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and snakes and stones never broke my bones

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21st August 2023

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Lucky Dip

Night Speakers: Sleepless
Ian Archie Beck – Q&A
So many films…
Wrestliana
Recurring Dream
Kate on the Case
The October Witches

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The Secret Lives of Colour
Nature School
Always Take Notes
Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
Norse Mythology

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Willy's Wonderland (2021)

Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball

Godkiller

The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper

Amelia Fang and the Half-Moon Holiday

Timothy Baker - Q&A

Stephanie Sorrell - Q&A

Double Feature

Bookshops: England

Tiffany Aching's Guide to Being a Witch

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Just about to tuck in #fishsoup #paprika #homecook

Just about to tuck in #fishsoup #paprika #homecooking #cooking

I am looking forward to the #fallout tv series, bu

I am looking forward to the #fallout tv series, but you know it won’t follow some of the more important mysteries that were never explained in game

In my happy place #cooking #soup #paprika #sumac

In my happy place #cooking #soup #paprika #sumac

Crushing the coriander seeds

Crushing the coriander seeds

Happy #caturday

Happy #caturday

Walking home last night #blackandwhite #snow #ghos

Walking home last night #blackandwhite #snow #ghost #editing

Laura Ellen Anderson. HarperCollins. (224p) ISBN 9

Laura Ellen Anderson. HarperCollins. (224p) ISBN 9781405287074

Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief

Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief is another adventure for Amelia and her fangtastic friends, this time we may get to the root of the problems between Nocturnia and the Kingdom of Light.

Just as we thought everything was going to be fine between the two kingdoms after Tangine found his mum and Amelia brought down the nefarious Unicorn Lords, things seem to be getting worse. Who (or what) is behind this latest escapade?

Everyone except Amelia and Tangine are losing their memories and all the old fears and enmities start to return.

So once more it is up to Amelia to solve the mystery and restore everyones memories.

Again, this was a wonderful romp through Laura Ellen Anderson’s fantasy world, with more facets being revealed in each story this promises to be a world that we can revisit again and again.

And can I just say that the collective sigh of relief from the young people waiting for this was actually audible in several when I told them it was there waiting for them.

Jorge Luis Borges. Vintage Publishing. (176p) ISBN

Jorge Luis Borges. Vintage Publishing. (176p) ISBN 9780099442639

The Book of Imaginary Beings

In 2018 (and still continuing now) I had set myself a challenge to read more books that were seen as classics (or by authors who are seen as authors to read) and more books that had been translated into English.

The Book of Imaginary Beings fits nicely into both categories.

Ostensibly a short survey of mythical and imaginary beings from around the world, collected by Borges and then revised, enlarged and translated by Norman Thomas di Giovanni in collaboration with Borges, this becomes much more when enlivened by Borges prose.

Beautifully descriptive and humorous, Borges weaves the tales into a cohesive whole in this modern bestiary.

Think I may have to pop to MIMA for my lunch, need

Think I may have to pop to MIMA for my lunch, need to get out of the shop now and again

Another day another bus

Another day another bus

Yoko Tawada. Granta Books. (144p) ISBN 97818462767

Yoko Tawada. Granta Books. (144p) ISBN 9781846276705

The Last Children of Tokyo

The Last Children of Tokyo another book that I saw on the trolley as I was shelving and was instantly fascinated by the cover.

It also fits in with my goal of reading more books which weren’t originally written in English.

Looking at a world in the near future, set in the Tokyo of this world, older people aren’t dying but the young aren’t thriving, though it is always unclear whether or not the children are evolving or just getting more and more fragile.

Yoko Tawada’s prose is beautifully sparse but explores the characters so vividly, it brings Yoshiro sharply to life with all his dreams, reminiscences and worries.

An exploration of family life in a future Japan set against an environmental disaster could have been sensational but we are treated to a warm and compassionate look at the intricacies of a shattered family and all their frailties.

Translated by Margaret Mitsutani, and it feels with a light and loving touch.

