NEWS ARCHIVE

31/8/2007 - Mental health is always going to be a big issue in this modern age, heaven help us there is so much going on internationally (wars etc) let alone at the family and personal level. Here are some books that can help cope.

In this nifty little book the author manages to summarise the issue for depression in words and cartoons - a good book for blokes I Had a Black Dog

This book has simple effective techniques for overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptons - and people shouldn't be made to feel embarrassed if something really gets to them, OK! The PTSD Workbook

This book is a guide for living with depression and manic depression - and more and more people are learning how to accept their condition and deal with it The Depression Workbook

31/8/2007 - just in

The Writers of the Australian National University (ANU) have the latest issue of their latest writings. See what techniques are developing, and which ones are staying the same, in the world of literature in Block Issue #4

Next is the UNCUT story of Kerry Packer - what a fascinating and interesting man, this is revised and updated version Rise and Rise of Kerry Packer

Now in paper back - the story of a man who controls the thoughts of 14% of the listening audience in Sydney and he scares the crap out of nearly ALL politicians. Only $26.95 JONESTOWN

Now for something completely different. A book about a love affair between Frank LLoyd Wright (yes the one of building design fame)and Mamah Cheney, Loving Frank

18/8/2007 - Australia's Forgotten Frontier. - Australian Launch at 12.30pm on Friday 24 August here at Smiths.

Annette Ellis, the fabulous Federal Member for the seat of Canberra, will launch this biography of local author Chris Viner-Smith. The book is a mix of ripping yarns and chronicles of a part of our history that seems to be overpassed but is still having important effects upon our international relationships. Chris Viner-Smith recounts his exploits and deeds in PNG when he was young and ready for adventure. He was just 19 when he became a policeman in PNG and he grew up quick and fast. He recounts a whole range of adventures across PNG which are interesting enough but this book is also an important history of a time when Australia, PNG and were Indonesia in eachother's way. A great read with some hair raising stories about sharks, crocs and tropical storms, including Chris waking up one night to find his tent covered in thousands of giant hairy spiders - AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH.

16/8/2007 - ABC Stateline (Canberra) recently did a report into the state of the Canberra Business environment in our part of town.

We've uploaded, onto Youtube, a copy of Stateline's great report which highlights the new malls impact on Canberra. We think DOWN WITH MALLS!! (Well down with too many malls and malls that are too big!) Don't you think that eventually where ever you go in the world, the shopping will be exactly the same as where you just came from? Even now all malls are pretty much the same as eachother. So you don't have to catch a train or plane or bus to leave Canberra - just enter any of the large malls and then you could be in any western city in the world - cheap travel but, sadly, no thrills and no difference.

10/8/2007 - Hollow Men. - Australian Launch at 6pm on Friday 17 August here at Smiths.

Editor at large for the Canberra Times, Jack Waterford will pass opinion on this angst creating expose into modern politics. The book paints an unprecedented picture of the internal workings of a political party in New Zealand and a disturbing, but riveting study into the nature of modern politics. Should Australia, and the Liberal Party, be proud of the way the last few elections have been won? Or is the 'win at all costs - even if it is at the expense of truth and understanding" the right way for a political party to think and act? WELL IS IT!!! We think no but some think yes and many think who cares. If you care get the book and come to the launch.

5/8/2007 - People in Glass Houses

The inside story of Hillsong; a religious corporation that has earned millions of tax-free dollars. Is this something to be scared of? This book will help show just how much influence the company has.
People in Glass Houses.

28/7/2007 - just in

Like your wine? Like to know what is good and going to be good? Like to know where to get it? Try this - James Halliday's Wine Companion 2008

Next is the winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award (therefore it must be good)- Carpentaria

A great book for boys that has stuff about everything including poems that every boy should know (Ozymandias being one of them!) DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS Australian Edition


18/7/2007 - Book Launch You are invited to the launch of Harry Saddler's first novel, Small Moments. The book will be launched by Canberra novelist and essayist Dorothy Johnston. The launch will be at here at Smiths Alternative Bookshop, 76 Alinga St, Civic at 6pm sharp, on Thursday 26th July 2007. Wine and tucker provided but please arrive between 5.30 - 6pm or you might miss out!

14/7/2007 - Travel ideas

Thinking of travelling? What about a trip down the Kokoda Track? Or some International Voluntary Work? And if you are travelling in Oceania and Japan you might want to know about social and cultural taboos and etiquette mightn't you?
Either way enjoy your travel and be good to the locals.

8/7/2007 - Time for getting the garden ready?

