The idea of Australia Day makes me feel vaguely unwell: the thought of yobbos with Aussie flags and cans of VB clasped tightly in their hands staggering around the streets. So here I am, hiding out at work, and hoping it will soon all be over. But despite disturbing reports coming out of this country about the way we treat aboriginals, Indian students and refugees, among others, there's gotta be some good news, right? Well here are some of the best things to come out of Australia recently - fiction, art, history - take your pick. And while your waiting for the snags to cook up on the barbie, sit back with your VB in your hand and enjoy.

And if you're interested, there's a thought-provoking article about what it means to be Australian by Charlie Ward at the Meanjin website, here.