A little while ago, Text Publishing sent me a copy of Helen Garner’s Yellow Notebook. If their publicist had read my blog, or noticed that I did not review the last Garner title they published and sent to me, they would have known not to do this. There are legions of fans of Helen Garner, but I am not one of them. (Update, the next day: by brilliant coincidence, for those of you who love Garner, Kim at Reading Matters has reviewed this book.)
What to do? It is a brand-new, unopened hardback copy. I could send it to the Op Shop as I did with the previous unwanted one, but I’ve decided, in the spirit of the festive season, to offer it to one of my subscribers.
I’m not promoting this on Twitter, only my regular readers via email or Facebook subscribers will receive this offer. I’m sorry, it’s only open to readers with an Australian postcode because overseas postage is too horrible to contemplate.
All you need to do is express your interest in comments below, and if you are selected using a random number generator, I will post it to you in time for Christmas (as long as you provide me with your postal address in time, of course).
Good luck!
PS Only comments here will be accepted. I post to Facebook, but I never look at it anymore.
PPS The offer closes at midnight tonight, so be quick!
Update: 12:01 18/12/19 There were 16 entries, and using a random number generator, I drew No 9 as the winner. That’s you, Janine from The Resident Judge of Port Phillip, so the book will be on its way to you tomorrow.
Thank you to everyone who entered, I’m sorry I didn’t have more copies to give away…
ANZ LitLovers LitBlog 
Oh, yes please. I heard Helen being interviewed about this on a books podcast – I do like her honesty, and I have enjoyed everything of hers that I’ve read, especially her short stories.
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By: Sue on December 17, 2019
at 10:12 am
We can’t all be fans, but I am! I’d love this book!
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By: Amanda on December 17, 2019
at 10:16 am
I only like Garner’s non-fiction and her notebook would give me more insight as to why.
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By: Margaret on December 17, 2019
at 10:28 am
I enjoy Helen Garner’s musings, on life, family and writing., mostly through books from the library. This book is something I would like to own. PC 4122
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By: roseobrienwriter on December 17, 2019
at 10:33 am
Yes please, I love Helen Garner, have read everything so far except this one. (Kerry Hood, Kanmantoo, SA, 5252)
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: The Book Keeper on December 17, 2019
at 11:04 am
I’ve heard good things about this and I’m a helen garner fan from way back.
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By: Lisa Walker on December 17, 2019
at 11:06 am
Oh, yes, please! Alice Garner (Helen’s daughter) was at primary school with my son. I am a devoted fan of Helen’s and have read and loved everything sh’s written.
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By: tmlcp on December 17, 2019
at 11:30 am
I like Helen Garner’s realistic lifeview so would love to read her diairies
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By: Mark Grieveson on December 17, 2019
at 11:51 am
Well, I love Helen Garner!!
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By: residentjudge on December 17, 2019
at 1:54 pm
LOVE Helen Garner and would love to win – if it’s not too late for entry!
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By: Annette Marfording on December 17, 2019
at 2:00 pm
Hi Lisa, I love Helen Garner and have The Yellow Note book signed by her. So I think anyone be grateful to receive this gem of a book.
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By: Meg on December 17, 2019
at 2:34 pm
Hi Lisa,
yes please! I am a big fan of Helen Garner, and I’ve not yet read this.
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By: Jennifer on December 17, 2019
at 2:47 pm
I have a love/hate relationship with Helen Garner. She presents as dour and sometimes sour, then I read another one of her books and get blown away. So, yes please. I love her writing but somehow or other I don’t think we would be BFFs in real life. (I’m in Oz.)
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By: Malvina Y on December 17, 2019
at 4:10 pm
‘She presents as dour and sometimes sour’. Are you talking about her writing or her face?
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By: tmlcp on December 17, 2019
at 4:35 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile. But I don’t personally know her so probably should not judge; apologies for that. Her writing is amazing.
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By: Malvina Y on December 17, 2019
at 4:37 pm
Helen’s ‘resting face’ is like mine. Not smiley. But I’ve definitely seen her smile, and I’ve also seen her laugh uproariously. She wrote a terrific story once about being told to smile by a complete stranger. I’ve had the same experience – walking along feeling perfectly happy, and someone you’ve never laid eyes on says, ‘Smile! It can’t be that bad.’ Grrr.
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By: tmlcp on December 17, 2019
at 5:05 pm
What a wonderful gesture! I wish I could say that I love Helen Garner but she and I never quite clicked so best she goes to someone else’s home.
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By: ThoughtsBecomeWords on December 17, 2019
at 4:33 pm
*chuckle* Sure you don’t want to win it and give it to someone else? Let me know if you’d like to be included anyway
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By: Lisa Hill on December 17, 2019
at 5:04 pm
Yes please :)
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By: ThoughtsBecomeWords on December 17, 2019
at 5:24 pm
Done:)
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By: Lisa Hill on December 17, 2019
at 6:00 pm
It’s great to see so much interest in this giveaway:)
I have harvested all the names so far, and assigned everyone a number in order of receipt, so good luck everyone!
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By: Lisa Hill on December 17, 2019
at 4:34 pm
I’m in the UK at the moment, so I’m not sure if I’ve squeezed in before the deadline, but just in case … I’d love to be in the draw. I hear this is the kind of book where you can read a bit, put it down and think, then come back to it again, and Helen sure knows how to put together a great sentence! Thanks Lisa!
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By: robyncadwallader on December 17, 2019
at 6:28 pm
No problem, I know you’re one of us. Are you researching your next book?
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By: Lisa Hill on December 17, 2019
at 6:45 pm
Thanks!! Yes, I’ve technically finished the research (or at least, the fieldwork). I’m now staying in a residential library (‘sleep among the books’ is their ad line — you’d love it!) founded by Gladstone when he was PM. I’m writing, very slowly, and still researching. But, step by step …
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By: robyncadwallader on December 17, 2019
at 8:36 pm
So many wonderful places in Britain… but I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive them for Brexit.
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By: Lisa Hill on December 17, 2019
at 10:00 pm
I know! Just like Australia, there are so many people here who can’t believe the election result, and are miserable, really depressed about Brexit. The world is upside down.
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By: robyncadwallader on December 17, 2019
at 10:40 pm
Yes…
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By: Lisa Hill on December 17, 2019
at 10:51 pm
I’d appreciate a copy of this book as I have found two others by Helen Garner very interesting :)
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By: mari3donnachaidh on December 17, 2019
at 11:32 pm
You made it just in time Marilyn, I’m drawing this in three minutes from now!
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By: Lisa Hill on December 17, 2019
at 11:57 pm
This book giveaway is now closed, thanks to everyone who entered. The winner is announced at the bottom of the post, above.
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By: Lisa Hill on December 18, 2019
at 9:27 am