Feeling uninspired by Halloween? Try these three horror filled books . . .

 

Disclaimer: should you make a purchase through any of the links in this blog, MonstaReader might earn a small commission from the sellers, but this has no affect on the cost to the consumer and it does not influence the content of this blog.

If you're left feeling cold by the idea of Halloween, try one of these three horror filled novels. And, if you're still left feeling cold, check your pulse, you may just be a zombie!

1. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

Twenty-six year old Patrick Bateman works on Wall Street; he is handsome, charming, and intelligent. And he lives a life that juxtaposes the American dream with a dark and brutal nightmare.

You can purchase American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis here.

2. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

In this science fiction tale, genetic engineers have created a dinosaur amusement park. Dinosaurs are now walking the Earth with human beings and a dream has been made real. But, there is a dark side to the dream and, when the park's defense systems fail, horror and suspense take over!

You can purchase Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton here.

3. Handling the Undead by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Something strange is happening in Stockholm. The dead are waking up . . . 

David's wife dies in a car accident. But, when he goes to identify her body, she starts to move . . .

Across Stockholm, families find themselves able to see their loved-ones one last time . . .

This is a gothic horror story about love and death, a horror story that will shock you and move you.

You can purchase Handling the Undead by John Ajvide Lindqvist here.

I do hope that these three suggestions have sparked some spooky ideas for you this Halloween!

You can support my writing by buying me a coffee on ko-fi.com - the caffeine keeps me sufficiently prepared for any spooky surprises, as well as it keeps me tapping away at my keyboard!

Thank you to every supporter and every reader . . .

And, have a happy Halloween!

A day in the life of a book blogger

 

Disclaimer: if you should make a purchase through any of the links in this blog, I may earn a commission from the sellers, but this does not impact the cost to the consumer and it does not influence the content of this blog.

I'm afraid my first thoughts today were not bookish ones. No, my mind turned toward more horticultural matters.

I have come to stay at my parents house for a while because plumbers have been putting holes in the ceilings where I live. It's been a bit unpleasant, and I would have been left without a bathroom for days, so I threw myself on the mercy of mum and dad.

However, I have had to leave my potted plants behind. So, this morning, when I awoke, some of my first thoughts turned towards my flowers and my strawberry plants. I hope that they are doing all right.

I made up some egg fried rice and turned my thoughts towards my entrepreneurial endeavours. You see, I am starting up as a freelance content writer/copywriter. After losing work during lockdowns, and getting bored of waiting around for somebody else to give me a job, I decided to go for it and pursue an idea I had had for a while. I mean, I am already blogging (creating content/copy) for pleasure, and there are mofos (do people still say mofos? Should I ever have been saying mofos?) that get paid to do it!!

This is my second bookish blog post of the day. I wrote this one earlier. As you can see, I am not writing review posts today. One of the reasons for this is that I have left some notes on the last book I read, and could review, back at the flat . . . Not much use there! The other reason for the lack of a review post is that the last book I read is a book on grammar and I am not entirely sure there'd be much interest in that . . . Still, that concern hasn't stopped me before!

As well as my bookish blogging, I write a nature blog here. Nature and wildlife are, in many ways, more important to me than my love for books. I hope, if you'll give my little nature blog a chance, you won't hold that sentiment against me!

As I navigate the rest of the day, I will mostly be considering my blogging and my efforts in copywriting, in trying to start up my own business. But, because I don't want to be a dull boy, I shan't be all work and no play - I see a little lazy television viewing and a glass or two of something naughty in my not too distant future.

I hope your day has been a good one, and I hope that you enjoyed this read. If you did, perhaps you could buy me a coffee on ko-fi.com - the caffeine gets me through the day and brings me back to my keyboard where I can write all about it! Thank you!

Life and book blogging . . .

 

Disclaimer: If you should make a purchase through any of the links in this blog, I may earn a small commission from the sellers, but this has no impact on the cost to the consumer and it does not influence the content of this blog.

It has been about a month since I last posted here. And it's been a pretty draining month.

For my family, the last month has consisted of a funeral, two birthdays, and holes in the ceiling. A lot has been happening and sometimes things fall by the wayside. Blogging doesn't seem all that important when you're trying to be there for family, or you're trying to juggle the everyday stuff.

But, books are still present in my life. They have been one of those constants . . .