It has rained here in Canberra and we're guessing that gardening should be good! So to get those blooms happening get a copy of 'The Canberra Gardener" by the Canberra Horticultural Society. This is a local gardening bible, written by local experts.Click here to order a copy One of the staff here is a member of a local organic community garden and word is that this year the cabbage and broccoli is fantastic and as tasty as it could possibly be!!

5/7/2007 - Minnows Of Triton

We've sold a heap of this book, and now it has been reprinted with more information about the not so pacific Pacific. We are relaunching the book tonight with the author, John Murray, and ABC Walkley Award winner Di Martin. This book details the politics, crime and corruption of South Pacific Islands, and includes analysis into Australia's involvement in the region. Click here to read more

25/6/2007 - Just in from Shanghai
A couple of beautiful books full of great photographs about a fascinating subject. The quality of these books is to be seen to be believed. By Shanghai based photographers and artists Tess Johnstone and Deke Erh. Shanghai Art Deco and A Last Look: Western Architecture in Old Shanghai

16/6/2007 - Stocktake Sale 20% off EVERYTHING except freight and gift vouchers the websale finishes Saturday 23 June and the in-shop sale finishes Sunday 24 June. Don't miss out cause if you do you'll miss out!

9/6/2007 - Celebrating Wilderness edited by Ian Brown

Envirobook , with the support of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness, published this glossy large-format work of writings and colour photographs to coincide with the Fifth National Wilderness Congress, held in Sydney recently.

It is a superbly presented book, with 46 full-page colour wilderness photographs by Rob Jung, David Neilson, Rob Blakers and Ian Brown .

More importantly, it is a book of very different and thought-provoking papers by eleven Australian and overseas writers, ranging from historic words by Myles Dunphy , to an appraisal of the ongoing battle for the Tasmanian forests by Helen Gee . Geoff Mosley tackles the wilderness and the future' question, while Ian Brown stimulates us from the Antarctic wilderness. Click here for more information

2/6/2007 - New literary product
We have this great new product - a Literary Sign. A local woman, Trudy Sue, makes these great signs with quotes from famous authors and thinkers. We have them in the shop and you can see her website by clicking here.

29/5/2007 - Happiness - A Guide To Developing Life's Most Important Skill, by Matthieu Ricard

Back in stock after selling out this is a book that has garnered rave reviews from Buddhist scholars, psychologists, and even global financier & philanthropist George Soros. Martin Seligman, author of Learned Optimism thinks Ricard's book is "...a brilliant synthesis of 25 centuries of the wisdom of Buddhism with the neuroscience and cognitive psychology of the 21st century."
Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk who left a career in cellular genetics in France thirty-five years ago to study Buddhism in the Himalayas. And let's face it-we would all prefer to be happy than not. Click here for more information

26/5/2007 - Minnows Of Triton

We've sold a heap of this book, and have run out BUT it is about to go into a second print that will include updated information on Fiji and the Solomons. Order now because we have already taken quite a few pre orders. This book details the politics, crime and corruption of South Pacific Islands, and includes analysis into Australia's involvement in the region. It's by Canberra based author John Murray. Click here to read more


25/5/2007 Upcoming Book Launches

We have two books lined up to be launched on Thursday the 14th of June - Michael O'Sulivan's 'Easter at Tobruk' and David Reiter's 'Real Guns'. Please click here to read more about the events.

22/5/2007 News Flash - new employee Yep, Jess has joined us and is even now either working in the shop or thinking about what she can do in the shop next time she works. Jess is pretty clever with visual arts as well and is going to help make the shop even more exciting and interesting and amazing and awe inspiring and unique and alternative to visit! Go to about the people who work at Smiths to find out a bit more.

16/5/2007 How about this book on why music affects us all so much. This is Your Brain on Music Oliver Sacks thinks this is "Endlessly stimulating" - and so do we!!

13/5/2007 Today is Mothers Day - yay for all Mothers! - and besides the bookseat as a great present we also reckon most Mums love travelling (and lets face it that's how some of them became Mums (no, not that they had irresponsible sex overseas but that they met the love of their life while they were away! (some of you people have a one track mind)). So to help Mums to travel, and people to buy Mums appropriate travel books, check out our new travel questionnaire thingo. Oh yeah and Happy Mothers Day Mum - I bought you a book from this great bookshop that I know, and a framed picture of ME! (my Mum is soooo lucky to have me) and I promise I will also ring you. Mum click here (nobody else should!)

11/5/2007 - Three Great Reads. These three books are real specials and are highly recommended by a whole heap of people - not just us (although we understand that our recommendations are priceless).

