52 in 52 - Book 6 - The Dressmaker - Rosalie Ham

The second book I managed to read (on one domestic flight- Australia, you're a mighty country!) was The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham. This is an Aussie book, set in Victoria, and recently has been released as a movie. I heard about the movie before I knew it was a book, but still haven't seen the movie. 

Just under 300 pages, another great read. 

Small towns are often full of drama and gossip, and Dungatar is no exception. Myrtle "Tilly" was forced to leave town as a young child, ostracised because her mother was unwed, abused by her school mates, and blamed for the death of one of her bullies, she was sent away to school in Melbourne, against the will of her mother, who was kept in the dark about her whereabouts and slowly lost her sanity whilst missing her daughter. 

Leaving school in Melbourne to study dressmaking across the globe, she became an exceptional seamstress and designer. Personal tragedy left her feeling alone and defeated, prompting a decision to go back to find and look after her mother. When she couldn't make letter or phone contact, she knew there was no option but to go back to Dungatar. Finding her mother neglected and mad, she fed and nursed her, cleaned and aired the house, and slowly her mother's sanity was restored- though her acid wit was still a constant companion. Though the majority held on to their pre conceived opinion of Tilly, a few were her allies. Tilly's exceptional skills gained her work from the villagers, though not respect or payment - it seems there were cash flow problems due greed and "priorities" 

Vicious and hateful, the village seems doomed from the start, Tilly gets her revenge in the end, leaving the town in her wake with her beloved Singer after the death of both her mother and the man she loved. 

I can't wait to see the movie! It is always good to see someone else's interpretation! 

Happy Australia Day!! 

52in52- Book 3 - Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee

A very late night last night involved tea, spa bath, bubbles, and book! On the 7th day of Jan I am celebrating finishing another book! 

Go Set a Watchman is something of a sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960, which has become classic literature and a staple for students to study. Harper Lee was born in 1926, this year she is 90!! And last year (2015) she released Go Set a Watchman. If that's not inspirational, I'm not sure what is. 

Another book following the life of "Scout" - Jean Louise Finch - who is now in her mid 20s and has been living in New York for a number of years. She is back home in Maycombe and is broken by what she sees and hears from the local men in the county regarding the push to prevent the Negro population from having equal rights. Something Jean Louise doesn't even think is a question- everyone is human and should be treated as such. 

 It is well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it, it has been a bit over a decade since I've read To Kill a Mockingbird! Perhaps that's one that needs revisiting. 

Only a few days left of our holiday. We have seen so many friends and loved ones and were even able to help by looking after our friends children whilst she put on her nurses hat and went to assist with a serious boat incident that occurred next to the cafe we were eating at. Very emotionally draining to witness incidents like that, but so blessed to have been there to (attempt) to entertain the girls whilst their mum saved the day! Today we are avoiding bush fires to try and venture back to Perth. Might take 4 hours longer than it should... But that's all part of the adventure isn't it! 

God bless! 

52in52 - book 1 - Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe - Max Lucado

All resolutions start full steam ahead and with great promise and motivation, I hope to make this one last the distance- 52 books in 52 weeks. Today I read Max Lucado's Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe, written with Candace Lee and Eric Newman. It's a 180-odd paged book centering around the life of Chelsea, a woman who's "fresh start" in life following the break down of her marriage and death of her mother is turning out to be her biggest challenge yet. Her guardian angel "Mannie" devises a plan to help her find her way back to where she needs to be to put her life back together.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was light and yet encountered some heavier topics that have become far too normalised in our society.
I highly recommend it and I am sure I will read it again in. The future!