Besides from being a massive Harry Potter fan, I'm not much of a reader. So instead of just leaving five Harry Potter books somewhere, I've again taken some liberty with this adventure.
Book 1 - A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara
I love that through these adventures, I'm now a member of 'Jill's Book Club' with Anna, Tessa, Sam and Jill's Aunty Kaye. Although we've only read two books so far, I love how it is encouraging me to read more. This was the first book we read which was recommended to Tessa from Jill.
This book certainly was a ride, that's for sure 😅 You can check out my review here if you're curious: https://cjehackney.wixsite.com/my-site-1/post/9-read-a-little-life-by-hanya-yanagihara-and-have-a-book-club-ish-discussion-about-it
While the content of this book definitely gave us much to unpack in our book club meeting, this book was far from being a favourite and quite honestly, I could not wait to relieve myself of it. So, on my recent travels to Yeppoon, I left it at one of the lookouts along the Bluff Point Walking Trail for some poor soul to find.
Book 2 - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling
As previously mentioned, I'm a massive Harry Potter fan. In fact, I have three different editions of the books. So, I had to include at least one Harry Potter book amongst the five. My favourite in the series is 'Order of the Phoenix' but it made more sense for me to leave the first one somewhere, in the hope that whoever may find it can start from the beginning and start their own collection.
Can't get much more random than leaving it underneath this art installation, along Sandfly Creek Walkway in Mackay. It's supposed to depict a mangrove pod, but if you ask me, it looks more like a giant squid. I figure kids might run underneath it and hopefully find it.
Book 3 - Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
This was the second book we read in Jill's Book Club. Since our first meeting we now have an additional member Laurie, Tessa's sister. Again, not a 'favourite' book, but it's nice passing on a book that I know Jill read and recommended. There were mixed opinions in our book club meeting on this one, with ratings ranging from 1/10 to 7/10. I rated it 6/10. I found it easy enough to read, despite not being able to relate to any of the characters and despite being disappointed with the lack of resolution with all three of the women's stories. But I guess not all stories get resolved when it comes to real life and perhaps that was the point the author was trying to make. While we haven't been impressed thus far with two of Jill's recommendations (and having a bit of laugh about that at her expense), one thing is for certain, Jill's legacy still lives on with encouraging us all to read books we might not have otherwise read and bringing people together.
I left this one at the beautiful water tower at Slade Point. I took Jill here on her last visit to Mackay. If you zoom in and look at the photo of her below, there is a small grate behind her head which is where I placed the book.
Book 4 - The Blue Day Book by Bradley Trevor Grieve
I've always loved this book. It is full of amusing and poignant animal photos with inspirational text, designed to lift the spirits of anyone who's got the blues.
I purchased it second hand from this website I found of an organisation whose mission is to end poverty in Australia. I think this is a such a great idea and one I feel Jill would have appreciated.
I left this book in the 'W' of the YUWI sign along the Pioneer River Promenade. The word 'Yuwi' is the name of the indigenous people who inhabited the Mackay region from St Helen's Beach in the north to Cape Palmerston in the south before European settlement. This piece of art is also along the Bluewater Trail which seemed appropriate with the book's title.
Book 5 - The Magpie's Sister by Kerri Turner
So, the author of this book is none other than my lovely cousin Kerri, who also happened to be an old high school friend of Jill's. Kerri is a very talented author, and this is her recent release. I actually have not yet had the chance to read my copy yet but looking forward to reading it soon. Given Kerri's connection to Jill, I wanted to do something special for this one, so I asked Kerri to sign/write a little note in this one for me and she was only too happy to oblige.
I left this book underneath this Elton John artwork at Fourth Lane here in Mackay. This artwork was done when Elton John came to Mackay. Jill and I attended his concert together, another great memory. I know Kerri also loves Elton John (who doesn't?) so, I think she would appreciate where I left it too. This art always attracts people walking by so I'm sure some lucky stranger will find it soon.
Bonus Book - The Magnificent Nose and Other Marvels by Anna Fienberg
So, I had a bit of a blonde moment. I added Three Women after our book club meeting thinking I needed a fifth book, but somehow ended up with six books. This is the book I had left over, a favourite of mine from my childhood. I bought it second hand. But rather than leaving a sixth book somewhere I instead thought I would send it either to Anna or Tessa for their kids. I messaged the ladies to see who came up with the idea for this adventure as that was how I was going to decide who to send it to. Anna couldn't remember who came up with it but suggested to send it to Tessa for her to read to her kids in her cute accent. Tessa then informed me that it was actually her husband Jack's idea, so the book is going to the right home.
The book tells five stories about children with unusual gifts and a magical spider named Aristan that interconnects the stories together. I just have always loved this book and think it's cute. It may be a little wordy yet for Tessa's young children, but I hope someday they come to love it too.
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