Category Archives: All The Other Stuff

I’m doing a lot of reading of fairytales at the moment, and am being struck by the narrative joy inherent in them. ‘Once upon a time’. It’s a glorious, effortless phrase. It transports you instantly into a world of wicked stepmothers, princes turned into frogs, and talking cats. I always tended to read fairytales asContinue reading “Once upon a time”

So. This ‘sick-lit’ thing. Essentially this is a term coined by a Daily Mail writer to describe the perils of reading books about death, depression and the darker side of life. It’s a vitriolic piece that makes me very sad and I won’t be linking to it on principle. But what I will do isContinue reading “On ‘Sick-Lit’”

“Madge! Wake up, old thing! It’s Christmas morning! Merry Christmas to you!” (Jo of the Chalet School) To everyone I know either via this blog, or on Twitter, you’ve all made this year amazing in ways you can’t possibly begin to fathom. Thank you so much – and I look forward to it all continuingContinue reading “Merry Christmas!”

The trouble with tribbles trilogies is this. They’re hard. Want to know why? *puts on provocative hat* Because they, as a rule, lack tension. The form of a trilogy is, we accept, a fairly fixed thing. Book One, Book Two, Book Three. Something happens in book one, it continues to book two, and the entire quest isContinue reading “The trouble with trilogies”

Buffy Anne Summers. She saved the world. A lot. I love this show. I fell in love with Faith. Tara (never forget). Anya. Baseball Girl. Kicking ass with a witty pun. Xander and his increasingly pleasing forearms. But I don’t think I ever love(d) Buffy. That’s sort of fascinating to me. The fact that I droppedContinue reading “Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Unbearable Lightness of Being”

Sorry for two posts on the run about the same book, but sometimes a book grabs you and doesn’t let go. The thing about My Name Is Mina, is that it’s sort of a confluence of the two sides of my literary life. It’s a book that I didn’t realise I needed to happen untilContinue reading “A little bit more on My Name is Mina”

I felt that she’d have been even more pleased with my arabesque could she have seen it today. The beauty all around me did something to me inside. I can’t describe what it was, but it made me want to turn my arabesque into something better than it had been before. I wanted to express in my dancingContinue reading “A Dancer’s Dream”

Yay, we did it! This is the final list of my fabulous fifty titles chosen with no rhyme or reason save their general awesomeness! And here (part one, part two, part three, part four) is where you can see all the previous posts that got us to this point. Now, on with the show! Little WomenContinue reading “An esoteric and distinctly biased list of 50 children’s books you probably really should read (part five)”

The Princess Diaries – Meg Cabot I love these. They’re the ugly duckling tale of Mia Thermopolis who, during that first year of awkward High School-ness, discovers she’s actually the heir to the throne of Genovia. Essentially, Mia’s a princess. She’s a funny, gorgeously engaging narrator who you can’t help but root for. Plus MichealContinue reading “An esoteric and distinctly biased list of 50 children’s books you probably really should read (part four)”

The Jolly Postman – Janet & Allan Ahlberg This book is one of those that rewards persistence. Every double page spread has a *something* that can be pulled out of the envelope,  and be read. I love the layers that are at work here and how, very subtly and cleverly, the concept of story isContinue reading “An esoteric and distinctly biased list of 50 children’s books you probably really should read (part two)”

Artichoke Hearts – Sita Brahmachari Brahmachari stormed into publication with this stunning tribute to life, love and growing up. Told in first person by the engaging Mira Levenson, Artichoke Hearts covers some difficult topics but does so with such warmth and love that it’s hard not to fall in love with this rare gem ofContinue reading “An esoteric and distinctly biased list of 50 children’s books you probably really should read (part one)”

First published in 1941 and ultimately spawning a series still published today, the Black Stallion by Walter Farley is a classic of children’s literature and of the horse genre in the particular. A film adaptation, directed by Carroll Ballard,  of the first book in the series came in 1971. I chose it as my firstContinue reading “A book & movie review : The Black Stallion”

