The Stories That Changed Australia: 50 Years of Four Corners

Four Corners is undoubtedly one of the most (if not the most) important programmes on Australian television. It's also one of the longest running; 51 years and still counting. This book brings together some of it's biggest stories and best reporters including Kerry O'Brien, Jonathan Holmes, Chris Masters, Peter Manning, Jenny Brockie, David Marr and Liz Jackson.

Four Corners has covered many important stories over it's long history, but the thing that surprised me the most about this book was in Debbie Whitmont's chapter recounting her efforts to cover the plight of asylum seekers in detention. It wasn't so much the story that surprised me, but then immigrations minister Philip Ruddock's performance on the 7.30 Report not long after the story was aired where, in relation to the case of a child who has suffered trauma while in detention, he referred to the child as "it" thus dehumanising the child. I was so disgusted by this that from now on I will refer to Ruddock as an it.

Gaz

I decided to read this, partially as a St. George supporter (though Brett Morris is my favourite player out of the current squad) but also because we've got Gasnier coming to speak at work in a few weeks time. It's a very readable, if unsurprising as it covers the mains parts of Gasnier's life and career. I did skip the final chapter though which was really his family and friends providing character references. But calling it "the autobiography of a league legend"? Really? I think there are players more deserving of that title.

The Age of Miracles

Imagine for a moment what would happen in the earth's rotation around the sun gradually slowed. Imagine would it would be like to have the 24 hour day we're all used to grow longer. What effect would that have on the planet? What effect would that have on our lives?

That's the premise of this impressive debut by Karen Thompson Walker. Told through the eyes of an eleven year old girl this novel is a times beautiful and haunting. but always engrossing. The actual slowing itself is kept mainly to the background as we see the effect is has on Julia and those around her. My only real complaint is we never find out what effect the slowing ultimately has and if it's ever resolved, but maybe there's a sequel in the works?