Book giveaways and a remarkable film

Author and raconteur Alan Gold was to be my guest on Thursday Book Club tonight.  Unfortunately, he's ill and, whilst on the road to recovery, he won't be able to join us after all. We'll arrange a new date soon.  

In the meantime, please come online for a relaxed chat about books.  For  your chance  to win a copy of the bestselling novel Green Dot by Madeleine Gray - thanks Allen &  Unwin - please email me a book recommendation by 8pm tonight and/or bring a book recommendation to Thursday Book Club with you. 

I've so appreciated your support for my novel, The Watchful Wife, in the vote for the 2024 Better Reading Top 100 books. Being included on this list means that Big W stores will stock the 100 novels chosen on their shelves all year. Placing your vote here  on the Better Reading website will also enter you into the draw to win all 100 books selected for 2024. Entries close on Saturday and voting only takes a minute.  Many thanks for your ongoing encouragement.  

Enough about me.

Last night, I saw the most remarkable film:The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness by artist, author and composer, Matt Ottley. Using the metaphor of a tree whose flower is ecstasy and whose fruit is sadness, it's the story of a young boy and his internal struggles and creative force. Matt Ottley first came to my attention as the illustrator of the award-winning picture book, Teacup, a work that took my breath away.  

This week, Thursday Book Club regular, Suzanne Robinson, featured on the Hembury Books Podcast: Confessions of a Goodreads Mega Reviewer on Apple Podcasts. You can listen to it here. 

The longlist for the inaugural Women's Prize for Nonfiction has been announced. Included in the list of authors is friend of Thursday Book Club, Anna Funder, for her fascinating examination of Eileen O'Shaughnessy, the first wife of writer George Orwell.  Congratulations Anna!  

I hope you are all having a good week. I'll look forward to your company tonight.