I did have another plan for today's Monday Musings, but it seemed wrong to ignore the elephant in the room, that is, the dire situation facing the Adelaide Festival's Writers Week. Australians will not need me to explain what has happened, but for those of you not across the events, I'll briefly explain. The Adelaide … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Why festivals?
Author: Whispering Gums
Carmel Bird, Crimson velvet heart (#BookReview)
If you have read Carmel Bird's memoir Telltale (my review), you will know about her love of story, particularly of history, and fairy story, and legends. You will also know about her love of objects, of beautiful objects or strange ones, and of the meanings embodied within them. And, if you have read anything by … Continue reading Carmel Bird, Crimson velvet heart (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2026
For some years now, my first Monday Musings of the year has comprised a selected list of new Australian book releases for the coming year. For many years, the bulk of this post came from a comprehensive list prepared by Jane Sullivan for the Sydney Morning Herald. Last year that changed to something more selective, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2026
Six degrees of separation, FROM The third chopstick TO …
And so we start another year. I do hope it's a good one for us all. I know that not everyone is as fortunate as I am, but wouldn't it be wonderful if leaders around the world cared about their people and made the right decisions to keep us all safe and healthy. Meanwhile, I'll … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM The third chopstick TO …
Blogging highlights for 2025
Yesterday, as per my tradition, I posted my annual Reading highlights, which means tonight it's time for my Blogging highlights. This is of more interest to me, really, but being a librarian/archivist by training I love to keep records and my blog is the best place to keep my blogging records - duh! My main … Continue reading Blogging highlights for 2025
Reading highlights for 2025
Here we are at my annual highlights time, which for me means posting my reading highlights on December 31, and blogging highlights on January 1. I do my Reading Highlights on the last day of the year, so I will have read (even if not reviewed) all the books I’m going to read in the … Continue reading Reading highlights for 2025
Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2025, Pt 2: Nonfiction
Last Monday, I shared the favourite Fiction and Poetry books that had been chosen by various critics and commentators in a select number of sources. I haven't always shared the nonfiction choices, though I do think it's worth doing - so this year I am! I won't repeat the intro from last week, but I … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2025, Pt 2: Nonfiction
Books given in 2025
Over the years I have often listed the books I gave as Christmas gifts, though last year I shared the books I gave throughout the year - as Christmas, birthday and other gifts. I'm doing the same this year. Most, though not all, are Australian books. They are not necessarily my favourite reads - indeed, … Continue reading Books given in 2025
Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2025, Pt 1: Fiction and Poetry
Around this time of December, I have, for some years, shared favourite Aussie reads of the year from various sources. Those sources have varied a little from time to time. This year's are listed below. This is not a scientific survey. For a start, the choosers' backgrounds vary. Depending on the source, they may include … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2025, Pt 1: Fiction and Poetry
Kim Kelly, Touched (#BookReview)
In 2023, novelist Kim Kelly was one of the two winners of Finlay Lloyd's inaugural 20/40 Publishing Prize, with her 1920s-set historical novel, Ladies' Rest and Writing Room (my review). Publisher Julian Davies had hoped at the time to award one fiction and one nonfiction prize, but there was a dearth of good nonfiction entries. … Continue reading Kim Kelly, Touched (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 