JUNE REVIEWS

What I Have Been Reading

Loud by Tana Douglas 

This is one of the best books I have ever read! Tana Douglas is the first female roadie and she's Australian. Her story, which she tells in Loud is extraordinary. Her parents split when she was young and as soon as she could leave home she did. She spent her mid-teen years up and down the coast looking for work and trying to find her flock and somewhere to fit in. In Sydney she went to some gigs and fell into the music scene. One evening she was seeing a band with a friend, and the band was travelling up the coast. Her friend had family there and wanted to travel with the band. The tour manager said she could get a ride if the band packed up by a certain time. So Tana helped them pack up to ensure her friend a seat. This happened but they were so impressed with Tana's work ethic, they offered her a job as a roadie. The band were Fox, who were popular in the 70s.

Tana toured with FOx for a while, but in time the band imploded. She was now in Melbourne and was told about some musos about to put together a band. They needed a roadie and also had a spare room in the house they lived in. She went to visit and the door was answered by 2 older guys in suits, she wasn't sure what was going on. THe men - Harry Vanda and George Young - took them in to meet the boys. The boys were Malcolm and Angus Young, and Bon Scott. They were about - but hadn't as yet - form AC/DC. The boys loved her like a sister, and she helped form the band and select the drummer and bass player. Her time living and touring with the band was absolutely unreal. The people she met, the things she did and the stories she has are brilliant, and this forms only a very small part of this memoir. 

From there she tours with Leo Sayer, Suzi Quattro, Neil Diamond, and Status Quo. And that is all before she is 21! ON her 21st birthday she meets Iggy Pop, and gets a gig with him. She tours the world, and her stories are remarkable. Santana and Status Quo love her and not only does she do everything from sound and lights, to helping with other areas of being a Roadie or Tour Manager. Tana also helped change the industry in terms of work practices. She spends time telling us about a gig with Elton John when he play Buckingham Palace for a birthday celebration. Seriously, these stories only tip the ice-berg. This is an awesome read, especially if you love music. I was so upset when the book ended, I wanted more. 

A Solitary Walk on the Moon - Hilde Hinton

 

Hilde Hinton is an astonishing writer, and her second book showcases that. Evelyn keeps to herself and runs her laundromat, she likes the precision of the work. She likes the young family that comes in once and week and treats the young boy to pastries from the local cake shop. She also observes some of the other locals, those that seem loners, without friends. She likes to make sure they are ok. 

A Solitary walk on the moon is a beautiful reflection on life, the people that transit in and out of our view, who we see, who we don't, how could we help them. Evelyn is very aware of all of this, but who is looking after Evelyn. And what happens when she crosses the line of observance to assisting others.

This is a beautifully melancholy look at life, Hilde writes in such a way you can see every teeny piece of action in your mind. Again, another brilliant book, one of the best I have read.

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

 

An interesting novel about a couple over a long period of time. She has mental health issues which causes fractures as time goes on. The story is Martha reminiscing on the relationship after they have split. She is an unreliable narrator, humourous in parts (the book is described as very funny, I wouldn't go that far), but ultimately a heart breaking character. The section resulting in her mental health diagnosis was the most interesting to me. Her inner monologue really shows what living like that can be. I don't know that it is worthy of all the praise being heaped on it, but it was a good read.

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

I thought this was going to be a modern novel about old words no longer in use. So when I realised this was not the case I was quite disappointed. But I still enjoyed the book, but it did have limitations. It is a fictional version the making of the OED - The Oxford English Dictionary. Now, many years ago I read The Surgeon of Crowthorne by Simon Winchester, which is the actual non-fiction version of this story and it is a brilliant read. SO this really paled in comparison, but it is still a worthy read. 

It follows the only child, Esme, of a gent working on the OED. She spends her time with him and the others working on the project under the watchful eye of James Murray. As she grows up, she starts to collect the words they discard. A lot of them she feels are worthy and commences on a project of her own. Realising the group working on the OED are privileged men, Esme collects feminist and cockney words, words they discard or are not even aware of. I loved the word sections the best, with discussions over words, trips to libraries for evidence and so forth. It was also a great time capsule of that time, that included a lot of what living in London and surrounds during the late 1800s.

My main problem was it was trying to be too many things, a historical-fiction novel, feminist tale, love story, and a few other themes that were clumsily thrown in. And when any significant life event occurs, they were washed over quickly, which given the attention to detail in other sections, I found rather odd. 

I wanted to love this book so much, and whilst I did enjoy most of the story, it did leave me a little frustrated in sections.

Rooms with a view: the secret life of Grand Hotels by Adrian Mourby

This was a great escape of a book. It delved into the world of top notch hotels in key cities over the world. The history behind them, the famous people that stayed there, the liaisons, the food, the architecture. 

