Tamarind Book Club Newsletter ISSUE #5
for the love of books
MAY 2016
Bricks, Bach and Arpeggios By Noel Thomas He held a wood chisel in his right hand and a claw hammer in his left as he stood on the footpath admiring his handiwork. Through his ten year old eyes, the result was pretty impressive and he was quietly pleased with himself. It certainly impressed Mrs Bradley, his chronically disagreeable neighbour, who having watched him through her curtained window artistically modifying the top of her brick gate post, suddenly threw open her front door and ran toward him brandishing a long handled millet broom. “Jimmy Morgan!” she screamed while swinging the broom in the general direction of his head, “just wait till your father gets home. You little vandal!” He ducked, ran down the footpath, through his gate, across the lawn and disappeared under the honeysuckle vine at the side of his house. After a few minutes he emerged and casually walked to the tool shed, placed the hammer and chisel on the bench, then closed the door and went into the house as though nothing had happened. He was playing the piano when his father returned from work. It would have been a pleasant surprise for his father, rekindling his hopes that his son wasn't a lost cause as a music student after all. He had serious ambitions for Jimmy. “Good,” he said with reserved approval as he entered the lounge room, “but you should be playing classical works, not that popular nonsense - that’s not music.” Jimmy didn’t understand. He enjoyed playing ‘popular nonsense’, as best as he was able. It was bright and happy, but why it wasn’t music was never explained to him. Inevitably, despite his protests his father removed the ‘popular nonsense’ music from the piano and replaced it with Bach’s Minuet in G, then closed the curtains so he wouldn’t be distracted by the kids playing outside. “How long have you been practising?” “Nearly half an hour.” Not remotely true, but worth a try, Jimmy thought. “Half an hour, that’s impressive for you, better make the best of it then,” his father insisted while setting the alarm clock to ring in another half an hour and returning it to its usual place on the top of the piano. “You know the drill. After Bach, scales and arpeggios, played slowly, evenly,” he insisted as he left the room and closed the door behind him. It wasn’t long before there were raised voices at the front door. “What! He wouldn’t do that!” Jimmy heard his father exclaim. “Smash your brick wall into little pieces. It was all there when I walked past five minutes ago.” Then he heard the ominous sound of footsteps coming down the hallway. The lounge door opened and Jimmy’s fumbling attempt at the Bach minuet stopped instantly. “Jimmy, Mrs Bradley says you were damaging her brick wall with my hammer and chisel. Were you?” “No,” he replied. Anyway, he would argue he was creating something, not damaging something. “You were, you little liar. I saw you with my own eyes. Where did you put the tools I saw you with?” Mrs Bradley weighed in from somewhere in the shadows behind his father. “Never had the tools. I’ve been here practising like my father said I should.” “No you weren’t. You were smashing my front gate post only ten minutes ago, you destructive little brat.” “Easy, Mrs Bradley. He was practicing when I got home.” Mrs Bradley let out an exasperated groan and stormed out the front door muttering something about vandals, irresponsible parents, police and the child welfare department. Continued on page 2..
ISSUE #5
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MAY 2016
His father closed the lounge room door and Jimmy returned to the Bach minuet, relieved he might just have gotten away with it. But within minutes, the door reopened and his father stood there holding a very damaged wood chisel. “Chisel’s in a bad way. Must have been used on something pretty hard, wouldn’t you say?” “Yes.” “Only sharpened it yesterday. Wasn’t where I left it either.” “Oh.” His father began undoing his belt. “You can practice for another hour,” he said, “then an hour before breakfast and an hour after tea every day for the next two weeks. Or, you can have the buckle end of my belt around your backside right now. Which?” “Practice.” His father closed the door, as he did every day thereafter, before breakfast and after tea. He closed the curtains too. Always, it was a very long time before the alarm clock went off. Kids played outside. Jimmy played Bach, scales and arpeggios, Brahms, scales and arpeggios. Kids played outside, Jimmy played Mozart … scales …. arpeggios …… Bach …….. scales ………… arpeggios ……….. until one day, he just couldn't do it anymore and his exasperated music teacher told him: “Go home lad, you’re wasting my time and your father’s money.”
Congratulations to Noel Thomas for having his story selected for this month’s newsletter. Noel receives a $50 gift voucher from The Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant in Caloundra. This superb local restaurant will be offering more vouchers in June and July. So why not send your story in now? See the details below...
Be Part of the Magic, Write 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 May 2016 Stories need to be in a word document to allow for minor editing and any formatting changes. Preference will be given to Sunshine Coast writers.
Are You Dying to Tell People about an Amazing Book You Just Read? Then pop over to the Tamarind Book Club Facebook Page and have a chat Find out what others are reading Get the latest news on new books and events too. See you there... ISSUE #5
www.tamarindbookclub.com
MAY 2016
All Your Book Club News
Attention: Local Book Lovers Have you ever thought about joining a book club? It can be scary. Stepping out, meeting new people, wondering if you’re smart enough. And how do you know you’ll like it?
