Time has been tight for me this last month so I've rushed this month's Six Degrees a bit, but I hope it satisfies my regular readers' different needs! So, let's just get to it ... the Six Degrees meme, I mean. If you don't know how this meme works, please check host Kate's blog - … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Western Lane TO …
Rebecca Burton, Ravenous girls (#BookReview)
When I announced the two winners of Finlay Lloyd's inaugural 20/40 Publishing Prize, a few days ago, I said I planned to read them for the Novellas in November challenge/meme/reading month. (What do we call these things?) So here, now, is my post on the first I've read, Rebecca Burton's Ravenous girls. Rebecca Burton, as … Continue reading Rebecca Burton, Ravenous girls (#BookReview)
Novellas in November 2023: Week 1, My year in novellas
I love novellas and have written on and reviewed novellas almost since this blog started, because I love the form, but I have only tinkered around the edges of Novellas in November (run by Cathy of 746 Books and Rebecca of Bookish Beck). Last year, I wrote a Monday Musings on Classic Australian novellas and … Continue reading Novellas in November 2023: Week 1, My year in novellas
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Political Book of the Year
It's fascinating just how many book awards there are in specialised areas. Last week I posted on the Dame Mary Gilmore Award, which started as a trade union supported award, but is now a more general poetry award. Yesterday I posted about the winners of the 20/40 short form prose award. Another specialised award is … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Political Book of the Year
Winners announced for the inaugural 20/40 Prize
Last November, I announced the creation of the new 20/40 Publishing Prize by independent, non-profit publisher, Finlay Lloyd. And then, early this month, I announced the shortlist for the inaugural prize. Today, I announce the Winners. First though, I'll remind you that 20/40 is a manuscript award, with the prize being publication. It is not … Continue reading Winners announced for the inaugural 20/40 Prize
Hal Porter, Francis Silver (#Review, #1962 Club)
Introducing my first review for the 1962 Year Club - Shirley Hazzard's "The picnic" - I said I had read two short stories and might post on the second one. I am doing so now but, stupidly, I left the book back in Canberra and here I am in Melbourne, so my post will be … Continue reading Hal Porter, Francis Silver (#Review, #1962 Club)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Dame Mary Gilmore Award
In last week's 1962-themed Monday Musings post, I mentioned that I would post separately on the Dame Mary Gilmore Award. This was because it has an interesting history. Mary Gilmore, 1927 (Public Domain, State Library of QLD, via Wikipedia) First though, a bit on Mary Gilmore, for those who don't know here. She was an … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Dame Mary Gilmore Award
Shirley Hazzard, The picnic (#Review, #1962 Club)
As I have done for most "year" reading weeks*, I decided for 1962 to read a short story by an Australian author. I read two, in fact, and may post on the second one later. Today's story, though, is Shirley Hazzard's "The picnic" which I found in an anthology edited by Carmel Bird, The Penguin … Continue reading Shirley Hazzard, The picnic (#Review, #1962 Club)
Monday musings on Australian literature: 1962 in fiction
Once again it's Karen's (Kaggsy's Bookish Rambling) and Simon's (Stuck in a Book) "Year Club" week. This time the year is 1962, and it runs from today, 16th to 22nd October. As has become my practice, I am devoting my Monday Musings to the week. The 1960s was an exciting decade for those of us … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 1962 in fiction
Kevin Brophy, The lion in love (#BookReview)
This year has been, for me, the year of the short story, partly because short stories have fitted in with the sort of year I've had, but also because short stories - individually, in anthologies, and in collections - have been coming my way in great number. This is fine, because I love a good … Continue reading Kevin Brophy, The lion in love (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 