Yikes! It’s February!

Another week is almost gone. It’s hard to believe we’re sliding into February already. This week has a few gym sessions and a Fullers Book store event at the end of the week. It is the launch of a book by Hilary Burden called Undersong.

It celebrates the stories of Tasmanian landscapes and environments, through the journeys of Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, Undersong is a Tasmanian journey into Country.

Hilary Burden’s book explores the relationship to Country of several women of Tasmania, including herself, Aunty Patsy Cameron and historical figures Louisa Anne Meredith and Marianne North, among others. Separated by time but not place, the women in this non-linear, narrative non-fiction work all share a deep connection to this island at the bottom of the world.

I am going to it with a friend and I am looking forward to the first event of 2024 at Fullers Book store. Let my social life begin.

Books

I have a book I am reading one chapter at a time called: Waymakers:  An Anthology of Women’s Writing about Walking edited by Kerri Andrews. Poetry, anecdotes, short pieces of prose dating back into history. I’m enjoying it so far.

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I’m getting reading to begin two new books for the March book clubs I’m in.

Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran. The blurb reads: Cinnamon Gardens Nursing Home is nestled in the quiet suburb of Westgrove, Sydney – populated with residents with colourful histories, each with their own secrets, triumphs and failings. This is their safe place, an oasis of familiar delights – a beautiful garden, a busy kitchen and a bountiful recreation schedule. But this ordinary neighbourhood is not without its prejudices.
The serenity of Cinnamon Gardens is threatened by malignant forces more interested in what makes this refuge different rather than embracing the calm companionship that makes this place home to so many. As those who challenge the residents’ existence make their stand against the nursing home with devastating consequences, our characters are forced to reckon with a country divided.

The Dry Heart by Matalia Ginzburg. I have never heard of this book or author but the blurb states:

The Dry Heart begins and ends with the matter-of-fact pronouncement: ‘I shot him between the eyes.’ As the tale – a plunge into the chilly waters of loneliness, desperation, and revenge – proceeds, the narrator’s murder of her flighty husband takes on a certain logical inevitability.

Stripped of any preciousness or sentimentality, Natalia Ginzburg’s writing here is white-hot, tempered by rage. She transforms the unhappy tale of an ordinary dull marriage into a rich psychological thriller that seems to beg the question: why don’t more wives kill their husbands?

About the Author

Natalia Ginzburg (1916-1991) was born in Sicily and became one of the most important Italian writers of the twentieth century.

This sounds interesting.

Photography

A fellow photography club member and I went to the top of two car parks to take some photos. I was reading an article about photographers trying new perspectives and one of them was “Look down!”  I had not done that much in the past so I thought car parks might be fun. One had ten levels, the other seven. Then we went to Fullers for a coffee and chat. A very pleasant way to spend part of a day. I’d like to go back at night time though and get the lights as the ten level car park overlooks the harbour and riverfront. Would be quite beautiful at night. But will wait until winter when darkness comes much earlier as I don’t fancy walking around a city car park late at night with all my camera gear.

Here are a couple of the photos.

I guess that brings you up to date so stay tuned for more adventures and books.