“There are only two times. Now and too late.” - Anh Do's Father

I just finished reading The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do. It was one of those books I couldn't put down.

Told through the eyes of one son, Anh Do, an Australian Comedian, it is the story of  a family of Vietnamese Boat People who fled to Australia. Related in a conversational style this book tugs at the heartstrings as it  highlights the resilience, determination and fortitude of this refugee family who embraced and developed a deep love of their new country.

I came to read this book because someone recommended (I can't remember who) it to me a few weeks ago. I found a secondhand copy in the Brotherhood Books Charity Online Bookshop and bought it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Anh's story - the experience was worth much more than the $8.47 I paid .

You should read it too.

$50 well spent

True confessions time - I have an addiction - BOOKS

Even though I am a former librarian I prefer to own books rather than borrow them. I love fetes and op shops where I sometimes pick up pre-loved  books for a song.

Today I found that an Australian charity has put their bookshop online. From their website I learnt that "Brotherhood Books is a new Social Enterprise from the Brotherhood of St Laurence and is intended to encourage the recycling of high quality books and to contribute funds to the Brotherhood’s charitable operations."

Brotherhood Books Home Page www.brotherhoodbooks.org.au

Before I blogged about this fantastic site I joined up and did a little shopping. I allowed myself a budget of $50 and, as I wasn't looking for anything in particular except books relating the Australia's history, I restricted myself to books under $10. 

For that sum I purchased eight books with no extra cost for shipping. I am now anxiously awaiting the arrival of my purchases:

Immigrants in Western Australia
Families in Colonial Australia
Ella Norman: or A Woman's Perils
A Portrait of Bathurst
In Sunshine or in Shadow
A City on a Hill
Chosen: The Jews in Australia
Old Canberra

This is a fantastic initiative from a charity. I encourage all my Aussie friends who share my passion for reading to support this venture. You can keep up with their news at Brotherhood Books on Facebook