https://thingsiblog.com/Thoughts, reviews, reflections and journal entries by William Dirk Mayberry.enhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2025-01-08-082-the-5-lesson-that-never-left-me.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2025-01-08-082-the-5-lesson-that-never-left-me.html2025-01-08T00:00:00ZIn this post, I reflect on my working life and my time now in retirement. I explore the benefits of working hard and trying to get ahead, to finally being ahead, and what that feels like. It’s the final call, but hopefully not the final curhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2025-01-01-081-the-book-haters-book-club-by-gretchen-anthony.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2025-01-01-081-the-book-haters-book-club-by-gretchen-anthony.html2025-01-01T00:00:00ZGretchen Anthony’s The Book Haters’ Book Club is a delightful and heartwarming novel that celebrates the magic of books and the enduring power of family. This debut novel introduces readers to a world filled with quirky characters, unexpecthttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-12-25-080-the-humans-by-matt-haig.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-12-25-080-the-humans-by-matt-haig.html2024-12-25T00:00:00ZThe Humans by Matt Haig is quite an adventure! The story follows an alien who assumes the identity of Professor Andrew Martin, a human mathematician, with the mission to conceal a groundbreaking math discovery from humanity, fearing it mighhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-12-18-079-you-re-dying-slowly-at-your-desk-and-calling-it-success.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-12-18-079-you-re-dying-slowly-at-your-desk-and-calling-it-success.html2024-12-18T00:00:00ZAfter many years and, in some ways, almost as many jobs, I have retired. It wasn’t something that was overly planned or thought out too much. I always thought if I lived long enough, I would one day retire, but then suddenly, here we are. Thttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-12-11-078-the-orphans-by-fiona-mcintosh.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-12-11-078-the-orphans-by-fiona-mcintosh.html2024-12-11T00:00:00ZThe Orphans is written by the accomplished Australian author Fiona McIntosh. The story genre would be historical fiction and the theme might be classed as a mystery drama with resilience, the pursuit of justice, family dynamics, and the fighttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-12-04-077-why-has-nothing-changed-russians-by-sting.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-12-04-077-why-has-nothing-changed-russians-by-sting.html2024-12-04T00:00:00ZThis blog is not political, nor does it attempt to push an agenda. Like all posts in my “Things I Blog” series, it reflects my observations and opinions, this time, linking the relevance of historical events to a song written by an artist ihttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-11-27-076-suddenly-single-and-sixty-by-jo-peck.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-11-27-076-suddenly-single-and-sixty-by-jo-peck.html2024-11-27T00:00:00ZThe story begins with Jo and her husband of 25 years strolling through a Melbourne flea market. Jo suggests buying a new TV, a simple idea that unexpectedly triggers her husband’s angry and disproportionate reaction. Instead of a rational dhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-11-20-075-join-the-festivities-subscribe-and-download-the-coin-catcher-chronicles-for-free.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-11-20-075-join-the-festivities-subscribe-and-download-the-coin-catcher-chronicles-for-free.html2024-11-20T00:00:00ZIt’s now the festive season. Some shops are already brimming with the latest decorations, cards, and ornaments. Flashing lights adorn ceilings and window frames, as well as tall pine trees set up in homes, community areas, and malls all arohttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-11-03-074-my-java-kodak-moment-the-mystery-behind-a-38-year-old-photo.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-11-03-074-my-java-kodak-moment-the-mystery-behind-a-38-year-old-photo.html2024-11-03T00:00:00ZLooking through my previous posts, you'll see updates on my latest book releases and reviews from what I am reading. I started thinking about these posts and felt it was time to change things up a bit. Being an Australian living in Indonesihttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-10-16-073-the-coin-catcher-chronicles-by-w-d-mayberry-book-24.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-10-16-073-the-coin-catcher-chronicles-by-w-d-mayberry-book-24.html2024-10-16T00:00:00ZI am thrilled to announce the official release of my latest work, " The Coin Catcher Chronicles” which is book one in a new series called “The Chrononaut Collection” In 1986, I was wandering through the market stalls of Salamanca Place in Hhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-04-07-072-the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo-by-taylor-jenkins-reid.