Random thoughts

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Cover image for Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater

Books of Year 2023: Part Two

After last year’s surprisingly sunny visit to Manchester we decided we’d probably used up our Northern spring good weather luck, heading off to St Leonards-on-Sea in Sussex for a short break to see family in April. The month’s reading got off to a brilliant start with ex-bookseller Alice Slater’s Death of a Bookseller which took …

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Cover image for Boundless as the Sky by Dawn Raffell

Books of Year 2023: Part One

I’m feeling quite pleased with myself having pared back this year’s list to twenty books, a first for me, although I’ll have to guard against more sneaking in as I look back over 2023. As usual, I’m planning four posts, one per quarter, beginning with a remarkable piece of writing which got my reading year …

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My 2023 Booker Wish List

Not my favourite prize but I seem unable to resist putting together a wish list for the Booker, quite possibly because I know very few will be fulfilled but I’m keen to give some more neglected titles an airing even though they’re unlikely to have been nominated let alone make the judges’ grade. To be …

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Six in Six meme

My Six in Six: 2023

I spotted this meme on Margaret’s Pyrenees to Pennines blog which I follow for her striking photography. She in turn had picked it up from Jo at The Book Jotter, the meme’s originator. It’s a simple way of arranging some of the books you’ve read so far this year. Jo has lots of headings to …

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Booker Prize 2022 logo

My 2022 Booker Wish List

Not my favourite prize – sadly one of those bit the dust earlier this year when Costa withdrew their sponsorship – but I can’t resist posting some wishes for the Booker longlist, keen to give some more neglected titles an airing even though they’re unlikely to make the judges’ grade. To be eligible for the …

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