A little bookish concern . . .

The other day, my mum told me a little story. She had had an exchange with my niece via one of the social media platforms, I forget which one, and my mum asked my niece whether she was still as avid a reader as she had always been. But, as it turns out, my niece feels that she cannot read as much as she used to because the schoolwork that she is given keeps her from doing so. And, to me, that is pretty sad . . .

I just thought I would bring that up because, well, here we are on a book blog, and it seemed an absurdity to me that school, of all things, should be keeping kids and teens from reading! What do you think? Sound familiar?

Book blogging self doubt . . .

I think that I am a good writer. What do you think?

I don't think that any of the greats are under any threat of being knocked from their pedestals because of what I am doing, but I think that I am decent enough. And, to be honest, I look at what I am doing, what I am capable of, and I think I am quite a bit better than others who get more recognition than I . . .

Perhaps I should stop there on that one, before I move completely and unforgiveably into bitterness!

I think though that the lack of recognition might be one of the reasons that it's so easy to let this whole blogging gig slide for a while when life throws me some challenges. I look at some of the figures other bloggers report for their visitor numbers and I think, "Shit! Really! Halve that, halve it again, and we're still not hitting the embarrassingly low number of people that are visiting my rather bookish blog!"

So, tell me, is it me? Am I doing something wrong? If you are reading this, what can I do for you that will improve the chances of you sharing these little rambling and rather bookish ponderings?

And, as for monetising my efforts? Jeez, don't get me started! I see people paying for articles that are not as well written as my own. And, I think that some of this stuff I tap onto my screen and throw out into the ether of the internet is enjoyable, entertaining, or informative. Some of it is just filler, I'm aware of that. But still, decent filler is still worth something.

Maybe I should stop giving anything away for free? But I don't want to do that because this is also about reaching out, finding a community . . .

Oh, I don't know . . .

Fill in this clueless bookish blogger in the comments.

Life, and books, and writing, and other things . . .

I'm trying to start up a business (copywriting). A funeral (I'm not going into it here - I don't feel the need and, to be honest, I'm not going to write about it purely for engagement). Two birthdays. Holes in the ceiling (pipes and plumbers) . . .

Books and writing are still there in my life. Even when life is throwing shit at us, books are still there. And I don't know exactly why I can't let them go. Maybe it's just a habit. Maybe it's a crutch. Maybe if I really threw it under a lens I would see it for what it really is and learn a little more about myself. But, I can't be bothered with all that right now. I've got enough going on. 

I am just happy that I have the time and space in my life for books and writing. Even when life and doubts and questions are flying around me, books and writing are there. And I guess I will keep them even if no one is paying attention.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading; I am truly appreciative of your time and your attention. If you enjoyed this piece, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi.com - the caffeine keeps me reading, writing, and navigating all of life's highs and lows.

How to read more diversely!

 

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In recent years, I have increased my efforts to be a little more diverse in what I read and add to my bookshelves. And by this I mean not only that I am attempting to read more books authored by people who aren't white men, but also that I am trying to step a little further away from my comfort zone by dipping my toes into genres I might otherwise have ignored.

This is not an endeavour to win woke points, and I don't think anyone should be browbeaten into reading books that are considered righteous, nor do I believe anyone should be made to feel ashamed of books they do read. We might ask questions, but that's one of the reasons we read in the first place, right? To explore themes, issues, and have conversations?

For myself, I have never been the sort of reader that leans heavily into one genre over another and on my shelves you'll find Shakespeare's sonnets right through to modern day best-sellers. However, there have been genres of which I would steer clear. Not for any particular reason, just that I didn't really think they had anything for me.

Books like A Ration Book Wedding by Jean Fullerton, for example, would never have found there way on to my shelves. I am a chap after all, and I have had a preference for stories of adventure over stories of love in the past. But now that book, along with others exploring the themes of love and relationships, have come to occupy my shelves.

I understand entirely that people will want to read for comfort, for escape, and for pleasure. I read for those reasons, and when those are my reasons for turning to my bookshelves I might not be particularly interested in diversity. I might just want to pick up a book I enjoy and let the world go to hell! But, as I say, I've no interest in browbeating anyone into adding books to their shelves that they would have no interest in - this is just a friendly exploration of ideas.

How do I read more diversely?

