It’s Hanya Yanigihara’s Booker prize shortlisted book that I picked up at Andrew’s Books in Ivanhoe over the weekend after being motivated by Literacy week to buy a decent sized novel to read as it’s been a while. I had been in previously and had a look at both Pulitzer Prize winner All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr and Stella Prize winner The natural way of things by Charlotte Wood (also a fairly dark topic) but had put both books down again. I’m not expecting it to be an easy read both in terms of content and length but it’s one that’s grabbed my attention and pulled me in and reminded me a bit of Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch.
I spent Saturday night celebrating my best friend Jules’ birthday at The Cellar Door in the Town Square restaurant area at Eastland in Ringwood where we’d previously been for drinks only. It was jumping on Saturday night with all tables full as far as the eye could see although this time I didn’t venture up to the rooftop bar. The food and service are excellent – I had the barramundi but would have the hand made squid ink seafood pasta next time and I only remembered we were in a suburban shopping complex when I chose to use the centre toilets near the restaurant entrance instead of taking the stairs to the third level.
If you are a creative person, I think the Northern College of the Arts & Technology (NCAT) in Preston would well be worth visiting and a number of mature-age people I know are currently studying there (it’s never too late!). If you are a local business, there is a business tour this Wednesday if you’re interesting in partnering with NCAT and its students. There are some other events on this coming weekend (last weekend of Winter) and I’ll be back later this week.
Miss Rosanna 