• I can’t think of a more obvious way to be inspired to write than to love reading. Even if you have a story to tell, you must still need inspiration of how to tell that story? My mother encouraged me to read, and read I did. I love to read, I read every day and Read more

  • Les Misérables

    by Victor Hugo I only got round to reading this last year, at the age of fifty-two. Part of me wishes I had read it earlier, but then, on the other hand, there are many books that I wish I could read again for the first time so I’m glad I saved this one till Read more

  • The Overstory

    by Richard Powers This is an engaging and frightening novel about forests and the price that some people are willing to pay to bring attention to the catastrophe that is unfolding on our planet. The novel is structured in such a way that we are introduced to (the ‘Roots’ of) a handful of diverse characters Read more

  • James

    by Percival Everett No spoilers unless you haven’t read Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. If you haven’t, I would recommend you do, but it’s not necessary. Straight up front, be warned: this book is not ‘ferociously funny’ as described in the blurb. There is a nod to Twain’s satire, there is gallows humour, cynical wit Read more

  • Beginning to Write

    As a child I read at the kitchen table with my fingers in my ears and held the book open with my elbows. I read Roald Dahl and Agaton Sax and The Hardy Boys. I found a friend in Charlie Bucket and Danny, The Champion of the World. I found suspense and excitement with Agaton Read more