Good bye Hilary Mantel, and all of the books you might have written
I was shocked to hear last night that Hilary Mantel had died, aged 70. I had read and adored Mantel's…
Book review: The Dispossessed by Ursula le Guin
I have to admit right now that science fiction is not my thing. For some reason, the idea of distant…
What I love about bookish events … and Ann Cleeves!
It was in the middle of a busy week that I'd organised to meet some bookish friends at an author…
Book review: Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
I'm so glad I finally got around to reading Sorrow and Bliss, after it had received glowing reviews from almost…
I find a prizewinning book harder to put down … does that make me a literary snob?
It is prize season in the Australian book industry, with Jennifer Down's Bodies of Light winning the Miles Franklin award…
Book review: French Braid by Anne Tyler
If you want a comforting family saga, it’s hard to go past Anne Tyler. Having recently read and enjoyed A…
Book review: The Women of Troy by Pat Barker
I have to admit I’ve become a bit of a Pat Barker fan in the past few years, having read…
Humour brings unexpected bliss to difficult themes
I've never made any secret of my love of a harrowing read. I love a book that leaves me feeling…
Why Sally Rooney’s latest left me a bit cold … and old
It’s hard to resist Sally Rooney’s books of youthful love, lust and friendship. Somehow, the 31-year-old writer perfectly captures a…
The joy of a film adaptation of a well-loved book
Today I went to the movies and watched Mothering Sunday, and it was fabulous. After having read Graham Swift's novella…
