Having launched their Poetry Month in 2021 which I wrote about at the time, Red Room Company (or, Red Room Poetry) clearly felt it was successful, because they are back again this year with another Poetry Month. Its aim is to "increase access, awareness and visibility of poetry in all its forms and for all … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Poetry Month 2022 and Verse novels
Australian literature
Larissa Behrendt, After story (#BookReview)
Larissa Behrendt's latest novel After story has been on my wishlist since it came out last year, so I was thrilled when my reading group chose it as our 2022 NAIDOC-Week read. What self-respecting reader, after all, doesn’t like a literary tour? After story, for those who haven't caught up with it yet, is framed … Continue reading Larissa Behrendt, After story (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1922: 6, Great Australian novel (again)
The things you find in Trove! As l was trawling Trove for my 1922-project earlier this year, I came across a reference to the Great Australian novel. Just one. So, I put it aside, thinking it would be a neat, quick little post for a busy week like this one. Little did I know ... … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1922: 6, Great Australian novel (again)
Miles Franklin Award 2022 winner announced
While once again I haven't read (yet, anyhow) any of the Miles Franklin shortlist, I do try each year to announce the winner of this significant Australian literary award. You may remember that this year's shortlist was: Michael Mohammed Ahmed’s The other half of youMichelle de Kretser’s Scary monsters (Lisa’s review)Jennifer Down’s Bodies of light Alice Pung’s One hundred days (kimbofo’s review)Michael … Continue reading Miles Franklin Award 2022 winner announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1922: 5, Art books
As I wrote in my fourth 1922-themed post, some genres and forms kept popping up in the articles I was reading about Australian literature. One was the adventure genre which I featured in the last post. That wasn't particularly surprising, but today's topic, art, is another matter. However, before we get onto that, a note … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1922: 5, Art books
Nigel Featherstone, My heart is a little wild thing (#BookReview)
In late May, I reported on the Canberra launch of Nigel Featherstone's latest novel, My heart is a little wild thing - and now I bring you my thoughts on this finely-observed book about a man's reaching for his own life. I'm going to start with a reflection on a question authors of books like … Continue reading Nigel Featherstone, My heart is a little wild thing (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Magabala Books
2022 National NAIDOC logo Lisa's (ANZLitLovers) 2022 First Nations Reading Week and this year's NAIDOC Week officially ended yesterday. However, as I've done before, I'm bookending those events with Monday Musings posts - with this week's topic being the pioneering publisher, Magabala Books. Magabala Books have been operating for over 40 years - as they share … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Magabala Books
Evelyn Araluen, Dropbear (#BookReview)
The final line of "Gather", the opening poem in Evelyn Araluen's collection Dropbear, announces her intention - "got something for you to swallow". Well, I can tell you now, if you haven't already read the book, she sure has. Dropbear, self-described by Araluen as a "strange little book", won this year's Stella Prize, the first … Continue reading Evelyn Araluen, Dropbear (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: First Nations Australian poets
2022 National NAIDOC logo Yesterday was the start of Lisa's (ANZLitLovers) 2022 First Nations Reading Week which coincides of course with NAIDOC Week. As has become my practice, I'm devoting this week's Monday Musings to the cause. NAIDOC Week's theme this year is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! Its focus is encouraging First Nations people … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: First Nations Australian poets
Monday musings on Australian literature: Frank Moorhouse (1938-2022)
Frank Moorhouse was one of the grand old men of Australian literature, so when I learned that he'd died yesterday, I knew I had to change my plan for this week's Monday Musings to feature him. Wikipedia's introduction to him gives you a sense why I've described him as I have: "He won major Australian … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Frank Moorhouse (1938-2022)
Whispering Gums 