The Tassie Book Club: September 2025

by Hobart Magazine

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!

Spring is in the air! This month we have a fun new novel that might just inspire you to take on a new challenge, with assistance from the longer days. Plus a cookbook with loads of recipes that are perfect for the warmer weather (we hope we will soon have) and some steaming hot dishes for the snowy days still to come.

The Good Losers by Meg Bignell (Penguin, July 2025) Review by Melanie Ross

One of Tasmania’s most beloved writers is back with a hilarious, horny and very Tasmanian tale! Hot on the heels of the runaway success of The Angry Women’s Choir, Bignell has crafted another rollicking and far-fetched romp, this time set in Launceston. Callie March, a retired private investigator and single mum to Pip, decides her son has had far too much screen time and signs him up to join a local rowing club. Despite getting off on absolutely the wrong foot with the club, Callie and Pip persist, becoming hopelessly entangled with all manner of interesting characters.

Anyone with an embarrassing family, teenage offspring, or experience with Tasmania’s upper crust will find much of this book deeply relatable. The central mystery – the rowing club has a deep dark secret (but it’s not quite what you’d think…) – keeps the narrative ticking along, but the everyday hijinks of Callie will keep you invested and turning the pages. The deeply charming teenage rowers give the book a heart of gold. With plenty of curse words and a dalliance with a cartoonishly handsome Frenchman, this isn’t for the prudish among us; but if you’ve loved Bignell’s previous work there’s a lot here to appeal.

Viet Kieu: recipes remembered from Vietnam by Thi Le with Jia-Yen Lee (Murdoch Books, April 2025) Review by Megan Tighe

After a residency at Fat Pig Farm over the summer, and a second stint through Dark Mofo, I think we can call Thi Le, Jia-Yen Lee and the Anchovy/Ca Com team ‘honorary Tasmanians’ (at least until the end of this year). And if you tried their banh khot at the Winter Feast, you know it was 11/10 delicious.

Unfortunately that recipe does not feature in Viet Kieu, but there is plenty more to tantalise and satisfy your tastebuds. From simple meals with familiar and easy to find ingredients, to more involved specialties that might require some sleuthing to find the fixings, this book will challenge and expand your understanding of Vietnamese cooking.

At the same time, a complementary series of essays unpick what it means to be Viet Kieu (Vietnamese abroad), growing up in Western Sydney, coming out, and becoming accidental restaurateurs. This gorgeous, informative, beautifully photographed cookbook and its life stories both question and critique how we define and value ‘authentic’ cuisine, while honouring Vietnamese tradition and celebrating Australian flavours.

Book Chatter Speaking of Dark Mofo, with the amount of things going on in June, it’s possible you missed… Revolution & Silence by Brigita Ozolins. Part of the Dark Mofo program with a series of talks on censorship, book bans, cultural appropriation and resistance; the exhibition of banned/restriction/controversial books and Ozolin’s 1984-inspired installation component is still running until 5 October at the Allport Library and Museum (ground floor of the Hobart Library, normal opening hours, free entry). Don’t miss this last chance to see it!

Also this month, Stella is back in town. On Friday 26 September, the Stella Prize team have organised two fabulous afternoon sessions with Michelle de Kretser, Kate Kruimink, Hayley Singer and Erin Hortle at the Theatre Royal/Hedberg Salon. Free tickets are available online; spaces are limited – book now!

Keen to chat books with us? Find us on Instagram @thewomanbookerprizeclub

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Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces- June 2026

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces – May 2026

Bits and Pieces- May 2026

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

Worker shortage is currently universal, there isn’t an industry that’s exempt. For Kelvin Smith, four years ago he decided there was a very obvious solution to the shortage facing the construction industry, and all that was needed was a little time, empathy and a helping hand. Integrate Workforce is a Hobart-based labour company with one requirement: a refugee/ migrant background. He’s also the outdoor piano man in his free time.

Landscape artist and creative Elliott Nimmo is enjoying discovering Hobart’s vibrant art scene and local environment after relocating here from London to pursue his art.

Even though Tasmania is known for its mild summers, it doesn’t take much to get sunburnt. Tasmania experiences extreme ultraviolet (UV) levels, but contrary to popular belief this isn’t due to the hole in the ozone layer, which is actually south of the continent.While higher UV levels often occur at the same time as higher temperatures, the two are not linked. Instead, UV levels are determined by the angle of the sun in the sky: the higher the sun, the higher the UV. In December and January, the position of the sun over Tasmania gives the state a UV index of 11 or more on most days, which is classified as “extreme” on the UV index. Tasmania’s lack of humidity and generally clear skies contribute to the stinging feeling of the sun. UV can reflect off buildings and water, making it possible to get a higher dose of UV from these reflected rays, even in the shade.

Setting up shop during a pandemic was a risky move, but if the crowd at Dāna Eating House (Dāna) on a Friday night is anything to go by, it’s one that’s paid off. With tables of diners chatting and laughing over drinks, the music and conversation buzzes off the monstera-leaf-green walls. Low-hanging rattan lights and worn wooden floorboards give the newly opened South-East Asian fusion venue in Hobart’s CBD a relaxed vibe.

A Holyman flagged ship hasn’t steamed up the River Derwent since 1984 but the company’s name still proudly adorns its former offices at 5 Morrison Street, Hobart.

Widening the Tasman Bridge to allow 3.5 metres on each side is a big win for walkers and cyclists.

Need a laugh? Check out @theinspiredunemployed feed on Instagram.

Rain, hail and shine, the school crossing guards are always there to help with a smile on their face.

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Just when you think your cousins are alright. NZ Opposition Leader Judith Collins took aim at Tassie during her recent (unsuccessful) campaign, calling us Australia’s “poor cousin.” She also seems worried about us nabbing tech businesses, “It’s a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high- tech business? Possibly not,” she said. We beg to differ!