1. THE ROAD - Cormac McCarthy's harrowing vision of survival in a post-apocalyptic America.

2. SHANTARAM - "...a glorious wallow of a novel..." from Australian adventurer, raconteur and ex-crim Gregory David Roberts.

3.ORPHEUS LOST - If you appreciated Andrew McGahan's Underground and/or Richard Flanagan's The Unknown Terrorist then Janet Turner Hospital's latest book is for you.

4/5/2007 We have the best thing for Mothers Day- "The Book Seat". It holds a book and lets your Mum read it in any position (well just about, perhaps upside down is a bit of a problem). The Book Seat is comfortable and can be used anywhere (except under water) and is designed to make reading more enjoyable. The Book Seat will hold your Mum's book open in a most comfortable position so she can read Hands-Free. It is a bean bag for a book! Reading at the beach or in bed, or at the computer, or while breast feeding has never been more enjoyable. And it has a special dooverdangle to hold the pages in place, very clever! And as a special Mothers Day special if you buy a Book Seat and a book worth $10 or more you get a book voucher worth $10, that has got to be good, hasn't it?click here


2 May 2007 The Madman's Middle Way We think this is very different - the subject of this book was actually imprisoned by the Dalai Lama!

28/4/2007 Here are four diverse but either useful or interesting books - The Portable Edgar Allan Poe, Love is a Dog from Hell (poetry by Charles Bukowski), , Hiding in the Mirror (alternative realities, from Plato to string theory), Touched by Suicide (hope and healing after suffering). Enjoy.

22/4/2007 ANZAC DAY We aren't open today (although the website is of course always open). I remember when I was young that Anzac Day was not so popular, as a lot of the diggers would rather forget what happened and get on with their lives and other people thought it was the glorification of war. But as the diggers got older they, and the younger people, embraced it for what it was and Anzac Day became a good day, remembering deeds done, people who never returned, old friends and the folly of war. Now it seems to becoming a nationalistic, jingoistic sort of day where people get to carry on as though Australia is the greatest nation ever and Australians are the greatest people ever. I hope my observations are wrong and we don't all become a bit like Ozymandias. Interestingly we haven't learnt a lot about the folly of war and we still have some diggers off in a far place fighting a war that seems to be like nearly all the others - unnecessary. Click here for a good summary of war.

22/4/2007 RECOMMENDATIONS!!! We are getting closer to having a page listing recommendations from our staff and other people we know. This might be useful when you want to get a good book to read and enjoy, or to inform on some special subject, or to buy for someone else.
If YOU want to recommend some good books then you are very, very welcome. What we would like is some recommendations (name of book and author would be good) with reasons why you are recommending that book. Then, as well, we would like your age and a bit of background about you so that our customers can make some judgement on whether they, too, would like that book. Or whether the person they are buying that book would like it. Lots of people want to buy a book for a relation (grandchild, daughter-in-law, Auntie etc) and they haven't got the foggiest, so this list of recommendations might help (we hope). So keep an eye on and in this site and send us your own recommendations (anonymously or with your name - doesn't matter). Thanks

16/4/2007 We are very upset because Fiona has left our employment. She is moving to Sydney and we wish her the very best and we will miss her a lot. Fiona will be highly successful at whatever she does and if any future employer treats her badly then they will suffer the wrath of Smiths Alternative Bookshop!

11/4/2007 We have the best new product - "The Book Seat". It holds a book and lets you read it in any position (well just about!). As we know many book stands or book rests are awkward in bed. The Book Seat is comfortable and can be used anywhere (not under water) Designed to make reading more enjoyable. The Book Seat will hold your book open in a most comfortable position so you can read Hands-Free. It is a bean bag for a book. Reading at the beach or in bed, or at the computer, has never been more enjoyable. And it has a special dooverdangle to hold the pages in place, very clever! click here


5/4/2007 An oldie but goodie is "Owning Your Own Shadow" by Robert Johnson which will help you understand the dark side of the psyche. A useful skill as we head towards an election......"The shadow in Jungian psychology is the unconscious dumping ground for undesirable characteristics of personality. "Owning" the shadow--accepting it as part of one's self--is seen as the first step toward wholeness. Using examples from history, mythology, and religion, Johnson, author of Inner Work ( LJ 7/86) and Transformation ( LJ 8/91), offers a tour of the shadow, showing its origin and features, and demonstrating how and why it bursts into consciousness when least expected. Returning to the subject of his earlier work We ( LJ 2/1/84), the author reveals how experience of romantic love may lead to awareness of both positive and negative aspects of the shadow, and how integrating the shadow into one's personality can be a challenging religious experience. This clearly written, thought-provoking work is recommended for academic and public libraries." [When referring to this item please quote stockid 207]
click here


31/3/2007 April is nearly upon us........ so what's good for an Australian autumn read? How about you visit the poetry section and get a bit of culture and get connected with the seasons at the same time.

