Melbourne University Publishing 9780522858822 (paperback) 9780522864366 (ebook) August 2013 In Profits of Doom, Antony Loewenstein investigates the effects of predatory, vulture or disaster capitalism on individuals, communities, the environment, and future prospects of entire countries. Loewenstein’s work is powerful because he goes to Afghanistan, Christmas Island, Papua New Guinea, and other places ravaged by greed, … Continue reading Profits of Doom by Antony Loewenstein
nonfiction
Bustin’ makes me feel good: Geek Mook
Geek Mook (Vignette Press) has now been released, with my essay 'Bustin' makes me feel good'. Can you guess what it's about? Maybe the picture of me from the launch to the left here will help. Or this. Or this. The Mook features stories, poetry and articles on everything 'geek'-related, from Star Trek to coding, pro-wrestling, gaming, steam punk, Twitter, … Continue reading Bustin’ makes me feel good: Geek Mook
Geek Mook launch; Killings interview
Geeks! My latest published piece is an essay on Ghostbusters, in Geek Mook, to be launched at Bella Union bar, Trade's Hall, on 13 July. See the invite on Facebook. Pretty sure I'll be dressed up and reading a snippet from my essay, so do come along and ask me if you can please see the storage facility Mr Venkman. … Continue reading Geek Mook launch; Killings interview
Recently read: non-reviews of The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary, Flying with Paper Wings, The Cook
This is cross-posted from Southerly, where I am blogging in December. The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary by Andrew Westoll, UQP (Aus), 9780702238468, July 2011 (paperback) This book has been near the top of my pile since July and I finally picked it up to start reading on a flight to Sydney recently. I am an … Continue reading Recently read: non-reviews of The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary, Flying with Paper Wings, The Cook
Grey areas of madness: an interview with Jon Ronson, on The Psychopath Test
Picador, Australia, 9780330451369 (paperback) In The Psychopath Test Jon Ronson takes us on journey through the mad 'industry' of madness. And it's not all acid-tripping psychopaths. Ronson follows leads to high-security prisons, a mansion filled with predators... and to L Ron Hubbard’s coca cola stain. What results is an inevitably open-ended, sometimes frightening and often hilarious look … Continue reading Grey areas of madness: an interview with Jon Ronson, on The Psychopath Test
Guest review: ‘It doesn’t have to be fun to be fun’, Alice Robinson on 127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston
Simon & Schuster 9781849833905 (Aus, US, UK) Reviewed by Alice Robinson Aron Ralston is starving, dehydrated and on the brink of death when, six days after being pinned beneath an 800-pound boulder, stranded alone in a remote Utah canyon, he snaps his own wrist; the blade of the $15 multi-tool in his pack just won’t … Continue reading Guest review: ‘It doesn’t have to be fun to be fun’, Alice Robinson on 127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston
Read and received lately
Read Freedom Jonathan Franzen Fourth Estate Of course you’ve heard of it. I liked it. I appreciated it, really. It took over me a little while I was reading it. I felt really blue. The characters get inside of you, because they’re so fully-formed, and there's much space for them. The opening reminded me of Richard … Continue reading Read and received lately
Buying time: Liz Sinclair on asking for money to write her book
I was very curious when I heard about Liz Sinclair's project 'Help Me Write My Book'. Like many writers, Liz has to work to support herself, and of course, work takes time away from what she's really wanting to do - write that book. My first reaction, honestly, was something along the lines of 'why does she … Continue reading Buying time: Liz Sinclair on asking for money to write her book
Princesses & Pornstars by Emily Maguire
Text, 2008 (Australia) 9781921351310 Update: now also available in a YA edition Your Skirt's Too Short: Sex, Power, Choice Emily Maguire's Princesses & Pornstars is a call to arms. It's a highly intelligent, entertaining, and sometimes endearingly awkward rant. To have a feminist stance is not just to talk about women, Maguire argues, it's to talk … Continue reading Princesses & Pornstars by Emily Maguire
