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francesmthompson's Reviews (976)
A deep, down and dirty overview of the history of jazz, this Bluffers Guide aims to educate you on the minimum you need to sound and seem convincing. A rich and witty writing style carries this guide well, with lots of additional "bonus point" bluffing material. In many ways it reads like the syncopating jazz melody that this book introduces you too, jumping from history to key jazz personalities and then ending with a list of "must listen" albums, which I'm now working my way through. I'll be sure to return to the Glossary in the back too for reference as I prepare to bluff my way through my new found knowledge. This book does exactly what it claims to, but now I want to know more about this important music movement.
How I wish I'd read this book two years ago... It would have saved me many hours (if not days) of research!
A gentle, but inspiring and stimulating introduction to the publishing market and the highs and lows of launching a book into that new world - be it self or traditionally published - Young has a knack of explaining things in a way that is completely readable and puts you at great ease. While other books for new authors can get quite specific about the ins and outs of Amazon algorithms and other peculiarities of an ever-changing market, Sell Your Books! is much more about the basics every author should know before they embark on their own publishing journey.
This book is both a comprehensive look at how a new author should approach the publishing industry and also a guide filled with lists of proactive steps and measures authors should consider (and take) in order to give their book the best possible entry to market. I particularly found her advice for securing support, PR and engagement in an author's local area very useful, and that her advice was backed up with examples from existing authors (there's a whole section of "author case studies" at the end of the book). In terms of the book's layout and structure, I think it was pretty much spot on with quirky chapter titles, thought-provoking quotes opening each new section and a very logical order to things. Based on the author's knowledge and experience (she's an incremental part of the Alliance of Independent Authors which is where I found out about Debbie Young and this book), I'd be very interested to read a follow-up to Sell Your Books! as I sense the author has much more to share!
A gentle, but inspiring and stimulating introduction to the publishing market and the highs and lows of launching a book into that new world - be it self or traditionally published - Young has a knack of explaining things in a way that is completely readable and puts you at great ease. While other books for new authors can get quite specific about the ins and outs of Amazon algorithms and other peculiarities of an ever-changing market, Sell Your Books! is much more about the basics every author should know before they embark on their own publishing journey.
This book is both a comprehensive look at how a new author should approach the publishing industry and also a guide filled with lists of proactive steps and measures authors should consider (and take) in order to give their book the best possible entry to market. I particularly found her advice for securing support, PR and engagement in an author's local area very useful, and that her advice was backed up with examples from existing authors (there's a whole section of "author case studies" at the end of the book). In terms of the book's layout and structure, I think it was pretty much spot on with quirky chapter titles, thought-provoking quotes opening each new section and a very logical order to things. Based on the author's knowledge and experience (she's an incremental part of the Alliance of Independent Authors which is where I found out about Debbie Young and this book), I'd be very interested to read a follow-up to Sell Your Books! as I sense the author has much more to share!
A collection of first person narratives as told to Craig Taylor, an adopted Londoner whose introduction to this book is one of the smoothest and sweetest openings I've read in a long time.
Lengthy, varied and honest the stories told capture the best, the worst and that undeniable pull of London that so many feel. While it definitely plays on a few (admittedly much-loved stereotypes) like the London Cabbie or the immigrants who make London so colourful there are more than a few too often unheard voices. My personal favourites were the scenes so vividly painted at Spitalfields fruit and veg market, Sarah's story from young Greek boy to wild-spirited woman and the young East Londoner who tries to improve relations between the Bangladeshi and white pensioners in his area. Highly recommend to those who love, hate or are fascinated by London... Thank you Craig Taylor!
Lengthy, varied and honest the stories told capture the best, the worst and that undeniable pull of London that so many feel. While it definitely plays on a few (admittedly much-loved stereotypes) like the London Cabbie or the immigrants who make London so colourful there are more than a few too often unheard voices. My personal favourites were the scenes so vividly painted at Spitalfields fruit and veg market, Sarah's story from young Greek boy to wild-spirited woman and the young East Londoner who tries to improve relations between the Bangladeshi and white pensioners in his area. Highly recommend to those who love, hate or are fascinated by London... Thank you Craig Taylor!
One Night at the Jacaranda takes the reader on a bumpy, fast-paced, warts-and-all tour of what life is like for a group of 30-something Londoners who find themselves at the same speed dating night in a Marylebone bar called the Jacaranda. What evolves from this night turns into a page-turning romp of "will they, won't they" style romantic start-ups, failings and twists and turns. Cooper has done well to give life to a wide range of characters all with varying backgrounds and burdens and I particularly liked those that sat on the fringe of the story and provided some humorous alternative storylines; London is full of oddballs so I'm glad they weren't excluded here! I particularly liked reading about Geoff - the GP - which is thanks to Dr Cooper's day job in family practice (my mother is also a GP) and I would really like to see the author develop a novel (or two!) about a similar character and story setting; her insight is wickedly funny but accurate! In short, Jacaranda is a sexy, quick-witted, eye-opening and heart-warming tale and I recommend it to anyone looking for a polished, well-crafted contemporary romance
One of the finest novels I've read in many months, if not years. A Tale for the Time Being alternates between two narrators; troubled Japanese schoolgirl Nao and novelist Ruth (i.e. the author herself) who is struggling to complete her next work. Instantly intrigued, I dove into the story of Nao and Ruth thinking it would reveal the intricacies of two very different and yet curiously connected characters. It did this, but also opened up to tackle and tame many timeless philosophical questions while also dealing directly with some of recent history's world-altering events including the Japanese tsunami and September 11th.
