I won something!

It's a truth universally acknowledged that the Animator is the lucky one in our household. He often wins raffles, competitions and Lotto, including a couple of decent wins over the years. Go anywhere with him where there's a chance of winning something, and he's the one who will take it out. Luck of the Irish, maybe?

I, on the hand, must have annoyed Lady Luck in a previous (or this) life. In my vast number of years on this planet, all I can recall winning is, in no particular order, a hideous knitted toilet roll doll holder thingy (I was about five so...), a subscription to a magazine and a meat pack (of no great use to a non meat muncher).

So no-one was more surprised than I when, at a Victoria University alumni book reading event with five of NZ's leading authors and poets last night, my name was drawn as the winner of the authors' latest books. Admittedly, I'm probably the least deserving of the prize, given that I already get lots of lovely free books each month thanks to my North & South Magazine reviewing gig. But I don't review any NZ books, so last night's unprecedented win was especially sweet.

I also had some other good news yesterday (can't say until its finalised), but a good day all round.

  

    

Thanks to the God Of Books for this month's booty

Which arrived in the post today.

I've already chosen the book for my August  North & South review but once that's done I'm very much looking forward to diving into this pile to choose one for the September review.

To all of you in Aotearoa, happy long weekend.

  

Confused

I am now working for so many people, I seriously worry that I will turn up at the wrong premises on the wrong day at the wrong time.

God only knows where I am going to find the time to read some of the latest batch of review books which arrived today. Sorry for the rubbish photo but there is no time to fuss over lighting or composition or even try and get my dodgy camera phone to cough up a reasonable image, All you need to know is that this pile contains the latest Isabel Allende. Win.

      

There's the next few months gone...

Another courier parcel to brighten my day...six more books to review for North & South Magazine.

The comfortable chair has been booked, the heating turned on and a pot of green tea made; let the reading commence.

    

Five more books

Getting home from work to discover that the postie has delivered five more review books: lovely.

Realising that I still haven't read - or reviewed - the last lot: less than lovely.

The thought that one day I could give up everything and lounge about all day reading, making notes and scribbling book reviews: priceless.

Alas, as that day still seems some way off, I will have to tuck these books into an already hopelessly over-packed schedule.

Still, free books make the corners of my mouth turn up like nothing else.

      

Another two books

These were waiting for me when I got home tonight - yet another two books to review! I'm not sure how quickly the books editor thinks I read, but I need to pull finger...

We are off having adventures this weekend - and sneaking in an interview for a magazine - so catch you on the other side.