I'm not going to lie, I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. The set up is relatively simple; one child is accused of bullying another at the kindergarten orientation of a beachside community public school on the Golden Coast (I think) of Australia. Lines are drawn, sides are taken and the whole thing culminates in a death 6 months later, on the night of the school fundraiser. Moriarty gets the cutthroat, teeth-gritting politics of the playground just right. She's disturbingly accurate, actually, and as someone finally (FINALLY *fistpump* Booyah!) phasing out of that stage of parenthood, I certainly found the storyline relatable. While the main characters weren't particularly unique, they were likeable and engaging. The success of the story though, really relied on the pacing and tone and Ms. Moriarty definitely pulled it off. There's a lot of skill at play here. I found myself reading compulsively as each secret was disclosed, becoming more and more invested in the outcome. And I have to say I was pretty satisfied with the ending. I hear that HBO is making it a series. I can't wait to see if it lives up to the book. :)

Closed Captions

Description of Janice's laugh

Pingu made easier to understand

A blog post that tells you to demand "quality aliens" in your fiction

The HP Lovecraft reread continues on Tor.com

Here is the first post, in case anyone's interested. I also started the Malazan reread with them. It was fun, even if I didn't see it through.

Guess the HP movie from the scenes in this Buzzfeed article

Create your own Fifty Shades of Grey scene with this fun post

My version:

“I enjoyed that,” I tell him. “I like it when you butter my bread.”

#fiverandomthings #fsog #HP #Buzzfeed #Tor.com

#Buffy #BuffyBling #Bling #Buzzfeed

*edit - note from Imagine* This is something i was never taught it school even though it is a part of my country's history. i feel like that is a crime and injustice. and hope that we can change. help me by re-posting this.

1. Highest rates of Child Suicide in the World.

Australia is home to the highest rates of Child suicide in the world. Please don’t be confused, this is not the national rate. I am talking about rates inside Aboriginal communities. 20 years ago, suicide in Aboriginal communities was unheard of, but with increased government pressure on remote communities it became more prevalent since the year 2000 and the numbers went off the charts after the governments military backed intervention (that breached human rights) started in 2007.

It was found that child suicide increased by 500% in 12 months after the intervention started. The Intervention is still happening now after the government decided it was worthwhile to extend it for 10 years.

2. Worlds lowest life expectancy rates

Life expectancy in some Australian Aboriginal communities is less than or equal to 3rd world countries in sub-Saharan west Africa (around 37-40 years).

3. Black Imprisonment rates 5-8 times higher than in South Africa during Apartheid

Incarceration rates of Black Australians are 5-9 times higher than the rate of incarceration for Blacks in South Africa during the last 10 years of Apartheid. This is the most complicated topic to explain. Of course there are some Indigenous Australians who should be locked up. However there are thousands of men and women who are in jail for breaking laws that only apply to Indigenous Australians (such as drinking laws). Many are also affected by mandatory sentencing laws which sees the power of discretion taken away from the judge and subsequently forces many first time offenders straight to jail. Other reasons include simply missing a court date due to travel requirements or ill health.

4. First attempt at Genocide

In 1911, 123 years after the British Illegal Arrival, the Indigenous population had dropped from 750,000 to just 31,000! The official explanation is “disease” but when you dig deeper you will learn of the frontier wars and massacres, many of which are documented but strangely denied and not recognized by the government to this very day.

5. Second attempt at Genocide (Breeding us out)

In 1997, the Australian Government found itself guilty of Genocide (Bringing them ome report). 
The report focused on the policy known as the stolen generation (forced removal of Aboriginal children) after the report went public, all that was offered to victims and their families was an apology with no chance for compensation of any kind and right now in 2014 the Government is taking more children from black families than ever before!

The belief was and still remains that if a child is brought up in a white family they will go on to marry a white partner and the colour of their children and grandchildren will be lost within 2 or 3 generations.

6. War & Massacres

Most Australians will tell you that Australia has never been home to any wars. That is what is taught In Australian schools, but it is simply not true. From the late 18th century until the mid 20th century many wars and massacres occurred. Some conflicts lasted no more than a week while other conflicts lasted for over 5 years. Australians are proud of their recent war history overseas and it is commemorated each year, but when we try to honor our own black warriors who died on home soil, we are stopped by a line of police EVERY YEAR!

7. Australia Day is Invasion day

Australia’s national day (Australia day) is on the anniversary date of the illegal arrival of the English settlers. When you think of what this arrival meant to Indigenous Australians you know it’s not a day to celebrate and Australia refuses to change the date while at the same time claiming to be working towards reconciliation!

8. No Democracy for Blacks

When we try to have our voices heard by the world we are continually met by walls of police who together with the nations media, systematically silence us. What is the problem with peacefully marching through a park (pictured) on Australia day to remind people of the insensitivity it promotes? In May, when Prince William and Kate came to Australia many Indigenous Australians were removed from crowds and denied the chance to communicate (with protest signs) against the illegal occupation. Don’t preach democracy if you can’t let me be Aboriginal.

9. The Final Attempt at Genocide Happening Right Now

Lets see the facts:

Excerpt from the Convention on the Prevention and 
Punishment of Genocide.
“Article II: In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

(a) Killing members of the group;

(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

© Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;

(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

The government is still guilty of Genocide under part C and E of the convention on the prevention of genocide. Dark secret 5 highlighted how the government is now stealing more aboriginal Children than ever before. Now I want to shed some light on how the government is guilty of part C.

The government can no longer chain us up or contain us in concentration camps like in years gone by. So now they are trying to destroy our communities in a variety of different ways, in the hope that we will relocate to major towns. Here are some examples in point form:

• Cutting off basic medical needs.
• Ignoring needs for basic infrastructure such as public transport.
• Labelling remote communities as pedophile breeding grounds (In the media and with suggestive warning signs at the entrance of remote communities).
• Taking away community work programs.
• Neglecting aboriginal housing programs.
• Withholding and freezing bank accounts.

All of the measures have been implemented for one main goal. The government wants to completely put an end to Indigenous Australians living on our traditional home lands.
They want us in larger towns, living, working and following their western values. Reports show that we are far more healthier and happier when we live traditionally on our home lands, however the government does not respect our desires for health and happiness as that would mean, letting us stand in the way of their quest to mine our mineral rich land that we never ever want taken away.

What the government fails to understand is that our connection to our country is real and strong. No matter how dire our communities become we will never leave, but unfortunately the younger generation is failing to cope under the current neglectful measures now in place. Even children from war torn countries have more hope for the future.

This is truly the final attempt at Genocide on my people and it can only end in two ways:

• An international intervention to stop the illegal freeloading government.
  *Allowing the illegal government to win and let our race die out completely.

10. Government censoring (My story)

Australia is a huge land and it has always been impossible to communicate and unite with all Indigenous Australians.
The world never heard our screams in the early days of invasion and up until now, most of the world is unaware of the history and plight of indigenous Australians. Many people believe that white people naturally come from Australia or they don’t even know that we (Aboriginals) still exist. But now social media has given us a way to have our voices heard. In the last 2 years many indigenous Australians have gained access to social media and I recognized that this would be a great way to bring our people together, share our stories and unite and fight against the oppressive government and restore hope for our future. Unfortunately the government also sees the potential for us to be successful in this way and 
subsequently any facebook page with lots of public support that organizes nation wide rallies and protests suddenly becomes “blocked” to all Australians without any explanation. 
Also pages that I run have continually been attacked with racist posts and pictures, while death threats have also been “In-boxed” on many occasions.

(*Edit - Another not from Imagine* while i dont 100% agree with everything that said in this article, i do know some of it is a sad fact about Australia that needs to be shared. 

Now before you believe or dis-believe anything in this article I ask that you do your own research and come to your own conclusions. as i have, though this article is a good starting point for getting the message out there.)

For the rest of this article: http://www.buzzfeed.com/pemulwuy/10-dark-secrets-australia-doesnt-want-you-to-know-pz24

1. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

This heartbreaking memoir, written by Jean-Dominique Bauby, follows the life of a narcissistic editor turned ward of the hospital after a sudden stroke leaves him paralyzed and unable to communicate. It’ll make you realize how important the people in your life are, and how precious every moment really is. Did I mention you might weep through the whole thing?

2. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Need a little more impetus in your life?

