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Continue reading →: Book Review: Love for Lydia by H. E. Bates
My rating: 3 of 5 stars H. E. Bates is a deceptive writer. He wouldn’t, I should think, have known this at the time when he was writing his classic stories back in the 50s; but reading his works today takes some careful work. This is because books such as…
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Continue reading →: Book Review: Strata by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars So…I should immediately confess, for those who are not regular readers of my reviews, that I am a big Terry Pratchett fan and simply adore his Discworld novels. I’m not going to be completely unbiased then when it comes to his work. And what…
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Continue reading →: Book Review: My adopted life: A birth mothers story by A.H.M. Beattie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars I was provided with a copy of this book by the author but, as always, this review is freely and independently written. Indeed, I actually expressed an interest in the book after reading an interview with the author on her Facebook page. ‘My Adopted…
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Continue reading →: Book Review: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars It is difficult to discuss this novel without talking about at least some of the characters and plot in detail so I will warn you now – there are mild spoilers in this review. Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestseller from 1989 has undoubtedly suffered from now…
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Continue reading →: Book review: The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson
Interested in learning more about this book? Shortform provide a brilliant set of summary notes you will find really helpful. Get your free trial here with 20% off the subscription you use the link. You can’t really go wrong with Bill Bryson. I’ve read most of his collection over the…
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Continue reading →: Book Review: The Idiot Brain by Dean Burnett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars There is much to praise for Dean Burnett’s book on the brain. It is wittily written – and a good giggle is always worth the price of a book. The pace of the writing is slow enough not to bedazzle but fast enough not…
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Continue reading →: Book review: Making Evil: The Science Behind Humanity’s Dark Side by Dr Julia Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve been wanting to read the works of Dr Julia Shaw for quite some time now after reading about her research into implanting false memories – which was absolutely fascinating. Her book on this subject is next on my to-do list, but this one…
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Continue reading →: Review: The History of Ancient Egypt by Bob Brier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars It’s not often I differentiate between books I read in print, books on e-format and books which I listen to, usually via Audible. For this review it is important that I do so as this ‘book’ is actually a series of 48 one-hour lectures…
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Continue reading →: News
It has been a while since I last posted personal news and I thought I ought to as I have quite a lot now. First BIG news is that my third book – and first novel – The Pukur, has just been accepted for publication by Histria Books and will,…
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Continue reading →: Book review: Jonathan Livingston Seagull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars For once, here is a book I’m not quite decided about. Is it good, or is it a pile of shite? I’m dodging between 3 stars and 4 for this review but certain parts are more like a 2 and others up at 5.…