13/3/2007 BOOK LAUNCH Acacia Rose is launching her book 'Azure Moon' at Smiths on Wednesday the 14th of March 2007.

The book is a novel about women and the role they can play in achieving peace.

Refreshments provided by Smiths Bookshop and The Poacher's Pantry.

See you there (here)

12/3/2007 The launch of Blundstones & a Brown Dog by Christopher Nailer was very successful. The Director General of the National Library of Australia, Jan Fullerton, launched the book and we also raised $150 for Oxfam by auctioning a poster of one of Christopher's poems. Christopher read the poem before the auction which probably doubled the price. The man who won the auction also provided us all with a story that was relevant to the poem, which was about doctors check ups and affairs of the heart. It was a very nice moment for us all.

5/3/2007 The shop is now back to normal and let me say that the landlord and the insurance people were excellent, quick to react and make decisions and organise whatever we needed! We fixed the carpet, the roof, the lights and the bookshelf in record time. We also marked down about 300 damaged books but we must have marked them down far too much as they caused a riot, such was the interest, and they disappeared very quickly.

Also we have an event on Thursday 8 March at 5.30 pm for 6.00pm. A book of poems, Blundstones & a Brown Dog by Christopher Nailer. This is publshed by Ginninderra Press and will be launched by The Director General of the National Library of Australia, Jan Fullerton. Let us know if you will be there (or here).


1/3/2007 Well the website may have been back in action but the shop wasn't!! The hails that hit Canberra caused our shop to be damaged, but we reopened for business after only one day. So upsetting to see all those damaged books. We'll wait and see what the insurance assessors say before we decide what to do with the damaged stock.

As to the storm - it was a ripper

24/2/2007 Website now back to normal

23/2/2007 OK - as a special service for our customers we have entered every book on this website twice!! Also we may have screwed up a book download and are now trying to fix things - we of course blame the government for this electronic shemozzle, they in turn will blame the opposition and the way they set up technlogy in the late 1980's, the opposition will inturn blame poor planning and slipshod policy making on the run as well as buck passing from the PM down. The government will quickly organise some refugee crisis or a war to shift the attention away from their own failings and the opposition will start to argue among themsleves. There will eventually be a senate enquiry. The public servants and ministerial advisers will be gagged.

BUT, in spite of all that, this website will not be fixed until tomorrow at the earliest....... we thank democracy for nothing

13/2/2007 - Rockwiz - is a show but is also a book!!

Q. Misheard lyrics: what should this lyric be, who sang it and in which song? Throw down your buns, yo disco necklace.
A. Throw down your guns, don't be so reckless, Australian Crawl, Reckless.

This is a good fun book that'll test whether you remember anything about music, also contains a CD with some great riffs. Well done Brian and Julia. click here


29/1/2007 - The Stern Review "The Economics of Climate Change" is now 20% off!! That's right. It is normally $90 and now it is $72. Yeah, yeah we know it is still not cheap but if you want to get a copy of what finally tripped the dumb governments of several countries (aka USA & Australia) to do something then at least it's a bit cheaper. Get in quick 'cause it'll sell well at this amazing (soul-pleasing) price. If we run out we'll order you one. BE QUICK or the environment will freeze over before you get a chance to complain. (Ok it might actually boil over - I get confused because I haven't read it myself - YET!) click here


29/1/2007 - The Weapons Detective
If you're one of the people that are interested in Rod Barton's excellent book about WMDs, the pursuit of companies supplying banned arms to Iraq and the politics behind it all please click here.

27/1/2007 Well Australia day has been and gone and the best result is that it seems that governments have finally noticed there might be a problem with the environment - what a shock!!! Mind you, as always, they aren't responding with a long term strategy but with a short term vote catcher. Anyway - we now have copies of the Stern Review "The Economics of Climate Change". Let us know if you want one, It isn't cheap but it has all you need to know. click here


25/1/2007 - Public Holiday Hours

Just to let you all know that tomorrow (Australia Day) we are open 10am-5:00pm. Thanks!

