Sutherland Shire Libraries News

Kerri Sackville, well known blogger and author of  "When my husband does the dishes: a memoir of marriage and motherhood" and more recently, "The little book of anxiety", will be coming along to Sutherland Library to speak at a special event to celebrate Mother's Day. Kerri answers five questions in five minutes, telling us  about what she is reading and her celebrity crush!








What are you reading right now and are you enjoying it?
I actually just finished 'How To Be A Woman' by Caitlin Moran (like practically every other female in Australia right now). It's like having a chat with a friend who is hilarious, bawdy, opinionated and extremely bright. I loved it.

2. Could you tell us a bit about your favourite book?

My favourite novel is definitely The World According To Garp by John Irving. I've read it a dozen times. The world of Garp lives in my head constantly. I can recite portions of it to myself. My favourite book of non-fiction is Naked, which is a memoir by the humorist David Sedaris. I have never laughed as much as when I read that book. That man is my idol.

3. What do you like to do like to do when you are not writing?

Sleep. Seriously. I have three kids and my husband works very long hours and I am constantly exhausted. I read in snatches when I'm eating or waiting to pick up the kids from an activity. I grab a coffee with a friend whenever I can. But if I have an hour free, I just want to nap.

4. What's next for Kerri Sackville (Could you give us a clue about your next book...)

I've just had a very embryonic idea for my next book but I can't talk about it for fear it will disappear! But it will be non-fiction. I really don't have any desire to write a novel at this stage. Probably not ever.

5. If you could have dinner with two famous people, who would they be, and why?

Simon Baker, because he's my celebrity crush, and I met him recently in LA (the details are on my blog) and I was so excited I barely let him get a word in edgeways. I would love to have dinner with him so I can finally give him a chance to speak. And David Sedaris, so that I can try to absorb some of his genius by osmosis. And laugh myself silly.


Everyone is welcome to come along to celebrate Mother's Day with author Kerri Sackville.  

Where: Sutherland Library
When: Monday, May 14th, 10.30am-11.30am
Cost: Free
Morning tea is provided for attendees.
Bookings essential, book online or call 97100351.

To celebrate the National Year of Reading, ABC TV’s First Tuesday Book Club is looking for the 10 Aussie Books to Read before You Die – the great Australian reading list! Head to the website to browse the list for book summaries and vote www.abc.net.au/arts/aussiebooks. You can borrow most of the 50 listed books from the Library. Any titles not kept in our collection can be ordered into the library for you to read via the Interlibrary Loan Service.


1788 by Watkin Tench
A fortunate life by A.B Facey
An intruders guide to East Arnhem Land by Andrew McMillan
Capricornia by Xavier Herbert
Carpentaria by Alexis Wright
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
Come in Spinner by Dymphna Cusack & Florence James
Eucalyptus by Murray Bail
For love alone by Christina Stead
Gallipoli by Alan Moorhead
Grand Days by Frank Moorhouse
Here's Luck by Lennie Lower
It's raining in Mango by Thea Astley
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
Maestro by Peter Goldsworthy
Monkey Grip by Helen Garner
My brilliant career by Miles Franklin
My brother Jack by George Johnston
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
Power without glory by Frank Hardy
Ransom by David Malouf
Riders in the chariot by Patrick White
Seven little Australians by Ethel Turner
That deadman dance by Kim Scott
The book thief by Markus Zusak
The broken shore by Peter Temple
The chant of Jimmie Blacksmith by Thomas Kenneally
The dressmaker by Rosalie Ham
The fatal shore by Robert Hughes
The first stone by Helen Garner
The fortunes of Richard Mahoney by Henry Handel Richardson
The harp in the south by Ruth Park
The life by Malcom Knox
The magic pudding by Norman Lindsay
The man who loved children by Christina Stead
The monkey's mask by Dorothy Porter
The power of one by Bryce Courtenay
The riders by Tim Winton
The secret river by Kate Grenville
The slap by Christos Tsiolkas
The tall man by Chloe Hooper
The tree of man by Patrick White
The tyranny of distance by Geoffrey Blaney
The watcher on the cast-iron balcony by Hal Porter
The year of living dangerously by C.J Koch
The true history of the Kelly gang by Peter Carey
Unreliable memoirs by Clive James
Visitants by Randolph Stow
Wake in fright by Kenneth Cooke
Wanting by Richard Flanaghan

 Which books will you vote for?

To celebrate The National Year of Reading May theme "Escape",  Cronulla Library is holding a competition  where you tell us about your Favourite Travel Destination to escape to.  It's easy to enter, just pick up an entry form from any branch of the Sutherland Library and Information Service, and tell us in 25 words or less why you love to escape to your  Favourite Travel Destination. You have the chance to win a book voucher. Your Favourite Travel Destination may be anywhere;  in Australia or a far away exotic land, on a desert island, or even just a quiet local spot where you are able to relax and catch up on some reading. The competition is open throughout May starting May 1st,  2012, closing on May 30th, 2012. Do you have more than one favourite travel destination? Just fill in more entry forms*! Enter this competition as often as you like, telling us about all your favourite places to escape.
 *Terms and conditions are on entry forms.
Photo credit: Flickr user 'Simon_sees'

The Miles Franklin Literary Awards shortlist for 2012 was announced today at the State Library of New South Wales. Established in 1954, this award celebrates Australian character and creativity and was established to support authors for the advancement, improvement and betterment of Australian Literature.
Five novelists have made the list:

Tony Birch – Blood
Anna Funder – All That I Am
Gillian Mears – Foal’s Bread
Frank Moorhouse – Cold Light
Favel Parrett – Past the Shallows

Best of luck to all the authors. The winner of this prestigious prize will be announced on 20th June, at an event being held at the State Library of Queensland.