Recent reads roundup! Miss Jane (2016), Mindhunter (1995), and The Butcher’s Hook (2016)

As I wrote about in my last post, I had a bit of a reading slump at the end of 2017 (after a very mixed bag of reading throughout the year), and didn't get to read much over the Christmas holidays as I had a cold, then the flu, then a chest infection. But now… Continue reading Recent reads roundup! Miss Jane (2016), Mindhunter (1995), and The Butcher’s Hook (2016)

Exploring genres with A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

I generally read 'literary' or historical fiction, and I've wanted to reach out into more genre fiction for a while. While browsing in Waterstones a few weeks ago I wandered with my boyfriend up to the sci fi/fantasy section, and came across the Lady Trent series by Marie Brennan.  Lady Trent is a 'dragon naturalist'… Continue reading Exploring genres with A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

I Need Bookshops. We All Do.

Today, on the way home from looking after my little nephew, I stopped in at WHSmith. I saw the poster for their summer promotions in the window, and remembered that I had wanted to read The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker for a while, so I went in. This was the one in Pinner,… Continue reading I Need Bookshops. We All Do.

Maggie O’Farrell Fever: The Heatwave Is Here!

This week sees the publication of the first book from Tinder Press, which is very exciting in itself; what's even more exciting (I know) is the fact that it is the new novel by the much-loved Maggie O'Farrell. Instructions for a Heatwave is her sixth novel and the first of hers that I have read,… Continue reading Maggie O’Farrell Fever: The Heatwave Is Here!

Goodbye Watford Waterstones…

I have just learned via a retweet on Twitter that my local Waterstones in Watford, Hertfordshire has closed. It had been there for so long I don't remember it opening, and I visited it for years. Three floors - yes, THREE - of books. A lower ground floor for children's, fiction on the ground floor,… Continue reading Goodbye Watford Waterstones…

Fiction Uncovered Announce their Best of British for 2012

Fiction Uncovered are hard to pinpoint at first. I use/view their site as a news source, a book review site and a blog. They describe themselves as: Fiction Uncovered is a promotion which celebrates our best British fiction writers. The promotion is supported by Arts Council England and funded by the National Lottery.  In 2012, retailers including Waterstone’s, Foyles, iBookstore, Amazon and The Book… Continue reading Fiction Uncovered Announce their Best of British for 2012