Are your book shelves crammed with
Well, here’s your chance to find out…
books you’ll never read again? Is it time to let them go? Well, this may help…
Right now there are 3 vacancies in Leon’s Home-Based Book Club in Caloundra And you are invited to drop in to see if it’s your cup of tea
On Tuesday 7th June we are holding our first Book Swap Morning Tea. Simply clear one or two books off your shelves, come along and swap them for something new. Please bring along quality books that you think others would enjoy. This is a public event, so you can invite your friends along. No payment is required, just buy your own morning tea. Please RSVP to give help me with planning the morning. DATE: Tuesday 7th June
These are the details.. WHEN: Held on the 3rd Thursday of each month NEXT MEETING: Thursday 19th May TIME: From 2.30pm until around 4.30pm THE BOOKS: A selection of novels from the Caloundra Library HOSTING: There is no obligation to host, just bring a small plate to share over a cuppa. This is what one newcomer said…
TIME: 10.30am –11.30am
“When I was invited to attend this book club, I snapped it up! This was
LOCATION: Caloundra Powerboat Club,
an opportunity for me to read books that otherwise I may not have looked at. I was also able to meet some interesting people and make friends. I have found the book club great. I get to go out and have afternoon tea!” Veronica
2 Lamerough Parade, Golden Beach RSVP to Mary on 0404 266 665 or mary@tamarindbookclub.com See You There
Interested? Then call Leon on 5491 5261 and arrange to visit their next meeting Remember, there are only 3 spots available so phone now
“I’d Love to Write but I Simply Can’t Find the Time…” Do you promise yourself that one day soon, you’ll make a start? The truth is it’s hard to begin writing on your own Life gets in the way Well, Here’s the Good News … The Social Creative Writing Course at Buderim can help Come along and discover your creativity Be part of a small friendly writing group that meets weekly for just 1 hour Enjoy the support and motivation of your peers Benefit from the wise words of Linda Henderson, your expert writing coach Find laughter, fun and friendships NEXT COURSE: A new 10 week program begins in early May For dates and times, contact Linda on 0411 740 272 Places are limited to 6 people so you’ll get plenty of personal attention and support “The course gives people confidence and skills to write regularly . Once they’ve started, they get more motivated. Then it’s easier to write at home too.” Linda Henderson, Writing Coach ISSUE #5
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“I didn’t know that I could enjoy myself so much while discovering my inner passion for words.” JC SPECIAL OFFER Mention this ad and the first 2 sessions of your 10 week program are FREE To book your place ... Call Linda on 0411 740 272 Visit Facebook, Autumn Leaves Writing Groups and Books or Drop into Autumn Leaves Books, Shop 1, Avocado Place, 65 Burnett St, Buderim MAY 2016
We Need to Talk about Kevin
Book Reviews
by Lionel Shriver This was a chilling read.
Sir Henry Parkes - The Australian Colossus
Lionel Shriver is a gifted
By Stephen Dando-Collins
writer, if at times ponder-
This is a gripping tale
ous. She paints a vivid por-
about early Australia and
trait of an American family. Eva is a successful career
Parkes’ contribution to pub-
woman who has built
lic life in New South Wales.
her own travel book compa-
Born in Birmingham, he and his young wife Clarinda
ny. Her husband, whose
emigrated here to escape
name is easy to forget, as
poverty and build a better
he's not a strong character, is a location spotter for
life.
photo shoots.
Parkes’ energy was enormous. He started The Em-
After many happy years of marriage, they consider
pire, a Sydney newspaper where he could expound his
the 'Do we have children'? question. Then along
liberal views. He had a good friend in John Fairfax, the
comes Kevin. Mother and child do not bond. Resent-
proprietor of the Sydney Morning Herald, despite their
ment builds. Eva can see meanness and cunning in her
contrary political views and editorial differences.
child that her rosy-eyed husband cannot see. He wants
Parkes was anti-transportation, in favour of women’s
the all-American father-son relationship, going to ball
suffrage, a social advocate for better prisons and men-
games, tossing a Frisbee in the backyard. And Kevin
tal health facilities, and the first champion of a united
plays along, to an extent. From the start of the book we know that Kevin has
Australia. He did his most impressive work when Premier of NSW, a position he held on numerous occasions. In short, this book gives a fascinating insight into Australia’s colonial past and how a boy from Birming-
committed a mass murder at his school. It's a credit to Shriver that even though we know the ending, we are drawn into the story. I found this novel disturbing. It raises so many
ham helped to shape our nation.
questions about teenagers' disengagement and the
Reviewed by Mary Barber The 1st Thursday Book Club
lure of violence. It's a worthy book for reading and an
excellent one for discussion. Reviewed by Mary Barber
Authors,
The 1st Thursday Book Club
Are you struggling to get publicity?
Book Reviews Invited
Not sure where to start? It’s Time to Take Action
If you’d like to contribute a book review Book Your Free No-Strings Attached Consultation
here’s the guidelines:
Offer expires 15th May 2016
No spoilers
Contact Mary Barber, journalist at
Word length: words can be short or long
mary@tamarindbookclub.com
Number of words: between 100 to 200 words
Or call 0404 266 665
Due: By the 15th of the month for consideration for the next issue
Building Book Sales With You Media Releases, Publicity, Launches and Events ISSUE #5
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THANK YOU MAY 2016