While other Aussies were attending dawn services, or watching almost 24/7 ANZAC broadcasts on the box, this ANZAC Day, Mr Gums and I chose to remember it by going to the Griffyn Ensemble's The Dirty Red Digger concert, which was devised by their musical director Michael Sollis. Even more audacious than usual, Sollis managed to create a thoughtful show … Continue reading I spent Anzac with the Griffyns
Jane Rawson, A wrong turn at the Office of Unmade Lists (Review)
The weirdest thing happened when I put down Jane Rawson's debut novel, A wrong turn at the Office of Unmade Lists: I started imagining things! This is weird because I'm not a particularly imaginative or fanciful person, so it must have been this book that did it. Let me explain ... First though, I need to say that I've … Continue reading Jane Rawson, A wrong turn at the Office of Unmade Lists (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Social media reviewing
I've been a bit distracted lately by life and so missed an article which appeared a few days ago in the online journal, The Conversation. Luckily, there's Twitter, so I didn't miss it entirely! Isn't social media grand? Except, of course, when you botch it. And this is where this article I nearly missed comes in ... … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Social media reviewing
Carmel Bird launches Marion Halligan’s latest at Paperchain
Sometimes blogging brings you little thrills, and I had one a few days ago when Carmel Bird, one of Australia's literary luminaries, emailed me with the offer to post her launch speech for Marion Halligan's latest book. Was this out of order she asked? As if! So, I attended the delightful launch, and received the text from Carmel Bird's … Continue reading Carmel Bird launches Marion Halligan’s latest at Paperchain
Monday musings on Australian literature: Short Stories, 1920s style
"A good short story is a work of art, and a joy of forever!" So wrote the author of The Sydney Stock and Station Journal's "Our Book Column", back in March 1920. I hadn't planned to write about this topic today, but the various discussions of short stories I found while researching Trove distracted me. You all … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Short Stories, 1920s style
Meeting Biff Ward
In her comment on my review of Biff Ward's beautiful memoir, In my mother's hands, in which I mentioned that Biff had been present at my reading group, Stefanie (So Many Books) asked if I planned to post specifically about Biff's presence. While I don't always do this when authors visit my group - Biff was our sixth author in our 27 years … Continue reading Meeting Biff Ward
Sparrow-Folk and Tara Moss want to Ruin Your Day
This year, as I like to do, I went to the National Folk Festival, albeit for only one day instead of my usual two. I love the music, but I also love the singer-songwriters for whom the lyrics are at least as important at the music. I came to folk through the protest songs of the … Continue reading Sparrow-Folk and Tara Moss want to Ruin Your Day
Monday musings on Australian literature: First winners of The Bulletin Novel Prize
"Once again women have proved that they can triumph over men"! So starts a 1928 newspaper article announcing the winners of the first Bulletin Novel Prize. Hmmm ... fascinating to read this the week we heard that eight of the ten books longlisted for the 2015 Miles Franklin Award are by women. I don't like to … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: First winners of The Bulletin Novel Prize
Biff Ward, In my mother’s hands (Review)
"Profoundly moving", "a kind book", and "harrowing" could be blurb words for Biff Ward's memoir, In my mother's hands, but they're not. They are some of the words used by members of my reading group when we discussed the book this week with - lucky us - the author in attendance. It's quite coincidental that I happened to … Continue reading Biff Ward, In my mother’s hands (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Scattered thoughts on memoirs
I've titled this Monday Musings "scattered thoughts" because I don't want to raise expectations that I'm going to write a treatise on what is a fascinating but oh-so complex topic. I was inspired to write this post by author Annabel Smith's asking me to take part in her Friday Faves* post on favourite memoirs. For this post, Smith asked … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Scattered thoughts on memoirs
Whispering Gums 