A few weeks ago I posted on the ACT Litblogging program for which I am a mentor. But, I'll just recap in case you missed that post. Titled ACT Lit-bloggers of the Future, this is a collaborative program between the ACT Writers Centre and the National Library of Australia (NLA). It provides for two emerging ACT-region … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ACT Litbloggers under way
Australian Women Writers 2017 Challenge completed
I usually write my completion post for the Australian Women Writer's Challenge, around the middle of the year, even though I plan to take part until the year's end. As in previous years, I signed up for the top-level, Franklin, which involves reading 10 books and reviewing at least 6, and as in previous years I've exceeded this. However, it's … Continue reading Australian Women Writers 2017 Challenge completed
Vale Jane Austen: on the 200th anniversary of her death
Today, July 18, marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death. Unfortunately, because I am travelling I am unable to join my local Jane Austen group's wake to commemorate her, but I had to do something of course, so I've decided to write a post on Austen biographies. I'm partly drawing from my group's recent … Continue reading Vale Jane Austen: on the 200th anniversary of her death
Monday musings on Australian literature: Mid-year awards round-up
As is my wont, I have not been posting this year on all the awards that have been announced - on their longlists, shortlists or even their winners - though I have done some. It can become a bit overwhelming. Instead, I've decided that a mid-year recap might be a useful way to go - … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Mid-year awards round-up
Delicious descriptions: Kim Mahood’s desert
I wanted to use this Descriptions series to share a couple of Mahood's gorgeous descriptions from her memoir, Position doubtful, which I reviewed recently, but I've decided to share one about maps and relationships (and you'll probably see why), and a description. From a mapping expedition: The shortcomings of my prototype map soon become evident. … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Kim Mahood’s desert
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Bill of The Australian Legend
It's been two years since I last published a Guest Post, for no any other reason than that the idea slipped off the radar as other busy-ness took over. However, during a recent email correspondence with (relatively new) blogger Bill, the idea re-popped into my head, and so I asked him, as he explains below. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Bill of The Australian Legend
Ali Cobby Eckermann, Inside my mother (#BookReview)
Ali Cobby Eckermann, a Yankunytjatjara/Kokatha woman, has featured a few times on this blog, including in my review of her verse novel, Ruby Moonlight, and my Monday Musings post on her winning the valuable Windham-Campbell Prize this year. She is now appearing again as I review her poetry collection, Inside my mother, for Lisa's ANZlitLovers Indigenous … Continue reading Ali Cobby Eckermann, Inside my mother (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading indigenous literature
Each July, as well as contributing at least one review to Lisa's ANZLitLovers Indigenous Literature Week, I try to write a Monday Musings post related in some way to NAIDOC week which, as Aussies will know, is a week, usually the first full week in July, during which activities are planned to “to celebrate the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading indigenous literature
Six degrees of separation, FROM Picnic at Hanging Rock TO A few days in the country
Woo hoo, it's Six Degrees of Separation day again, and for this month our host Kate (booksaremyfavouriteandbest) has selected a special book, Joan Lindsay's Picnic at Hanging Rock, which is 50 years old this year. This meme, as you probably know by now, requires we players to create a chain of six more books, linking one from … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Picnic at Hanging Rock TO A few days in the country
Kim Mahood, Position doubtful (#BookReview)
Kim Mahood's memoir Position doubtful is a such a stimulating read. That might sound weird for a book whose subtitle is Mapping, landscapes and memories, but the thing is that it hits the spot in so many ways that are central to the issues confronting Australians right now. In other words, it's about our relationship to place. Specifically, … Continue reading Kim Mahood, Position doubtful (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 