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-04-07-072-the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo-by-taylor-jenkins-reid.html2024-04-07T00:00:00Z"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" starts with a captivating hook: a legendary actress, cloaked in mystery and scandal, chooses an unknown journalist, Monique Grant, to tell her story. The promise of exclusive access to a life filled with https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-31-071-constable-by-the-sea-by-nicholas-rhea.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-31-071-constable-by-the-sea-by-nicholas-rhea.html2024-03-31T00:00:00ZConstable by the Sea by Nicholas Rhea offers a delightful and enchanting journey through the escapades encountered by Police Constable Nick during his respite from the everyday village patrol in the scenic coastal haven of Strensford. Amidshttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-24-070-the-book-binder-by-pip-williams.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-24-070-the-book-binder-by-pip-williams.html2024-03-24T00:00:00ZFollowing on from Pip Williams’ bestselling novel "The Dictionary of Lost Words," which I talked about in #065, The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, this book is also set in the early 1900s. The story is set in World War 1, and thihttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-17-069-the-quiet-american-by-graham-greene.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-17-069-the-quiet-american-by-graham-greene.html2024-03-17T00:00:00ZWhile I have been told I have an eclectic writing style and similar could be said for my love of music, my reading choices also fall in line with this pattern. Modern marketing would have you believe that it’s all about the latest bestsellehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-10-068-the-woman-in-me-britney-spears.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-10-068-the-woman-in-me-britney-spears.html2024-03-10T00:00:00ZA heart-warming story about a household name, Brittney Spears. From childhood entertainer, to conservatorship, to regaining her financial, physical, and mental freedom. This book was co-written by Britney Spears and journalist and author Jehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-03-067-crying-in-h-mart-by-michelle-zauner.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-03-03-067-crying-in-h-mart-by-michelle-zauner.html2024-03-03T00:00:00ZMichelle Zauner's "Crying in H Mart" isn't just a title; it's a raw, kimchi-scented serenade to grief, identity, and the enduring love between a daughter and her mother. This book is a vibrant dance between heartbreak and humour, each step https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-02-25-066-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-by-gabrielle-zevin.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-02-25-066-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-by-gabrielle-zevin.html2024-02-25T00:00:00ZGabrielle Zevin's novel throws us into the world of Sam and Sadie, two prodigies who bond over gaming after meeting in the hospital as kids. Their story spans years, weaving together creativity, friendship, and first love against the backdrhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-02-18-065-the-dictionary-of-lost-words-by-pip-williams.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-02-18-065-the-dictionary-of-lost-words-by-pip-williams.html2024-02-18T00:00:00ZIn the heart of Oxford, amidst the hallowed halls of academia, a young girl named Esme discovers a hidden world of words, a world where language is shaped by power and prejudice. As her father and a team of esteemed lexicographers meticulouhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-02-11-064-wish-you-were-here-by-jodi-picoult.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-02-11-064-wish-you-were-here-by-jodi-picoult.html2024-02-11T00:00:00ZWish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult is not just a story about getting stranded in paradise during a global pandemic. It's a poignant exploration of self-discovery, resilience, and the fundamental question: who are we when stripped bare of thhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-02-04-063-the-art-of-racing-in-the-rain-by-garth-stein.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-02-04-063-the-art-of-racing-in-the-rain-by-garth-stein.html2024-02-04T00:00:00ZGarth Stein's "The Art of Racing in the Rain" stands out for its unique narrative, as it is told from the perspective of Enzo, an exceptionally intelligent and perceptive dog. Enzo's cognitive processes closely mirror those of his owner, thhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-28-062-making-it-so-by-patrick-stewart.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-28-062-making-it-so-by-patrick-stewart.html2024-01-28T00:00:00ZIf you’re a fan of the iconic Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek the Next Generation (TNG), or the more recent Picard, then you will most definitely want to read this Autobiography by the actor who plays the character, Patrick Stewart. https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-21-061-tell-no-one-by-harlen-coben.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-21-061-tell-no-one-by-harlen-coben.html2024-01-21T00:00:00ZFinally after some years, having purchased copies of this book which were either lost in shipping, borrowed, never to return or left on a train or plane by mistake, I have at last managed to read this very well written book. It was Coben's https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-14-060-lost-in-time-by-a-g-riddle.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-14-060-lost-in-time-by-a-g-riddle.html2024-01-14T00:00:00ZBrace yourself for a mind-bending sci-fi adventure with A.G. Riddle's "Lost in Time." Imagine a high-tech future where murder seems impossible, yet Sam Anderson and his daughter find themselves falsely accused. The twist? Sam and his friendhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-07-059-lessons-in-chemistry-by-bonnie-garmus.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-07-059-lessons-in-chemistry-by-bonnie-garmus.html2024-01-07T00:00:00ZIn the heart of 1960s Southern California, amidst a society deeply entrenched in traditional gender roles, emerges a woman who defies expectations and challenges the status quo: Elizabeth Zott, the protagonist of Bonnie Garmus' captivating https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-01-058-retro-gaming-101-by-w-d-mayberry-book-23.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2024-01-01-058-retro-gaming-101-by-w-d-mayberry-book-23.html2024-01-01T00:00:00ZI am thrilled to announce the official release of my latest work, "Retro Gaming 101". An interesting book to research and write. As with anything worth doing after countless hours of keyboard activity, I am excited to share this release withttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-12-24-057-elon-musk-by-walter-isaacson.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-12-24-057-elon-musk-by-walter-isaacson.html2023-12-24T00:00:00ZIf you had no internet connection, no TV, no radio, and no access to printed media, you might not have heard about Elon Musk. So, it would be safe to assume that most of the world has heard of his name, his impact on technology, the automobhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-12-15-056-night-angels-by-weina-dai-randel.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-12-15-056-night-angels-by-weina-dai-randel.html2023-12-15T00:00:00ZIn the shadowy annals of history, there are stories that illuminate the true essence of human courage and resilience. "Night Angels," which was written by the author of "The Last Rose of Shanghai," is one such story that delves into the exthttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-11-26-055-normal-people-by-sally-rooney.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-11-26-055-normal-people-by-sally-rooney.html2023-11-26T00:00:00ZThis review is about an interesting book called Normal People by Sally Rooney. This book was superbly written book and Sally Rooney has really brought the characters to life. The story traces the intricate bond and romance between two adolehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-11-05-054-black-butterflies-by-priscilla-morris.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-11-05-054-black-butterflies-by-priscilla-morris.html2023-11-05T00:00:00ZIn the world of literary exploration, "Black Butterflies" emerges as a remarkable debut novel that artfully delves into life's complexities during the Siege of Sarajevo. This poignant narrative is skilfully woven through the perspective of https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-10-15-053-did-i-ever-tell-you-this-a-memoir-by-sam-neill.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-10-15-053-did-i-ever-tell-you-this-a-memoir-by-sam-neill.html2023-10-15T00:00:00ZI found four biographies about Sam Neill on Amazon, but I opted to wait and go for an autobiography instead. My experience reading "And Furthermore" by Dame Judi Dench put me in this mindset. She wrote her autobiography because the author ohttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-08-13-052-boy-swallows-universe-by-trent-dalton.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-08-13-052-boy-swallows-universe-by-trent-dalton.html2023-08-13T00:00:00ZIt took me a few days but this was a good read. Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton has been out for a while now and made it to my must-read list straight away. Unfortunately, there a quite a few books on that list but I managed to read ihttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-07-30-051-where-the-crawdads-sing-by-delia-owens.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-07-30-051-where-the-crawdads-sing-by-delia-owens.html2023-07-30T00:00:00ZThis book comes with a warning. If you are the type of reader whose reading paints a movie in your head while you visualise the story you’re reading, well, this book for me was exactly that. A non-stop ride I couldn’t put down and I finishehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-07-23-050-chatgpt-for-bookworms-by-maneetpaul-singh.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-07-23-050-chatgpt-for-bookworms-by-maneetpaul-singh.html2023-07-23T00:00:00ZAre you an avid reader, a dedicated eBook veteran, or someone who's just stepping into the world of reading? Regardless of your reading experience, "ChatGPT for Bookworms: How to Find New Books, Read Better, and Improve Comprehension Using https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-07-09-049-fowl-play-by-sally-coulthard.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-07-09-049-fowl-play-by-sally-coulthard.html2023-07-09T00:00:00ZAnyone who has known me for longer than ten minutes may have picked up on the fact that I have a fascination for Chickens. Ever since I was four years old, I have had pet chickens of various breeds and types from Rhoad Island Reds, Sussex, https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-06-18-048-still-life-by-sarah-winman.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-06-18-048-still-life-by-sarah-winman.html2023-06-18T00:00:00ZA story about people's lives and interactions beginning in the 1940s and World War II, I found this book difficult to read for a variety of reasons, perhaps because it wasn't the typical type of book I normally read, or perhaps because of thttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-05-01-047-the-midnight-library-by-matt-haig.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-05-01-047-the-midnight-library-by-matt-haig.html2023-05-01T00:00:00ZI have always had a dream to have my own bookshop. Nothing special but the thought of being surrounded by books, reading, and of course writing, while waiting for the next customer to make the little bell above the shop door ring, really aphttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-04-02-046-stand-up-for-yourself-set-boundaries-stop-pleasing-others-by-patrick-king.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-04-02-046-stand-up-for-yourself-set-boundaries-stop-pleasing-others-by-patrick-king.html2023-04-02T00:00:00Z"Stand Up for Yourself, Set Boundaries, & Stop Pleasing Others" by Patrick King is a practical guide for those who struggle with saying "no" and setting healthy boundaries in their personal and professional lives. King presents a step-by-sthttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-03-26-045-faith-football-family-by-bachar-houli.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-03-26-045-faith-football-family-by-bachar-houli.html2023-03-26T00:00:00ZThis book was written by Bachar Houli with the assistance of Waleed Aly. It's an incredible tale of this Australian Football League (AFL) football great and his remarkable journey, beginning when he was a small boy and continuing through hihttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-03-17-044-bag-chip-bird-complete-collection-by-w-d-mayberry-book-22.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-03-17-044-bag-chip-bird-complete-collection-by-w-d-mayberry-book-22.html2023-03-17T00:00:00ZThe Bag Chip Bird Complete Series is a collection of W. D. Mayberry's Bag Chip Bird Series books, illustrated by Geinisa P. This collection includes the following books: Book 1, Bag Chip Bird has a busy day. Book 2, Bag Chip Bird goes to thhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-03-06-043-atomic-habits-by-james-clear.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-03-06-043-atomic-habits-by-james-clear.html2023-03-06T00:00:00ZAtomic Habits by James Clear is a comprehensive and practical guide on how to form good habits and break bad ones. The book is based on the idea that small, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements in our lives over time. Clhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-28-042-bag-chip-bird-goes-to-the-zoo-by-w-d-mayberry-book-21.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-28-042-bag-chip-bird-goes-to-the-zoo-by-w-d-mayberry-book-21.html2023-02-28T00:00:00ZThe fifth book in the Bag Chip Bird series is called Bag Chip Bird goes to the zoo. In this adventure, Bag Chip and Cup Cake go to the zoo. They meet up with some of their exotic friends and make some new ones. Bag Chip Bird goes to the zoohttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-26-041-bag-chip-bird-and-the-big-bush-fire-by-william-mayberry-book-20.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-26-041-bag-chip-bird-and-the-big-bush-fire-by-william-mayberry-book-20.html2023-02-26T00:00:00ZThe fourth book in the Bag Chip Bird series is called Bag Chip Bird and the Big Bushfire. In this adventure, Bag Chip, Cherry, and Cup Cake try to get out of the city before a bush fire gets there. They find a place to stay on a nearby islahttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-22-040-how-to-read-any-substack-publication-on-your-kindle-by-w-d-mayberry-book-19.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-22-040-how-to-read-any-substack-publication-on-your-kindle-by-w-d-mayberry-book-19.html2023-02-22T00:00:00ZAs a writer, we are always researching this, and that. On one of my many research trips to YouTube, I discovered a video about how the presenter was subscribed to various Substack publications. He then went on to explain how he finds variouhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-06-039-spare-by-prince-harry.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-06-039-spare-by-prince-harry.html2023-02-06T00:00:00ZSpare by Prince Harry was one of the most anticipated releases of 2023, arriving in early January. With all of the media hype over this book and it being a sought-after read for many people, it was always going to be a best seller. The bookhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-04-038-some-poetry-from-my-navy-days-by-w-d-mayberry-book-18.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-04-038-some-poetry-from-my-navy-days-by-w-d-mayberry-book-18.html2023-02-04T00:00:00ZDuring my time in the Navy, I took to writing poetry. This book is a chronology of my travels through my poetry. I don’t include all my poetry as some are quite personal and were written more as a form of expression at the time, not for pubhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-02-037-my-notes-by-w-d-mayberry-book-17.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-02-037-my-notes-by-w-d-mayberry-book-17.html2023-02-02T00:00:00ZAs a Writer, Author, and Travel Blogger, I am always jotting down notes to later use in a book, review or process. My Notes is a book for taking notes created by me, W.D. Mayberry. It's meant to be a useful note-taking book that has all thehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-01-035-working-101-by-w-d-mayberry-book-15.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-01-035-working-101-by-w-d-mayberry-book-15.html2023-02-01T00:00:00ZAfter dedicating seven months to the endeavour, I am thrilled to announce the completion and publication of my latest book, Working 101—the twelfth addition to my comprehensive 101 Series. Geared towards school leavers, this guide is craftehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-01-036-letters-from-home-by-w-d-mayberry-book-16.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-02-01-036-letters-from-home-by-w-d-mayberry-book-16.html2023-02-01T00:00:00ZThis book is about letters from home. From my mum, Nan and Pa Romviel and Nan and Pa Mayberry. In 1985, before the internet, mobile phones and most other modern technology we use today, there was always one technology around. This was the phttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-01-30-033-dream-journal-by-w-d-mayberry-book-13.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-01-30-033-dream-journal-by-w-d-mayberry-book-13.html2023-01-30T00:00:00ZKeeping a dream journal can be an extremely beneficial tool for personal development and self-discovery. You can gain deeper insights into your unconscious mind, improve your memory, and boost your creativity by regularly recording and reflhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-01-30-034-the-ai-wars-by-w-d-mayberry-book-14.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-01-30-034-the-ai-wars-by-w-d-mayberry-book-14.html2023-01-30T00:00:00ZAs we enter the third decade of the twenty-first century, we have been, are, or will soon be exposed to a new technology known as Artificial Intelligence (AI). "You had better be ready," Captain Jack Harkness, Torchwood (2005). This book exhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-01-19-032-the-little-500-scoring-book-by-w-d-mayberry-book-12.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-01-19-032-the-little-500-scoring-book-by-w-d-mayberry-book-12.html2023-01-19T00:00:00ZOne thing that was always missing when we played the 500 care game was a proper scoring book. We always had to scratch out our scores on a notepad or something like that, which did the job but only just. One of the things with playing 500, https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-01-16-031-supercharge-your-reading-by-maneetpaul-singh.