Hello autumn! I can't say I am looking forward to cooler weather in the shop but I do love this season of changing light and colours.
We have great events lined up for March and April, there is something for everyone and as always some exciting new reads. I am also excited to be collaborating with Yass, Gunning and Goulburn Libraries to support their author events. I hope you are able to attend some of these too.
Book awards and prizes
The Children's Book Council of Australia has announced its 2023 Notable book list. They range from young adult/teen fiction to picture books. There are some wonderful books in the list, including a few Canberra and surrounds based authors and illustrators.
I am looking forward to seeing the shortlist, later in March and the winners and honour awards in August.
The Stella longlist is also out. I enjoyed Tracey Lien's book All That's Left Unsaid. It is set in western Sydney at about the time I was growing up nearby and provides an insight into the life of Vietnamese migrants, of different generations, adjusting to life in Australia.
Teacher event
The wonderful Barbie Robinson has just released her third children's book Phoenix and Ralph with illustrator Ian Robertson and they will be in Yass to talk to teachers and others interested in children's books, in a few weeks. Please come along.
STEAM workshop
The wonderful local artist and art educator Akka Ballenger will be running a fun workshop where you get to make your own bee artwork and learn more about Australia's bees. Children and adults are welcome.
Vermeer talk
Author and academic Helen Topor will be in the shop talking about her book and research on the artist Vermeer in April. Helen has written several books about her own family history and experiences and Vermeer involved a trip to Europe to see his work first hand.
Everyone is welcome, join us for an interesting talk, a glass of wine and something light to eat.
What's new
The new Margaret Atwood arrived in the shop today. Old Babes in the Wood is a book of personal stories from the famous author.
Salman Rushdie has released a new book Victory City.
Canberra author Maura Pierlot has released an updated version of Fragments - journeys from Isolation to Connection. Tasked with a creative exploration of their mental health and wellbeing, eight students are plunged into the harsh terrain of their psyches, each a fragment of an elusive whole. With seemingly nothing in common, will they ever find their way back ... to themselves and each other? An unflinching glimpse into young people's lives today. Riveting. Real. Relatable. Adapted from the widely acclaimed play, Fragments by Maura Pierlot.
Keep an eye out for an event with Maura in the near future.
How to be Remembered is another worthy new release. The author Michael Thompson has a local connection and has offered to come in to sign copies.
I am currently reading an early copy of local author Robyn Cadwallader's new book, The Fire and The Rose and can't put it down (except to finish this newsletter and to feed kittens). It is due for release in May. We may be able to entice Robyn to hold a launch in Yass.
There are many other new releases in the shop and I also have a permanent sale table now, so pop in and grab a bargain.
I am so glad the local archives have found a space in town to continue their valuable work. I was able to purchase a few of their published local histories recently and will be reading up about the lady who built the house I now live in, in town.
I hope to see you at one of our events in the next few months, in the shop or around town.
Jo xx
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