It wasn't until I reached the end of Ariella Van Luyn's debut novel, Treading air, that I discovered it was loosely based on the life of a real person. I'm glad it happened that way. I like introductions, but I always read them last because I like to come to my reading as unencumbered as possible … Continue reading Ariella Van Luyn, Treading air (Review)
AWW Challenge 2016
Bianca Nogrady (ed), The best Australian science writing 2015
It was one of the more science-minded members of my reading group who tentatively suggested we add The best Australian science writing 2015 anthology to this year's schedule. I'm not sure why she was uncertain because we've shown ourselves to be pretty open readers. Our main question when someone suggests a book is "Will there be … Continue reading Bianca Nogrady (ed), The best Australian science writing 2015
Robyn Cadwallader, The anchoress (Review)
Let me start by saying that I'm not a big reader of historical fiction, and particularly not of non-Australian historical fiction, so to read a novel set in mediaeval times is quite a departure for me. However, I did want to read Robyn Cadwallader's The anchoress for a number of reasons. Not only is Cadwallader an … Continue reading Robyn Cadwallader, The anchoress (Review)
Helen Garner, Everywhere I look (Review)
I was very sad to come to the end of Helen Garner's latest essay collection, Everywhere I look. It was such a joy - such a joy - to read. Garner ranges across a wide variety of subjects from a kitchen table to Russell Crowe, from some of the darkest things humans do to each other to … Continue reading Helen Garner, Everywhere I look (Review)
Larissa Behrendt, Under skin, in blood (Review)
In my last review - that for Ali Cobby Eckermann's Ruby Moonlight - I shared the following lines: Jack knows the remainder of the conversation before it was spoke ya see any blacks roaming best ya kill 'em disease spreading pests ("Visitor", from Ruby Moonlight) Quite coincidentally, this point I was making, that it was not … Continue reading Larissa Behrendt, Under skin, in blood (Review)
Ali Cobby Eckermann, Ruby Moonlight (Review)
Ali Cobby Eckermann has been on my radar for a while, so when Lisa announced her 2016 Indigenous Literature Week, I decided Eckermann's verse novel Ruby Moonlight would be my first choice. This novel won the poetry prize and the book of the year in the 2013 New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. I enjoy verse novels but … Continue reading Ali Cobby Eckermann, Ruby Moonlight (Review)
Julie Proudfoot, The neighbour (Review)
When Julie Proudfoot offered me her debut novel, The neighbour, for review I was more than happy to accept. After all, it had won Seizure magazine's Viva La Novella Prize in 2014, and you all know how much I love a novella. I must say it's a gorgeous looking book. I'm not one to judge books … Continue reading Julie Proudfoot, The neighbour (Review)
Dorothy Johnston, Through a camel’s eye (Review)
When should I give up saying that I don't read crime? In the last seven years, I've posted nine reviews tagged crime fiction (of which one was a guest post). Perhaps just over one a year still qualifies as not reading crime? Then again, what's the point of saying it, if every now and then I do … Continue reading Dorothy Johnston, Through a camel’s eye (Review)
Australian Women Writers 2016 Challenge completed
The time has come to write my annual completion post for my one challenge of the year, the Australian Women Writer's Challenge. As in previous years, I signed up for the top-level, Franklin, which involves reading 10 books and reviewing at least 6. I've exceeded this, and I plan to continue to add to the challenge, as I've done in … Continue reading Australian Women Writers 2016 Challenge completed
Anna Rosner Blay, Sister, sister (Review)
Some of the most vivid memories of my Sydney-based late teens and early twenties relate to spending time with Jewish people, business friends of my father. We went to parties in their homes, to weddings and bar mitzvahs. These were always happy, family-oriented occasions. I had crushes on the sons. I knew that most of these people had come … Continue reading Anna Rosner Blay, Sister, sister (Review)
Whispering Gums 