Category Archives: Reading matters

I’m such a fan of Hilary Mantel’s writing, so was thrilled to pick up a discounted copy of her story collection at a bookshop recently. There is a marvellous story  about two girls who are spying on a strange figure in … Continue reading →

One of the many wonderful things Donna Tartt does in her writing (see The Goldfinch) is use descriptive ‘lists’ … this is a technique that really adds depth and interest to her writing: “What I somehow hadn’t expected was a … Continue reading →

Dear Tina Just finished – late last night – the new novel. & greatly enjoyed it, did I. Congratulations’n’ all that I haven’t ever fished for trout, but have always loved the area. I used to stay, on a regular … Continue reading →

At my book group the other night, somebody asked if any contemporary novels would one day become ‘classics’, in the way that Dickens’ or Jane Austen’s novels are classic literature. I’ve just read the re-release of Tim Winton’s 2001 novel … Continue reading →

Am currently reading the collection of essays and reviews by Joyce Carol Oates called In Rough Country (2010), and was delighted to read that her first ‘mentor’ was her grandmother. “If I had a single mentor who guided me into … Continue reading →

Occasionally you discover a book that you wish would never come to an end. The Outlander by Canadian author Gil Adamson, has been one of those for me. Set in 1903, it follows a young woman called Mary who is … Continue reading →