AUTUMN 2015

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AUTUMN 2015

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QUOTABLE QUOTE FOR AUTUMN:Computers are useless. They can only give you answers. – Pablo Picasso

FEBRUARY 22 AGM FORESHADOWS EXCITING FUTURE FOR FOWL During her report to the AGM, Heather Davis, the newly-appointed Manager of Library and Learning Futures, outlined a calendar of library events for 2015 produced in consultation with the FOWL Exec. The calendar includes extensive, active involvement of FOWL members in organising new activities, such as a board-games club and “meet and greet” sessions during which members would get acquainted and exchange ideas, as well as the usual book sales, raffles etc. Councillor Angela Burrill, who chaired the AGM, then led a lively discussion during which ideas for recruitment of new members were discussed (a possible Facebook presence, for example) as well as several excellent suggestions for additional FOWL activities.

FOWL member Cleo Lynch enthused us all with her talk “The Secret Library”, revealing the Mitchell Library and its treasures in all their glory. A FOWL tour is possibly on the cards after the refurbishment of the State Library’s Friends Room (situated in the Mitchell) is completed.

FOWL Exec office bearers were all re-elected unopposed, and thanks were given to resigning members of the Exec, namely Ona Maksvytis, Norma Neale, and Jill McCarthy. Elected to the 2015 committee are Carmel Williams, Stephanie Richards, and Barbara Gear who join long-time Exec member Maureen Clynch.Wake by Anna Hope

This book portrays in the most matter-of-fact manner all the bleak misery of post-war Britain. Set over five days in November 1920, it pictures the Brits’ grim, grey struggle for a dignified existence by showing us the lives of three vastly different women in their efforts to cope with their inner and outer problems. The climax depicting the arrival of the Unknown Soldier from France in London is unforgettable. An “absolutely must” read.

Lastly, our oldie but goodie that thoroughly deserves re-reading is The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John le Carre. A classic for all time.

The President’s Hat by Antoine LaurianThe second of our Gallic charmers on this year’s list is an absolutely delightful little fairy story. In the mid-1980s, President Francois Mitterand accidentally leaves his hat in a small restaurant, where it is picked up by Daniel, who is given courage by his possession of the hat to stand up to his boss and thereafter goes from strength to strength career-wise. The hat then passes successively to Fanny and then to Pierre who both change their lives for the inestimable better under the positive influence of this remarkable piece of headgear. The ending is a bit contrived, but everyone, including Mitterand, lives happily ever after. If you want to feel really good, read this!

Under The Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy HoranThis is a fictionalised account of the adventurous, long-suffering and courageous life of Robert Louis Stevenson’s wife both before she meets him and during their life together. She was an intelligent and determined woman and talented in her own right, but was largely stifled by his wants and needs. The story bears a striking similarity in many aspects to the life of Zelda Fitzgerald, as told in the recent book “Z” by Therese Fowler but is better-written. Most enjoyable.

DADS READ 2015 ROARS AHEAD WITH SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHDads Read got off to a flying start on Saturday 28 February when almost 100 adults and children enthusiastically greeted the delightful Jack. This multi-talented preschool teacher from Waverley’s Early Learning Centre skilfully took the reins as M.C., warming up his audience with two sing-alongs accompanied by guitar. Mayor Sally Betts welcomed everyone to the event, the first of its kind in NSW, and then the spotlight turned on the three Dads Read Ambassadors. Introduced variously as “Mini”( the well-known Roosters NRL star) and the two lifeguards “Harries” and “Deano”, they explained what reading meant to them and how important it would be to their young children.

Particularly poignant was the story of Harries and his twin brother who both wrestled for many years to combat severe dyslexia at a time when help was practically non-existent. They finally triumphed by graduating with the HSC, a truly noteworthy feat. Harries is determined that 14-month-old Billy, who accompanied his father, will have every possible advantage in learning to read. Harries and Deano each expertly read aloud a picture book to the receptive audience. It was obvious they’d had plenty of practice on Billy and Lucy already!

The Dads Read program is scheduled to take place in the children’s library each month on the third Saturday at 10am.

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE E-NEWS FROM WAVERLEY LIBRARYIf you would like to receive the library’s enews including What’s On, plus a newsletter and the NIB updates, just phone Leesa in admin on 9386 7778. A convenient way to keep up to date with library activities.