• Sign up to newsletters from your favourite bookshops and get all sorts of recommendations sent directly to your email inbox! (And give them real consideration - don't scroll through just because it's a genre you wouldn't usually bother with).
• Read reviews, and get excited by them. Yeah, you might take a risk on something you wouldn't usually read and be disappointed. But you could be equally disappointed, if not more so, by that author you always read who writes a dud!
• Follow book bloggers who write about their favourite genres. If you want to get into horror, follow a horror fan. If you want to get into romance novels, follow a fan of romance novels. If they are passionate enough about the genre that they spend their time and effort writing about it they might just know what they are talking about.
• Follow bookish social media accounts. Mostly for reasons similar to those in the preceding bullet point.
• If you have favourite authors on your shelves, do a little research and look at who their favourite authors are in turn. Many writers read diversely in the pursuit of being better writers and improving their craft. Through your favourite writers, you might just get turned on to something you hadn't considered before.
• There are other ways, but to finish this bullet point list I will conclude with probably the most important point I can think of - just be a little bit more open. Even if you endeavour to try and read only those books that make you feel comfortable, you'll never get to read them all. You can easily spare some time, money, and effort and take a chance on something different. You may discover a gem you might have otherwise missed.

Well, that's my little rumination on reading diversely done with. I hope you enjoyed it or found something useful therein. If so, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi - the caffeine keeps me reading and writing! Thank you!

Travelling to Infinity by Jane Hawking - a review and analysis

 

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In this candid memoir, Jane Hawking, the first wife of Stephen Hawking, tells the story of their marriage. It is a love story. But this love story is a true story, not a fairytale. It includes all the tests and trials of a marriage as well as the beauty and joy. 

As Stephen Hawking, the theoretical physicist and cosmologist, and his wife were coming to grips with the fame his work regarding black holes had drawn, they were also navigating the motor-neurone disease that was gradually and progressively paralysing his body. And, in Travelling to Infinity, Jane Hawking writes with honesty about the challenges they faced, navigating the worlds of fame and degenerative illness, all whilst trying to care for and support a growing family.

In the postlude section of the book, Jane Hawking writes that her initial hesitancy to write about her life with Stephen gave way because "my life was public property anyway as a result of Stephen's fame, and it would only be a matter of time before biographers started to investigate the personal story behind his genius and his survival: that would inevitably include me." And the author writes with honesty but with care and respect for her former husband. This is no 'warts and all' biography for the base celebrity gossip crowd; this is a considered and thoughtful book on the love shared in a family, and in a marriage.

As well as exploring family life and marital love, this book is also a consideration of what it takes to live with a degenerative illness, and the strength it takes to be a carer. This is a book that is worth the reading, even if you've no interest in physics or cosmology, because this is a book about neither of those things. This is a book about being human.

You can buy a copy of Travelling to Infinity by Jane Hawking here, from bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops!

Thank you for reading, if you enjoyed this piece, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi - it fuels the writing and the reading! Thank you again!

Wondering where you can find some rock 'n' roll between the pages?

 Nine books that rock!

Disclaimer: if you make a purchase through any of the links in this blog, I may earn a commission from the sellers but that does not effect the cost to the consumer, and it does not influence the content of this blog.

And, now that that's out of the way, shall we begin?

1. This is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl by Paul Brannigan

"Grohl and his groups dissected with gumption." - Mojo

Purchase this book here and be sure to look out for the new book written by the nicest guy in rock himself!

2. Heavier Than Heaven: The Biography of Kurt Cobain by Charles R. Cross

"A superbly researched and harrowing book . . . The squalor is ghastly but the sheer sadness of Cobain's brief life is conveyed here. Cross has painstakingly accumulated a wealth of telling detail." - Robert Sandall in The Sunday Times

You can purchase this book through the Waterstones link on this blog's home page!

3. Chronicles: Volume One by Bob Dylan

Chosen as a book of the year by so many different people it deserves it's very own post!

You can purchase the book here!

4. Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie

"Wild as a train whistle in the mountains, a scrumptious picture of fighting, carousing, singing, laughing, migratory America." - The New York Times

You can purchase this book here!

5. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Not a rock 'n' roll novel itself, but one that influenced many of the musicians that would read it!

"It changed my life like it changed everyone else's." - Bob Dylan

You can purchase this book here!

6. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

"This book is undeniably hip, full of student uprisings, free love, booze and 1960s' pop, it's also genuinely emotionally engaging, and describes the highs of adolescence as well as the lows." - Independent on Sunday

You can purchase this book here!

7. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind

A book that Kurt Cobain enthused over and which inspired lyrics for Nirvana's final studio album, In Utero.

You can purchase this book here!

8. Waging Heavy Peace by Neil Young

"Eccentric, sprawling, absorbing. Before you know it you're at page 400 . . . and you don't want it to end. You see rock and roll history from the inside out." - Independent

You can purchase this book here!

9. Touching From a Distance: Ian Curtis & Joy Division by Deborah Curtis

"Revered by his peers and idolised by his fans, Ian Curtis left behind a legacy rich in artistic genius. Mesmerising on stage but introverted and prone to desperate mood swings in his private life, Curtis died by his own hand on 18 May 1980." - from the book's blurb

You can purchase this book here!

Well, that's it, nine rockin' books! If you found anything you like the look of here, you can buy me a coffee over on ko-fi - it keeps me reading and writing! Thank you for reading!

The Road by Cormac McCarthy - a review and analysis

 

Disclaimer: should you make a purchase through any of the links in this blog, Monsta Reader may earn a commission from the sellers. This does not impact upon the cost to you as the consumer and it does not influence the content of this blog.

There are a number of people that piss me off.

Racists. Homophobes. People who litter. Especially people who litter in our countryside. People who don't clean their bird feeders. People with a half-arsed approach to animal care in general. People who never consider that they might be the ones who are wrong . . .

And me. I really piss myself off sometimes.

As a remedy to these curmudgeonly feelings, I either immerse myself in the pages of a good book or I take off for a long walk along a public footpath, preferably in the countryside. In Cormac McCarthy's novel, The Road, I was able to follow a father and son on their own long and solitary walk. Theirs fraught with more danger than any I have ever known.

In this novel, set in a post-apocalyptic world, the central theme explored is that of the bond between father and son. Indeed, the novel was inspired by a trip that the author took with his own son to Mexico. And he dedicates the novel to this son.

Being set in a post-apocalyptic world amplifies the fears and concerns that a parent might have for their child - the sort of world that is being passed onto them; how they might survive once they are left without the guiding hand of the parent; the parent's role as protector. McCarthy explores all of these with consideration and tenderness.

The pair, the father and son, must keep moving. In the world that they live in, there are those that would do them harm, and resources must be sought out. Food and clean water are no longer something that can be taken for granted, for example. They must be hunted out and rationed.

I enjoyed the author's style of writing, but this is not an easy novel to read, filled with haunting moments as it is. The father and young son of the book having to traipse along the road they are on, facing the adversities they have to face, really shone a light on the strength and purity of that bond that can exist between a parent and their child. As I say, the situation of the novel throws everything at this pair, challenges that could at any moment tear them apart, but they endure and take strength from their relationship.

Though it is not explicitly mentioned in the book, some have drawn the conclusion that the apocalypse of the story was an environmental crisis. And the lack of animal and plant life, and the sparseness of human life, certainly points towards a mass extinction event. Whereas mentions of unsettled weather in the book points towards climate crisis. However, the author does not explicitly tell the reader what has caused the dead world in which the characters live.

Reading books like this, pondering the story, can really force the reader to consider the circumstances of their own life. All those things that have us running around, concerned and convinced of their importance and urgency, are they really all that important? If you were to lose everything, if you were made to fight, what would you fight for? What is really important? And what can you let go of? Maybe it isn't worth letting all those people piss you off for a start . . .

To purchase a copy of The Road by Cormac McCarthy, follow the link here.

Thank you for reading. If you made it this far, you can support me by buying me a coffee on ko-fi - it keeps me caffeinated and writing!

This is what happens when you don't use it! (Spoiler : you lose it!)

 

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Recently, I returned to a book that has been on my shelves for a little while; Elisabeth Smith's Fast-Track Russian, from the Teach Yourself range of educational books. I had no reason for learning some basic Russian when I bought the book, just an interest in trying something new. After buying the book, some years ago now, I went through the book once, and then it returned to my shelves and, as far as I can recall, wasn't disturbed again until a couple of weeks ago.

