Books are the best Christmas presents – here’s why
It’s that tricky time of year again when everyone is searching for the perfect Christmas gift. To save you the…
A new breed of books is giving voice to the forgotten women of history and literature
If you ever want to test out your observation skills, there is a famous footage in which a gorilla walks…
The beautiful are the damned in classic and contemporary literature
It makes sense that fashion models, and even actresses, are beautiful. Fashion and film are visual mediums, and beauty can…
The rise and rise of library book clubs
In some ways the growth of library book clubs has been a quiet success story. Each year, groups pop up…
Does size matter when it comes to books?
There is a copy of Moby Dick on my book shelf that I aim to read one day. But the…
Book review: the Neapolitan series by Elena Ferrante
Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels start with a mystery – that of the missing friend, Lila. From there, the reader is…
Can the solution to Australia’s literacy woes be found in the school library?
There has been plenty of hand wringing since Australian students this year achieving their lowest writing results since NAPLAN tests…
The beauty of unguarded moments in photography and Ferrante
There is something vaguely unsettling about seeing a photo of yourself that you didn’t realise it was being taken. There…
When did buying books become an ethical dilemma?
Buying a book used to be a simple pleasure. You would visit a local book shop, browse the shelves, select…
The getting of wisdom – what I’ve learnt from listening to some of my favourite writers
The role of writers festivals has been in the news recently, with commentators, audiences and writers questioning the prominence of…
