In this book Robert Macfarlane sets out to find the wild places of Britain and Ireland, if there are any left. He believes that somewhere on these islands there must be places far from the reach of humanity where the wilderness still exists, and he sets out to discover them, to create a word map […]
I read this because it was my bookclub selection for March. I am afraid that it certainly was not my cup of tea. It appeared to be set in modern times, but the attitudes of the people seemed to belong in the fifties. Or maybe little England really is like that? If so I despair […]
A really entertaining book that explains all the work that goes into creating a picture book, and all things that went wrong when Ahlberg tried to create his book about crocodiles attacking. The illustrations are perfect, and really help the story. Really lovely book.
The Winnowing Flame trilogy ; book 2 Have you read this first book in this series? If not then go read it. It is awesome and action packed with great characters and a story that’ll keep you turning pages long after you promised yourself you’d stop. If you have read it, well The Bitter Twins […]
It’s fairly impossible for me to be objective about The Wind in the Willows. I’m not sure if I’ve ever read the whole book before, but I certainly remember many extracts that were part of school books over the years. The first chapter certainly has stuck with me; “onions sauce” is such a great insult. […]
Hearing the latest sex abuse scandal or the latest supposedly feminist man revealed as a jerk using his power and position for sexual gain can sometimes make consuming the news feel like a punch to the gut. But, as I tell myself again and again, the fact that these stories are coming out and being […]
The French trilogy ; 2 Set before, during, and after World War 1 Birdsong tells the story of a young Englishman. Staring before the war in France where he starts a passionate affair with a married woman. There is a jump in time and we meet Stephen in the trenches, and that storyline is then […]
The Copper Cat trilogy ; book 3 As this is book three in a trilogy you really should read the books in order. And if you enjoy action and adventurer fantasy quests then you’ll probably enjoy this series. Give it a try and let me know what you think. Personally I think that each book […]
Polly and the Puffin ; book 3 I haven’t read any of the others in this series, but if they are all like this then they are cute little stories about a girl and her puffin, with lovely illustrations. I’d say they are suitable for either reading aloud to children, or for children who are […]
I loved this book. Loved it. But I am totally aware that this is not a book that everyone will enjoy. It starts out with Inspector Neith investigating a death in custody. Her method of investigation includes reliving the mind of the deceased. And so we are introduced to Diana Hunter, a woman who refused […]
Discworld series #8 / The City Watch series #1 This is the book. The one that really made me love the Discworld ‘verse. In this we first meet Sam Vimes and Ankh-Morpork’s Night Watch, and it really is some of the best of Pratchett’s writing. Blending social commentary with humour and insight. It is wonderful. […]
It is the near future and the ice caps are melting. The Arctic sea ice is gone, as are almost all the polar bears. But not the tourists. They come in their droves, the wealthy, looking for that great symbol of the north. What they find is a dead body. Tom Harding’s body. He had […]