A video isn't such a bad idea

Hi Guys!

I think the You Tube idea is a great way for us to promote the book club. However, I understand that not many of us want to put ourselves out there in a movie. SOOOOO how about this as a way to promote the club, without having to display our faces across the Internet.

We each create a movie, using movie maker, and then add narration. That way we can use an avatar as the face visitors see. I'm happy to make the movies, if you send me an audio file of your recorded book comment. Audacity is a great recorder. It's free, and easy to use. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

I rather like the idea of trying to capture the essence of the books we review in 10 words. We still write our articles, but we add the 10 word Essence Capture as well.
What are your thoughts on this?

Cheers, Suzanne.

PS Christine is in Melbourne until Friday March 7. She is still checking her emails though, so please write to her, or to me, and let us know your thoughts on this idea.

If you want to view more Nerd Fighters Book Club videos, just go to You Tube and search for nerdfighters book club - they have published loads.

Just a reminder. When you create a narration audio file you need a decent microphone. The computer's internal one just isn't good enough. A headset is great and they reduce around sound pickup.

A competition? I'll have to throw in the towel

Oh dear! I can't compete with Lindsay's image of a Blue Mercedes full of passengers, all putting aside their Daily Telegraphs as they strain to hear the next riveting chapters of Riccardo's story.

Although, come to think of it, Sand may be just right for a daily half-hour bus trip. Its fast-paced action (after a ponderous start) would break down well into a daily serial. A bit like those Jungle Jim serials my generation used to cheer at the Satdee matinees. Or like the Da Vinci Code.

And for the bus commuters, Sand may be much more nourishing fare than the Daily Terror.

Alas, I've yet to finish Sand. Ill try, but life keeps getting in the way. I won't go into details, except to say that I'm now pushing against deadline for a Probus club newsletter (and I'm as bewildered as you may be that I find myself in an old men's club where my fellows decided their wives should be referred to as "the ladies").

Also, I have to read Janette Turner Hospital's new novel Orpheus Lost before my No 1 Ladies Book Club meets on Tuesday morning.

I'm the only bloke among the dozen women who meet once a month. They may look rather staid, but the illusion shattered last month when one of our number, a well-known theatre identity, came in a few minutes late, and with superb diction and a voice trained to carry across an auditorium, declaimed her lines from The Vagina Monologues.

Ah, but I do digress, don't I? We're here to discuss Riccardo Maffey's Sand Against the Wind. And I fear Maffey will suffer when I read him alongside the brilliant author of Due Preparations for the Plague. Except for that, Sand might stand up reasonably well.

[Sand is my first go at reading an e-novel, but I've found it no handicap except that I can't do it away from my PC. No laptop or e-reader, so no reading in bed or in an armchair. ]

Like the other guys, I found it hard to get started. The Prologue did seem a combination of Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Visconti's The Damned. As with the films, a disturbing blend of elegance and decadence, of mistresses and overdressed fops.

And with so many characters! I got a notebook to write down their names, with little arrows showing who was up who.

Setting the scene was also a bit confusing, with the "flash forward" to March 1944 before taking up the story in September 1943.

However, it all works out and from that point we're in a narrative which gathers pace and tension in a most satisfying way. So far I haven't got past Christina's involvement in a plot to rescue Carlo from a hospital under German guard (I presume she succeeds, because he struts the stage the following March), so I'm not far into the book.

I will return after I clear my desk, so I have to admit the narrative has got me in. Also, history interests me, so the events in the background lift my enjoyment of Sand.

At this stage, though, I'm hoping Maffey develops his characters more strongly. I still don't understand what makes Carlo tick, nor Christina. So far, the attraction seems to focus on perfect boobs.

So, guys, I apologise for falling behind. I will try to post another comment when I finish Sand and have time to weigh my responses. I'll also look forward to chatting about our next book, but perhaps I should let you choose it.

Get out Alex!!

As if I'm going to stick up a You Tube video of myself on the blog!!! But please don't let my lack of enthusiasm stop you from doing it.

I love You Tube; as long as I'm not in the movies.

I like your suggestion about us each choosing our own book to read next time.

