Author! Author!

Tomorrow I'm going to meet an author. His name is Craig Silvey, and he wrote a book called "Jasper Jones". Hyberbolic reviewers have tagged it "the Australian version of To Kill a Mockingbird", and the author "the next Tim Winton". This uber-praise puts a lot of pressure on a book (and its author) and misrepresents the book to potential readers.
Anyhow ... Jasper Jones is a terrific book. It's about young people dealing with life in a stifling small town atmosphere, trying to "get a life" (so glad that expression has died down somewhat!). The book has great physical presence, set in a boring country town in 1965 (many of us have lived there). It could equally be set in the present - small towns = small minds wherever they live. The young people in the story must figure out what to do in an extreme situation that (thankfully) most of us do not have to face. An abundance of references to Mark Twain has made me go back and find "Huckleberry Finn" (a multiply banned book in the USA for various reasons) and because of the Tim Winton comparison, "Breath". Find out more about Jasper Jones from the publishers (including Craig Silvey talking) here.
Once I had finished with Jasper Jones, I suddenly remembered being introduced to another young Australian writer, Adrian Stirling, whose first novel "Broken Glass" was featured at the Reading Matters conference in Melbourne this year. Equally compelling, and similarly about the prospects for young people in a small country town in Australia, this book is arguably more shocking. As in "Jasper Jones" there's a manipulative relationship between teenage friends, physical violence, and a decision to be made about the future. Both books will shock, but if you can stand the emotional rollercoaster, give them both a try. I'm glad I read them together. [Perhaps for Mature Audiences Only!]

Queensland Premiers Literary Awards

"Australia's most exceptional literary talents, both well known and aspiring, were recognised at the 2009 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards shortlist announcement"
Friday 21 August.

CBC Awards Announced

Since Inky was announced I haven't had time to think. Meantime, the Children's Book Council have come out with theirs, and Shaun Tan has won! Have a look at the full list
You young readers might also like to check out books in all categories from the short list,

Inky Awards Long List

Quick note - Inky list is here.
More later

Butterfly by Sonya Hartnett

Currently "reading" this new book in the car as I drive to and from work.

The publishers say: "Butterfly is a gripping, disquieting, beautifully observed novel that confirms Hartnett as one of Australia's finest writers."

Have a look yourself and see if you agree.

The Cybils are announced on Valetine's Day

I looked deeper into the tangled web, and found details on how Cybil works.

Cybil's Short List of YA titles

Cybils (judged by YA book bloggers) has announced a short list. Here's a brief look at some of them. I haven't read any, but do recognise most of the authors. One of them is Australian Melina Marchetta, of "Looking for Alibrandi" fame (for Jellicoe Road). Not sure when the award is announced, but watch this space.

Had enough of the heavy sighs?

Well, five happy winners walked off with their copies of "Twilight" just before Christmas. Enjoy! And from what I can gather the rest of you enjoyed the chilling atmosphere in cinemas around town to see the movie. (I'm referring to the air-conditioning!)
Well, now I have something to really scare your ...ts off! It's a book called "The Beckoners" written by Canadian author Carrie Mac. Here's a description and some reviews from the author's website. I'm listening to the audio reading and, apart from some crazy accent work by the reader that makes you laugh, it's riveting. Check it out.