01 Oct 2026

Susannah Books 2 Comments Permalink

Brief Encounters is back!

Susannah 1 October 2026 2 Comments

In 2009, my book Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia 1836-1939 was published by Picador in Australia. Read more

01 Oct 2026

Susannah Newsletter 17 Comments Permalink

Postcards

Susannah 1 October 2026 17 Comments

Postcards are a fascinating mix of art and words – a picture on one side, a brief note on the other. Read more

01 Oct 2026

Susannah Books, Children's Books, Newsletter 2 Comments Permalink

Gulliver’s Travels Anniversary

Susannah 1 October 2026 2 Comments

This month a very famous novel turns 300 years old. Read more

01 Oct 2026

Susannah Authors, Literary Trees, Newsletter 4 Comments Permalink

Literary Trees – The Hardy Tree

Susannah 1 October 2026 4 Comments

In 1862, a young trainee architect was tasked with supervising the exhumation of graves in Old St Pancras Churchyard and the replacement of headstones Read more

01 Oct 2026

Susannah Poem of the Month, Poems 5 Comments Permalink

Vera Brittain & Perhaps (1916)

Susannah 1 October 2026 5 Comments

All of us have had the experience of losing someone dear to us, and know the emptiness that remains, Read more

24 Sep 2026

Susannah Newsletter, Talks No Comments Permalink

The Extraordinary Mitfords: Sydney & Melbourne

Susannah 24 September 2026 No Comments

For many years I have been fascinated by the extraordinary Mitford sisters, and when I give talks about them, I find others are too. Read more

01 Sep 2026

Susannah Authors, Books, Newsletter 7 Comments Permalink

Anne’s Cradle

Susannah 1 September 2026 7 Comments

For most of my life I have loved the ‘Anne’ books by L.M. Montgomery. Gilbert Blythe was my first love, Read more

01 Sep 2026

Susannah Books, Newsletter 8 Comments Permalink

The Place of Tides

Susannah 1 September 2026 8 Comments

Some years ago I wrote in this newsletter about James Rebanks’ book The Shepherd’s Life, published in 2015. Read more

01 Sep 2026

Susannah Books, Newsletter 8 Comments Permalink

Library Cards

Susannah 1 September 2026 8 Comments

In Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, the heroine, Fanny Price, when in Portsmouth, seeks out the local library Read more

01 Sep 2026

Susannah Books, Children's Books, Newsletter, Reading 2 Comments Permalink

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Susannah 1 September 2026 2 Comments

I was so very sad to hear of the death of singer and philanthropist Dolly Parton. She was an amazing woman. Read more

01 Sep 2026

Susannah Authors, Literary Trees No Comments Permalink

Literary Trees – Roald Dahl’s Cherry Tree

Susannah 1 September 2026 No Comments

Did you know that the tree that inspired Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach was actually a cherry tree? Read more

01 Sep 2026

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month 8 Comments Permalink

Robert Frost & The Gift Outright

Susannah 1 September 2026 8 Comments

I love the poetry of Robert Frost who loved his country and wrote many poems about its landscapes, culture and people. Read more

01 Aug 2026

Susannah Books, Newsletter 2 Comments Permalink

Books About Royalty

Susannah 1 August 2026 2 Comments

I have been enjoying two books about royalty recently: Read more

01 Aug 2026

Susannah Newsletter, Talks No Comments Permalink

A Glittery Sydney Event

Susannah 1 August 2026 No Comments

Some months ago, I asked readers of this newsletter to suggest scenes in novels and short stories in which jewels figure prominently. Read more

01 Aug 2026

Susannah Newsletter 9 Comments Permalink

Presidential Libraries

Susannah 1 August 2026 9 Comments

Last month Barack and Michelle Obama officially opened the new Barack Obama Presidential Centre. Read more