Forgive me for a little bit of bragging today.
Two newspapers arrive chez moi each Saturday. I read one with particular attention to the book review pages, and ignore the other completely except for the book review supplement. This weekend, both have column space devoted to best books of the year.
I am pleased to see that most of these recommended books are Australian; and I am also pleased to see just how many of them I have reviewed here on this blog. After all, there’s only one of me, doing my best to keep up. It’s cheering because this week I became aware that a review that I went out of my way to write quickly with a view to festive gift-giving, isn’t acknowledged on the publisher’s website, though a review in the print media published subsequent to mine, is. If the only reviews that really count are in old media, why send me a review copy? How should I interpret this dismissive behaviour?
Anyway…
From The Saturday Paper’s Best Books of 2023, listing fiction, NF and international choices from Geordie Williamson and Justine Hyde, I’ve reviewed these ones. Links are to my reviews.
- The Sitter by Angela O’Keeffe
- The Conversion by Amanda Lohrey
- The Art of Breaking Ice by Rachael Mead
From The Australian’s Best Reads of 2023, listing fiction, NF and international choices from a notable stable of critics and others who I haven’t named since I haven’t read any of the books they recommend.
- The Conversion by Amanda Lohrey (Geordie Williamson)
- Frank Moorhouse, a Life by Catharine Lumby (Stephen Romei)
- The Coast by Eleanor Limprecht (Shankari Chandran)
- Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (Gretchen Shirm; Helen Elliott)
- Other Houses by Paddy O’Reilly (Helen Elliott)
- Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au (Helen Elliott)
- Pet by Catherine Chidgey from New Zealand (Lucy Sussex)
- The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams (Samuel Bernard)
- One Illuminated Thread by Sally Colin-James (Emma Harcourt)
(Yes, The Conversion is in both lists, and rightly so. Alas, neither of my two 2023 Best Australian Books get a mention. Serengotti by Eugen Bacon (Transit Lounge, reviewed here) and The Idealist by Nicholas Jose (Giramondo, reviewed here) are both from small publishers which might account for their omission.)
Books already on my TBR so there will be a review here in due course.
- Question 7 by Richard Flanagan (Stephen Romei; Samuel Bernard) (I am currently reading this, slowly)
- Strange Paths by Matthew Lamb (Geordie Williamson) (It’s another biography of Frank Moorhouse.)
- Shirley Hazzard, a Writing Life by Brigitta Olubas (Diane Stubbings)
*chuckle* It will come as no surprise to anybody that the only NF I’ve read (or have on the TBR) from these two lists are the literary biographies…
PS Even though I already have four of his books on the TBR, I have put The Pole by J M Coetzee on reserve at the library because it’s recommended by both Geordie Williamson and Peter Craven.
ANZ LitLovers LitBlog 
I recognise some of these books, and have a couple on my reading list. I don’t think I’ve read the Australian regularly for more than ten years. It used to be my go-to for international matters. Not anymore. I’ll get to The Saturday Paper later today.
LikeLike
By: Jennifer on December 23, 2023
at 2:01 pm
Yes, agreed, The Australian is a dreadful paper these days, and TBH although I know that it’s a good thing to read the opinions of those you don’t agree with, if it were up to me I wouldn’t have it (or any other Murdoch publication) in the house.
Even the review supplement is not what it was, it’s definitely dumbed down since its change of editor, and what’s worse is that (except for this week’s issue) it devotes a whole page to 8 cover images with a summary so brief it’s not worth reading, especially when accompanied by naff remarks such as ‘I can’t wait to read it.’ To waste a whole page in that way, mostly on inane commercial fiction, when there is so little print space available for reviews, would be disappointing if we had higher expectations…
Which we don’t any more.
Which is partly why I am mildly offended by the way the book industry consecrates print reviews.
BTW This is a beaut review of a book about book reviewing: https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/news/43326-so-what-is-the-good-of-book-reviewing%3F-a-review-of-a-review-of-the-reviewers
PS You’ve reviewed a good view of these books too:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on December 23, 2023
at 2:21 pm
Well, you *are* the ambassador for Australian literature, Lisa, so I would expect no less! I honestly don’t know how you keep up with all the new releases.
And yea, I don’t quite understand the kudos attached with a print review but I think it’s partly to do with the fact just getting a mention (when the page space is finite) is like winning the lottery. And paid “critics” will always be more valued than unpaid reviewers ( even though the unpaid reviewers probably do a better, more considered review).
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: kimbofo on December 23, 2023
at 2:48 pm
*chuckle*
Of course, you are right, it’s simple market economics of scarcity impacting on demand, I should have remembered that, ha ha.
But seriously, while I admit to being mildly peeved, I do think it’s increasingly true that readers, if not the book industry, rely on online reviews, especially in niche areas… yours with Oz and Irish lit, mine with Oz and NZ lit, and so on all around our informal network of so-called amateur reviewers. Yes, we are, because we’re not paid; but no we’re not, because of the breadth and depth of expertise — and independence — that collectively rivals what’s in print.
