The Telling of Stories

By Andrea Grigg

When I think about it, it’s not surprising I ended up becoming a writer. Story-telling has always been a big part of my life, and I’m not talking about creative excuses, in case you were wondering!

From the time I was little, I was entertained by stories. Mum and Dad read to me every day – I cut my reading teeth on The Famous Five – but Dad was also a fabulous storyteller. He used to make up adventures on the spot about anything. My favourites were the on-going bedtime ones about Wendy and Gary, a brother and sister who led very exciting lives!

Dad was, and still is at 88, a voracious reader, something he passed on to me. When I was a child I read anywhere. In the back seat of the car, in the bath, (and yes, on the toilet) but I was never allowed to read at the dining table, although I tried. More than once.

We used to go to the library every Friday night. I would come home with around ten books and they’d be well and truly finished by the following Friday. I was thrilled when the librarians allowed me to select books from the Young Adult section way before I was officially old enough.

I know what influenced me as a reader, but what about my dad? I thought it would be interesting to find out. He was born waaaay back in 1927, and I was curious to know the differences between the reading world then and the reading world now.

So, Dad, a.k.a. Ross Davison – what gave you the reading bug?

I suppose it was because my mum always encouraged me to read, and because I was provided with books. I was given Winnie the Pooh and Wind in the Willows when I was quite young. I used to read them over and over. I learned to read very quickly from those.

Haha, Dad. They would’ve been practically brand new back then! What else did you like to read growing up?

We had a brilliant collection of children’s encyclopaedias. Big, fat volumes, with information as well as children’s stories. I reckon I learned half my general knowledge from those. I also loved the Just William books, by Richmal Crompton, Dr Doolittle books, and boys magazines which had adventures about footballers, boxers, cricketers and aviators. I read Lord Of The Rings about 50 years ago before it became popular. I’ve read it many times since, along with The Hobbit.

Which genres are your favourites?

Mystery, adventure, comedy, historical, and non-fiction concerning aircraft, golf and cars.

Any favourite authors?

Not especially, except for Clive Cussler. I quite like choosing authors I don’t recognise. I discovered the Cadfael Chronicles, by Ellis Peters, an historical murder mystery series set in the 1100s, and I really enjoyed them.

Have you noticed any changes in the reading world over the years?

There are more scenes containing explicit violence and sex these days.

Books have become longer ie. 600-700 pages is common. They used to average around 300-400.

Covers were more subdued back then, nothing like as bright.

Books were hardbound rather than paperbacks.

Today, the print is easier to read, better laid out. The quality of paper is better too.

Comics back then weren’t like the ones you see now. They used funny animals and caricatures more than human beings. I had a first editon of Phantom. Wish I had it now!

Children’s books tended to have more story than pictures, unlike now.

To sum it up, the quality of the story is still what matters. That hasn’t changed.

Totally agree, Dad. Thanks for your insights – it was a fun interview!

About Andrea Grigg:

      I am an author of two Christian contemporary romances: A Simple Mistake and Too Pretty, and I'm working on my third. My website is under reconstruction at the moment but you can contact me on Facebook orTwitter. I would love to hear from you!

Why do you like books, Aunty Missie?

As well as being the mother to two gorgeous boys, I'm also the aunt to four gorgeous boys.

Every Tuesday this year, I have had the great joy of picking up my 4 year old nephew from kinder. We have some great conversations in the car...

Yesterday, we were talking about Christmas, and I mentioned that I had had a special delivery the day before - some books for Christmas presents for my nephews - and I was hoping that some books that I had ordered would arrive today (copies of Nicki Edwards books).

He was in awe that I had bought so many books for Christmas, then asked the following questions:

"Why do you have so many books, Aunty Missie? Do you read them all? Why do you like books, Aunty Missie?"

The answer to the first question was easy: Because I like books.

The second answer was a bit harder, more for the follow up question: I have read most of them...

He then wanted to know why I hadn't read all of them! I told him that it was because I had more books than time to read. Thankfully, he moved on to the next question rather than ask why...

The third answer was the biggest challenge. Why do I like books?

I had to think for a minute before explaining in a way that a very bright four year old would understand.

