Author Archives
Blogger, theatre goer, nature lover and an avid reader of books.
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Winding Up the Week #10
This week we appraise books read and reviewed, look ahead to dewithon#19, discover what’s happening with the Agatha Christie Readathon and highlight fascinating literary features from across the Net.
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BOOK REVIEW: Lost For Words
Stephanie Butland’s novel is the ideal read for a tome-weary bibliophile looking for something undemanding but intelligent to fill a relaxing evening.
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How to Read a Novel: Week #3
So ends week three of How to Read a Novel, the month-long online course I’m taking courtesy of FutureLearn and the University of Edinburgh.
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BOOK REVIEW: Turn a Blind Eye (DI Maya Rahman, #1)
A headmistress is found strangled in her East London school, her death the result of a brutal and ritualistic act of violence. Found at the scene is a single piece of card, written upon which is an ancient Buddhist precept: “I shall abstain from taking the ungiven.”
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Winding Up the Week #9
This week we look at books read, reviewed and on the nightstand, discover what Wales Readathon 2019 is all about, and highlight fascinating literary features from across the Internet.
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How to Read a Novel: Week #2
I’ve successfully completed the second week of my free online course, How to Read a Novel, in which we examined characterisation.
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BOOK REVIEW: The Little Book of Feminist Saints
Its publication date scheduled to coincide with International Women’s Day, Julia Pierpont’s The Little Book of Feminist Saints is a joyous celebration of one hundred women who achieved something of significance during their lives.
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Winding Up the Week #8
This week we appraise books read and reviewed, look ahead to the LIVE.LIFE.BETTER. LIVE EVENT podcast for International Women’s Day and highlight fascinating literary features from across the Net.
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THOUGHTS ON: George Orwell: A Life in Letters
For almost forty years George Orwell wrote and received the letters collected here, which have been edited by Peter Davison.
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BOOK REVIEW: Great Polar Bear
Journey into the magnificent and mysterious world of the far north in Great Polar Bear, Carolyn Lesser’s poetic and scientifically accurate story about a year in the life of a polar bear.
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How to Read a Novel: Week #1
I have completed the first week of my free online course, How to Read a Novel, and I’m relieved to report that I’m making good progress.
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Winding Up the Week #7
This week we look at books read and reviewed, discover what is happening with the Ulysses Readlong and highlight fascinating literary features from across the Internet.
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BOOK REVIEW: The Second Winter
Craig Larsen’s novel is a harrowing tale of survival in desperate circumstances. It will undoubtedly appeal to readers of gritty noir wartime thrillers.
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How to Read a Novel
Follow my progress as I take part in a four week online course with the University of Edinburgh on How to Read a Novel.
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BOOK REVIEW: The Only Story
A moving story of first love told in old age, looking back at a hidden world of suburban secrets and sham respectability.
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Winding Up the Week #6
This week we appraise books read and reviewed, look ahead to World Book Day 2018 and highlight fascinating literary features from across the Net.
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THOUGHTS ON: Burmese Days
George Orwell’s 1934 novel is a tale from the waning days of British colonialism, when Burma was ruled from Delhi as a part of British India.
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Winding Up the Week #5
This week we look at books read and reviewed, discover what’s been happening with the Persephone Readathon and highlight fascinating literary features from across the Internet.
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BOOK REVIEW: Estoril: A War Novel
Estoril is a comedy-cum-spy story set in a luxurious hotel during the height of the Second World War.
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THOUGHTS ON: A Month in the Country
In the balmy summer of 1920 Tom Birkin arrives penniless at Oxgodby station with his nerves “shot to pieces” and a commission to restore a Medieval work of art.