Katie and Kevin Tsang. HarperCollins. (224p) ISBN

Katie and Kevin Tsang. HarperCollins. (224p) ISBN 9781405287517

Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts

Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts is the first in the Sam Wu series, and I of course have read number two before reading this one, but it takes nothing away from it.

Sam feels that he has to prove he isn’t Scaredy-Cat Sam after an incident at the Space Museum and goes out of his way to do this, along the way he gets a new pet and decides to defeat the Ghost King to show people he isn’t scared of anything.

A wonderfully illustrated story of friendship, relationships, bullying, and perseverance in the face of what really does scare you.

This is a fast-paced adventure story that I didn’t want to put down and laughed out loud at a few of the scenes, but the biggest seal of approval is that my nephew loves Sam and Fang.

Looking forward to book three in the series.

Can you imagine how hazardous this is to a long wh

Can you imagine how hazardous this is to a long white (now pink) beard?

I’m the youngest person in this cafe, first time

I’m the youngest person in this cafe, first time after living in Darlington for 17 years…

Good view though, food was also good

Jessica Miller. Faber & Faber. (240p) ISBN 9780571

Jessica Miller. Faber & Faber. (240p) ISBN 9780571335732

Elizabeth & Zenobia

It’s actually been a while since I read Elizabeth and Zenobia and it still stands strong in my mind.

A wonderful mystery with imaginary (?) friends, loss, obsession and certain Victorian sensibilities.

Elizabeth moves to a big house in the countryside with forbidden areas and strange happenings, her father is distant but her imaginary friend Zenobia is intrigued by the happenings in the house (well for most of the time if she doesn’t get bored that is).

Elizabeth and Zenobia have to solve the mystery of the house to save another and themselves.

There is a lot of creepy humour and adventure throughout the book, I love Witheringe House. The intrigue interwoven with their father’s past and his plant obsession is fascinating, and the friendship between Elizabeth and Zenobia is wonderfully portrayed.

Quite looking forward to The Republic of Birds which comes out this October.

Somebody watching the day start, too cold to go ou

Somebody watching the day start, too cold to go out yet

Ewa Jozefkowicz. Head of Zeus. (208p) ISBN 9781786

Ewa Jozefkowicz. Head of Zeus. (208p) ISBN 9781786698957

The Mystery of the Colour Thief

In The Mystery of the Colour Thief Izzy is beset by a lot of problems in this story, her mum is in a coma in the hospital after a car crash that she feels is her fault, her dad is not coping at all, and her best friend, Lou, is shunning her for others.

This is a wonderfully written book on the feelings of a 12 year old whose world has turned upside down and is trying to stay in control of it.

This is achieved in the end through the help of a new friend, Tom, and in helping a weak cygnet gain strength and live.

There is also the problem of all the colour draining from a mural on her bedroom wall, removed by a shadowy figure who appears in the night.

A story of guilt, loss, grief, friendship, bullying, and hope.

I also have to say I loved the illustrated dust cover on the hardback edition which was made by Sophie Gilmore.

George Orwell. Penguin. (144p) ISBN 9780141036618

George Orwell. Penguin. (144p) ISBN 9780141036618

Books v. cigarettes

Totally bought this because of the multiple essays on books, bookselling and book reviewing – some of my main pleasures in life.

The title essay is still as apt now as it ever was, comparing the price of a book with another common leisure purchase which today we usually use a coffee as a comparison rather than cigarettes. Well written and structured and putting forward arguments I’ve used.

The other book related essays are great examples of Orwell’s writing and thought processes, and still seem as relevant today as when he wrote them in the early 20th century.

The other essays in Books v. cigarettes are about seemingly unrelated subjects, but are all linked with a view on society in his time that of class and the growing thoughts on socialism and how unjust uk society was if you had no money. The essays on boarding school, poverty, and patriotism are all well reasoned and explained.

A great little read, especially if you’ve read any other Orwell non-fiction and appreciate his thoughts and writing style.

Going home, still got the hat and gloves

Going home, still got the hat and gloves

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