My, how dry does today's topic sound? But read on, and see what you think. This prize was brought to my attention a couple of days ago by a tweet from author Michelle Scott Tucker announcing that her book, Elizabeth Macarthur: A life at the edge of the world (my review), had been shortlisted for … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Ashurst Business Literature Prize
Author: Whispering Gums
Julian Davies, Call me (#BookReview)
I wasn't sure what I was in for when I started reading Call me, the latest offering from that tricksy duo, novelist Julian Davies and illustrator Phil Day. But, it soon became clear that what was before me was a coming-of-age story. What, I wondered, was Davies doing writing such a novel? Then I remembered that … Continue reading Julian Davies, Call me (#BookReview)
ABIA 2019 Shortlists announced
I have not posted on the ABIA (Australian Book Industry Association) Awards here before, but it has a couple of categories that interest me, so I've decided this year to share them with you. The process of selection involves, as I understand it, the longlist being chosen/voted for by the ABIA Academy of over 200 industry … Continue reading ABIA 2019 Shortlists announced
Stella Prize 2019 Winner announced
The Stella Prize winner was announced tonight while I was at yoga so I had to wait, impatiently - oops, no, it was yoga, so I was very calm thanks to my wonderful neighbour and teacher - until I got home, to discover the winner. I only managed to read three of the six, which … Continue reading Stella Prize 2019 Winner announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Spotlight on Robert Drewe
In 2016, I wrote five Spotlight posts inspired by Annette Marfording's Celebrating Australian writing: Conversations with Australian authors, and decided that was probably enough mining of her work for my blog. However, with over two years having passed since then, I wondered if it might be okay to do another. I emailed Annette, and she kindly agreed. But, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Spotlight on Robert Drewe
Six degrees of separation, FROM How to be both TO …
I don't think I've read one Six Degrees of Separation meme starting book yet this year! But that hasn't stopped me giving it a go. Who said you have to read a book to write about it! Many a student has known that's not necessary! (Never fear though, I always read the books I review on … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM How to be both TO …
Karen Viggers, The orchardist’s daughter (#BookReview)
The orchardist's daughter is local author Karen Viggers' fourth novel, but the first that I've read. She has, however, appeared on my blog before, being the person who conversed with Sofie Laguna about her novel, The choke. It was one of the most entertaining conversations I've ever attended. Now, if you haven't read or heard of … Continue reading Karen Viggers, The orchardist’s daughter (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Pianos in Australian literature
A rather left-of-field topic for Monday Musings, but did you know that last Friday, March 29th, was World Piano Day? The Piano Day site asks how we are going to celebrate it. Well, three days late, I'm celebrating it by talking about Australian literature that features pianos. Why not? World Piano Day is new - … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Pianos in Australian literature
Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (#BookReview)
Once again I have reason to start a book post with a discussion of the title, this time Marilynne Robinson's 2005 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Gilead. Gilead, in the context of this novel, has a literal and metaphorical meaning, literal because it takes place in the fictional Iowan town of Gilead, and metaphorical because "gilead" … Continue reading Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading marathons
Today's post was inspired by two comments on yesterday's post which featured a public reading event I'd taken part in. Lisa (ANZLitLovers) commented that she is taking part in a reading of James Joyce's Ulysses in a Queenscliff bookshop next Bloomsday, while Karen (Booker Talk) said she wasn't sure she'd heard of such a grand … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading marathons
Whispering Gums 