Book Loving Kiwis discussion

Here's a place to discuss whatever interests you that doesn't fit into other discussion boards. That could include your travels, children, hobbies, items you like to collect, the weather, maybe even exchange recipes or knitting patterns - anything that doesn't fit elsewhere in BLK.

Right, just to get things going, and Lesley said I could...!

I've been asked to do a summer school course on quick and easy recipes - the ones I use people have been impressed by.

e.g. a bread recipe where you just mix the stuff together and pop it in the fridge. It keeps a week and you can pull a chunk off and bake quickly in the mornings for nice rolls for brekkie.

I have cake, bread and biscuit/slice recipes which are quick and easy. But I only have six recipes.

Anyone got a recipe like this they are happy to share? No exotic ingredients please. Just the sort of stuff you can buy easily.

It's not exactly what you are looking for pdr, but this was really easy, no kneading & you can always freeze the second loaf.

http://nadialim.com/recipe/knead-seed...

Nice one, thank you. The seeds might be too expensive but I can experiment and substitute something else.

No problem, pdr!

For all you Jane Austen fans - Sun 23rd November 7.30pm on Prime. Chatsworth Stood in for Pemberley twice apparently. I know it was Pemberley in the Colin Firth version.

Just discovered something that I used to know but had forgotten.
Maori TV has very few ad breaks during it's film showings.
Watched the House of Mirth last night. Just one ad break. It felt like "Interval" in the old days of going to the movies. :)

***Carol*** wrote: "Just discovered something that I used to know but had forgotten.
Maori TV has very few ad breaks during it's film showings.
Watched the House of Mirth last night. Just one ad break. It felt like "I..."

They have some really good movies and documentaries too. Especially when compared to other free to air channels.

Yes, my Listener sub is our big treat. Every Friday I read it & conscientiously circle everything worth watching - then forget all about it.
At least with the worth reading I put it on my GR "to read" list! :D

Ah, try going on line to www.freeview.co.nz and you can get all the channels. And yes, Maori TV is the only channel with decent films and documentaries.

Anyone see the Donald Trump doco? Steam poured out of my ears. Bastard is the politest word for him and his acolytes.

Who else hates Christmas? It is so depressing for me. Son and family in Oz, and daughter and family in Canada.

Here's hoping I get to help with the Sallies' Christmas meal or I shall be on my own again!

I'm so sorry pdr!
I'm hoping now that I'm not working the joy will come back for Christmas. I was in a supermarket & that knocks all the joy of Christmas.

Ella's Gran wrote: "They have some really good movies and documentaries too. Especially when compared to other free to air channels."

I could find anything last night at around 7.30. We rewatched The Great Gatsby - Di Caprio version. I know it wasn't everyone's cup of tea but I liked it. What I would like one day would be to see a version where the actor is the right age for Gatsby.

***Carol*** wrote: "Ella's Gran wrote: "They have some really good movies and documentaries too. Especially when compared to other free to air channels."

I could find anything last night at around 7.30. We rewatched..."

You're quite right on their being nothing on telly last night - or most nights for that matter. The most exciting/interesting thing I watched was a bit of CNN news before toddling off to read in bed.

Wasn't Robert Redford near the right age for Gatsby? I know the 1949 version I watched on TCM had a middle-aged looking actor playing the part of Jay, and I don't think the 1926 version was any better. But then again, they didn't have as many 'child' stars in that period as they do now. Oooh, I'm showing my age.☺

Ella's Gran wrote: "Wasn't Robert Redford near the right age for Gatsby? I know the 1949 version I watched on TCM had a middle-aged looking actor playing the part of Jay, and I don't think the 1926 version was any better. But then again, they didn't have as many 'child' stars in that period as they do now. Oooh, I'm showing my age.☺ "

Robert Redford was 38 & Leonardo DiC was 39. In the Latest Version they changed Gatsby's age to 32 (28 in book) but (view spoiler)[ part of the point of the story was how did come from nowhere & have so much money at such a young age? (hide spoiler)] I guess they felt that Di Caprio looked good for his age, but not that good! Its a shame, as I felt that Di Caprio absolutely got hold of the character - a shame the movies wan't made 10 years earlier. Tobey Maguire & Carey Mulligan were also older than their characters but looked the right age.

