FREE JUNE 2012 Readings Monthly Chris Flynn on Paul D. Carter • Jeff Sparrow & Antony Loewenstein N). SEE P11 I (PENGU H SOPHIE SCOTT GOES SOUT son lester’s new book I L A IMAGE FROM COVER OF Alison Lester’s Sophie Scott Goes South June book, CD & DVD new releases. More new releases inside. FICTION AUS FICTION BIOGRAPHY AUS FICTION YA DVD POP CD CLASSICAL $32.95 $27.95 $27.99 $32.95 $27.95 $32.95 $27.95 $19.95 $34.95 $24.95 $19.95 $26.95 $21.95 >> p5 >> p5 >> p8 >> p5 >> p10 >> p13 >> p14 >> p15 June event highlights : Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows at St Kilda; Skye Rogers; Terry Denton at Hawthorn. See more events inside. All shops open 7 days, except State Library shop, which is open Mon- Sat. Carlton 309 Lygon St 9347 6633 Hawthorn 701 Glenferrie Rd 9819 1917 Malvern 185 Glenferrie Rd 9509 1952 St Kilda 112 Acland St 9525 3852 Readings at the State Library of Victoria 328 Swanston St 8664 7540 Readings at the Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Genetics Lane, off Royal Parade, Parkville 9347 1749 Browse and buy at www.readings.com.au The definitive guide to your city, written by local experts Only $4.95. Now available at all Readings Stores timeout.com/melbourne 2 Readings Monthly June 2012 From the Books Desk Mark’s Say The last time I was in London, I was staying News and views from Readings’ managing near Marchmont St, a little local shopping MThis LITErary RE SIDENMonth’sCY Collins St 5pm News. The lovely cover of They’re A director Mark Rubbo strip near Russell Square, where I saw an PROGRAMME Weird Mob by Nino Culotta was designed/ Over the last couple of intriguing shopfront: ‘The School of Life’. Applications for the 2013 M Literary illustrated by W.H. Chong. See here for more I later discovered that it offered a range of details about this iconic new Australian series: years I seem to have been Residency Programme are now open. The getting quite a lot of evening classes ‘to help people form useful Programme funds three-month residencies http://textclassics.com.au/the-books and insights around the big themes in life’ (and remember you can pick up a copy of one of requests to speak to in India and China for writers of fiction, various groups. It’s not also, one-on-one ‘bibliotherapy’ sessions, nonfiction, poetry or dramatic prose. (The the 30 Australian Classics for only $12.95 or matching particular books with particular buy 4 for 3. something residency in India is at Sangam House, I overly enjoy doing and lately the requests interests/dreams/concerns. A book doctor, which can also be applied to separately: anyone? See http://www.theschooloflife. BLOOMSDAY 2012 have been that I talk about the future of www.sangamhouse.org). The Application the book and bookshops. Like newspapers, com/About). Form, Residency Guidelines and informa- On 16 June 2012, Blooms- day in Melbourne celebrates the prospects don’t seem all that good or at Now these folk have published a series of tion on the Residency can be found at: least uncertain. The best part is the people; books addressing ‘how to live’, with contrib- http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/mbund/ James Joyce’s Molly Bloom with a theatrical adaptation mostly people who want to hear my utors ranging from Alain de Botton (How Ms_residency.html or Facebook page: views on the future of the book are pretty to Think More About Sex) to our very own https://www.facebook.com/m.literaryresi- of the Penelope chapter of Ulysses, Yes, Yes, Yes!, directed passionate about books, so it often ends John Armstrong (How to Worry Less About dency. Applications close on 1 July, 2012. in a bit of a love fest about books – and Money). by Brenda Addie. In addition, there will be a especially physical books and the evils of WIN A VINTAGE Amazon (I have to confess Continuing the self-help theme, Augusten CLASSICS LIbrary! seminar by Professor John Gatt-Rutter on Burroughs brings us surely the longest title the Joyces’ time in Trieste and their associa- I encourage this part). of this month’s new release batch: This is tion with Italo Svevo, and a dinner celebrat- Last month I was invited to talk to the How: Help for the Self: Proven Treatment to ing Bloomsday. Bookings online at www. Ivanhoe Reading Circle. The Circle began Overcome Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spin- bloomsdayinmelbourne.org.au/bookings. in 1920 and has met continuously since sterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude htm, or by phoning Bob on 03 9898 2900. then; it only met once in 1923 as the & More. For Old and Young Alike. He’s a President, and founder, Reverend Rock man with his fair share of life experience READINGS @ THE BRAIN was ‘on tour’. Many members have behind him, and its