Monthly Archives: September 2011

No 1 Ladies’ Detective

Posted on 26/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

Loved the first episode of Alexander McCall Smith’s No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series on ABCTV last night. True to the book, great casting, great cinephotography. Terrific Sunday night viewing – or reading!

Posted in Alexander McCall Smith, Crime and mystery fiction, Fiction, Philip | 2 Comments

Neat books for commuters and travellers

Posted on 26/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

Have you heard the one about the Dutch printer who had way too much bible paper? His big problem lead to a really neat idea for commuters and travellers. The thing about bible paper is that is good quality but … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, General non-fiction, handbags, Philip | Leave a comment

Beethoven’s zipper?

Posted on 23/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

Some years ago an unassuming elderly man regularly shopped at Brays for crime/mystery books. It took many months before we learnt that this ordinary man was actually someone quite extraordinary. Richard Goldner, a professional viola player, fled Nazi Germany and arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian, Biography, Miscellany, Philip | Leave a comment

Congrats to our winners

Posted on 23/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

Congratulations to the winners of our ‘tell us about a book you love’ competition! # Deanna takes out the $100 Brays Books Voucher for her rave about The Perks of Being a Wallflower.. # rebelwithoutahorse takes a $20 Brays books Voucher … Continue reading →

Posted in Philip | 3 Comments

The Cat’s Table (not James’)

Posted on 23/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

The cat’s table on board a ship is where all the ‘undesirables’ are seated – as far away from the captain as possible. This is the table where Ondaatje’s 11 year old narrator, Michael, is seated along with an eccentric … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Bronwyn, Fiction, Michael Ondaatje, music/film/theatre | Leave a comment

Sometimes it’s NOT a hard life

Posted on 23/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

 Being a bookseller presents many challenges and, happily, even more delights.I shared one of the delights with some fellow independent booksellers last weekend. There we were in beautiful sunshine enjoying an al fresco lunch with birdlife all around us in … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian, Miscellany, Philip | Leave a comment

Our Newest Member Of Staff

Posted on 20/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

All of us at Brays would like to introduce you to our newest, furriest member of staff. His name is Sir James and he can usually be found wandering through the shop just before his tea time.  He was quite … Continue reading →

Posted in James, Miscellany, Sophie | 5 Comments

Once bitten…

Posted on 19/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris Our Hachette rep, Debbie has been asking me to read one of the Sookie Stackhouse books for quite some time. But vampire-lit is not my usual reading matter so I have been resistant. At … Continue reading →

Posted in Bronwyn, Fantasy | Leave a comment

Loving Australian Writing

Posted on 12/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

                     Reflecting recently on new books I’ve really enjoyed, I realized a number of them were by Australian authors and all very “Australian” in quite different ways…. I was really moved and utterly engaged by winner of the PM’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Anne, Australian, Fiction, General non-fiction | Leave a comment

Chatting with Robbie Buck on ABC 702

Posted on 12/09/2011 by braysbooksblog

Last Tuesday night week I chatted with Robbie Buck on ABC 702. , about books of course! Robbie is great to talk with as he has a very quick mind and he reads a lot. I was reviewing three books which have been or … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Wine, Miscellany, music/film/theatre, Philip, robbie buck | 1 Comment