October 21, 2016

Book Review - The Dalai Lama on what matters most : Conversations on anger, compassion and action By Noriyuki Ueda

'The type of competition that says I am the winner, and you are the loser must be overcome. But a positive competition allows us to lift each other up so that everybody ends up on top' I think that this quote is invaluable in these times, with the pressure to be at the top.


This is just a sample of the quotes contained in this book. This small book written by anthropologist Noriyuki Veda from his conversations with the Dalai Lama, can be read from start to finish or can be opened at any page for some quick inspiration, where you will find great wisdom on what matters most. Anne

Book Review - El Deafo By Cece Bell

'I love El Deafo! It's everything you could want in a book : funny and touching and oh so smart.' R.J Palacio, author of Wonder.


El deafo is based on the childhood of Cece Bell who was classed as being profoundly deaf after suffering an illness at 4 years old. The book is based on her life as a child being deaf, her childhood friendships and experiences at school.

The conclusion that she comes to as she grows older is that with a little creativity and dedication, any difference can be turned into something amazing.
The book is set out like a graphic novel, colourful and easy to read. The book helped me to develop more empathy and understanding for those dealing with hearing loss. Anne

October 20, 2016

Book Review - The Everything guide to Flipping Houses : An all inclusive guide to Buying, Renovating and Selling By Melanie Williamson

House flipping has become popular on TV, although these show's make it look easy, real flips can take months. The The Everything Guide to Flipping Houses covers the process from A to Z showing potential benefits as well as the pitfalls. 



The book contains 20 in depth chapters from conducting inspections, working with a realtor to managing multiple flips. Appendix A and B also contain helpful inspection checklists.
A very informative book set out in an easy to read format. Anne

October 19, 2016

Film Review - Trainwreck - By Director Jason Moore

Starring Amy Schumer and Judd Apatow. In Trainwreck Amy has a love/hate relationship with her father, who has greatly influenced her view on monogamous relationships from a young age.

When Amy meets sports doctor to the stars Aaron Connors, those beliefs are challenged. She works for a sensationalistic magazine and has to decide how authentic to be when writing an article on the doctor, who she is falling for. Could it be possible for her to have a healthy grown up relationship with someone she really likes? A very funny and enjoyable movie. Anne

October 06, 2016

Movie Club—Lost in Translation

This month the Movie Club will be screening Lost in Translation, written and directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.

Washed-up Hollywood actor Bob Harris (Murray) is in Tokyo to film ads for Suntory whisky. Not knowing the language and not being familiar with the culture, he finds the exercise difficult, with the translations lacking. In the hotel he meets Charlotte (Johansson) a recent graduate from Yale with a degree in philosophy who is accompanying her photographer husband, John, who is in Tokyo on assignment. Charlotte has not found her purpose in life, and is stranded in the hotel while John is out working. This leads Charlotte to explore what Japan has to offer, but she often finds these experiences have little impact with her, reflecting after one visit that she "didn't feel anything". Together Charlotte and Bob make the most of their situation and find that they develop an especially strong bond that both need even if they can't explain it.


The film received much acclaim when first released, with 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and going onto many critics best films lists. It has the rare quality of a film that is both sincere without becoming over sentimental or sappy, maintaining a clear eyed, yet compassionate look at its subjects. It features subtle and stellar performances from Murray, revealing an ability to handle poignant as well as the more humours tone of his earlier career, and newcomer at the time Johansson, who was only 18 at the time of filming. 

The film will be screened on Wednesday 12 October at 6pm at Narellan Library, Corner of Queen and Elyard Street, Narellan. Tea, coffee, and biscuits provided, but BYO snacks are more than welcome. Stay after the screening to share your thoughts about the film and join in a discussion about the many heartfelt moments in the film.

October 05, 2016

Film Review - The year Dolly Parton was my Mum - By Tara Johns

Elizabeth an average 11yr old impatient to grow up, finds out she is adopted through a genetics class at school. When she confronts her adoptive mother things don't go well.

In The year Dolly Parton was my Mum Elizabeth takes matters into her own hands and takes off across country to find the truth. An intense at times, coming of age movie. Anne