My 52 books in 52 weeks for the National Year of Reading!

This year, as a National Ambassador for the Year of Reading, I set myself a goal: to read 52 books in 52 weeks. Let me tell you straight up, I am a v-e-r-y-s-l-o-w -r-e-a-d-e-r! So it was a challenge! Admittedly, many of the titles below are children's books, but not all. There's also lot of quality Australian novels in this list, and I do hope you check them out. I've used a bit of a code because I know there are many looking for certain titles. So, hope it helps.

Australian Women Writers are in PINK

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Writers are in BLUE!

1. THE BOUNDARY, by Nicole Watson.
 
2. JUST KIDS, by Patti Smith
 
2. STELLA MAKES GOOD, by Lisa Heidke 
 
4. SOUTHERLY - A HANDFUL OF SAND: words to the frontline ed by Ali Cobby Eckermann and Lionel Fogarty
 
5. UBBY'S UNDERDOGS: The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon, by Brenton E McKenna
 
6. NJUNJUL THE SUN, by Boori Monty Pryor and Meme McDonald
 
7. VIOLIN LESSONS, by Arnold Zable
 
8. UNPOLISHED GEM, by Alice Pung
 
9. THE GRUMPY LIGHTHOUSE, by Terrizita Corpus and Maggie Prewett
 
10. THE MARK OF THE WARGAL, Lorna Little and Janice Lyndon
 
11. FLY TRAP, by Boori Monty Pryor and Meme McDonald
 
12. JUST THE SKIN YOU'RE LIVIN' IN, by Gayle Kennedy and Ross Carnsew
 
13. JALI BOY, by Ricky Macourt 
 
14. THE CHAINSAW FILE, by Bruce Pascoe
 
15. JINDAH MURRAY WIND DANCER, by Fiona Wirrer-George Oochunyung
 
16. DINGO'S TREE, by Gladys Milroy and Jill Milroy 
 
17. MAMANG, by Kim Scott, Iris Woods and the Wirlomin Noongar Language & Stories Project
 
18. NOONGAR MAMBATA BAKITJ,   Kim Scott, Lomas Roberts and the Wirlomin Noongar Language & Stories Project

19. SEA HEARTS, by Margo Lanagan
 
20. THE FAMILY LAW, by Benjamin Law
 
21. FALL GIRL, by Toni Jordan
 
22. LIFE IN SEVEN MISTAKES, by Susan Johnson
 
23. ANIMAL PEOPLE, Charlotte Woods
 
24. AFTER THE FALL, Kylie Ladd 
 
25. GRACE BESIDE ME, Sue McPherson 

26. MY 100 LOVERS, Susan Johnson
 
27. MARNGROOK: THE LONG AGO STORY OF AUSSIE RULES, By Titta Secombe / Illustrated by Grace Fielding

28: VULLAH VUNNAH NAH: http://anitaheissblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/review-vullah-vunnah-nah-gunditjmara.html

29: RUBY MOONLIGHT by Ali Cobby Eckermann 
 
30. MY HOME IN BROOME, Tamzyne Richardson and Bronwyn Houston.
 
31. MAZING GRACE, by Dylan Coleman
 
32. YOU'LL BE SORRY WHEN I'M DEAD, Marieke Hardy
 
33. ONE LONG THREAD, Belinda Jeffrey
 
34. THE MARY SMOKE BOYS, Patrick Holland
 
35. DEADLY READERS series, Magabala Books 
 
36. HOT LIKE FIRE, Sherrice Thomas
 
37. From Little Things Big Things Grow / Solid Rock / Black Fella WhiteFella /  My Island Home - published by One Day Hill

