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 →
Books That Get Under Our Skin – Literary Tattoos
The classic horror aficionados amongst you will recognise the quote above from Bram Stoker's "Dracula". The tattoo and the arm it sits on belong to my friend Kasi. This is her favourite line from her favourite book, and it's now permanently embossed on her skin. Literary tattoos are hugely popular. There are plenty of websites... Continue Reading →
Following Harry Potter – A Visit to Lacock Abbey
A while back I visited Lacock Abbey. Now yes it is well known as the place where William Talbot made the earliest known surviving example of a photographic negative in 1835 but more importantly, they filmed scenes from Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Half-Blood Prince there. There are also a number of... Continue Reading →
A Nightmare to Remember
We've been away for a few days in the wilds of Dartmoor, an area thick with inspiring scenery and mythology. Our home away from home was an manor house turned hotel, complete with roaring fires, wood panelling, a cosy library - and possibly a ghost or two. I'm not sure if it was the hotel... Continue Reading →
Take a trip to Zozoville
"A platform for freaks, misfits, and the occasional well balanced individual." This is Zozoville. Zozoville is a collaboration between Johan Potma and Mateo Dineen. I encountered their work on a trip to Berlin where they and the Zozoville Gallery are based. Walking through a small craft market in the museum district, I noticed a stall... Continue Reading →
Prose – Runaway
Some mornings I wake up and I want to run away. I stare at the curtains, at the pallid floral pattern and long to escape. The early light paints the room grey, the pipes creak, the cars drive by and by and by. I want to run away and leave everyone behind. Even you. Even... Continue Reading →
Hitting a milestone…with a little help
Hello to all the followers I've acquired over the past week and a big thank you to Ionia Martin mentioning me in her delightful Readful Things blog. I've now passed 100 followers which a big milestone for me, although it does ratchet up the pressure to keep you entertained with witty and engaging posts. So I'm... 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 →
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 →
Poetry – There you are
I remember when I found you, just before you caught the train that day many months in coming. Of course you'd always been there, doing what you were meant to. Bandaging, teaching, cajoling, exasperating, bringing me up in a world I tried to hide from.But before that moment there was an arms-length between us.... Continue Reading →
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