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

S-S-S Snake, Kate Jennings’ Snake, that is

I thoroughly enjoyed Tegan Bennett Daylight's essay on Helen Garner's Cosmo cosmolino (1992) in Reading like an Australian writer. Consequently, I plan, over time, to read and share other essays in this book - at least those discussing books I've reviewed here. As it happens, there is an essay by Debra Adelaide on Kate Jennings' … Continue reading S-S-S Snake, Kate Jennings’ Snake, that is

Six degrees of separation, FROM What are you going through TO …

Woo hoo! This last month, we in Canberra, New South Wales and Victoria came out of lockdown. Vaccination rates are high, and it is still spring (here down under) so things are looking good in our neck of the woods. I sure hope it is for all of you, too. But now, with the weather … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM What are you going through TO …

Elizabeth Jolley, Hilda’s wedding (#Review, #1976 Club )

One of Elizabeth Jolley's biggest fans is Helen Garner, as I have said before. Garner often mentions Jolley, and my current read, the second volume of her diaries, One day I'll remember this, is no exception. She writes: Elizabeth Jolley's new novel, My father's moon [my review]. She re-uses and reworks images from her earlier … Continue reading Elizabeth Jolley, Hilda’s wedding (#Review, #1976 Club )

Six degrees of separation, FROM Second place TO …

Little did I know when I wrote my last Six Degrees, that I would have just completed three weeks of lockdown when writing my September edition, but that's, indeed, where I am. I am aware that among most eastern state Australians, the ACT has been relatively lucky. However, we have been feeling for some time … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Second place TO …

Bill curates: Mary Church Terrell’s What it means to be coloured …

Bill Curates is an occasional series where I delve into Sue’s vast archive, stretching back to May 2009, and choose a post for us to revisit. In 2011, when today's post was first published, Barack Obama was in his first term as President and then Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, was pursuing a scorched earth policy of … Continue reading Bill curates: Mary Church Terrell’s What it means to be coloured …