Cirrus@Austlit

'Hannah Fink’s biography of Australian sculptor Bronwyn Oliver is delicately wrought, intricately mapped and haunting. Like a piece of detective fiction, you have to read it twice. First for the narrative web; then to absorb the aftershock of all the subtly ticking bombs planted within a seemingly sunlit ­landscape of a brief and accomplished life. On a third reading you will just gaze at Oliver’s works themselves: replete and self-contained, handmade riddles honed by a dedicated mind.' (Introduction)

'Memoirs about positive people who jog are not for me. I far prefer a big fat rock memoir with a black cover and razor-wire font. You don’t read these books for redemption or life skills, though, strangely, they sometimes contain them.

'Often a toxic tale, say Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis, will squeak out some clean memories. Expunged of chemicals and body fluids, like a donor organ. Hence the obligatory ‘‘detox’’ bit at the end of some rock biographies: Sting assuming full lotus position or Elton John hanging another Rembrandt in the loo.' (Introduction)

'Anna’s popular book, published through the resources of Made In Meeka and Dingo, is a hilarious look at what it’s really like to wake up off the grid with lizards in the house, a handsome personal firefighter in your bed and how a city gal learned that in the wild west it's all about community, helping your mates and whacking that bloody big snake with a shovel on your way to the outdoor toilet.'  (Publication summary)