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Farewell to Ruth Rendell

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RuthRendellRuth Rendell, best selling author of the Chief Inspector Wexford police mysteries and other crime fiction books, has died at the age of 85 on Saturday 2 May 2015. Many of her crime fiction explored deeply the psychological background of criminals and their victims, many of them mentally afflicted or otherwise socially isolated.

Ruth Rendell wrote 24 Chief Inspector Wexford mysteries, 28 stand alone novels, numerous short stories and 3 novellas. Her last book, Dark Corners, is due to be published October 2015. She also wrote psychological thrillers under the pseudonym Barbara Vine. The library has many of her titles including some TV adaptations. click here to take a look.

Information and image courtesy of Wikipedia

Parra Reads Recipes – April 2015

Aside

parra reads recipes logo new2The theme for April was ‘Easter Eats’ and the club members had a great time looking at some of the wonderful Easter food traditions from different cultures, fish seemed to be a common theme.
The recipes shared at this meeting could be adapted to be used to celebrate the Easter (or any other) occasion. Every Occasion Ice Cream Cake and Sweet and Sour Sauce were the recipes shared for this month. Don’t forget – next months theme is ‘Creative Cakes’ and the meeting will be on Thursday 14 May at 2.30pm at Parramatta Library.

every occasion ice cream cake2Chinese sweet and sour sauce

Time and Time Again

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9780593073575Time and Time Again
Ben Elton

Abstract
It’s the 1st of June 1914 and Hugh Stanton, ex-soldier and celebrated adventurer is quite literally the loneliest man on earth. No one he has ever known or loved has been born yet. Perhaps now they never will be.
Stanton knows that a great and terrible war is coming. A collective suicidal madness that will destroy European civilization and bring misery to millions in the century to come. He knows this because, for him, that century is already history.
Somehow he must change that history. He must prevent the war. A war that will begin with a single bullet. But can a single bullet truly corrupt an entire century? And, if so, could another single bullet save it? Continue reading →

Mrs Queen takes the train

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Mrs Queen takes the trainMrs Queen takes the train
William M. Kuhn

Abstract
A charming, whimsical story of what happens when a long-serving and long-suffering monarch decides to go AWOL. A richly witty, warm and wonderful novel of responsibilities, escape and friendship.

Comments
Not a working mother’s book. Suitable for older democratic and monarchy fans.
Good for people who like character development over plot.
Characters were well developed but not overly likeable. Some of the English characters were hard to relate to being Australian.
Major themes were sadness, isolation, loss and not knowing how to move past it.
Overall the story was well written. Elegant phrasing and flowed easily. However, we felt that it didn’t draw us in. Complex characters let down by a lack lustre storyline.
Mixed reviews within the book club.

Rating – 5.5/10

Read by – Cultcha Club