Hey BLs don't let me sway you on either of Alex's suggestions. What do you guys want to do?

'Bye guys, Lindsay.

Alex knows there is no prize for 2nd place

I read Lindsay's comment at work today and posted a quick comment. The first thing I did when i got home was to fire up the laptop and log into the blog to finish off the draft i started on the 20th - here is the completed thing.

Hi everyone, I've finished the book. Actually i finished it last week!!! I just have to make that point. How immature is that?

I just want to make a couple of quick comments about it. As I've said before I had trouble getting into it at first, but I just kept ploughing on until I made a connection with the story. It's not a book I would normally read, but I did enjoy most of it. I think it's a bit too long, and a lot of the details could have been left out without losing the plot. I have to read a lot for my job, so for entertainment, I usually like to read something light and easy to get through. Sands Against the Wind was a bit too heavy for me. Not because the work was based on historical fact - well I think they were facts; I’ll have to take the authors word on that one - no the heavy bit was because the story was all over the shop at times. Now how's that for a literary comment? You know what i mean. it sort of shoots off in different directions a lot, and that made me work hard to get my head around it. It was an entertaining story in a GREAT coat. The author created some interesting drama, but on the whole i found the book made me work too hard, so it didn't fulfil my entertainment desires. I think Riccardo Maffey is a fine writer. He seems to have done his research well, and he sure knows a lot about his subject. I'd recommend his book to anyone who really enjoys history, with a human face. END OF COMMENT

MESSAGE TO MY FELLOW BOOK CLUB MEMBERS: Now we're done with this month's read, can we choose our own ebook please? i don't get much time to read for pleasure so i'd like the next book to be a bit of plain old light entertainment. What are you ideas on this?

Hey it would be really great if we video ourselves talking about the next book, and post them to the blog. What do you think?

Smart Lindsay!

Being the highly competitive person that i am, it's driving me nuts that you've finished and written your review already. Humbug!!

I started a draft on the 20th but just didn't get to finish the post. What I had written is now obsolete so i will just have to accept the fact that you win; i lose, and get over it.

Seriously Lindsay, good work. Love your comments. Wish i caught the same bus. i'm on another route. Shame.

Must get going. Work awaits. When doesn't it hey?

Cheers, Alex.

Done and Dusted!!!!!

Hey guys. I finally finished the eBook and I have to say I'm glad.

Not that i hated the book, because I actually enjoyed it. So did my work colleague, Frances. And so did some of the Sydney buses passengers. Not that they actually said so, but we knew! We watched their expectant faces when we boarded at Neutral Bay. They were ready to hang on every word. And no wonder, Frances is a fantastic reader, and by the time we started the bus-theatre performance, we were nearly up to the good bits.

People bag out on Sydney buses all the time. It's unfair really. I've been using the buses since I was old enough to walk, and i think they're great. And they mostly run on time. Don't believe all the stuff you see on tv, most of it's sh*#. The drivers vary a little, but really, I've only ever struck one who needed a career change. Although the drivers we had during the Sands Against the Wind Travelling Show, did smile at us when we got off in Macquarie Street (The Queen Vic actually; we power walk to Mac. St.).

Sure, they might have been smiling because we were finally leaving; but that's a cynic’s point of view. I think they were smiling at two youngish women, who know that in Australia we do have great freedom. And as long as we don't abuse it (which we didn't) we're free to do almost anything we feel like; even reading out loud on Sydney buses is fine. Thanks to all the wonderful SB people. My job depends on you. Well getting to it does; driving isn't an option anymore. Well not if I want to get there in time to actually do some work before the courts close.

So here's to all of you at SB. We salute you. http://www.sydneybuses.info/ OK so what's that got to do with the book? A lot! Remember I read it, Frances read it, and a whole lot of Sydneysiders heard it on the 8am from Neutral Bay ferry wharf. So Maffey had quite an audience.

This book, while it isn't the greatest one I've ever read, it did end up being a good yarn. And the author, Maffey is a pretty good writer. Although I think he could cut down on details and maybe learn to tell his story, with far less characters in it. I think there are too many characters, and Maffey describes too many events. Readers don't need every detail; we have a brain and we have good imaginations; so trust us Maffey. And let us use them. You don't have to tell your story like you're talking to a group of English Lit, uni students. We get it! Well most of the time.

