Kangaroo Island's Native Plants by Ivan Holliday, Bev Overton and Dean Overton.

Kangaroo Island's Native Plants by Ivan Holliday, Bev Overton and Dean Overton. Paperback book (no publisher listed) 2003, 63 pages with colour photographs.

“Kangaroo Island is an area of Australia which still retains much of its native flora. It is a very special place for plants because of their high diversity, with many species differences from their mainland counterparts, as well as other species which are found nowhere else.  The aim of this book is to encourage both the Island’s visitors and locals alike, to appreciate but protect the beauty and diversity of this very rich flora.”

Unlike Tasmania, i've nearly visited Kangaroo Island. When I say 'nearly' I mean I once drove along a road that had a sign pointing to Kangaroo Island and at the time commented on how nice it would be to visit there. …and I still think it would be nice to visit Kangaroo Island... at some stage.

This book focuses on the flora and by my quick flick through, I can tell you there's quite a bit of it. According to the introduction, some of it is unique to the island meaning that any budding* botanist that should venture there will certainly have a unique experience. I guess to fully understand this experience one should have some sort of book... yep, this book.

Recently I sold a wonderful volume about Victorian Wildflowers to some aficionados of Wildflower spotting. I was impressed with their enthusiasm and was even more impressed that the book they were buying was a gift for a family member as their Wildflower appreciation seemed to extend to quite a few other members of their family. It was with this recent encounter/sale in mind that I decided that a book such as this whilst not specifically about wildflowers, has enough wildflower info in it to keep any person(s) interested in Wildflowers, entertained and informed. I reckon this book is sellable and therefore it is just begging to be listed on line, which it now is.

*Pun intended

Road to Rembetika: Music from a Greek sub-culture songs of love, sorrow and hashish by Gail Holst.

Road to Rembetika: Music from a Greek sub-culture songs of love, sorrow and hashish by Gail Holst. Hardcover book published by Anglo-Hellenic Publishing 1977, 176 pages with black and white photographs and one black and white map. EX LIBRARY

As some of you may have noticed, I like music... and all sorts of music. Throughout my life i've considered music to be an adventure and something that should be explored. Over the years I've found that sometimes i hear something new and then consciously make a decision not to pursue that line of sonic exploration, choosing instead to venture elsewhere within the plethora of auditory worlds. Sometimes I dabble within a genre, leave it and then return many years later to further pursue my explorations. Once such genre is Rembetika.

I don't speak Greek and I don't smoke hashish, yet Rembetika has piqued my interest over the years to the point that I own a few CD box sets and a few individual discs, all of which contain vintage recordings as apposed to newer versions... and all of which I haven't listened to in recent years. Listening to the youtube clip above has reignited my Rembetika fire and i've got a feeling that tomorrow may be Rembetika day here at Huc & Gabet... which is a great way of celebrating Australia day.

… oh yeah, the book. I haven't found many/any books specifically about Rembetika before this one, so when I saw it, I figured that there was a high probability that this book would meet my criteria as being a “book of interest”... and without question it is a book of interest, but so far i've had no takers. What's wrong with you all...

The Redgum Songbook: Stubborn Words, Flagrant Vices.

The Redgum Songbook: Stubborn Words, Flagrant Vices. Paperback book published by Tombola Publishing (no date, early 80s, pre 1983), 104 pages with black and white photographs and illustrations.

I've dabbled in music books for a few years now with varying degrees of success... Actually, I can't remember selling any of the many music books that I have thought would easily sell. Maybe people don't play music anymore or maybe there's some secret squirrel thing about music books, that i'm totally oblivious to. I still think that Leonard Cohen, Frank Sinatra and Kasey Chambers would be sellers as apposed to shelf fillers, but this doesn't seem to be the case. So why have I picked up a book containing the music and lyrics of Redgum who achieved legend status with their song:

This was a big hit here in Australia (… in case you didn't know...) and is still part of the Australian music psyche. With this in mind I didn't hesitate in picking it up and offering it for sale.

