FREE MARCH 2011 Readings Monthly • • • Siri Hustvedt David Malouf Jon Bauer on Graham Greene ). E B CRI (S BLACK GLASS L OVE W N E LL'S N E UND M MEG OF IMAGE FROM COVER , Sophie Cunningham on Meg Mundell s novel p5 March book, CD & DVD new releases. More new releases inside. AUS FICTION FICTION CRIME MUSIC BIOGRAPHY DVD POP CD CLASSICAL $32.95 $27.95 $24.95 $19.95 $35 $29.95 $35 $29.95 $24.95 $19.95 $39.95 $29.95 $89.95 >> p5 >> p5 >> p9 >> p10 >> p10 >> p16 >> p17 >> p19 The shipment is in ! Bargain Book Warehouse Sale Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Monday 14 March • Books up to 80% off Sale of a new shipment of Readings Bargain Table books—at up to 80% off normal retail prices. Three days only, 10am-6pm, at our warehouse, 314 Drummond St, Carlton. While stocks last! All shops open 7 days, except State Library shop, which is open Monday - Saturday. Carlton 309 Lygon St 9347 6633 Hawthorn 701 Glenferrie Rd 9819 1917 Malvern 185 Glenferrie Rd 9509 1952 Port Melbourne 253 Bay St 9681 9255 St Kilda 112 Acland St 9525 3852 Readings at the State Library of Victoria 328 Swanston St 8664 7540 email us at [email protected] Browse and buy online at www.readings.com.au and at ebooks.readings.com.au THE HARE WITH AMBER EYES An epic family history told through an extraordinary inheritance. AWARD- WINNING ‘Wise, strange and gripping.’ A.S. BYATT WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER Keep in touch with great book news www.randomhouse.com.au 2 Readings Monthly March 2011 From the Editor Meet the bookseller International Women’s Day (8 March) is OThis-WEEK DISCOUNT Month’sprogram in any of News our Readings shops, or with … especially topical for the writing community Head down to your local Readings bookshop visit www.frenchfilmfestival.org. Pip Newling, Readings this year, as debates rage about the under- and get 20 per cent off all full-priced (and Port Melbourne representation of women writers and review- in-stock) books, CDs, DVDs and stationery WATERSTONE WINNER ers. In January, writer Ann Hays sent back items, on presentation of a valid student card First-time author Sita Brahmachari has won Why do you work in books? her copy of The New Yorker after realising or proof of enrolment. This offer is valid for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize for her I love the idea of a only three out of the magazine’s 148 pages all Readings shops (excluding online) until 15 coming-of-age novel Artichoke Hearts (Pan, ‘book’. Just the word were penned by women. In the open letter, March 2011. Not valid with any other offer, PB, $14.99). The story, which deals with itself, let alone anything she wrote, ‘I plan to return every issue that nor for lay-bys or special orders. And don’t death and grief, was inspired by her mother- else you might find when you crack contains fewer than five women writers. You forget, we offer ten per cent off any course- in-law’s death from cancer. The writer was it open. I was one of those kids who tend to publish 13 to 15 writers in each issue; related book all through the year, on presenta- presented with her £5000 award by Children’s devoured books: so much so, that Mum 5 women shouldn’t be that hard.’ tion of a valid student card. Laureate Anthony Browne at a London cer- and Dad let me read pretty much what- In February, women’s arts organisation VIDA emony. Browne said the ‘beautifully written’ ever I could find in the house. I love published statistics showing that The New READINGS book made him ‘laugh and cry – sometimes being dragged into a story where I learn Yorker is by no means unusual. It surveyed WAREHOUSE SALE at the same time’. The judging panel praised things about other people, other places, the proportion of women writers published We have a new shipment of our famous Artichoke Hearts for the ‘effortless way in myself. I’ve also written a book and have in literary publications from The Atlantic to Readings Bargain Table books. Sale on for which it shows how inspiring grandparents another on the go and I love reading The Believer to The London Review of Books. three days only: Saturday 12 March–Mon- and the older generation can be for children’. other writers’ stories. And across the board, men far outnumbered day 14 March, 10am–6pm at the Readings What’s the best book you’ve read lately? women contributors. There were also far Warehouse, 314–318 Drummond Street, Children’s Book more male than female authors reviewed. For Carlton. Up to 80 per cent off normal retail FESTIVAL AT THE STATE What does ‘best’ mean? The most inven- example, at The New York Times, one of the prices. While stocks last! LIBRARY OF VICTORIA tive and profound book I have read late- more equitable examples, 295 book reviewers Attention children of ly is The Messenger: A Novel by Yannick were women (438 were men); and 283 au- QUARTERLY ESSAY: Victoria! On Sunday 3 April Haenel, where he sheds new light on the thors reviewed were women (524 were men). EBOOKS ALL $9.95 your favourite authors and Holocaust and questions whether there is anything like a ‘global conscience’. We are thrilled to announce that we now have illustrators will be taking over The debate has continued ever since, with The smartest contemporary story I have every single Quarterly Essay ever published the lawns of the State Library, even those who’d suspected a bias shocked read lately is Hand Me Down World available in our ebooks store for $9.95 each. from 10am to 4pm. There’ll by the raw figures – particularly in light by Lloyd Jones, almost a crime novel This includes the most recent essay – Trivial be puppet shows and of the publishing truism that women read but also a structural and philosophical Pursuit by George Megalogenis – and a few readings, music and magic. more than men. Some suggest that women marvel. The grandest epic I have read that have gone out of print, including Guy A free event with no bookings required. For submit to publishers in lower numbers. recently is The Thousand Autumns of Rundle’s essay on John Howard the oppor- more information, visit wheelercentre.com Rob Spillman, editor of Tin House (one of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell. After tunist, Mungo MacCallum’s Girt By Sea and or slv.vic.gov.au. the magazines surveyed) said that while the 469 pages I was left weeping. numbers of men and women who submit Tim Flannery’s first Quarterly Essay, Beautiful SLEEPERS SUBS OPEN to his magazine are fairly evenly divided, he Lies. We think it’s a great price and Quarterly What’s the strangest experience you’ve had It’s that time of year again ... Sleepers does see a stark disparity in responses from Essays are perfect for reading on your phone in a bookshop? invited authors. ‘When I solicit male authors, (or any other device with a web browser for Publishing have just announced that that matter), whether you’re on the go, on submissions to the seventh edition of their I had a man, early 40s, come in one day the only ones who do not submit are those and ask me for a book on guns for a five- contractually bound by other magazines. For the train or in bed. Visit our ebooks store at much-praised almanac (Sleepers Almanac ebooks.readings.com.au. No. 7) are now open. And good news for year-old. I’m sure that if you have guns female authors it is closer to 50% submit after around, it would be a good thing to have being asked … Similarly, men whose work we all those writers still looking for their big ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE break – they’re specifically on the lookout a ‘what not/to do’ book for young chil- accept are more likely to follow up publica- dren – I just couldn’t find one for him. tion with more submissions.’ FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL for new, never-before-published writers (while by no means restricting access to Ruth Franklin, in The New Republic, came Approaching its twenty-second sensational writers previously published). And you’ve What’s your favourite book of all time? at the debate from a new angle, asking if year, the Alliance Française French Film Fes- got a while to get your best work together, As I don’t re-read, often my favourite perhaps the proportion of books reviewed tival offers an ambitious national program. or polish it till it shines: submissions close 1 book is the best one I have read most might reflect a lower proportion of books Over 40 films will screen in Melbourne from July 2011. For more information, visit www. recently but I would have to say that by women being published in the genres 9–27 March. Readings is proud to spon- sleeperspublishing.com. at the moment, it’s a toss-up between likely to be reviewed. And, she continued, as sor the Festival again in 2011. Pick up your Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian and many freelance book reviewers are published copy of the Alliance French Film Festival Marilynne Robinson’s Home. I know: authors, a gender disparity in books published modern classics. One day I’ll get back to might also explain the low proportion of the Russians.