Introduction to Poetry I ask them to take a poem and hold it up to the light like a color slide or press an ear against its hive. I say drop a mouse into a poem and watch him probe his way out, or walk inside the poem's room and feel the walls for a … Continue reading Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins
2011
Rating System
So, I've been asked to suggest a sort of basic breakdown for the scoring system. This is MUCH harder for me than it should be, primarily because there are actually two criteria that are equally important to us as a club: 1) whether it is well written, structured and articulated 2) whether the plot grips, … Continue reading Rating System
Mills & Boon at Morley Lit Fest
As a lover of all things ridiculous and romantic, one event I’ve been looking forward to for a while is the celebration of Mills & Boon, one of the events on the Morley Lit Fest calendar, this Saturday from 7.30. Taking place in a 1950s themed diner, this event promises to be packed with laughs … Continue reading Mills & Boon at Morley Lit Fest
Cuts are bad, Mkay
Full disclosure; I'm middle class. Horribly middle class. And I vote. And I'm young (ish) and I have a regular, if petite, income. If I'd only do the decent thing and breed I'd be a politicians wet dream. When the campaign against library closures started late last year, I threw my energy behind it enthusiastically, … Continue reading Cuts are bad, Mkay
Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.
Stanford Report, June 14, 2005. This is the prepared text of the Commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers and of Pixar Animation Studios, on June 12 2005. Illustration created by 19 year old technician Jonathan Mak Long. I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of … Continue reading Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.
Podcast Interview with Lucinda Hawksley!!!
* * *PODCAST* * * Lucinda Hawksley - travel author, art historian and tweeter - was kind enough to have a bit of a chat with me for your listening pleasure! As I've just finished Lizzie Siddal - the tragedy of a Pre-Raphaelite Supermodel, we had a good natter about that. We also chatted about … Continue reading Podcast Interview with Lucinda Hawksley!!!
Canongate Book 4 – And we’ll all go together….
Next up on the LeedsBookClub Canongate challenge was The Helmet of Horror by Victor Pelevin. Victor Pelevin is a Russian author, famed for his work in the SF genera; so I approached this book with very high hopes. I was also very curious as I've heard that his style is to use multi-layered philosophical techniques, … Continue reading Canongate Book 4 – And we’ll all go together….
A Chat With Melinda Moustakis
Earlier this month I fell in love with Melinda Moustakis’ award winning collection of short stories ‘Bear Down Bear North’ that was published in September. The stories focus the Alaskan homesteading, trapping and fishing traditions around the Kanai River-some of the harshest landscape in the world, and the unbreakable, tough, people that live there. Often … Continue reading A Chat With Melinda Moustakis
Autumnal Book Swop
From the TSL website!! After a relatively quiet summer, I'm realy pleased to announce a special book swap shall be taking place in new Leeds venue Cafe 164 on 1 October between 11-3 Cafe 164 is a new arts cafe, selling all kinds of sweet treats and teas. The Book Swap shall be very informal, … Continue reading Autumnal Book Swop
Morley Lit Fest
This October sees the return of one of the year's highlights for Leeds' book lovers; Morley Lit Fest. Now in its sixth year, this year's lineup is absolutely massive, with talks from Ian Rankin and the writers of some of the Doctor Who novels and audio books. There are also talks from experts and academics, … Continue reading Morley Lit Fest
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