Booklover Book Reviews

Over the next few weeks I have invited a few of the many participants in the Aussie Auther Challenge 2010 to share with us their thoughts on Australian Authors.

Today I’d like to welcome Booksploring to Booklover Book Reviews.

Booksploring is a young Aussie librarian with a keen eye for a great novel. She is a compulsive book buyer/reader/hoarder, whose book reviews and ratings I hold in very high regard. I have purchased several books on the back of Booksploring’s recommendations and have not once been disappointed.

She reads a variety of genres so I’m sure there is a book featured on her Booksploring book blog for everyone’s tastes. Her favourite genres are adult and literary fiction, (mystery, chick lit and historical). She also has a real knack for finding quality books in secondhand book sales!

 So, without further ado, over to Booksploring:

What was your motivation for signing-up for the Aussie Author Challenge 2010?

 My motivation was to encourage myself to read more Australian authors. I’d just read Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey and was keen to discover more great Aussie fiction that I may have missed. I just revisited my sign-up post and back in December 2009 I intended to read the following books for this challenge:

• The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard
• Avoiding Mr Right by Anita Heiss (Read and reviewed)
• Sixty Lights by Gail Jones
• Wonders of a Godless World by Andrew McGahan
• The Story of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay
• Rhubarb by Craig Silvey (Read and reviewed)
• Lovesong by Alex Miller

But along the way I’ve changed my mind/discovered new Aussie authors/had to return books to the library because I was too lazy to read them before they were due back… and my new plan now looks like this:

• The Past and Other Lies by Maggie Joel
• The River Wife by Heather Rose
• Grand Hotel by Gregory Day
• True Spirit by Jessica Watson
• The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

At the time of sign-up I only committed to TOURIST level, but I’m now aiming high for FAIR DINKUM! Wish me luck

What is your favourite book read for the Aussie Author Challenge thus far and why?

Rhubarb by Craig Silvey (see my review here)

Why? As a massive word nerd, I loved Silvey’s use of words and word plays…I was in word ecstasy reading this novel! I also enjoy reading about the places I know and love, and the way in which Silvey brings Fremantle to life is nothing short of amazing.

Do you have a favourite Australian author? Who and why?

I have a few…

Craig Silvey: I only discovered Craig Silvey last year when I read Jasper Jones (see my review). Looking back, I think Jasper Jones was the best book I read in 2009. I recently read his previous novel Rhubarb (see my review) as part of this challenge and loved Silvey’s descriptions of Freo. Silvey’s now one of my favourite Aussie authors and definitely a promising author to watch out for!

Kate Morton: I love Gothic mysteries and Kate Morton’s are some of the best I’ve read. I read The Shifting Fog and The Forgotten Garden and never wanted them to end (a true sign of a good book!) and absolutely cannot wait until her new book The Distant Hours comes out!

May Gibbs: May Gibbs was an Australian author/illustrator best-known for writing and illustrating Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie and Gumnut Babies. I love the way in which she used the Australian bush as an inspiration for her characters which in turn helped spread her message of conservation. Her ink drawings and watercolours are just beautiful and her stories are timeless. This gallery shows many of her popular illustrations from these books.

Mem Fox: I grew up with Koala Lou and Possum Magic….so Mem Fox will always hold a special place in my heart. I also really admire her devotion to children’s literacy issues.

Koala Lou – Mem Fox

Possum Magic – Mem Fox

This year the Aussie Author Reading Challenge Badge featured a kangaroo. What native Australian animal would you like to see featured on the badge for this challenge in 2011?

I would like to see a wombat. Wombats make great mascots. Remember Fatso the Fat-Arsed Wombat?

_ _ _ _

I remember Fatso (our unofficial mascot for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games) – he was definitely my favourite!

Thank you so much Booksploring for sharing with us your thoughts on some of Australia’s great authors. I too loved Mem Fox’s books as a child. Her illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and it was a lovely trip down memory lane. As you know I put Craig Silvey’s Rhubarb on my wishlist a while ago based on your recommendation, and it’s nearing the top of that list – can’t wait!

If you have not already checked out Booksploring I urge you to take a peek, and you’ll become hooked on her reviews and recommendations just like I am!

Quick plug for the Aussie Author Challenge:

• There is still time to join in the fun for 2010!
• If you’d rather wait to sign up for the 2011 Challenge, why not check out all the great reviews of Aussie Lit posted by challenge participants so far for some inspiration for your next read!

Just Some of the Books Mentioned in this Post:
 
Craig Silvey – Jasper Jones, Rhubarb
Kate Morton – The Shifting Fog, The Forgotten Garden, The Distant Hours
Mem Fox titles
Andrew McGahan titles
Shirley Hazzard titles

Other guest posts in this series on Aussie Authors:
Tony’s Reading List