My ‘to read’ list currently looks like this: Every New Year I resolve to read more non-fiction, so am feeling pleased that I’ve already put a history book on my reads of January list. Four biographies on this list, a book of essays and a book about sport is a good start. I also resolved… Continue reading To read: 2017
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Best books of 2016
I have read 60 new books this year. That is, books that are new to me, not just books published this year. There have also been 9 re-reads. I’ve amazed myself in how much I’ve read this year – my challenge was to read 50 books and I thought I’d struggle. As usual the number… Continue reading Best books of 2016
December reading
As You Wish – Cary Elwes This is Westley’s take on the filming of The Princess Bride. If you don’t know The Princess Bride please go and read and watch it – the book and film script are both by William Goldman. This book is an affectionate look at the film that, Elwes admits, changed… Continue reading December reading
A Whitelaw Christmas Carol
December 1932 “Mum says don’t forget Christmas dinner,” said Daniel as he left The Whitelaw that afternoon, having safely delivered the account books. “Any time, she said, but we’ll probably eat about two or three-ish.” “I already told her there was no need,” said Tip. “I’ll be perfectly fine by myself. I’m not a charity… Continue reading A Whitelaw Christmas Carol
A literary weekend
I’ve been trying to get to Haworth to visit the Charlotte Bronte exhibition all year. It finishes this month. I was going to go up on July but went to look after my mum after an op instead. Then I went to some workshops and events in Haworth in September but they overran and I… Continue reading A literary weekend
November reading
The Museum of Cathy – Anna Stothard I read this free from The Pigeonhole – thanks – and was intrigued by the premise. I like stories or articles that examine the significance of things and, in this respect, the Museum of Cathy didn’t disappoint. I did however have trouble warming to it, and Cathy especially.… Continue reading November reading
October reading
The Light Between Oceans I saw this recommended by a Twitter friend. Good lord, it’s devastating. You kind of know it will be when you pick it up and read the blurb – this is never going to end well for someone involved, you just need to pick who you care about the most. In… Continue reading October reading
52 dates for writers: a review
Part of the myth of writing is the amount of time spent in front of a screen. Or a notebook. Or however you do it. Time away from tapping away on that keyboard is time wasted, we think, and sit and try to get something, anything, down on the page. But of course, it doesn’t… Continue reading 52 dates for writers: a review
September reading
The Enchanted April – Elizabeth Von Arnim Oh I loved this. Two duty bound, dull women trapped in boring and possibly loveless marriages decide on a whim to rent out a villa in Italy for a month. They invite two other women to come with them and they all have to learn to get along.… Continue reading September reading
Bronte Festival of Women’s Writing
There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.* At least not in Nottingham. But as I drove up the M1 the rain cleared and a sliver of blue sky appeared through the clouds. I was on my way to Haworth, or to the Bronte Festival of Women’s writing, put on by the Bronte… Continue reading Bronte Festival of Women’s Writing
Susan E Barsby 