New Leaf Welcome to the New Leaf Book Club - Page 38

Bookpossum · 10-05-2019, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I really enjoyed Malouf's Remembering Babylon when we read it in the Literary Club. It was very interesting to learn more about Australia's history and social issues.

I’m glad you enjoyed it so much Bookworm-Girl. I think it’s a wonderful book, and definitely one of those that I keep on thinking about long after I have read the last page.

gmw · 10-06-2019, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Not Patrick White? I admit I waded through a few of his novels decades ago and I wouldn't care to have to do it again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

Waders are definitely needed. I know he’s supposed to be The Greatest, but he does nothing for me at all. (Don’t tell anyone!) My loss, no doubt, but I find him lacking in human warmth I think.

Perhaps "Greatest" was a literary studies assessment? I cannot offer an opinion as I have never read any of his work, but I don't recall ever hearing anyone speak of his books in flattering terms so I have never been tempted.

Peter Carey is an Australian author of some renown (three time winner of the Miles Franklin Award), but is yet another I cannot offer an opinion on as I don't think I've ever actually read any of his books; I've only seen some of the film productions.

Thea Astley won four Miles Franklin Awards, but I haven't tried one of her books yet. And Tim Winton is another four-time winner of the Miles Franklin Award, but the first book I tried of his didn't do anything for me and I haven't been back to try any others.

Having brought up the Miles Franklin Award*, I have to admit that I have not read any of her books either.

... The more I look the more it seems my education in Australian literary authors is rather lacking. And so my TBR list grows again.

* The Miles Franklin Award seems like it should be relevant because it is for "a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases" and so, in theory, matches what I am looking for in trying to find an author offering a distinctly Australian experience.

issybird · 10-06-2019, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw

Perhaps "Greatest" was a literary studies assessment? I cannot offer an opinion as I have never read any of his work, but I don't recall ever hearing anyone speak of his books in flattering terms so I have never been tempted.

It's the Nobel, of course. Winning it means the author is both important and good, or so one is supposed to think. It's the whole problem with literary prizes; there are a lot of factors, many of which have nothing at all to do with merit. Just looking at the list of largely unreadable early Nobelists should put paid to the notion that the Nobel is a measure of anything but a combination of the zeitgeist and politics.

Quote:

Having brought up the Miles Franklin Award*, I have to admit that I have not read any of her books either.

I've read a few of her books and I thought they were pretty forgettable. At least I've mostly forgotten them. I know I thought Bring the Monkey was extremely unfunny. But it was set in London, IIRC, so maybe that doesn't count.

Bookpossum · 10-06-2019, 06:03 PM

One thing in White’s favour is that he put the Nobel money into some sort of trust to help struggling authors, if I am remembering that correctly.

I agree on Miles Franklin - pretty forgettable. For the most part, I think the prize winners have been good (not that I have read them all) though there was a huge scandal some years ago over one winner which failed on so many levels, including plagiarism.

I tend to find many authors have some really good books and others that are so-so. Hence my hesitation. For instance, I thought Eucalyptus by Murray Bail was wonderful, but then I didn’t enjoy a couple of other books by him nearly so well - it sets the bar very high.

issybird · 10-06-2019, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

For instance, I thought Eucalyptus by Murray Bail was wonderful,

So did I. It made my top ten list in 2014.

gmw · 10-18-2019, 02:48 AM

AU shoppers - which I guess means Bookpossum

- you might like to take a look at The Toymakers by Robert Dinsale, currently on special at Kobo AU and Amazon AU.

I stumbled over this quite some time ago while searching out other books for this club (see May 2018 "Doomed to Repeat It" nomination thread). It turned out to be one of my 5 star readers for this year. It is highly emotive, which isn't everyone's cup of tea. Here are a few of the quotes I thought worth sharing. Obviously YMMV, but I loved it.

Bookpossum · 10-18-2019, 06:28 AM

Thanks very much for this gmw. I don’t think I can do anything while on Lord Howe Island, but if the offer stands for a few days, I shall check it out when I get home. The network I am using is an unsecured one.

CRussel · 10-18-2019, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

Thanks very much for this gmw. I don’t think I can do anything while on Lord Howe Island, but if the offer stands for a few days, I shall check it out when I get home. The network I am using is an unsecured one.

Ping me offline and we can have a discussion about VPNs.

Probably not worth the bother now, but good to have in your arsenal for when you need them. And unsecured hotel WiFi is a good reason, for sure!

Bookpossum · 10-18-2019, 06:01 PM

Thanks for that Charlie - I shall check it with you when I’m home.

issybird · 02-14-2020, 06:29 AM

Here’s a link to the post setting out the next round of themes.

