Here are some pictures from Lolo’s visit last month. As you can see Peter was very happy have her here. And you can see more of Lolo’s picture’s here, here, here, and here.

Much more to come.

Also, I’m testing out a new video hosting site since Google Video seems to have been abandoned by Google in favor of YouTube. Viddler’s website is fairly easy to use and their terms of service are agreeable. If you can’t see this let me know… I’m still trying to work out the kinks.

New books in Australia are expensive. Here is my tab from a recent Amazon.com ^[1] purchase and what if would have cost locally:

I wasn’t in a hurry so needless to say I opted for the cheaper option from Amazon with a two week delivery estimate.

Our local book seller, Avenue Bookstore, has a great selection, the staff are smart and friendly, and the store itself is beautiful. It just drives me crazy that the prices are so high. But it’s not just them; they seem to be competitive with the other Melbourne bookstores I’ve visited. I don’t understand the book business at all so I can’t tell if it’s the publisher, the distributor or the retailer demanding the higher prices.

Another problem is the lack of used bookstores. I’ve browsed a few in the city but most are specialty stores focusing on a specific, non-fiction genre. I can’t find anyone with relatively recent, popular fiction. I miss Half Price Books!

1. There is no amazon.com.au!
2. All prices are in USD$.
3. These prices are from dymocks.com.au which is a bit cheaper than our local bookstore.

The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster - A recommendation from Jeff. Nathan’s first-person account of the remarkable people and bizarre events that shape his life just after his divorce, retirement, and move to Brooklyn to finish out his life in quiet solitude.

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman - After his father’s death, Fat Charlie learns he is the son of a god and has a long-lost brother.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman - Ex-con, Shadow’s journey as errand boy to the earthly version of Odin, along the way uncovering his own “old god” heritage.