01. A lovely morning for the start of Birrarung Riverfest, making ‘hotels’ for native bees (of which there are over 2000 native species). Australian native bees live alone and don’t make honey. Their preferred place to reside is in little holes (hence the bunch of sticks). Our hotel is now installed in our wattle tree, which is the equivalent of having a nice restaurant in the hotel.
02. And while we were wandering along the banks of the Birrarung/Yarra, we spotted a Tawny Frogmouth (their camouflage always astounds me).
03. My friend and I visited LaManna Italian supermarket this week and came home with so many delicious things. It’s described as ‘10,000sqm of food shopping heaven’ – accurate.
04. The 2026 Booker Prize shortlist has been announced. Disappointed that Switzy didn’t make it but thrilled to see John of John there. Stuart for the win!
05. Watching: My Brilliant Career (Netflix) – at first I wasn’t sure about the Victorian gothic combined with the modern soundtrack but I’m halfway through now and completely onboard. Also watched The Rehearsal (HBO) – this blew my mind (and this article about the show and autism).
06. Listening – Florence Road and daine’s cover of Hello.
07. Cooking: this super-easy miso and maple chicken and these choc-chip cookies.
08. ABC’s Top 100 Books – voted.
09. My 250th spin class (I never imagined that when I started in 2023, I would still be cycling three years later).
10. To the most exciting news… I’ve booked a 2027 swim trek in Crete (that’s their pic below). Can’t wait.
Hurrah for Mateship with Birds, and Limberlost! I hope they make it on to the final list. I’ve been dithering about My Brilliant Career but it sounds worth watching.
I was worried that My Brilliant Career was going to be like the remake of Picnic at Hanging Rock, which I thought was pretty ordinary (gratuitous and unnecessary) – it’s not. It skirts the line in some parts but overall, I think worth watching. It might be that I was primed for a ‘modern’ version of the story after seeing the Melbourne Theatre Company’s outstanding musical version ( https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1354145505985370 ) but I have really enjoyed it.
Seeing Puberty Blues on your list made me laugh! I was horrified by the book when I was a teenager (I was too young for it) then read it again thirty-odd years later and couldn’t believe how funny it was.
What lovely happies! I am likewise disappointed that Switzy didn’t make the Booker shortlist, but overall I’m happy with the ones that were selected. I am going to have to check out your votes for top Australian books. I’m not as well-read in Australian literature as I would like. And I am planning some travel for 2027 now, and while a swim trek in Crete wasn’t on my list, that photo is quite tempting!
I agree 100% about the Booker!
I have The Rehearsal lined up to watch as I really enjoyed The Curse. I am also still cross about Switzy missing out on the shortlist!