Call me cynical, but when a reviewer says that main character or even ‘star’ of a novel is a city or a country, I’ve learned to adopt a certain suspicion. Yes, I can think of dozens of books across both literary and commercial genres where the setting is a hugely memorable element of the story, but not … Continue reading The Glass Room
A month or two ago I was at the paperback launch in Bath of Kissing Mr. Wrong by local writer Sarah Duncan but only got round to reading it last week when it was a welcome distraction from the grim realities of jury service. But although this is a light read, it certainly isn’t frivolous, … Continue reading Kissing Mr. Wrong
Despite the odd nice surprise, I’ve had a bit of a reading drought recently. You know how it goes. You join a book club expecting to extend your range of reading (and therby your enjoyment) but end up with stuff you just don’t particularly take to. I’m glad to say this patch has well and truly … Continue reading Manna from heaven
I’ve written before about Zoe Fairbairns but the only book of hers I actually possess is Daddy’s Girls, which I picked up this week when thinking about our book group theme of brothers and sisters. I’ve really enjoyed rereading it, although it has provided a couple of surprises. First of all, although I must have … Continue reading Daddy’s Girls
Interesting discussions at this week’s Alternative Book Club where we had all chosen a film or TV tie-in. I (and most others!) had somewhat perversely chosen books of which we had not seen the screen version, but this didn’t stop us having a lively spat on the relationship between the two genres. My own choice … Continue reading From page to screen (or back again)
Ali Bacon / Books and Other Things 