As I prepare to survive my first full-length UK winter in two years — I went to Australia for the festive season in 2009 and 2010, so missed out on the two "big freezes" — I'm beginning to think of ways to get myself through the long dark days. Reading books set in sunny climates is a good a tactic as any and then I got to thinking...
How about I host an Australian Literature Month?
The idea is that I will simply read lots of Australian books in January and blog about them here. I've got dozens sitting in my TBR and this is a chance to dust them off before any more get added to the pile.
I'm hoping that some of you may want to join in and share the Australian literature love.
You may already know that Elizabeth Lhuede has set up a rather brilliant Australian Women Writers Challenge for 2012, which also ties in nicely with Australia's National Year of Reading 2012. So, if you've signed up to either of those, this will be an additional way to kill two (or three) birds with one stone.
With that in mind I've created a set of badges (300pix x 300pix) which you are more than welcome to download for use on your own blog whenever you write about Australian books and writers in January next year. See kangaroo above and kookaburra, platypus, koala and wombat below.
Do leave a comment and let me know if you'd like to take part. Remember it's not a challenge, it's simply an opportunity to read an Australian book or two (or more) and celebrate Australian literature with other people in January. You don't even need a blog to participate — you just need to be willing to read something by an Australian writer and maybe comment on other people's posts.
I'll compile round-up links and host a few giveaways during the month. I'll also provide some ideas on what books to read and where you can get them before things kick off on January 1.
So, are you up for it? As they say in Australia, it's sure to be bonza!
