This is history, obviously. I generally enjoy reading about the past, learning about life long before I was born. Unfortunately, this book, a scholarly work, was just a little too dry for my tastes. For those seeking the statistics, fine details that are available, and the names of those involved in the various landgrabs that …
Continue reading The Lost Villages of England, by Maurice Beresford: #BookReview.
400 pagesTelevision/Performer Biographies Subtitled ‘My Autobiography’, this illustrated account of the life of the TV journalist, Radio and TV presenter, and occasional Quizmaster, reads as though the man is speaking to you. A Yorkshireman (my own home county) through and through, Parky relates his life through events, family, the multitude of personalities he’s met and …
Continue reading Parky, by Michael Parkinson: #BookReview.
Picture via Pixabay Humanity is sometimes credited with evolving through competition. While this may be true of the need for early humans to compete with other wild animals for food and shelter, the need to compete with other humans was less an issue in those early times as there were far fewer of us around. …
Continue reading An Excess Of…Competition?
293 pagesHistorical, Mystery, Thriller and Suspense, Literary Fiction. An astounding work of fiction that thoroughly inhabits the two worlds it uses as locations. We spend time with Liesbeth Jannsen and those who torture, those who support her, in 17th century Holland. And we spend time with Will, a contemporary detective in the USA. How the …
Continue reading Emily’s Lair, by Cary Grossman: #BookReview.
Black Friday: what is this event? Is it really anything more than an encouragement to buy more stuff we don’t need? Is everyone who's so eager to ‘save’ money even aware of the recent COP26 discussions where world leaders finally began to understand the dangers facing humanity? So, what has consumerism to do with the …
Continue reading An Excess Of…Stuff?Â
Loyalty, such a ubiquitous word. But what does it mean? To whom or to what are we loyal? We all, hopefully, understand the value and positivity involved in loyalty to our partner; that’s an essentially personal quality. And, equally hopefully, we recognise the worth of loyalty to a supportive family. But beyond these familial allegiances …
Continue reading An Excess of…Loyalty
The second review has come in for my latest novel. As you know, reviews are difficult to come by, so it’s always worth celebrating when they arrive. This one is on Goodreads (some reviewers avoid Amazon these days for many reasons). You can read it by clicking here. But to make it easy, I’ll also …
Continue reading Another 5 Stars in Second Review for ‘An Excess Of…’
The first review has come in for my latest novel. As most readers and writers know, reviews are difficult to come by, so it’s always worth celebrating when they start to arrive. This one is on Goodreads (many reviewers avoid Amazon these days for many reasons). You can read it by clicking here. But to …
Continue reading First review for ‘An Excess Of…’ Gives 5 Stars
252 pagesContemporary/Literary Fiction The blurb asks, ‘Fiction or autobiography?’ and sort of replies, ‘both, neither?’. The whole point of this extraordinary created work is to ask, and attempt to answer, some basic questions relating to literature, storytelling, identity, and life itself. It’s an ambitious aim and one I suspect many readers will find difficult, demanding, …
Continue reading Self, by Yann Martel: #BookReview.
I thought I'd share my publisher's view of my latest novel 'An Excess Of...' with you. I love a succinct summary of my creative work. An Excess Of Stupidity Proved Too Much For This Climate CampaignerFantastic Books Publishing Author Stuart Aken has deserted the far reaches of the universe and the fantasy lands of his …
Continue reading My Publisher’s View of my Latest Novel
In just ten weeks millions of gifts will be exchanged around the world. Before that, in less than two weeks, much money will be spent on ephemeral trappings associated with Halloween. More money will be literally sent up in smoke as fireworks a few days later. And, all over the world, regardless of creed, chosen …
Continue reading An Excess Of…Gifts.
Buy here 89 PagesFood & Drink I’m not the most gifted of cooks, but I do enjoy the occasional dabble, especially if the ingredients appeal. This lovely little book, written with humour and sprinkled with great little tips about how to make the best of the offered recipes, is a definite encouragement to try something …
Continue reading 50 Shades of Gravy, by Daniel Grubb & Gabi Grubb: #BookReview.
Word cloud via Word Art. Some questions for the faithful: This post is a search for answers to questions that have long bothered me. This is a genuine quest for information. I’m interested in the views of everyone, but especially those who espouse a faith. Assuming your deity is considered both omnipotent (supremely powerful in …
Continue reading An Excess of…Religion?
A crowd in Rome. One aspect of the modern world that contributed to my urge to write the latest novel was the issue of population. It doesn’t feature much in the story, more of an aside, but was definitely an underlying stimulus to the idea of the book. In common with many people, my major …
Continue reading An Excess of…Population
When I was first struck by the idea for my latest novel ‘An Excess Of…’, I understood I’d need to do a good deal of research. Most topics touched on in the story were already familiar, but I felt I should deepen my knowledge in as many areas as possible. Underlying subjects explored in the …
Continue reading Researching for the Novel.
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Antidote to the Novel
Stuart Aken 