38. FANTOME ISLAND, by Kathy Gibson and Jack Bell
 
39. JUST LIKE THAT AND OTHER POEMS, by Charmaine Papertalk-Green

40. Micky O - Determination. Hard Work. And a Little Bit of Magic. by Michael O'Loughlin with Jim Main
 
41. LOOKING FOR BULLIN BULLIN by Brenda Saunders

42. TWO GREEKS, by John Charalambous
 
43. THE ONLY CONSTANT, by Robyne Young

44. FISHING FOR TIGERS by Emily Macguire

45. COURTING SAMIRA by Amal Awad 
 
46. INDIGO SOLVES THE PZULZE, by Wendy Fitzgerald and Sophie Norsa
 
47. BEIJING TAI TAI, Tania McCartney

48. TWO MATES, by Melanie Prewett / Illustrated by Maggie Prewett
 
49.  BUBBAY: A CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE, by Josie Wowalla and illustrated by Fern Martins
 
50. THE SUGARBAG, Written by Nola Turner-Jensen / Illustrated by Dub Leffler 
 
51. SOLID ROCK, Puli Kunpunka (Sacred Ground), by Shane Howard. Pitjantjatjara translation by Ruby James and Trevor Adamson. Illustrated by kids from Mutitjulu, Kaltukatjara and Imanpa with paintings by Peter Hudson
 
52. FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW: the story of an East Timorese Primary School 

Review: Vullah Vunnah Nah: A Gunditjmara Lullaby

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Vullah Vunnah Nah

A Gunditjmara Lullaby

Written and illustrated by Patricia Clarke

One Day Hill 2012

I know of few Aboriginal lullabies, so this one - although not from my own language group - warmed my heart. Vullah Vunnah Nah is an ancient Gunditjmara song about a rainbow and is presented as a brightly coloured book with accompanying CD for all to enjoy.

The author, illustrator and performer of the song Patricia Clarke, has long been at the forefront of a cultural renaissance in the south west of Victoria by working across art forms. She is the daughter of the late Uncle Banjo Clarke (Wisdom Man) and the late Audrey Couzins.

The CD enclosed with the book includes the lullaby sung by Patricia Clarke with Archie Roach, Stephanie Young, Shane Howard, Lee Morgan and Marcia Howard. Now, with a line-up like that, who’d want to go to sleep?

Vullah Vunnah Nah is another title supporting cultural maintenance coming out of the One Day Hill  publishing house in Melbourne. Kudos to them for their efforts in recent years.

You can buy Vullah Vunnah Nah from Booktopia  or Gleebooks.

Educator and writer Melanie Selemidis is grateful!

Many who don’t use social media fail to understand the wonderful connections that can be made with likeminded people in your home suburb, city, state or even across the globe. I have met many wonderful people - women in particular - who love to write and read and who share similar world views. We’ve shared ideas, laughs and words on-line and sometimes, we’ve even had the chance to meet up for dinner, cocktails and /or literary events! One such wonder is Melanie Selemidis

 Mel is an educator, blogger and writer working on her first novel Sirens of Santorini. 

I’d like to welcome Mel to my blog today and to say thank you for sharing the past couple of years on-line with me, and for gifting readings with your gratefuls today.

Mel says ‘Five things I'm grateful for’:

I'm grateful for family, friends, opportunities to grow and learn, and to teach, motivate and inspire others to live a passionate life.

1) My big fat Greek family that has held me in its loving arms, always supported me in every way and made me laugh most of all, especially my children!

2) My parents for migrating to Australia and sacrificing much to give me the best possible chance of getting an education and a better life.

3) The opportunity to teach, inspire and work with adolescents and constantly learn is something I thrive on. I love passing on my passion for books and language and for inspiring them to express themselves in new ways. I particularly love teasing out poems from them as they lack confidence and it makes me ecstatic to get them to realise that they can be writers too. I feel honoured to work as an educator despite the demands & challenges.

4) I feel blessed to live in the most liveable city in the world, Melbourne-the garden state. I live on the fringe of Bundoora Park, a diverse, native reserve perched on top of Mount Cooper, the highest point in the Melbourne metro area so after my evening walk/run I take a moment to take in the spectacular sunsets on my mountain. It's always such a special, spiritual time.  

We're also lucky enough to be able to enjoy a beach house my parents built on the Mornington Peninsula. It's what fantastic, family summer holidays memories are made of.

It makes a great retreat where I can write too. I can never be too far away from the sea-the mystery, myth and magic of the ocean has a huge pull on me. It must be why I'm so obsessed with mermaids and writing poetry, short stories and now a novel about them.

5) I'm so happy to have met so many wonderful writers via social media and to be a part of a very supportive network and inspirational community of book lovers and creative artists such as the lovely Anita and many more. It really has made a huge impact on my creative life and also on my social life, thanks to Anita.

I very grateful for Anita and for asking me to share my gratitude.

And dear lady, thank you for accepting and being so generous of spirit!

FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW: East Timorese style

From Little Things Big Things Grow: 

the story of an East Timorese Primary School

One Day Hill   2011   $19.95

Inspired by the well-known Australian anthem From Little Things Big Things Grow written and performed by Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly, this is an uplifting story by years five and six of the Edmond Rice Primary School in Deleco, Timor Leste. The students took their class discussions of the Gurindji people’s peaceful yet determined protest for rights, and wrote about their own story, their school,  and what they have grown to have their today.

With the assistance of their teacher Katrina Powell the students tell their story in English with Tetun translations. With the same beat as the original song, we read with rhythm about the school beginnings with a blackboard but no tables or chairs (only logs to sit on), right through to their new school building today with five rooms and a verandah.

Accompanying the warm, grateful words are vibrant, detailed illustrations by the Deleco school students and others from the Art Moris art school.

The story of an East Timorese primary school, published by One Day Hill, shows how an important, meaningful story can be told simply and beautifully. Big thumbs up!

Buy it today from Booktopia!

And why not check out From Little Things Big Things Grow  also available from Booktopia!

Review: SOLID ROCK Puli Kunpunka (Sacred Ground)

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 Solid Rock

Puli Kunpunka (Sacred Ground)

Shane Howard

Pitjantjatjara translation by Ruby James and Trevor Adamson

Illustrated by kids from Mutitjulu, Kaltukatjara and Imanpa with paintings by Peter Hudson

I’ve long thought songs like Solid Rock would make a much more apt anthem than our current one. A song with lyrics that reflect and respect this country’s First Nations people and appreciates the land.

Shane Howard’s ‘passionate, angry song about the general silence masking fundamental truths of Australian history' (Martin Flanagan) is so popular it has been reinvented many times. Newcastle lads the Street Warriors rocked the Sydney Opera House with Howard in 2009 as the closing act for the Deadly Awards and of course they also did a version with Shannon Noll the same year.

The kid’s picture version of the Solid Rock song lyrics was published by One Day Hill in 2010, but this year they re-released the work with a deadly CD included. One track is Howard and Band singing in English, and the second track is Howard, Band and the school communities of Pukatja, Pipalyatjara and Murputja singing in the Pitjantjatjara language.

What an extraordinary thing to hear and a great gift for all listeners and readers. I’ll be reading and singing this with my nieces and nephews this Christmas and be recommending to teacher / librarians for use in school as it comes with teachers’ notes also. Too easy!

And the best thing? 25% of profits from the sale of this title goes towards youth initiatives in the communities involved with this project. Too deadly!

Order your copy today from the publisher!

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Author extraordinaire Lisa Heidke is grateful …

Regular readers of my blog, tweets or Facebook page will know that I am good friends with Lisa Heidke.  We share a love of many things; books and writing, laughter and fine food, and now it seems from her gratefuls below, we also share an appreciation for underwire bras!

Lisa is an hilarious woman and talented author of four novels: Lucy Springer Gets Even, What Kate Did Next, Claudia’s Big Break and Stella Makes Good. So if you’re looking for a good read this summer grab one of her novels and escape to a swingers party on the north shore of Sydney or to the island paradise of Santorini!

 In the meantime, here’s what Lisa says she is grateful for today:

I could roll out the very real and heartfelt reasons why I am grateful every day which include having healthy children, loving family and friends, education, strict gun laws and a gorgeous cat who truly adores me, but that would be obvious so I will say I am grateful for:

1.     Underwire bras – once you get to a certain age and a certain bust size, you need the support. (Or at least I do!)

2.     Toilet paper – you only realise how much you really appreciate 3 Ply when you’re stuck in the middle of the country with only leaves and twigs to help you out.

3.     Mistakes – I’ve made a few but I keep telling myself that life is an adventure and that making mistakes  is a necessary part of that journey. The problem is, I keep making the same ones. And every time, I slap myself on the head and ask why. Why do I never learn? (If anyone can answer this for me I would be very grateful indeed!)

4.     Flowers - blooms of every colour and size, because they are pretty, smell great and make me feel happy.

5.     Ditto books – Okay, so they might not smell great but I love all kinds of books... illustrated kid’s books, Young Adult, historical fiction and yes, chick lit. It would be a very sad and boring world if there was only one genre of literature. I love all authors too because I know how hard they work to write the best stories they possibly can. 

6.     Laughter –Some people take life a tad too seriously. Where would we be without humour? I have to laugh, especially after I have made mistakes like not wearing underwire bras at the gym and not taking toilet paper with me on long and isolated country drives!

 With the gorgeous Lisa at the Opera Bar, Deadly Awards 2011

Keep the kids happy with these book-treats for Christmas!

Bubbay: A Christmas Adventure

Josie Wowolla Boyle / Illustrated by Fern Martins

Magabala Books 2012 RRP: $19.95

As an Australian it can get tiring (and confusing for some) to constantly see images of snowmen and carols about white Christmas’ at this time of year, especially when we all know an Aussie Christmas Day often turns out be one of the hottest of the year. For someone like me living on the coast, I head the beach at Christmas time.

So with that in mind, I can tell you I absolutely LOVE this picture book because there’s not a snowball in sight! Bubbay: A Christmas Adventure is an Australian Christmas story, where the protagonist Bubbay lives in the outback and spends his days protecting a herd of goats from dingoes! There’s chooks and fig trees, swags and emus, bower birds and a magic Christmas tree.

This is not your average Christmas story; no baby Jesus, no mangers, no wise men, but that does not mean it is lacking spirituality, if you believe in what the universe can provide if have faith.

So this year swap for the snow for red earth and you’ll have the Christmas story you’ve s been waiting for!

Order Bubbay: A Christmas Adventure online via Magabala Books  or Booktopia today! And be sure and ask your library to get it in as well. This is perfect for story-time with the littlies.

Two Mates

Melanie Prewett / Illustrated by Maggie Prewett

Magabala Books 2012

A kid’s picture book that could be read as a story of Reconciliation (with mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people) is Two Mates, written by Melanie Prewett and illustrated by Maggie Prewett. Based on the true story of two friends - Jack (Indigenous) and Raf (non-Indigenous) and how their mateship plays out in their coastal town on Broome.

Together the lads search for hermit crabs, go hunting for barni (goanna), fish for salmon, explore the markets, eat satays and dress up as superheroes. The reader only learns at the end of the story via an illustration that Raf is in a wheelchair due to spina bifida. So a double-message here is that race knows no boundaries and neither does disability when it comes to true friendship.

I love this book because it defines friendship perfectly.

Get your copy directly from Magabala Books or Booktopia now!

The Sugarbag

Written by Nola Turner-Jensen / Illustrated by Dub Leffler

Magabala Books 2012 RRP: $14.95

Declaring my bias straight up, I love Dub Leffler’s work. His title Once There Was a Boy http://anitaheissblog.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/review-once-there-was-boy.html remains one of my all time treasured books (see link to review). And this latest book The Sugarbag, written by Nola Turner-Jensen  (a Wiradjuri woman from central NSW) is up there too.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth like Max (one of the characters in the book) then you’ll love this tale about finding ‘sugarbag’ which is bush-tucker for Aboriginal people. While ‘sugarbag’ the European term for the honey produced by our native stingless bees, the Wiradjuri language word is ‘ngarruu’ (pronounced ‘narr roo’).

A great yarn that includes running, digging, poking and kicking logs, it truly made me appreciate the bush honey I buy at the supermarket. There’s a lot of work involved in collecting it if you go by how Jimmy and Max do.

You can order Sugarbag via Magabala  direct or from Booktopia.

I’m off to make a peanut butter and bush honey sandwich right now. That’s what we call ‘fusion-foods’ in my house!

I’m grateful for library love!

As the National Year of Reading (NYR) draws to a close, I’m reflecting on the wonderfully warm receptions I’ve received in libraries in recent weeks. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it, in another life I’d be a librarian because of the inspiring environments in which they get to work every day, and also because increasingly libraries are becoming thriving community hubs for all their locals.

Today I just want to give shout-outs of gratitude to five libraries that overwhelmed me with their programs, collections, and locals who came along to events when I visited. I’ve done this alphabetically so there's no bias, because I loved each and every visit.

Campsie Library

I’d never been to Campsie Library before my recent visit, and what a hub of activity it proved to be on a Wednesday night when the gorgeous Debra Adelaide (pictured with me above) and I went along to celebrate the NYR. It was great to see such a community-centre feel with groups of kids doing homework, adultsreading newspapers in a range of languages and a vibrant group of readers there to talk books and writing.

Thank you to Paula Pfoeffer Library Coordinator who brought together the library’s Big Book Group for the night.

Cowra Library

It’s hard to believe that right in the heart of Wiradjuri country is Cowra Library  and this year was the first time I actually visited it. During my week there reading to the kids at Yalbillinga   as part of the Read With Me program, and running workshops with the students at Mulyan Public School, I managed an evening with the some literature-loving locals – which was also a blessing given it was stifling outside. Another great reason to hang out in libraries I reckon.

Big thanks to library staff for coordinating the visit and to Cowra Newsagency (above) for stocking my books. There’s something special about being back on country, sharing stories and enjoying the hospitality and support of locals.

Kogarah Library

It wasn’t my first visit to Kogarah Library  but I’m glad I got there this year because the entrance of the venue has a fantastic installation of books – not just books on shelves, but books forming chairs (how cool is that pic above?), books hanging from the ceilings, books with words literally being lifted off the page. Here’s a couple of pics above and below, but I do recommend you get out there soonish and check it the work for yourselves.

Big thanks to Linda Heald Coordinator, Collection & Cultural Services Team for the invitation and for hosting another fabulous group of readers who came along to hear about why I wrote Am I Black Enough for You? And again, thanks to – thank you to Miranda Fair Booksellers

Tamworth Library

Yes, I know when we think of Tamworth we think of the Country Music Festival,  and to be honest I was hoping to see some boot scooting along the main street while I was there. Alas, there were no fringes or cowboys in sight, but I did have a great coffee and cake at Addimi Expresso with local blogger Emma Gardiner who authors She Goes. 

There’s also plenty of other culture in the city aside from music, as proven by the ‘Maria’s Class: Tamworth Community College Art Students’ exhibition that I viewed at the Tamworth Regional Gallery. 

But of course the highlight of the visit was my time at Tamworth City Library

Where no less than 70 people came along on a Saturday afternoon to share in the story of Am I Black Enough for You?

Buckets of gratitude to Megan Pitt, Reader Services Librarian for coordinating, chauffeuring and being the perfect host for my visit.

Wodonga Library

Wow, wow, wow Wodonga. Not only did the town put on a stunning summer’s day for me but the library also introduced me to a new group of budding Australian writers. I ran a creative writing workshop with the Young Writers Group, which I’m told, started as a one-off event to coincide with National Young Writers Month as run by Express Media. There was apparently such a positive response from the teens that attended, that the request was made that the library host a regular group. 

