Books

Rónán Hession – Leonard and Hungry Paul

I had no recollection that I had read this book before. The front cover - probably more exciting than the book Up until the moment where the Chamber of Commerce competition is mentioned I read it as a wholly new experience. Even when I remembered the incident with the box of chocolates, the words around… Continue reading Rónán Hession – Leonard and Hungry Paul

Books, Life, Travel

Hay Festival 2024 – Part Two

Obviously, because we were here on a Saturday, I looked for the nearest Parkrun. ‘There’s one in Hay-on-Wye’ itself! You two can have a pootle around the town while I go run.’ Angela, our friend and instigator of this trip, did not look as excited as me, about leaving the house at 8.20am on her… Continue reading Hay Festival 2024 – Part Two

Books

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle – Haruki Murakami

I think that Murakami is an acquired taste. If you like surreal; if you like David Lynch movies; if you like Kafkaesque craziness, then you may like this. I’ve read a couple of his fiction books before: Norwegian Wood and 1Q84, and I remember the second one in particular being very strange indeed. It begins… Continue reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle – Haruki Murakami

Books

The Salt Path – Raynor Winn

For one of my pieces of coursework I was trying to find examples of travel writing when Anne handed me this book. And then I started underlining passages within it before she told me she’d borrowed it from a friend. Oops, sorry! A slightly bent cover - sorry about that too I was going to… Continue reading The Salt Path – Raynor Winn

Books, Running

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running – Haruki Murakami

The book, scribbled notes and all I’ve just finished reading, or should I say re-reading, this book. Because my writing course will focus on creative non-fiction, I’m trying to pick up a few more of that kind of book to learn how the professionals do it. Normally Murakami writes novels and I’ve enjoyed many of… Continue reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running – Haruki Murakami

Books

The Halloween Tree – Ray Bradbury

The front cover of The Halloween Tree I have just finished a book that was recommended to me by a friend and fellow blogger, Kat. It’s a small book and could be finished off in just a half day if you have that to spare, but it took me three smaller sessions. To me, Ray… Continue reading The Halloween Tree – Ray Bradbury

Books

The Mirror And The Light – Hilary Mantel

Last night I finally finished the great tome that is The Mirror And The Light. It’s taken me ages. Not because it’s rubbish, far from it, but because of life getting in the way. But now, with relief and a little sadness, the trilogy is done. Hilary Mantel herself says that ‘It was the hardest… Continue reading The Mirror And The Light – Hilary Mantel

Books

The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman

I have to say straight off that I’m not normally one for reading Crime Thrillers as a genre. But this was a well-publicised book by Richard Osman, who is quite famous in the UK for other things and, well, it was in the house. Was it really that 'Gripping'? Anne read this before me, as… Continue reading The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman