Margaret Atwood’s flamethrower, The Body Shop in danger, and 'Force of Nature: The Dry 2'

This week’s giveaway is ‘The Dinner Party’ by Rebecca Heath.

Have you ever tried having a ‘blind date with a book’ at a bookstore or library? The idea is: a book is wrapped up so you can’t see its cover, then a series of clues are written on the outside. My local library had a display of them last week for Valentine’s Day. I was super-stoked, as I’ve never actually done it before. So, I picked one up and thought we’d play a quick guessing game. What’s this one?

To recap, the clues are:

• A brilliant female protagonist

• This mystery will keep you reading late into the night

• Made me want to pack my bags and head to Hawaii

Confession: I have no idea, so I’m quietly confident I’ve never read it before. I haven’t opened it yet. Bragging rights for anyone who guesses correctly! Let me know in the comments below if you can think of anything that fits the clues.

I nearly chose another brown paper package that sounded like my sorta jam, but realised I definitely had read it (I peeked beneath the wrapping and saw I was right). The clues were along the lines of:

• Plenty of ’80s pop culture references

• Coming-of-age story

• Sci-fi smash-hit in recent years

Can you guess what that one was?

Answers next newsletter. : )

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News

1.     Have you heard that The Body Shop has gone into administration in the UK? My former teenaged self is in turmoil. The Body Shop has been such a mainstay on the Aussie retail landscape for decades and a sentimental favourite of mine, even if I only really set foot in it these days when I need to buy a gift for someone and have vetoed other, more creative, ideas. It’s not clear exactly what impact this move will have on our Aussie stores, and it sounds like they’ll close some stores and limp along in the UK for a while, at least, depending on whether they find a buyer for the business. Best be stocking up on those mango body butters is all I’m saying.

2.     Cardio is by no means my strong suit, partly because running seems like such a lonely pursuit. I’m much better finding a form of exercise that involves music and cracking jokes with like-minded people. I don’t know about jokes and music, but running clubs at least seem to draw together like-minded people. Apparently, they’re booming. Sounds like a great way to find support and accountability, particularly if you’re just starting out. Great idea – almost makes me want to join. Almost.

3.     I’m honest-to-goodness baffled at why more bookstores don’t squeeze in a café, even if it’s just putting out a few tables and selling a few cakes by the door. In particular, ever since Dymocks moved into the glorious old Regent Cinemas building in Adelaide, I’ve noticed the front spot by the windows was vacant and looked like a prime location for slinging a few lattes and croissants. Now, my dream is only a month or so away from coming true! I’ll be eagerly scouring news alerts for any updates on this.

Reviews

1.     My skin felt nicely dewy after using the Karuna Hydrating Face Mask (available from MECCA for $12) but I didn’t care for its hazelnutty smell. It claims to increase hydration by 40% and reduce inflammation through the hyaluronic acid and peptides it contains. I appreciate its efforts, but it’s not the mask for me, as part of the experience of kicking back in the bath with a mask is inhaling a (preferably fruity or fresh) smell, and this one doesn’t provide.

2.     Came across this during the week and thought I’d share it for your viewing pleasure: Margaret Atwood taking a flamethrower to an unburnable copy of her classic (oft-banned) dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale. What a legend. In case you haven’t read or watched the story, it’s set in a near-future where women’s rights have devolved to the point where they are little more than baby-making vessels. It carries important messages about reproductive rights, particularly in an era where the US has slid backwards on the issue. Reading and discussing ideas in books is such a gift.

3.     It’s finally here! I was a bit sad (but of course understood) when Force of Nature: The Dry 2 was delayed in solidarity with the US writers’ and actors’ strikes last year. I’ve watched the first Dry movie several times – it’s a well-done screen version of Jane Harper’s book. When the sequel was announced, I wondered how the production team would translate Force of Nature to the screen – it’s got a lush setting, but the story is told in flashbacks and conversations where everyone’s keeping so much information back. The film does the job well, but I while I enjoyed it, it’s not as good as the first movie. It’s not as rewatchable, at any rate. The crux of the story is a brusque colleague who gets everyone’s backs up goes missing on a weekend corporate retreat in the Aussie rainforest. Is she still alive? Will Eric Bana reprising his role as Aaron Falk find her in time? When everyone has reason to hate her, who’s at fault? The plot was still compelling, hopefully enough to drive the making of the third and final film in the Aaron Falk series. (I’m hopeful, since the book, Exiles, is one of Jane Harper’s best.)

What I’m Feelin’ Right Now

• Cream cheese and edible flowers on toast

• A black dress over a crisp white shirt

• Pink and orange clouds

• Shopping for new servingware in earthy tones

• Dylan Sprouse throwing support behind Miley’s Grammy wins

• Trying Sri Lankan food

• Entering a fun run

• White bridesmaid dresses

• Browsing homes for sale online and imagining what I’d buy if money was no object

Giveaway

Last week’s giveaway, Come and Get It by Kiley Reid, was won by Mick Gillies. I’ve sent you an email, Mick. : )

This week, we have The Dinner Party by Rebecca Heath up for grabs. Enter your name and email address here for a chance to win.

Playlist of the Week

I tried to be good, but that didn’t work out: