This last week I have become aware, via two different paths, of the Henry Mayer Book Prize. I feel I've seen it referenced before, but it hasn't fully registered. I certainly haven't written about it before, so, now's the time. I'll start by introducing the person for whom the prize is named, Henry Mayer (1919-1991). … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Henry Mayer Book Prize
Holly Throsby, Clarke (#BookReview)
My reading group's last book of the year, Holly Throsby's third novel, Clarke, was a popular end-of-year choice. It's a straightforward but compelling read that was inspired by a story we were all across, the Lynette Dawson story. Inspired, though, is the operative word, as Clarke is not Lynette Dawson's story. For a start, while … Continue reading Holly Throsby, Clarke (#BookReview)
ACT Book of the Year Award 2023 shortlist and winner
This year I attended, for the first time, the announcement of the ACT Book of the Year award, which was held at the Woden Public Library. For some reason our award doesn't get the media recognition or attention that it deserves. Sure, it is not one of the wealthiest literary prizes in the country, and … Continue reading ACT Book of the Year Award 2023 shortlist and winner
Nonfiction November 2023: Worldview Shapers AND New to my TBR
Once again, I am combining my Nonfiction November weeks because this month has been very busy personally as well as blog-wise.(I did Week 1, on its own, and then combined Weeks 2 and 3). Nonfiction November is hosted by several bloggers, each one managing one of the weeks. This year, Week 4 – Worldview Shapers … Continue reading Nonfiction November 2023: Worldview Shapers AND New to my TBR
Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1923: 7, Humour
With 1923 nearly over, I'm running out of time to share more of the thoughts and ideas I found regarding Australian literature in 1923 from Trove. This post, I thought to share some of the ideas expressed about humour in Australian literature. Humour wasn't always specifically mentioned in 1923 as being a feature of Australian … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1923: 7, Humour
Novellas in November 2023: Week 4, The short and the long of it
This week's question is the Novella version of Nonfiction November's Book Pairings. It goes like this Pair a novella with a nonfiction book or novel that deals with similar themes or topics. I am doing several pairings with Jessica Au's novella Cold enough for snow (my review), because although it's a "little" book, it's so … Continue reading Novellas in November 2023: Week 4, The short and the long of it
Margaret Atwood, The Labrador fiasco (#Review)
Although I am an Atwood fan from way back, I haven't, to date, taken part in Marcie's (Buried in Print) MARM (Margaret Atwood Reading Month) event. But I promised her I would this month, albeit with just one little short story probably, this one. I have had The Labrador fiasco on my "little book" TBR … Continue reading Margaret Atwood, The Labrador fiasco (#Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Your 7-year-old self
Ok, I admit it. This post's link to Australian literature is tenuous, but there is a link, even though it's not the subject of this post. The link is that the person who inspired this post, Ed Le Brocq, previously known as Emma Ayres, has written several books - memoirs, mostly - of which I've … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Your 7-year-old self
Novellas in November 2023: Week 3, Broadening my horizons
This week's question is new to me, and I like it. It goes: Pick your top novellas in translation and think about new genres or authors you’ve been introduced to through novellas. I love this question because it feels like I've read almost more novellas in translation than English language novellas. Is this because translation … Continue reading Novellas in November 2023: Week 3, Broadening my horizons
Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Publishing Prize 2023 Winning Books Launch with Conversation
I have written about Finlay Lloyd's 20/40 Publishing Prize a few times now, so I hope I'm not imposing too much on your precious time. However, this weekend was the launch here in Canberra, and it involved a conversation led by a favourite Canberra journalist, Virginia Hausseger, with the two winning authors. I had to … Continue reading Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Publishing Prize 2023 Winning Books Launch with Conversation
Whispering Gums 