LikeLiked by 2 people
By: Lisa Hill on December 23, 2023
at 3:06 pm
Commiserations. It seems petty and out of touch with real readers and writers. I have been slighted in small ways (snippets used without acknowledgement) and I put it down to the fact that I don’t have publishing contacts and have never worked in journalism. Perhaps they are avoiding honest reviewers. Don’t let them spoil your Christmas holidays 🎄 Best wishes, G.
LikeLike
By: ThoughtsBecomeWords on December 23, 2023
at 4:27 pm
Aww, thanks, that’s nice.
I hope you enjoy the festive season too:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on December 23, 2023
at 5:29 pm
Very pleased to see The Sitter on one of the lists – it was a great read!
LikeLike
By: Brona's Books on December 23, 2023
at 5:28 pm
I agree. It’s ont of those books I keep remembering, different aspects of it each time.
I wonder what she will write next…
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on December 23, 2023
at 5:30 pm
I too am in awe of your commitment and promotion of Australian and NZ Lit As for The Australian I could not even pick it up even if there was nothing available to read. But a very long time ago it was my go to for book reviews. How the world has changed. Still there is you dear Lisa. Have a happy festive season.
LikeLike
By: Fay K on December 23, 2023
at 9:00 pm
Thank you, Fay, that’s very kind of you. I hope your festive season is a happy one too.
LikeLike
By: Lisa Hill on December 23, 2023
at 9:03 pm
You are such a great promoter of Australian literature! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year x
LikeLike
By: Cathy746books on December 23, 2023
at 9:38 pm
You too, Cathy, I look forward to reading more fo your enticing reviews in 2024:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on December 23, 2023
at 9:40 pm
I am joining the chorus in finding your ability to read so many books and to write very full and considered reviews of them is nothing short of awesome! (And I use the word with its proper meaning, rather than the way it is commonly used today.) I really don’t know how you do it!
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to you Lisa.
LikeLike
By: Eleanor Dilley on December 23, 2023
at 10:16 pm
Best wishes to you too, Eleanor, and happy reading in 2024!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on December 23, 2023
at 10:25 pm
I had not heard that Richard Flanagan had a new novel out – ‘Question 7’.
LikeLike
By: Anokatony on December 24, 2023
at 12:24 am
Yes, he does, and it’s — more so than any of his other books — it’s an overwhelming experience to read it. You feel you’re in his presence, dumbstruck…
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: Lisa Hill on December 24, 2023
at 8:37 am
It’s not a novel but a kind of memoir / extended essay and it is so jam packed with ideas, that I started and then put aside because too much was going on at work and I think this one demands your full attention.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By: kimbofo on December 24, 2023
at 11:07 am
It does indeed. I feel as if I’m in the room with him, witness to his emotion…
LikeLiked by 2 people
By: Lisa Hill on December 24, 2023
at 11:11 am
The amount of effort you put into promoting Australian authors/publishers definitely earns you bragging rights!!!
I’m rather envious that you have access to newspapers with seemingly healthy review sections. All the UK newspapers (with the exception of The Guardian) seem to be reducing their content with every passing year. Even the Sunday Times devotes most of its few pages to reviewing the kind of non fiction that will get few readers….
LikeLike
By: BookerTalk on December 25, 2023
at 5:17 am
No, don’t be envious. The Saturday Paper is a small independent paper, printed tabloid size but not a tabloid. But its books review page amounts to one page though it’s spread across two to allow for advertising, and each week they only review three books.
The other one, the review supplement from the newspaper stable that decent people love to despise, has declined markedly in size, and the books part of it is not really serious anymore since a change of editor.
I don’t get a print version of The Guardian but I pay for it online, so I check it the news there everyday. Their book reviews are excellent, long may they continue!
I’ve just checked their best books of 2023 and oh dear, I recognise only one Australian book and it’s that awful Wifedom….
LikeLike
By: Lisa Hill on December 25, 2023
at 9:51 am
Wow, you’ve kept up beautifully, I’m impressed! I see the odd NetGalley read in the paper or on the New Books shelf in the bookshop but otherwise lag woefully. Happy reading in 2024 – and we all love your reviews and appreciate them!
LikeLike
By: Liz Dexter on December 31, 2023
at 4:46 am
Thank you! I’ve discovered some treasures at your blog too:)
Alas, there are some new releases that are only available through NetGalley and I really do prefer to read a proper book, so while some publishers kindly play by my rules instead of their own, I have to wait for other new releases to become available in the library. I am very lucky that my library has a good mix of popular fiction (which keeps the council funding going) and LitFiction, which keeps me going!
LikeLike
By: Lisa Hill on December 31, 2023
at 7:27 am