So would I recommend this book to anyone else. Well Frances would. She loved it. But then she's into history. In her job she has to check historical facts. She has to prove, or disprove, whether events actually happened as stated. Big task, and she's an expert. So for her to enjoy it, that says a lot. Although she was irritated a few times by Maffey's rambling. I could tell because she kept tapping her foot very quickly. She does that when she's upset. When we're in meetings I watch her foot all the time, so I know when I'm going on too much, or when I should call it a rap.

So Maffey old boy, well done. It's great you are a good writer who is willing to give away his work to eBook readers.

Thanks. Lindsay

Hey Suzanne. That's cool.

Adding the You Tube movies is so cool, Suzanne. Luv your work!

I'm really getting into the eBook now and I'm starting to enjoy it. It look a bit, but i think it's going to be a good book after all.

How are the other BLs going? Come you guys, we've got to get this finished so we can start a new book soon.

How will we decide on the next title? I was thinking it might be good if we just read anything we take a fancy to, and then tell the others what we thought about it.

What do you think of that idea guys? Back soon, Lindsay.

PS. I've been cheating a bit. I take the bus into the city and travel with a work colleague who loves reading. She's been reading it out loud on the bus. Is that ok? Or is that breaking the rules? Are there any rules? What the heck, rules or no rules, it's a great way to get through a book quickly. My friend is a bit of a thespian, so she'd making it fun. I think the other passengers are enjoying it too. A lot of them are regulars. Not sure the driver approves. Maybe it's a bit over the top: two women, a wireless laptop, reading out loud, on a bus. Maybe there's a law against reading out loud on public transport. I'll get back to you on that one.

I found this on Globusz Oz - looks interesting. We might find something for our next read here. http://www.globusz.com/cat_philosophy.asp

Cheers.

A short You Tube script writing video

FILM MAKING TIPS - part two by Rob Ager - SCRIPT WRITING

Hi from Suzanne - plus some You Tube stuff

Hi everyone,

I've been trying to find the time to read this month's eBook, but haven't had much luck with it. The start of a new academic year is always a busy time for me, but next week I think things will settle down a little and then I'll try to catch up.

Not that I'll be writing a review, or commenting on the eBooks, but I would like to be able to chat with you all about the work. I really want to share your journey too.

I think the 'getting to know you' process has started off well. Already personalities are starting to come through in your posts. I'm sure, like me, you feel as though friendships could soon develop. I hope so.

I agree with Ian that there is every indication this book club will be very successful. I'm already getting good vibes when I read the posts. You're all such interesting people. I'm impatient to read your comments, on the current eBook, and of course future ones.

I am looking forward to hearing from Joanne and Audrey, because I know they will have some great stuff to contribute. Please don't leave it too long before you add your ideas. Don't let Ian, Lindsay and Alex take all the spotlight. There is plenty of room for everyone on centre stage.

If I can help anyone, in any way, please leave a message on the blog and tell me how I can assist.

I'll be back soon.

Cheers for now, Suzanne.

Getting to know me - A couple of samples from my profile favourites list.

click centre arow to play viedo or use the play option on the controls

Hi Guys. This is Alex.

You've all been busy writing stuff and i bet you've nearly finished the book already. Can't trump that, sorry. I've read a bit. It took me ages to get into it. I couldn't keep track of the intro events. I thought it was just me being jet lagged, but i can see you guys are having the same problem.

Why does Maffey go on about food so much? Is he a frustrated chef? And what's with the way he keeps writing stuff in Italian? Is it to make me feel stupid because i don't speak italian? Who knows - i'm sure i don't. With a name like Ricardo i guess he's Italian. Maybe it's his way of making a statement and to remind us that English is/was about imperialism. Anyway i wish he wouldn't do it because he drives me crazy when he does.

My advice, for what it's worth, is this: stick with the first few chapters and don't try to work it out - because there's a heap of unnecessary information in the early bits. I'm up to a more interesting part now, so i guess it's been worth the hard work. And it was hard work.