What Would Frida Do: a guide to living boldly by Arianna Davis

 

This was a great little book with all sort of interesting chapters about Frida Kalho. Ultimately it was a biography of sorts, but presented in a very Frida way. With loads of illustrations and photos, by her and of her work. It had a fun slant, and was the kind of book you could just delve into if you wanted, you didn't have to read it cover to cover.

Living the Chateau Dream by Dick and Angela Strawbridge

 

This is the second book by the fabulous Strawbridges. They are the faces of the wonderful show, Escape to the Chateau, which showcases the stunning Chateau they brought back in 2008 and their renovations of it. This takes up after their first book, which spoke to their first year, and covers a few years. WHat is great about these books are they cover so much more than what you see on the show. More detailed information and stories on the things you see on the show and so much more you do not see. Family stories, trips and mini breaks around other areas of France and into Paris. Stories of other ventures in terms of making money to keep the Chateau rolling. There are also recipes, and tips for small renovation ideas. The other unique thing is both Angela and Dick write the book, and you can see this by the use of different fonts. Often they tell the same story, but from a completely different viewpoint, which is rather amusing. I really loved this book.

We've Got This: stories by disabled parents edited by Eliza Hull

 

This was a great talking book about disabled people who have become parents. It covers their struggles, their wins, and everything in between including the prejudice of other people. A fascinating read (listen) which really puts things into perspective.

What I Have Been Watching

Anne with an E S1/2

 

This is the latest adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. Shot beautifully in Canada with an exceptional cast. The showrunners have added additional stories to the original story but it feels seamless. There is an authenticity to the show, in all aspects, that makes this wonderful. I am really enjoying this walk down my childhood reading past.

The Handmaid's Tale S4

 

Equal parts brutal and equal parts uplifting. Sometimes I wonder why I watch this show, Almost every episode did me in, and the tissue count was high for most. I had this taped on my hard drive since it aired almost 2 years ago, I just couldn't manage it. Unsure what made me watch it then, but I did. So much devastation, and yet so many 'thump the air, yes' scenes. June, played by the utterly magnificent Elisabeth Moss, goes rogue and it is something to watch. Season 5, and I believe it will be the last, airs soon. I am so curious to see how it ends, having read the books I know the ending, but who is to say the TV show will follow the books?

Studio 22

 

Studio 22 was a great documentary series dealing with how The Arts can help people with mental health issues. A diverse group of Australians with varying mental health issues get together over a few weeks with mental health professionals and art experts to find their inner muse. Painting, and drawing, and music and writing are explored over the weeks with wonderful artisans like Wendy Sharpe and Eddie Perfect. At the end of the 'experiment' most of the participants had a significant positive shift in their mental health. Whilst this was quite heavy going at times, it was totally worth it to see the participants shine, very uplifting.

Obi Wan Kenobi

 

This was so very good, although short and it left me wanting more. Seeing my beloved Ewan back as Obi Wan/Ben was so wonderful. It is difficult to write about this one without spoilers, but the characters introduced in this series are utterly brilliant. 

The Mandalorian

 

What joy this series is, have finally caught up on both seasons and I love it dearly. I think The Mandalorian himself is an excellent character but then they made up The Kid - woah! Great action sequences, a really lovely homage to Star Wars, fantastic humour, and those last episodes of Season 2, thrilling!!!  And then there was Amy Sedaris as the mechanic - next level brilliance. Bring on Season 3!!

The Amazing Race

 

The Amazing Race is back, and we had such fun following the shenanigans. Some really interesting alliances this time, and some new twists and turns, and as always, Phil just doesn't seem to age. Really, we just watch it for the places they travel to, fascinating for a bit of arm-chair travel.

What I Have Been Listening To

Conflicting Emotions by Split Enz

Such a great album, but they were nearing the end. Neil was the major songwriter and singer, Tim had gone off to make his solo album, Escapade. The opening hits are Strait Old Line and the perfect, Message to my Girl. But really, the whole album is great.

James Brown

There is no one like James, he is incredibly funky, his voice is magnificent. You need to tap your toe and get up dn n                                                                                                                                                                                        Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul 

I got a beautiful blue vinyl re-release of this old gem. Otis never sounded better.

ABBA

I have been listening to everything ABBA, and absolutely loving it. You can read about it here.

Raise the Roof - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Plant and Krauss are at it again, they come from different musical backgrounds, and yet they sound stunning together, the new album is no exception.

Blondie

I have always loved Blondie's punk/pop, so have secured a few more of their albums on vinyl and been spinning them at Club Cathy. Joy-ous!!!