Dorothy Johnston's The house at number 10 has one of the cheekiest opening sentences I've read for a long time ... but I'm not going to tell you what it is. If you are interested you'll have to find out for yourselves - and tell me if you agree. I decided to read this novel … Continue reading Dorothy Johnston, The house at number 10 (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Stella, Carrie and friends
For those of you who haven't yet heard the news, I'd better start with the announcement that last week Carrie Tiffany's novel, Mateship with birds, was announced the winner of the inaugural Stella Prize. Unfortunately, the book is still on my TBR but with its also being shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Award and … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Stella, Carrie and friends
Delicious descriptions from Down under: Courtney Collins and landscape
There was so much to write about Courtney Collins' novel The burial in my review this week that I couldn't share one of my favourite aspects - her gorgeous descriptions of the landscape. When I say gorgeous, I should clarify that the landscape itself isn't always gorgeous, but her descriptions, her ability to evoke the … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down under: Courtney Collins and landscape
Queensland Literary Awards … to continue in 2013
There's sometimes a fine line in the blogging world between promoting and supporting. I don't see my role being to promote particular authors or books, but overall I like to think that my blog supports literature in general, and Australian literature in particular. A by-product of that support is probably promotion, but that's not my … Continue reading Queensland Literary Awards … to continue in 2013
Courtney Collins, The burial (Review)
I became aware of Courtney Collins' The burial when it was longlisted for the Stella Prize. It has since been shortlisted for the Stella, shortlisted for the new writing award in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and longlisted for the Dobbie Literary Award for new writing. It had previously been shortlisted for the 2009 Australian/Vogel … Continue reading Courtney Collins, The burial (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s major Literary Awards
This will be a short Monday Musings ... aren't you pleased! The literary award season for 2013 is hotting up with the most exciting thing on the horizon being the announcement of the inaugural Stella Prize due tomorrow, 16 April. In addition to this, though, we have also seen the announcement of longlists and shortlists … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s major Literary Awards
Reading my Kindle Touch
Now, here's the thing ... although I am onto my second Kindle, I still do most of my reading in print form, which might make you wonder why I'm onto my second Kindle! I upgraded to the Kindle Touch last year for one main reason, the Touch. Because Touch is quiet whilst my Kindle 3 … Continue reading Reading my Kindle Touch
Madeleine St John and the right thing
There were many ideas I wanted to discuss or share in my review of Helen Trinca's biography, Madeleine: A life of Madeleine St John, but it was starting to get too long ... so I thought I'd save some points for another post or two. Madeleine St John it seems had some very strong ideas … Continue reading Madeleine St John and the right thing
Monday musings on Australian literature: AWW Challenge 2013 First Quarter Progress Report
Regular readers here know that while I generally do not do challenges I am taking part in the Australian Women Writers' Challenge - because it's what I like to read anyhow. The challenge, which began last year, was so successful that the initiator Elizabeth Lhuede, decided to continue it this year - and called on … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: AWW Challenge 2013 First Quarter Progress Report
Helen Trinca, Madeleine: A life of Madeleine St John (Review)
Madeleine (Courtesy: Text Publishing) I wanted to read Helen Trinca's biography Madeleine for several reasons. First, of course, being a reader, I'm interested in biographies and autobiographies of writers. Secondly, Madeleine St John belongs to that group of Australians, half a generation or so older than I am, that has made quite a mark on … Continue reading Helen Trinca, Madeleine: A life of Madeleine St John (Review)