FOWL CONTACTS: President: Marie Curtis email mariecurtis1@yahoo.com.au phone 9371 6445Secretary: Lyn Cameron email lyncameron3@bigpond.com phone 9389 8981

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WELCOME BACK ATTICUS AND SCOUT FINCH!Amidst huge hype and signifi cant controversy, Harper Collins has announced it will publish Go Set a Watchman, the sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird, in July 2015. Unlike Margaret Mitchell (remember Gone With the Wind?), it seems Harper Lee did write another book. This was actually penned prior to the 1960 multimillion-dollar bestseller starring Southern lawyer Atticus Finch and his feisty young daughter Scout, but was laid aside at the suggestion of Lee’s publisher and has only recently been unearthed. The book apparently portrays events involving the main characters twenty years after those depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird. Controversy rages as to whether the infi rm, reclusive 88-year old writer has actually given informed consent to publish what many hope is another masterpiece. We anticipate July with bated breath. Hopefully Waverley Library will order several copies! The $64 million question arises – who will replace the fabulous Gregory Peck as Atticus in the movie that will surely follow? (Unless the book is an absolute disaster).

J. D. SALINGER HITS THE (MODEST) LIMELIGHT AGAINWhile surely only residents of Mars would be unaware of the resurrection of Atticus and Scout Finch, J.D. Salinger, author of the equally-beloved The Catcher in the Rye, has also garnered a revival in interest, albeit it low-key in comparison.

The delightful memoir, My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff , made its deservedly-lauded appearance on the scene in early 2014. This simple coming-of-age book produced renewed enthusiasm for the never-out-of-print canon of Salinger, whose intense dislike of the limelight resembled that of fi lm legend Greta Garbo. Do read Rakoff ’s charming account of the year she spent working in a dysfunctional and archaic literary agency in New York, whose major client was J. D. Salinger.

The renaissance continued, when, in late 2014, a slender booklet containing three early never-before published short stories of Salinger’s came out. Were these the stories about which the 22-year-old aspiring writer expressed doubts when writing to fan Marjorie Sheard in a series of letters between 1941 and 1943? The letters were sold in 2013 to the Morgan Library and Museum of New York by Sheard’s family when she moved to a retirement home. Waverley Library has a copy of this booklet entitled Three Early Stories. Two of the stories are pretty ho-hum; the longest one has something.

HEY, LOOK! THEY’RE COMING IN ONES AND TWOS!SOME AWESOME NEW BOOKS FROM DR SEUSS!Random House Children’s Books is to publish at least three new books based on materials discovered in 2013 by the widow of Theodor Geissel (aka Dr Seuss)! The fi rst, What Pet Should I Get?, comes out on July 28. This date is especially appropriate as 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the publication of the last book of the beloved author’s career, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Interestingly, three Dr Seuss books are still in the top fi fty of USA Today’s best-selling list. No stunning surprise there.

UPDATE ON THE FOWL READERS’ DISCUSSION GROUPThis book club, which meets at 1pm on the second Sunday of each month, is going from strength to strength with an outstanding selection of subjects this year. Already discussed themes are: Travel (January); Biography (February); and Historical Fiction (March). Future subjects include: History (April); Australian History (May); and Satire(June). For further info contact Yvonne Calder (on 0431 968 384) or Lyn Cameron (on 9389 8981 or lyncameron3@bigpond.com).

FOWL WELCOMES A NEW AFFILIATE – THE WAVERLEY WRITERS OF FOWLThis group meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 2–4pm in the Theory Room. They focus on feedback on short pieces of each member’s writing, and also occasionally invite speakers to address them on a chosen topic. New members are warmly welcomed. For more information, contact Anne Skyvington on 0415 339 420 or Susan Beinart on 0438 217 148.

FAVE RAVES 2014Yet again the choice was exceedingly diffi cult. The only non-fi ction book to make your Editor’s short list was My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff , while this year’s fi ve fi nal choices include two small but charming novels translated from the French. They are in the tradition of the international bestseller The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery fi rst published in French in 2006. A sixth book worthy of mention is a brilliant oldie which reads just as well now as it did when fi rst published despite the world’s circumstances having radically altered. Here they are in no order of your Editor’s preference:

The Curiosity by Stephen KiernanIn 1906, Massachusetts judge Jeremiah Rice, a man of sterling character, falls overboard. A century later, he is found preserved in an iceberg and restored to life by the scientifi c crew of an Arctic research ship. This book gives a convincing portrayal of his struggle to fi t in with today’s society – its consumerism and celebrity cults; the intrusiveness of paparazzi; vilifi cation by religious zealots; political and fi nancial exploitation and his unlikely but growing relationship with the only female scientist of the group who studies him. Believable science and good characterisations give this book a decisive edge over others based on a similar theme. Recommended for a broad readership, not just S.F. fans.

The List of My Desires by Gregoire DelacourtJocelyne, a haberdasher in a provincial French town, suddenly wins 18 million euros in the lottery. She hides the cheque in a seldom-worn shoe while she writes lists of what she wants to do with the money. Then the cheque disappears, and so does her supposedly devoted husband. A charmingly-told and heartbreaking but uplifting story. Do read it.