There is just one little thing about all of this. The Redgum Songbook was published before they had recorded 'the' song, therefore it does not include what is undeniably their biggest hit. I was aware of this at the time of purchase, but still think it is worth a go as people that are into Redgum and/or Australian folk music won't necessarily be focused on 'the' song. I personally remember that Redgum were around before reaching mega commercial success. I even went and saw them play at Melbourne Uni back in the days when Melbourne Uni would have great gigs every so often (...I wasn't 19). I also remember not enjoying them as much as some other bands that I had seen previously and in retrospect... it wasn't really my thing... but the concert was packed with fans who were more than happy listening to a pre 'I was only 19' Redgum. It is with this in mind that I figured that The Redgum Songbook would have an audience.  Another thing i should mention is that this book is not that common and i'd ever go so far as to describe as quite rare.  I think it's a great find and it will sit nicely on the shelf next to Kasey Chambers.

Star Wars Boxed Set: Episodes I-VI (6 Movie Novelizations).

Star Wars Boxed Set: Episodes I-VI (6 Movie Novelizations).

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Patricia C. Wrede.

Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones by Patricia C. Wrede.

Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Patricia C. Wrede.

Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope by Ryder Windham.

Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back by Ryder Windham.

Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi by Ryder Windham.

6 Paperback books published by Scholastic, various pagination with some colour photographs.

In case you live on planet Mars and haven't heard the biggest news this side of the Klingon Empire, there is a new Star Wars film currently smashing all box office records... which means it's making a shit load of money. Is there a better time than now to have a 6 volume box set of novelizations of the first films up for sale? No there isn't... at least I don't think there is. Maybe if we had a Wookiee invasion or if we found out that those fluffy teddy bear things from the third film (which ended up being the sixth film) were real, then there may also be a certain interest in 6 novelizations of these blockbuster movies... and who knows, I may even make some money on the whole Star Wars phenomenon.

I read somewhere that there are a few Star Wars titles (not movie novelizations) that have been removed from our galaxy, due to changing historical perspectives on what is really just a made up world(s), in other words, these non film stories don't stack up within a rejigged Star Wars Universe. I guess this means that these books are now rare and once the millions* of copies out there have started to disappear, then the value on the few remaining historically and narratively incorrect, books will start to be worth the big $. If only I could remember what the titles were... or if I had a real interest. Confession: I'm not a fan. Yep... not much to say there, other than... I'm not a fan.

So will there be a rush for 6 books which are retellings of the first 6 films, 3 of which are not considered to be of the best within the saga? Well, so far, NO. But i've got A New Hope that there will be a Return and Star Wars book sales will Strike Back.

*Star Wars is big.

Ame Bale: Her Art and Life by Peter Perry.

Ame Bale: Her Art and Life by Peter Perry. Hardcover book published by Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum 2011, 151 pages with colour illustrations (art works) and a few black and white photographs and illustrations.

“Alice Marian Ellen Bale (1875—1955) is one of Australia’s most significant painters of flowers. She is also known for her subtle and sensitive portraits and for her many evocative studies of interiors and landscapes. She had a strong sense of independence and a firm belief in her own considerable talent, and her life was completely devoted to art. This book, the first monograph, is a valuable new source of reference on the life and work of this noted Australian artist. It contains an authoritative chronology, exhibition list and bibliography. It traces Bale’s formative influences, including that of painter and teacher Max Meldrum, and assesses her achievements and her position in the early twentieth century Melbourne art world. This publication provides a pictorial survey of wide appeal to art admirers and collectors. Of the numerous works illustrated in colour, many have been selected from private collections and have not before been on general view.”

A “painter of flowers” is not a bad thing to be remembered as. But Ame Bale didn't just paint flowers, she painted other stuff as well, all of which is quite stunning.  For some reason it is her flowers that have stuck in the art appreciating publics appreciation... and this booksellers mind... as being something quite special... and it's not as if i'm a passionate fan of the painted flower as such, it's just that she seemed to have figured out how to paint flowers in a way that was quite simply, beautiful. I'm tempted to go out on limb here and even say that there is a peacefulness and tranquility in her paintings that grabs and entrances the viewer into a state of mind that would make the Dalai Lama blush.

This book was published by the Castlemaine Art Gallery (about an hours drive from where I now sit) to accompany an exhibition of Ames work. I didn't see the exhibition, but I now wish I had of.... although I most likely wouldn't have as the name didn't ring any bells with me previous to finding this book. Yes it's true, bookselling has broadened my horizons once again and Ame Bale is now on my horizon.

Reading through a brief biography of Ame, there are a few things that have caught my attention:

She came from a family of botanical appreciators, which more than likely infused her with an interest in flowers.

She had a house in Kew and another in Castlemaine, which is probably why the Castlemaine Art Gallery had the exhibition and published this book.

