The Literary Sofa
Isabel Costello
2012 – My Year in Books
Although it’s not yet December, it’s not too early to do a round-up of my literary year. This post centres on the books I’ve enjoyed most in 2012, which effectively means up to the end of October because I set myself the huge challenge of reading in full every pre-release title on my forthcoming Fiction Hot Picks … Continue reading
What Makes a Sexy Fictional Hero?
This post is a bit of fun. Do not even think about taking it seriously. When I first had the idea of writing about sexy fictional heroes, I was concerned that it might appear frivolous. So I took one of my regular soundings on Twitter and got a response that was, well, enthusiastic to say … Continue reading
Guest Author – D E Meredith ‘Why I Write What I DON’T Know’
For my recent post Write What You Know? I received some great replies when I asked fellow writers what they make of this piece of advice. I was so intrigued by historical crime writer D E Meredith’s answer ‘I write what I don’t know’ that I invited her to the Literary Sofa to explain why she feels that … Continue reading
Week in New York – A Disaster
As you may know, I was in New York last week. I got home yesterday feeling very disoriented; it’s not just down to jetlag, it’s as if I’ve come to land in a strange place I barely recognise. That place is normality. My son S and I thought we were going for a relaxing time seeing … Continue reading
Write What You Know?
There are many sayings about writing and almost as many clichés, the number one surely being ‘There’s a novel in everyone.’ I’m not getting into that. This is about that other old chestnut ‘Write What You Know’ (WWYK), usually attributed to Mark Twain (although I’m happy to hear he didn’t particularly follow it). I’ve always instinctively … Continue reading
Book Review – Hawthorn & Child by Keith Ridgway
I need to tell you something right up front – I don’t think any review can really do this book justice. It’s the impossibility of the task that makes me even willing to attempt it, and if that makes no sense, welcome to the strange world of North London detectives Hawthorn & Child. Keith Ridgway … Continue reading
Guest Post – Lesley McDowell on Literary Critics and Book Bloggers
Last week’s post Literary Taste – Who’s to Judge? attracted a lot of interest and thought-provoking contributions from readers, including literary critic Lesley McDowell. Her comments made me want to understand the perspective of professional critics, so in the interests of balance, I invited Lesley to join me On the Literary Sofa: When Sir Peter Stothard said … Continue reading
Literary Taste – Who’s to Judge?
Last week, while the Chair of the 2012 Man Booker Prize judges Peter Stothard was claiming that book bloggers are ‘harming literature’, I was busy sifting through the incredibly diverse and original ‘Best Book I’ve Read This Year’ entries in the competition to celebrate my first year doing just that. Blogging about books, that is. … Continue reading
Guest Author – Lloyd Shepherd on The Difference between Writing a First and Second Novel
It’s always fun when writers I know in the real world join me on the Literary Sofa. Enter today’s guest Lloyd Shepherd, author of The English Monster, the novel that made me rethink my attitude to historical fiction when I reviewed it on publication. UPDATE: Lloyd’s second novel The Poisoned Island is now out (February 2013) … Continue reading
Blog Anniversary Competition (now closed)
NOMINATE THE BOOK YOU’VE ENJOYED MOST THIS YEAR FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN A LITERARY LUNCH IN LONDON OR ONE OF MANY EXCITING BOOK PRIZES *Update – see below for Winners. Congratulations to the lucky entrants picked at random and to everyone who took the time to enter. The nominations were so fascinating that I’ve … Continue reading
My new novel SCENT – out in paperback on 19 May 2022
The Literary Sofa 