Tag Archives: reading

What are the best last lines in literature?

February 19, 2019 By in Blogging, Uncategorized Tags: , , , 7 Comments

Sheet of lined paper with 'The End' typed on it.

The Washington Post recently published a ‘best last lines in fiction’ article, and it was exactly as predictable as you’d expect. Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye (which I adore, but still…), Grapes of Wrath, Gone with the Wind, Huckleberry Finn, The Sun Also Rises etc etc. A veritable who’s who of the literary canon, but not many surprises.

I decided to pull together an alternative version with my own top 10 favourite last lines.

You can read mine below – a mixture of serious and silly – and then I’d love you to leave your own favourite in the comments. Continue reading →

In Praise of Libraries

March 30, 2015 By in Nostalgia Tags: , , , , 17 Comments

stack of books

Libraries have always been a big part of my life.

I remember the excitement of finally being old enough to join the tiny library in the village where I grew up; the responsibility of having a card to look after; the solemnity of the ritual where I would approach the counter with my chosen books and stand watching while the librarian stamped each one with a return date.

(25 years later I am still slightly ashamed that I was once careless enough to lose a book from that library. Sorry sorry sorry. I have no idea where it went.)

At primary school I was selected to be a student librarian. It was a pretty unexciting job – one for those of us who were diligent and smart, but not popular enough to be elected house captain. Still, it won me a red enamel badge with gold lettering, which I pinned to my denim jacket with pride. Continue reading →

Hoo’s Kids Book Fest

March 27, 2013 By in Guest Posts Tags: , , , , , , , , 13 Comments

I was really pleased to find out that there’s a children’s book festival – Hoo’s Kids Book Fest – taking place next month, just up the road from us.

Today’s guest post on the blog is from Guy Parker-Rees – a children’s writer who will be appearing at the festival. Guy’s post is an introduction to his latest book, Tom and Millie’s Whizzy Bizzy People and he writes about how he creates Tom and Millie’s world.

For the chance to win a family ticket to the festival, check out the competition at the end of the post. Continue reading →

Not another post about books…

October 29, 2012 By in Nostalgia Tags: , , , 16 Comments

Gift from the Sea Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Buying books is an optimistic thing to do, isn’t it?

It means you believe there is someone out there who can say what you’re feeling better than you can say it yourself… because the best moment in a book is a moment of recognition.

Or is it? Maybe the best moment in a book is discovering something right at the edge of your vision, a little beyond what you know. Something that makes you stop and say, “Oh wow. Yes. That.”
Continue reading →