The 2022 Stella Prize shortlist was announced, yesterday. But, as I had just posted my review of Gabrielle Carey's Only happiness here, I decided to hold my announcement post over for a day. Those of you keenly interested will have seen it, but at least I will have it for my records. Just to remind … Continue reading Stella Prize 2022 Shortlist announced
Book lists
Stella Prize 2022 Longlist announced
Apologies to those of you who look forward to my Monday Musings post, but I've gazumped this week's edition, because the Stella Prize longlist was announced this evening, and I do like to report on that. I attended the online streamed announcement. As I say every year, I don't do well at having read the … Continue reading Stella Prize 2022 Longlist announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: The Guardian Australia’s Unmissables (2)
Two years ago, I wrote a post on The Guardian Australia's Unmissables series, which was initiated in 2019 and aimed to highlight 12 new releases they deem "significant". The series was supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund. I wondered at the end of my previous post whether the project would continue after the initial … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The Guardian Australia’s Unmissables (2)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2022
For several years now, my first Monday Musings of the year has focused on "new releases". As before, it is mostly drawn from the Sydney Morning Herald. Their writers do a wonderful job of surveying publishers large and small, but I have found a few more on my own! Also, remember, this is Monday musings on … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2022
Reading highlights for 2021
Regulars know that my annual Reading Highlights post is my version of a Top Reads post. It's my way of sharing highlights from my reading year without actually ranking books or nominating a "best" which I just can't do. I don't, as I say each year, set reading goals, but my "rules of thumb" include … Continue reading Reading highlights for 2021
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers Challenge 2021
For the last time, I am devoting my last Monday Musings of the year to the Australian Women Writers Challenge ( in its current form at least, see below). What a couple of years we've had. It's hard to know whether it has affected the challenge or not but, anecdotally, our numbers did not increase over … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers Challenge 2021
My year in books 2021
I did this meme last year but wasn't really thinking of doing it this year. However, here I am on Christmas morning with, for the first time in decades, nothing much to do until we head out to lunch, so why not? The thing about these memes is that they remind us of some of … Continue reading My year in books 2021
Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2021, Part 2: Nonfiction and Poetry
Last week, as most of you will know, I shared the favourite Aussie fiction books named by writers in the Sydney Morning Herald's Books we loved in 2021 and ABR's Books of the Year 2021. This week, as promised, I'm sharing the nonfiction and poetry favourites. Again, I'm only including Australian titles (as this is … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2021, Part 2: Nonfiction and Poetry
My reading group’s favourites for 2021
In our now annual tradition, my reading group once again voted for our favourites from our 2021 schedule - and as has also become tradition (see last year's if you like), I'm sharing our reading and findings with you. First, though, here is what we read in the order we read them (with links on … Continue reading My reading group’s favourites for 2021
Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2021, Part 1: Fiction
For a few years now, I've shared favourite Aussie reads of the year, from the ABC and, last year, other sources. This year I'm doing it a bit differently. I'm focusing on the Sydney Morning Herald's Books we loved in 2021 and ABR's Books of the Year 2021. Both these contain favourites from a large … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite books 2021, Part 1: Fiction
Whispering Gums 