In terms of the Booker Prize, it's been a long time between drinks for Aussie writers. By this I mean that Charlotte Wood's shortlisting for the 2024 prize with Stone Yard devotional, breaks the longest drought Australian writers have had in terms of being listed for the prize since its commencement in 1969. It has … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie Booker Prize listees
Book lists
2024 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award shortlist
Recently, I posted on the shortlist for the Barbara Jefferis Award, which has a very specific goal concerning the depiction of women and girls in a positive way or in a way that empowers the status of women and girls in society. Today, I'm sharing another shortlist for another award with a specific focus. The … Continue reading 2024 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award shortlist
Barbara Jefferis Award 2024 Shortlist Announced
I didn't report on this biennial award in 2022, but with the 2024 shortlist just having been announced, and my having read half of them, I am reminding us all again of this interesting award. Worth $50,000, this award, for those of you who don't remember it, has very specific criteria: "the best novel written by … Continue reading Barbara Jefferis Award 2024 Shortlist Announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Australian books, 21st century (to date)
I do think it's jumping the gun, rather, to be listing best books of a century when that century is barely a quarter through! However, it seems that critics and reviewers around the world are giving it a go, including the esteemed New York Times, so who am I to quibble? Certainly Readings Bookshop and … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Australian books, 21st century (to date)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Et toi, France!
With a certain event happening in Paris, and other parts of France at the moment, I thought it would be fun to briefly explore, some literary connections between Australia and France. I say "some" because there's no way I could know, let alone list, all the ways in which our countries have connected over the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Et toi, France!
Stella Prize 2024 Shortlist announced
For what it's worth, given I've not read any of them, here is the Stella Prize shortlist. The announcement I received via email this morning describes it as comprising: a diverse mix, featuring novels, memoir and an essay collection. Three of these works are by debut authors, showcasing fresh voices in Australian literature. To summarise … Continue reading Stella Prize 2024 Shortlist announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Trove treasures (11), A short list of masterpieces of fiction
Today's post is not especially Australian, but it was published in Australian newspapers as a recommended list of "masterpieces" or classics for Australians to read. It is in that sense that I am posting it in my Monday Musings series! The list was published in 1910, with the heading "Best novels: A short list of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Trove treasures (11), A short list of masterpieces of fiction
Stella Prize 2024 Longlist announced
As has happened in the past, this week's Monday Musings has been gazumped by the announcement this evening of the Stella Prize longlist. I attended the online streamed announcement from the Adelaide Festival Writers Week As I say every year, I don't do well at having read the Stella Prize longlist at the time of … Continue reading Stella Prize 2024 Longlist announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: My favourite (Australian) fictional character(s)
Over the last twelve months or so, The Conversation has published occasional articles titled "My favourite fictional character". In each article the writer names a character and justifies their choice. As far as I can tell, there have been six so far, and most have chosen non-Australian characters. The choosers and their choices have been: … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: My favourite (Australian) fictional character(s)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2024
This year we start with my first Monday Musings post appearing on Tuesday! This is due to conflicting new year traditions - my Blogging Highlights post on 1 January, and my first Monday Musings being New Releases for the coming year. When 1 January is a Monday, I'm in trouble! I could have left this … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2024
Whispering Gums 