Merry Montage of Books 2023

A small selection of some of the books I read in 2023. Those shown are not block-busting bestsellers (yet) but very enjoyable reads. I liked them all and can recommend them.

The particular standout for me is Stone Yard Devotional because it was unexpected and different and engrossing—and believe it or not I did not write a blog post review. However, below I have re-posted my Goodreads review. I am sure this novel will win a literary prize in 2024.

View the 80+ books I have read and reviewed in 2023, click on link and browse my Goodreads webpage:
https://www.goodreads.com/gretchenbernetward

If you have time, here is my l-o-n-g Goodreads book review for my favourite Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood:

Charlotte Wood’s books opened up a new avenue of reading for me and I really, really, wanted to read this novel. The whole premise, ethos, structure of the story cried out to be read slowly and with feeling. It did deliver emotions, from the characters as well as from me. It was like bobbing along in a small row boat down a tranquil stream then coming to a bridge with pylons difficult to navigate; fast water swirling around rocks; clumps of bullrushes clogging the oars; finally being chased by hissing swans. These, of course, are my similes for the obstacles faced by the nuns who showed calm resilience in the face of adversity. Mainly a horrendous mouse plague which saw their Chapel and retreat overrun by thousands of hungry mice for quite some time. Then there is the arrival of the remains of nun Sister Jenny who died in Thailand and, perhaps the most unsettling, the enigmatic visitor Sister Helen Parry who doesn’t seem to want to leave. In fact it takes awhile to work out why she stays at all.

And still the mice invade everything and eat anything in their path. The religious sect is nameless and the protagonist is unnamed (at least I don’t think she is named) narrating Her role in the produce garden and general surroundings, written in beautiful prose, succinct, moving, observant, showing respect for others and the Monaro plain. On page 161, nun Simone takes Her to task over the way she prays “Praying was a way to interrupt your own habitual thinking” she told me. “It’s admitting yourself into otherness, cracking open your prejudices.” Enigmatic local farmer Richard Gittens helps out although his wife Annette doesn’t really approve. Many vignettes occurred to me to write in my review. Of course the overzealous rodents predominate but it would be difficult and unfair to isolate and convey the undercurrents in this book; the flashbacks, the past catching up with the future, the enlightenment. If asked, I would say this novel is semi-autobiographical. If not, it surely has those universally relatable feelings of loss, regret and the challenging moments which shape us throughout life.

A brilliant example of literary showing-not-telling with quite graphic moments, strange dreams, and egg-laying hens. Coupled with Her past memories it caused me to reflect on my own youth and how I retained snippets of a particular event but regrettably never found out the full story, or the true story behind a family’s grief. In fact, this story is layered with other people’s despair and made me delve into my own preconceived ideas of forgiveness. There is almost a comfort in not knowing the people whom Charlotte Wood weaves through the pages, I read, I understand, but I don’t have to take action. Just like the written characters, pursed lips, a head shake, a tut-tut and let’s move on; our society has been good at looking away for centuries. Through the unnamed narrator, sense has been made of all this and I came to grips with Her world without maudlin sentiment and saw the truth of what transpired in several dysfunctional lives. Perhaps a potential for trigger moments, this is a moving, insightful and significant adult read and holds up well to discussion.

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward

Author: https://www.charlottewood.com.au/

Short bio: Charlotte Wood is the prizewinning author of six novels and three books of non-fiction. A recent book is The Luminous Solution about creativity and the inner life.

Interview: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/books/the-shock-was-so-deep-novelist-charlotte-wood-on-the-experience-that-changed-everything-20230925-p5e7f3.html

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024 🦋 GRETCHEN

Santa’s Retro Phone Freecall

Santa’s Old School Phone Box © image Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2023

After getting the warm-and-fuzzies thinking how lovely that children may still like to talk to Santa on a telephone, I realised how good of Telstra Australia to enabled all its 14,500 payphones nationwide to give free calls to the North Pole for a magical conversation with Santa Claus. Known elsewhere as St. Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Père Noël, Sinterklaas…

Quote “Find the closest payphone by searching ‘Telstra Payphone on Google Maps’, and have a chat with Father Christmas.” Chances are you will find a public phone at your local shopping centre.

It will be fun for the little ones but it will not be a true heart-to-heart chat.

This is where the stylus scratches across my virtual vinyl record.

