Earlier this month, I posted on a conversation with the winners of the 2024 Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Publishing Prize, P S Cottier and N G Hartland, who wrote The thirty-one legs of Vladimir Putin, and Sonya Voumard, who wrote Tremor. On the surface, these books look very different, but conversation facilitator, Sally Pryor, found some … Continue reading PS Cottier and NG Hartland, The thirty-one legs of Vladimir Putin (#BookReview)
Marion Halligan, Wishbone (#BookReview)
My reading group's last meeting of the year took the form of a tribute to Marion Halligan, who died earlier this year and who had generously attended our meeting when we discussed her Valley of grace (my review). We have done this once before with Helen Garner (albeit she hadn't died) and it worked well. … Continue reading Marion Halligan, Wishbone (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Writers in the news (1)
Australian writers have been capturing attention - here and overseas - in the last few months. I've been noting these stories as they've popped up, and kept planning to post on them, but somehow, time just slipped by and more stories kept coming. Consequently, most Aussie readers here will know most of these news items … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Writers in the news (1)
Nonfiction November 2024, Weeks 1-3
My participation in Nonfiction November tends to be sporadic. Last year, I wrote some weekly and some combined posts, but I did address the weekly questions conscientiously. However, the prompt questions are, I think, much the same this year and my answers would be very similar, so I'm not going to be as thorough this … Continue reading Nonfiction November 2024, Weeks 1-3
Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 8, Jessie Urquhart
While some of the forgotten writers I have shared in this series are in the category of interesting-to- know-about-but-not-necessarily-to-read, others probably are worth checking out again. Jessie Urquhart is one of these latter, though I've not read any of her novels, so don't quote me! However, there are articles for her in Wikipedia and the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 8, Jessie Urquhart
Novellas in November 2024, Part 1
This November has been - well, about as busy as usual. I am secretary of an association for which, in November, we present our annual lecture and also hold our AGM. It all takes time and energy. I am therefore planning to combine my Novella in November (run by Cathy of 746 Books and Rebecca … Continue reading Novellas in November 2024, Part 1
Margaret Atwood, Widows (#Review)
Marcie's (Buried in Print) MARM (Margaret Atwood Reading Month) event is now seven years old, but this is only my second contribution. I read a reasonable amount of Atwood before blogging, and since then have let her slide somewhat, though I have reviewed a couple of books here. You can't read it all - but, … Continue reading Margaret Atwood, Widows (#Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Ausmus Month
Image courtesy Clker.Com AKA Australian Music Month. The things you learn, thanks to other bloggers! It was kimbofo's post of last Monday that brought this month to my attention, though I now see that our ABC is celebrating it, along with other musical organisations. I should have been aware. Anyhow, as kimbofo wrote, it offers … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Ausmus Month
Raynor Winn, The salt path (#BookReview)
While my reading group's main fare is fiction, we do include nonfiction in the mix. In fact, this year has been unusual as we've scheduled three nonfiction books - Richard Flanagan's Question 7 (my review), Anna Funder's Wifedom (my review), and, last month, Raynor Winn's The salt path. I can't recollect how The salt path … Continue reading Raynor Winn, The salt path (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Final thoughts on Canberra Writers Festival 2024
In 2019, I wrote a detailed wrap-up of that year's Canberra Writers Festival, and I thought to do one this year, though I didn't have the fascinating stats I had in 2019. However, with this year's festival bumping up against November, which is a very busy month in the blogosphere, I've decided to scale down … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Final thoughts on Canberra Writers Festival 2024
Whispering Gums 