New member from Australia

[bohemian_girl]

Hi everyone.
This is my first time here and I'm already loving this site. I was told about it by another member here (Charlie aka coffeeaddict) I'm Katie and I'm a 21 year old female university student from Australia. I live on the north east coast which I love. I study law and when I have free time I love writing, reading, shopping, relaxing at the beach, swimming at the beach, bodyboarding, hanging out with friends and watching movies. I'm big on the classics at the moment.

I'm a big reader and I just wish I had more time to spend reading. I can usually average a book a week depending on how busy I am. I love talking about books which is the reason I joined (obviously )

I read a mixture of fiction and non fiction. I will read almost any genre but I have never really embraced fantasy. I love a good biography, fast paced thrillers, crime novels etc. Some of my favourite authors are Alice Sebold, Sylvia Plath, Henry James, John Grisham, Elizabeth Wurtzel, Jodi Picoult, Val McDermid and Upton Sinclair but I'm open to reading just about anything and I love discovering new writers.

[Ophelia]

Hello Katie, welcome to Booktalk, it's lovely to meet a new member from Australia!
Thank you, Coffeeaddict, for recommending Booktalk!

I have read two of the authors you mention: first Grisham-- Mr Grisham must have made as many millions as his executive characters made from running away with the company money, it's just amazing when you look at what other people's books, so many have read Grisham.

Then, Upton Sinclair: have you read the Jungle? I read it when I was a student, about thirty years ago, and I still remember vividly the heartbreaking story of those Lithuanian immigrants. It's supposed to be about the (lack of) health standards in the meat industry at the beginning of the twentieth century, but I remember nothing about this.
This is the power of fiction. I also read non-fiction of course, and I remember some of the facts, but great novels just stay with you forever.

[bohemian_girl]

Hi Ophelia,
I have read The Jungle. I read it about three years ago at university (I started a journalism degree before switching to law) and it has stayed with me ever since. I noticed strong socialist undertones in the story, it was difficult not to, but I agree with you. The story of the immigrants was just so heartbreaking. I remember a part of the story where it talks about the characters never seeing sunlight. They go to work before sunrise and come home late at night, only to do it all the next day. Sometimes little details like that just stick with me. It was tragic to see these characters with so much hope crushed by industrialism.

I think that Hollywood has played a big part in Grisham's success. His first novel, A Time To Kill, was almost unheard of before they made The Firm into a film. Then suddenly he gained popularity as an author and they've been turning his books into films ever since. I prefer his legal thrillers to his other work. They always suck me in.

Thank you for the warm welcome

PS- your user name reminded me that I forgot to add William Shakespeare to my favourite writers. I can't believe I forgot. I love his tragedies.

[Chris OConnor]

Hi Katie! Welcome to the community.

You really need to try reading some fantasy genre. This is absolutely my favorite type of fiction book, but I do think more guys are into fantasy than girls. The same applies to role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons or online role playing games such as World of Warcraft. I grew up on fantasy primarily as an escape mechanism. But once you dive in it truly is a wonderful genre.

I hope to see you on the forums.

[coffeeaddict]

I'm glad you joined up! This is probably like heaven to you

[bradams]

Hi Katie :) How are you?

Good to see more Australians on Booktalk, even if they are on the other side of the country. I'm somewhat of a sporadic poster and stick more to nonfiction, but you never know...

Hope you enjoy Booktalk, it's a great site.

Brad