I am not, and never have been, scared to use the "F" word - that is, I call myself a Feminist. My philosophy is a simple one: women are not the SAME as men, but women deserve EQUAL rights and respect as men. This is not to say that the interpretation and application of this … Continue reading Raising my consciousness: Thoughts of a reader on International Women’s Day
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Living Treasures
Over the weekend, the list of Australian Living Treasures was updated. This has to happen every now then because, you know, our living treasures have a habit of dying eventually, which rather disqualifies them from the list! I've chosen to write this post this week for two reasons. The most obvious one is the updating … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Living Treasures
Gillian Mears, Foal’s bread (Review)
Foal's bread is Gillian Mears' first novel in around 16 years, though she has published short stories in the interim. This is a shame because she is a beautiful writer, particularly when she writes about the place she knows best, the farms of the New South Wales north coast. Foal's bread is about the Nancarrow … Continue reading Gillian Mears, Foal’s bread (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Tony of Tony’s Book World
As with most of my guest posters to date, I came across Tony (of Tony's Book World) not long after I commenced blogging. He stood out like a beacon because he was a non-Aussie blogger who had read a significant amount of Australian literature, including Patrick White no less. If you check his blog, you … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Tony of Tony’s Book World
Monday musings on Australian literature: Judging a book by its cover
"Don't judge a book by its cover" is one of those mantras that we've all heard. It's a pretty valid one too - literally and metaphorically - but that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy looking at bookcovers and handling beautifully produced books, does it? At least that's how I see it as a reader. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Judging a book by its cover
Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite first (Australian) lines
This is a bit of a copout, I know, but I'm travelling this week and don't have a lot of time to write a seriously considered post. So, I've decided to simply do a list - of some of my favourite first lines from Australian literature. Like most readers I think, I do love a … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite first (Australian) lines
On the literary road: Omeo, Omeo, wherefore art thou Omeo?
Ok, that's a pretty weak beginning I know, but hands up if you've ever heard of Omeo in Victoria, Australia? I must say that I hadn't until recently when I started planning our latest foray into Victoria. We decided to travel to Melbourne via the Great Alpine Road, in Victoria's High Country ... and in … Continue reading On the literary road: Omeo, Omeo, wherefore art thou Omeo?
Michael Sala and truthful fictions
Michael Sala doesn't actually use the term "truthful fictions". That was a character in Jessica Anderson's Tirra Lirra by the river. But he could have. Yesterday I heard Sala interviewed on ABC Radio National's Life Matters about his debut novel The last thread, which I reviewed last week. Presenter Natasha Mitchell commenced by mentioning the transitions, secrets and … Continue reading Michael Sala and truthful fictions
Monday musings on Australian literature: Jessica Anderson
Every now and then I feature a specific writer in my Monday Musings - and they've usually been women because they tend to be overlooked. Take Jessica Anderson (1916-2010), for example. Most keen AusLit readers will know her because her novel Tirra lirra by the river made quite a splash when it was published in 1978, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Jessica Anderson
Dorothy Porter, On passion (Review)
Do you read "little" books? You know those small books that are carefully placed on bookstore sales counters where you are buying the book you really came for? I don't often, but every now and then one catches my eye. Today's review is of such a book from Melbourne University Press's Little books on big themes … Continue reading Dorothy Porter, On passion (Review)
Whispering Gums 