Category Archives: reading

The Stranger in My House, by Judith Barrow: my review

THE STRANGER IN MY HOUSE is the third of Judith Barrow‘s more contemporary domestic noir dramas (following THE MEMORY and SISTERS) and I was lucky enough to have an advance copy, so although it isn’t officially published until tomorrow, I’m going ahead to review it anyway. I did try reading it in small segments, toContinue reading “The Stranger in My House, by Judith Barrow: my review”

IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Flower Fairies.

I was fascinated by wild flowers at an early age, possibly because our garden was a wee bit wild. My father in his vegetable patch waged war on the weeds that challenged his sprouting broccoli and Jerusalem artichokes, but my mother’s half-hearted attempts to liven the flower boards with the odd packet of Virginia stocksContinue reading “IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Flower Fairies.”

IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Henry V

Here’s another post about my literary influences. It would seem rather pretentious to claim Shakespeare as an influence on my infant self. His language was not exactly easing reading for a child in the 1960s – probably even less now, unless it could be conveyed entirely by emojis. And it isn’t just the language thatContinue reading “IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Henry V”

IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Swallows and Amazons

Let’s talk about another book that was an early inspiration to me. Swallows and Amazons, by Arthur Ransome. Or rather, a series of books, because I was an ardent reader of the whole lot, although I generally preferred the Lake District ones. The series begins in 1929, with four children, the Walkers, John, Susan, TittyContinue reading “IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Swallows and Amazons”

The Big Pronoun Query

I know pronouns are a big issue at the moment, with people claiming whatever pronoun fits their gender identity. I suppose I should go with She, Her, because I do, did, and always will, identify with human beings defined as female at birth and, as a result, subjected, over several millennia, to oppression, silencing, abuse,Continue reading “The Big Pronoun Query”

IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Twenty Years After

Twenty Years After, or more correctly Vingt Ans Après, by Alexander Dumas, is an adventure story about the frustrated career of a man called Dart. I lie, of course. He’s really called D’Artagnan, but that was a totally mystifying collection of letters that I couldn’t get my head around at all. If you don’t knowContinue reading “IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Twenty Years After”

Why Didn’t They Ask Eagles?

Eagle1:Thank you for waiting. We value your call. What can I do for you? Gandalf: Could I book a delivery, please?Eagle1: Certainly, sir. Weight? Size of package? Value? Gandalf: er, minimal, minimal, inestimable.Eagle1: Ah, well, in that case, we’re talking insurance premiums. Gandalf: We’ll deal with that. Carry on.Eagle1: Very well, destination? Gandalf: Mount DoomContinue reading “Why Didn’t They Ask Eagles?”

READING CHALLENGE: To the end of To The Lighthouse.

I set myself a challenge to read three books that I had singularly failed to read previously, despite their accusing presence on my shelves. My failure was due to a different cause in each case, but I have now plunged in and tackled the first of those books: To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. WhatContinue reading “READING CHALLENGE: To the end of To The Lighthouse.”