chapters range from CENTRE IS NOW OPEN! belonged for decades and the current ‘How to finish your drink’ to perhaps my Readings’ new neuroscience secretary, Heather Low, joined over 60 favourite: ‘How to remain unhealed’. This month we have a special Vintage Classics shop at Melbourne Univer- years ago. offer for you. If you buy a Vintage Classic at sity’s Brain Centre is now Some interesting polemical works are also The circle has kept a record of each book any Readings shop (except online) you can open. Stocking books on a feature this June. I’m expecting a few discussed. In the early days the books go in the draw to win a library of 30 Vintage neuroscience, psychology, feathers to fly upon the release of Richard were predominately works by Dickens, Classics of your choice. (Please note: custom- psychotherapy, general Hil’s Whackademia: An Insider’s Account of Shakespeare, the Bronte sisters and Robert ers need to complete a competition form in non-fiction, fiction and the Troubled University. We asked a friend Louis Stevenson. It wasn’t until 1933 that any of our shops and attach your receipt from bargain books and stationery, of Readings (and practising academic) to re- the first Australian book appeared – M. your Vintage Classic purchase to enter.) Readings @ the Brain Centre is well-posi- view this book for us – but naturally assured Barnard Eldershaw’s A House is Built. In tioned in one of the largest neuroscience them of anonymity! And Anthony Loewen- 1943 they read Hewlett Johnson’s The CREDIT FOR COVER facilities in the world. stein and Jeff Sparrow have edited a collec- Socialist Sixth of the World; Johnson was an tion of essays on the continuing relevance of OF THE May READINGS MONTHly The Centre will accommodate research English clergyman who styled himself as a the left tradition in contemporary politics: on brain disorders that affect one in seven Marxist Christian. His book was an ode to On the cover of our May Left Turn, which features authors including people, including stroke, Parkinson’s Disease the Soviet Union. At the time the cold war Readings Monthly, we Christos Tsiolkas and Larissa Behrendt. and Alzheimer’s Disease, by encouraging solid was in the Future and Stalin was our ally so included part of the image on links forged between clinicians, researchers, that made it alright. As for fiction, the offerings are substantial: the cover of They’re a Weird hospitals and research institutes. Located in a ‘modern fairytale’ of the contemporary Mob by Nino Culotta as part The mixture of selections suggests that the Kenneth Myer Building at Melbourne UK from Martin Amis, Lionel Asbo; Richard of the new Text Australian the aim was edification of the circle rather University, Genetics Lane, off Royal Parade, Ford’s long-awaited new novel Canada; Classics that were released than entertainment, so in 1962 they read Readings @ the Brain Centre is open Mon- and Michael Frayn’s delicious farce Skios. that month. Unfortunately we Australia’s Home by Robin Boyd and Ibsen’s day–Friday 9am–5pm. Ph: 9347 1749. For My pick, though, would be the wonderful left off the credit for the cover and it has Wild Duck. In the late 70s Australian more information email braincentre@read- Enrique Vilas-Matas’s Dublinesque, about a caused a bit of a to-do as customers have authors become more and more prevalent, ings.com.au or visit us at readings.com.au. Spanish publisher prone to anxiety attacks mistaken it for the famous Bracks painting a reflection of the growth of Australian fuelled by giving up alcohol and concern for publishing. The 90s see a greater propor- the future of the book (a near-lethal com- tion of contemporary books which suggests bination I agree!). On a visit to the Dublin a response to the more effective marketing of Joyce and Beckett, he possibly sights the by publishers and I suspect more individual writerly genius he has spent his entire career ownership of books. searching for … Changing lists could also reflect changing Next month: more highlights, plus a little membership. It was suggested to me that report from BookExpo America, which I will the secretary of the circle wielded great attend in early June. influence over the selection and Vere —Martin Shaw Duncan occupied this position from 1922- 1994 and after her retirement the selections were weighted to contemporary writers such as Ishiguro, Toibin and Tomalin. Readings Monthly The members are rightfully proud of their Readings Monthly is a free independent heritage. monthly newspaper published by Readings Our discussion was amiable and we all Books, Music & Film. agreed that we all love bookshops and Editorial enquiries: Kabita Dhara at the printed book and would hate to see [email protected] either disappear.