Following Devon Book Club’s #fantasyfortnight event, my reading list has grown substantially. In turn I’ve been able to share some of my recommendations, including the titles in this blog. I have my local St Thomas library to thank. I’ve always regarded libraries as an essential hub of the community, and in the time of a global pandemic, they came to the fore. Courtesy of the library’s online click and collect service, I’ve been able to get my hands on some really great reads.
Each Monday evening at 8pm I tune into Devon Book Club on Twitter, following the conversation at #devonbookhour. Perhaps less personal than a face-to-face book club, although with members from Devon and beyond, as far as New Zealand, it gives an interesting perspective on all things books. And every so often there are themed events, like #fantasyfortnight beginning next week. Since I am a resident writer and reader of the fantasy genre, I have been asked to co-host, and to prepare an accompanying video introducing the event, some personnel recommendations of mine, and a snippet intro. of my own work.
It’s an interesting way to start the year, which was also accompanied by a new book delivery to replenish stocks of Return of the Mantra. I do love the sight of a box of new books.
Happy reading, happy writing, and if Twitter is your thing, feel free to join Devon Book Club for #fantasyfortnight – Worlds Beyond Borders: from folklore and fairytale to demons and dystopia.
Reviews are a gift to a writer, and so I like to do my bit, especially when it’s a book I’ve particularly enjoyed. For any book lovers out there yet to discover Goodreads, I highly recommend it as a treasure trove for championing books and discovering new reading material.
Two dystopian titles come to mind when I think about recent great reads.
I often think of stories as a gift to the world; at least that’s how they feel to me when I’m reading. Whether it’s reading to relax or be entertained, wanting to learn something new or have your imagination stimulated, or wanting to travel and explore from the comfort of your sofa. And when a book becomes worn after several rereads, there comes the feeling of companionship found while curled up with favourite characters.
I’ve never had a problem with self-motivation, which, as a writer, is handy. Writing a story, finding a publisher, editing to the final draft, can feel like an uphill struggle. My first book is published, the second is in the editing stage, the third is on the first draft, and I still live by the Mantra, don’t focus on how far you’ve got to go, focus on how far you’ve come. In writing as in life, I find this a useful Mantra, none more so than in recovery.
I remember the days of tape recorders and cassettes, the horrifying sound of the tape being chewed, and the delicate task of winding it back with a pen. And the excitement of opening a gifted multipack of blank tapes, deciding and sorting an order to record. Gran still called the radio a wireless, and TVs sported three whole channels that could time out, leaving you with trade test transmissions.
As evening approaches, I imagine people discussing their resolutions for the New Year. I’m not one for resolutions. Instead I try to stick to the simple motto: keep trying to do better. In life as in writing, with practice, hopefully we improve.
Ooh, a 5* review for Return of the Mantra!
My Review- I had the pleasure of meeting Susie at Fantasy Con this year in Chester and after a lovely chat about her book. I asked if I could review it for her. Suffice to say it made my Top 20 reads of 2018 finishing in thirteenth place. I cannot wait for the sequel to […]
It’s the Monday after Exeter’s first literary festival, and I’m left with the question, ‘Do we stop to think how much we take for granted?’
I’m thinking about the main character in Return of the Mantra; a young woman who grows up in a society where freedom of speech, books, stories and historical truth are controlled.
I often think of writing as tapping into that introverted side of yourself. Time spanning hours, days, months and years are spent alone, with your own head for company, creating worlds, characters, themes and plots that will ultimately blend into your story. And all the while that story sits in the comfort of your carved out niche, told only to you and your nearest and dearest.
