As you can tell, I started drafting my post to discuss how much I was looking forward to reading 2019's Booker winner ahead of time, only to discover the judges had announced joint winners! But, I'm going to stick with my title and graphic because the one book I wasn't drawn to read - even... Continue Reading →

As a reader, I'm always book first, film after. In fact, many a book on my TBR list has been promoted up the order following the news it's being filmed. As a writer, I'd like to think that order would be the case for the majority of my readers-to-be. I got to wondering, how do... Continue Reading →

I wrote about my plans for reading to a Black History theme earlier this year. As Black History month is October in the UK, here's what's I've been reading since February - Black History month in the US - which got me started on this theme. If Beale Street Could Talk - James Baldwin James... Continue Reading →

Having moved last month, we're now largely settled in. There's a bit of tinkering to do and I'm still putting up pictures, a couple of every day or so, as I don't consider a place home until I do. So I was caught out when, after a weekend away, we drove past our old place... Continue Reading →

The first man walked on the moon 50 years ago this July when I was but 12 years old. I was absolutely fired up about the subject having read the wonderful Time-Life series of hardback magazines on the US space programme. We didn't have much in the way of TV (we were living in West... Continue Reading →

Growing up, my maternal grandparents were enormously superstitious people. My grandmother refused to live anywhere decorated in green and my grandfather was positively addicted to reading his horoscope. But there were a huge number of superstitions I was to learn only on moving to England in my late teens - lucky charms, black cats, walking... Continue Reading →

The Insecure Writers Support Group is a marvellous group set up by Alex Cavanagh. On the first Wednesday of every month, members post thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers. The link above takes you to details about the group and how to join. You'll also find a list of bloggers signed up... Continue Reading →

Desert Island Discs - that long British running institution - allows guests to select one book to accompany them on said desert island, in addition to the Complete Works of Shakespeare and the Bible (or other suitable alternative). But what if you'd prefer the complete set of Harry Potter instead of Shakespeare? I know I... Continue Reading →

The blog stays put, it's just me (and Himself) who are relocating. I'll be absent for a few weeks while we get moved out and settled in - enjoy the next few weeks of summer - and I'll see you on the flip side!    

I keep seeing these around, wondering why I don't get the concept. I tried reading seasonally appropriate books in the run up to Christmas one year and really enjoyed it, but summer reading lists aren't filled with tales of folk going on holiday, nor books based in holiday destinations, so what's it all about -... Continue Reading →