Day 62 – You can’t go about the world being nothing (pg 11 The Magic Pudding)

Yesterday I finished the smallest and perhaps most whimsical book left in the pile, The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay. I caught a small part of the animated movie on television some years ago (approx 6 if memory serves) and was pleasantly surprised. A few days later I came across the book in a second hand bookshop and bought it, it has been sitting on my shelf ever since.

I remember being read the book at primary school, and this time I found myself reading passages aloud when it came to rhymes I had somehow stored in my memory. Another memory came to me when the character Benjamin Brandysnap appeared. Back in about 1987, the same year I first encountered The Magic Pudding, I dressed as Benjamin Brandysnap for the book week parade. As soon as I saw his picture and read his name, I could feel the fuzzy brown material against my skin. What a strange thing memory is!


The book is quite simply delicious, set out in four slices it can make one rather hungry. It’s beautifully written, quite lyrical and includes lovely illustrations by Lindsay. Written originally in 1918, there are a few references and words that would not be found in children’s books today. I am now in search of the animated film.

I've not progressed far though Peter Jackson – A Filmmakers Journey. What I find most unfortunate, is that it has been written for an American audience evident from incidences like distance written in miles and the history of the ANZAC's having to be explained. As an Australian I am a little offended and presently more bored with the way this biography has started off than inspired.

I have sent off my application for the much wanted internship, now comes the waiting...

222 Days remaining, 17 books to go (20 books to go)

Day 59 – 21 today...

With Pride and Prejudice and Zombies now finished, I am moving on to Peter Jackson – A Filmmakers Journey in the hopes it will inspire me to action. This book was a birthday present 2 years ago while I was still at film school, from friends of mine who expected great things from me. This is quite a thick book and I feel I won’t be wanting to read it all the time. Therefore I’ve decided to read two books simultaneously. Which I believe to be a great idea as I have to add yet another book to the list.

Yesterday I happened across a carnival run by the local rotary club and they had a book stall. No I shouldn’t have wondered over, but there were books everywhere and I was drawn to them. I was happily looking at one book when an elderly gentleman manning the stall came and informed me I could "fill a bag for $1" "No!" I cried “don't do that to me!" I managed to walk out of there with only one, One Pair of Feet by Monica Dickens, which I have since discovered is the second of three. So while I am only adding 1 extra book at this stage, really it’s 3... oh dear.

I watched Julie and Julia again last night, and I hardly know what to think. At times I felt a connection with Julie; on the cusp of 30, having not achieved her dreams and feeling quite at a loss. I then wondered how it came to be that she was able to succeed so amazlingly in her career as a writer with seemingly little effort via her blog? Evidently a film is not real life and I am sure she worked hard at being a writer before her success. However how did she manage to get such a following after even 47 days?

Although I am not expecting a horde of readers to come knocking down my door, I would like to feel that someone out there in the void was reading this (other than my mother and friends!)

I would like to be more like Julia and so many other inspiring women out there who have the courage of their convictions, who are determine to achieve their goals without compromise. I am not one of these women. I stay where I feel safe, reading my books, writing my blog and applying for an endless stream of jobs. I make token gestures in the hope that something will change, and at the same time being constantly terrified that change will appear at any moment and I will no longer feel safe.

I do however have the urge to go to my nearest food emporium, pick up multitudes of fresh ingredients, and cook up a storm.

225 days remaining, 18 books to go (21 books to go, why does that number sound familiar?)

Day 57 - Post Script

I have just discovered there is now a prequel out to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies called Dawn of the Dreadfuls. Although I haven’t found Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to be fantastically groundbreaking, I am intrigued by the prequel. Even more so due to the fact it has been written by a different author, Steve Hockensmith.

Day 57 – She remembered the lead ammunition ... "Your balls, Mr Darcy?" He reached out and closed her hand around them, and offered...

...“They belong to you, Miss Bennet.” (pg 234)

I have almost come to the end of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and I am still somewhat disappointed. Remarks like the one above occur only rarely. I feel that changes from the original weren't completely committed to, and plot points like women and men being trained by Chinese or Japanese masters are completely befuddling. It is cleverly done yes, but there are things about it that just don't sit right with me.

The illustrations done by Roberto Parada are a nice little addition (see right). However they can be a little on the gruesome side!

In other news, I have been continuing on with my quest to become a real documentary filmmaker. Thanks to my father, I am helping out on a small community project, which is not only interesting, it also makes for great experience. I have also recently stumbled across the most amazing internship opportunity which I have unfortunately set my heart on. The application is being studiously worked upon, and once it is handed over, there is nothing left to do but hope.