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2023-01-16-031-supercharge-your-reading-by-maneetpaul-singh.html2023-01-16T00:00:00ZDo you want to read more books while also remembering what you've read? Or do you simply want to read more efficiently? I just finished reading Maneetpaul Singh's Supercharge Your Reading: How to Use a Kindle to Read More Books and Rememberhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-12-25-030-flip-side-by-james-bailey.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-12-25-030-flip-side-by-james-bailey.html2022-12-25T00:00:00ZIf you woke up this morning, grabbed your coffee and are sitting down, going through your emails and Substack TIB posts, you may find yourself reading this very timely one. If you are about to step out into the Boxing Day sales, perhaps thihttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-11-25-029-a-tuesday-thing-by-kate-shayler.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-11-25-029-a-tuesday-thing-by-kate-shayler.html2022-11-25T00:00:00ZA sequel to The Long Way Home, a true story about a family that is broken apart by life's challenges and tragedy. In this next book, A Tuesday Thing follows after Kate is placed in a home with her brother. Now after living through her homeshttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-10-18-028-the-rosie-effect-by-graeme-simsion.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-10-18-028-the-rosie-effect-by-graeme-simsion.html2022-10-18T00:00:00ZIf you're looking for a heart-warming and hilarious read, you'll want to check out The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion. The book follows the story of Don Tillman, a man who is determined to find the perfect wife using scientific methods. Whehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-09-26-027-bag-chip-bird-goes-to-the-tip-by-w-d-mayberry-book-11.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-09-26-027-bag-chip-bird-goes-to-the-tip-by-w-d-mayberry-book-11.html2022-09-26T00:00:00ZBag Chip Bird goes to the tip is my latest eBook in the Bag Chip Bird series. With illustrations by Geinisa P. bringing the story of this cheeky little bird to life, Bag Chip Bird goes to the tip, is another story told from the bird’s persphttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-09-19-026-an-unsafe-haven-by-nada-awar-jarrar.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-09-19-026-an-unsafe-haven-by-nada-awar-jarrar.html2022-09-19T00:00:00ZThis story follows a similar theme to Nada Awar Jarrar’s previous books: the civil wars in Lebanon and surrounding states. The story follows families these wars affect, along with each character's complexities and underlying hope within thehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-08-29-025-bag-chip-bird-goes-to-the-sea-by-w-d-mayberry-book-10.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-08-29-025-bag-chip-bird-goes-to-the-sea-by-w-d-mayberry-book-10.html2022-08-29T00:00:00ZBag Chip Bird goes to the sea is my latest eBook in the Bag Chip Bird Series. With illustrations by Geinisa P. bringing the story of this cheeky little bird to life, Bag Chip Bird goes to the sea is another story told from the bird’s perspehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-08-22-024-somewhere-home-by-nada-awar-jarrar.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-08-22-024-somewhere-home-by-nada-awar-jarrar.html2022-08-22T00:00:00ZThis story was about three women over several generations. The story told of their lives and their struggles with their journeys, partners, and places they lived. It was set in Lebanon, Syria, Africa and Australia. With a predominantly relihttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-05-26-023-h-is-for-hawk-by-helen-macdonald.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-05-26-023-h-is-for-hawk-by-helen-macdonald.html2022-05-26T00:00:00ZH is for Hawk is a story about dealing with life choices and the tools we find and use along the way to help us. The author Helen MacDonald returns home one day to find out the news that her father, a man she idolises, has passed away. Theyhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-05-16-022-ebook-101-by-w-d-mayberry-book-09.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-05-16-022-ebook-101-by-w-d-mayberry-book-09.html2022-05-16T00:00:00ZeBook 101 is my latest eBook. I have written this eBook to help those starting their writing and self-publishing journey, perhaps looking to add process and order to writing and self-publishing. This eBook shows you the framework I use to ahttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-05-14-021-the-lending-library-by-eliza-fogelton.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-05-14-021-the-lending-library-by-eliza-fogelton.html2022-05-14T00:00:00ZThis book is about a young lady who dreams of a romantic happy ending and books. This is her whole life. She moves into a beautiful house as the town library closes due to renovations. She gets the idea to open up her own lending library tohttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-04-08-020-the-four-hour-work-week-by-timothy-ferriss.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2022-04-08-020-the-four-hour-work-week-by-timothy-ferriss.html2022-04-08T00:00:00ZThis eBook is about how you can reduce what you do in your working life, reduce office hours, and basically use what is out in the world to make your life more productive, less busy, and ultimately happier. In this book, Timothy Ferriss, thhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-03-03-019-the-steal-like-an-artist-audio-trilogy-by-austin-kleon.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-03-03-019-the-steal-like-an-artist-audio-trilogy-by-austin-kleon.html2021-03-03T00:00:00ZThis trilogy contains three books being, Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work and Keep Going. In the audiobook, all three books are combined into one, comprising of different chapters. The audiobook discusses being confident enough to show https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-02-17-018-and-furthermore-by-john-miller-and-judy-dench.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-02-17-018-and-furthermore-by-john-miller-and-judy-dench.html2021-02-17T00:00:00ZThis story is about Judi Dench and covers her acting life from early on in her career up to the present times. The book was published in 2010, so there has been almost a decade of her life passed, which is not covered in this book. The bookhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-02-10-017-the-business-of-being-a-writer-by-jane-friedman.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-02-10-017-the-business-of-being-a-writer-by-jane-friedman.html2021-02-10T00:00:00ZIf you are writing your first book or like me your ninth, this book is a must-read. It is like a textbook for the writer and self-publisher. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. The author Jane Friedman has published this book and if writhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-02-04-016-girl-a-by-abigail-dean.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-02-04-016-girl-a-by-abigail-dean.html2021-02-04T00:00:00ZThis story is about the daughters and sons of an incredibly controlling father and their mother. The main protagonist is called Lex, short for Alexander. The story starts off with Lex visiting a prison to collect her mother’s belongings. Ashttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-01-27-015-joe-biden-american-dreamer-by-evan-osnos.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-01-27-015-joe-biden-american-dreamer-by-evan-osnos.html2021-01-27T00:00:00ZThis book is an insight into the man that is Joe Biden. Its 2020 current, and covers his life from when and where he was born, how he grew up and became involved in politics. When I started this book, I thought it would be a melancholy jourhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-01-20-014-me-before-you-by-jojo-moyes.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-01-20-014-me-before-you-by-jojo-moyes.html2021-01-20T00:00:00ZAn amazing story of a young lady who loses her job and finds a new one, looking after a man with a disability. The story progresses through some interesting situations and climaxes in an expected but different way, as the characters become https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-01-13-013-south-by-java-head-by-alistair-maclean.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-01-13-013-south-by-java-head-by-alistair-maclean.html2021-01-13T00:00:00ZThis story is about a soldier’s journey through World War 2, and his struggles as he tries to survive all of the situations he finds himself in. I was on a family trip one day to a water park called Jamberoo. The journey from where I lived https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-01-06-012-the-girl-from-aleppo-by-christina-lamb-and-nujeen-mustafa.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2021-01-06-012-the-girl-from-aleppo-by-christina-lamb-and-nujeen-mustafa.html2021-01-06T00:00:00ZWe have all heard about the Syrian war and how masses of refugees from that war, migrated through the Mediterranean. With little belongings they left their homes and took perilous journeys in over loaded inflatable boats with two thoughts. https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-12-30-011-the-amazing-story-of-adolphus-tips-by-michael-morpurgo.