For Christmas, 2007, I was given not one but two copies of My Seventh Monsoon. I read it practically overnight. I laughed and I cried.

I saw that Naomi was living in the lower Blue Mountains, the place where I had grown up, and the place where we stay every time we are in Australia. I wanted to meet her. I wanted to talk to her. But I was afraid of having nothing intelligent to say and appearing like a friendless desperado with nothing better to do than to hassle innocent authors.

However, when Nicole asked if I'd be willing to be contributor when we read My Seventh Monsoon, and that Naomi would be involved I jumped at the opportunity. Finally I'd have an excuse to talk to her! Unfortunately, however, we were not able to meet before I had to return to Vanuatu. Well, I thought, back on this small island, if I can't talk to her, I can write to her.

And this is what we have done. Over this month at EQUIP book club, Naomi and I will publish as series of letters we have written to each other discussing various issues raised in her book. The letters basically discuss issues in the order in which they come up in the book. If you read three to four chapters of the book a week, you'll understand references to the book, but you'll have no trouble should you fall behind!

I hope they will be as encouraging for you as they have been for me. Listen in, and we'd welcome your comments and questions.

(We will get to know more about this month's contributors, Rachael and Naomi, over the next few days!)