For the past two years, I've taken part in the brilliant Once Upon A Time Reading Challenge. This challenge encourages readers to try something new by expanding on the genres they read, and for a reader like me who tends to stick to what I know I'll like (historical fiction, girly romance novels, and Scandinavian … Continue reading Once Upon A Time Reading Challenge 2012
2012
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
This is a love letter, not to New York, but to a New York specific to 1938, the jazz era-end of depression, Gatsby reborn, where the opportunities were just beginning again to be endless. I loved this book. The story of Katey Kontent, who Mira Ward would have been if she'd been born ten years … Continue reading Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Sparks Fly Upwards by Lisa Morton
Mark Swain - friend of Leeds Book Club and writer of short fiction here - is a huge fan of the horror genera, and will be providing us with some reviews! Feel free to drop him a line on twitter - you'll find him @DemonHeadClash * * * * *HERE BE SPOILERS* * * * * Sparks Fly Upwards … Continue reading Sparks Fly Upwards by Lisa Morton
Coffee and cake with Mary Shelley (An interview with Kristin Atherton)
Daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft. Lover of Shelley. Author of Frankenstein... From the WY Playhouse website For a woman who achieved so much during her lifetime; it seems almost sacrilegious that Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is usually referred to only as she relates to other people. Her mother; one of the pioneers of the feminist movement. Her father; a distinguished … Continue reading Coffee and cake with Mary Shelley (An interview with Kristin Atherton)
White Swan – Book 2 Review
White Swan LBC Venue: White Swan Leeds Date: Sunday 5th February 2012 Time: 6:00pm Address: Swan Street, Leeds Discussing: The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova * * * * * S P O I L E R S * * * * * * * * * * S P O I L E R S * * … Continue reading White Swan – Book 2 Review
O Level Poetry – They Walked and Talked – Uche Okeke
1974 The Crescent Moon - Uche Okeke As part of my ongoing "School Days Over" poetry project; I have been racking my brain trying to remember the names of the poems and poets that we studied for my O Levels (in Zimbabwe). I spent so long wishing and wanting and waiting for those exams … Continue reading O Level Poetry – They Walked and Talked – Uche Okeke
Headingley Literary Festival 2012
Just down the road from #ArcadiaLBC! Headingley Literary Festival 2012 Started in 2008, this LitFest is run by the Headingley Network - a community organisation that - works to improve the environment and facilities for the local community. The LitFest is run by a group of people who are local to Headingley and our idea … Continue reading Headingley Literary Festival 2012
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Works by Mary Shelley In honour of the upcoming West Yorkshire Playhouse production on Mary Shelley (more details soon!), I'd like to pass on some invaluable links! While not all of this incomparable author's works are available online (for free!) I've found the following for your reading pleasure! Novels: Frankenstein; Or, The Modern … Continue reading Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Twilight- a gateway book
This blog is going to read heavily of my blowing my own trumpet, but it's feeling like a pretty big bloody trumpet so I wanted to blow it quite loudly, and the Internet is looking like it would appreciate some sweet trumpet based sounds today... In November, I started a reading challenge at work, which … Continue reading Twilight- a gateway book
Is Literacy a Necessity?
Today is World Book Day. Children up and down the land are dressing up as their favourite characters; the second thing down on Google is 'World Book Day Costumes' leading to visions of frantic parents recycling Shepard's costumes from the nativity whilst their Yummy Mummy counterparts order Matilda costumes for forty quid of the t'internets... … Continue reading Is Literacy a Necessity?
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