Recently I went to see the film The Fault in Our Stars with my two teenage children. Based upon the book of the same name by John Green it was about two teenagers both diagnosed with terminal cancer, who form a relationship at a cancer support group, try to avoid falling in love because ofContinue reading “The Fault in Our Stars and Poignant Reminders of Short Lives on Milverton Hill”
Category Archives: Books
In Commemoration of Anne Frank on the 85th Anniversary of Her Birth: the Power of the Pen, Mightier Than the Sword
Today (12 June 2014) is the 85th anniversary of Anne Frank’s birth. Coincidentally – or maybe, by synchronicity, for I was unaware of the significance of this date at the time – I only just finished reading The Diary of Anne Frank all over again, two days before writing this post. I first read AnneContinue reading “In Commemoration of Anne Frank on the 85th Anniversary of Her Birth: the Power of the Pen, Mightier Than the Sword”
Supernatural Power versus Rationalism: Sorcerers and Sceptics at Warwick Words Summer Festival 2014
Last night I went to a fascinating discussion between two authors at the final event of the Warwick Words summer festival. The talk was held in the beautiful 15th century Great Hall of the Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick. Ian Mathie, author of Sorcerers and Orange Peel, spoke about his travels in remote African communities over many years andContinue reading “Supernatural Power versus Rationalism: Sorcerers and Sceptics at Warwick Words Summer Festival 2014”
Do Novelists Have an Agenda or a Moral Purpose?
This morning on BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week programme I listened to a fascinating panel discussion from the Charleston Festival. Tom Sutcliffe questioned four novelists: Tim Winton, Nicola Barker, Michael Schmidt and Karl Knausgaard. Two of the questions Tom Sutcliffe asked were: Do novelists have an agenda or a moral purpose? Do you as a novelistContinue reading “Do Novelists Have an Agenda or a Moral Purpose?”
Wordsmith Vision on Mystical Circles
Wordsmith Vision on Mystical Circles.
The Last Anglo-Saxon King and A Successful Invasion: Brutality, Beauty, and The Workings of Fate in Our Lives – in 1066
A Review of 1066 – What Fates Impose by G.K. Holloway I love to read a lively account of English history, and often draw principles from it that are relevant to our own lives. So when author G.K. Holloway contacted me recently to ask if I’d agree to read and review his book 1066 – What Fates Impose, IContinue reading “The Last Anglo-Saxon King and A Successful Invasion: Brutality, Beauty, and The Workings of Fate in Our Lives – in 1066”
Find Me at International Women’s Day 2014 Event in Leamington Spa
Watch out for me at the International Women’s Day event at the Sydni Centre, Leamington Spa on Saturday 8 March 2014 from 1-6pm. This is a FREE women-only event. I’ll be showcasing my best blog posts, selling copies of Mystical Circles at the special reduced price of £5, & showing the official trailer. There willContinue reading “Find Me at International Women’s Day 2014 Event in Leamington Spa”
Loyalty, Hope and Keeping Faith, in the Greatest Film I’ve Ever Seen: The Shawshank Redemption
We love listing “The 50 Top … Films, Books, Magic Tricks, Comedians”, etc. etc. And a list of the top films will always change from year to year. But to my mind, The Shawshank Redemption makes the top of the list. And I saw it again very recently on TV. I watched it for the first timeContinue reading “Loyalty, Hope and Keeping Faith, in the Greatest Film I’ve Ever Seen: The Shawshank Redemption”
Peter Pan, Lost Childhood and Role Reversals in Traditional Children’s Tales
At the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon on Friday night ( 24th January 2014) we saw a reversal of roles for Peter Pan and Wendy. I always like to give myself time to read the programme notes before a performance (if at all possible!) And the most intriguing notes on this production of Wendy and Peter Pan were written by theContinue reading “Peter Pan, Lost Childhood and Role Reversals in Traditional Children’s Tales”
Totally Devoted to Jane Austen
One of my favourite Christmas gifts was one I bought for myself for 10p in the late stock-clearance at my son’s school Christmas Fair – an audio book of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. I’ve been listening to it in the car over and over again. And despite Death Comes to Pemberley on TV afterContinue reading “Totally Devoted to Jane Austen”
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