In the last few weeks of her life, I caught him peeing in the sink. I came through the back door, as all of us always did, via the porch with its fly papers and window-ledges and stands chock-full of plants, straight into the kitchen and there he was, in side profile standing on his
I had the pleasure of reading ‘Slow Burn On Riverside’ recently which is the prequel for ‘The Same Deep Water As You’ and I’m glad I read them this way around – as when I turned that first page the distinct voice of Jex poured from the pages and it was like returning to a
“Parade is a pop lit gem. With neon prose, Graves weaves a tale of two heroes, Reggie and Elmer, who are trying to sort out the mess that is America. Government, religion, civic responsibility, general kindness. The lessons in Parade might just be the answer.” – James Frey – Author of A Million Little Pieces, Bright Shiny Morning and
If pushed, Maisie said the TV was crap, the weather was crap, the food was gross and the art gave her nightmares. But Grandad was OK. That was, if pushed. Usually Maisie’s phone conversations were a series of grunts and monosyllables. Her mother let her express her feelings. ‘O.K., talk to you on Wednesday, Green
It’s strange how very good or bad news hits you from out of nowhere. So thought Michael Vogt as he lay down, drowsy after a simple yet full lunch. He had woken today futureless and unemployed. Then the phone rang. The call had vitalized him, setting his mind abuzz all morning with his changed fortunes.
“What’s on the Moon tonight?” I’m so sick of that question. Every single day I get asked that same thing. As though I’m some kind of expert! I’m no more of an expert than anyone else in the office. I can search online, just like everyone else can. I don’t understand why Dan always asks
Blacktop Wasteland was a book that got so much hype around its release that I do what I normally do, I buy a copy and keep it on my shelf and that that saintly dust settle before I dive into it – because as I’ve grown to appreciate over the years, sometimes the hype surrounding
An iconic and vital piece of literature, reimagined with stunning artwork to add a layer of visual storytelling, the Folio Society edition of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses is a feast for the eyes for readers of all ages. Ask many readers what the most successful and notable young adults book series is, and most
The West Lighthouse is the taller of the two, a simple structure that is pleasing in its symmetry, a tower of patchwork stone. The original oil-fuelled beacon that once guided sailors safely to the pier was later replaced by electricity, but even that has long-since burned out. Now all that can be seen is the
I first came to know of the name William R. Soldan when I picked up his collection ‘In Just The Right Light’ which was brilliant. So when the opportunity arose to read ‘Houses Burning and Other Ruins’ another collection, I jumped at the chance – and boy is it good. ‘Houses Burning and Other Ruins’
