I did a "books given and received post" last Boxing Day, and decided to do it again. It's a useful record for me to keep, and may just interest you, so, here goes. For Mr Gums, who is often up for a walk: Walking and cycling Canberra's Centenary Trail For Ms Gums Jr, in her … Continue reading Books given and received for Christmas, in 2015
Commentary
Monday musings on Australian literature: More on small books
Why is it that when we humans see change, we tend to prognosticate doom? I'm thinking how it was argued that TV would be the end of radio, and videos the end of cinema. It hasn't happened has it? These older industries may have had to rearranged themselves a little but they have survived. Then … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: More on small books
Monday musings on Australian literature: Where is Australia’s George Orwell?
In a comment on my review last week of Kate Grenville's One life, Lisa (ANZLitLovers) asked "Where's Australia's George Orwell?". This was in reference to the idea that more novelists should write about climate change to help change public opinion. Interesting question, I thought, and one that I could explore in a Monday Musings. You … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Where is Australia’s George Orwell?
Life … sends you detours
"Life ... sends you detours" is a line I quoted from the short story "Sunrise over Sausalito" in the last review I posted here at Gums. That review, posted on 11 July, was for the short story collection Love on the road 2015. Unfortunately, since then we have experienced our own love-on-the-road detours. This is why, … Continue reading Life … sends you detours
Monday musings on Australian literature: On labelling writers
Today's post was inspired by a tweet from Aminatta Forna which led me to an article she'd written titled "Don't judge a book by its author". The Guardian led the article with the following pull quote: I have never met a writer who wishes to be described as a female writer, gay writer, black writer, Asian writer … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: On labelling writers
Sparrow-Folk and Tara Moss want to Ruin Your Day
This year, as I like to do, I went to the National Folk Festival, albeit for only one day instead of my usual two. I love the music, but I also love the singer-songwriters for whom the lyrics are at least as important at the music. I came to folk through the protest songs of the … Continue reading Sparrow-Folk and Tara Moss want to Ruin Your Day
On understanding the arts
Earlier this year I wrote a post about reading difficult literature. I said that I like to be challenged by literature, and discussed the features that define "difficulty" for me. Since then I've come across various statements, some contradictory, about the role of "difficulty" in the arts - and I thought I'd share them with … Continue reading On understanding the arts
Books given and received for Christmas
Here at the Gums, we like of course to give and receive books for Christmas. Like you, I'm sure, I love choosing books for those I love, albeit tinged with a little anxiety. Have they read it? Will they like it? That doesn't stop we readers giving it a go though does it? Anyhow, just … Continue reading Books given and received for Christmas
Who’s watching our e-reading behaviour?
I was intrigued to read in The Guardian app this morning that Kobo has released a report on patterns in e-reading that they have gleaned from more than 21 million Kobo readers (the devices and, therefore, the readers!) across the world! The report says that retailers had been reluctant to share the data they had been gathering … Continue reading Who’s watching our e-reading behaviour?
What do you say when you order food at a restaurant?
This post is not quite on my usual topic. It's about a little linguistic issue that's been bothering me of late - though it's been around for a little while now. It's this ... When you order food at a restaurant or cafe, what do you say? "May I have a long black please" or … Continue reading What do you say when you order food at a restaurant?
