Responding to my Monday Musings 10th anniversary post question regarding topics readers might like to see covered, Sue wrote that "there’s so much emphasis on regional writing which is wonderful – since I live outside the cities – but I think urban based fiction could be interesting". I've been pondering this for a long time, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Urban vs Suburban
Talking with my Dad: Wattles and Jimmy Woodsers
As many of you know, my father turned 100 this year, and three weeks later, my mother died. Life is sad, but Dad and I are soldiering along - with support of course from Mr Gums, not to mention family elsewhere in Australia. What is amazing, though, is how often new little pieces of information, … Continue reading Talking with my Dad: Wattles and Jimmy Woodsers
Emuna Elon, House on endless waters (#BookReview)
I've said before that I'm surprised by how many takes there can be on World War II, and on the Holocaust, in particular - and once again I'm here with another such story, Emuna Elon's House on endless waters. I hadn't heard of Elon before but, according to Wikipedia, she's an Israeli author, journalist, and women's rights … Continue reading Emuna Elon, House on endless waters (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Writers’ Centre
I have written posts now on writers centres in every Australian state and territory, but there is also, would you believe, an Australian Writers' Centre. Who are they, and where do they fit in? It seems like they are primarily a provider of writing courses. When you click on the About link on their website, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Writers’ Centre
Australian Women Writers 2020 Challenge completed
I'm very late with my traditional completion post for the Australian Women Writer's Challenge - it's been a weird and difficult year all round. As always, I will continue to contribute until the year's end, and do a final round-up then, but I do like to get the completion admin done! I signed up, of course, … Continue reading Australian Women Writers 2020 Challenge completed
Monday musings on Australian literature: Bookprint, Australian-style
Have you heard of the term or concept of bookprint? I came across it in a December 2019 article in The Conversation titled "5 Australian books that can help young people understand their place in the world". The Conversation credits the term to African-American educator Alfred Tatum who, according to the University of Illinois' Today website, coined … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Bookprint, Australian-style
Six degrees of separation, FROM Rodham TO …
Woo hoo, it's spring here down under, and in my street we have yellow wattles and daffodils blooming, plus pink prunus trees and white Manchurian pears. Bright spots in difficult times, and it does the heart good. However, I'm not here to talk about that but for this months Six Degrees of Separation meme. As … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Rodham TO …
Karen Jennings, Upturned earth (#BookReview)
Introducing my review of South African writer Karen Jennings' debut novel, Finding Soutbek, I noted that I don't normally accept review copies from non-Australian publishers but that I will, very occasionally, make an exception if the writer or subject matter interests me. Upturned earth, Jenning's fifth book, is set in a nineteenth century mining town. Given … Continue reading Karen Jennings, Upturned earth (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Libraries and librarians in Australian fiction
I only have myself to blame! I asked for readers to suggest topics they'd like to see in Monday Musings and two suggestions came back, one from novelist Angela Savage asking for a post on libraries and librarians in Australian fiction. Her request was inspired by her recent appointment as the CEO of Public Libraries … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Libraries and librarians in Australian fiction
National Biography Award Winners, 2020
I've not posted on many awards this year, but have decided to post on the 2020 National Biography Award, partly because I attended events last year involving each of the winners. This Award was endowed in 1996 by Geoffrey Cains, and supported for many years by Michael Crouch, who died in 2018. It is now … Continue reading National Biography Award Winners, 2020
Whispering Gums 