These five books helped me weather a fiery summer … Salt steps Raynor Winn had not thought much about homelessness before it happened to her and her terminally ill husband in their 50s. With little alternative, Winn and her husband Moth decided to walk the South West Coast Path in the UK and wild-camp along the
Here are the highlights of my reading in 2019. These books hummed through the haze of the devastating bushfires Australia has experienced in the last few months of 2019 and into 2020. If you’re suffering from the smoke – grab one and head inside to read! Wolfe Island by Lucy Treloar – ‘Ideas came to
I dived and resurfaced with some of the best poetry I read in the last half of 2019 dripping through my fingers … ‘The Vulture and the Body’ by Ada Limón What if, instead of carrying // a child, I am supposed to carry grief? The great black scavenger flies parallel now, / each of
My recent trip to Canada filled me with joy. Here’s why … Lakes, mountains and Indigenous wisdom I was gobsmacked by the natural beauty of Waterton National Park, the Rockies and Algonquin Provincial Park and, despite it being the height of the tourist season, I felt blessed by their serenity. One of the best interpretive
Indigenous wisdom, refugee children, the complexity of kinfolk … it’s all here. Australia’s first farmers Young Dark Emu (Magabala Books) by Bruce Pascoe helps younger readers to see Australia as it was before Europeans arrived – a land of cultivated farming areas, productive fisheries, permanent homes and thriving villages. Also, that our Indigenous people can
Turning lyrics inside out and backward, hope kissing rust, heavy butterflies, and a ditch of a brain … read on to enjoy these and other wonderful turns of phrase I lapped up from the poems I read from January to June 2019. Hiss and spit Rae Armantrout says: ‘you can hold the various elements of
Sydney Writers’ Festival is one of my favourite weeks of the year – a time for musing. This year’s festival in May was no exception. I had a great time! Jamming ABC TV’s Monique Schafter was MC for Spineless Wonders’ Little Fictions – a fabulous live show at Knox Street Bar Chippendale. Actors Eleni Schumacher, Felix Johnson
Women making art and history … here’s a book and some other creations I celebrated in April (on the heels of Sydney’s Art month and Women’s History month in March). Sally Morgan flies Little Bird’s Day by Sally Morgan and illustrated by Yolgnu man Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr was launched in April. It’s the simple but
A patchier reading year for me but still some good finds for you to enjoy … Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman –You’ll love how Eleanor looks at the world and applaud her impatience with society’s silly conventions. While she’s deeply wounded by what happened to her as a child, she’s also funny. The Overstory by Richard Powers –This
When first lines are good they set the scene and lure you to read more. Here are five recent favourites. My brother drowned ‘A woman came across the field, carrying the body of my brother, who had drowned.’ – Dying in the First Person by Nike Sulway How can we describe what gives us meaning?
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