2020: the year of self-isolation. Luckily, there have been lots of brilliant books to help along the way. I have been mainly relying on my iBooks account and reading PDFs of books kindly sent by publishers, rather than ordering hardcopies / being sent hardcopies which has been (yet another!) different experience altogether. Alongside my rolling Book of the Month book reviews, here are some other truly fantastic books I have read this year:
Category Archives: Book of the Month
A Latin Lexicon
Just a quick post to let you know about this fantastic book (illustrated by my Mum Amanda Short!)
Continue reading A Latin LexiconA Theatre For Dreamers by Polly Samson Review
I have written a review of the brilliant ‘A Theatre for Dreamers’ by Polly Samson for ARGO Magazine. Click here to buy a copy of the magazine!
Continue reading A Theatre For Dreamers by Polly Samson Review
The Thursday Murder Club
When a book gets this much buzz, I want to know more about it!
The Stories Behind Book Dedications
I’ve written a piece on ‘The Stories Behind Book Dedications’ for Spectator Life. Click here to read it.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
We have all had that moment of joyous realisation: if one small thing hadn’t happened, then our lives would have been so different. If I hadn’t got that Saturday job, then I wouldn’t have learned how to… or, if I hadn’t gone out that day then I wouldn’t have met… or, if I hadn’t had that teacher, then I probably wouldn’t have been so interested in their subject at school… The consequences of our actions, however small, can delight us.
Continue reading The Midnight Library by Matt HaigSmall Pleasures by Clare Chambers
In June 1954, the Sunday Pictorial Newspaper ran this story on their front pages: ‘British Doctors Give Their Startling Verdict After 6 Months’ Research on Virgin Birth’. It detailed the story of scientists who could not find proof that a man was involved in the conception of a daughter.
Continue reading Small Pleasures by Clare ChambersARGO Article
I have written a feature for ARGO Magazine on Alexandros Papadiamandis – a forefather of modern Greek literature. Continue reading ARGO Article
Don Short The Beatles and Beyond: Q&A and Bloopers
Here is another video, this time it’s a Q&A with Don Short talking about his book ‘The Beatles and Beyond’. Click here to see it!
Don Short The Beatles and Beyond The Process
Here is a video about the process of writing The Beatles and Beyond by Don Short. Click here to see it!
I hope everyone is well and staying safe at this difficult time.