22/1/2007 - Minnows Of Triton

We've sold a heap of this book, and for good reason as well. It is quite topical as it details the politics, crime and corruption of South Pacific Islands, and includes analysis into Australia's involvement in the region. It's by Canberra based author John Murray. Click here to read more

7/1/2007 - 2006 Short Story Competition Winners

First place
A Stranger in Paradise by Michael O'Sullivan (NSW)
Second Place
Nothing is Permanent by Joan Vale (QLD)
Third Place
Chicken by Goldie Alexander (VIC)

Thank you to all who entered our Short Story Competition in 2006. We had over 200 entries from all over Australia.
Visit this site in August for details of our 2007 competition.

Chris Strong
Competition Organiser


28/12/2006 - A quick update
A while back we had a couple of fantasic events. Rod Barton signing copies of 'The Weapons Detective', and RIRDC launching their range of farming books. We now have photos of these events:
Click here for the Rod Barton photos
Click here for the RIRDC photos

28/12/2006 Feeling as full as a goog? Well that means that you ate and drank too much, or you have a medical problem and should immediately see your doctor (or Reiki practioner, or chiropractor, or acupuncturist, or herbalist, or aromatherapist, or feng shuist, or therapist, or Rosen Methodist or what ever is your preferred way). But in actual fact the best thing you might do is walk A LOT while listening to an audio book from Smiths bookshop. I have just listened to the first book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series and it was fantastic - a great yarn well read. Click here -> Great listening while getting rid of bloated feeling and you will see a selection, ring us and we'll let you know what else we have.

15/12/2006 - MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR and we hope that 2007 is healthy for you and that when you consume it is just enough consumption for you to be happy. (It appears that too much consumption leaves people feeling dissatisfied with life whereas a tad too little leaves them vibrant and alive (why is that? Huh?))

We also hope that you don't have to visit a mall too often as that can be bad for your soul.

Be happy, be fit, ask questions, relax every now and then, don't stress too often (sometimes is OK) and generally have a good one.

From the management and the workers of Smiths Alternative Bookshop

15/12/2006 - A Christmas Catalogue

Fiona has put together a catalogue for Christmas. Check it out at here.

8/12/2006 - Blossom Possum
As you may be aware the Australian children's classic 'Blossom Possum' is available from our shop and it would make a fabulous Xmas gift. It is illustrated by legendary Kilmeny Niland and written by Canberra's own Gina Newton. It's a perfect gift for children all around the world! It normally costs $24.95 but we reckon it should be in everyone's xmas stocking so just for now it is $19.95 click here.

5/12/2006 - Smiths Christmas Cards
We have our own range of Christmas cards this year at Smiths. They are designed for people that are bored with the usual crop of Christmas card. Click here to learn more about them.

30/11/2006 - Christmas is less than a month away. We have gift vouchers and thousands of books you can give as gifts to help entertain or inform, or perhaps change someones life for the better. You can search by category by clicking here and selecting a category from the drop down menu.

Or you can view some award winners for some more good ideas.



18/11/2006 - Rod Barton is a man who is smarter than all the politicians involved in the decision to invade Iraq! He is THE Weapons Detective, he'll be here in the shop on Tuesday 21 November to sign his book and discuss the content - (while you are here you can sign a petition to bring David Hicks home - he may be guilty but let's confirm that he is or isn't in a democratic way!)

Rod Barton worked as one of the four weapon inspectors (along with David Kelly) who discovered Iraq's biological weapons program. He was special advisor to Hans Blix, writing parts of his speeches, and later returned to Iraq after the 2003 war. The Weapons Detective describes the fascinating chess-game of weapons inspection, with its mixture of detective work, scientific analysis and mind-games.


4/11/2006 - farm, rural and related publications...

This is BIG! We now stock publications from RIRDC (which is what? - the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation that's what). RIRDC provides great support for emerging and non main stream activities on farms, in the bush and for regional Australia. To find a list of these books click on SEARCH/BUY BOOKS in the menu bar at the top of this page, then where it says select a topic - click on that and select Rural Industries, click on 'Find' and there will appear a list of some of the books. The event to launch our new association is on Thursday November 23rd at the shop and YOU are invited. Whether you want to harvest snails or produce quality medicinal herbs - RIRDC and Smiths is the place to get the information you need.

1/11/2006 - Multicultural books...

We have compiled another list of recomended books. The Multicultural Women's Advocacy Inc. is a group of culturally and linguistically diverse women and their children who have settled in the ACT region. They have been kind enough to list what they consider some of the best pieces of literature from nations that have been under-represented literary-wise. Click here for them.

Also, if you haven't already, maybe you'd like to read through a list of award winners.

31/10/2006 - Last Day for Short Story Comp.

