Tamarind Book Club Newsletter ISSUE #3
for the love of books
MARCH 2016
Runner By Ian Laver I like window seats, not only because I can see out, but I'm never in a hurry to leave the aircraft on landing. Why would anyone? Why get clouted by wayward baggage or pushed by people. Idiots are the ones you hear undoing their seat belts on landing just after the announcement for passengers to remain seated with seat belt fastened. My luggage had been stored in the overhead locker because on short trips I always bring only carry-on baggage. My black carry-on bag is eight kilograms maximum and I have a red name tag for easy identification. I was seated as comfortably as a six-foot two person could be in a seat designed for a child. It is never a good idea to feel too lucky but on this particular trip I did because the two seats between me and the aisle were vacant. The cabin doors closed. Only three people made their way down the aisle, I crossed my fingers. Bugger. I glanced up as he stashed his bag in the overhead locker. He eased his medium size frame into the seat alongside, not the one on the aisle. "Hey, how ya going," I said, always polite. I guess it wasn't his fault he had that seat number. The doors closed and we taxied out. He looked over his practical not trendy wire frames. "Seems like the aisle seat is free, I may as well move into it?" He loosened his blue tie. "Yep," I replied, pleased he had common sense. Some people don't and would probably sit in their allocated seat all the way, especially if they were big with three times the allowable carry-on baggage, and wanted to talk about their dog. Some people don't like to challenge the authorities. The flight was pleasant enough as flights go. I had ear plugs because my ears are sensitive to pressure. I kept reading my book and looking out into the cottonwool clouds. He flicked through what looked like a training manual. The hosties, both blond and shapely, served coffee and a biscuit as the hour zipped past. The landing was a bit rough. We hit the ground with a jolt. It probably had everything to do with the enormous amount of baggage on board. It happens often on short flights. People put their bags through and then bring several times the allowable amount of cabin baggage. We taxied towards the terminal. I took my ear plugs out just after the announcement to remain seated and buckled up. I love to hear the 'click'. Anyway, murmur in the cabin escalated into an excitable din as we rolled the last few metres. Several drips jumped up and started to wrench their bags from the overhead lockers. I smiled and kept reading. My offsider remained seated, sensible bloke, I thought. As the passengers thinned out, he leapt up. "See you," he said, grabbed his bag and took off. I waited another twenty seconds and looked in the locker to get my bag. "Bugger!" There was a black bag alright, and almost identical to mine, but my red label was lying at the back. Bloody bag wasn't mine! I zipped down the aisle, nodded at the curvy hosties and then almost ran up the walkway into the airport. Phew! Noticed the blue tie straight away. He was playing with a zip of my bag. "Hey!" I said, "Glad I caught you." No need for agro. "Ah! What? Yes, what a relief, our bags look the same‌er‌mate, I'm sorry... I... I was just about to look inside to see if there was any ID." "Yeah," I said, "No worries." We exchanged bags. Continued on page 2..
"In a bit of a rush, mate," he said. ISSUE #3
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MARCH 2016
“Same here.” I took off in the opposite direction and headed out the furthest door. Couldn't believe my luck, a taxi pulled into the rank as I stepped forward. I jumped in, smiling my head off as I gave the Tamil the address. As we pulled away, I quickly opened the wallet. I had removed it from his bag in the overhead locker on the plane. Bugger! Nothing of value, just one of those card holding wallet things. No money. Nothing. I quickly unzipped my bag. Oh no! My wallet wasn't there. I checked all the pouches, sweat dribbled down my face. Bloody hell. My wallet contained over six hundred bucks, credit cards and a condom. "Is there being a problem, sir?" enquired the taxi driver, smiling into the rear vision mirror. I frowned and shook my head. I couldn't talk. He needed to sharpen up because I was going to have to do a runner when we got into town.
Congratulations to Ian Laver For this story, Ian has won a $50 gift voucher from the Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant in Caloundra. Our sincere thanks to the Blue Orchid Thai for supporting writers on the Sunshine Coast. If you’d like a great night out at this top restaurant, send your story in. Details below.
STORY CONTRIBUTIONS You are invited to submit a fast fiction piece for our next issue. Please send your story to fastfiction@tamarindbookclub.com Details: Maximum story length: 800 words Submissions close: 15th March 2016 Stories need to be in a word document to allow for minor editing and any formatting changes. Please provide a phone number too. Preference will be given to Sunshine Coast writers.