Why? Because—“This year, Santa has another helper to make the conversation as natural as an everyday conversation: Google Cloud’s set of generative AI solutions.”

Details here:
https://blog.google/intl/en-au/products/google-businesses/generative-ai-santas-new-little-helper-bringing-christmas-cheer-to-australia/

An imitation human at this time of year! I think I’ll find a real bloke in the shopping centre, sitting on a gold papier maché throne, sweating inside a red velvet Santa suit. Might even slip him an eggnog and some gingerbread during interval.

Can you be warmed by the voice or a twinkle in an AI’s eye?

They don’t even have proper eyes.

Happy holidays,
Enjoy a real cool Yule!
❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2023

Retro phonebox 20th Century Santa © image Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2023

Review ‘The Christmas Murder Game’ By Alexandra Benedict

A clever and absorbing murder mystery set over Twelve Days of Christmas with every single ingredient mixed in, from the traditional festive food to huge old Endgame House deep in the Yorkshire countryside covered in a heavy layer of Yuletide snow. The characters, the guests, are mostly naughty or nice cousins related to each other, desperate to inherit old Endgame House by winning the long-established family game which takes them through every interesting room in the old house and outside in the grounds.

The Armitage family’s customary Noël treasure hunt takes the form of Anagram clues. This time the game is different; solve the twelve clues, find the twelve keys and the actual deeds to Endgame House are yours. What a prize! Keys are hidden in the most unlikely places. Readers can give it a go but I am hopeless with anagrams so I was content to soak up the vibe. The story is full of unsettling events, twists and turns and held me intrigued until the end.

The atmosphere kept me wondering, who stalks the Endgame halls? Naturally every guest has an opinion, attitude and past memories flecked with jealousy. Protagonist Lily Armitage is the quiet one lacking in confidence who still suffers trauma from her shocking childhood experience in the hedge Maze. She is good at the seeking game but initially has another private reason for being uncomfortable now she’s back in Endgame House.

Everyone remembers the deceased owner Mariana Armitage, Bowie music-lover and creative, who set the Anagram clues for their yearly family challenge. The same cook, Mrs Castle, still works delicious wonders in the kitchen producing meals and adjudicating the supply of clues. True to the trope, when the first party guest is murdered, suspicion begins to take hold but nobody really mourns and the game continues. The priority is to stay alive and not falter when another person is picked off by the killer and added to the ice house.

Living in Australia it is difficult to relate to freezing cold weather at this festive time of year. Nobody can leave because the snow-covered road is impassable and sabotage is suspected. Phone lines are down and their mobiles were taken from them on arrival; I can think of one or two ways to attract attention from the outside world but that would spoil the suspense. Lily is in a perpetual state of fear and determination, she really wants to find out if her mother was actually murdered all those years ago.

More keys found, more slaying and the loss of a Goodreads star (out of five) for a questionable ending as far as I’m concerned. Murder begets murder. I read the hardcover edition which contains family tree, floor plan, wordsearch and author notes. Also I liked the cover artwork and it fitted the criteria for Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Book Club on Goodreads, a group read for the month of December 2023 which required a Christmas tree on the cover and my suggestion was chosen.🎄

Jingle bells, jolly holly and happy holidays to you!

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward

Descartes, Grayling and Reverse Seating

Reverse Seating Concert Hall QPAC © image Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2023

“Reverse Mode” means you sit in specially designed seating which flows from the choir stalls to the stage and gives you an immediate and engaging experience. This is the view performers usually see of the audience seating. The chair centre-stage (with microphone) is where the guest speaker, eminent philosopher and author Professor A.C. Grayling sat during his interview with host Dr David Burton. I took the photo and sat back for some Philosophy and Life.

“Descartes : The Life Of Rene Descartes and Its Place in His Times” by A. C. Grayling (Hardback) 2005

My Goodreads review:
“Been awhile since I read this book but last night I attended a talk given by Humanist A.C. Grayling, chaired by David Burton, and thought I’d put a comment on my blog. Not about his many controversial and philosophical books but about his delivery style, no doubt well-known to his students and devotees.
I was fortunate to sit next to Prof Grayling’s brother John and exchanged views before the floor was opened to audience question time. What I did not tell John was that I thought Grayling spoke well and interestingly but with a sense of rote, the ingrained inflections, slightly off-topic then cleverly returning, the humorous asides and thoughtful pauses obviously well honed over many years of public speaking and international tours. All the while keeping his eye on the clock. Kudos to Prof Grayling for his resilience, composure and charming manner but somewhere along the line the spark in his fire appears to have dimmed and I was not warmed by his fine words. GBW.”