This is the last day you can enter our short story competition. We have had an overwhelming number of entries thus far, ensuring that our judges will have a tough time picking the winners. Thanks to everyone for entering, and if you haven't entered yet this is your last chance.
Edit: Yeah, it's over now.

Stuck for an idea? Click here to view some award winning books

23/10/2006 - Jonestown here

Jonestown has arrived and we will soon ask Alan Jones to come to a book signing. Do you think he will come?

17/10/2006 - Short Story Competition

Wow. So many entries; we've already eclipsed the total number of entries from last year. Please, keep them coming.

3/10/2006 - DEWR Womens book club

Women from the Women's Forum at the Department of Workplace Relations met at our shop and talked about books and what they might want to read and discuss. We talked about Capote's In Cold Blood and some 'Murakami' novels, some crime fiction as well as a range of classics. They will meet again soon and we'll see what they have discussed and what they think. It looks like a classic might get the nod as their next book.

26/09/2006 - Multicultural Women's Book Club

Canberra's Multicultural Women's Book Club will soon have shelf space for their recommended reading. More information (like the names of their recommended reads) soon. Thanks Sally and Sanaz.

26/09/2006 - Minerva Book Group

It was Deb's turn to organise a meeting of the Minerva Book Group, which has been around for over 18 years, and last night they had a meeting in our shop. They enjoyed wine, coffee, cake, nibblies and good conversation while surrounded by books. They reviewed The Sea by John Banville and although they all liked it, some liked it more than others. The only bad thing from the night was that Deb backed her car into a tree out the front of the shop, but we blame the government for that piece of poor planning.

14/09/2006 - Happy Birthday

Amanda (last name withheld) was given a present by a good friend that included a gift voucher for $100 worth of books and after hours access to the shop, with a guided tour and champagne, for her and some friends. All because she was a bit older. Well done Amanda!!

18/08/2006 - Thanks for Coming Everyone

Peter Corris recently visited Smiths Alternative Bookshop to promote his latest book Saving Billie. Wine and light food was supplied care of the Poachers Pantry. We would like to thank everyone that made it, and we hope we were gracious enough hosts. click here for more info.
Click here for the photos from the event
 

31/3/2007 April is nearly upon us........ so what's good for an Australian autumn read? How about you visit the poetry section and get a bit of culture and get connected with the seasons at the same time.

13/3/2007 BOOK LAUNCH Acacia Rose is launching her book 'Azure Moon' at Smiths on Wednesday the 14th of March 2007.

The book is a novel about women and the role they can play in achieving peace.

Refreshments provided by Smiths Bookshop and The Poacher's Pantry.

See you there (here)

12/3/2007 The launch of Blundstones & a Brown Dog by Christopher Nailer was very successful. The Director General of the National Library of Australia, Jan Fullerton, launched the book and we also raised $150 for Oxfam by auctioning a poster of one of Christopher's poems. Christopher read the poem before the auction which probably doubled the price. The man who won the auction also provided us all with a story that was relevant to the poem, which was about doctors check ups and affairs of the heart. It was a very nice moment for us all.

5/3/2007 The shop is now back to normal and let me say that the landlord and the insurance people were excellent, quick to react and make decisions and organise whatever we needed! We fixed the carpet, the roof, the lights and the bookshelf in record time. We also marked down about 300 damaged books but we must have marked them down far too much as they caused a riot, such was the interest, and they disappeared very quickly.

Also we have an event on Thursday 8 March at 5.30 pm for 6.00pm. A book of poems, Blundstones & a Brown Dog by Christopher Nailer. This is publshed by Ginninderra Press and will be launched by The Director General of the National Library of Australia, Jan Fullerton. Let us know if you will be there (or here).


1/3/2007 Well the website may have been back in action but the shop wasn't!! The hails that hit Canberra caused our shop to be damaged, but we reopened for business after only one day. So upsetting to see all those damaged books. We'll wait and see what the insurance assessors say before we decide what to do with the damaged stock.

As to the storm - it was a ripper

24/2/2007 Website now back to normal

23/2/2007 OK - as a special service for our customers we have entered every book on this website twice!! Also we may have screwed up a book download and are now trying to fix things - we of course blame the government for this electronic shemozzle, they in turn will blame the opposition and the way they set up technlogy in the late 1980's, the opposition will inturn blame poor planning and slipshod policy making on the run as well as buck passing from the PM down. The government will quickly organise some refugee crisis or a war to shift the attention away from their own failings and the opposition will start to argue among themsleves. There will eventually be a senate enquiry. The public servants and ministerial advisers will be gagged.

