Those of you who know the subject matter of Sofie Laguna's latest novel, Infinite splendours, will not be surprised to hear that it drew a mixed reaction from my reading group, particularly coming on the heels of recent reads like Nardi Simpson's Song of the crocodile (my review) and Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain (my review). … Continue reading Sofie Laguna, Infinite splendours (#BookReview)
Literary awards
Stella … 10 years
While the Stella Prize isn't quite 10 years old, next year will see the awarding of the 10th prize. With that landmark in its sights, the Stella people decided to tweak the prize criteria, and have added single-author poetry collections to the forms eligible for the prize. An excellent move. Around the same time, they … Continue reading Stella … 10 years
Monday musings on Australian literature: 2021 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award shortlist
Once again I am using my Monday Musings post to make an awards announcement, though I prefer not to. However, I am breaking my rule-of-thumb so soon again for a few reasons: I spent too much time on yesterday's Living under Covid-19 post leaving less time for today's post; I have a zoom Tai Chi … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 2021 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award shortlist
Monday musings on Australian literature: Supporting genres, 4: Literary nonfiction
Continuing my little Monday Musings sub-series on "supporting" genres, I'm turning next to a rather "rubbery" genre, literary nonfiction. It is tricky to define - and partly for that reason, it is not obviously well supported. Literary nonfiction goes by a few other names including creative nonfiction and narrative nonfiction. This last one provides a … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Supporting genres, 4: Literary nonfiction
Douglas Stuart, Shuggie Bain (#BookReview)
How to write about a book that has made such a big splash that it has already been extensively reviewed. What more can one say? This is what I'm facing with Douglas Stuart's debut and Booker Prize-winning novel, Shuggie Bain. I haven't, in fact, read much about it, because I prefer to come to books … Continue reading Douglas Stuart, Shuggie Bain (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: 2021 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award longlist
I only occasionally use my Monday Musings post to make awards announcements. Today is one of those occasions, because the Nib Literary Awards longlist was announced today and I did want to share it, as it's one of Australia's quieter but yet interesting awards. I have written about it before and in that post you … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 2021 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award longlist
Monday musings on Australian literature: Supporting genres, 3: Biography
Time for another in my little Monday Musings sub-series on "supporting" genres. I've chosen Biography for this one, since the 2021 National Biography Award winner will be announced this month. However, I have written quite a bit about Australian biography before: Australian Literary Biographies The Hazel Rowley Literary Fund Indigenous Australian biographies The National Biography … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Supporting genres, 3: Biography
Queensland Literary Awards 2021 shortlist announced
I haven't reported often on these awards, but they are an example of the literary world's faith in the value of awards, as any of you who remember their history will know. They are an interesting set of awards because they combine specific state awards and awards for which all Australian writers are eligible. And … Continue reading Queensland Literary Awards 2021 shortlist announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the fourth decade (1988-1997)
Miles Franklin, c. 1940s (Presume Public Domain, via Wikipedia) This is my fourth post in a little sub-series looking at the Miles Franklin Award by decade. As with the first three, written back in 2016, I don't plan to list all the decade's winners, as you can find them on the Award's official site. Instead, I'll share some interesting snippets, inspired … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the fourth decade (1988-1997)
The Age Book of the Year 2021 shortlist announced
A few weeks ago, I wrote a Monday Musings on the revival of The Age Book of the Year award. Back then, there was no information about when the shortlist would be announced. Suddenly, however, with no fanfare, it was announced yesterday afternoon - at least that's when the announcement I saw was posted. The … Continue reading The Age Book of the Year 2021 shortlist announced
Whispering Gums 