Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit-more sparkly, more fun, more wild-the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighbourhood.

When Cricket-a gifted inventor-steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

So, about a quarter of the way through I knew how I was going to start this review.

Something along the lines of this:

Anna made her first appearance on page twenty-five.

Because, you know, that's what you have to do. Wait for Anna.

However, as I kept reading, ...

Yesterday, Marieke Hardy made a reference to the 'illusion of intimacy' in writing - making it seem that the reader really knows you.

While actually keeping a distance.

It made me think.

Some blogs I read and some books I read make me feel as if I know the writer. So well.

Which is kind of weird, as you go up to them to get them to sign your book and you're all, "I KNOW YOU. I LOVE YOU."

I think that can showcase some of the best writing if you give people the impression that they know you.

And that last sentence has nothing to do with what I'm about to say :P

I remember last weekend at A Thousand Words when I met the lovely Jess for the first time. As I was saying goodbye, I said that we (Jess + I) should go get a coffee at ...

Tonight Marieke Hardy was at Readings! Hoorah!

It was so awesome and really really worth it, despite the hilarious/awful night I had there. (More on that later.)

So, I was half an hour late. Bad traffic/work/rain/you know how it is.

But it turned out it was okay, because as I rushed in the place was PACKED, but the  couches were empty...

Which was sort of odd. So I asked the nearest woman if Marieke had come yet - and she said no.

Success! I quickly purchased a copy of Marieke's book, and then went and sat down in the front (I may have been late but I can still be a true nerd up the front!). A man from Readings came and said Marieke was running late, and everyone else just chatted.

Finally, she came in to thunderous applause.

Like last weekend, I didn't take any notes (shock!).

I was ...

I was lying in bed last night thinking about WHAT A GOOD TWELVE MONTHS IT HAS BEEN FOR ME.

In the space of not even twelve months, I've met TWO of my literary-author-hero-Gods (Michael Cunningham and Kate Morton) and clearly, the literary Gods have been shining down on me as GUESS WHO IS NEXT?!

LIANE MORIARTY!!!

I'm sure everyone is sick of me going on and on and on about Three Wishes but BOY do I love that book! (Example A, Example B, Example C.)

So I was SUPER EXCITED to find a new blog post from Liane yesterday - who only blogs about once every six months or so - and even more excited to find that she's touring. Touring! TOURING!

Yes, Liane will be at a bookstore near you very soon!

I am, of course, beside myself with excitement.

It got me thinking about literary heroes.

My problem ...

At A Thousand Words Festival on Saturday, before Sally Rippin and Sue deGennaro's session, we were chatting about everything and nothing.

Sue mentioned she'd done a school talk, and one of the kids asked her: "Are you as famous as a football player?"

Sue laughed, saying that she obviously wasn't if the kid had to ask that!

I sat there thinking about it, and said that I definitely consider Sally - and Sue! - famous, and much more famous than any footballer.

I mean, if I saw a footballer walking down a street, I'd probably think what a tall, good-looking buff guy that is (:P) but nothing else. I follow an AFL team, but can't name two players!

However, if Sally were to walk down the street - well!

Everyone laughed and it was all very jolly, but, two days later, I'm still thinking about it.

I ...