Helen Lowe's Blog, page 96

December 12, 2016

Tuesday Poetry: “from the hill”

from the hill

boats turn
at their moorings,
facing into the wind:

I can see every
shift in the weather
from up here,

she says, standing
at my shoulder —
the boats better
than any
weathervane…

we take our tea
out, onto a deck
made of timber
from old hulks
dredged out
of harbour mud,
she speaks
of the home to
which she does
not return, of the
much younger man
who will not let
her go — nor she him —
turns again to watch
the boats, talks
of a change
in the wind.

(c) Helen Lowe

First published in...

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Published on December 12, 2016 09:30

December 11, 2016

More For This Week

Karen McMillan

Karen McMillan

Last week, Paul Weimer kicked off the “…on Anything, Really” Avid Reader special with his Top 5 Reads of 2016 — and this Thursday it will be Karen McMillan’s turn. If you want to do some prep ahead of time, you can check out Karen’s Top 5 from last year:

An Avid Reader Special: Karen McMillan’s Top 5 Reads Of 2015

commonwealthbyannpatchettA few weeks back I promised you a fortnight of book reports. Now, just on a month later (because reading and posting on books always takes longer than you think!) I’l...

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Published on December 11, 2016 09:30

December 8, 2016

Listicle Love aka “Something Old & Something New…”

Tis the season & lists are bustin’ out all over — including on the “Booknotes Unbound” site where the NZ Book Council team have put together a fab listicle in which folk from throughout the NZ book scene feature three of their favourite reads from 2016:

Booknotes Unbound: The NZ Book Scene’s Favourite Reads of 2016

And yep, I too have contributed my wee mite.

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Published on December 08, 2016 09:30

December 7, 2016

An Avid Reader Special: Paul Weimer’s Top 5 Reads of 2016

On Monday, I heralded the Season of Lists and the return of my “Avid Reader” guest series (although this year we have an “avid viewer”, too

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Published on December 07, 2016 18:45

December 6, 2016

What I’m Reading: “Zero World” by Jason M. Hough

zero-worldI didn’t do a “Just Arrived” post for Zero World because I bought it as a gift for my partner when I visited Sydney’s Galaxy Bookshop back in June.

It came recommended, too, by both Courtney Schafer (of the Shattered Sigil series fame) and Adrian Collins of Grimdark Magazine—and shortly afterward my partner was also urging me to read it.

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Published on December 06, 2016 09:30

December 5, 2016

Tuesday Poetry: “Ti”

Ti
Akaroa Heads

Cordyline on a windswept point stark
each frond stabbing
sharp as a taiaha’s blade
defying the elements
facing down the ocean – that vast expanse
conquered first by Kiwa
the far voyaging salt encrusted
sculpted by endless distance
always looking ever longing for land
lying over the next line of horizon –
the darker smudge of blue
lifting to green above the deep swell
the first sighting eyes shaded
of that solitary tree piercing sky
above a coastal headland marking
the moment...

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Published on December 05, 2016 09:30

December 4, 2016

Tis The Season — for Lists, Roundups, & All That Jazz

Yep, as I acknowledged on the Supernatural underground on December 1 it’s that time of year again — you know, when we look back on the year-that-(almost)-was, reflect on what we did/did not achieve, and make lists: best book, best movie, top experience… I could go on but I’m sure you all know the drill.

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Published on December 04, 2016 09:30

December 1, 2016

Guest Post: Deborah Sheldon on Worldbuilding for “Devil Dragon”

Introduction:

deborah-sheldon_author-photoDeborah Sheldon is a professional writer from Melbourne, Australia. Her short fiction has appeared in well-respected magazines such as Quadrant, Island, Aurealis, Midnight Echo, SQ Mag, and Tincture Journal. Her work is also found in various anthologies. Upcoming titles include the crime-noir novellas, Dark Waters and Ronnie and Rita, the horror collection, Perfect Little Stitches and other stories, and the contemporary crime novel, Garland Cove Heist. Other writing credits incl...

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Published on December 01, 2016 09:30

November 30, 2016

Just Arrived: “The Bear And The Nightingale” by Katherine Arden

the-bear-and-the-nightingale_cvrI know that I promised a week (or two!) of book reports and we’re already into week three (!!!) with two books left to go (on which I have yet to share my terribly important thoughts.

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Published on November 30, 2016 09:30

November 29, 2016

Poetry: “Driftwood”

Driftwood

Rime of salt on hair and jacket, hands cold

as mist along the water’s edge, hazing

the boundary between sea and land to smoke

smudged shadow, pampas fronds dipping

low over ocean-darkened sand, and castaway

wood rolled up onto this solitary shore,

only to be dragged home as arcane sculpture,

a giant stick insect on the lawn, or cut up

for logs that burn with a silvery flare,

ghost memory of days spent in the half-world

between sea and strand, all lost now

in a fiery shower of sparks...

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Published on November 29, 2016 09:30