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Books to Look Out For in September 2015: Part 2
My second selection for September seems to be made up almost entirely of books by American novelists. No particular reason, it just turned out that way. No starry names either but a couple of the...
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A reading acrostic
I spotted this on Twitter courtesy of David at David’s Book World whose title I’ve also pinched. He, in turn, had come across it at Annabel’s House of Books. I’m not one for memes but I’d enjoyed...
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The Tyranny of Stats, Fitbit and otherwise
H and I were listening to Radio 4 on our way home the other day. There was a somewhat alarming item on whether employees should share Fitbit data on their sleep, diet and exercise with their employers....
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Books to Look Out For in October 2015
Bit of a lean month for those of us who tend towards the more literary end of fiction. The novel that stands out above all others for me is Golden Age, the final part of Jane Smiley’s The Last Hundred...
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Paperbacks to Look Out for in October 2015
Sad to say I’ve not found many titles that appeal in the October paperback lists. Lots of commercial big names but the more literary variety seem to be even further in the back seat than usual. I’ve...
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Books Read (But Not Reviewed) in September 2015
I’m quite a fan of bloggers’ monthly reading recaps so thought I might try it myself. As ever, I’ll only include books I feel are worth recommending so should this become a regular feature they’re...
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Undermajordomo Minor and Shiny New Books Issue 7
It’s time for a brand new issue of Shiny New Books, stuffed full with reviews, interviews, features and competitions. My own contribution is a review of Patrick deWitt’s fantastical tale,...
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Books to Look Out For in November 2015: Part 1
Well, knock me down with a feather! I would never have expected to be posting a two-part November hardback preview. Often it’s a rather dull publishing month but here it is: part one of two starting...
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Books to Look Out For in November 2015: Part 2
The second instalment of November goodies begins with a debut – Sloane Crosley’s The Clasp – although you may already know her from the delightfully named set of essays I Was Told There’d be Cake....
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Paperbacks to Look Out For in November 2015
In contrast to November’s surprising hardback bounty, paperback treats are pretty thin on the ground: just a paltry three, I’m afraid. I’ll start with the one I’ve already reviewed – Helle Helle’s This...
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The Sunday Times / Peters Fraser & Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award...
You may have dim memories of this particular literary prize. It’s been in abeyance for several years but has just been relaunched with an announcement of the shortlist for this year’s award. Contenders...
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#DiverseAuthorDay: A reprise
Back in July I was approached to take part in a Twitter initiative to promote diversity in writing under the hashtag #DiverseAuthorDay. This was, of course, long before the announcement of both this...
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Books to Look Out For in December 2015
Slim publishing pickings in December – a bit of famine after the autumn feast. Not a great month if you’re looking for anything cheerful, either, but an excellent one for fans of fiction in...
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Books Read (But Not Reviewed) November 2015
Just two books worth recommending that I’ve read but not reviewed this month. Thanks are due to Jacqui at JacquiwinesJournals for pointing me in the direction of one of them – Daniela Krien’s Someday...
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Books of the Year 2015: Part 2
This second batch of 2015 goodies covers April and May, and is made up entirely of women writers. No plan there – just the way this particular cookie crumbled. I’ll begin with The Shore, Sara Taylor’s...
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Books of the Year 2015: Part 3
My third batch of 2015 favourites starts off on a note of sadness. I’ve long been a champion of Kent Haruf’s beautifully pared back, elegant novels set in Holt, Colorado and so was very sorry to hear...
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Books of the Year 2015: Part 4
My fourth and final selection begins with an award-winning novel. After differing with both the Baileys and the Man Booker judges I’ve finally found a set I can agree with: the Jerwood Fiction...
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Books to Look Out For in January 2016: Part 1
Yes , I know – it’s not even Christmas week yet but if you’re a little weary of the same old titles popping up on Books of the Year lists – mine included – you might like a peek at what’s to come in...
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Books to Look Out For in January 2016: Part 2
This second January batch roams around the world much as I’d like to myself in January, escaping the dullness of the British winter. John Irving is a writer whose novels I’ve loved but who seems to...
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Paperbacks to Look Out For in January 2016: Part 1
January gets off to a stonking start with enough paperbacks to keep you oblivious to the dismal British winter. Pride of place has to go to Kate Atkinson’s fabulous A God in Ruins. By now, anyone who’s...
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