2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Shortlists

A few days ago the shortlists for the 2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards was announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Arts Minister Tony Burke.

From children’s books that excel in the art of storytelling through to revealing works of non-fiction and history, the 29 books on the 2013 shortlists represent the breadth and depth of the Australian story and imagination.

Now in their sixth year, the shortlists recognise the best in Australian fiction, poetry, non-fiction, history, young adult and children’s fiction published in 2012.  A tax free prize of $80,000 will be awarded to the winner of each of the award categories. Shortlisted entries receive $5,000 tax free.

The 2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards shortlists are:

Fiction 
Floundering by Romy Ash
The Chemistry of Tears by Peter Carey
Questions of Travel by Michelle de Kretser
Lost Voices by Christopher Koch
Mateship with Birds by Carrie Tiffany

Poetry 
Burning Rice by Eileen Chong
The Sunlit Zone by Lisa Jacobson
Jam Tree Gully: Poems by John Kinsella
Liquid Nitrogen by Jennifer Maiden
Crimson Crop by Peter Rose

Non-fiction 
Bradman’s War by Malcolm Knox
Uncommon Soldier by Chris Masters
Plein Airs and Graces by Adrian Mitchell
The Australian Moment by George Megalogenis
Bold Palates by Barbara Santich

Prize for Australian History 
The Sex Lives of Australians: A History by Frank Bongiorno
Sandakan by Paul Ham
Gough Whitlam by Jenny Hocking
Farewell, dear people by Ross McMullin
The Censor’s Library by Nicole Moore

Young Adult Fiction 
Everything left unsaid by Jessica Davidson
The Children of the King by Sonya Hartnett
Grace Beside Me by Sue McPherson
Fog a Dox by Bruce Pascoe
Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield

Children’s Fiction 
Red by Libby Gleeson
Today We Have No Plans by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Anna Walker
What’s the Matter, Aunty May? by Peter Friend and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
The Beginner’s Guide to Revenge by Marianne Musgrove

Have you read any of the shortlisted books? Which would you nominate to win?

Another book sculpture gifted “in support of libraries, books, words, ideas”

 

Another beautiful, intricate book sculpture has been left in Edinburgh, this time at Leith Library.

The book sculptures started appearing in various places around Edinburgh in 2011. They were left with the message: ‘in support of books, libraries, words, ideas’.  To this day the identity of the enormously gifted sculptor remains unknown. The sculptures are dotted around the town in the places they were originally left – The National Library, Edinburgh Central Library, The Scottish Poetry Library and The Scottish Storytelling Centre.

In early May I had the great pleasure of spending a day in Edinburgh visiting as many of the previously gifted book sculptures as I could. They are truly beautiful and so clever and I highly recommend you take the time to see them if you head that way yourself (it’ll get you out of the less beautiful Scottish weather if nothing else).

 

The Scottish Poetry Library website has photos of more book sculptures and a map you can use to locate them. Fortunately most are on, or just off, The Royal Mile so you can incorporate your visits into your touristy day easily.

 

Previous posts on the Edinburgh book sculptures can be read here and here.

Read Watch Play Twitter Reading Group – June : Faraway

Are you back from your travels? Where did you go? Somewhere warm now that winter is here? Somewhere much colder; there’s all those Scandinavian crime novels to chill you to the bone? Did you try a new time or dimension? Let someone else know and join in the live twitter discussion next Tuesday25 June starting at 8pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. Use the tags #faraway and #rwpchat as you discuss the reading, watching, playing in time and space.

The Twitter book group meets on the last Tuesday of every month so pop that in your diary, smartphone, MS Outlook, or tattoo it on your arm. Just remember and join in!

Crossing the Blue Mountains Stamp Exhibition

For the next two weeks there is an exhibition of stamps, First Day Covers, coins and medals, many rare or unique, commemorating the Crossing of the Blue Mountains on show at Springwood Library.

Arthur Vella who put the stamp exhibition together

With excerpts from Blaxland’s diary, the exhibition is sure to be of interest to people of all ages.  It will be on show until Friday 28th June.

Bicentenary of the Crossing of the Blue Mountains Exhibition

The travelling exhibition about the first European crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1813 has moved to Katoomba Library today.

Come along and see this spectacular display.

The exhibition is at Katoomba Library 17-28 June before going to Lithgow Library from 1-31 July.

Junior Roller Derby Info @ Springwood Library

Roller Derby is a sport that has been gaining a massive following in the last few years. It’s a roller skate-based game which involves two teams attempting to out-lap each other. Often, Derby includes fun elements like costume and personas. Films like ‘This is Roller Derby’ and ‘Whip It’ have certainly contributed to Roller Derby’s popularity.

Springwood Library will soon be hosting a Junior Roller Derby information session, so make sure you come along if you are aged 9 – 17 yrs and are interested to learn more!