An argument for an IWB

The Slap

so the slap has been nominated for the Man Booker. Hurrah. A good Aussie read. I'm ashamed to say I haven't read it yet but never fear, it is now in my possession and I'll get to it presently!

Orange Prize & the Miles Franklin

So...it's that time of year again. The Orange long list is out and (my new interest) the longlist for the Miles Franklin award. Both were announced on the same day- chance or coincidence??

So, anybody up for a read? I might try and mix the two as some of the Orange nominees might be difficult for me to get in Australia. Having said that, I'm in the middle of reading (and loving & relishing), Sarah Walters' 'The Little Stranger' and Hilary Mantel's 'Wolf Hall' is lined up next!

Anyone in Oz interested in reading along and meeting for a drink & a literary chat?! We could also form a book swapping club- I'd forgotten how expensive books were in this country...

And the Short List 2009 is out!!
Scottsboro
Ellen Feldman

The Wilderness
Samantha Harvey

The Invention of Everything Else
Samantha Hunt

Molly Fox's Birthday
Deirdre Madden

Home
Marilynne Robinson

Burnt Shadows
Kamila Shamsie

amazingly I'm actually in the middle of reading The Invention... For the first year I've read one long list before the short list was announced. Usually I jinx them!

The Orange Prize is nearly upon us

2 days until the Orange Long List comes out. I can hardly contain my excitement.

Some of the Londoners are meeting up on Thurs to have a look at the long list & then choose a few to pick (good way of dividing up the purchasing of potentially expensive new hard backs, methinks).

Then, we'll probably share them around.

For our non- London based members- I'll post a list & links for the books we choose & you're welcome to join us. I'll also start individual discussion topics (see above) so we can get the online club thing happening. Usually there is a good mix of English, Irish, Canadian & Aussie writers so hopefully something for everyone (or at least accessible).

Facebook, a Better option?

I'm thinking about moving this blog over to Facebook and changing it to a group- apart from Gill, we are all on FB these days and seem to check that more regularly (if at all!!)

If anyone has any objections, let me know!

orange prize 2009

there seems to a theme on this blog. blah blah blah, year goes on...no developments....blah blah blah, hit March and suddently a "flurry" (relatively speaking) of activity happens.

So, I ask the annual question- anyone up for reading the Orange Prize for fiction again this year??

and, I know it's a ways off, but there will be the Shortlist writers event (we went last year to this and it was inspiring) in London on Jun 2nd so if anyone is interested let me know ASAP & I'll keep an eye out for when the tickets are released.

Time to hang up the online Scrabble and dust off them reading glasses!!

(Elena- I know you are up for all of this & you know the long list is released March 18th!! Just a thought!)