And so we finally say goodbye to a year many of us would like to forget, but before we do, I would like to share my 2016 reading highlights. As usual, I won't be naming top picks, because I'm a wuss. It's too hard. So, instead, I'll be sharing highlights which combine best reads with those that were interesting for … Continue reading Reading highlights for 2016
Book lists
Books given and received for Christmas, in 2016
I did a "books given and received post" last Boxing Day, and decided to do it again, but after Boxing Day because this year Boxing Day coincided with Monday Musings, and I have another tradition for the last Monday Musings of the year. Anyhow, here goes with the books I gave and received this Christmas. There are not … Continue reading Books given and received for Christmas, in 2016
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers’ Challenge 2016
For the fifth year in a row, I'm devoting my last Monday Musings of the year to the Australian Women Writers Challenge*. This year has been one of consolidation rather than of huge change for the Challenge, as we got used to our self-hosted site to which we moved in 2015. The big advantage of this move was that it … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers’ Challenge 2016
Monday musings on Australian literature: ABC RN presenters name their best reads of 2016
Now, here's my conundrum. We (at least I think I can speak for a general "we") want Australians to read widely, because it's important for us to understand cultures that are different to our own. But, given how small the Australian market is, we also want people to read Australian literature (and see, for that matter, Australian films … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ABC RN presenters name their best reads of 2016
Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie writers name their pick reads of 2016
December is, or has certainly become in recent years, the month of lists. As always, I'll be saving my lists until the end of 2015, which means you won't see them until January. However, that doesn't mean I can't share other people's lists, does it? I've gleaned the list I'm sharing here from a recent article in … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie writers name their pick reads of 2016
Monday musings on Australian literature: Ideal books for newcomers, 1965-style
Another treasure from Trove! Just over 50 years ago, on 1 January, 1965, an article appeared in a journal titled The Good Neighbour, which was published from 1950 to 1969 by the then Department of Immigration. The article is called "Ideal books for newcomers" and opens with: Following Mary Durack's articles on "The Old Australia" which appeared … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Ideal books for newcomers, 1965-style
Monday musings on Australian literature: New Australian releases for 2016
With the first month of 2016 already gone, I thought it was time I had a look around to see what new works are in the pipeline this year from our Aussie authors. This is a serendipitous list, partly because tracking down this information isn't easy and partly because I'm more interested in providing a flavour … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: New Australian releases for 2016
Monday musings on Australian literature: Best books of 1975
Given we're all looking at best reads, I thought it might be fun to look at best reads of a past time? My initial thought was 1965, a neat 50 years ago, but I couldn't find any appropriate lists. Google found a 1965 New York Times bestseller list on Wikipedia and a couple of 1965 lists in GoodReads, but they weren't quite what … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Best books of 1975
Reading highlights for 2015
Well, dear readers, we have turned the calendar to 2016 so I can now reveal my highlights for 2015. As usual, I won't be naming top picks. I find that too hard to do. Instead, I'll discuss highlights which combines best reads with those that were interesting for other reasons. I'd love to mention every book I read, as every one … Continue reading Reading highlights for 2015
Books given and received for Christmas, in 2015
I did a "books given and received post" last Boxing Day, and decided to do it again. It's a useful record for me to keep, and may just interest you, so, here goes. For Mr Gums, who is often up for a walk: Walking and cycling Canberra's Centenary Trail For Ms Gums Jr, in her … Continue reading Books given and received for Christmas, in 2015
Whispering Gums 