Almost French - Sarah Turnbull

Resisted reading this for awhile, for some vague reason like maybe it was just another bandwagon book. But when I finally read it, I found it quite engaging partly because of its Australian perspective. Funny to read of the writer's gradual transition from wearing baggy trackpants to becoming more stylish by osmosis as the environment began to have its effect. It provides insight into some common stereotypes of the French, and destroys some myths, clarifies others. Because she's with a French partner, it gives her more of an inside view, while her Australian origin provides an outsider's view. Still, threading through the narrative are the dilemnas of someone who's between 2 cultures. Finally at the end, she says she can now resonate with "Once you leave your homeland, nothing is ever the same" - said to her by a Greek man who felt Australian in Greece and Greek in Australia. So true.

Skin Revolution - Leslie Kenton

Haven't read Leslie Kenton for decades, though I own a few of her previous books. I read this one in bits & pieces over the last couple of months. A few nuggets of good info, especially about the Living Matrix skin spray, mineral-based makeup, and a couple of other things. Found the writing patchy, and whilst there is some leading edge info about skin care, it's still geared towards the mainstream and big brands. Nothing that stands out as particularly innovative.

The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

I just realised that I left out a whole lot of audiobooks I've "read". Rather than go back & list all of them - eeek, a daunting thought - I'll just list a few noteables now & then. I "read" this 3.5 years ago - the feelings it evoked still stay with me. Henry is prone to spontaneous time travel, a genetic problem. He first meets Clare on a time travel trip when she's 6 and he's 35. Starting in his mid thirties, he travels chaotically back & forth in time, but Clare travels forward steadily in time. So in "real time" when she accidentally meets him for the first time, he's only 28 and she's in her early 20s. At 28, he hasn't started time travelling yet, but she has known & loved him since she was 6! He doesn't recognise her! Confusing? It's a gorgeous book, so inventive, heart-wrenching, and bittersweet.

The Manny - Holly Peterson

Noted this new release when it was promoted in bookshops, then bought it on special. I was pleasantly surprised. Not your average chick lit; set in punchy, edgy, tough-talking New York in which Jamie lives and works, married to one of the rich set and living in "The Grid" bordered by 70th & 79th Streets and Park Ave & 5th Avenue. She hires a Manny (a nanny of the male persuasion)- a life changing decision with many repercussions. Great characters - my favourite is Ingrid. And of course Peter the manny is wonderfully depicted. A great, satisfying read!

Fragile Things - Neil Gaiman

I'm a Neil Gaiman virgin, so my first time has been captivating! I love the weirdness, the unexpectedness, the exotic-ness. I normally dislike short stories, preferring full length novels for the proper development of depth, character, etc. But this collection, apart from a couple of maybes, is full of mysterious and disturbing and compelling people, situations, and concepts. Couldn't put it down! And after finishing it, I went back to the intro where he gives the background of each story - more interesting after having read the stories.