I like that books can transport you to places far away in space and time. They can introduce you to many and varied characters without leaving the comfort of your own home (and without you having to find a babysitter!).

I like that books, both fiction and non-fiction, can teach you things. They can open your eyes to history, science, literature, and so many more subjects. They can teach you about people and how they live, what they do, how they think.

I like that books can be both new and familiar, even books you've read a million times. A well read book is like catching up with an old friend, and a new book is the start of a new adventure.

I like that no two people see the same book in the same way. I like that we all bring our own experiences and tastes to colour the pages of a story, so that I book I love might be one you can't finish and vice versa.

I like the comfort that comes from a pile of books on my bedside table just waiting to be read and bulging bookshelves. For me, this helps make a house a home.

How did I answer my nephew? I simply said that books can teach you things and take you on wonderful adventures.

As a little boy who likes to learn new things, this answer was satisfactory and we moved on to other things. I can't wait to give him a new book this Christmas, and another one for his birthday, and every other opportunity I can. I look forward to expanding my answer to his question by showing him how amazing books are as he grows.

Melissa Gijsbers lives in Melbourne and writes in between working as a bookkeeper and being the mother of two active boys. She is a blogger and author of flash fiction and children's books.

Follow her writing journey at www.melissawrites.com.au and www.melissagijsbers.com

Confessions of a Book Addict

by Andrea Grigg

I was the child who read under the bedclothes with a torch. The one reprimanded for attempting to read at the dinner table. The one who ALWAYS took a book to the bathroom … and I still do!

Yes, I love reading. I would even go so far as to say I’m obsessed with it (I guess that’s the addict part) and I know I’m not alone.



Last week I put this question to a Facebook group I belong to as well as on my personal page. ‘What behaviours has your significant other/family put up with when you’ve got your head in a book? Some were hilarious! Here are just a few.

* I have a Kindle because it's easier to cook one handed when you're reading from it rather than a book. You can turn the page with the press of a button.

* Starting to read at 8 pm 'for an hour' and then realising that it has somehow become 3 am

* My husband is also a reader and we respect it in the other. When we first got together we would have weekends away on the sofa and whoever could break away from their book would need to go get takeaway. Luckily we are not usually addicted at the same time

* Audio books, sitting in the car park at work, waiting to hear the end of the chapter, or in the driveway at home.

* Struggling to pull out of the book to function in everyday life, and referring to characters and story lines in everyday conversation with people who don't have a clue what I am talking about.

* Laughing out loud while reading.... then having the kids or hubby ask what's funny... On the other hand, they never ask me why I'm crying while reading...

* So engrossed in a book that I forget I've got dinner cooking - until that burning smell eventually registers.

* I am reading on a Kindle now so I can cook whilst reading. I even read whilst on the treadmill. Reading late into the wee hours and waking up grumpy. And best of all, if I fall asleep reading in bed I don’t lose my page any more!

* Hubby: "Where are the children dear?" Me:"We have children?

* Apart from NOTHING getting done, I take on the mood of the book, happy, sad, anxious, romantic (enough said), angry, etc and watch out family if it's not going in the direction I think it should!

* Kids turning into prunes in the bath while I sit on a stool. "Can we get out now?" "Not yet. One more page…"

* Sometimes I burst out laughing at something I've read and everyone wants to know what's so funny, but I just kind of wave my hand in the air and say, 'I'll tell you later', because I'm too absorbed in the book and don't want to take the time to explain

There were a few of these … 

* I hide in the loo and read so I don't get caught! 

* Everyone thinks I have a problem because I'm in the bathroom too long! 

Lol!  Two classics to finish with: 

* My Mother was not a reader and just could not understand how I could lose myself in a book so deeply I was completely unaware of what was happening around me - to the extent that the house almost burnt down one night! I was sitting up reading after everyone else had gone to bed. We had an open fire in those days and all of a sudden my Mother rushed in and screamed at me - an ember had popped out of the fire onto a cushion and it was on fire! LOL.. I hadn't even smelled it... 

* As a child I sat up in the pine tree with a book in the summer- and wasn't aware of the sap dripping on to my long hair. I had to have all my hair cut off because we couldn't get the pine sap out. I still read with the same lack of awareness of what is going on around me- 50 years later! Yep – we’re obsessed! 