I rewatched the Redford version a few months ago. I don't think my kids (in their twenties) will forgive me for making them watch it with me! It reversed my earlier self's opinion - this time around I thought Redford wasn't too bad as Gatsby - but too old. Mia Farrow was dreadful.

Don't think anyone's made a decent film of the GG yet. I think yiou need a femamle director like Angela Lee.

P.d.r. wrote: "Don't think anyone's made a decent film of the GG yet. I think you need a female director like Angela Lee."

Missed this. I'll be betting that the Di Caprio version was too long in planning or waiting for him to be available. Part of the point of the book was (view spoiler)[he was so young to have so much money. (hide spoiler)]

Anyway, what I came into this thread to say was - anyone got Fly Buys? We had some expiring so decided to get The Great NZ Cookbook. I'm sure our brochure said 205 points but we have only been charged 160!

I have the most tenuous possible connection with some of the people behind it & I also met some of the people in it, many, many years ago.

***Carol*** wrote: "Anyway, what I came into this thread to say was - anyone got Fly Buys? We had some expiring so decided to get The Great NZ Cookbook. I'm sure our brochure said 205 points but we have only been char..."

Oh I was thinking of getting this for Mum for Xmas...I know she's had her eye on it. You've just reminded me :)

I came to Fly Buys very late (like, only a year ago!) and my first purchase was The Great NZ Cookbook for myself. I love it! It is one of those delicious books that I can see my daughter will also love when she grows up.

It'll make a lovely gift for your mother, Erica :)

I think this is the place for it but I will also post in authors.
Can we all give Antony a cheer for winning the Heartland short story competition? Here are the judge's remarks.

First: Antony Millen of Taumarunui for his story Fishing the Pungapunga. An eminently satisfying story of a young boy going fishing with his mother. Dad, with whom he had always fished in the past, and whose tackle is being used this time, is no longer a presence in the lives of mother and son. A sad little tale and no easy resolution is in sight. Millen is a fine storyteller and a worthy winner of the 2014 Heartland Award.

Oh, wow! Congratulations, Antony! I'm raising my glass to you :) Very well done.

Congratulations Anthony!

Thanks P.d.r. Thanks LaVerne and Carol. I'm still thrilled.

Something for book lovers -

http://natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/clot...

Ooh! Loverly!! I have a few of these books 'cos they have such lovely covers/bindings.

Did you follow the links and look at the other books?

P.d.r. wrote: "Ooh! Loverly!! I have a few of these books 'cos they have such lovely covers/bindings.

Did you follow the links and look at the other books?"

I often wander (virtually) through Turnbull's collections - soul food.

Google fore-edge painting and marvel at these works of art☺️

Gorgeous! Thanks Ella's Gran. I have a sudden desire to go to my local second-hand bookstore for some of these beauties.

I will join you, Lesley now I know there's such soul food available at Turnbull. I always thought the collection was dull!

P.d.r. wrote: "I will join you, Lesley now I know there's such soul food available at Turnbull. I always thought the collection was dull!"

I got to go into the basement at National Archives which was just so interesting. Besides all the very old records that are down there, it also where the conservation room is and that was just wonderful - heaven to this bookbinder's daughter.

Here's a question... If you were organising a Literary Festival, which Kiwi writers would you love to see/hear from? Any genre...

Eleanor Catton...of course haha. But I also really love Jenny Pattrick and Deborah Challinor...they right good NZ historical fiction.

I can't believe I just wrote right instead of write....I blame the fact it's Sunday afternoon. Can't edit tree original post cos I'm just using the phone app

Yes. I am always surprised at the number of people who haven't read Deborah Challinor.

p.d.r. Quartet is the Christmas eve movie on Prime so you'll be able to have another viewing!☺

Hope everyone has had their ideal Xmas. Anyone get any bookish gifts?