Elisabeth Smith's Fast-Track Russian

Elisabeth Smith has written a number of books for the Teach Yourself range. In fact, to quote the blurb on the back of my copy of Fast-Track Russian, "Elisabeth Smith has published more than 30 books, CDs and DVDs in 11 different languages. She has taught audiences all over the world." 

And, in this book, the author sets out a course which, if the reader follows the structure of said course, can have the reader speaking Russian in just six weeks. Not fluent Russian, of course. But just enough that you might be able to get by in a casual conversation or two in a Russian speaking part of the world.

When I tried to learn Russian from Elisabeth Smith . . .

I decided fairly early on that I would not strictly follow the course, which was probably my first mistake. Other people's structures and designs on my time are anathema to me. And, besides, my own approach seemed to be working just fine. For a while.

I think I was about half way through the book when I realised I was losing interest. Not that I stopped. I endured. But it became much more noticeably a chore than it had been when I started the book. I kept on at the lessons and reached the end of the book, but it was more about enduring than enjoying the process by the time I reached the end. However, this had nothing to do with the book itself. I just had no opportunities to use what I was learning, you see. And so, many of the words and rules waned and faded in my mind.

The result

I can probably pluck a few disparate Russian words from my memory and construct something resembling a sentence. But someone for whom Russian is their first language may find me hard to understand. Some English speaking people find me hard to understand though, to be fair, so . . .

As I read the book, I had some successes with the tests and progress tracking exercises within. But, I'm afraid, much of that has passed from the surface of my mind down into the cellar levels. There they are, the words and rules, gathering dust like bottles racked. Perhaps I could go down there and pluck them out if I should need them. But, the problem is that I just don't have much need to use them. I fear that, unlike fine wines that improve with time, the knowledge I have acquired and bottled in my mind's cellar, may be more like milk, and if I go down there to open up a bottle after too long, I will just find a lumpy and off-putting mess.

If you enjoyed this little piece of ponderous pondering, feel free to buy me a coffee on Ko-fi - all support is appreciated because it keeps me writing and blogging! So, thank you!

A Little List of Songs Book Lovers May Appreciate!

 

Disclaimer: should you make any purchases through any of the links in this blog, Monsta Reader may earn a commission from the seller but that has no impact on the cost to you as the consumer, neither does it influence the content of this blog.

This post is fairly straightforward. We are going to take a little look at a few songs that are either inspired by books or references them in the lyrics. So, shall we dive right in?

Queen - Bicycle Race

I don't believe in Peter Pan

Frankenstein or Superman

To get the message across that he'd rather be riding his bicycle than anything else, Queen singer, Freddie Mercury, runs through all the things in which he has no interest. At least when compared to enjoying a bicycle ride.

Fans of J. M. Barrie's creation, Mary Shelley's novel about a scientist's desire to create life, or the comic books about Kryptonite's most famous son, may be disappointed that Mr. Mercury has no time for these books. Though, to be fair, a little outdoor exercise is good for you!

https://youtu.be/gWJ8_B9BVxo

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mellowship Slinky in B Major

Being that I'm the Duke of my domain

My hat goes off to Mark Twain

Singing a song about what true men don't do

Killing another creature that's kind of blue

At the peak of their funk rock powers, on their 1991 album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, lead singer Anthony Kiedis uses this song as an opportunity to show reverence for some of his favourite things. Just after the first chorus, the lead singer references Mark Twain, Truman Capote, and Charles Bukowski, as well as some of their work.

https://youtu.be/RRQwn8rmZfo

Sergei Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet: The Dance of the Knights

This piece is taken from Prokofiev's ballet, Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64, which is based on William Shakespeare's famous play about the star-crossed lovers. The piece was composed in 1935 and is well known; even if you are no fan of classical music, trust me, you have heard this piece before.

https://youtu.be/Z_hOR50u7ek

Nirvana - Scentless Apprentice

Every wet nurse refused to feed him

Electrolytes smell like semen

I promise not to sell your perfumed secrets

There are countless formulas for pressing flowers

On Nirvana's last studio album, Nirvana's Kurt Cobain paid homage to Patrick Süskind's novel, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, a novel set in 18th Century France and telling the tale of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. Jean-Baptiste is born with an incredible sense of smell but has no scent himself. He is also a murderer and unable to form healthy relationships with anyone.

