Tuesday 27th July

Today we farewelled (for now) producer Sarah McInnes as she starts full time work in Melbourne - thanks Sarah for all your hard work, particularly on keeping the blog up to date!

Book News from Steph Crawford in Melbourne
Some pre-election reading for listeners:
The Making of Julia Gillard by Jacqueline Kent
The Making of Julia Gillard tells Julia Gillard's remarkable story, including her Adelaide childhood, her time as a student activist, her battles to get into Parliament and her relationships with the important men in her political life, Simon Crean, Kim Beazley, Mark Latham and Kevin Rudd. Acclaimed biographer Jacqueline Kent draws on interviews with Julia Gillard's friends and foes and with Julia herself to reveal just how adversarial her environment has been and how she has thrived.

Battlelines (Updated Edition) by Tony Abbott
Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott offers a frank analysis of the way forward for the Liberal Party. In Battlelines, Tony Abbott looks at the values and instincts that drive the Liberal Party and proposes policy that the party should adopt. This is the story of his own political development. He describes the truth about politicians' lives. Battlelines outlines a state of play for the Liberal Party, cementing Tony Abbott's reputation as one of the Liberal Party's most interesting thinkers and fearless advocates.

Dublin, the fourth UNESCO* City of Literature
Melbourne welcomes Dublin into the international Creative Cities network as the fourth City of Literature. Dublin has always been a literary capital and the home of many great writers.
The UNESCO Cities of Literature around the world include Melbourne, Iowa, Edinburgh and now Dublin. The four cities share ideas, plans and projects.
*UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Penguin books competition
You need to go to http://penguinparty.popularpenguins.com.au/ to enter a competition to win a beautifully crafted Mark Tuckey recycled hardwood bookshelf along with your choice of 75 Popular Penguins titles. Competition is open until Monday August 16.

And other news...
Rotary Monster book sale - details here
Coming soon - the film version of John Marsden's "Tomorrow when the war began"

To Kill A Mockingbird anniversary edition out now (available from sponsors Paton Books) Harper Lee’s hometown (Monroeville, Alabama) featured in one of the weekend paper’s TRAVEL sections. It was the model for her famous novel’s 'Maycomb'.

Look out for:
DBC Pierre's new book "Lights out in Wonderland" "Mr Pip" by Lloyd Jones, and Sara Gruen's "Ape House" recommended by Kathryn of Paton Books

Latest Griffith Review - "Prosper or Perish" is dedicated to environmental issues and has excellent essays regarding the need for sensitive town planning, appropriate infrastructure, etc. A must-read for all of us. Available at your libraries.

Thoughts for a possible new segment: What do these ‘news cliches’ mean? Where do they come from? Today's cliche: DOG WHISTLE (as in “Are Abbott and Gillard DOGWHISTLING with their talk of overpopulation fears?”) I think the expression derives from the fact that dogs alone (and Superman) can hear certain high-frequency whistling….hence, pollies might almost float an idea to get “certain elements” excited…. policy positions they can deny if they want to – because no-one else saw it that way.
Have you got the idea of the quiz?

FOR NEXT WEEK: what is meant when analyst refer to Eden-Monaro as a “ BELL WETHER” seat? And where does the term come from?

OUR POEM this week is “Anthem For Doomed Youth” by Wilfred Owen, included in the score of Benjamin Britten’s epic “War Requiem”, performed last week to rapturous response at Melbourne Town Hall.

Reviews
Bernard reviews "Roddy Parr" by Peter Rose - read here
Robyn reviews "Milk Fever" by Lisa Reece-Lane here

Jo from Blurb sponsor Angus & Robertson Books Geelong joined us for a chat about what's hot, A&R's top 100 and what's coming up. Author Isobel Carmody recently visited the Geelong store to promote her latest book, The Kingdom of the Lost: The Red Wind and will be in Queenscliff on Thursday the 5th of August 6:30 pm, bookings through The Mystery Bookshop Queenscliff VIC 5258 4660.