While you would think a Melbourne spring should be filled with daffodils, longer evenings and fascinators in the Myer windows, we have had all that but with rain and cold as well. I found it really interesting that these quotes from Australian writers about spring focused on the whole spectrum from the sun and… Continue reading Australian spring literary quotes
Category: Adult Fiction
Mothers and daughters – books and excursions
Mothers and daughters – this is a subject that has been extensively used in mediocre, sentimental movies and rather ordinary novels with family sagas but it is also the source of brilliant books, movies and plays. I’m back from a lovely long weekend trip to Sydney with Miss 10 and my Mum. As Miss 10… Continue reading Mothers and daughters – books and excursions
The life of elves – book review
I have never written a book review before I’ve finished reading the book. But I found myself thinking so much about this book, The life of elves by Muriel Barbery, that I wanted to write about it, even though I have about a third of the book still to read. And I really want to… Continue reading The life of elves – book review
Interview – author Natasha Lester
I read Natasha Lester’s latest book, A kiss from Mr Fitzgerald, over two nights and sneaked in half a chapter here and there. Evie is a fascinating character in her own right, but when you add her culture – 1920s New York, medical school and the Ziegfeld Follies – you add another layer to her… Continue reading Interview – author Natasha Lester
Be Frank with me – book review
The cover of this book matches the inside of the book exactly – this is how I would imagine Frank, one of the main characters, to look like. Be Frank with me is Julia Claiborne Johnson’s debut novel, and it’s a brilliant one. Allen and Unwin, the publishers, even put a sticker on my copy… Continue reading Be Frank with me – book review
Ten Australian summer quotes
Last week of summer, and it’s hot. Of course, being Melbourne, summer may not finish until the end of March or it could feel like winter next week. But right now, it’s summer. Because my children’s novel is set in Melbourne in February and March, I am spending a bit of time this week to… Continue reading Ten Australian summer quotes
The diver’s clothes lie empty – book review
This is the first time I’ve read a novel written in second person. I’ve read a couple of short stories written this way, and I’ve attempted to write one myself and failed miserably. The tutor in my online short story class and several of the other students told me it just didn’t work. Cate Kennedy… Continue reading The diver’s clothes lie empty – book review
Stella list for 2016
The Stella longlist for 2016 came out this week, and it is a fantastic list of wonderful books by Australian women. So if you are a reader or belong to a bookclub or want to support Australian female authors, this list is for you! The Stella Prize was set up three years ago to… Continue reading Stella list for 2016
98 and counting …
This year I have kept a tally of the books I have read. With three days to go until the end of the year, I am up to number 98, and I have every intention of reading my way to 100 books by midnight 2015. Silly isn’t it, to think that 100 books is somewhat… Continue reading 98 and counting …
Stories within stories
I read two books this week which had stories within stories, and saw a musical on Saturday night which had a story within a story. I love it – stories are fabulous enough but a story within a story is pure magic! Let me explain. Miss 9 put Angelica Bank’s Finding Serendipity on my bedside… Continue reading Stories within stories