I hope i get to pick the next book we read. After this i think i'll want a change of pace.

Cheers, Alex.

Ian has made a start!

Finally, I've sort of cleared my desk and begun Sands. My initial impression from the Prologue was similar to Lindsay's -- unimpressed. I tend to turn off authors who spend the first chapter or two introducing the cast of characters. You feel you need a pad to write down their names, and to draw looping arrows to show how they relate to one another.

However, I've dipped at random into some later chapters, and the story-telling seems to get better.

So far, it looks like the sweet life meets fascism. Or, like watching Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Visconti's The Damned at once (perhaps you have to be really, really old to remember them).

Now, a question for you other guys: Do you think it would be a good idea to exchange impressions as we read through our books? I like the idea, as shown by the lines above. Ongoing chat is something an online book discussion group can offer, a little extra pleasure not available to those who attend a monthly book club meeting.

It will work only if we all feel we'd like to chat along the way. Otherwise it will be like a book group where one or two members hog the discussion.

As for what we call ourselves -- don't worry about it. "You other guys" worked above (I think), but I promise not to use it too often.

Yeah, I know, I'm slack - Lindsay

Hi guys,

Looks like i'm last to reach home base. Sorry i haven't logged in before to say hi to you all. I've been busy moving into a new apartment and you know what that's like.

Still no pain, no gain. The move has taken me from a black hole to a great open plan place, and wait for it - with water views. Well if you can call seeing the harbour through a gap between two buildings, then I have water views. Works for me.

If I want a real harbour view, then I have to go up on the roof. It's worth the climb from the second level to the sixth. The view is great. Plus it will keep me fit.

I'm planning on having rooftop barbies, and will exercise my duty of care to the guests by banning drinking anything stronger than water on the roof. Good move don't you think?

I've been dipping into our assigned novel and so far I am not impressed. Perhaps I shouldn't say that because it might upset some of you who are enjoying it.

By the way, what do we call ourselves? Club members? Groupies? Team members? How about BLs - for book lovers? I don't think I can deal with the formality of members and groupies sounds like we're all racing after a rock band star.

Great to meet you all. Back soon,

Lindsay

Hi, I'm Ian Skinner

This is my second book club, but I expect it to be just as enjoyable. In the first, I'm the only male among about a dozen intelligent and articulate women who meet every month to discuss a selected book, and I feel privileged to be among them. I expect to feel equally privileged as I chat online with a group I think will all be younger than me.

To learn more of my attitudes, I suggest you read the profile and some of the posts on my own blog, Grumpy Old Journo, but bear in mind that really I'm neither grumpy nor old in the way I think, nor in the way I relate to other people.

Today's the first chance I've had to download our book, so I'd better get into it and catch up with you all.

Something you might find interesting

I came across this articles and thought some of you might find it interesting.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/05/2154548.htm

Maybe someday Microsoft will make an offer to buy our book club.

Regards,

Christine

Hi I'm Alex

I've just joined the book club and thought I should drop in to say hi to you all.

I started to read the eBook, Sands Against the Wind on my flight home from Germany, where I've been working for a few weeks.

Got to say, it's proving a bit of a challenge, but it's too early to say much more at this point.

I hope you will all be posting your comments soon so i can see what you think of the novel.

Cheers,

Alex.

Good morning and hello

Hi, I have just joined your book club. I look forward to meeting you. You will have to be patient with me as I am classified as disabled so my grammar, spelling often is non exsistant. BUT, I have written a book which was published two years ago. If I can do it anyone can! Thank you to Christine for setting up the site and the club.
Joanne

A Message to all new members

Hi book club team,

I have just responded to the invitation to join the book club, and that means I now have access to post my comments about the current eBook that you're all reading.

I hope you're all enjoying the eBook and I can't wait to read all the articles you will soon post.

I'd like to welcome you all, and thank you for being part of our club.

I'd also like to think Christine for all her hard work. I'm sure you all agree that she is doing a great job. Well done, Christine.

Cheers for now and happy reading,

Suzanne.