Aussie Authors

Who is your favorite Australian author?

For me it would have to be, without a doubt, John Birmingham. He Died With A Felafel In His Hand was one of the best books I have ever read.

 

there is so many, where do i start,

Helen Townsend
Sarah Macdonald
THEY are the only ones of the top of my head.

 

I never seem to have time to read fiction.All the same, I read a great deal.

 

What other things do you read Bilby?

I think richard neville is pretty good as a writer

 

I sometimes read Nexus , although I have not read it for a while.Not always Australian authors but an Australian publication nevertheless.I usually read Grass Roots but have not yet bought the current edition.I sometimes write for Grass Roots.I used to read Earth Garden but gave it away because I found it to be too much of a feel good magazine. Having said that I think it is excellent for complete beginners.
I have been reading the Female Eunuch at odd times. I don't always agree with Germaine Greer but she has original ideas.Maybe she is a bit extreme in her views.Maybe this is what makes her such a good teacher.
I also love reading about general knowlage. I find Wikipedia is far better than Encarta.I have many books on the English language, such as Fowlers Modern English Usage. I am not satisfied with one English dictionary, I have to have half a dozen.I also subscribe to Ozwords - a free bi-annual newsletter from OUP.I also have Euphemisms ,John Ayto,Bloomsbury.The title says it all.The Americans are specialists in funeralese.I like their terms for a boneyard, such as marble orchard or marble town

 

I think Germaine is agreat person for getting it out there and getting things talked about around family kitchen tables.

I loved the Female Enuch, and whle I also dont agree with her on everything, I see how she came to many of the conclusions she did.

Have you read any of her other stuff?

 

The only other stuff I have read from GG has been in newspapers -generally not as polished up as her books.She is always interesting as a radio interviewee.Not so long ago on Late Night Live on Radio National there was a whole program devoted to her.
John Pilger is another person who I always find intersting to listen to.I have seen one of his documentaries but never read anything of his.Again an original thinker.One writer I don't have much time for is George Monbiot who writes for The Guardian in the UK.He seems to me to be doing what Sir Humphrey referred to as "Pandering to readers' prejudices".