One of the gifts at my birth, in 1943, was a children's book, rather like the Readers Digest Condensed books, with poems, excerpts from famous (children's ) stories, etc., in it. The second book, given to me, when I was still very, very young was 'Alleen op de Wereld', the Dutch translation of 'Sans Famille', by Hector Malot. My mother read that to me from when I was very, very young, quite a few times, at first leaving out the very saddest bits.
I live in Sydney but, in June, 2005, my daughter and I were able to purchase a second-hand copy of 'Sans Famille', from a bookseller, beside the Seine, along with the follow-up book.

I was flattered to be in: "Gelukkig met Vrienden", written by Janke Greving. I loved "The Undutchables", by Colin White and Laurie Boucke and recently enjoyed reading: "Only in Holland Only the Dutch", by Marc Resch. Am currently reading: "The Painter", by Will Davenport (about Rembrandt van Rijn).

Was pleased to discover that a lady, whom I had known in the late 50s, Marele Day, published a series of crime novels, featuring Claudia Valentine, which I enjoyed reading, as they were mainly set in Sydney and it was very pleasant, following the characters through familiar streets and locations. Her "Lambs of God", I found harder to read. ("Lammeren Gods", in Dutch) but I enjoyed, 'Mrs Cook'.

Continuing interest: "Where Waters Meet", by Dirk and Marijke Eysbertse. Subject: The Bonegilla Migrant Reception Centre, where many Dutch people, like my parents, myself and the other family with whom we migrated, had our first taste and impressions of life in Australia. (Email me.) (And where the "Echoes from the Past" exhibition will go to next.

While it would be fun for me to see how my books travel through the world, from where I live, Revesby, it WAS more logical to give them and other books 'wings' from the shelf, outside the DACC door, in Smithfield, Sydney.

The OBCZ concept was not always understood, by others involved with the DACC. ( Unfortunately, someone kept putting a jar put out to collect money ~ for these "free books".)

Shall try to think of a more suitable location.


OBCZ (Official BookCrossing Zone).