And I think this image about sums it up …

So! Anyone got a ‘head-in-a-book’ anecdote they can share? Or a quote about reading? I’ve got a Pinterest board full of them. You can view them here:

http://www.pinterest.com/andreagrigg/books-books-more-books/

Until next time, happy reading!

Andrea Grigg lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and is a writer of contemporary Christian romance. Her first book, ‘A Simple Mistake’ was a finalist in the 2012 CALEB awards. Her second novel, ‘Too Pretty’ was released in August this year.

Website: www.andreagrigg.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.andreagrigg?ref=hl
Twitter: @andreagrigg

Sharing the Joys of Reading

by Jeanette O'Hagan

As an avid reader, I am always looking for new books. Not that there is a shortage of available books – with hundreds of thousands of new ones published each year, libraries with overloaded shelves and old classics available at the click of a mouse. But how does one sort through the chaff to find the precious grains of wheat? For me, new releases by known authors, trusted publishers or genres, reviews on Good Reads or elsewhere, Blog tours, recommendations from friends and browsing the aisles of bookshops or libraries are all good ways to discover new treasures.

And then, over the last couple of years I have discovered delightful, challenging, poignant books and new authors amid a whirl of laughter, conversation, coffee and delicious food. Why? I joined two book clubs, both meeting monthly.

One of the book clubs is more traditional in format. It is the smaller of the two – about eight to ten people each month with one brave male. Our leader (with some consultation) decides which book the group will read. Mostly this is determined by what book club offerings are available at the local library though on a few occasions we will all buy the set book. We (endeavour to) read the book during the month and then, over hot drinks and cake, we discuss what we think about it. We have covered a wide range of genres – literary, romance, science-fiction, detective, historical, memoir, comic, inspirational. While a couple of titles have been a drag to read, I have found many gems and have been enriched by the experience. We don’t have any trouble discussing the book and it is fascinating hearing everyone’s responses. Where one may love a particular title, another might hate it. And everyone sees different things in the story. This enhances my understanding and appreciation of the book and author. Our group is fairly diverse – ranging from 40s to 70s in age, from different walks of life and interests.

I have to say though, that the other group is my favourite. I was saddened when, due to the time commitments of the leaders, this group finished up at the end of the last year. This was a larger group with usually fifteen or more women coming together the hostess’s lounge room. There was a range of ages from young mums to grandmas. Instead of having a set book, we would go around the group and talk about the books we had read that month. If we wanted, and most did, we could bring the books with us to lend them to anyone intrigued by the owner’s review. Some books circulated through almost the whole group as the succession of readers were enthused by it. The whole night was casual and relaxed. Everyone understood when someone hadn't managed to read because the month had been busy. This was a very lively group and the spirited chatting before we settled down to share our treasures was just as much fun as listening to each other talking about the books we had loved to read – and the few we had hated. I discovered many books and new authors I liked this way. The advantages of this format was that we were not restricted to what the local library had chosen to provide in multiple copies nor were we committed to buying a particular book. We did a few different things as well. One evening we had a local author come to speak to the group about her book, another we went to hear a well known author at a public speaking event. We also went as a group to see the latest movie version of Jane Eyre when it came out, we talked about our childhood favourites and we had a pyjama party to support the Pyjama Foundation. At the end of the year we would have a Christmas party, bringing along a gift wrapped book to be exchanged.

Both book clubs were associated with a church as a way of connecting with people.

There are certain logistics involved in running a book club – who should be invited, where to meet, what format to run, how often, how casual or formal it should be, how books are chosen, and who leads. Yet these decisions are not too onerous and a book club can be a great way to share your love of reading and favourite authors with fellow book lovers. It is also a great way to discover books and authors you might never have considered reading before. 

Have  you ever been part of a book club? Would you consider it?

Jeanette O’Hagan

Jeanette has practiced medicine, studied communication, history and theology and has taught theology.  She is currently caring for her  children, enjoying post-graduate studies in writing at Swinburne University and writing her Akrad fantasy fiction series.  She is actively involved in a caring Christian community. You can find her at her Facebook Page or webiste  JennysThread.com .