.

Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her Feet

The rock goddess and hopeless photographer, calcifying tragedy and spiralling momentum. Humanities obsession with fame and human ‘divinity’. In this masterpiece Sir Salman Rushdie outlines in enticing detail the journey and perspectives of the three protagonists. This book is an ode to love, in all its forms: desperate and pervasive… pure and enduring.

Death is more than love or is it. Art is more than love or is it. Love is more than death and art or not. This is the subject. This is the subject. This is it.

…

All for love.

It was a different time. She hid from the fame.

Monroeville Alabama in the 1930s was a strange place to grow up. Nelle (pronounced Nell-ie) Harper Lee watched her father advocate for the marginalised and despised of the community: unprotected by law and segregated because of their skin.

As a young woman Nelle moved to New York. She explored various vocations before settling on writing. Gifted a years salary by dear friends, she was able to turn her mind and heart to writing, and only writing.

To Kill a Mockingbird was the magnificent result. Presented to the world it received international acclaim, first as a novel and then film.

In To Kill a Mockingbird Nelle gave a gift to the world by articulating with such simplicity and power the brutal injustice that life can bring… Her novel inspired and inspires the courage to keep fighting for justice. She wrote what she knew and what she had seen.

Now decades later, the sequel Go Set a Watchman is likely set to follow…

The sequel was her first novel, apparently too blunt for the publishers of the day. When asked to publish it following the success of To Kill a Mockingbird she refused: not interested in repeating the fame and focus of the first.

It was a different time. Her heart was only in her craft.

Controversy abounds with rumours of the found manuscript and release. Yet the sequel is her first work. It is significant. It is likely to be another gift; Another timeless tale of the struggle for justice where injustice is relentless.

Here’s hoping that Nelle can hide away…Here’s hoping that she can enjoy the coming years with dignity and enjoy her life in peace. Here’s hoping that she knows that she is an international treasure: and she has changed us all through her craft.

Much love and heartfelt thanks to you, Nelle Harper Lee.

Since writing this snippet, Nelle Harper Lees lawyers have released a statement from her that “I’m alive and kicking and happy as hell with the reactions to Watchman!”.

Glad to hear it!

Summer reading.. escapism, grief and family.

Pure escapism with Marian Keyes

A very light, enjoyable and relaxing offering from Marian in 2014. This is a very different novel to her previous heavyweight literary offerings, but it hit the spot during the hard earned summer break. Classic romance, betrayal, family dramas and a dash of celebrity flare… Absolutely perfect in between lazy lunches, ocean dips and yes, another slice of watermelon would be lovely.

Grief and a little close to home with Helen Garner

Admired and challenging is Helen Garners ability to look utter tragedy in the face and write about it. Her account of this tragic and perplexing case is no exception to her ability to take readers on a journey with her, through the myriad of processes and formalities of the court room, to understand or continue to wonder about how could this actually happen. Most people living in Victoria heard about the case well before the novel was released, and the shock of such an awful tragedy so close to home was felt across the community.

Family dysfunction and a young woman’s journey with Kate Atkinson

Revisiting a classic is a summer tradition, this copy was still sandy and slightly undone from almost ten years being shared. Obviously her first novel and acclaimed internationally, it remains a poignant, beautiful and witty account of a young woman’s journey through life and family.

Jen and Willa

Menu

Tag Archives: literature

Oh the charm of the local book store.

Summer reading… war, betrayal and all consuming love.

It was a different time. She hid from the fame.

Summer reading.. escapism, grief and family.