Last week I wrote about Canadian librarian, George Locke, commissioning Australian critic and journalist AG Stephens to compile the "best 100 imaginative Australian and New Zealand books" to be sent for exhibition in Toronto's public library". I ended on the commission having been completed, but I did not include his list because, not only had … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1923: 4, Austra-Zealand’s best books and Canada (2)
Month: February 2023
Pauline Johnson, A red girl’s reasoning (#Review)
As some of you know, I have a close American friend, Carolyn, with whom I correspond weekly. We met in the early 1990s when I was living in California. During that time we started a reading group, so you won't be surprised that our correspondence always includes reference to what we are - or are … Continue reading Pauline Johnson, A red girl’s reasoning (#Review)
Gwendolyn Brooks, Maud Martha (#BookReview)
I came across Gwendolyn Brooks' 1953-published novella, Maud Martha, on JacquiWine's blog last year, and was confident it was a book for me - so I bought the e-Book version and read it slowly on my phone and iPad whenever I was out and about. This sort of reading doesn't work for all books, but … Continue reading Gwendolyn Brooks, Maud Martha (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1923: 3, Austra-Zealand’s best books and Canada (1)
For my third post in my Monday Musings 1923 series, I'm moving away from publisher initiatives, like the NSW Bookstall Co and the Platypus Series, to something a bit different. It's an intriguing story about what one paper called "inter-Imperial amity". It goes like this ... Mr. George H. Locke (1870-1937) - as the newspapers … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1923: 3, Austra-Zealand’s best books and Canada (1)
Meet the Author: Dervla McTiernan
You’ve heard me say it before and I’m sure to say it again, I am not a “crime reader” - but I do read crime novels when something about them catches my attention. I have been interested to read Irish-born Australian writer Dervla McTiernan since her first book started appearing with positive reviews on the … Continue reading Meet the Author: Dervla McTiernan
Monday musings on Australian literature: Trove treasures (1), Reading novels
During my Trove searches for specific topics, I come across - serendipitously - other articles that are interesting and worth sharing. So, I have decided to create an occasional sub-series called Trove Treasures. My first group comprises some random little pieces, particularly jokes, that I've come across about reading novels. Humorous snippets The interesting thing … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Trove treasures (1), Reading novels
Anthony Doerr, Cloud Cuckoo Land (#BookReview)
There was a collective cheer from the four librarians in my reading group when one of our members read Anthony Doerr’s dedication for his latest novel, Cloud Cuckoo Land. It goes like this “For the librarians then, now, and in the years to come”. Thank you Anthony! Cloud Cuckoo Land, at over 600 pages, is … Continue reading Anthony Doerr, Cloud Cuckoo Land (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Beach (or Summer) reads
It is currently summer down under and so, despite some unseasonably cold weather in various parts, the thoughts of many have turned to "beach reads". Most of us understand that to mean escapist, easy-to-read, non-demanding fiction, although we don't all define our own "beach reading" that way. But, do you know the history of the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Beach (or Summer) reads
Six degrees of separation, FROM Trust TO …
A month already into the new year, and of course I can't believe it! Nor can I believe that I didn't edit out last month's opening paragraph when I published this month's this morning, so this paragraph is different to the one that first went live! Silly me! We have just arrived in Melbourne for … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Trust TO …
ChatGPT and Craig Silvey’s Jasper Jones
A few days ago, Lisa (ANZ LitLovers) wrote a post on ChatGPT, inspired by an article she'd read by Margaret Simons in Inside Story. She decided to test it by asking it to review a few books she'd bought and/or reviewed, including Jasper Jones. Do read what she did, and the ensuing conversation on her … Continue reading ChatGPT and Craig Silvey’s Jasper Jones
Whispering Gums 