Dazrin · 02-14-2020, 01:36 PM

I've updated the list post and the spreadsheet ("Complete List" tab) with these categories. Please make sure I have them input properly and let me know if there are corrections to be made. Thank you.

Bookpossum · 02-14-2020, 05:21 PM

Thanks Dazrin - they look good to me.

Victoria · 02-15-2020, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

Thanks Dazrin - they look good to me.

They do to me as well. Thanks!

CRussel · 02-26-2020, 04:30 PM

Just a quick heads up to everyone. issybird needs a break, so I've agreed to handle administrative duties for a while, probably (HOPEFULLY) with the help of others. Meanwhile, our core directive to select, read and discuss books based on broadly interpreted themes, and in a collegial and non-confrontational way, will remain unchanged. Please be patient while I flail around trying to figure things out and try not to abuse me more than absolutely necessary.

ETA: And I want to personally express my gratitude and appreciation for all the HARD WORK that issybird has put into managing this herd of cats for the last TWO YEARS. You have been amazing.

issybird · 02-26-2020, 06:05 PM

Shucks, Charlie!

Thank you.

Where’s the cabana boy?

02-26-2020, 04:30 PM	#569
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,160 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Administrative Message Just a quick heads up to everyone. issybird needs a break, so I've agreed to handle administrative duties for a while, probably (HOPEFULLY) with the help of others. Meanwhile, our core directive to select, read and discuss books based on broadly interpreted themes, and in a collegial and non-confrontational way, will remain unchanged. Please be patient while I flail around trying to figure things out and try not to abuse me more than absolutely necessary. ETA: And I want to personally express my gratitude and appreciation for all the HARD WORK that issybird has put into managing this herd of cats for the last TWO YEARS. You have been amazing. Last edited by CRussel; 02-26-2020 at 04:46 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Leaf Information and Book Selections	Dazrin	Book Clubs	74	12-07-2020 07:42 AM
New Leaf Theme Suggestion Thread	JSWolf	Book Clubs	301	06-06-2018 04:48 PM
New Leaf Nominations for June 2018 • I'll be There for You: Best Friends	issybird	Book Clubs	74	05-10-2018 07:51 PM
New Leaf Vote for March 2018 • The Book Came First	issybird	Book Clubs	96	03-14-2018 12:15 PM
New Leaf Nominations for March 2018 • The Book Came First	issybird	Book Clubs	102	02-07-2018 09:09 AM

10-06-2019, 06:03 PM	#559
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	One thing in White’s favour is that he put the Nobel money into some sort of trust to help struggling authors, if I am remembering that correctly. I agree on Miles Franklin - pretty forgettable. For the most part, I think the prize winners have been good (not that I have read them all) though there was a huge scandal some years ago over one winner which failed on so many levels, including plagiarism. I tend to find many authors have some really good books and others that are so-so. Hence my hesitation. For instance, I thought Eucalyptus by Murray Bail was wonderful, but then I didn’t enjoy a couple of other books by him nearly so well - it sets the bar very high.

10-18-2019, 02:48 AM	#561
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,809 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	AU shoppers - which I guess means Bookpossum - you might like to take a look at The Toymakers by Robert Dinsale, currently on special at Kobo AU and Amazon AU. I stumbled over this quite some time ago while searching out other books for this club (see May 2018 "Doomed to Repeat It" nomination thread). It turned out to be one of my 5 star readers for this year. It is highly emotive, which isn't everyone's cup of tea. Here are a few of the quotes I thought worth sharing. Obviously YMMV, but I loved it.

10-18-2019, 06:28 AM	#562
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	Thanks very much for this gmw. I don’t think I can do anything while on Lord Howe Island, but if the offer stands for a few days, I shall check it out when I get home. The network I am using is an unsecured one.

10-18-2019, 06:01 PM	#564
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	Thanks for that Charlie - I shall check it with you when I’m home.

02-14-2020, 06:29 AM	#565
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,229 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	Here’s a link to the post setting out the next round of themes.

02-14-2020, 01:36 PM	#566
Dazrin Wizard Posts: 2,631 Karma: 73864785 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: PDXish Device: Kindle Voyage, various Android devices	I've updated the list post and the spreadsheet ("Complete List" tab) with these categories. Please make sure I have them input properly and let me know if there are corrections to be made. Thank you.

02-14-2020, 05:21 PM	#567
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	Thanks Dazrin - they look good to me.

02-26-2020, 06:05 PM	#570
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,229 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	Shucks, Charlie! Thank you. Where’s the cabana boy?

Advert

Advert