Oh my God I love the Miffy series by Dick Bruna. I really, really do. In fact I’d go so far as to say Dear Grandma Bunny is possibly one of the best books regarding death ever. There’s something about Miffy that just makes me smile every time I see her. And this cake isContinue reading “A Miffy Birthday Cake”

Books speak. I was reminded of this week when I picked up my old copy of Antonia Fraser’s Marie Antoinettebiography. My copy of this is worn; tired, quietly greying, and brim full of those blunt edges where the corners have just rounded off over time. But I love it. Every time I pick it up,Continue reading “There’s a place for us, somewhere a place for us”

Silly old snake, doesn’t he know? there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo!  Today’s Birthday cake is a ridiculously amazing Gruffalo cake by Creative Cakes by Cat. I found this and genuinely had to stop and just drool for a good few minutes. Look at the grass! And the fox! And the tiny tiny GruffaloContinue reading “A Gruffalo Birthday Cake”

Let the birthday celebrations begin! Over the next week or two I will be posting some of my very favourite children’s literature themed birthday cakes! This is my first, and as you can tell it’s a Jacqueline Wilson themed cake! I love how they’ve caught the exact nature of Nick Sharratt’s illustrations and the brightContinue reading “A Jacqueline Wilson Birthday Cake”

It’s my birthday! And it’s also my blog birthday in about two and a half weeks! So, officially, I’d like to invite *you* to the beginning of my birthday themed posts over the next week or so. We’ll be covering things ranging from the perfect schoolgirl birthday party (clue: there’s lots of food, and ifContinue reading “Birthdays!”

It smells dark, and woody, and story-filled. It smells of smoke, of fires, of bread baking in the oven, of thick summer night heat. It smells damp, and cold, and icy; it smells fresh, and clean, bright and new. It smells like you’ve never smelt anything before; like this is the first time you’ve everContinue reading “On reading”

LOOK LOOK LOOK AT THE AMAZINGNESS. Okay, so now I’ve calmed down a tad (I love this so much), I need to examine why this works. I think book trailers are actually really difficult to do. They need to act like a movie-trailer: you don’t want the whole thing, but you do want to getContinue reading “Meg Cabot’s ‘Size 12 and Ready to Rock’ – The best Book Trailer I’ve seen this year”

Jasmine Skies by Sita Brahmachari My rating: 5 of 5 stars Jasmine Skies was a book I was very nervous about reading. I really shouldn’t have been. For some reason, I got it into my head that it couldn’t be anywhere near as good as Artichoke Hearts. And then I started thinking about the wholeContinue reading “Jasmine Skies : Sita Brahmachari”

In no particular order, pop-pickers, here’s my top ten horses of Children’s Literature. It trots through over fifty years of literature and doesn’t skip a stride. So – get a nice, steady tension in the reins, squeeze with your legs, and “Walk on!” 1. Topthorn (War Horse – Michael Morpurgo) I love Topthorn for reasonsContinue reading “Top Ten … Horses”

I’ve written about my love for Michael Morpurgo on numerous occasions and in particular the gorgeous War Horse which I’ve been lucky enough to both read and see the play. Now, at last, I’ve watched the film. Essentially the strapline to this film could have been “War Horse : IT’S TIME TO CRY AND WEEP ATContinue reading “Film review : War Horse”

This post is part of the “I’m looking for a book about…” review group hosted by Playing By The Book. This months edition is focused on books about the seaside, beaches and oceans. More information and a schedule of upcoming topics is available here. The titular quote to this post comes from Mina Harker, a characterContinue reading “Oh, why did I go to Whitby?”