Wodonga Library now hosts a fortnightly meet-up for high-school students with an interest in creative writing. Everyone involved is encouraged to share their work and socialise around the shared interest of writing. And the Young Writers are informed about the writing opportunities open to them both locally and nationally, as well as having resources and inspiration available for them to borrow- such as Voiceworks  magazine.

I got a small taste of the talent in the group and for that I am grateful (see how focused they were in pic above!).

Afterwards I had an absolute ball talking to locals – mostly readers and a few closet poets I’m sure – about my writing career and researching techniques. I also tried to recruit a couple of young women as ‘research assistants’ to head out with me that night, but no such luck!

I’m a huge fan of Heidi Stabb, Wodonga Library coordinator community and customer service for her efforts in bringing us all together that day /night, and I do hope to be able to return in the not too distant future. There’s a fabulous outdoor cinema experience to be had in the square near the library and quite frankly, I want to be part of whatever is going on there!

Celebrating literacy for life at the NCIE!

It was my pleasure today to help celebrate those involved in the Lifelong Literacy Pipeline program run out of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern.

Graduating were seven students from Tempe High School who had successfully completed two- 10 week long semesters of the MultiLit Online Reader-Tutor Program. To me, completing the program was a clear demonstration of their own individual commitment to improving your literacy levels, and I commend each of the students on their achievement.

Through their involvement they showed they understood the important role literacy plays in our everyday lives.

Many of us often think of literacy in terms of reading books, but it is more basic than that. And as an example, let me quickly list the things I needed literacy for just this morning. At 5.30am I read read Tweets, Facebook updates and a joke someone sent me.

Then I read things that affect my health and well-being such as the ingredients on the tub of yoghurt I had for breakfast, and how many magnesium tablets I should take daily to help with my muscle repair.

This morning I also read things that informed me as a global citizen as I accessed newspapers on-line and read the headlines form around the world. I also went into the Community of Excellence and read about some important upcoming events for our mob including the Yabun Festival and the 2013 ACT Indigenous Expo  – and so I became more informed as an Indigenous citizen as well.

On the way to work I read things that helped get me to my office in Rosebery: That is, street signs on the way and warning signs that roadwork was happening near Matraville.

Within twenty minutes at my desk I read emails that offered me work in the Whitsunday’s, Melbourne and Perth next year. This is the kind of reading I really like!

I read a long email from someone in WA who had read my latest book – AmI Black Enough for You?  - and found some connections with my story. This filled me with some personal joy.

I read words from someone who will be a guest on my blog next week. She listed what she was grateful for. And she reminded me of what I was grateful for.

So, I had utlisied my literacy skills in ways that affect my health, my safety, my knowledge base, my employment and my emotions - all before 10am.

With that in mind I think we can agree that literacy impacts on every single area of our life. It can determine the success of our day, our week, our future.

Being literate does more than keep us safe, alive and informed. Literacy provides us with the foundation to the best at what we do, whatever that choice may be.

I can’t think of one career option that won’t require you to be literate. I’m sure you all have a career path in mind, and I am so pleased the students took the step to be part of and indeed complete the MultiLit Online Reader-Tutor Program, because it means they are already on their way to reaching their own goals.

By their involvement they showed their capacity to work hard, to work beyond what others might do, to step up to a challenge that might’ve even been scary to some at first. But, they not only stepped up but conquered! These students have already demonstrated some core qualities required to be a leader. They need only consider whether or not you want to be one. Because to those of us celebrating with them today, we already know they have within them the makings of one.

Eli, Tori, Jade, Tilia, William, Jackie, and Kerry - I’d like to personally congratulate you, and to thank you for the inspiration you have given me today. I’m thinking I may need to write scene into my next novel about a cohort of students graduating at the NCIE!

And I’d like to congratulate all those involved with the Lifelong Literacy Pipeline: The partners including the NCIE, MultiLit, the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation, and Indigo Express, Tempe High School,  and Stewart Okell from the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy.

Without your support and guidance, none of us would be celebrating today, so kudos to you and more power to you as individuals, organisations and programs. Together you are creating a stronger future for all of us.