Some like Sean Connery but John Marsden does it for me!

John Marsden

Standing in the queue of the cinema I had a little battle of my own last night. Our options: The Other Guys versus Tomorrow, When the War Began. I was leading the charge for the latter and this was based primarily on my infatuation with Mr John Marsden. Challenges were met with astonished questions.

“Do you not know who John Marsden is? Have you not read any of his books? Didn’t you read his books in high school? Did you not see him on Australian Story? Did you know he has his own school? Don’t you want to support Australian cinema? Did you know that John (first name basis by now) once sent me a personal reply to an email I sent him? Did you know he is a really nice guy?”

Then I got nasty on Will Ferrell…

“Have you not seen Talladega Nights? Yeah okay Stepbrothers was funny but you can’t guarantee this will be funny…he is an idiot most of the time.”

Then I ripped out the ultimate ballbreaker line (I promise I don’t do this that often and I was clutching at straws!).

 “You watch your movie and I’ll watch mine and we can meet at the end.”

If you are a solo cinema watching virgin you probably THINK that you’d be less shamed attending a nudist colony on your own! So I won that war justtttt but I promised to be less of a stubborn mule next Tight Tuesday!

Anyways Tomorrow, When the War Began was good. I liked it. I probably could have lived to see it on the small screen but some of the effects were pretty blockbuster and I liked the characters/actors. The only thing I didn’t like is it doesn’t end – surprise surprise just like the series of books (there are seven) it is to be continued. I think someone may be cashing in on the saga series style of movies?

There is a cheeky line in the movie where the main character Ellie says, “The books are always better then the movies.” So right hey.

I love to read and I adore libraries like some people adore the pub/casino/strippers. I overdose on books and just don’t know how to rationalise the experience of borrowing from the libs (I still can’t even believe I can take these gems home after all the fines I have accrued – it must be noted that I borrow on my Dad’s card now as a result!). Last night got me thinking about the books of my preteen era… and how they shaped me as a person.  There are three distinct books that have changed my life.

1. The Babysitters Club Series

I took this collection very very seriously. I purchased all and I mean all of them up to number #56 Keep Out Claudia including the Super Specials and Friends Forever. Like I did with my magazines – I categorised these little puppies and reread them over and over again. I never wanted to be a babysitter but I devoured these books simultaneous with a can of Pringles Sour Cream & Chives on a daily basis.

I stumbled upon a blog What Claudia Wore recently. It is absolutely hysterical. A blogger is sifting her way through the series and a hilarious analysis is given on each book. A must read for any true BC lover!

2. Everything Judy Blume

I love love her! She is a riveting author who writes about growing up, life changing relationships you have as a thirteen year old, first kisses, parents splitting up, feeling alone…oh she is amazing! A lady that remembers what it’s like to be a teen!

I was so Blubber (a fat kid!). I was so Margaret chatting away to God (lonely and friendless on school holidays). It was so the end of the world (still am pretty overdramatic). Recently I was at one of these crazy warehouse book expos and in the mirage of shirty paperbacks I stumbled across Summer Sisters. Summer Sisters is a book written by Blume for the adult market… it didn’t let me down. I cocooned myself for the following 24 hours and devoured it (this time with Sakata biscuits).

My favourite book of hers is Forever. I still remember making the purchase at a school book fair as a twelve year old. Clearly someone ordering the books for these kiddies was just not doing their job right. I didn’t purchase it knowing it was an education into the human body. Got on the bus with my fellow grade 6ers and eagerly started reading… Oh myyyyy God! That little paperback gave me more insight then my sister’s Cosmopolitans ever did. Since then I have probably read it ohhh at least fifteen times but I now scan away to the good parts! Go Judy!!!

3. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

In the Attic

For someone who claims not to really like series – I loved this book and everything by V.C. Andrews (may she RIP and may her pseudonym stop and give it up as she will never be as good as the original). There is just wayyyyy too much in these books to justify a synopsis. Let’s just say that it puts Bold and the Beautiful to shame! It has even been banned in some countries!

I was so cringeworthingly in love with this book that when the movie was on TV (usually really late at night) I would actually tape it on video… and then regularly watch it! What demented ten year old does this?

A kiddie I know has started reading this book and I want to snatch it off her and say this is not for you… but then I realise that is massively the pot calling the kettle black! The local librarian did not say that to me when I reserved Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, and Garden of Shadows (the rest of the series) in the one hit as a ten turning eleven year old girl! So who am I to make judgements?

Currently Reading

Why Is God Laughing?: The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism by Deepak Chopra and If You Could See What I See by Sylvia Browne (*I think someone has been watching way too much Montel Williams)