A few days ago, Mr Gums and I attended another ANU/The Canberra Times Meet the Author event, this one featuring Australian historian Michelle Arrow in conversation with Australian historian Frank Bongiorno. It was an especially interesting pairing because Arrow's book, which she is currently touring, is titled The seventies: The personal, the political and the … Continue reading Michelle Arrow in conversation with Frank Bongiorno
Australian writers
Anita Heiss (ed.), Growing up Aboriginal in Australia (#BookReview)
As many others have said, including my reading group, Anita Heiss's anthology, Growing up Aboriginal in Australia, should be required reading for all Australians. At the very least, it should be in every Australian secondary and tertiary educational institution. Why? Because it contributes to the truth-telling that is critical to real reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous … Continue reading Anita Heiss (ed.), Growing up Aboriginal in Australia (#BookReview)
Neil H Atkinson, The last wild west (#BookReview)
In one of those strange synchronicities, I attended an event, a few hours after finishing Neil H Atkinson's The last wild west, that gave me the perfect opening for my post. This event was the launch of the VR film, Carriberrie, at the National Film and Sound Archive. Speaking at the launch, indigenous woman and participant … Continue reading Neil H Atkinson, The last wild west (#BookReview)
Annabel Smith, Whiskey and Charlie (#BookReview)
Some explanations first. Western Australian author Annabel Smith's novel Whiskey & Charlie was first published in Australia back in 2012 as Whisky Charlie Foxtrot, which immediately brings to mind the two-way alphabet (or, as I knew it, the alphabet used by the police on The Bill for communication. The things you learn via TV!) However, as happens, … Continue reading Annabel Smith, Whiskey and Charlie (#BookReview)
Josephine Wilson, Extinctions (Guest post by Amanda) (#BookReview)
I am very pleased to bring you another guest post by Amanda, for a book I've not managed to read yet, much as I'd like to: Josephine Wilson's Miles Franklin Award winning novel, Extinctions. Amanda's review I loved this book. I was really sorry when it ended. It’s the kind of novel you press into … Continue reading Josephine Wilson, Extinctions (Guest post by Amanda) (#BookReview)
Angela Meyer, A superior spectre (#BookReview)
A superior spectre may be Angela Meyer's first novel, but her already significant writing credentials, including being the author of the short/flash style fiction collection Captives (my review), and the editor of the anthology The great unknown (my review), ensure this is a confident debut. And it needed to be, because Meyer took big risks in this … Continue reading Angela Meyer, A superior spectre (#BookReview)
Vale Andrew McGahan (1966-2019)
My reading group was only talking about Andrew McGahan (1966-2019) this week. We knew he was terminally ill, but little did we know that his end was so near. How very sad, then, to hear today that he died just yesterday, at only 52 years of age. Now, I know that Lisa (ANZLitLovers) has written … Continue reading Vale Andrew McGahan (1966-2019)
Trent Dalton, Boy swallows universe (#BookReview)
Two books came to mind as I was reading Trent Dalton's debut novel Boy swallows universe. One was Steve Toltz's out-there book about fathers and sons, A fraction of the whole (my review), and the other was Tim Winton's Breath (my post), which explores what it is to be a good man, but more on these … Continue reading Trent Dalton, Boy swallows universe (#BookReview)
Jennifer Down, Pulse points (Guest post by Amanda) (#BookReview)
Amanda is on a roll, reading several Aussie women writers, so when she offered me a review of Jennifer Down's collection of short stories, Pulse points, of course I said yes. I love her opening explanation of why she loves short stories - I couldn't have said it better myself. Amanda's review I love short … Continue reading Jennifer Down, Pulse points (Guest post by Amanda) (#BookReview)
Capel Boake: Three short stories
Having written about Capel Boake in my last Monday Musings, I couldn't resist checking out some of her short stories. Bill's AWW Gen 2 Week concluded yesterday, but I hope he'll accept this post as a contribution. Boake's stories are easily accessible in Trove. In fact, I was spoilt for choice, so just picked three at random. … Continue reading Capel Boake: Three short stories
Whispering Gums 