Centenary of Patrick White’s birth

Patrick White was born on 28th May 1912 in London to a family of Australian graziers. He and his parents returned to Australia when White was six months old. His childhood was an unhappy one. White was sent to boarding school in England at the age of 13. Here he developed an interest in writing and theatre. After school White worked as a jackaroo in Australia then went to Cambridge University. He wrote plays and poetry and in 1939 his first novel Happy Valley was published. Continue reading

Posted in Australian writers | Tagged | Leave a comment

Second Tuesday Reading Group: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

The Second Tuesday reading group met in the library recently to discuss Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. All the members fround this book very readable, well written and enjoyable. Continue reading

Posted in National Year of Reading 2012, Second Tuesday Reading Group | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shortlist 2012 – International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award

10 novels have been shortlisted for the International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award, managed by Dublin City Libraries.  Continue reading

Posted in Awards and prizes list | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Norma K. Hemming Award 2012

Norma K. Hemming Award is ‘for excellence in the exploration of race, gender, sexuality, class and disbility in Australian speculative fiction.’ This year the nominees are Continue reading

Posted in Australian writers, Awards and prizes list, Fiction, Suggested Reads | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

National Biography Prize 2012

I have to admit that I didn’t pay much attention to this Prize until now.

The National Biography Prize shortlist has been announced which reduced from 12 books to 6.  For those who love to read this genre is probably a good list to start Continue reading

Posted in Australian writers, Awards and prizes list, Biographies, Suggested Reads | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Clive Small

Clive Small is a former detective and Assistant Commissioner of the NSW Police. His investigations included the murder of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay, the Nugan Hand bank, the shooting of police officer Michael Drury, the murder of Cabramatta MP John Newman and the backpacker murders which led to Ivan Milat being convicted. Continue reading

Posted in Australian writers, Author of the month, Crime and mystery, Non Fiction, Suggested Reads | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Feel – 感受

这个月,Dundas 图书馆中文阅读小组,根据澳大利亚全国阅读年阅读主题”感受”,展开了热烈的讨论,谈出了切身感受。 Continue reading

Posted in Chinese Reading Group, National Year of Reading 2012 | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Commonwealth Prizes Shortlists 2012

Commonwealth Writers has announced shortlists for the 2012 Commonwealth Book Prize and Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Writers from around the world have been shortlisted for each prize in anticipation of becoming a regional winner on 22 May and ultimately competing for overall winner which will be announced at Hay Festival on 8 June. Continue reading

Posted in Awards and prizes list | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award

The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award is for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of 35. It comes with $20,000 in prizemoney and publication of the winning novel.

This year’s award has been announced and the winner is Paul D. Carter for his ‘Eleven seasons’.

Previous winners are some of the most admired writers of contemporary Australian fiction: Tim Winton, Kate Grenville, Gillian Mears and Andrew McGahan. Continue reading

Posted in Australian writers, Author of the month, Awards and prizes list, Fiction, Suggested Reads | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Literacy Reading group discussion notes for April

 The Literacy Reading group met on the 19th April. The theme for the month was “Feel” and we read two articles relating to this theme. Continue reading

Posted in All, Literacy Reading Club | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment