Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian writers and Hollywood

This will be my last Monday Musings posted from the USA, so I figure I should do at least one post inspired by where we've been. I've put it together pretty quickly though, as time for blogging is pretty limited, so please forgive all the gaps! Since this is a litblog, my focus here is … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian writers and Hollywood

Ali Cobby Eckermann, Too afraid to cry (#BookReview)

Having reviewed Yankunytjatjara/Kokatha woman Ali Cobby Eckermann's poetry collection, Inside my mother (my review) for Lisa's ANZlitLovers Indigenous Literature Week, 2017, I decided to also read her 2012 memoir, Too afraid to cry. It filled in a lot of gaps, which is not necessary to appreciate or comprehend the poetry but which does deepen the understanding. The memoir's dedication … Continue reading Ali Cobby Eckermann, Too afraid to cry (#BookReview)

Monday musings on Australian literature: ACT Litbloggers under way

A few weeks ago I posted on the ACT Litblogging program for which I am a mentor. But, I'll just recap in case you missed that post. Titled ACT Lit-bloggers of the Future, this is a collaborative program between the ACT Writers Centre and the National Library of Australia (NLA). It provides for two emerging ACT-region … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ACT Litbloggers under way

Australian Women Writers 2017 Challenge completed

I usually write my completion post for the Australian Women Writer's Challenge, around the middle of the year, even though I plan to take part until the year's end. As in previous years, I signed up for the top-level, Franklin, which involves reading 10 books and reviewing at least 6, and as in previous years I've exceeded this. However, it's … Continue reading Australian Women Writers 2017 Challenge completed

Vale Jane Austen: on the 200th anniversary of her death

Today, July 18, marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death. Unfortunately, because I am travelling I am unable to join my local Jane Austen group's wake to commemorate her, but I had to do something of course, so I've decided to write a post on Austen biographies. I'm partly drawing from my group's recent … Continue reading Vale Jane Austen: on the 200th anniversary of her death

Delicious descriptions: Kim Mahood’s desert

I wanted to use this Descriptions series to share a couple of Mahood's gorgeous descriptions from her memoir, Position doubtful, which I reviewed recently, but I've decided to share one about maps and relationships (and you'll probably see why), and a description. From a mapping expedition: The shortcomings of my prototype map soon become evident. … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Kim Mahood’s desert

Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Bill of The Australian Legend

It's been two years since I last published a Guest Post, for no any other reason than that the idea slipped off the radar as other busy-ness took over. However, during a recent email correspondence with (relatively new) blogger Bill, the idea re-popped into my head, and so I asked him, as he explains below. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Bill of The Australian Legend

Ali Cobby Eckermann, Inside my mother (#BookReview)

Ali Cobby Eckermann, a Yankunytjatjara/Kokatha woman, has featured a few times on this blog, including in my review of her verse novel, Ruby Moonlight, and my Monday Musings post on her winning the valuable Windham-Campbell Prize this year. She is now appearing again as I review her poetry collection, Inside my mother, for Lisa's ANZlitLovers Indigenous … Continue reading Ali Cobby Eckermann, Inside my mother (#BookReview)

Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading indigenous literature

Each July, as well as contributing at least one review to Lisa's ANZLitLovers Indigenous Literature Week, I try to write a Monday Musings post related in some way to NAIDOC week which, as Aussies will know, is a week, usually the first full week in July, during which activities are planned to “to celebrate the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading indigenous literature