I love Pop Up Books. I really do. And these from Jenny Chen possess an almost ineffable beauty. The image below is from Colossal, a blog which is stuffed full of visual inspiration on a daily basis. I gather from the blog post that these are mock-ups and if the mock-ups are this beautiful, thenContinue reading “Three amazing pop ups”

I have a lot of love for KM Peyton. And I’ve spoken before about how she just gets love. She gets it, warts and all. But I’ve never specifically focused on Ruth before which is a disservice to a shaded, finely drawn character that does something very unusual in a series. She grows. I’m remindedContinue reading “Ruth Hollis”

I lurk on Tumblr. It’s a space for me to let a different side of me breathe. I call it Research and Staying In Touch With Things but to be honest a lot of it is mainly based around giggling at things like this. I have a range of tags I track (my latest isContinue reading “Thinking outside the page”

I had the great pleasure to attend an amazing children’s literature conference this weekend. Now, for those people like me (I am an INFJ) who may be very new at this sort of event and also a little bit wibbly about the whole Networking Thing, I thought it would be a good idea to share someContinue reading “On Conference Attending”

One of my favourite characters in children’s literature is Roberta (Bobby) from The Railway Children. The Railway Children, originally serialised in 1905 and published in book form in 1906, is a fascinating novel. And God, but Bobby is just a perfect perfect creation. She’s introduced as Roberta which is then swiftly changed into the derivativeContinue reading ““Daddy, my daddy!””

Welcome to the world of “Something To Do”. I have a massive weakness for this sort of book. Anything that is full of Handy Hints and Useful Tips and Exciting Things For Girls And Boys pretty much gets an instant pass with me.  Published in 1966, written by ‘Septima’ and illustrated by the divine ShirleyContinue reading “Something To Do”

image credit: Shira Golding (Flickr)

Baking! Has! Never! Got! Tougher! Than! This! The lovely Zoe at Playing By The Book recently held the Edible Book Festival 2012 – and my equally lovely friends and I took part! So, what can I tell you about cake book baking? Start with a plan – and be flexible. If it can go wrong,Continue reading “Edible Book Festival 2012”

image credit: tourist_on_earth (via flickr)

You know you’re a book collector When you can’t go past that shop It’s in the way your body stops. You turn to your friends (if you’re single, you’re already in it) And say “Do you mind? – If we just?” The reply, if we’re honest, doesn’t matter Because you’re already inside And you’ve neverContinue reading “You know you’re a book collector…”

Today is World Book Day and this year I decided to do something a little bit different. Book Aid International is a charity who supports literacy work in sub-Saharan Africa. I’ve taught in Ghana and I’ve seen the difference that education can make first-hand. Helping an individual develop their ability and confidence so that they areContinue reading “Happy World Book Day”

from aikijuanma on flickr

I have been thinking about sadness. I have been sad recently, thinking about this and that, and people that have gone and will never come back. And I have been crying, weeping desperate, gulping tears over my books. They reflect me, I think, on a whole. I read into things what I feel at thatContinue reading “I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil”

Flambards. A trilogy plus one that I first read for the horses, and a series that I cannot let go. KM Peyton’s saga is (excuse the near-tautology) epic; she swathes a group of people in layers of love, loss and life and it is so very near to perfection. Christina, the central character arrives atContinue reading “Rereading Flambards”

The Eagle is a 2011 adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliff’s definitive historical classic ‘The Eagle of the Ninth’. Directed by Kevin Macdonald  (The Last King of Scotland and Touching The Void amongst others), The Eagle tells the story of Marcus Aquila and how he discovers what happened to his father’s legion – the Ninth – whichContinue reading “The Eagle”

I’ve been doing this blog, properly, for just over a year now. It’s my BLAnniversary! (I do so love an awkward prefix).  Thank you so much if you’ve commented, read or even glanced at one of these posts. To celebrate this auspicious occasion (and to try and gloss over the fact that I forgot toContinue reading “Blanniversary (A Top Five of 2011)”

I stop. I stop, right there, and I listen. I close the page, put the book down and I stare. That’s all I do. Just stare. I stare into space and I wonder how I’d cope. I wonder what I’d do if it were me. And I feel it coming. I feel it in theContinue reading “On crying”