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward

Read Philosophy and Life: An Evening with A.C. Grayling
View Concert Hall Music Performances 2024
https://www.ensembleqaustralia.com/2024season.html

Cultural Exchange or Death at the Museum

Birdlife co-exists with humans in every big city. Not sure if this Bush Stone-curlew was initially at the South Bank Cultural Centre to visit the Gallery of Modern Art or the Museum’s ornithological displays, but seemingly for dinner. Curlew was guarding its meal and nervously waiting until the walkway was clear.

Bush Stone-curlews live on the ground and are mostly nocturnal. This night it was not wailing its unnerving cry, just waiting for me, the photographer, to leave so it could get on with the job of takeaway for the family.

Feeding Habits: Bush Stone-curlews have a wide-ranging diet for such a fragile-looking bird, they prefer to feed on insects, molluscs, small lizards, seeds and occasionally small mammals. Feeding takes place at night. During the breeding season, nesting birds will search for food in the vicinity of the nest site, while at other times the birds may travel large distances. All food is taken from the ground.
Bon Appétit 〰🐤

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward

Weaving Naturally, Stitch by Stitch, Circle by Circle

This post is for the amazing South Australian Ngarrindjeri Lakum, Ngarrindjeri Weaving, and also my grandmother who gave me a very small yet beautifully woven basket (with a little lid) which she watched being created by an Indigenous weaver many years ago. It still holds a cotton pouch containing my grandmother’s homegrown dried lavender. I never knew how this delightful little basked was woven or what it was woven with but now I know – the swirling pattern is water rushes with pine needles for contrast!

VIEW A WEAVER’S STORY Marilyne Nicholls

“Stitch by stitch,
Circle by circle,
Weaving is like the Creation of life,
All things are connected”

https://www.ngarrindjeri-culture.org/new-page

“The seven No:ri (pelicans) in flight formation represent an understanding that by working cooperatively a community can achieve far more than a few working in isolation. The sister basket reminds us of our Ancestors and the gifts they entrusted to us all.” Visuals Tim Barnes and Earth Art.

With little fanfare, many Ngarrindjeri Weavers traditional work entered mainstream living in 20th century. I remember woven placemats on the dining table and woven baskets at picnics. It was not uncommon to see water-rush woven items hanging in the doorway of grocery shops, the natural equivalent of today’s reusable carry bags. For several years I kept scented soaps in a small round woven container with a perfectly fitted flat lid, little knowing its origins – see photo below.

A MEMORY FROM GRETCHEN

CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS: “The Ngarrindjeri have a system of ceremonial exchange between neighbouring groups within Ngarrindjeri territories and also with people living further afield. Cultural exchange routes follow the river system north into New South Wales, east along the Coorong through the South East of South Australia to Victoria and North West to the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and through to the Northern Territory.”
BEFORE EUROPEAN ARRIVAL: “Prior to European arrival/invasion, woven items were highly valued as part of this exchange system. Ngarrindjeri cloaks and baskets were among the items exchanged for tools and materials that were not found in their area, and locally weaving was traded for speciality items like tanned hides.”
CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND TRADE: “Today (when book published) there are many Ngarrindjeri Weavers who teach their cultural weaving in schools and at community events. In so doing they continue the traditional practice of trade through exchange. In the 21st century we think of this continuing practice of trade as the development of economic enterprise.”
FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2013 BY NGARRINDJERI LANDS AND PROGRESS ASSOCIATION
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MANY MANY CENTURIES OF CRAFT SKILLS WORTH PRESERVING.
❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2023

Public Rally to Stop the Gabba Demolition

The community of East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point is calling for help. It is now public knowledge that the Queensland Government plans to knock down the iconic Woolloongabba ‘Gabba’ Sports Stadium and rebuild on this legendary site.

This will leave three inner city suburbs without a public school, turn Raymond Park into an Olympics warm-up track, and waste many billions of dollars that could be spent on things Queenslanders urgently need, e.g. public housing, schools and hospitals.

You are invited to join the “Rally to Stop the Gabba Demolition” outside the stadium in Woolloongabba Place Park, 810 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba QLD 4102, from 10am on Saturday 25 November, 2023.