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-12-30-011-the-amazing-story-of-adolphus-tips-by-michael-morpurgo.html2020-12-30T00:00:00ZThis is an absolutely beautiful story of Adolphus Tips and her owner, a little girl. The story is set in war-torn 1940s England. As the plans for the invasion of Normandy are conceived, the upheaval in villages dotted along the English coashttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-12-23-010-the-long-way-home-by-kate-shayler.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-12-23-010-the-long-way-home-by-kate-shayler.html2020-12-23T00:00:00ZI was listening to the radio on the way home from work one day and the announcer was interviewing the author. This is a very interesting but heart-wrenching story that goes from moment to moment as the author tells their journey, in a remarhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-12-15-009-a-good-land-by-nada-awar-jarrar.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-12-15-009-a-good-land-by-nada-awar-jarrar.html2020-12-15T00:00:00ZI read this eBook a while ago, but it is definitely one of those stories that creates a movie in your head and stays with you forever. Set in Beirut during the civil war, this is the story of a young lady, her family and friends, and their https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-11-30-008-the-longest-way-home-by-w-d-mayberry-book-08.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-11-30-008-the-longest-way-home-by-w-d-mayberry-book-08.html2020-11-30T00:00:00ZIn 1989 I had a road accident while I was coming home on leave to Canberra. This accident changed my life forever. It has impacted me in many ways both physically and mentally. I guess it could be called therapy to write a book about it, I https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-11-23-007-maries-cook-book-by-w-d-mayberry-book-07.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2020-11-23-007-maries-cook-book-by-w-d-mayberry-book-07.html2020-11-23T00:00:00ZThis eBook contains recipes from my nan Marie Romviel, my mum Kaye Mayberry and a couple collected over the years by their friends. I grew up eating these delicious meals, cakes, slices, conserves and exotic Indonesian foods. Marie’s Cook Bhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2019-11-18-006-short-story-collection-by-w-d-mayberry-book-06.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2019-11-18-006-short-story-collection-by-w-d-mayberry-book-06.html2019-11-18T00:00:00ZThis is a cheaper way of reading some of my eBooks. I have compiled four of my short stories into one eBook. The following eBooks are included: One of those days: My first eBook, One of those days, was written for a writing competition. Thehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2019-11-14-005-bag-chip-bird-has-a-busy-day-by-w-d-mayberry-book-05.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2019-11-14-005-bag-chip-bird-has-a-busy-day-by-w-d-mayberry-book-05.html2019-11-14T00:00:00ZOne day my daughter Emily, standing in the doorway of my writing room said, “Hey dad your stories are so serious, why don’t you write a children’s book”. This inspired me to write Bag Chip Bird. My first attempt at a children’s book. The sthttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2019-11-02-004-espresso-room-caf-by-w-d-mayberry-book-04.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2019-11-02-004-espresso-room-caf-by-w-d-mayberry-book-04.html2019-11-02T00:00:00ZOne day while I was sitting in a café in my local shopping centre, a couple walked in. I was sitting opposite them, working on another book, when I noticed what was happening. Being an avid people watcher, I love sitting back and watching lhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2016-11-21-003-broken-by-w-d-mayberry-book-03.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2016-11-21-003-broken-by-w-d-mayberry-book-03.html2016-11-21T00:00:00ZWithout giving away the plot, this story is my first attempt at a plot twist. You’ll start reading this short story and quickly take sides in this sad but everyday relationship occurrence. Once you get comfortable with the story, along comehttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2016-11-08-002-casey-by-w-d-mayberry-book-02.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2016-11-08-002-casey-by-w-d-mayberry-book-02.html2016-11-08T00:00:00ZI wrote Casey to enter another writing competition where I work. This short story follows every parent's fear of having one of your children abducted. And although this has never happened to me, the protagonist in the story and the trouble https://thingsiblog.com/posts/2016-10-28-001-one-of-those-days-by-w-d-mayberry-book-01.htmlhttps://thingsiblog.com/posts/2016-10-28-001-one-of-those-days-by-w-d-mayberry-book-01.html2016-10-28T00:00:00ZMy first eBook, One of those days, was written for a writing competition. The competition required the story to include the phrase "one of those days" in the story. I entered the competition and imagine my surprise when I won. It was a grea