This is a very swift round-up of a couple of posts / items which caught my eye this week and that I thought were worthwhile sharing. Though it’s from a primarily American perspective, this report on teaching young children in a digital age is fascinating (*nerdface*). The more I look at this sort of stuff,Continue reading “The news”

I’ve banged on about the magnificence of KM Peyton before (I reviewed ‘Dear Fred’ here, and elaborated on my love for KM Peyton here) and I hope you don’t mind me doing it one more time. There’s something rather gorgeous about this feature where Meg Rosoff professes her love for KM Peyton. I find it really ratherContinue reading “My hero : KM Peyton”

I’ve not much experience with Tony DiTerlizzi. He’s always been one of those authors who I know the name and I know they’re popular but I never quite got round to it. So I rectified that this week by picking up The Search for WondLa. The Search For WondLa is kind of awesome and kindContinue reading “The (slightly too literal) Search For WondLa”

I’m such a sucker for a school story and this is ticking all my boxes. It’s a sample chapter from Maureen Johnson whom I’ve come across before (13 little blue envelopes, gorgeous wee poignant parcel of a book). Maureen’s also splendid on Twitter and properly worth a follow. Enjoy!  Maureen Johnson The Name of theContinue reading “Maureen Johnson : The Name of The Star”

In the halcyon post MA days, I’ve been able to devote a lot of times to my own personal writing. It’s been very weird to come back to it as it’s been on the backburner for a fair few months as the shift between academic and creative proved too difficult to manage. Trust me youContinue reading “Rediscovering writing”

I’ve blogged before on how I love John Boyne’s “The boy in the striped pyjamas”. It’s a hell of a book. Last night I also finally managed to see the film adaptation. It’s interesting watching a film when you know approximately what’s going to happen. You prepare yourself for the ending. The awful awful stomach-punchContinue reading “The boy in the striped pyjamas : film review”

Quick heads up – it’s on BBC2 (UK) tonight @ 9pm. I love the book so will blog about my reactions to the film. I’m intrigued to see if it translates well to film and whether the quiet subtlety of the text remains present. I’m also prepared to be a weeping mess by the endContinue reading “The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas”

My birthday was this week. My amazing mum and dad got me a Kindle (best parents ever). There’s a small problem though. I think I’m this close to marrying the Kindle. I am, as previously blogged, a Book Collector. It started with the Chalet School, branched off into Angela Brazil and Elsie Oxenham and nowContinue reading “Kindle power”

I love my books. Being reunited with them is always an utter utter joy. I’m such a dork. I say hi to my mum, hi to my dad, pat the dog perfunctorily, tickle the cats and then race upstairs and stare lovingly at my babies. These shelves contain all the authors I can’t let go.Continue reading “Robin Jarvis or Why The Old Ones Are Still The Best”

The airport bookshop. I always find the concept of them exciting. There’s so much potential. A constantly changing clientele. Children – and adults – desperate for some sort of stimuli. The airport bookshop is part of the package of “holiday” for me. It’s part of the steps you take; from that nervous have-I-really-got-my-passport through toContinue reading “The Airport Bookshop”

This blog is now on holiday. Postings may, for the following two weeks and a bit, be of a sporadic nature, involve substantial abuse of exclamation marks and tenuous links to things found abroad (mon dieu, cette bandes dessinées est incroyable!) Normal service will resume from mid-August. See you then.

I have to admit that Iran is one of those mysteriously appealing places to me. That, Tibet and Easter Island (random yes I know) are some of the places I long to visit. It was with great pleasure that I discovered this list in the Guardian from Kamin Mohammadi – I’d specifically (and to keepContinue reading “Ten books on Iran”

I have rediscovered my love for Ruby Ferguson after I picked up a copy of this at a local library ‘chuck out all the books we forgot we had’ sale. And oh it’s ace. Jill’s Riding Club. Written in a time when all you needed was a pony (or two) and a will to ride becauseContinue reading “Ruby, ruby, ruby, ruby (aaahaaahaahaahahhh)”