Is she ever going to write another actual review you've been probably wondering but yes, I am - and it's for the young protagonist book I mentioned in my recent Reading Highlights post. The book is Jarrah Dundler's debut novel, Hey Brother, which was shortlisted for the The Australian/Vogel Upublished Manuscript Award in 2017 under … Continue reading Jarrah Dundler, Hey Brother (#BookReview)
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2019
I've been doing this "new releases" post for three or four years now. As the post title says, it's about books that will be published this year, but I'll be selective, focusing on those most interesting to me. This doesn't mean that I expect to read them all, just that they interest me!! Last year … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2019
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers Challenge 2018
As has become tradition, I'm devoting my last Monday Musings of the year to the Australian Women Writers Challenge* - but, this year it coincides with New Year's Eve. When this post goes live, who knows what revelry I'll be up to! Hmm ... I can but hope! Seriously, though, I wish all you wonderful Whispering Gums … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers Challenge 2018
Monday musings on Australian literature: ABC RN presenters name their 2018 summer picks
Last Monday, I posted the best picks for 2018 by ABC RN's Book Show presenters and some of their guests. I considered not posting at all this Monday. After all, it's Christmas Eve and most of us are busy, but then, yesterday, I saw that the ABC had posted "2018's best summer reads" recommended by … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ABC RN presenters name their 2018 summer picks
Rodney Hall, A stolen season (#BookReview)
Rodney Hall is one of those Australian authors who deserves more attention than he seems to get. Consequently, I'm thrilled to at last include him in my blog, with his latest novel A stolen season. I was introduced to Hall back in the late 1980s when my reading group read his surprising novel, Just relations, … Continue reading Rodney Hall, A stolen season (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: ABC RN presenters name their top 2018 reads
In recent years, I've shared ABC RN presenters' suggested summer reads, but this year I'm sharing Best Reads of 2018, from the two presenters of The Bookshelf program, and some of their guests. For more lists, and related links, you can check out the webpages for their December 7 and December 14 radio shows. Nicole Abadee (literary consultant … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ABC RN presenters name their top 2018 reads
Monday musings on Australian literature: ACT’s literary awards
Last week, I attended the ACT Writers Centre's Christmas Party and Awards Night. It was a lovely, relaxed affair - just the sort I like. Not too much ceremony, but much good will and conviviality. I loved seeing writers, and others from our little territory's literary community, mingle with each other, commending each other's achievements. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ACT’s literary awards
Clare Wright, You daughters of freedom (#BookReview)
Well, that was a tome and a half! And in saying this I'm referring less to the length of Clare Wright's new history, You daughters of freedom: The Australians who won the vote and inspired the world, than to its depth and richness. There are, in fact, two main stories going on here - the story of … Continue reading Clare Wright, You daughters of freedom (#BookReview)
Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Winners, 2018, announced
The Winners of the the Prime Minister's Literary Awards for 2018 were announced this morning at Parliament House ... an event I followed via their Twitter Live Feed ... and it contained the BEST of ALL POSSIBLE news that Gerald Murnane won the Fiction prize. I haven't read the novel, so perhaps my approval is … Continue reading Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Winners, 2018, announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Eleanor Witcombe
Eleanor Witcombe, who died in October at the venerable age of 95, is not exactly a household name in Australia - but some of her work is, because she's associated with the renaissance of Australian film in the late 1970s. She wrote the screenplays for The getting of wisdom and My brilliant career. However, her writing career long … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Eleanor Witcombe
Whispering Gums 