She never left Victoria, which I guess is not that unusual for someone in the era in which she lived, but is something that I find a bit strange, particularly considering her creative output. (Why this is strange, i'm not so sure about... I just think it's a little odd as most other creative types of that and other eras, tended to travel.)

I was talking to someone here in Clunes recently and they informed me of their interest in Australian female artists, particularly their interest in books about Antipodean ladies of a creative nature. I think this book might fit the criteria of this persons interest and if there's one person interested, I'm sure there are others... even people like me.

Huc & Gabet: Books of interest NOW OPEN by appointment.

There's been some changes here at Huc & Gabet: Books of interest. A few months back and after a few months before that of careful consideration, work began on the new Huc & Gabet storeroom/showroom/bookotorium*. That work is now finished. Yes, Huc & Gabet now has a physical presence, a place where one can browse and if one wanted too, even hold a book. That's right, a place where books are on the shelf awaiting the fondling bookishly inclined book buying public... and yes, we are still in Clunes.

Before anyone gets too excited... No, I haven't opened a shop and Huc & Gabet's main focus of on line sales and presence remains as it is. Over the last 12 months it had become very clear that storage had become an issue as was the desire of some of my more regular customers wishing to physically browse the Huc & Gabet on line stock. With some of that careful consideration I mentioned above, I figured that I can easily kill both birds with the one stone and here we are with a bookotorium ready for anyone wishing to have a browse.

The Huc & Gabet bookotorium is not retail as most of us know it. Among many small differences, Huc & Gabet will only be open by appointment. There are a number of reasons for this, the main reason being, time. Anyone who wants to look/browse/buy is more than welcome, they just need to contact me via phone or email, and arrange a time that is mutually appropriate for all concerned. You're probably wondering how much notice is necessary. Despair not, if you're here in town (Clunes) call me and if i'm here and available, I can open in a few minutes.

Phone: 0437 444 212

Email: hucandgabet@gmail.com

* Still looking for a title for the new premises... bookotorium will do for now.

An English Affair: Sex, Class and Power in the Age of Profumo by Richard Davenport-Hines.

An English Affair: Sex, Class and Power in the Age of Profumo by Richard Davenport-Hines. Hardcover book published by HarperPress HarperCollins 2013, 400 pages with some black and white photographs.

Published to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the Profumo scandal, An English Affair is a sharp-focused snapshot of a nation on the brink of social revolution. Britain in the early 1960s was dominated by the legacy of two world wars. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, the Edwardian stalwart, led a Conservative government dedicated to tradition, hierarchy and, above all, old- fashioned morality. But the tide was changing. A breakdown of social boundaries saw nightclub hostesses mixing with aristocrats, and middle-class professionals dabbling in criminality. Meanwhile, Cold War paranoia gripped the public imagination. The Profumo Affair was a perfect storm, and when it broke it rocked the Establishment. In An English Affair, the masterly biographer Richard Davenport-Hines introduces us to the key players and brings seedily glamorous Swinging London to life, The cast list includes familiar names such as louche society doctor Stephen Ward, good-time girls Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies, and Secretary for War John Profumo himself.

50 years!!! I guess we're all getting older, even this humble bookseller can feel the years behind him when he realises that he was alive at the time that John Profumo and his comrades were poncing around in 1960s London. Sure, I can't remember it, as I was only a babe in arms at the time, living in a completely different country and in a completely different social environment. (This means that I was a newborn, living in Australia as part of a migrant family... as apposed to living in London and moving (?) and poncing in the diplomatic circles of the time.) Nevertheless, despite my lack of years, foreign upbringing and social background, I am aware of what this book is all about. Why this is, is a little unclear to me at this point in time. But I've got a fair grasp of the story. The question is, does any one else here in Australia has a grasp and if they do, do they really care enough to buy a book about it?

I'd like to think that the answer is yes, but if you ask anyone under 30 here in Australia who Christine Keeler was, I'm fairly certain that 99% of the time you would get a complete blank as an answer. So how do we get people to pick up a book such as this. Well, the answer is very simple, put a picture of someone who looks like, or rather, dresses like, John Cleese on the cover, and then people will pick up the book. It's not John Cleese on the dust jacket, but my first thought upon seeing it was that here was a book about Mr Cleese or Monty Python. It isn't. But it did get me to pick up the book and figure out what it was and hey presto here we are in Blog land writing about a book that I don't think the kids will go for. Let's hope i'm wrong.