In our now annual tradition, my reading group once again voted for our favourites from our 2021 schedule - and as has also become tradition (see last year's if you like), I'm sharing our reading and findings with you. First, though, here is what we read in the order we read them (with links on … Continue reading My reading group’s favourites for 2021
Author: Whispering Gums
Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2021, Part 1: Fiction
For a few years now, I've shared favourite Aussie reads of the year, from the ABC and, last year, other sources. This year I'm doing it a bit differently. I'm focusing on the Sydney Morning Herald's Books we loved in 2021 and ABR's Books of the Year 2021. Both these contain favourites from a large … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2021, Part 1: Fiction
Sarah Krasnostein, The believer (#BookReview)
One of the reasons I love reading fiction is to be introduced to lives and cultures I know nothing about. This is less so in nonfiction, but Sarah Krasnostein's latest book, The believer, fits the brief. In it she explores questions concerning what people believe and why through six different people (or groups of people), … Continue reading Sarah Krasnostein, The believer (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Greek-Australian literature
In a Sydney Writers Festival conversation with Michelle de Kretser, Andrew Pippos, winner of the 2021 Readings Prize for his debut novel, Lucky's, said "the fact that we can talk about a Greek-Australian literary tradition is a sign that Australian literature is developing". It made me think about Greek-Australian literature and what I know about … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Greek-Australian literature
Six degrees of separation, FROM Ethan Frome TO …
And suddenly it is the last Six Degrees of the year. Once again, I've had fun with this meme - with doing my own and seeing what others have done. Thanks muchly to Kate for running the meme and offering us such a varied selection of titles to start from. For those of you new … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Ethan Frome TO …
Nonfiction November 2021: New additions to my TBR
Week 5 of Nonfiction November ... whew, made it to the end, and it wasn't so hard! Nonfiction November, as of course you know, is hosted by several bloggers, with week 5 hosted by Jaymi at The OCBookGirl: It’s been a month full of amazing nonfiction books! Which ones have made it onto YOUR TBR? … Continue reading Nonfiction November 2021: New additions to my TBR
Monday musings on Australian literature: Short Australian nonfiction
There's been a little discussion going on during this Novella November month concerning nonfiction novellas. I contend - yes, I'm putting myself out there - that a "novella" is fiction, and that you can no more have a nonfiction novella than, well, fly. However, I am not going to get into this debate now, because, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Short Australian nonfiction
Omar Musa’s Killernova book launch, with Irma Gold
Local performance poet-novelist-artist Omar Musa's latest book, Killernova, had two launches in Canberra this weekend, one with Polly Hemming and the other with Irma Gold. Being Gold fans, Mr Gums and I booked her session, and it was both engaging and illuminating, but I have it on good authority that Polly Hemming's session, though different, … Continue reading Omar Musa’s Killernova book launch, with Irma Gold
Helen Meany, Every day is Gertie Day (#BookReview)
Helen Meany's Every day is Gertie Day is the third Viva La Novella winner that I've read and posted about on my blog, the other two being Julie Proudfoot's The neighbour (my review) and Mirandi Riwoe's The fish girl (my review). All are memorable reads, and do this award proud - and no, I am … Continue reading Helen Meany, Every day is Gertie Day (#BookReview)
Nonfiction November 2021: Stranger than fiction
Week 4 of Nonfiction November ... rolling right along ... Nonfiction November, as you surely know by now, is hosted by several bloggers, with week 4 hosted by Christopher at Plucked from the Stacks: This week we’re focusing on all the great nonfiction books that *almost* don’t seem real. A sports biography involving overcoming massive … Continue reading Nonfiction November 2021: Stranger than fiction
