June 27, 2008
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Here are some interesting posts and articles that I have been reading this week:
June 23, 2008
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Don’t get too excited - I don’t aim to give up all books. I just need to start giving up bringing more books into my house. I have been collecting books at the rate of about 4 or 5 a week since I started bookcrossing almost two years ago. I got rid of a lot of books, too, but now I have shelves and shelves of unread books that I really want to read.
The final straw came today. I found two great books in an op shop. A Patrick White that I didn’t have (not that I have ever read any Patrick White - I just think I should) and a Booker Long List book from three years ago. I brought them home all excited when I realised. I don’t have one piece of shelving space left for them. Short of starting to pile books on the floor (which sort of does happen, but not on purpose), I need to cut my intake radically.
So here is my pledge. I will not bring any more books into this house for one year. The financial year book glut challenge.
Who is willing to get on board?
NB. Books I have already requested, and bookrings that are on their way don’t count. Kids books don’t count either. I can change these rules at my own discretion. (of course)
June 20, 2008
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2008 Miles Franklin Award winner is Steven Carroll for The Time We Have Taken. This is the third in a loose trilogy, which includes “The Art of the Engine Driver” and “The Gift of Speed.” According to the Miles Franklin Press Release, the novel is “a meditation on the rhythms of suburban life and a luminous exploration of public and private reckoning during a time of radical change.”
“It’s an extraordinary thrill and an honour - but it’s also daunting to be joining a long list of authors whom you’ve either studied or admired for years. The Miles Franklin comes with the gravitas of a whole literary tradition, and you feel that weight almost instantly.” Steven Carroll, on accepting the Award, June 19th.
It is all very exciting. I am organising a Miles Franklin Shortlist challenge through Bookcrossing. I will get to read this book at some stage, and I will post a review of what I thought of it. If you would like to participate in the bookring (AUS only), visit DrCris at bookcrossing.
Miles Franklin Award announcement