We made it! The end of this crazy mixed up anxiety inducing, stir crazy making, mess of a year is in sight. Well done to all of you who made it through – you’re allowed to feel like just getting here was an achievement. This year, we have needed books more than ever and yet… Continue reading 2020: round up of the year
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Do we really need… Libraries
You may have seen the kerfuffle earlier this week when Leader of Walsall Council suggested that, as their libraries have been closed due to Covid this year, there was little need to reopen them. “I’m a firm believer that if we haven’t used something for the past four or five months, do we really need… Continue reading Do we really need… Libraries
Where are you writing?
Writing in the time of Covid has, for many, been hard enough but for those of us who have changed to doing our day job at home a new, unforeseen problem has arisen. Spending 9-10 hours a day working at the desk where I used to write, I now find I cannot write at my… Continue reading Where are you writing?
November’s reading
November was a strange month for reading and I had long swathes where I just didn’t seem to read much at all. I still have three books I’ve started and am taking a while to get through. But what did I finish this month? Here you go: The Light Keeper’s Daughters – Jean E Prendziwol… Continue reading November’s reading
October reading round up
I know, I know, it’s late. There’s been a lot going on ok? But I’m here now, only 6 days into November and this is what I read last month: A Song for the Dark Times – Ian Rankin What is there to say about a new Rankin that we haven’t already said? This is… Continue reading October reading round up
August reading – a step into non-fiction
I don’t normally read a lot of non-fiction, though I find a lot of it looks interesting and then never really get round to it. But this month I seem to have read more non-fiction than fiction and really enjoyed it. More evidence of my changing reading habits – created by either lockdown or age… Continue reading August reading – a step into non-fiction
The Little Free Library NG7
At one point recently, I looked at the pile of books by the back door waiting to be donated to a charity shop and wondered if it might be easier to find somewhere to leave them nearby for other people to enjoy. I envisioned a little shelf on my road with a sign asking people… Continue reading The Little Free Library NG7
Reading in July
It’s not been a vintage month for reading. So it is with some relief that August is here and I can let this month’s books go (figuratively at least, as the charity shop bins are still resolutely shut to donations. I am considering piling my leftovers in the local phone box and inviting people to… Continue reading Reading in July
May’s reading
An Inheritance – Diane Simmons This is an excellent novella in flash, a series of short stories that link to tell the story of seventy years and four generations of a single family. As you’d expect for a flash piece, it demonstrates really tight writing and Simmons can really paint a picture with few words.… Continue reading May’s reading
June reading round up
I’m a bit late to July but I get there eventually. So, how is reading developing for you under this strange in-between time from lockdown into that already hackneyed phrase ‘new normal’? I felt like June’s reading was nearly back to normal, but looking at the list, it wasn’t really. But I tell you what… Continue reading June reading round up
Susan E Barsby 