I have not posted on the ABIA (Australian Book Industry Association) Awards here before, but it has a couple of categories that interest me, so I've decided this year to share them with you. The process of selection involves, as I understand it, the longlist being chosen/voted for by the ABIA Academy of over 200 industry … Continue reading ABIA 2019 Shortlists announced
Stella Prize 2019 Winner announced
The Stella Prize winner was announced tonight while I was at yoga so I had to wait, impatiently - oops, no, it was yoga, so I was very calm thanks to my wonderful neighbour and teacher - until I got home, to discover the winner. I only managed to read three of the six, which … Continue reading Stella Prize 2019 Winner announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Spotlight on Robert Drewe
In 2016, I wrote five Spotlight posts inspired by Annette Marfording's Celebrating Australian writing: Conversations with Australian authors, and decided that was probably enough mining of her work for my blog. However, with over two years having passed since then, I wondered if it might be okay to do another. I emailed Annette, and she kindly agreed. But, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Spotlight on Robert Drewe
Six degrees of separation, FROM How to be both TO …
I don't think I've read one Six Degrees of Separation meme starting book yet this year! But that hasn't stopped me giving it a go. Who said you have to read a book to write about it! Many a student has known that's not necessary! (Never fear though, I always read the books I review on … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM How to be both TO …
Karen Viggers, The orchardist’s daughter (#BookReview)
The orchardist's daughter is local author Karen Viggers' fourth novel, but the first that I've read. She has, however, appeared on my blog before, being the person who conversed with Sofie Laguna about her novel, The choke. It was one of the most entertaining conversations I've ever attended. Now, if you haven't read or heard of … Continue reading Karen Viggers, The orchardist’s daughter (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Pianos in Australian literature
A rather left-of-field topic for Monday Musings, but did you know that last Friday, March 29th, was World Piano Day? The Piano Day site asks how we are going to celebrate it. Well, three days late, I'm celebrating it by talking about Australian literature that features pianos. Why not? World Piano Day is new - … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Pianos in Australian literature
Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (#BookReview)
Once again I have reason to start a book post with a discussion of the title, this time Marilynne Robinson's 2005 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Gilead. Gilead, in the context of this novel, has a literal and metaphorical meaning, literal because it takes place in the fictional Iowan town of Gilead, and metaphorical because "gilead" … Continue reading Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading marathons
Today's post was inspired by two comments on yesterday's post which featured a public reading event I'd taken part in. Lisa (ANZLitLovers) commented that she is taking part in a reading of James Joyce's Ulysses in a Queenscliff bookshop next Bloomsday, while Karen (Booker Talk) said she wasn't sure she'd heard of such a grand … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading marathons
My literary week (15), readings and readers
As regular readers here know, my "literary week" posts are irregular affairs, usually inspired by something I really want to share (or document for my own benefit!) And so it is this week … Reading Boochani in public ... and related thoughts I was especially pleased, given the events in Christchurch last Friday week, that … Continue reading My literary week (15), readings and readers
Melissa Lucashenko, Too much lip (#BookReview)
Melissa Lucashenko's title for her latest novel Too much lip conveys a lot about what she is trying to do here. Superficially, the title refers to protagonist Kerry's refusal (or inability) "to swallow her opinions", but there are layers to the title which reflect the layers in the novel. Kerry is female and Indigenous, and … Continue reading Melissa Lucashenko, Too much lip (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 