This is a book which will probably arouse many different emotional reactions in the reader: fascination, inspiration, astonishment, disgust, anger, depression… you name the life situation the reader is in, and that will determine his or her response to On This Day She by Jo Bell, Tania Hershman and Ailsa Holland. Many different women, acrossContinue reading “Book Review: ‘On This Day She’ by Jo Bell, Tania Hershman and Ailsa Holland”
Category Archives: literature
Blog Tour and Book Review: The Healing by Joy Margetts
It is my pleasure today to be part of the blog tour for a beautiful new book from the publisher Instant Apostle, a book which is a debut novel for its author, Joy Margetts. During the Covid19 pandemic many have spoken about the experience of lockdown, and some have felt it has been a timeContinue reading “Blog Tour and Book Review: The Healing by Joy Margetts”
Book Reviews: The Poetry of Phil Hill
Today, I’m pleased to be able to bring you my reviews of a collection of poetry books written by local Leamington Spa poet Phil Hill, which will be of interest not only to all those who love cutting edge contemporary poetry, but also to those who wish to gain a deeper insight into mental healthContinue reading “Book Reviews: The Poetry of Phil Hill”
Spring 2021 Writing News
Spring is almost with us and new hope is rising. What’s new here in Warwick, during what we hope will be the final months of the final lockdown? I’m following lots of online courses – Pilates classes; online song rehearsals with community choir Songlines; a writing course with the amazing sitcom scriptwriter Paul Kerensa, which I do with my comedy blogger son Jamie;Continue reading “Spring 2021 Writing News”
Book Reviews: Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell Trilogy
Having just finished reading the third in Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell trilogy, The Mirror and the Light, rather than posting one review here, I thought I would bring together my three reviews, each originally posted online soon after I read the book. Book 1 – Wolf Hall Now I’ve finished Wolf Hall, I feel asContinue reading “Book Reviews: Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell Trilogy”
Favourite Feel Good Action Heroes in Books and Cinema: TinTin and his Universal Appeal
During the Covid-19 Pandemic and throughout the three lockdowns in the UK, many have sought the consolation of escape – into books or films. Every so often I return to one of my top favourites – The Adventures of TinTin: the Secret of the Unicorn. To my mind this film exemplifies classic story structure; butContinue reading “Favourite Feel Good Action Heroes in Books and Cinema: TinTin and his Universal Appeal”
Rest a Little – a post by author Maressa Mortimer
Today I reblog a lovely post by fellow author Maressa Mortimer who recently launched her 2nd novel ‘Walled City’. With the help of her children and husband, Maressa enjoyed her special book launch cake on a very entertaining Facebook Live. I so admired her for doing that! I’m saving my ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’ cake till myContinue reading “Rest a Little – a post by author Maressa Mortimer”
The Nature of Creative Inspiration and Practice – Inspiration from Hilary Mantel
Recently I watched and listened to Hilary Mantel speaking at an online event from the Stratford-upon-Avon Literary festival, following the publication this year of her two newest books The Mirror and the Light and Mantel Pieces. I loved what Hilary said about the process of writing. It seems that she does not subscribe to theContinue reading “The Nature of Creative Inspiration and Practice – Inspiration from Hilary Mantel”
Extract from the Introduction to Paranormal Warwickshire
I have heard, but not believed, The spirits of the dead May walk again William Shakespeare So says William Shakespeare, through the lips of Antigonus in Act 3 Scene 3 of The Winter’s Tale. Did Shakespeare believe in ghosts and spirits? Opinions are divided; Herbert, Shakespearean actor, who led us around Stratford-upon-Avon one evening onContinue reading “Extract from the Introduction to Paranormal Warwickshire”
Virginia Woolf on the art of reading a book
Listening to an interview by Andrew Marr on BBC Radio 4 the other day, I was delighted to learn that Virginia Woolf‘s classic essay How Should One Read a Book? has been republished in a new edition (12 October 2020). I studied this text in school as part of my GCE ‘O’ level English LiteratureContinue reading “Virginia Woolf on the art of reading a book”
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