Read Melissa Occhipinti address to Parliament:
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3902

Homes will be demolished, a school closed down and original parkland trees will be removed. The historically significant heritage-listed East Brisbane State School (officially Brisbane East State School until September 1994) is one of the first large brick state schools in Brisbane. The original portion of the school was erected in 1899, with extensions added in 1900, 1938 and 1939. The single-storeyed timber Infants School was erected in 1910–11.

I think Queensland politicians and builders need to stop demolishing the past, and stop inflicting ill-conceived plans on the future of Brisbane.

“Saturday’s rally is about showing Government that the community here are not alone – more and more Queenslanders are asking why billions of dollars of their money should be wasted knocking down and rebuilding a stadium.”
Max Chandler-Mather MP for Griffith 2023

Also, Woolloongabba protesters believe it’s a short-sighted Government project with no thought for residential areas, or green spaces, and will add future congestion to surrounding suburbs and city zones. Local residents are not accepting it and ask supporters to join their protest at Woolloongabba Park Place at 10am on Saturday 25 November, 2023.

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward

UPDATE Sunday 26th November 2023
https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/politics/hundreds-gather-in-brisbane-to-protest-demolition-of-gabba-stadium/news-story/4d08ec24141c529f9212aa8ffa80661f

Image styling © Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2023

Sweet Pea Vision by Poet Alfred Noyes

“A Child’s Vision” by Alfred Noyes

Under the sweet-peas I stood
And drew deep breaths, they smelt so good.
Then, with strange enchanted eyes,
I saw them change to butterflies.

Higher than the skylark sings
I saw their fluttering crimson wings
Leave their garden-trellis bare
And fly into the upper air.

Standing in an elfin trance
Through the clouds I saw them glance…
Then I stretched my hands up high
And touched them in the distant sky.

At once the coloured wings came back
From wandering in the zodiac.
Under the sweet-peas I stood
And drew deep breaths.
They smelt so good.

By Alfred Noyes

Alfred Noyes was a British poet. He was born 16th September, 1880, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, UK. He passed away 28 June, 1958, on the Isle of Wight. A traditional English poet, mainly remembered for his lyrical verse. The heart-wrenching “The Highwayman” and “Drake” are his best known works and illustrate his love of the sea.

It is said that the Romantic poets such as Tennyson and Wordsworth greatly influenced him. In 1949, due to his increasing blindness, Noyes dictated all his subsequent works. He also wrote for children and in 1952 he published a very popular children’s book “Daddy Fell into the Pond” and other poems.
Info: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/alfred-noyes

🌺 An annual plant of the pea family, sweet-pea flowers are cultivated throughout the world for their beautiful petals and soft perfume. Their rather unflattering botanical name is Lathyrus odoratus but the meaning comes from the Greek word lathyros meaning pea and the Latin word odoratus, meaning fragrant. Alfred certainly liked them!

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward

‘The Detective Up Late’ By Adrian McKinty – Sean Duffy Series

‘The Detective Up Late’ by Adrian McKinty (Book 7 Sean Duffy series 2023)

What a guy, what a book! I am talking about the author as well as the character. Straight to hardcover edition. I have read all Adrian McKinty’s novels but none so brilliant, clever, absorbing and addictive as Detective Inspector Sean Duffy of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Somehow Sean Duffy of Carrickfergus RUC is grounded, he tries to keep his humanity intact and his reality in focus but the halo frequently slips. I read the books in order (hanging out for each new publication) and got a strong sense of personality and practice, of common law and uncommon citizens, e.g. rioting and retaliation, cons, crooks and criminal matters that police deal with on a daily basis. Often a bit of Duffy tongue-in-cheekiness is thrown into the mix “Radio 2 was playing ‘Ebony and Ivory’ over in the Incident Room. I sat up and paid attention. I liked to hate that song” thinks Duffy.

What’s this story about? Well, McKinty’s book titles refer to songs. This title is derived from a Tom Waits song “Bad as Me” and fits well among the irony and dark observations. DI Duffy comes back from an Israel holiday to workplace boredom (nobody wants his bottles of holy water) until a missing Traveller girl Katrina McAtamney tweaks interest. Is she dead or alive? Like real life, Duffy’s work colleague Detective Sergeant “Crabbie” McCrabban is easing himself towards retirement and Detective Sergeant Alexander Lawson is settling in. I got the feeling Lawson’s the token “woman” cop in the story even though WPC Warren is seconded? Characters are diverse and leads are chased; suspects interviewed and statements are fully dissected. A big piece of evidence is discovered. Plenty of lead-chasing work back-and-forth from the cop shop but nothing brings the teenage girl’s whereabouts any nearer or clues any clearer.