Read this philosophical novel, and Robert Pirsig will help you realize how important it is to actually care about what you’re doing. In other words, if you’re fixing a motorcycle, then really fix it. Don’t listen to music, or do something else simultaneously. Do what you need to do, and take pride in it.

3. Cat’s Cradle

Of all the Vonnegut you could possibly read, this is the one that will raise the most questions — in a great way. Jonah, our narrator, wants to write a book about the inventor of the atomic bomb, Dr. Frank Hoenikker.

This book will make you question whether or not there should be a limit to the pursuit of knowledge. And it’ll get you to think about the power of weapons, and how even the most competent people can make mistakes with them. Plus, with all of that science comes the exploration of religion, or the futility of it, really.

4. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

This book is special because it gives voice to a type of person that often isn’t written about in fiction. That narrator is a 15-year-old boy named Christopher John Francis Boone, and he’s a brilliant mathematician who also happens to suffer from a behavioral disorder. (Some say Asperger’s, others suggest autism, but author Mark Haddon is adamant that it’s not about any one specific disorder.) Either way, this will help you think about prejudices and preconceived notions.

5. One Hundred Years of Solitude

Because it’s so wonderful to get sucked into the world of Macondo, it’s easy to forget that One Hundred Years of Solitude isn’t just a masterpiece of magical realism. It’s an allegory for colonialism, the human condition, and the political strife in Latin America.

6. Invisible Monsters

Full disclosure: This book is disturbing. Like, a model gets shot in the face with a rifle and goes on a journey to find out who did it kinda disturbing. That being said, the writing and structure, much like the story, proves that nothing is ever as it seems. And ultimately, this is a lesson and exploration of what it is to really love someone.

7. White Oleander

Life will make or break you, and when Astrid’s mother is sent to prison for murdering a former lover, Astrid is put into foster care in Los Angeles. That’s enough to break anyone, but what we see is that she manages to survive, and relies on her inner strength to do that. (Inspirational much?!)

8. In Cold Blood

This nonfiction novel revolves around the murder of the Clutter family in 1959, and why the murderers, Perry and Dick, committed their crimes. Author Truman Capote leads us in without judgment, and in doing so lets us come up with our own conclusions about the penal system, justice, and the nature of violent crimes.

9. Middlesex

This stunning novel revolves around Calliope Stephanides (or Cal), and it’s a great read for anyone interested in gender and taking a closer look at how family and biology shape your identity.

10. Play It As It Lays

Play It As It Lays is a story about Maria Wyeth, a Hollywood actress who has lost control of her life and identity. It’s a tragic read that will force you into deep self-reflection, as it exposes the fact that we live in a culture where nothing is quite good enough.

11. Ada, or Ardor

Don’t get me wrong, I love Lolita — it’s an absolutely perfect novel. But Ada, or Ardoris so much more complex. Amidst the romance plot of Van Veen and his cousin Ada is a larger theme on the nature of time — and how it can change everything and nothing.

12. Beloved

This suspenseful novel follows Sethe, who was freed from slavery but never really escapes her memories. It’s an unflinching look into the horrors of slavery, but even more than that, it will fill you with hope.

13. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Junior grew up on a Spokane Indian Reservation, but he’s also a budding cartoonist who dreams of getting off the rez. This book is funny, smart, and heartbreaking, but because of all that, it will make you question the idea of destiny.

14. Push

You don’t know a thing about the power of redemption until you meet Precious Jones. This book is gut-wrenching and horrifying, but it will ultimately inspire anyone to feel like they can overcome the odds.

15. It

Granted, this is Stephen King, so it’s going to be a scary read. That being said, this story about a group of children being terrorized by some anonymous entity goes beyond surface-level horror. It opens up a dialogue about childhood trauma and the power of memory, as well as the unspoken ugliness that hides in small-town values.

16. Under the Banner of Heaven

The amazing part of Krakauer’s nonfiction novel is that while it’s incredibly comprehensive — encompassing the early foundation of the Mormon church to the present-day scandals — it’s also a complete page-turner. This book will make you question your own faith as it examines the faith of a relatively new religion.

17. Me Talk Pretty One Day

David Sedaris is hilarious, period. But in Me Talk Pretty One Day he manages to weave all of his funny and true stories with the idea that humans have a problem with communication. His strange experiences with people will make you question how you communicate on a daily basis. (And he manages to pull it off with the reader barely noticing. How’s that for improved communication skills?!)

