I seem to have been reading a lot in recent weeks about reading, the end of reviewing, the future (or not) of the book, and so on. All interesting, though many revisiting familiar territory. One, though, particularly caught my eye. It was a post in Book Riot, by magazine editor/blogger/reviewer Greg Zimmerman, and was titled … Continue reading Reading difficult literature
Margaret Rose Stringer, And then like my dreams (Review)
I was, I have to admit, predisposed to like Margaret Rose Stringer's memoir, And then like my dreams, before I opened the cover. Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed, but not, as it turned out, for the reason I expected. Here's why. Margaret Rose Stringer once worked as a continuity girl in the Australian film industry and … Continue reading Margaret Rose Stringer, And then like my dreams (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Here come the men!
Women really have dominated the literary awards season in Australia over the last two years. In 2012, the majority of the awards were won by Anna Funder with All that I am and Gillian Mears with Foal's bread. Last year it was mostly Michelle de Kretser with Questions of travel and Carrie Tiffany with Mateship … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Here come the men!
Beryl Fletcher, Juno and Hannah (Review)
I've been pretty remiss in my blog regarding New Zealand literature. I have read and enjoyed several New Zealand novelists, such as Keri Hulme, Janet Frame and Fiona Kidman, but the only New Zealand writer I've reviewed here to date has been Lloyd Jones. And so I was both intrigued and pleased when Spinifex Press … Continue reading Beryl Fletcher, Juno and Hannah (Review)
Kathy Marks, Channelling Mannalargenna (Review)
A few weeks ago I wrote a Monday Musings about the Walkley Awards, noting some of the winners that particularly interested me. They included two awards for essays in the Griffith Review, one by Melissa Lucashenko, whose essay "Sinking below sight" I subsequently reviewed, and the other by Kathy Marks whose essay, "Channelling Mannalargenna" is … Continue reading Kathy Marks, Channelling Mannalargenna (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Top Aussie book sales in 2013
This is, I suppose, another end of year round-up post - but one about bookselling in Australia, which is something I don't usually write much about. However, since many of us love lists, I thought I'd share with you Australia's top selling books for 2103: Jeff Kinney: Hard luck: Diary of a wimpy kid (UK, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Top Aussie book sales in 2013
Author interview with “word hustler” Catherine McNamara
I haven't made a practice of doing author interviews on my blog. In fact, the only other interview I've presented was one the now defunct magazine Wet Ink did with Nigel Featherstone. However, when Catherine McNamara asked whether I'd be happy to host her as part of her blog tour, I was more than happy … Continue reading Author interview with “word hustler” Catherine McNamara
Catherine McNamara, Pelt and other stories (Review)
It seems fitting that my first review of the year be for a book of short stories by one of this blog's regular commenters, Catherine McNamara. I have reviewed McNamara before, her first published novel, The divorced lady's companion to living in Italy. McNamara describes that book as commercial fiction. It is, to describe it … Continue reading Catherine McNamara, Pelt and other stories (Review)
Notable reads and highlights from 2013
Last year I wrote two highlights posts - a general one on blogging and reading, and a specific one targeting books. This year, I think I'll revert to one post and combine the two. (I'll provide links to my posts where relevant - not to promote myself, but to make it easy for those of … Continue reading Notable reads and highlights from 2013
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers’ Challenge 2013
As last year, I'm devoting my last Monday Musings for 2013 to the Australian Women Writers Challenge. This challenge, instigated by Elizabeth Lhuede in response to growing concern in Australian literary circles about lack of recognition for women writers, was so successful in 2012 that Elizabeth, with the help of a team of volunteers, decided to continue … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers’ Challenge 2013
Whispering Gums 