My book bridesmaids of 2013

I had good intentions to blog about these books immediately after I read them but it didn’t happen. They’ll never be my blog “brides” now. As “bridesmaids” they deserve honourable mentions. So get yourself a glass of bubbly to sip as I toast. Collected Stories: James Salter Why have I not read James Salter before

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Carey’s links with Stow explored imaginatively through memoir

When Gabrielle Carey wrote to reclusive Australian novelist Randolph Stow to tell him her mother — his childhood friend — was dying, she could not have anticipated the journey of discovery that would unfold. The ensuing literary-pilgrimage-cum-family-quest is detailed in Moving Among Strangers. The journey sees Carey: reconnect with extended family; explore places in Western

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Turn to The Turning this long weekend …

Friends are urging me to see the movie The Turning this October long weekend and, if my time-poor dips into popular Australian Tim Winton’s book (on which the film is based) are anything to go by, it should be both challenging and fun. Even without the cinematic drawcards of Cate Blanchett, Richard Roxburgh, Hugo Weaving

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‘Shooting Star’ released today

Today Spineless Wonders released “Shooting Star” by Marjorie Lewis-Jones, the fifth in its series of twelve women’s long eStories selected by Amanda Lohrey. “Marjorie Lewis-Jones’ insightful characterisation of Orley as well as her earthy narrative, connects the reader to a uniquely personal experience with a most recognisable and universal theme.” Take a look at the

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Fallen Land: The American dream turns sour

This one of the scariest books I’ve read this year and perhaps ever. It’s also one of the cleverest I’ve encountered in recent times at evoking how the American dream can easily turn sour. Paul Krovik is a property developer who subdivides some acreage, builds his family a model home and gets into debt due

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