227 days remaining, 18 books to go

Day 49 – It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains (pg 13)

It’s Thursday, but I have had a bit of difficulty getting started this week. I feel like I have been on a lovely holiday after a birthday weekend filled with good company, good food and perfect weather, what more can a girl ask for? I did receive one book as a gift which will have to be read before the end date; The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho. I also received a gift voucher for a bookshop, however I am doing my best to stay away!

I am a little disappointed with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. There are some very promising sections, where remarks that could never have been made outright in the original version, are brought out in stunning fashion. Comments such as “Engaged to stupid fat Mr Collins!” (and no he is not one of the living dead).

I have quite delighted in these liberties, however they are few and far between and most of the story tends to be everything in the original with some zombies thrown in for good measure and some quite grotesque images. This book has also prompted me to find out where the idea of zombies originated from, and it is a concept stemming from Afro-Caribbean Voodoo.

The days seem to be passing me by so quickly at the moment and I feel as though I am working hard merely to tread water. The pile of books does not seem to be going down, especially now that one has been added...

235 days remaining, 18 books to go.

Day 41 - FINIS (pg 368)

Yes I have come to the end of Pride and Prejudice. However while the classic is still fresh in my mind, I am moving onto Pride and Prejudice and Zombies! This book was a gift from my boyfriend last Christmas, my sister had also purchased it for me and was a little put out when she discovered I already had it. Thankfully it did not cause too much of a family rift!

Moving on for a moment, as all good stories have a call to adventure, so too does this blog. Due to the painful lack of employment prospects, I have decided to start my own documentary production company. I have always wanted my own business, I enjoy making documentaries and have plenty of ideas in mind, and so this new adventure begins. If I can pull it off, I will regard it as some kind of miracle.

There is also a lot more reading involved off the original 21 book list. I have recently borrowed a book from the library for research purposes called Family Wanted – Stories of Adoption edited by Sara Holloway. Stay tuned for more reading and production adventures...


243 days remaining, 17 books to go (not including research!)

Day 36 – With no expectation of pleasure, but with the strongest curiosity (pg 184)

I came across a wonderful free exhibition yesterday at the State Library of Victoria. If you can make it, I highly recommend it. It’s showing until 31st October 2010.

The exhibition is called ‘’Til you drop – Shopping a Melbourne History’ and on display are a number of fantastic items including an old cash register, paper shopping bags and fashion catalogues.

It includes interesting historical facts, beautiful images and objects from shopping in Melbourne dating back as far as 1880. I've placed some images from the exhibition in the post.

I detest shopping. The main reason being, that there is too much choice. What I love about the idea of shopping in bygone eras, is that there was not nearly so much to choose from. There is a lovely book called Jane Austen’s Sewing Box – craft projects and stories from Jane Austen’s novels by Jennifer Forest. In the introduction it says ‘It was an era when thrift was a virtue and for many women living in the country, a trip to a major town or city was required to purchase the latest fabrics and yarns...It was usual practice to select dress fabric... and then take it to a dress maker to be made up.’ I can think of nothing more divine!

Austen does not write much about shopping itself. In many film recreations of stories from the Regency Era, you often find characters carefully considering purchases such as books or lace at a little shop in town. Once the items have been chosen, their purchases are wrapped neatly in brown paper and presented to their new owner. I can truly think of no finer way of shopping.

248 days remaining, 18 books to go.

Day 33 – The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it.. (pg 128)

... and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense.’ The somewhat cynical voice of Elizabeth Bennet rings very true to me at this time. The job search is becoming more depressing by the hour.

But enough of that, I have just watched the film Cold Comfort Farm and have become aware that it is based on a book by Stella Gibbons. I therefore have to put it on the list of what to read next, because if it’s anything like the film I think I will enjoy it very much. The story is deliciously dark and fantastically funny. It does at times border on the preposterous, but it’s witty enough to be forgiven.

The local pub in the story is called 'The Condemned Man' and one of the characters provides a depressing ‘to do’ lists that includes; ‘Drain the well, there’s a neighbour missin’. In amongst all this, the main character Flora Poste, manages to remain cheerfully optimistic. This story of a young woman who dreams of becoming a writer like Jane Austen and longs to put things in order reminds me a little of myself, if only I could share her cheerful optimism. However Flora Poste is a female character in the 1930’s, where a steady job and a fulfilling career is not a must.

I am neglecting my reading... I do love Pride and Prejudice, however there always seems to be other things to do than sit down and read. I have finished my scarf and you’ll be quite glad to know that I have sent Travels with My Aunt off to Kidney Health Australia... I hope it finds a good home there.

249 days remaining, 18 books to go.