The song is violent and dirty, just like the character in the book.

https://youtu.be/GyxoQIQaogE

Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights

Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy

I've come home, I'm so cold

Let me in your window

This song is inspired by Emily Brontë's novel of the same name. In the song, Bush sings from the perspective of the book's character, Catherine Earnshaw, a ghost at Heathcliff's window. As a fun fact, Kate Bush and Emily Brontë share their birthday - 30 July.

This song was Bush's first single, released in 1978, and she wrote it when she was only eighteen.

https://youtu.be/-1pMMIe4hb4

I hope you enjoyed this little list post of rather bookish songs. If you did, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-fi, where I regularly post updates about this blog and other of my writerly efforts. All support is gratefully received - it keeps me writing! Thank you!

When books cause offence and how we work through those feelings!

 

Disclaimer: should you make a purchase through any of the links in this blog, Monsta Reader may earn a commission from the sellers, but this has no impact on the cost to the consumer and it does not influence the content of this blog.

To begin with I have to confess that, until recently, I had not heard of Kate Clanchy or her memoir. That was until I became aware of a discussion surrounding that particular work taking place on Twitter, and the reaction that it had inspired from Philip Pullman on that social media platform.

Since having heard of the author and the book, what I've heard has not made the memoir particularly attractive to me; with problematic language concerning race, people with disabilities, and class having been highlighted by writers and readers. The passages have been reported on widely now and I won't reproduce them here but, to my eye, they read more like passages from a book that might have been written fifty years ago.

Perhaps though, that is a misconception that I have the luxury of being able to labour under, because I do not see the presence of these attitudes today as much as I might if I weren't looking at the world through white and able eyes. I am fairly certain that I have said, done, and thought extremely foolish things exactly because I have sometimes been stupid enough to not consider the other point of view and the experiences of others. I hope though that I am learning better.

No, I haven't read the book at the centre of the controversy so what I can say about the work is limited by that. However, I did become aware, after the fact, of the abuses directed at writers such as Monisha Rajesh and Dara McAnulty online. And that saddens me, as it should.

I have always thought that the bookish side of Twitter was relatively unproblematic. A friendly and welcoming space. One does like to think that the bookish are a considerate and intelligent bunch. But, alas, it seems that isn't always the case.

Instances like this have the power to highlight wider problems. When the language used in the memoir was pointed out as problematic, it was a gifted opportunity for the author and readers to listen and learn. Instead, the author chose to deny and refused to engage initially. Other writers sprang to her defense and were dismissive of the issues raised. This perhaps encouraged the abuse that followed, directed at those that had highlighted the offensive passages.

According to a poll from 2017, the vast majority of the publishing industry identifies as white. A fact that is very telling. It suggests that it is the white perspective that is still very much getting represented in the literary world, and that perhaps works are passing in front of eyes that might miss offensive and problematic content because of what they do not see.

There are those that will argue the point at any hint someone is trying to censor books or dictate what can and can't be said by writers. And this is understandable; censorship and erasure of literary works has its own problematic and horrific history. However, it would seem nobody who highlighted the offensive content in this book was seeking the book be banned, taken from shelves, or pulped. Instead, they seem only to have sought to shine a light on why they had taken issue with the language of the book. They sought only to ask the questions that needed to be asked. And perhaps they hoped that by having the discussion they could draw attention to a still present problem.

However, rather than being heard and considered, their attempts were dismissed. It's a bad habit that we white readers and writers must break. After all, we are not the only readers and we are not the only ones harbouring writerly hopes and ambitions.

As I write this, I am aware that there is possibly much that I haven't touched upon, that which deserves time and consideration. I write this piece as a book lover, as someone who puts a lot of stock in those who are writerly and bookish. I have the luxury of not being directly impacted by the words and passages written in the book, because I have the luxury of never having been subjected to dehumanising language from others based on my race or a condition with which I have been diagnosed. I am also aware that I may have gotten things wrong myself. I hope that I haven't, because I wouldn't want to cause hurt to anyone reading this, but if I have, I hope that I can learn better.

If any of the preceding is written poorly, please do forgive me. I had my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday and it left me a bit more tired than usual. Still, I will take tiredness and a decline in quality of writing for the vaccination. However, if you have any criticisms then please throw them my way. If you have any praise, I will happily take that too! 

