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1. MWF In Snapshot.

Missed out on the Melbourne Writer’s Festival? Never fear, the very organised crew over at MWF have the whole 2012 experience in photo form for us.

They really give you a sense of the vibe throughout the festival.

You should also head on over to Danielle Binks blog for her posts about the sessions she attended (there are a lot). I think what’s so fantastic is the way Danielle has been able to be detailed (very) about the discussions and reactions from panel members and the audience.

2. Australia’s Biggest Harry Potter Fan Revealed

To celebrate 15 years since publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Bloomsbury put out a call to all of Harry Potter’s younger fans.

13 year-old Charlotte from NSW was revealed as Australia’s biggest Harry Potter fan, for her drawings and the very detailed Harry Potter family tree.

3. Publishing in Gif Form

Ever asked how an author does it? Author Nathan Bransford lets us in on the publishing process.

I think a strong case can be made for rewriting the title to read: Teachers At Report Writing Time.

4. CBCA Announcement

There are changes afoot!

CBCA national council have changed the rotating administrative executive with a new board of management. The new system will be one of consistency and continuity. They are also in development with a new constitution.

5. How Reading Helps The World

Reading fiction is fun. It helps us escape, arouses us, entertains and educates us. But is it doing us any good? 

This week was a bit of a hectic week for the CYL team; there was Inky and his shortlist announcement and there was MWF.

MWF was great fun for us all. We met some really great authors and had a lot of great panel conversations. Below is a recommended reading list from the panel ‘Read Any Good Books Lately’, with Adele Walsh, Lili Wilkinson and Melissa Traverso.

A Straight Line to my Heart by Bill Condon

A warm tale about Tiff and that in-between time of life where you’re no longer and teenager but not yet an adult. A fairly simple plot where the strength lies in it’s feelings and connections of family, friends and life.

Allen and Unwin

Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield

Vikki Wakefield has such a unique voice and writing style that her stories leave you slightly off kilter. Like you’ve missed a step and had to skip to catch up. Friday Brown finds herself in the seething underground of Australian slums; homeless, afraid and trapped by a curse.

Text Publishing 

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

A very very laugh out loud funny story of Greg, his best friend Earl and Rachel (recently diagnosed with leukaemia). Greg is a jokester; funny, self-deprecating and honest. It would be easy to dismiss this book as just another ‘cancer’ book, but instead it takes on the role of showing the lighter side of a serious subject. There is no miracle save or life lesson. Sometimes death is just death.

Allen and Unwin

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Much like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is not just a ‘cancer’ book, John Green’s Fault in Our Stars takes a walk on the humorous side of death. There are tears of laughter and despair throughout Hazel and Augustus’ tale. It was a glimpse at the sweetest of every emotion, because there was always the thought that this might be the last.

Penguin

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Another cusp of life story featuring Ed and Lucy. The adventure they take over one night, the hardships and prejudices they must face, and the decisions they must make to keep their lives moving forward and their futures bright with possibility.

Pan Macmillan

Other titles discussed as must reads-

Only Ever Always by Penni Russon

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

The List by Siobhan Vivian

The Deep: Here be Dragons by Tom Taylor and James Brouwer