During our recent trip to Europe we managed to follow the trails of a few composers*. We saw statues of JS Bach, CPE Bach, Felix Mendelssohn and Ludwig van Beethoven. We visited Eisenach, where Bach was born and saw the church where he was baptised. We visited Leipzig, where he worked for 27 years and … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down under: Murray Bail on composers’ houses
Monday musings on Australian literature: GenreCon
I returned from seven weeks of gallivanting abroad to several emails* about something called GenreCon, which will take place next week from October 11 to 13 at the State Library of Queensland. I hadn't heard of this before, which is probably not surprising as it seems to be a new event. As you've probably guessed … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: GenreCon
Miscellaneous writers on travel
You may have noticed that I didn't manage a Monday Musings last week. Mr Gums and I have just arrived home from our 7-weeks sojourn overseas - so normal service will resume soon, both here and in my reading of your blogs! Today, though, I thought I'd share a small, eclectic collection of quotes about … Continue reading Miscellaneous writers on travel
Monday musings on Australian literature: Qantas flight-length book deal
Some of you have probably sussed that Whispering Gums is not at her usual desk - and you'd be right. I've been travelling since mid-August, mostly in Europe, and will be back home in early October. I had hoped to read some books and write reviews while on the road, but somehow the reviews haven't … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Qantas flight-length book deal
Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – The High Country
This, my third Let's Get Physical post, is once again about a region that's not too far from me - the Australian High Country. When most people think of Australia, they think - at least I believe they do - of deserts and beaches, of red earth and golden sand. But, Australia does have a … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – The High Country
Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – The Monaro
For my second Let's Get Physical post, I thought I'd stay in my local region. The Monaro is a large region in southeastern New South Wales, extending from the southern and eastern boundaries of Canberra down to the Victorian border, and bounded on the east and west by mountain ranges. Much of it is treeless … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – The Monaro
Lit Blogs and Lit Students
If you are a litblogger like me, have you come across actions or comments that suggest your blog is being used by students? What do you think about it? I've noticed three specific behaviours that suggest student use: outright questions in the comments, some specifically telling me that they are a student and can I … Continue reading Lit Blogs and Lit Students
Monday Musings on Australian Literature Special: Book Giveaway Winners
Two weeks ago I announced my first blog giveaway, courtesy the generosity of Irma Gold, editor of the Canberra Centenary anthology, The invisible thread. Irma offered me two copies to give away, both signed by most of the authors represented in the anthology - and who are still living of course! Entries closed midnight, AEST, … Continue reading Monday Musings on Australian Literature Special: Book Giveaway Winners
Reminder: a Book Giveaway
Time is running out to win one of the multiply signed copies of The invisible thread. Anyone from anywhere can enter as the editor and donor of the copies, Irma Gold, and I have agreed to quarantine one copy for an overseas address, and the other for an Australian address. To read more about the … Continue reading Reminder: a Book Giveaway
Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Canberra
Today's post is the first in a little sub-series of occasional posts containing physical descriptions of places in Australia. This series is not going to be analytical or comprehensive but is intended simply to share descriptions that I like, that make me laugh, or that I think are interesting. My plan is to keep commentary … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Canberra
