As
part of our National Year of Reading programme, it was a great
pleasure to host an evening talk by Ramona Koval at the Hawthorn
Library on 27 November.
Her
new book 'By the Book: A Reader's Guide to Life'
is a testament to both a deep personal and professional passion for
literature. Ramona spoke of the many books which had made an
impact on her and caused her to reflect on events and relationships
in her own life. Her description of a range of books, fiction and
non-fiction, would provide us with an intriguing list to perhaps
broaden our own reading
choices.
By
the Book
also contains observations on some of the writers Ramona Koval
interviewed across her career as a broadcaster and journalist. The
audience at the library talk had been devoted listeners of The
Book Show
on ABC Radio National and obviously appreciated the considerable
curiosity, intelligence and impressive research skills that
underpinned her interviews. It was interesting to hear her
impressions of certain writers. People could also follow this aspect
of her career through a previous publication Speaking Volumes: Conversations with Remarkable Writers,
a collection of her international literary interviews.
Ramona
gave a warm, generous and engaging presentation which extended into
lively discussion at supper time with those who attended the talk.