My Best Books for 2021

Posted by Kate W in Stuff and Nonsense and tagged with 2021, book list, David Nicholls, Dolly Alderton, Donna Tartt, Douglas Stuart, Halle Butler, Helen Naylor, Jacinta Parsons, Jennifer Down, Kathleen MacMahon, Louise Milligan, Louise Nealon, Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, Patrick deWitt, Raynor Winn, Rebecca Giggs, Rose Tremain, Ruth Gilligan, Victoria Hannan December 31, 2021

I did away with ‘top tens’ a few years ago, and instead I finish the reading year with a recap of the books that are still speaking to me (less about four and five-star ratings, more about what has stuck). Continue reading →

Reading Challenges 2021

Posted by Kate W in Stuff and Nonsense and tagged with 2021, AWW, David Nicholls, David Sedaris, Dolly Alderton, Douglas Stuart, Georgina Young, Helen Naylor, Jennifer Down, Judy Atkinson, Kathleen MacMahon, Louise Milligan, Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, Patrick deWitt, Raynor Winn, reading challenge, Rebecca Giggs, Rose Tremain, Victoria Hannan December 28, 2021

It’s technically possible to squeeze in another couple of books before midnight on December 31, 2021 but unlikely, so I think I can safely draw a line under the reading challenges for the year.

I participated in six challenges this year – finished three; one is ongoing; and I failed two – (one miserably, one by a whisker). Continue reading →

Catching up on reviews

Posted by Kate W in Fiction, Non-fiction and tagged with 2021, American, Australian, AWW, book review, David Sedaris, fiction, grief-lit, Gwendoline Riley, Helen Naylor, Louise Milligan, Maggie Shipstead, magic realism, memoir, nonfiction, Sarah Krasnostein, Trent Dalton December 27, 2021

I always have the best intentions to write thorough reviews of the books I read, but time is in short supply in December and I’m nine reviews behind… So, quick thoughts on a bunch of books: Continue reading →

Nonfiction November – My Year in Nonfiction

Posted by Kate W in Non-fiction and tagged with Dolly Alderton, Louise Milligan, Matthew McConaughey, nonfiction, Rebecca Giggs, Rose Tremain, Stephanie Danler November 1, 2021

It’s time for Nonfiction November, starting with my ‘Year in Nonfiction’, hosted by What’s Nonfiction?. Continue reading →

Stella Prize 2021 Shortlist

Posted by Kate W in Fiction, Non-fiction, Stuff and Nonsense and tagged with 2021, Australian, AWW, book review, Evie Wyld, Laura Jean McKay, Louise Milligan, Mirandi Riwoe, Rebecca Giggs, S.L. Lim, Stella Prize March 25, 2021

It’s almost old news now, but here is the 2021 Stella Prize shortlist: Continue reading →

The 2021 Stella Prize Longlist

Posted by Kate W in Stuff and Nonsense and tagged with 2021, Cath Moore, Elizabeth Tan, Ellena Savage, Evie Wyld, Intan Paramaditha, Jessie Tu, Laura Jean McKay, Louise Milligan, Mirandi Riwoe, Nardi Simpson, Rebecca Giggs, S.L. Lim, Stella Prize March 4, 2021

The 2021 Stella Prize longlist has been announced: Continue reading →