BUT, in spite of all that, this website will not be fixed until tomorrow at the earliest....... we thank democracy for nothing

13/2/2007 - Rockwiz - is a show but is also a book!!

Q. Misheard lyrics: what should this lyric be, who sang it and in which song? Throw down your buns, yo disco necklace.
A. Throw down your guns, don't be so reckless, Australian Crawl, Reckless.

This is a good fun book that'll test whether you remember anything about music, also contains a CD with some great riffs. Well done Brian and Julia. click here


29/1/2007 - The Stern Review "The Economics of Climate Change" is now 20% off!! That's right. It is normally $90 and now it is $72. Yeah, yeah we know it is still not cheap but if you want to get a copy of what finally tripped the dumb governments of several countries (aka USA & Australia) to do something then at least it's a bit cheaper. Get in quick 'cause it'll sell well at this amazing (soul-pleasing) price. If we run out we'll order you one. BE QUICK or the environment will freeze over before you get a chance to complain. (Ok it might actually boil over - I get confused because I haven't read it myself - YET!) click here


29/1/2007 - The Weapons Detective
If you're one of the people that are interested in Rod Barton's excellent book about WMDs, the pursuit of companies supplying banned arms to Iraq and the politics behind it all please click here.

27/1/2007 Well Australia day has been and gone and the best result is that it seems that governments have finally noticed there might be a problem with the environment - what a shock!!! Mind you, as always, they aren't responding with a long term strategy but with a short term vote catcher. Anyway - we now have copies of the Stern Review "The Economics of Climate Change". Let us know if you want one, It isn't cheap but it has all you need to know. click here


25/1/2007 - Public Holiday Hours

Just to let you all know that tomorrow (Australia Day) we are open 10am-5:00pm. Thanks!

22/1/2007 - Minnows Of Triton

We've sold a heap of this book, and for good reason as well. It is quite topical as it details the politics, crime and corruption of South Pacific Islands, and includes analysis into Australia's involvement in the region. It's by Canberra based author John Murray. Click here to read more

7/1/2007 - 2006 Short Story Competition Winners

First place
A Stranger in Paradise by Michael O'Sullivan (NSW)
Second Place
Nothing is Permanent by Joan Vale (QLD)
Third Place
Chicken by Goldie Alexander (VIC)

Thank you to all who entered our Short Story Competition in 2006. We had over 200 entries from all over Australia.
Visit this site in August for details of our 2007 competition.

Chris Strong
Competition Organiser


28/12/2006 - A quick update
A while back we had a couple of fantasic events. Rod Barton signing copies of 'The Weapons Detective', and RIRDC launching their range of farming books. We now have photos of these events:
Click here for the Rod Barton photos
Click here for the RIRDC photos

28/12/2006 Feeling as full as a goog? Well that means that you ate and drank too much, or you have a medical problem and should immediately see your doctor (or Reiki practioner, or chiropractor, or acupuncturist, or herbalist, or aromatherapist, or feng shuist, or therapist, or Rosen Methodist or what ever is your preferred way). But in actual fact the best thing you might do is walk A LOT while listening to an audio book from Smiths bookshop. I have just listened to the first book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series and it was fantastic - a great yarn well read. Click here -> Great listening while getting rid of bloated feeling and you will see a selection, ring us and we'll let you know what else we have.

15/12/2006 - MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR and we hope that 2007 is healthy for you and that when you consume it is just enough consumption for you to be happy. (It appears that too much consumption leaves people feeling dissatisfied with life whereas a tad too little leaves them vibrant and alive (why is that? Huh?))

We also hope that you don't have to visit a mall too often as that can be bad for your soul.

Be happy, be fit, ask questions, relax every now and then, don't stress too often (sometimes is OK) and generally have a good one.

From the management and the workers of Smiths Alternative Bookshop

15/12/2006 - A Christmas Catalogue

Fiona has put together a catalogue for Christmas. Check it out at here.

8/12/2006 - Blossom Possum
As you may be aware the Australian children's classic 'Blossom Possum' is available from our shop and it would make a fabulous Xmas gift. It is illustrated by legendary Kilmeny Niland and written by Canberra's own Gina Newton. It's a perfect gift for children all around the world! It normally costs $24.95 but we reckon it should be in everyone's xmas stocking so just for now it is $19.95 click here.

5/12/2006 - Smiths Christmas Cards
We have our own range of Christmas cards this year at Smiths. They are designed for people that are bored with the usual crop of Christmas card. Click here to learn more about them.