As a writer and novelist-in-progress, A Tale for the Time Being spoke to me on a deep personal level, so much so I'm considering buying a paperback version just so I can hold in my hands and touch with my fingertips the many words I highlighted on my Kindle. Without wanting to reveal too much, I was as moved by Nao's struggle as a teenage school girl in modern day Tokyo as I was witnessing the understated relationship between Oliver and Ruth, which shadows the author's own marriage - names, background, and I assume, warts and all. Well-researched, well-balanced and extremely well-written, A Tale for the Time Being oozes with originality, risk-taking and soul soothing. I feel this novel will help me write better, which I hope comes across as the worthy praise I feel the story and author deserves.
As a writer and novelist-in-progress, A Tale for the Time Being spoke to me on a deep personal level, so much so I'm considering buying a paperback version just so I can hold in my hands and touch with my fingertips the many words I highlighted on my Kindle. Without wanting to reveal too much, I was as moved by Nao's struggle as a teenage school girl in modern day Tokyo as I was witnessing the understated relationship between Oliver and Ruth, which shadows the author's own marriage - names, background, and I assume, warts and all. Well-researched, well-balanced and extremely well-written, A Tale for the Time Being oozes with originality, risk-taking and soul soothing. I feel this novel will help me write better, which I hope comes across as the worthy praise I feel the story and author deserves.
Quick to get going and slow to let the real issues at hand sink in, reading Howard's End was a joy - and I say that as someone who often lets "the classics" intimidate her into avoiding them completely. But E.M. Forster deserves all the praise that has been thrown at him over the last century because this story of three families who straddle the social spectrum in early 20th century England, is effortless to read, delightful in terms of language and yet extremely effective at educating and enlightening the reader about issues that persist in British (and other) societies. A special mention should also go to the humour that reaches out to you as you read this novel - never let laughter (through Forster's fine, fine characterisations and gentle observations about people) be underestimated as the finest communication tool in a writer's armoury to build trust, promote engagement and see an interested party through to the last page.
Howard's End has much more to offer a reader keen to read the classics but reluctant to come up against pages of description and slow moving story lines. If you read one "classic" piece of British literature this year, make it this one.
Howard's End has much more to offer a reader keen to read the classics but reluctant to come up against pages of description and slow moving story lines. If you read one "classic" piece of British literature this year, make it this one.
NB 3.5 Stars!!
When I read about Feral Youth, I was so very keen to read it having lived in London during the time of the riots and having previously worked with London youth in my then local community - a very positive experience. As a fellow indie author I was also interested in Courtney's journey having famously "broken up" with her publisher to choose the self-publishing route, which she has done with considerable success. Courtney is now a spokesperson and authority on the London riots and the preceding issues that contributed to their cause. Based on all the above I was very keen to read this book.
It started strongly - I felt myself sitting in the disruptive classroom that Alisha found so suffocating and I found her voice and her motives convincing and of course, concerning. The book does much to create tension, to build conflict and to help the reader consider the possible varied contributing factors to the problems that many youth in Britain face and of course, the crimes they commit. Unfortunately while many parts of Alisha's story seemed authentic and moving, painful to read but important to note (like the absence of Alisha's parents and her subsequent need to crash wherever she can with little concern for her health, future or welfare) others seemed far-fetched and a little too "convenient". I also found the end of the story abrupt and a little adrift from what this book was really all about - i.e. the inexplicable anger, upset and burdens that affect young people in London and the lack of help or appropriate measures to reduce this self-perpetuating problem that has so many knock on effects for a community, the riots being just one of these.
I truly applaud Courtney for all she has achieved with Feral Youth, both on and off the pages of this book - and I urge an intrigued reader to buy and read this book - but I would have loved to read a version that stayed as raw as that opening classroom scene.
When I read about Feral Youth, I was so very keen to read it having lived in London during the time of the riots and having previously worked with London youth in my then local community - a very positive experience. As a fellow indie author I was also interested in Courtney's journey having famously "broken up" with her publisher to choose the self-publishing route, which she has done with considerable success. Courtney is now a spokesperson and authority on the London riots and the preceding issues that contributed to their cause. Based on all the above I was very keen to read this book.
It started strongly - I felt myself sitting in the disruptive classroom that Alisha found so suffocating and I found her voice and her motives convincing and of course, concerning. The book does much to create tension, to build conflict and to help the reader consider the possible varied contributing factors to the problems that many youth in Britain face and of course, the crimes they commit. Unfortunately while many parts of Alisha's story seemed authentic and moving, painful to read but important to note (like the absence of Alisha's parents and her subsequent need to crash wherever she can with little concern for her health, future or welfare) others seemed far-fetched and a little too "convenient". I also found the end of the story abrupt and a little adrift from what this book was really all about - i.e. the inexplicable anger, upset and burdens that affect young people in London and the lack of help or appropriate measures to reduce this self-perpetuating problem that has so many knock on effects for a community, the riots being just one of these.
I truly applaud Courtney for all she has achieved with Feral Youth, both on and off the pages of this book - and I urge an intrigued reader to buy and read this book - but I would have loved to read a version that stayed as raw as that opening classroom scene.
This book swept me away with its originality and authentic insight into life as a child in a Zimbabwe refugee camp. I loved the forthrightness and black-and-white opinions of Darling, the main narrator - something only a child can master with charm. As heart-breaking as it was uplifting I found it significant that the book's pace slowed considerably in the second half, once Darling arrives in the USA though the description and characters stay just as vivid and accomplished. With no conversation quotes and only brief and subtle references to the passing of time, this book is for anyone who wants to read new and exciting literature.