Musings & Extras

Welcome to my space for literary wanderings - where I explore ideas beyond book reviews. Here, you’ll find a record of my thoughts on literary prizes, author insights, reading trends, and the broader world of books. Whether it’s reflecting on a favourite writer, debating a new literary movement, or simply pondering the joy of reading, these are the posts where I share what’s on my mind. 

Personal

I was on Radio National's 'The Book Club' 29 June 2012

My son was born 3 March 2012

Do you enjoy a good ghost story 10 February 2011

10 books that define me 10 February 2010

Ponderings

2024: A year of female voices - a reflection on gender in my reading 5 April 2025

The Secret Garden revisited 29 March 2025

How do you choose what to read next 1 April 2015

Why I am an ereader convert 9 April 2012

Writers' gone wild - when a writer's behaviour sours your reading experience 14 October 2011

Must all literary fiction be challenging to read 8 September 2011 

Different countries, different titles 29 August 2011

Can books be cheaper in Australia? 12 July 2011

Where I buy cheap books 5 May 2011

Book clubs: is an honest discussion possible if the author is present 13 April 2011

Do you enjoy a good ghost story 10 February 2011

Which Agatha Christie detective is your favourite 1 February 2011

The art of reading December 2010

Reading projects for 2011 3 December 2010

Do we celebrate readers enough? 30 November 2010

Considering my non-fiction reads November 2010

Literary fiction can provide a reward challenge 11 November 2010

When a book disappoints upon second reading 20 August 2010

Have you ever enjoyed a book by an author you had been too intimidated to try? 3 August 2010

Legal action over Franz Kafka's books 21 July 2010

2010 Angus and Robertson Top 100 5 July 2010

A different perspective from an audiobook novice 16 June 2010

My reading habits 13 May 2010

Interview with Dr Marie Heese 22 April 2010

Dymocks 100 2010 18 April 2010

The Reader's Bill of Rights 17 March 2010

Dust jackets 4 March 2010

Reading in colour 27 February 2010

What is reading 25 February 2010

How important is the cover of a book 25 February 2010

To lend or not to lend 18 February 2010

New or second hand books 11 February 2010

Does a good book ever really end January 2010

eBooks: friends or foe January 2010

Authors

2024: A year of female voices - a reflection on gender in my reading 5 April 2025

Ian McEwan 2012

Jasper Fforde 2012

If you like Agatha Christie you will also like 3 February 2011

Bryce Courtenay 2010

Richard Flanagan 2010

Isabel Allende 2010

Writer's Festivals

Sydney Writer's Festival 2025 17 March 2025

Sydney Writer's Festival 2011 Part 3 The Big Reading 19 June 2011

Sydney Writer's Festival 2011 Part 2 9 June 2011 

Sydney Writer's Festival 2011 Part 1 6 June 2011

Sydney Writer's Festival 2010 26 May 2010

Prizes

International Booker Prize 16 March 2025

Truth by Peter Temple wins the Miles Franklin Award 2010 3 June 2010

Controversy around the Miles Franklin and the Prime Minister's Literary awards 18 April 2010

Blogging

A changing blogging community and some self-evaluation 5 September 2011

Page Turner's second birthday 22 June 2011

I just purchased by 500th book 20 June 2011

Labels: use them or lose them - results are in 19 January 2011

Review rating systems - results are in 11 January 2011

Page Turner's 100th book review 3 November 2010

Page Turner's returns to blogging 21 October 2010

Classics Challenge 2010 complete 18 July 2010

Aussie Author Challenge 2010 complete 7 July 2010

Summary of my first year blogging 23 June 2010

Blogging plans for 2010 29 December 2009

Reading goals for 2010 23 December 2009

My reading habits in 2009 13 October 2009

Memes

Six Degrees of Separation (Apr) Knife 5 April 2025

Six Degrees of Separation (Mar) Prophet Song 1 March 2025

Six Degrees of Separation (Feb) Dangerous Liaisons 1 February 2025