During the 1980s I watched Irish TV news bulletins covering The Troubles but was removed from the IRA Belfast horrors. All I remember is the nightly updates “more bombings”. Now, thanks to McKinty and Duffy, a literary picture has been painted and it’s thought-provoking. Yeah, time moves on, now 1990, but Duffy still checks under his car for tilt bombs. Beware, Sean Duffy is not a squeaky clean cop. Although he now has a more “normal” homelife with Beth and little Emma, involving ferry crossings back and forth, he still gets righteously angry. This is tempered by his deep knowledge of music and literature and his strong sense of justice, even as he tweaks the rules and infers dire consequences on hapless suspects. Probably couldn’t get away with it now. And be prepared for swearing at appropriate times, although surprisingly none when they got lost in Coventry’s one-way street system enroute to an interview.

Author Adrian McKinty’s literary identifier, e.g. intertextuality and breaking the fourth wall, does not detract from this compelling story. They drew me through the story. See Chapter 18 “The Fourth Floor” for an excellent example. Apart from Sean’s unsubtle quotations, look for what I think are appropriate genre nods. A nice balance exists between high action, soft moments, cops-and-criminals, scenery and settings, using quick screenplay-scripted dialogue which at times can be philosophical or a tad predictable like the syrupy ending. You may never see me write it again but Sean Duffy could make a great character in a prime time Éire/UK television series. This is reflected in varying locations and grim humour. A strong actor could follow the threads, face the slog of interviewing, the hope of a confession, the tension of a life-and-death encounter.

You know how some crime books just click, you are absorbed into the story? Well, that’s what I find when I read Adrian McKinty’s work. Overall, the clues are there to identify the killer. Enjoy reading this investigative tale for yourself—and take a guess if it will really be the final book.

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward

Sean Duffy
   1. The Cold, Cold Ground (2012)
   2. I Hear the Sirens in the Street (2013)
   3. In the Morning I’ll be Gone (2014)
   4. Gun Street Girl (2015)
   5. Rain Dogs (2015)
   6. Police at the Station And They Don’t Look Friendly (2017)
   7. The Detective Up Late (2023)

Adrian McKinty—Author
Adrian McKinty was born and grew up in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. After studying philosophy at Oxford University he emigrated to New York City where he lived in Harlem for six years working in bars, bookstores, building sites and finally the basement stacks of the Columbia University Medical School Library in Washington Heights. In 2000 he moved to Denver, Colorado where he taught high school English and started writing fiction in earnest. In 2008 he moved to St. Kilda, Melbourne Australia with his wife and two children. In 2023 he is currently residing in New York City with his family. He has written numerous other books and won numerous literary awards.
Visit his official website for more details:
https://officialadrianmckinty.com/

Cool Rules for Street Performers

Street Performer at Mary Poppins Festival, Maryborough Australia
© Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2022

Street performers and buskers have existed all over the world since ancient times delivering accessible entertainment to the masses. Many people volunteer their time to historical re-enactments and charity events. It is an opportunity for undiscovered talent and the fearless and creative artisans of theatre to strut their stuff for a coin in the hat. However, a hat is not the only consideration for a street performer.

Australian Laws regulating street performances vary between Australian States. I don’t think these Maryborough performers need to worry but if your performance contains possibly offensive dialogue and/or conduct, you will need to be aware of the Summary Offences legislation. This includes legal constructs of what is considered to be “offensive” and who is the “reasonable person” in the 21^st Century.

Technical stuff—Arts Law Centre Australia
https://www.artslaw.com.au/article/performers-taking-it-to-the-streets/

View my original blog post—
https://thoughtsbecomewords.com/2022/07/26/mary-poppins-and-folks-boppin-at-maryborough-festival/

Mary Poppins Festival—Maryborough Queensland
(Home of the author P.L. Travers)
https://www.marypoppinsfestival.com.au/

Next spectacular day—Sunday 30th June 2024
https://www.marypoppinsfestival.com.au/program/

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward