I am going to read 20 classic, modern-classic or cult books in 2011. All book-lovers have gaps in their reading - how could you possibly read everything? In recent years I've been fairly up-to-speed with newer books and Australian literature, but I'll often find myself in conversation, saying 'oh, I haven't read such-and-such yet'. People often assume I … Continue reading 20 classics in 2011: blog project
reading
'I want to read that, too!' Wanting to know and be everything (but then take my time with something)
The Christmas party season is in full swing. I've forgotten names, drank too much, jumped on a trampoline, been told secrets, held hands with sweaty strangers (swing dancing), stuttered (kinda a new one) and swapped WIP stories with emerging and published writers. There's a lot of pressure to be in the know. To have read … Continue reading 'I want to read that, too!' Wanting to know and be everything (but then take my time with something)
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
Last weekend’s literary connectivity, and what I’ve been reading lately
On the weekend I was up in sunny Brisbane for the Australian Booksellers Association 2010 conference. It’s a conference for members and friends of the ABA – so, booksellers, publishers, and some librarians and media. I was officially there as a ‘blogger’ – on a panel called ‘Customers, Connections and Communities’, with Andrew McDonald from … Continue reading Last weekend’s literary connectivity, and what I’ve been reading lately
Joe Meno coming to Sydney Writers Festival (and some event updates)
The program for Sydney Writers Festival, which runs May 15 to 23, was revealed today. I'm still deciding on whether I'm going to make it up to Sydney for it or not, as I do have involvement in the Emerging Writers Festival here in Melbourne (for which the program is released on April 22). I had a … Continue reading Joe Meno coming to Sydney Writers Festival (and some event updates)
Perth Writers Festival 2010 diary, part one: ‘mint’ ideas
We live 'by and through and for ideas' said AC Grayling at last night's opening address. But the majority of ideas that we possess, that have shaped us - the way we see and react to the world - are unconscious or at least unexamined. Spinoza said that freedom came from making the 'inadequate' ideas 'adequate', that … Continue reading Perth Writers Festival 2010 diary, part one: ‘mint’ ideas
Meeting Alex Miller part four: on re-reading, storytelling, and writing as a woman
See also – part one: on the origins of a contemporary story; part two: on wisdom and imagination and part three: on cross-eyed novels, the time we have, and liberties of language. My feature interview with Alex Miller on his new novel, Lovesong (Aus, US), was published in Readings Monthly. You can find it here. … Continue reading Meeting Alex Miller part four: on re-reading, storytelling, and writing as a woman
1993—a pivotal year (with thanks to Mrs Grant)
Besides my Oma, the person who most encouraged my writing when I was a child was my year three teacher, Mrs Grant. She was an exchange teacher from Canada and we all grew to love her so much that it was devastating the day she left. She was so sweet that one time, when my best friend … Continue reading 1993—a pivotal year (with thanks to Mrs Grant)
This literary-minded week
new into brew 2700 words of fiction. chew http://thefastertimes.com/fiction/2009/11/14/nabokov-in-audio/ (via Meanjin) kangaroo Best Australian Fiction of the 21st Century #3, #2, #1. blue 'When I have acted like a human being for a few hours, as I did today with Max and later at Baum's, I am already full of conceit before I go to … Continue reading This literary-minded week
Kilts and wine breath: a conversation with my sister about meeting Diana Gabaldon
Some years ago when I was a bookstore girl, I became intrigued by this massive brick of a book called Cross Stitch (Outlander in the US), which many middle-aged women would get flustered over: ‘You haven’t read it?’ they’d ask. I read it, and it was great fun – particularly the raunchy historical Scottish sex, and the … Continue reading Kilts and wine breath: a conversation with my sister about meeting Diana Gabaldon
LiteraryMinded 