David Marr, one of Australia's most unflinching, forensic reporters of political controversy, discusses his new book My Country in conversation with George Megalogenis.

Join Helen Garner and Black Inc in celebrating the release of Alice Pung's new collection of writing, Close To Home.

The collection brings together Alice Pung's writing on topics such as migration, family, art, belonging and identity. Warm, funny, moving and unfailingly honest, this is Alice at her best - an irresistible pleasure for fans and new readers alike. Refreshments will be served. Book via Facebook or via [email protected]

ANU/CANBERRA TIMES MEET THE AUTHOR

David Marr will be in conversation with Frank Bongiorno about David's collection of essays, My Country. Stories, Essays & Speeches. Published as a handsome hardback, My Country is the definitive David Marr collection. It includes early works, such as his review of the first Rocky Horror Picture Show and his reporting on the 1978 Mardi Gras police bashings, all the way to the most piercing accounts of Kevin Rudd’s ratf—king and Tony Abbott’s punch. Along the way there is Patrick White, Garfield Barwick, asylum seekers, the Henson case, Pauline Hanson, Cardinal Pell and more.

My Country anthologises Marr’s powerful reflections on religion, sex, censorship and the law; striking accounts of leaders, moralists and scandalmongers; elegant ruminations on the arts and the lives of artists. And there are some memorable new pieces, including the remarkable story of David Marr’s wedding day. 

ABC TV’s Sunday morning discussion program, Insiders, returns to Byron Bay. Host Barrie Cassidy will guide the panel – David Marr, Peter van Onselen and Lenore Taylor – through all the big political developments of 2018 and screen the most entertaining videos of the political year.

Alice Pung, whose latest book Cose to Home is out now joins Hannah Kent and Jamila Rizvi with The Garret Podcast host, Astrid Edwards to discuss the role of women writers in Australian intellectual life.