Be Part of the Magic, Write Over 4,000 people are moving to the coast this year (Sunshine Coast Regional Council Fact Sheet)
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Continued on page 3...
ISSUE #3
www.tamarindbookclub.com
MARCH 2016
All Your Tamarind Book Club News
New Book Club On Tuesday 15th March our 9th book group will
Coffee and Catch-up for Book Clubbers
begin. This is a men and women’s group, so guys, don’t
On Monday 21st March book clubbers and guests are
be shy.
invited to morning tea at the Caloundra Powerboat
Again, there is no set book to read. Just come along
Club.
and enjoy a chat about what everyone’s reading. Get
Come and meet some readers from other groups and
some recommendations too.
have a chat. We’ll be on the smaller deck from
TIME: 10.30am
10.15am onwards.
LOCATION: Caloundra Powerboat Club,
There’s no prepayment for this event but to help with
2 Lamerough Parade, Golden Beach
booking tables, please RSVP on 0404 266 665 or at
RSVP to Mary on 0404 266 665
mary@tamarindbookclub.com.
Visit www.tamarindbookclub.com for more news.
RSVPs close on Wednesday 16th March
An Inspirational Journey …
Finding His Voice Peter Rowe was unable to communicate with others until he discovered Facilitated Communication at the age of 30. Now, he’s a published children’s author and an artist. “An Evening with Peter Rowe” Come and meet Peter on World Down Syndrome Day, 21st March 2016. Hear about his children’s books that share universal messages of compassion and respect. Let’s celebrate this extraordinary young man’s achievements. Location: Books of Buderim 82 Burnett Street, Buderim Time: 5pm RSVP by calling the book shop on 5445 1625 or joining the event on Peter Rowe’s Facebook page. ISSUE #3
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MARCH 2016
A Man Called Ove
Book Reviews
by Fredrick Backman A thoroughly enjoyable
A Paris Apartment
book. I wasn’t convinced at
by Michelle Gable
the start though. Ove is trying to buy an i-
April Vogt, an auctioneer,
pad that he calls an o-pad. I
has the perfect New York
thought here’s another joke
life: married to a hedge fund
about older people not under-
manager, she attends elegant
standing technology. Ho-hum.
events and runs a successful
But it quickly turns into a
auction business.
portrait of a 59 year old man who has lost his wife and his
When April takes a
job, the two things he loves and that give him his identity
Paris assignment to value the
and purpose. What’s left for Ove?
furniture in an abadoned Right
Well, his life gets taken over by his kindly incompetent
Bank apartment, she is overwhelmed to find untouched Louis XVI and Louis-Philip antiques, an undiscovered Boldini portrait and an amazing collection of antiquities!
neighbours and the absurdity starts. A great read. This is a book to lift your spirits. Reviewed by Mary Barber The 1st Thursday Book Club
Once April finds the tenant’s journals she instantly becomes obsessed with this woman’s amazing private life as a demimondaine, a fascinating woman who trifled with
Book Reviews
men’s affections for financial gain as well as social status.
If you’d like to contribute a book review, go ahead.
Author Michelle Gable builds her tale from the actual
Here’s the guidelines:
story of Marthe de Florian, a Parisian socialite who lived in
No spoilers
a world of parties, fine gowns and multiple love affairs. Her lovers included Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau and painter Giovanni Boldini. You will enjoy travelling back to a period of French his-
Word length: words can be short or long Number of words: between 100 to 200 words
decadence and an obsession with beauty. You may find you
Due: By the 15th of the month for consideration for the next issue
prefer it to April’s modern workaholic, time and relationship
THANK YOU
tory, known as La Belle Époque, a time characterised by
-poor, life. Reviewed by Karan Gerard, The 4th Tuesday Book Club
Authors, Are you struggling to get publicity? Not sure where to start? It’s Time to Take Action
Book Your Free No-Stings Attached Consultation Offer expires 20th March 2016 Contact Mary Barber, journalist at
mary@tamarindbookclub.com Or call 0404 266 665 Portrait of Marthe de Florian by her lover, the renowned portraitist Giovani Boldini
ISSUE #3
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MARCH 2016