It is a truth universally acknowledged that book reviewers in need of a quirky and unique opening always turn to Jane Austen thinking they are being oh so funny and clever. Thank God I would never stoop to such cheap cliches….
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas
14 November 2011 by Leave a Comment
Holocaust Memorial Day is coming up in just a couple of months and across the country schools, libraries and community groups are already planning how to commemorate this important day. I know that in a lot of places John Boyne’s novel The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas will be used….
The Elusive Perfect Cinema Experience….
11 November 2011 by 1 Comment
One of the best things about attending the Raindance Film Festival was that the whole cinema going experience was a pleasure. The Apollo Piccadilly is a lovely cinema, the seats were comfortable, the staff were pleasant and helpful …
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
10 November 2011 by Leave a Comment
My favourite genre of fiction is, without a shadow of a doubt, crime. I love a good, gory murder and a hard-bitten detective who’s out to solve the crime. The bloodier the better as far as I’m concerned. I’m not averse to something a little gentler either – I adore Agatha Christie …
Four
9 November 2011 by Leave a Comment
Since attending the Raindance Film Festival I’ve started to become a lot more interested in independent, low-budget British film-making. Much as I love the Colin Firth/Hugh Grant movies that seem to make up much of the successful UK output I’m looking forward to getting to know more of the kind of smaller British output …
You Deserve Nothing
8 November 2011 by 2 Comments
It’s always difficult to get to know new authors. With so many books released each year it’s impossible to pick through the hundreds of unknown names. Often I end up just reading novels by the authors that I already know and love. It can’t be easy for new authors faced with the task of breaking down barriers and reaching readers like me…
The Ides of March
7 November 2011 by Leave a Comment
2011’s star of the year has to be Ryan Gosling. All of a sudden he’s everywhere and getting lots of attention and love. Not least from a number of movie bloggers and guys I speak to on Twitter. I must admit though that I don’t feel the Gosling love as much as some others do. I like him…
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
5 November 2011 by Leave a Comment
Every British schoolchild knows the lines “Remember, remember the fifth of November; gunpowder, treason and plot” and most probably have a vague knowledge of why we burn an effigy of Guy (or Guido) Fawkes and set off a lot of fireworks on 5th November, the anniversary of the failed Gunpowder Plot…
Galaxy National Book Awards Announced
5 November 2011 by Leave a Comment
A star-studded ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental in London last night saw the winners of the Galaxy National Book Awards crowned. Celebrating the best in British books and writing, the list of winners contains something for every reader and has some great ideas for Christmas presents. The winners are….
Top Ten: Movie Explosions
4 November 2011 by Leave a Comment
One of the best things about Guy Fawkes Night is the plethora of firework displays that take place. I love fireworks, I genuinely oooh and aaah when a rocket goes up and explodes in a flash of bright colours. As you can probably guess I’m also a big fan of loud and bright explosions in movies. I know they aren’t subtle or intelligent but they are great fun….