30/11/2006 - Christmas is less than a month away. We have gift vouchers and thousands of books you can give as gifts to help entertain or inform, or perhaps change someones life for the better. You can search by category by clicking here and selecting a category from the drop down menu.

Or you can view some award winners for some more good ideas.



18/11/2006 - Rod Barton is a man who is smarter than all the politicians involved in the decision to invade Iraq! He is THE Weapons Detective, he'll be here in the shop on Tuesday 21 November to sign his book and discuss the content - (while you are here you can sign a petition to bring David Hicks home - he may be guilty but let's confirm that he is or isn't in a democratic way!)

Rod Barton worked as one of the four weapon inspectors (along with David Kelly) who discovered Iraq's biological weapons program. He was special advisor to Hans Blix, writing parts of his speeches, and later returned to Iraq after the 2003 war. The Weapons Detective describes the fascinating chess-game of weapons inspection, with its mixture of detective work, scientific analysis and mind-games.


4/11/2006 - farm, rural and related publications...

This is BIG! We now stock publications from RIRDC (which is what? - the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation that's what). RIRDC provides great support for emerging and non main stream activities on farms, in the bush and for regional Australia. To find a list of these books click on SEARCH/BUY BOOKS in the menu bar at the top of this page, then where it says select a topic - click on that and select Rural Industries, click on 'Find' and there will appear a list of some of the books. The event to launch our new association is on Thursday November 23rd at the shop and YOU are invited. Whether you want to harvest snails or produce quality medicinal herbs - RIRDC and Smiths is the place to get the information you need.

1/11/2006 - Multicultural books...

We have compiled another list of recomended books. The Multicultural Women's Advocacy Inc. is a group of culturally and linguistically diverse women and their children who have settled in the ACT region. They have been kind enough to list what they consider some of the best pieces of literature from nations that have been under-represented literary-wise. Click here for them.

Also, if you haven't already, maybe you'd like to read through a list of award winners.

31/10/2006 - Last Day for Short Story Comp.

This is the last day you can enter our short story competition. We have had an overwhelming number of entries thus far, ensuring that our judges will have a tough time picking the winners. Thanks to everyone for entering, and if you haven't entered yet this is your last chance.
Edit: Yeah, it's over now.

Stuck for an idea? Click here to view some award winning books

23/10/2006 - Jonestown here

Jonestown has arrived and we will soon ask Alan Jones to come to a book signing. Do you think he will come?

17/10/2006 - Short Story Competition

Wow. So many entries; we've already eclipsed the total number of entries from last year. Please, keep them coming.

3/10/2006 - DEWR Womens book club

Women from the Women's Forum at the Department of Workplace Relations met at our shop and talked about books and what they might want to read and discuss. We talked about Capote's In Cold Blood and some 'Murakami' novels, some crime fiction as well as a range of classics. They will meet again soon and we'll see what they have discussed and what they think. It looks like a classic might get the nod as their next book.

26/09/2006 - Multicultural Women's Book Club

Canberra's Multicultural Women's Book Club will soon have shelf space for their recommended reading. More information (like the names of their recommended reads) soon. Thanks Sally and Sanaz.

26/09/2006 - Minerva Book Group

It was Deb's turn to organise a meeting of the Minerva Book Group, which has been around for over 18 years, and last night they had a meeting in our shop. They enjoyed wine, coffee, cake, nibblies and good conversation while surrounded by books. They reviewed The Sea by John Banville and although they all liked it, some liked it more than others. The only bad thing from the night was that Deb backed her car into a tree out the front of the shop, but we blame the government for that piece of poor planning.

14/09/2006 - Happy Birthday

Amanda (last name withheld) was given a present by a good friend that included a gift voucher for $100 worth of books and after hours access to the shop, with a guided tour and champagne, for her and some friends. All because she was a bit older. Well done Amanda!!

18/08/2006 - Thanks for Coming Everyone

Peter Corris recently visited Smiths Alternative Bookshop to promote his latest book Saving Billie. Wine and light food was supplied care of the Poachers Pantry. We would like to thank everyone that made it, and we hope we were gracious enough hosts. click here for more info.
Click here for the photos from the event
 

16/08/2006 - Short Story Competition

Our short story competition will have Peter Corris as the judge, he'll be checking for readability and grammar and whatever judges look for. It closes on 31 October so get writing. Click here for more information and to enter our other competition.

20/07/2006 - Welcome to Our New Website

Our old website was useless, so we designed one that is useful. People can now search and buy books through this website. Oh, and if you are so inclined you can view all about our store's history, staff, events, competitions etc.
Now, we are new to this whole website thingy, so if you have any suggestions/views/feedback please send us an email.