Finally, I have found something to thank COVID for - Carmel Bird's Telltale. Best described as a bibliomemoir, Telltale may never have been written if Bird had not been locked down with her extensive library. What is a lively mind to do in such a situation? I can think of a few options, but what … Continue reading Carmel Bird, Telltale: Reading writing remembering (#BookReview)
Women writers
Kim Vanessa Scott, Growing up … Katherine style (#BookReview)
Growing up .. Katherine style is the second self-published book I have reviewed from this Katherine-based artist and writer, the first being her book about some of Katherine's historical housing, Katherine's tropical housing precinct 1946-1956. There are a few reasons why I have broken my no-self-published-books rule. One is that both books had some Northern … Continue reading Kim Vanessa Scott, Growing up … Katherine style (#BookReview)
Jacqueline Kent’s Seymour Biography Lecture
Last Thursday night we went to our fifth Seymour Biography Lecture at the National Library of Australia. We missed the last one in 2019 because we were travelling. Little did we know then that it would be three years before another one could be held. The Seymour Biography Lecture, which is one of the highlights on … Continue reading Jacqueline Kent’s Seymour Biography Lecture
Monday musings on Australian literature: Local colour, 1920-style
Back in June I wrote a post on the Australian Literature Society's Women's Night that they held in 1922. This Society, which was formed in Melbourne in 1899, has played an important role in supporting and promoting Australian literature for well over a century - first as itself, and then as part of the Association … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Local colour, 1920-style
Audrey Magee, The colony (#BookReview)
Irish novelist Audrey Magee's second novel, The colony, was my reading group's August book, and it proved an excellent choice. Literary and highly readable, with vivid characters and a sophisticated exploration of its subject matter, The colony engaged us on all levels. It was longlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize (and may yet be shortlisted. … Continue reading Audrey Magee, The colony (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: The new AWW, six months on
In February, a new AWW (Australian Women Writers blog) team, comprising its founder, Elizabeth Lhuede, Bill Holloway (The Australian Legend) and me, published our first post in our revamped blog. Six months on we have settled into a nice little routine which I'd like to share with you, but first ... Let me recap what … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The new AWW, six months on
Larissa Behrendt, After story (#BookReview)
Larissa Behrendt's latest novel After story has been on my wishlist since it came out last year, so I was thrilled when my reading group chose it as our 2022 NAIDOC-Week read. What self-respecting reader, after all, doesn’t like a literary tour? After story, for those who haven't caught up with it yet, is framed … Continue reading Larissa Behrendt, After story (#BookReview)
Jeanne Griggs, Postcard poems (#BookReview)
If you love travel, you would enjoy Jeanne Griggs' poetry collection, Postcard poems, which comprises postcard-sized poems ostensibly sent from locations around the USA, and further afield. Like all good travel writing, though, these poems offer more than just simple travel. However, before I discuss them, I should introduce the poet. Some of you will … Continue reading Jeanne Griggs, Postcard poems (#BookReview)
Miles Franklin Award 2022 winner announced
While once again I haven't read (yet, anyhow) any of the Miles Franklin shortlist, I do try each year to announce the winner of this significant Australian literary award. You may remember that this year's shortlist was: Michael Mohammed Ahmed’s The other half of youMichelle de Kretser’s Scary monsters (Lisa’s review)Jennifer Down’s Bodies of light Alice Pung’s One hundred days (kimbofo’s review)Michael … Continue reading Miles Franklin Award 2022 winner announced
Jane Austen, Sense and sensibility (Vol. 3, redux)
I've called this post "Vol. 3, redux", although it is my first post on volume 3. The reason is that for my Jane Austen group's 2011 slow read of Sense and sensibility, I wrote posts on volumes 1 and 2, but not on volume 3 as I missed the meeting, and never did write up … Continue reading Jane Austen, Sense and sensibility (Vol. 3, redux)
