I’m reading 20 classic, modern-classic or cult books in 2011. Read more about this project here. Why did I want to read it? I only heard of Angela Carter, strangely, when I started my doctorate and attended a seminar about one of the stories in The Bloody Chamber. It included a hand-out with an extract of the story. Feminist, … Continue reading 20 classics in 2011 #4: Heroes and Villains by Angela Carter
Guest review: Lyndon Riggall on The Girl With No Hands by Angela Slatter
Ticonderoga Publications, 2011 9780980628883 (Aus, US, UK) reviewed by Lyndon Riggall In my first year at University I studied fairytales, and more specifically Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber, a book which is arguably the poster-child of fairytale re-imaginings. Carter writes well, and in many cases her stories spin beautifully away from tradition while remaining neatly tied … Continue reading Guest review: Lyndon Riggall on The Girl With No Hands by Angela Slatter
Best Australian Blogs competition 2011, enter now
The Sydney Writers' Centre has created the Best Australian Blogs competition. Here's the blurb: 'You might be blogging to keep you focused on your writing dreams, or perhaps you're blogging to promote your business. You might hope your blog will lead to a book deal or maybe it's just a way to share your life … Continue reading Best Australian Blogs competition 2011, enter now
Guest review: Matthew Giles on Parting With My Sex by Lucy Chesser
Sydney University Press 9781920898311 reviewed by Matthew Giles In his CAL/Meanjin essay of last year, Paul Daley argued that young Australians aren’t coerced by the state to think about their history in militaristic terms. He said that they do it on their own, because a militarised history is naturally more interesting. He was rebutting Marilyn … Continue reading Guest review: Matthew Giles on Parting With My Sex by Lucy Chesser
This Too Shall Pass by SJ Finn
This review first appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald: Spectrum on the weekend of February 26-27. Sleepers Publishing 9781742700380 March 2011 (Aus) Jen Montgomery, known as ‘Monty’, had always considered herself a ‘forever’ person, until years into her marriage when something shifted. Monty began a relationship with another woman. This Too Shall Pass not only reflects on … Continue reading This Too Shall Pass by SJ Finn
Miles Franklin Literary Award Longlist
I usually wait to blog about the Miles Franklin when the shortlist is announced, but I think the longlist is exciting this year so I wanted to mention it. I've read four of the books, and have another couple in my pile. It's great to see new voices getting recognition. And I'm happy to see … Continue reading Miles Franklin Literary Award Longlist
Yell, don’t whisper
Just want to pause the bookiness for a minute to tell you about a great project my sister, Sonja, is doing. 'Yell, Don't Whisper' is a three month design initiative that will enable her to work with a number of environmental non-profit organisations and action groups around Australia. She recently re-jigged the Port Phillip EcoCentre's image, pro-bono. They've … Continue reading Yell, don’t whisper
Guest post: Around the world in 28 novels, by Kent MacCarter (part two)
28 books, 28 authors, 28 countries... and one year by Kent MacCarter See part one What are some of the hurdles in finding all the books? Translations into English, and the lack thereof, has proven to be the largest hurdle in cobbling together my reading list. Not a surprise. It’s my own fault I’m not … Continue reading Guest post: Around the world in 28 novels, by Kent MacCarter (part two)
Guest post: Around the world in 28 novels, by Kent MacCarter (part one)
28 books, 28 authors, 28 countries... and one year by Kent MacCarter Why am I embarking this reading project? I was two weeks shy of age eighteen before I read my first novel, fuelled by my own motivation. I’ll start this post, cathartically, with that embarrassing, stale, shrivelled yet undeniable fact. It was Fitzgerald’s The … Continue reading Guest post: Around the world in 28 novels, by Kent MacCarter (part one)
A mini-diary of Perth Writers Festival 2011
Thursday On the flight over I read Jonah Lehrer, watch Animal Planet and listen to Philip Glass and Emily Haines. Nathan Scolaro picks me up at the airport and on the drive we discuss some of the festival authors. Nathan asks if I've read Armistead Maupin and I say, unfortunately, no. He loves Tales Of … Continue reading A mini-diary of Perth Writers Festival 2011
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