Too deadly is an anthology of writings by the Canberra-based writing group Us Mob Writing. Comprising Australian First Nations writers, this group was formed in the late 1990s and is, apparently, one of our capital's longest running writers' groups. I saw advertising for the book's launch back in late 2017, but was unable to attend. I … Continue reading Us Mob Writing, Too deadly (#BookReview)
Literature by period
Maria Edgeworth, Leonora (#BookReview)
My Jane Austen group decided to start the year by discussing one of Austen's precursors, not to mention favourite writers, Maria Edgeworth (1767-1849). Edgeworth was born eight years before Austen and lived much longer than Austen's not quite 42 years - lucky her! She was also prolific, so we had plenty to choose from. According … Continue reading Maria Edgeworth, Leonora (#BookReview)
Anita Heiss (ed.), Growing up Aboriginal in Australia (#BookReview)
As many others have said, including my reading group, Anita Heiss's anthology, Growing up Aboriginal in Australia, should be required reading for all Australians. At the very least, it should be in every Australian secondary and tertiary educational institution. Why? Because it contributes to the truth-telling that is critical to real reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous … Continue reading Anita Heiss (ed.), Growing up Aboriginal in Australia (#BookReview)
Neil H Atkinson, The last wild west (#BookReview)
In one of those strange synchronicities, I attended an event, a few hours after finishing Neil H Atkinson's The last wild west, that gave me the perfect opening for my post. This event was the launch of the VR film, Carriberrie, at the National Film and Sound Archive. Speaking at the launch, indigenous woman and participant … Continue reading Neil H Atkinson, The last wild west (#BookReview)
Annabel Smith, Whiskey and Charlie (#BookReview)
Some explanations first. Western Australian author Annabel Smith's novel Whiskey & Charlie was first published in Australia back in 2012 as Whisky Charlie Foxtrot, which immediately brings to mind the two-way alphabet (or, as I knew it, the alphabet used by the police on The Bill for communication. The things you learn via TV!) However, as happens, … Continue reading Annabel Smith, Whiskey and Charlie (#BookReview)
Igniting Change, Small ways to shape our world (#BookReview)
I really should have posted on this book, Small ways to shape a world, way before this, because it is a quick (albeit meaningful) read, but I am rigorous about the order in which I post on books sent to me for review, and so it has taken until now for it to rise to … Continue reading Igniting Change, Small ways to shape our world (#BookReview)
Josephine Wilson, Extinctions (Guest post by Amanda) (#BookReview)
I am very pleased to bring you another guest post by Amanda, for a book I've not managed to read yet, much as I'd like to: Josephine Wilson's Miles Franklin Award winning novel, Extinctions. Amanda's review I loved this book. I was really sorry when it ended. It’s the kind of novel you press into … Continue reading Josephine Wilson, Extinctions (Guest post by Amanda) (#BookReview)
Angela Meyer, A superior spectre (#BookReview)
A superior spectre may be Angela Meyer's first novel, but her already significant writing credentials, including being the author of the short/flash style fiction collection Captives (my review), and the editor of the anthology The great unknown (my review), ensure this is a confident debut. And it needed to be, because Meyer took big risks in this … Continue reading Angela Meyer, A superior spectre (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading Victoria
The inspiration for these Monday Musings posts comes from all sorts of places, but mostly from online sources and print media. Today's, however, comes from a catch-up I had last week with my group of litblogger mentees (at which Angharad and Emma from 2017 met Amy from 2018.) It was delightful. You won't be surprised … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading Victoria
Trent Dalton, Boy swallows universe (#BookReview)
Two books came to mind as I was reading Trent Dalton's debut novel Boy swallows universe. One was Steve Toltz's out-there book about fathers and sons, A fraction of the whole (my review), and the other was Tim Winton's Breath (my post), which explores what it is to be a good man, but more on these … Continue reading Trent Dalton, Boy swallows universe (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 