I haven’t got anything ready to review as I’ve been concentrating on a read and review for Shiny New Books, but I have had some lovely Incomings that I don’t want to get mixed up with anything that might or might not be arriving for my upcoming birthday, so here we go with a small but perfectly formed pile of lovelies.
Bill from The Australian Legend and I had been discussing how it was almost impossible to order books on or by Indigenous Australian people in the UK (this is similar to how US publishers are often unable to ship to the UK and it’s well-nigh impossible to get anything by Indigenous Canadian authors, too, hence me falling on that slightly weird book about the first premier of Nunavut at a good price and available a while back. Sometimes you can obtain these books in ebook form but if I’m going to pay more than a few pounds for something, I like to have it physically in front of me, able to be kept or passed on (I keep my Kindle for cheap light reads and NetGalley).

Bill then very kindly sent me a selection of books by and about Indigenous Australian people (I’m using that term after Brona helped me to research best practice in terms: this may change in the future of course) and they arrived in much less than the promised 25 days! “Growing up Aboriginal in Australia” edited by Anita Heiss does what it says on the tin: an anthology by both well-known and high-profile authors and newly discovered writers. Nugi Garimara / Doris Pilkington’s “Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence” is the original book that inspired the film of the same name I was too feeble to watch, and is the story of the author’s mother’s escape from an institution in 1931. And “Another Day in The Colony” by Chelsea Watego is a collection of essays by Watego looking at the ongoing daily racism faced by what she describes as First Nations people in so-called Australia. These look wonderful and powerful and I now need to decide if I am going to save them for Brona from This Reading Life‘s AusReading Month or Lisa from ANZ Litlover‘s Indigenous Lit Week in July!
I do like being a subscriber for Unbound books – you get to help all sorts of more unusual books that can’t – or don’t want to – attract a conventional publisher, you pay a bit of money upfront and in the fullness of time, you get a book that has your name in the back (the books go on to be published and available; I’ve bought quite a few books published by Unbound over the years that I didn’t realise came from them and hadn’t subscribed for). The only problem is that you come in right at the beginning of the publishing process, sometimes even before the author’s finished writing the book, and then suddenly you get an update that it’s on its way and there it is, trying to squeeze onto your already crowded shelves! But this, Lucy Leonelli’s “A Year in the Life”, looks like a good one, as they all are, of course: the author tires of the corporate ladder and decides to spend a year exploring Britain’s many subcultures, finding amusement and eccentricity but also community and care.
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Have you read or subscribed to any of these? How’s your book buying going this year so far?
Jan 15, 2022 @ 17:55:00
A Year in the Life sounds great. Adding it to my list.
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Jan 15, 2022 @ 18:03:30
Excellent, I do like that kind of book and this one looks really varied. Should be available to buy now all the subscribers have got their copies.
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Jan 15, 2022 @ 20:46:40
Some interesting incomings! I have been restrained so far this year – four review copies, one gift and one second hand play to complete a collection. I’m being quite good for me!!
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:13:21
Very restrained … for you!
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Jan 15, 2022 @ 23:33:55
I’d like to read those, but I know there’s little chance of finding them. I own this, but haven’t read it (typical) https://www.amazon.com/Red-Earth-Blue-Sky-Australian/dp/0595185797/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280335709&sr=1-1
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:15:14
It’s so difficult, isn’t it!
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Jan 15, 2022 @ 23:44:01
Can I recommend Readings.com.au (an indie book store based in Melbourne) to source Australian books? They were my go to source when I lived in UK. Yes, there’s a shipping fee but it was a flat one so I would make sure to order three or four at a time. (This might have changed because of covid.) I used to order books from Text Classics too but I see they are now only offering ebooks.
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:17:37
That is useful, thank you. Looks like they still offer a flat rate for shipping so that’s a good option.
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Jan 16, 2022 @ 10:13:03
‘A Year in the Life’ sounds fascinating, Liz. Looking forward to hearing what you think of it
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:18:27
I thought that one would appeal to you! I’ve read quite a few “quirky Britain” books over the years but not that recently …
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Jan 16, 2022 @ 12:43:28
I’ve never understood the difficulty of accessing books from country to country! And why are they published with different covers? Sounds like you have some good books to read and it’s nice that a friend sent you those Australian ones.
