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Archive
Behind-The-Books Blog
Wednesday Cover Story: The Devil’s in the detail…
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
There are definitely times when I’d happily hang a book cover on my wall or I take to displaying it front cover outwards on the bookshelf and The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt is definitely one of those. Not only does it ‘fit’ so well with the story inside, of an Edwardian mother and author [...]
Taking the Mick sells
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Being a bit of a Marmite fan, I can’t help but love Marmite’s latest advertising campaign for the new Marmite cereal bar.
A billboard poster with a gorgeous male model posing with ‘Marmite shower gel’ was bound to catch my attention (and the cute fabric softener and glitzy perfume ads are also great parodies of the [...]
The Jedward craze continues
Monday, March 29th, 2010
It’s coming up to Easter – a time to celebrate new life. Spring time means saying goodbye to the old and embracing the new.
This would be easier if some things weren’t so persistent.
It seems Jedward, the tune-challenged twins from the X Factor, are not only here to stay but they’re branching out into new ventures [...]
Long live the independent bookshop!
Friday, March 26th, 2010
These days we are sadly more accustomed to hearing the news of yet another independent bookshop closing, so it’s always heartening to hear news of ones that are thriving, relaunching or opening!
This month saw the launch of the Slightly Foxed bookshop on Gloucester Road (formerly known as The Gloucester Road Bookshop).
Like the quarterly review magazine [...]
Turn your spring cleaning into cash!
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
It’s that time of the year when the daffs are out, the mornings are brighter and the sunshine streaming through the windows convinces you it’s truly spring – and also highlights the need to clean the windows… Yes, it’s Spring Cleaning Time.
Now, I’m a complete hoarder and it takes a lot to convince me that [...]
Wednesday Cover Story: Remarkable Creatures, by Tracy Chevalier
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
I have a soft spot for book covers. I’m the first to admit that I’ve been coaxed into reading a book purely on the basis of its cover. Or indeed been put off by it. And I know I’m not the only one. So, I’ve decided to run a regular slot each week: Wednesday’s Cover [...]
Ode to a fallen hero
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
Everyone in the country – and probably the rest of the world too – now knows that David Beckham won’t be playing in the World Cup. Big boo! And the tragedy of Beckham’s Achilles injury has even been lifted from the realms of news-worthy media to literature by the pen of poet laureate Carol Ann [...]
Chips with everything!
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
About this time last year, when the snow was thick on the streets of London, I walked to work through some eerily quiet streets - pleasant crunching of white underfoot. Until that is, I neared Tottenham Street and my path onward was hampered by tape and a policeman directing me back the other way. Gigs, [...]
First Capital Connect Book Club
Friday, March 19th, 2010
As with many commuters out there, I like nothing better than to have a good moan about the state of the country’s trains. But for once I have something positive to say about First Capital Connect, the train company I rely on to take me to and from work every day. They are, as far [...]
Recommending War Horse
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Last night I went to see War Horse. If you enjoy the theatre and haven’t seen it yet, all I can say is: Go see it. It is so wonderfully original, so very moving, and of course, there are the wonderful horses. These beasts, made of wire, paper and wood, are brought to life on [...]
Eat like the Irish on St Patrick’s Day
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Being the resident foodie at Allison & Busby, it may not suprise you to know that I am on Delicious Magazine’s mailing list. Today, they sent me an email highlighting various Irish recipes with which to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Aptly entitled: Enjoy the tuck of the Irish…
You have to love copywriters and their puns.
So, [...]
Introducing The Reader Organisation
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
A few weeks ago I was chatting to one of our lovely work experience candidates when she mentioned that she’d been working for The Reader Organisation. I’d never heard of it before and what she told me had me so intrigued I had to find out more. So I had a look on their website [...]
A little bit of what you fancy does you good
Monday, March 15th, 2010
Calling all sweet-toothed individuals - have you reached the point in the day (mid-morning or afternoon slump) when you’re not sure you’ll be able to keep your head off your desk without an injection of sugar? Well, I have the answer, having fallen head over heels for Peyton and Burne. Our nearest emporium of sugary [...]
Review of The Changeling
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Recently, thanks to the lovely Lesley, I was given two months’ free subscription to Lovefilm.com, and, a month in, I’m loving it! It comes as a surprise each time I find a new DVD waiting for me – like a little present.
The latest to drop through my letterbox was The Changeling, starring Angelina Jolie and [...]
Vote for the oddest book title!
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Here’s to weird book titles! Time to vote for who you think should win the 2009 Diagram Prize - which awards the book with the oddest title of the year. The shortlist has been selected and the winner will be announced on the 26th March. The shortlist is as follows:
The Changing World of Inflammatory Bowel [...]
Too cool for the simple garden gnome?
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
I don’t often read the free London papers, just when I’m stuck without a book usually, but while crammed onto the Central Line the other day, I (really) couldn’t avoid reading over one girl’s shoulder. Apparently the average garden gnome is going to have his work cut out for him this coming year as a [...]
Author Blog Awards - Nominations Open!
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
The Author Blog Awards competition is now officially open! For a brief summary of how the competition works read our previous blog about the awards or visit CompletelyNovel.com. You can now nominate your favourite author blogs or micro-blogs (from now until 2 April) to give them a chance of being shortlisted for the awards. It’s [...]
Discovering Columbia Road Market
Monday, March 8th, 2010
I’m a west Londoner but I have to admit to a real love for the east end of town. This past weekend I visited a friend near Brick Lane who took me to perhaps my favourite part of London, Columbia Road Market. It took me a while to get there, arrived quite late at 1pm, [...]
Drink to get more children reading!
Friday, March 5th, 2010
Who doesn’t enjoy curling up on the couch with a good book and a glass of good wine? The two go together nicely and make for a relaxing evening.
But now I’ve discovered how wine and books can pair up for a much more worthy cause.
The Fledgling initiative aims to produce and sell delicious wine to [...]
Mindfulness and the Big Poster Challenge
Thursday, March 4th, 2010
For some reason, my name seems to have found its way onto an online database under Creative Director. Now that’s a fine title to possess, but sadly I can’t claim to hold such official creative prowess. (Would the A* in my Art IGCSE count?…)
So whilst I have to disappoint the illustrators, photographers and creative agencies [...]
Currently we are...
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...reading
The Rose of Sebastopol, by Katharine Mcmahon Lara: Mariella is an interesting protagonist – so far, not your traditional heroine and still second fiddle to the beautiful, enigmatic Rosa. This is the author’s aim I suppose, but I’m still interested to see if Mariella does finally come into her own – or if as readers you’ll always wish the story was told from Rosa’s point of view instead.
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