-
HUMOUR: John Sharpe: No. 1,348 (Underworld) by Riley J Froud
Every once in a while you get to read something special and this is what John Sharpe: No. 1,348 by Riley J Froud is – something very special. To be honest, I had always intended to read this, but I guess the title was strange enough to make me move it down the to be…
-
A review of ‘Behind the Scenes at the Museum’ by Kate Atkinson
Can you keep a secret? Most authors can, often the plots of novels depend on them. A writer polishing her first book told me that in her next novel nobody would have secrets from anybody; it was too stressful remembering what each character knew and who they were keeping secrets from. I have just finished…
-
A Deluge of Comfort
By Syl Sabastian “Drought always ends in rain.” Sometimes, the profoundly obvious, is also profoundly impactful. We received rain last night, after half a year of no-rain. I love the rain. Rain brings me joy, comfort, peace and a profound happiness. It’s as if I am feeling the earth receiving this profound bounty. As I was imbibing…
-
From My Bookshelf: Will Ferguson
By Lynn Willoughby Road Trip Rwanda: A Journey into the New Heart of Africa Will Ferguson I knew this book of non-fiction would not be an easy read, but I like Ferguson’s style of writing so wanted to get into his newest book. He can take a very dark subject – Rawanda, and while…
-
CANADIAN HISTORICAL FICTION: Kinmel Revisted by Robert James Bridge
This is an interesting little book based on the infamous Kinmel Riot, at the end of the First World War, in a repatriation camp for Canadian Soldiers in Wales. It is called Canadian Historical Fiction, which I guess I have to take at face value, although it read more like an actual report based on…
-
“Writing” Challenge ~ A Short Story
By Syl Dinada I came upon a post. Well, “post” is perhaps charitable in the context. This err… let’s just say, less-than-positive display, did not relate to the goals of that particular Writers’ Group. A long convoluted, interesting, and sometimes even slightly bizarre comment thread developed. Much of the discussion revolving around the lack of…
-
From My Bookshelf: Elizabeth George
By Lynn Willoughby A Banquet of Consequences Elizabeth George This author of the Inspector Lynley crime novels has been around for 2 decades. I have read many of her books and always enjoy the working relationship and its problems between Lynley and Barbara Havers, his partner. So I was disappointed in this book…
-
Authors Musings ~ Terminology, and Good for whom?
By Syl Dinada Positive-negative, even good-bad. It’s just terminology really. Those in-between spaces like when painting, aren’t really negative spaces are they? They’re just different spaces. Like silence is essential to music. But silence is not negative. In both cases they are extremely positive and necessary. They are just different is all. And both good, yes? I mean if…
-
HUMOUR: Christmas Eve by Janet Gogerty
Linda hated Christmas, or rather the long run up to Christmas. It was busier but easier when the children were still at school; they knew exactly who would be there for Christmas every year; four children and four elderly relatives. Now, since the children were grown up and the elderly relatives no longer around, each year was different.…
-
SHORT STORY REVIEW: The Magic of Grandfather Time by Rose English
Just before Christmas, I took part in an author event run by a friend of mine. Whilst the games that we played were enjoyable, and the two authors involved (Rose English and Maria Gibbs) were fantastic fun, I didn’t really expect to win anything. Imagine my surprise then, when Rose English herself messaged me to…
-
Short Story – The Heart of the Cosmos
By Syldinada How, the scientist-pilot wondered, knowing what they knew of the universe, how could they affect it? Studying the map, they had realised they found themselves in its very heart. The sentience of the universe was undeniable. This had long since been proved. The question had shifted to the Intent of that sentience. This…
-
From My Bookshelf: Featuring Stephen King
By Lynn Willoughby The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King This is a book of short stories by one of my favourite authors. What is especially interesting is the preface of each novella, of very personal glimpses of King, and how and why he came to write each story. Also at the conclusion of…
Bookshop Bistro 