Not My Typical

Have you ever read a book and when you were done thought...'well that's a first!' That was my experience with Wendy Harmer's book, 'Roadside Sisters'. I completed it in a record two weeks and my only thought as I read on was...'this is not my typical kind of read'. I carried it in my back pack to and from uni, reading it...getting absorbed in its utter honesty. My train rides had become more interesting and I looked forward to being transported to the world of books (pun not intended). Wendy is as Aussie as she can get really...down right honest and hilarious! In fact, I don't think I've ever had the opportunity to read a book authored by one...it was refreshing and felt right at home!

I had the pleasure of being introduced to three women; Anna, Meredith and Nina who twenty years ago belonged to a gospel choir named Sanctified Soul. They part ways soon after their final performance and barely get in touch after. So flash forward to twenty years; Meredith is mother to two adults, divorced and lives in a world of elegance and class, Nina is a 'footy-mum' with three boys and loving husband Brad and Anna, well she is the one they envy; living a lavishly no-string attached life. The plot? Well, Nina, sick of the day-to-day housewife and mum rituals, hatches a plan to have the girls reunite on a two-week trip using an Elvis-themed camper van from their home in Melbourne to Byron Bay where Meredith's daughter is getting married. The trip would be a way for them to well, catch up. And catch up they do!

What stroke me most with this book though was how very real it was. If you've ever taken a trip just girls you might have an idea how these 'soul-trips' turn out. Like the first day in school all over again, these women were getting to know each other afresh. Discovering that just like in their singing days, they needed to be in 'harmony' with one another (pun intended), they learnt life's crucial lessons. Nevertheless, in the midst of laughter, tears and sometimes unbelievable events, this book caught me thinking about my girlfriends and how if we ever hatched a plan to 'escape' from the world, I'd probably borrow a thing or two from Roadside Sisters. :)

Why Books, Photography & Trains?

What comes to mind when you read my blog title? Are you wondering why someone would take the time to do this or did you think, hmmm...this could be interesting? Whatever the thought dear readers, no need to worry, even I had my doubts when I first started thinking about this. I mean, how was I going to bring these three things together? I have to warn you though lovely people, I get ahead of myself sometimes when I get excited with an idea. Feel free to let me know the minute you detect am going overboard :)

So this blog unlike my previous two will not be about a certain favorite animal. I know, this is a different angle than to what you're used to but, I promise you, you will not be disappointed. You see, my love for books dates back to the days my dad would take us to a second hand bookstore and buy us books. My regulars were Enid Blyton's Famous Five, the Secret Seven, Nancy Drew Files, Hardy Boys and the casual Sweet Valleys. I read them endlessly, devouring every story and imagining myself amongst them. With these books, I could dare to dream. Fast forward to my adult years and well, my reading spins into different directions. At one time I could be reading a Jeffrey Archer novel and another time, one by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This diversity in genres is what I hope to capture as I share with you my passion for books.

My book journey would however not be complete without my other two favorites; photography and trains. I have a fond memory of trains...and this has over the past one year, grown to be a passion. I absolutely love train rides, and I have the absolute pleasure to ride them almost daily. It is here that I read books...it is here that time stops for me to just, enjoy. And as for photography, well, what's not to love? Didn't the great Ansel Adams say, "You don't take a photograph, you make it?' And so, I had one of Oprah's ahaa moments...why don't I take photos of the books I read, combine these images with my personal reviews and voila! Thus my idea for a blog was born! You might ask however, how does reading a book, taking photographs and riding the train have in common? Well, me!

It's my hope that by sharing my experiences, I can make book reading a worthwhile venture.
Cheers to a wonderful journey!