[Book Review] Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer

Written by Bernadette Chandrasegaram

Jeffrey Archer’s first novel “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less” firmly established him as one of the most popular authors of the 1980s. If you missed this Jeffery Archer can be described as being a 1980s, English John Grisham.

Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less is a thriller. Its engaging premise is quickly and skillfully established in the first few chapters: the heroes four nice fellows are each swindled out every cent they have. The swindle has devastating implications for each of the characters and the reader cannot help but identify with their plight and to hope against hope that they will somehow get their money back.

Meanwhile the swindler, Harvey Metcalf, is the sort of anti-hero the reader loves to hate: unapologetically awful and confident of getting away with his never-ending litany of dirty tricks.

The four hapless heroes band together and, having nothing to loose, each hatch an outrageous strategy to swindle their money back from Harvey Metcalf. The book revolves around their trials and tribulations in executing these strategies. Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less delivers surprising and satisfying twists and turns right up until the very last sentence.

If somehow you have not read this book and you are looking for a good book for an upcoming train or plane journey, I couldn’t recommend this book highly enough.

Find the copy from Brotherhood Books HERE

[Book Review] The Don Camillo Omnibus by Giovanni Guareschi

Written by Bernadette Chandrasegaram

The Don Camillo books are a series of hilarious short stories that are equal parts heart warming and heart wrenching.


Don Camillo set in an Italy still reeling from WW2. Don Camillo is a Catholic priest in a poor, little town on the edges of the River Po. Don Camillo likes being a Catholic priest and he likes his parishioners. Don Camillo also likes pasta, gambling, poaching and boxing. Don Camillo doesn’t like anyone knowing he likes poaching, gambling and boxing. More than that, Don Camillo does not like Communism.


Enter Don Camillo’s nemesis and main contender for the Hearts and Minds of the town’s people: Peppone. Peppone is the town’s Communist mayor. Mayor Peppone likes Communism and he like the people of the town. Mayor Peppone also likes pasta, gambling, poaching and boxing.


Each Don Camillo story centres around a stouch between the two protagonists who are inevitably pitted against each other for the town’s affections due to their diametrically opposed religious and political outlooks. The magic in these stories, however, is that as they unfold it becomes apparent that underneath their differences in dogmas, Don Camillo and Peppone have a lot in common. A grudging respect – even care – that each has for the other becomes apparent to the reader.


Don Camillo is everything a good book should be: a comical and entertaining read; comfort food for the soul and; imbued with a deeper meaning. It’s deeper meaning is a message of hope that people who believe in different things can still find common ground.　

Find the copy from Brotherhood Books HERE

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Great Food for a Great Cause.

Food brings people together and encourages sharing of new experiences.  

 

 

With recipes and tips from some of Australia’s best known chefs, such as Guy Grossi, HEAT cookbook will not only help you reach your full potential in the kitchen, it will help positively shape the future of young lives.
 
Brotherhood Books proudly supports HEAT and 100% of the profit from sales goes to HEAT www.heat.org.au and Brotherhood of St Laurence to continue supporting young people succeed in life.

The way forward is good food – buy your copy now!

Progress Leader Tuesday 22/9/2009 - Booked for a good cause

IF THE dust shopping for secondhand books gets up your nose, then a new online store might be a good option. And it's all for a good cause - the Brotherhood of St Laurence this week launched an online bookstore sourcing tomes from a large stockpile that has been donated over the years

through deceased estates, bequests, stores and bins. "Sometimes people donate their whole library to us," marketing manager for social enterprises Emma Hoppe said. An online store was a way to make the books available to a wider audience, not only Victorians but book lovers across Australia and worldwide, she said. "Also there are a number of books in there which are collectors items, the sorts of things people would love, rather than just novels or cookbooks - those type of books sell better in stores - but these have the ability to appeal to a wider audience." Popular comedian Corinne Grant helped launch the new site with a grade 5/6 class from Sacred Heart Primary in Fitzroy last week, with each pupil receiving a free book and a donation of more than 100 books made to the school's library.

Brotherhood Books: go to
brotherhoodbooks.org.au

[MEDIA RELEASE] Official Brotherhood Books Launch

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 14 September 2009 For immediate release

Brotherhood Books set to launch with lots of laughs from Corinne Grant

Comedian and broadcaster, Corinne Grant has enthusiastically embraced her role as official launch personality for the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s latest social enterprise initiative, Brotherhood Books.

On Wednesday, 16 September, Corinne will join the Grade 5/6 class from Sacred Heart Primary School in the heart of multicultural Fitzroy to celebrate a wonderful new way to recycle and reuse secondhand books, while also supporting a worthy cause.

The lucky pupils will each receive a free book and a donation of more than 100 books will be given to the school’s library.
Corinne, well known for her roles as a stand up comedian, is currently narrator of a new TV show, Airways. She is best known for her long stint in ABC TV’s The Glasshouse and has also performed internationally. In addition to Rove Live, she has appeared on everything from Spicks and Specks to Dancing With The Stars to Good News Week. Her natural, down-to-earth charm and her quick wit have made her one of Australia’s best known and most warmly regarded performers. A strong supporter of the Brotherhood for many years, Corinne is currently working on writing a book of her own – about hoarding.
Brotherhood Books is an online secondhand bookstore that offers a wonderful range of unique books taken from more than 45 tonnes of donated books. There are books to suit all ages and tastes, from children’s picture books to bestsellers, and there’s a book for every avid reader. Browse online through a huge range of categories including biographies, families and relationships, gardening, health and fitness, through to the great classics of literature and the popular self-help category.
100% of the profits from Brotherhood Books will go towards supporting and funding the Brotherhood’s fight against poverty.
Sacred Heart PS was chosen as many of the children attending the school and their families are residents of the high-rise public housing in Fitzroy and beneficiaries of the numerous programs run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, including Breakfast Club and the Homework Centre. Established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1864, Sacred Heart PS plays a vital role in the Fitzroy community and brings together a diverse range of students from many cultural backgrounds.

“At Sacred Heart School we believe that reading is one of the key elements to access learning and success in later education and in everyday life,” said Principal Mary Lawrey.

“Children need access to books. They need to hold, handle and discover what is inside a book. Many of our parents can’t afford to buy books so we encourage children to borrow from school and the local library. By looking at books and reading with their children, parents are learning as well,” she said.

“But we would be lost without the support of our key agencies in Fitzroy – particularly the Brotherhood, they are essential to our existence.

“The Brotherhood helps us in many ways, such as through making funds available to support children going to camp when their parents are unable to afford the costs.

“They provide breakfast before school each day at the Breakfast Club, and through the Napier Street Resource Centre we access support for our parents and families in need.

“Plus many of the children in the school are graduates of the HIPPY preschool reading program. Our partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence is very important to us.”


ENDS


WHO: Brotherhood of St Laurence
WHAT: Official launch of new online bookstore – Brotherhood Books
WHEN: 10.15 for 10.30am on Wednesday, 16 September, 2009
WHERE: Sacred Heart Primary School, King William St, Fitzroy (see map on next page)
WHY: To assist the Brotherhood is its fight for an Australia free of poverty
PHOTO OP: Corinne Grant will engage in fun activities including cutting a book-shaped cake and also present books to pupils while Brotherhood Executive Director Tony Nicholson (Chair of the Prime Minister’s Council on Homelessness) will also be available for media interviews

Media contact: Grahame Whyte on 0410 221 574

Fed Square Book Market

We had a very successful run at the Book Market on Saturday 1st of August 09. Here are some photos taken on the day. Enjoy them!