Read / November 16th, 2015
(Again, like last week, it can be hard to draw a line between what is suitable for ‘younger’ and ‘older’ readers because of the variety of tastes and abilities of children. Today I’m looking at what suggestions I have for about age 10+ but won’t include Young Adult (YA) literature. That deserves its own post.)…
Last weekend I did something I haven’t done in years: go a movie by myself. Although, strictly speaking, it wasn’t a movie, rather a streamed broadcast of the Hamlet stage production at the Barbican in London. It makes my head whirl, such is the scope and possibility of opportunities these days – when once you…
Life / November 11th, 2015
I’ve struggled with the decision whether to post this or not. As you can see, I have. I’ve written it in the most appropriate way possible – but as you’ll discover, there’s some upsetting descriptions. Attendance at an Anzac Day dawn service at Gallipoli is a vigil. As a participant, you’re well aware of…
Read / November 9th, 2015
(Note: by younger readers I mean those aged between 5-10 years of age. I realise this is a bit of an arbitrary line as the tastes and abilities of children vary from person to person, but it’s what I’m gone with here.) Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright by Chris Riddell is the third, and latest,…
I’ve been in bed these past few days with a cold – nothing serious, just your typical snotty tissue pile, never-ending thirst, aches and pains. As you can tell, I’m a delight when I’m sick. See? One standout from the past week was Pax Australia, which I mentioned in passing last Friday. I…
Read / November 2nd, 2015
Welcome to my annual series of book posts of recommendations for Christmas (or special occasions). As ever, if you’re after a very special present for a baby or young child, you can’t go past picture books. I love them and my two still read them on occasion – especially if it’s an old favourite. Speaking…
In the next five minutes – literally! – we’re off to Pax Australia for the day. I have no idea what to expect (it was a present from Adam), but it’s a gorgeous day in Melbourne and I’m sure it’s going to be interesting. The above photo is from a few days ago and I…
Can you believe it’s almost November? I keep telling my body that spring is well over half over, so it can stop with the hayfever already. It’s been so bad this year I’ve been waking up during the night unable to breathe through my nose – and probably waking up the rest of the household…
Read / October 20th, 2015
I read Holding the Man this past weekend in a single sitting as I made the most of a sunny Sunday in our hammock on the back deck. Perfect weather for a captivating book. Although Holding the Man has been in publication for some twenty years, it’s had a revival thanks to the successful –…