Thank you for reading.

If you found any value in this piece, you can buy me a coffee over on Ko-fi; it turns out that once you reach a certain age, you don't get lolly pops for getting jabs any more, but I'll take a coffee for writing instead! All support is gratefully received; it keeps me writing, so thank you!

Seven pick up lines for the single book lover - one for every day of the week!

 

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I cannot promise that any of these lines are going to lead to any bookishly romantic tropes becoming apparent in your life - falling in love with a millionaire or a time traveller anyone? And, even armed with these pick up lines, you may still find that the only thing you are taking to bed is a good book.

You may find these lines mildly amusing though. So, there's that . . .

1. "I want to show you my Secret Garden." (why, uh, beat about the bush? Ahem.)

With reference to The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

2. Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day? Thou art more damn hot!

With reference to Shakespeare's Sonnet 18. 

3. "Damn! If you were print, I would have to squint to read you because you are too damn fine!"

4. "Give me a chance and I will do what I can to meet all of your Great Expectations."

With reference to the novel, Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens.

(Unsolicited Dickens pics not advised)

5. "Dr. Jekyll on the streets, Mr. Hyde in the sheets, baby!"

Referencing The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

6. "Now and then, I do love a bit of Philip K. . . . "

Referencing the author, Philip K. Dick, whose surname is, well, you know . . .

7. "We could build a beautiful library together."

Just a play on the old, "We could make beautiful music together."

Well, there you go. As promised, a bookish pick up line for every day of the week. Again, please do not be surprised if none of these are successful. This list is purely for the lulz.

If you enjoyed this rather tongue in cheek piece, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi where I regularly post updates about this blog and other of my writerly endeavours; all support is received gratefully! It keeps me writing, so thank you!

More reading prompts that will pull you out of that slump!

 

Disclaimer: should you make purchases through any of the links in this blog, Monsta Reader may earn a commission from the sellers, but that has no impact on the cost to you as consumer, nor does it influence the content of this blog.

As I type this it is half past nine on a Sunday morning, and I imagine that you, like me, are probably in the mood for something gentle and easily digestible. So, I thought I would provide you with another brief list of reading prompt ideas, suggestions that are designed to inspire you to seek out something a bit different. Or, maybe just remind you of that one book you meant to get around to reading but never did.

You can read my last reading prompt list here.

So, without further ado . . .

Read a book set on a farm

The first book that comes to mind is George Orwell's Animal Farm, which, as you could tell from the title, even if you know nothing else of the book, is set on a farm. What you might not know is that it is a satirical allegory of human society and politics. Yeah. If you fancy something a little lighter, or if you have children, maybe you could give E. B. White's Charlotte's Web a go. Though, on second thoughts, that book might just put you through the emotional wringer; maybe I was wrong to suggest it's "lighter". Well, as long as it's set on a farm it fits this category, so go find something that suits you!

Read a book you'd read on the beach

Well, this one is entirely up to you really. Maybe you love to settle down on a blanket and immerse yourself into some cosy crime novel. Or maybe, as you bathe in the sunshine, you need your book to be filled with sunshine and cocktails too. If you aren't able to get to a beach right now, maybe you'd like to read a travel book to inspire ideas about where you'd like to go next. I like Bill Bryson's writing and he has written some humorous and wonderful travel books.

Read a book that celebrates women

Or a woman. There are plenty of significant female figures from history. Whether you love science, art or literature you ought to be able to find a biography out there somewhere. Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, Emmeline Pankhurst, Mary Wollstonecraft, Florence Nightingale, Jane Austen, The Brontë sisters, Boudica are just some of the women throughout time that have influenced the course of history. Perhaps though you'd like a book such as Difficult Women by Helen Lewis, which focuses on women who changed history. Personally, I might recommend The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, which asks the question, why is it that Jack the Ripper has become an almost mythical legend figure and his victims all but forgotten? This book reminds the reader that they were real women, with real lives, and real struggles and hopes.

Read a book with food and/or drink on the cover

You may just head to the food section of your local bookshop and pull a cookery book from the shelves for this one. There are plenty of recipes out there for almost everyone's budget, ethics, and lifestyle! However, don't forget that there are plenty of other books with a foody theme, or where food features prominently. There's James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl for the kids. Or Chocolat by Joanne Harris for the grown ups. There are also non-fiction books that investigate how food is sourced and sold, such as Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, or Food Politics by Marion Nestle. As long as there's something edible and/or drinkable on the cover, you choose.