I got a set of DVDs of the complete Poldark series. This was prompted by having been re-reading the books again. The DVDs are exactly the series as it was televised back in the 70s - no enhancements!You can see, and appreciate, how far TV has come since then.

What about you Darkpool. Did you get any bookish gifts?
Lesley

Yes, caught Quartet, thank you, Lesley. And enjoyed it as much as before.

No presents!

Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "Hope everyone has had their ideal Xmas. Anyone get any bookish gifts?"

Sort of. I won most of Georgette Heyer's historical/regencies on a TradeMe auction. Bidding went a little higher than I hoped so I said that could be my present, but my husband got me some toiletries anyway.

This might be a first but no books for Christmas for me! Did get a paper plus voucher and bought Laurence Fearnely'sLaurence Fearnley new book, Reach. Wasn't a huge fan of The Hut Builder The Hut Builder but did like some of the writing. Thought I'd see what this was like.

Gave away lots of books to nieces and nephews and parents. Sadly, not my children. But did introduce my younger son to Catch 22 this year, which he is now trying to get his older brother to read. Small steps...

I got the first two books from Paul Gallico's Mrs 'Arris series, in a gorgeous little 1960's edition. I suspect they came from the bookshelf of the friend who gave them to me. She'd told me about them subsequent to a conversation about 84 Charing Cross Road, so in a way I have this group to thank for the gift, too :-)

Aww Darkpool, that made me go all warm and fuzzy. For most of us books we own (or more like cats, that own us) are really treasured and we all know how hard it is to choose what to remove when the need to down-size arrives. So for your friend to choose two of her books to give to you makes it so special, and makes her a special friend too. :)

I had forgotten all about Paul Gallico books and how much I enjoyed them years ago. I've just looked at my public library's catalogue to find they only have three of his books through the 5 library collections. Very disappointing. Might have to hit the second hand sellers.

Makes a great case for epublishing when you can't find an author's back list.

Came back yesterday from sailing the Hauraki Gulf, thanks to some very kind friends. I didn't look properly at the paperback I selected - a well known author, but she has ventured into paranormal, which is not my thing at all. Fortunately I'd taken a Lonely Planet guide with me, so browsed that & did crosswords - between enjoying the incredible scenery of course!

nz authors for a literary festival...

Maurice Gee
Eve Sutton
Lynley Dodd
Alison Holst (and simon)
Lynda Hallinan
Steve Braunias
Paul Moon

I suppose some of them aren't very 'literary', they just write journalism or cookbooks/gardening. Not meaning to be elitist. I just think 'literature' is more than just fiction, which tends to be the view of it from book mags. If a book touches you, does it really matter how well written it is? I mean, does it have to be ..wordy and sophisticated? I just couldn't even start the Luminaries for example.

Not really into astrology.

Have heaps of books TBR borrowed from library. Get most of them from withdrawn pile you can get very cheap these days 3 for $1.

Currently reading 'teach with your heart' a memoir by Erin Grunwald, it's breaking my heart nearly every chapter.

Was made into a movie called 'Freedom Writers' starring Hillary Swank, recently found, although it was published back in 2007. See, I miss out, don't keep up with all the latest. Anyway just a great testimony for writers everywhere.

Keep writing, keep reading.

Selina wrote: "nz authors for a literary festival...

Maurice Gee
Eve Sutton
Lynley Dodd
Alison Holst (and simon)
Lynda Hallinan
Steve Braunias
Paul Moon

I suppose some of them aren't very 'literary', they just ..."

Well, in Alison Holst's case she is a NZ icon.

I review cookbooks, but I have them shelved separately from my other nonfiction, as I don't necessarily read every word!

Selina, I read the Luminaries but it was only a 3 star read for me. Too long, too complex. I read to be entertained with fiction.

& I forgot to post what I came into this thread for! :D

The tree guys are here, the tree guys are here!

We are going to get our view back!