For some reason that I can't quite explain - a sudden rush to the head methinks - I agreed to be part of a panel being organised by the ACT Writers Centre for this year's Design Canberra Festival. The panel, called The Constructive Critic, was described as a unique panel discussion about art criticism across … Continue reading The Constructive Critic (Panel discussion)
Helen Garner in conversation with Sarah Krasnostein
To say I was thrilled when Son Gums' partner offered to buy tickets for us to see Helen Garner in conversation (last Saturday) would be an understatement. I have never seen Garner live before so that would be one bucket-list item ticked had I a bucket list! The fact that the conversation was to be … Continue reading Helen Garner in conversation with Sarah Krasnostein
Monday musings on Australian literature: Whither Australian literature, 1930s (Pt. 2)?
As I wrote last week, I apologise to those of you not interested in the history of Australian literature, because yes again I am continuing my little survey of contemporary writing about Australian literature in the 1930s. This week I plan to look at some another discussion about the place of and interest in Australian … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Whither Australian literature, 1930s (Pt. 2)?
Non-fiction November 2019, Weeks 1 to 3
I'm a relative latecomer to Non-fiction November, but I like to take part in some way because I do like and read non-fiction. However, I don't have the time to fully take part, so as in previous years, I plan to do a couple of concatenated posts. The meme is jointly hosted by Julz (Julz … Continue reading Non-fiction November 2019, Weeks 1 to 3
Sue Ingleton, Making trouble: Tongued with fire (#BookReview)
In my recent post on Jessica White talking about her hybrid memoir-biography Hearing Maud, I commented that I'm intrigued by the ways in which biography is being rethought in contemporary literature. When I wrote that, I not only had White's book in mind, but Sue Ingleton's Making trouble. You can probably guess why from its sub-sub-title: "an … Continue reading Sue Ingleton, Making trouble: Tongued with fire (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Whither Australian literature, 1930s (Pt. 1)?
Apologies to those of you not interested in the history of Australian literature, because this week and next I'm continuing my little survey of contemporary writing about Australian literature in the 1930s. My first post discussed the move from "gumleaf and goanna" to other topics, and last week's focused on discussions about the importance of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Whither Australian literature, 1930s (Pt. 1)?
Jessica White in conversation with Inga Simpson
Hearing Maud, author Jessica White told us in her conversation with Inga Simpson two weekends ago, was 15 years in the making. This is something I already knew, because, as the result of our involvement in the Australian Women Writers Challenge, I've met Jess and we've talked about this book. However, it was excellent to … Continue reading Jessica White in conversation with Inga Simpson
Six degrees of separation, FROM Alice’s adventures in Wonderland TO …
It is the first Saturday of the month again, which means it's Six Degrees of Separation meme time. For those of you who don't know what that is, please check our host Kate's blog - booksaremyfavouriteandbest. It all starts with Kate setting a starting book. This month's is a classic - the sort of book in fact which … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Alice’s adventures in Wonderland TO …
Special Event and Book Giveaway Winners for Jessica White’s Hearing Maud
As promised, I have drawn this morning, using an online random number generator, the two winners for Jessica White's Hearing Maud giveaway, which I announced a little over a week ago. As you may remember, the two giveaways were a book and admission to Jessica's "in conversation" with author Inga Simpson at Muse Books and … Continue reading Special Event and Book Giveaway Winners for Jessica White’s Hearing Maud
Monday musings on Australian literature: Setting vs Character in 1930s Australian fiction
Today's post continues the discussion started in last Monday's "gumleaf and goanna" post. It looks particularly at what reviewers were saying about setting/scene and character, through five Australian books that were reviewed in papers during the decade. There was clearly a lot of engagement in the community about the development of Australian literature, and you can … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Setting vs Character in 1930s Australian fiction
Whispering Gums 