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:18:57
It’s very annoying when you want to read widely! Some of it is apparently Brexit now, oh joy!
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Jan 16, 2022 @ 12:44:40
It’s so hard to get Australian books here! I picked up Australia Day by Stan Grant, an indigenous writer, when I was in Sydney, but had mixed feelings about it. The Heiss book looks great.
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:19:41
That’s interesting. Give me a shout when I review these and happy to send on to you as a lend or pass-along depending on how attached I get to them!
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:32:37
Thank you!!
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Jan 16, 2022 @ 18:27:12
That is a bit of an odd one from Nunavut! It’s too bad it’s so hard, there are tons of books across genres by Indigenous authors in Canada, many by big publishers, so it’s too bad they’re inaccessible. I’m the same way with ebooks, it better be under $5 if I’m not going to actually own it!
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:20:39
Thank you for the back-up on the ebook thing. And yes, there are a lot of expensive ones from university presses but OK priced ones too and you just can’t get them here. I am going to have an interesting time with the Nunavut one but I will learn from it!
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Jan 16, 2022 @ 20:22:35
Rabbit-Proof-Fence sounds interesting!!🧐
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:21:10
It looks like a fascinating story that it was vital to tell.
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Jan 23, 2022 @ 16:57:55
👍
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Jan 16, 2022 @ 21:39:02
Some excellent incomings there. I remember seeing the film of Rabbit Proof fence, such a poignant powerful story. It is such a shame that it’s so hard to access some books from countries like Australia and Canada. I have seen books on BuriedinPrint’s blog that I have wanted to get, but weren’t available over here.
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:21:52
Yes, we both have, haven’t we, very frustrating. I haven’t seen the film of Rabbit-Proof Fence but I sort of know the story.
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Jan 17, 2022 @ 02:15:07
I loved Rabbit Proof Fence. I go back and forth about Kindle books. If I know someone is going to like it, I’ll try to get it in hard copy but sometimes the price difference or availability it’s just easier to get the Kindle version. I can’t count how many copies I’ve bought of some books though for keep/share. If I’m going to reread, it’s usaully on my Kindle for space reasons
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Jan 18, 2022 @ 16:22:25
Yes, it’s trickier when your house can’t absorb books (though also hard to pass all the ones along I don’t keep!).
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Jan 21, 2022 @ 17:33:22
Oooh love that you’re purposefully reading books by indigenous Australian authors! That reminds me of a book I’ve had sitting on my desk for several months, As We Have Always Done by Leanne Simpson, about indigenous resistance and empowerment that I should try to get to soon. I am looking forward to the day when I’m settled somewhere enough that I can resume buying physical books; because of my likely/potential move for residency soonish I’m not buying as many books to alleviate the potential moving stress. I will get back to it one day though!
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Jan 22, 2022 @ 12:56:35
Yes, quite hard to get so I’m grateful to my friend Bill for sending them! As We Have Always Done looks excellent, and I have noted the title, though I have So Many Books right now… And that is tricky, isn’t it, but you’ll get there!
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Jan 24, 2022 @ 19:49:41
You’ve got some fascinating reading ahead of you! I’ve not been buying this year but have gotten a couple of review copies I’m keen on (the new Marlon James for instance).
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Jan 24, 2022 @ 20:46:37
Oh it’s got terrible now – I’ve had my birthday and lots MORE lovelies! I’ve had to rejig my whole TBR shelf and exile my husband’s books into my study for sorting out!
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Jan 24, 2022 @ 21:41:21
Hehehe Too funny! (#niceproblemtohave)
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State of the TBR – February 2022 | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Feb 01, 2022 @ 09:50:17
Feb 09, 2022 @ 04:30:49
I’m not sure I have an excuse for missing a post on 15/01 (I got a trip on the 17th), Sorry! But I’m glad I was able to send you some interesting books. I look forward to your reviews.
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Feb 09, 2022 @ 08:06:36
Completely forgiveable, of course!! And thank you again. So enticing, though I have a terrifying reading schedule at the moment and little time for it …
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