Well, that's it for now. I don't want to overwhelm you on a Sunday morning. If you enjoyed this piece, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi, where I regularly post updates on my blogging/writerly efforts. All support is gratefully received and very much appreciated - it keeps me writing! Thank you!

Some Amazing Reading Challenge Ideas to Get You Out of That Reading Slump!

 

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You ever hit a reading slump? Well, in this piece we are going to go through some reading challenge ideas that might just get you out of that bookish malaise. Pop this page in your bookmarks and, when you're looking for something new, take some inspiration from the prompts below!

Read a book set during your teenage years

This one is all about nostalgia, and if you really want to immerse yourself in that time you might want to read a book where the protagonists are teenagers themselves. If you're a millenial, maybe you'll pick up The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, a novel that touches on many of the concerns of teenage life. If you're a member of Generation X, you might want to pick up About a Boy by Nick Hornby. Personally, I am a millenial that feels culturally more comfortable in the Gen X camp!

Read a book by an author with a name you like

This one is entirely up to you. Maybe you like the way their name rolls off your tongue when you say it aloud. Maybe you like the name because it's a name shared with a loved one. Maybe you couldn't say exactly why you like the name, you just do. If you were to ask me, I might pick up a book by Charles Bukowski; there's just something about that surname. Bukowski!

Read a book by an author you'd like to meet

Another one that's a personal choice. Which writer would you love to sit down with? Are there any books that you've read and thought, "Whoever wrote this gets me!" Or, maybe someone that you think you could converse with and walk away from that interaction slightly better off. They do say you should never meet your heroes, but maybe you'll be okay reading their books . . .

Read a book with a happy ending

Hard to gauge unless you already know what the ending is going to be. However, you might be okay if you immerse yourself between the pages of something in the Up-Lit genre. This genre may touch on some deep and profound topics, such as mental health, for example, but generally delivers an uplifting and life-affirming story. Well known authors that have written books in this genre include Matt Haig and Gail Honeyman. If you still haven't read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, I very much recommend that you do.

Read a book set in a place that you love

Personally, I would pick a book set in the countryside for this category. Which means I might pick up Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee, a book that's on my shelves but that I haven't read yet. It might also mean picking up one of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple novels, one set in the fictional village of St. Mary Mead. I do like novels set in villages that are also set in the past for some reason. However, maybe your tastes are different. But, hey, the world is your oyster, and though you might not be able to go there physically, you can let the pages of a good book take you there!

Read a book by a black author

As a white boy bibliophile, I am aware that my bookshelves could do with a little more diversity. Not because I am trying to score woke points, but because if all I ever read is straight white voices then I am at risk of viewing the world mostly from that point of view. After all, one of the reasons I love to read is that it offers me the opportunity to see things from a point of view other than my own. My shelves are not exclusively made up of white voices, but they could be better.

Read a book set during your childhood

See the prompt suggesting you read a book set during your teen years. This is like that, just set during those years before the angst and insecurities. As I said, I am an old millenial but feel more in common with the Gen X's, so I might read Douglas Coupland's Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, a novel set during the years when I was a child, but one that is not about childhood.

Read a book by an Asian author

I include this prompt for much the same reason that I include the prompt to read books by black authors. I haven't yet read On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, but it is firmly fixed on my list of books I intend to purchase in the near future. Perhaps you might also like the bestselling works of Haruki Murakami. And, Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong looks well worth a read.

Read a cook book

This one's a little different! One of the great things about books is that they have the power to inspire, and cook books can be as inspiring as anything else. They can be the impetus you need to change your habits to something a bit healthier, maybe they can provide you with ideas when you're on a budget, or maybe just give you the inspiration to try something new. Whatever kind of food you enjoy, or the kind of life you live, chances are that there is a book of recipes out there for you too!

Let me know if you're in a reading slump and if any of these suggestions inspired anything for you. If any of these suggestions did the opposite, let me know about that too. It's all good!

I hope you found something here you liked. If you did, consider following/supporting me over on ko-fi where I post updates on my blogging and writerly efforts. You can buy me a coffee or support in other ways. All support is gratefully received and very much appreciated! It keeps me writing!