'Tomorrow When the War Began' (Series) by John Marsden

AMAZING series that I cannot believe I haven't read until now - and set in Australia too, so even better!

SUMMARY: the Tomorrow series is a 7 book series about a high-intensity invasion and occupation of Australia by an unnamed foreign power. We are taken through the journey by narrator Ellie Linton, teenage schoolgirl, who along with a group of friends are camping in the bush when the invasion begins.

Ellie and her six friends go camping for a week in the bush, and whilst camping see many planes flying overhead. When they return home from their trip they find people missing, pets and livestock dead, and realise that their town has been invaded. They avoid capture and return to their bush hideout that they name 'Hell.' From here they base themselves to plot and wage guerrilla war on the invaders.

The books: see picture below

FOLLOW-UP SERIES: the three part series deals with Ellie Lintons life after the war, and is called 'The Ellie Chronicles.'

THE AUTHOR:Visit John Marsden's webpage

MOVIE: A movie was created of the first part of the series in 2010. It was well received in Australia, being the highest grossing Aussie film for 2010. It didn't reach the same heights overseas, and no further movies are scheduled. Still worth a look!

'Sarah Starts Over,' Emma Gleich from Guest blogger Meg W!

Sarah Starts Over is the brand new first novel from up an up and coming young author of chick lit. It is a fun yet often touchingly poignant story of one girl’s struggles to find herself in the modern world and the characters and adventures she encounters along the way. Perfectly capturing the Melbourne suburbs in which it is predominantly set, this story follows Sarah as she deals with those age old issues of love, career, friendships and finding out who she really is. 

Surrounded by a strong ensemble cast that includes the faithful best friend, exacerbating yet lovable housemate and a series of horrible ex-boyfriends, Sarah Starts Over is an engaging and well-written novel. A real page turner that strikes just the right balance between light-hearted and serious, it’s impossible not to warm to and empathise with the lead character of the story as she faces the ups and downs of life in the city.    For anyone who loves chick lit and has ever struggled with love, career or friendship dramas (who hasn’t?!), this is a must read. The perfect companion to a long hot summer…

CLICK HERE TO BUY or BORROW ON AMAZON!

' A Guide to the Birds of East Africa' by Nicholas Drayson

The story... Mr Malik is an honourable and reserved widower - middle aged with a combover that isn't fooling anyone. Nobody knows that for three years he has been in love with Rose, the leader of the East African Ornithological Society Tuesday morning bird walk.

Mr Malik is working up the courage to invite the object of his affections to the annual Nairobi Hunt Ball. The untimely arrival of the wealthy Harry Kahn sees a competition ensuing to see who can identify the most species of birds within a week - for the privilege of asking Rose to the ball.


With disposable wealth on his side, Harry Khan has no trouble hiring boats, light aircraft and guides to take him to Kenya's choicest bird watching spots. And yet Mr Malik isn't so easily defeated - despite having his car and wallet stolen - he had a few unorthodox methods of his own!

My verdict... I absolutely tore through this book in one day. I loved it! So light and amusing, with spectacular knowledge on birds. It made me want to visit Nairobi one day - especially to see Kakamega Forest!! Parts of the story reminded me of the Owen Wilson/ Jack Black movie 'The Big Year.'

HOLLYWOOD BLONDES - Golden Girls of the Silver Screen

After going to see the Grace Kelly exhibition in Bendigo, I was inspired to find out more about Hollywood's silver screen era.


Hollywood Blondes: Golden Girls of the Silver Screen explores the lives and careers of Tinseltown's most memorable blonde bombshells. It was a heartfelt eye opener into the lives of these stars which are now immortalised in the silver screen. Many of them led tragic lives, which had they been movie stars today, would have turned out totally different.


Twenty-two classic actresses are profiled including
* Marilyn Monroe
* Jean Harlow
* Carole Landis
* Betty Grable
* Marie McDonald,
* Thelma Todd
* Lana Turner
* Jayne Mansfield
* Barbara Payton
* Veronica Lake
* Grace Kelly
* Alice Faye
* Mae West
* Carole Lombard




There are more than one hundred rare photographs featured throughout the book, lending it a real-life feel, as opposed to just posed photographs. One of the things I loved most about this book was the snippets of each actresses life - given in 5-10 pages. There were no boring bits!

Overall, an amazing insight into the lives and careers of some of women's pioneers in screen acting!