Today I’m pleased to introduce my final guest of 2020 and the last of this year’s Writers on Location, Cath Barton. The UK has made only infrequent appearances in this long-running series, but the north-west of England gets a moment in her post on the coastal town of Morecambe in Lancashire. There’s something I found … Continue reading
This is the first post of England’s Lockdown 2 (today is the halfway point, not that I’m counting), but not the last, as I have some exciting things lined up. Not many writers can commit right now, so I’m doubly grateful to acclaimed guest author Tyler Keevil, who grew up in Vancouver and now lives … Continue reading
Welcome to the my latest reading round-up. I soon realised that covering four books a week would be a stretch once I’d cleared my backlog (I read fast, but not that fast, and if everything was worth recommending there wouldn’t be much point to this) – so I hope you’ll continue to join me ‘as … Continue reading
The first quick-fire round-up went down well last week, prompting lots of shares and interesting conversations, which was the whole idea. Thanks to you I also added a few promising titles to my own TBR list. Today I’m going to dive straight in with four more novels I’d recommend as there’s lots to say about … Continue reading
Last week’s Writers on Location post was a heart-warming start to autumn on the Sofa with Jude Cook reliving the childhood memories of Paris which inspired his new novel Jacob’s Advice (Unbound). There will be more guest author posts in the months ahead, with Tyler Keevil (Your Still Beating Heart, Myriad Editions) and Cath Barton … Continue reading
Lots of readers seemed to connect with last week’s blog post which was much more personal than I would normally write. People have thanked me and I’d like to thank everyone who read it and/or got in touch. That means a lot to me. Today it’s back to business as usual, if you can call … Continue reading
It’s always an honour when the authors of books I’ve connected with agree to appear on the Literary Sofa, but today is unique because I’m hosting someone whose writing I have not only enjoyed for a very long time but since before I had a clue who he was. Never one to be deterred by … Continue reading
Regular visitors to the Sofa will know that short fiction doesn’t often pop up here, so when it does, it’s something really special. Today’s guest Amanda Huggins is the first short fiction writer ever to appear twice on the blog and the timing is perfect to congratulate her on winning the 2020 Colm Tóibín International … Continue reading
So far I’ve hosted far fewer Writers on Location posts than usual this year but am making up for that now with two in a row on books from my Summer Reads selection: last week it was the gorgeous Greek island of Paros for Dugald Bruce-Lockhart’s thriller The Lizard and today, a visit to Cornwall … Continue reading
My Summer Reads selection is always the high point of the year on the Sofa and I was delighted that it was greeted with so much enthusiasm two weeks ago – thanks to all concerned. As mentioned, there will be a smaller follow-up of 6-8 titles in late July but today it’s time to kick … Continue reading