Currently the UK news and social media are focussing on Raynor Winn and the truthfulness or otherwise of certain accounts in her highly successful nonfiction book ‘The Salt Path’ (first published by Penguin 2019). Out of this has come a fascinating discussion about our expectations of truth and factual accuracy in memoirs and nonfiction books.Continue reading “The ‘Salt Path’ Controversy – my original review from 2020”
Tag Archives: book reviews
Book Review: Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
Today I review a new Australian novel. This novel is set in a Catholic community in the Monaro Plains, south east of Sydney. The weary first person narrator, separated from her husband, moves there from Sydney, initially for a short-term retreat. Having left and returned home, she later returns permanently. The most fascinating thing aboutContinue reading “Book Review: Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood”
To Celebrate Wolf Hall, TV Drama Adaptation Starring Mark Rylance and Damien Lewis- My Reviews of Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell Trilogy – reblog
What’s On My Kindle Now
Most keen readers have ‘To Be Read’ piles. I have a physical pile of TBR books and many on my kindle. The popularity of ebooks is said to be almost taking over that of physical books, but many kindle readers will admit to downloading ebooks then forgetting they’re on the kindle, waiting to be read.Continue reading “What’s On My Kindle Now”
The Best Books About the Paranormal or the Supernatural With a Creeping Sense of Unease
Today I share my entry on the book recommendation website shepherd.com. With Shepherd, you can explore, discover, read. It’s a brilliant idea for readers to find books based on themes, tone, plot elements and many other variables more subtle than broad genre categories. The best books about the paranormal or the supernatural with a creepingContinue reading “The Best Books About the Paranormal or the Supernatural With a Creeping Sense of Unease”
Book Reviews: The Newland Trilogy by E.M. Carter: YA Dystopian Trilogy
Today, I’m pleased to share my reviews of two outstanding young adult novels, books 1 and 2 of The Newland Trilogy published by Resolute Books in 2023 and 2024. I received ARCs of these two excellent novels, for my honest review. Here are my reviews of these first two books in the trilogy. Repression GroundContinue reading “Book Reviews: The Newland Trilogy by E.M. Carter: YA Dystopian Trilogy”
Book Review: Small Wars in Madrid by Anthony Ferner
Today, I ‘m pleased to share my review of an outstanding new novel, published by Fairlight Moderns on 14 March 2024. ‘Small Wars in Madrid’ by Anthony Ferner is a novel that evoked a number of emotions in me as a reader; at different times, I felt shocked, moved, and a strong sense of illumination.Continue reading “Book Review: Small Wars in Madrid by Anthony Ferner”
Book Reviews: ‘Brother Cyril’s Book’ by Penelope Wilcock and ‘Winter People’ by Grainne Murphy
Today I’m pleased to bring you two reviews: one, a historical novel set in a medieval English monastery and the other, contemporary fiction set on the Irish coastline. Both books – Brother Cyril’s Book by Penelope Wilcock (published Feb 2023 by Humilis, Hastings) and Winter People by Grainne Murphy (published Oct 2022 by Legend Press)Continue reading “Book Reviews: ‘Brother Cyril’s Book’ by Penelope Wilcock and ‘Winter People’ by Grainne Murphy”
Book Reviews: The Poppy Denby Murder Mystery Series by Fiona Veitch Smith
Today, I’m delighted to bring you my reviews of a six book series I highly recommend, having just thoroughly enjoyed reading book six. The Poppy Denby series is widely available online and through bookshops. I’ve enjpyed meeting and chatting to the author Fiona Veitch Smith at writing events, and have followed her writing and publishingContinue reading “Book Reviews: The Poppy Denby Murder Mystery Series by Fiona Veitch Smith”
Book Reviews: ‘1066: What Fates Impose’ and ‘In the Shadows of Castles’ by GK Holloway
Today I am pleased to share with you my reviews and thoughts on two works of historical fiction by GK Holloway which open up for us the years leading to the Norman Conquest of England, and the aftermath. They are ‘1066: What Fates Impose‘ and ‘In the Shadows of Castles.’ Historical fiction gives us aContinue reading “Book Reviews: ‘1066: What Fates Impose’ and ‘In the Shadows of Castles’ by GK Holloway”