For my reading group's tribute to Marion Halligan last year, I had planned to read one of her older novels, Wishbone, which I did (my review), and her last book, the memoir Words for Lucy, which I didn't. But, I have now. I guess a book born of a mother's grief for a daughter who … Continue reading Marion Halligan, Words for Lucy (#BookReview)
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2025
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. And, for many years, the bulk of this post came from a comprehensive list prepared by Jane Sullivan for the Sydney Morning Herald. However, this year's SMH's list, prepared by … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2025
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some little recaps (2)
Last year, my last Monday Musings of the year fell on Christmas Day, so I did what I called a little recap post. This year, my last Monday Musings occurs the day before my big two end-of-year posts - Reading Highlights and Blogging Highlights - so I've decided to do another little undemanding Recap Post. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some little recaps (2)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 9, Dulcie Deamer
Dulcie Deamer, like my most recent Forgotten Writer, Jessie Urquhart, has retained some level of recognition - or, at least notability, with there being articles for her not only in Wikipedia and the AustLit database, but also in the Australian dictionary of biography (ADB). I have briefly mentioned her in my blog before, in Monday … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 9, Dulcie Deamer
Sonya Voumard, Tremor (#BookReview)
As I've previously reported, Sonya Voumard's short memoir, Tremor, is one of the two winners of this year's Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Publishing Prize. Earlier this month, I reviewed the fiction winner, P.S. Cottier and N.G. Hartland's novella The thirty-one legs of Vladimir Putin. Now it's Voumard's turn, with her book on living with a neurological … Continue reading Sonya Voumard, Tremor (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite fiction 2024
Around this time of December, I have, for a few years now, shared favourite Aussie reads of the year from various sources. The specific sources have varied a little from time to time. Last year, a significant source - The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age - became unavailable to me as it is now paywalled, and … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite fiction 2024
Shirley Hazzard, The bay of noon (#BookReview)
Shirley Hazzard's novella, The bay of noon, has been in my sights for a long time, but finally, this Novellas-in-November year, I managed to get it out of my sights and into my hands. It's the first of two novellas I read for the month, but the second to review. Such was my November (and … Continue reading Shirley Hazzard, The bay of noon (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s bestsellers, Black Friday week 2024
With thanks to Colin Steele - Canberra’s wonderful Meet The Author convenor, who is also one of my major sources of literary news - I have another list for you, this one of the top selling books in this year's Black Friday sales. Black Friday is a post-Thanksgiving Day sales event with a long and complicated … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s bestsellers, Black Friday week 2024
Monday musings on Australian literature: Books set at the beach
Summer has formally started here in the Southern Hemisphere, and in Australia that means (for most people), the beach. We have gorgeous beaches here - not that they are my go-to place - so I thought to share some books set at the beach, by the sea. Some of these may also be "beach reads" … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Books set at the beach
PS Cottier and NG Hartland, The thirty-one legs of Vladimir Putin (#BookReview)
Earlier this month, I posted on a conversation with the winners of the 2024 Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Publishing Prize, P S Cottier and N G Hartland, who wrote The thirty-one legs of Vladimir Putin, and Sonya Voumard, who wrote Tremor. On the surface, these books look very different, but conversation facilitator, Sally Pryor, found some … Continue reading PS Cottier and NG Hartland, The thirty-one legs of Vladimir Putin (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 