This sci-fi short takes a wormhole as its escape route from the reality of the UK of the early 21st century. A time of confused politics and general unrest, it may well have been the first real step on the road we now follow, but that’s for a different written piece. The story is written …
Continue reading Footvote, by Peter F. Hamilton: #BookReview.
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.
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.
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.
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.
365 pagesDystopian Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy A terrific story! This is adventure, mystery, social and political comment, and romance, rolled into one very well structured, compulsive story. The central protagonist, Angel, is feisty, courageous, enigmatic, curious, and a real survivor. Set in a time when climate change has wreaked havoc with the geographical, and therefore the …
Continue reading Storm Girl, by Linda Nicklin: #BookReview.
270 PagesHistorical Mystery, Thriller and Suspense Fiction/British and Irish Historical Literature/British Detective Stories Having read and enjoyed many of April Taylor’s books, I was eager to see what this new novel had to offer. I was not disappointed.Moving away from her musical mysteries and alternative history series, she has tackled a subject few really know …
Continue reading Distant Shadows, by April Taylor: #BookReview.
332 Pages Nonfiction Hardback Subtitled ‘Quest for the Lost Civilisation’, this book led to a major TV series on the UK’s Channel 4 network. Published in 1998, some of the content may now be a little out of date, as archaeological work is constantly updating information based on finds. The book is an attempt to …
Continue reading Heaven’s Mirror, by Graham Hancock & Santha Faiia: #BookReview.
Stage Play script. This exploration of family unity, loyalty and dishonesty is structured through three acts to use time as a clever ingredient of viewing, and attempting to predict, the future. It depicts a typical upper middle-class family of the era, showing the inherent snobbery, their patchy understanding of the world they occupy, and how …
Continue reading Time and the Conways, by J.B. Priestley: #BookReview.
136 pagesPhotography Criticism & Essays This is a primer intended for students studying photography at university, but it has something useful to say to anyone interested in what photography truly is and how it can affect our view of the world. It sports numerous photographs to illustrate the textual points made, and explains how photography, …
Continue reading The Nature of Photographs, by Stephen Shore: #BookReview.
First published in 1907, the text of the stage play I read is introduced by a preface from the author. Here, he talks about the language he has used, how and where he encountered it, and why he has employed such colloquial idioms in the work. I can best serve the author’s intent by quoting …
Continue reading The Playboy of the Western World, by J. M. Synge: #BookReview.
324 pagesPhysical Geography/Oceanography This book, a physical reminder of the excellent BBC TV series of the same name, was written by the Series Producer. Subtitled ‘Our One in a Billion World Revealed’, it is an account of the journeys made by the team of camera operators, production staff and other essential crew during the making …
Continue reading A Perfect Planet, by Huw Cordey: #BookReview.
Short stories, novel extracts and musings from an emerging author
SHORTS, NOVELS, AND OTHER THINGS
Books, writing, reading, words and images. I love them; do you?
An Independent Nondiscriminatory Platform With No Religious, Political, Financial, or Social Affiliations - FOUNDED 2014
Life Lessons, Books, and Pretty Things!
Writing Magic, Myth and Mystery
A photographer's view of the world - words and images to inspire your travels and your dreams
Book Reviews ∙ Bookish Tags ∙ Book Discussions
Retired and travelling - it doesn't get better than this!
writing circles & poetry to keep your light on
Personal Writings on life, love and beauty
Peace. Tranquility. Insanity.
A writer inspired by nature and human nature
We Survived and Arrived - Now as Warriors We Thrive
Sometimes, life is like that.
Book lover and reviewer.
Musings and Ramblings of a Disorganised Blogger
Speculative Fiction Author, & Reviews.
British Crime Writer April Taylor
Fiction, Poetry, Photography
Where The Eagles Fly . . . . Art Science Poetry Music & Ideas
Registered Charity 308286. Your local venues, Lydbrook Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground, are here to benefit our community.
Books and Shrimp!
Ù…Øمد القربي
Discover the "Inside Story" with Sassy Brit & Her Gang!
A daily selection of the best content published on WordPress, collected for you by humans who love to read.
There's First Love... and there's Writer Love
Stuart Aken 