I recently started reading Terry Pratchett's latest book 'Raising Steam', with a slightly heavy heart. Not because I didn't think I'd enjoy it, I knew I would, but because each new book brings us a bit closer to the time where there will be no more new books. He has a very rare form of... Continue Reading →
Charles Dicken’s Birthplace
Charles Dicken's birthplace lies tucked away in Portsmouth. The street is a sore thumb of nineteenth-century architecture in amongst a labyrinth of blocky sixties tower blocks. Dickens didn't live in the house long, moving to London when he was still a young child. The museum that is now in his old house doesn't include any... Continue Reading →
Poetry – I Sleep on a Bed of Books
I sleep on a bed of books, my body cradled with words and deeds, bled into the fabric of time. They support my limbs, they hold my head, screaming in the silence, keeping me afloat. At night I wait, for the tomes to seep into me, slicing inside like purple neon lasers. I wish to... Continue Reading →
A new place for Wordlander
I've been away from the blogosphere recently due to moving to a lovely new home and not having any Internet. But now I'm back, with a slightly more personal post than usual, all about my new place. This is the first flat my boyfriend and I have bought (as opposed to rented) and having a... Continue Reading →
Take the Crow Road – a few words about Iain Banks
Today is a sad day. Writer Iain Banks announced he has terminal cancer and isn't expected to live beyond the end of the year. My previous post talked about my five favourite books and just nudging the outside of those is 'The Crow Road'. I adore this book, bought on a whim on a vague... Continue Reading →
What are your Favourite Books?
This list is part of a much bigger one of 'books I can't live without', but I whittled it down to five because it's easier to build a blog post around it. Top (insert number here) lists are entirely objective of course, but I quite like them. So now, without further ado and in no particular... Continue Reading →
William Shakespeare’s Grave, Stratford-Upon-Avon
William Shakespeare died 23 April 1616. He's buried in Stratford-Upon-Avon in Holy Trinity Church. William Shakespeare's grave, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK Some say he was the greatest writer who ever lived. Others say his works belong to other writers. Personally, I think he did write his plays, albeit with ideas from the players with whom he worked... Continue Reading →