18. World War Z

Yes, believe it or not, a book about zombies can change your life. That’s because it’s not just about eating brains, it looks at cultural divides, politics, war, and conflicts that seem petty once the fate of the world is at stake. It’s an eye-opener that just happens to also be filled with awesome zombies.

19. The Giver

This book takes us into Jonas’ world, where there is no pain and everything is controlled. Until he turns 12, which is when he learns that there is pain, and fear, and passion, and emotions that he’s never experienced before.

Ultimately, this book has the gift of reminding you that life is pain, but that is what makes life so wonderful. We make choices that may be the wrong ones, but they give our life purpose.

20. The Fault in Our Stars

Warning: This book will make you weep and weep, until there’s no more weeping left to do and all you’re left with are the characters, story, and beautiful language that will inevitably inspire you to live life and really enjoy every moment.

21. A Brief History of Time

Being that this is a book by Stephen Hawking, it isn’t the easiest in the world to read. That being said, it’s incredibly smart, and if you can manage to get past the first few chapters, you’ll start to see that the big message here is all about time, and that it has a clear direction. If anything, reading this book will make you feel a little closer to understanding the universe (i.e., it’ll make you smarter!).

22. Sophie’s World

“Who are you?” and “Where does the world come from?” are the two questions that 14-year-old Sophie Amundsen is faced with. So begins this outline of Western philosophy set in a fictional story. It’s an incredibly accessible path to thinking about philosophy, and it sheds light on the importance of certain discoveries and advances in our society.

23. Crime and Punishment

This is a heavy book, but it’s also an amazingly detailed look at the inner workings of the human mind and the repercussions of committing a crime.

24. Life of Pi

Much as the book cover suggests, there’s a tiger, and this is the story of a young boy from India who’s stranded at sea in a lifeboat with said tiger. Yikes. Some people might mistakenly think that this is about religion, but what it’s really about is just that you should believe in something — whether that be God, the world, goodness, or yourself. The end message is that life is filled with possibilities, if you let it be.

25. Invisible Man

The great thing about this book is that it seems like it’s about one unnamed protagonist dealing with race issues. But underneath all that, it’s about humankind, and how we’re all stumbling along, trying to find ourselves. This book will teach you that actions really do speak louder than words. And what’s true for you isn’t true for anyone else.

26. Joy of Cooking

Coming from someone whose finest moments happen in front of a microwave, I can say that this book is a lot different than most cookbooks. The tone is conversational, and it’s filled with recipes, tutorials, and short pieces that actually convince you to try out some new things. Everyone should read this, because it will actually make cooking fun!

27. Catch-22

First of all, Catch-22 is just plain funny, and that makes it wonderful all on its own. But it’s also a really great read, because it skillfully points out the absurdity of war.

28. The Train

This novella is brief, but t manages to encompass the terror and horror of the Nazis invading a bucolic suburb in France. Our unlikely hero is Marcel Ferón, who has an affair after the invasion leaves him separated from his pregnant wife. It explores the idea of living in the moment and will make you question whether or not disassociating from your responsibilities is ever OK.

29. The Artist’s Way

The Artist’s Way is almost more of a course book than an actual book, but if you need to unlock your creative side, then this will do exactly that. By following the book, you are choosing to turn on your creativity.

30. The Beautiful & Damned

More money, more problems. Or so it goes for the novel’s protagonist, Anthony Patch, and his wife, Gloria. This book deals with extreme wealth and the devastating effects alcoholism can have.

31. Prodigal Summer

In this book, we meet three different characters whose stories eventually intertwine. It all takes place in southern Appalachia and deals with their relationships toward the balance of nature around them. It will make you question your own relationship with evolution, and put into perspective what a small part of that we really are. The novel also explores the ideas of life and death, love, and the importance of the community around you.

32. Never Let Me Go

There’s nothing easy about reading Never Let Me Go, because it has an honesty that will make you question so many things. Like the social alienation of specific groups of people, and the painful fact that love can be lost or missed, all because of timing. It’s beautiful, haunting, and complex. Did I also mention it’s science fiction? Yeah, go read this.