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#Book #Review: The Paris Apartment, by Lucy Foley A clever and complex story. Jess gradually gets to know the residents and unravels the secrets. She’s at risk—will she share her brother’s fate—whatever that is. No one seems to feed, toilet or pet the cat! But a good read—even for a cat lover. #cat

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

#39: We, by Yevgeny Zamyatin, translated from the Russian by Natasha Randall A dystopian novel which was banned on publication in 1921. Following the Two Hundred Years’ War people are ciphers in the Benevolence of the One State. Shades of Brave New World (1932) and 1984 (1949). #book #review

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

Inverted World, by Christopher Priest A science fiction story set in a world with quirky topography and way of life. A strange story set in a logically weird setting. Illustrated by Andrew Stephenson. Full review on goodreads & Fb. #book #review #bookreview

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

#37: The Death of the Fronsac, by Neal Ascherson A story of the tangled lives and relationships of people against the background of WWII. No fighting is described. It's told by Maurycy Szczucki, a Polish soldier stranded in Scotland I really enjoyed this book. #book #review #bookreview

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

Inspector Imanishi Investigates, by Seichō Matsumoto, translated by Beth Cary. Detective story set in 1960 Japan. Not a Western style of detective story; the action proceeds at a steady pace, but it’s a satisfying read. Maps of Japan and Tokyo Full review on goodreads & Fb #book #review #bookreview

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

#35: Hannah’s War, by Jan Eliasberg A fascinating tale of relationships set against the development of the atom bomb. Some technical aspects are necessary but they do not obtrude. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it whole-heartedly. Full review on goodreads & Fb. #book #review #bookreview

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

The Vanishing Futurist, by Charlotte Hobson 1914. Gertrude leaves Devon to work as a governess for a wealthy family in Moscow. War breaks out and in 1917 the Revolution changes everything. It was challenging to read the hardships they endured. But interesting in the end. #bookreview #book #review

submitted 37 days ago • 0 comments

The Discovery of the Bismarck, by Robert D Ballard with Rick Archbold A good read for those interested in the subject. full review on fb & goodreads #book #review #bookreview

submitted 37 days ago • 0 comments

Boom! by Mark Haddon Children’s story. Jimmy and Charlie discover their teachers wear brass wristbands and speak an alien language. Charlie disappears and brave Jimmy and his resourceful sister Becky set out to find him. Thriller, with space travel and jeopardy. #book #review on Fb & goodreads

submitted 41 days ago • 0 comments

‘No’, Ruth had answered, straightfaced. ‘They’re kittens. If I had a baby it would be a cat substitute.’ The Crossing Places, by Elly Griffiths. First in the Ruth Galloway detective story series. Full review on Fb & goodreads #book #review

submitted 43 days ago • 0 comments

Pike in the Flash this morning. Aware of me and eventually dashed off in a swirl of water.

submitted 44 days ago • 0 comments

#book #review Samuel Pepys the Unequalled Self, by Claire Tomalin Full review(s) on Fb & goodreads A very readable and comprehensive biography. The review of the arbitrary and vindictive behaviour of Charles II echoes that of Donald Trump.

submitted 50 days ago • 0 comments

Rodi #cat

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

Oscar keeping his bottom warm while looking out of the window. #cat

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

#book #review Abroad in Japan, by Chris Broad. Chris Broad went to Japan to teach English to school-children. He learned Japanese and posted YouTube videos of his experiences. Interesting and informative read. Full review in goodreads & Fb.

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

#book #review Careless People, by Sarah Wynn-Williams, who worked at Facebook 2009-2017. The stuff of nightmares, filling me with dread for the future. The Trump victory in 2024 now appears obvious and inevitable. Read this book and take on board its terrible warning. Full review goodreads, Fb.

submitted 62 days ago • 1 comment

#bookreview The English Führer, by Rory Clements Autumn 1945. there is a plot by fascists to harm Britain using biological weapons. Ex-spy Tom Wylde investigates. A reasonable read. Full review on goodreads & Fb.

submitted 67 days ago • 0 comments

#bookreview The Thin Man, by Dashiell Hammett. Noir detective story set in 1932. Nick and Nora Charles are in New York for Christmas. Nick’s asked to investigate a murder. The Charles’s witty dialogue is very enjoyable. Hammett wrote The Maltese Falcon. Full review on goodreads & Fb.

submitted 70 days ago • 1 comment

#bookreview The Lantern of Lost Memories, by Sanaka Hiiragi, translated by Jesse Kirkwood The theme of the book is similar to the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi: enabling people to come to terms with the past. A soft, gentle story. Full review on goodreads & Fb

submitted 71 days ago • 0 comments

Oscar sleeps

submitted 75 days ago • 0 comments

Review #21 posted on Fb & goodreads: Reykjavík Nights by Arnaldur Indridason, translated from the Icelandic by Victoria Cribb. The life of a traffic cop in Reykjavík is detailed and his investigation into the fate of Hannibal, an alcoholic vagrant, proceeds slowly. #2 in a series. Not a bad read.

submitted 78 days ago • 0 comments

Review #17: The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, by Tom Hanks posted on Fb & goodreads I was sceptical at first, having seen other celebs' literary efforts, but Hanks knows his stuff (obviously). I recommend this to anyone interested in film or a good story. #review #novel #film

submitted 90 days ago • 0 comments

sleepy Oscar

submitted 102 days ago • 0 comments

Montalbano, Sicilian detective, is on the track of a murderer. The case involves a car accident, an open marriage and a violin. I love the Montalbano stories. There’s a humour to them and our hero is flawed and therefore human. Full review posted on Fb & Goodreads

submitted 104 days ago • 0 comments

Oscar enjoying the view through the window while sitting on the radiator

submitted 105 days ago • 0 comments

The Universe Next Door (book 1 of Schrödinger's Cat Trilogy), by Robert Anton Wilson people forever of the idiocy of worshiping money.” SF fantasy satirising American life, culture & politics. Full review on Fb & goodreads I may continue reading later but not just now.

submitted 105 days ago • 0 comments

Baboons at the British Ironwork Centre, nr Oswestry

submitted 106 days ago • 0 comments

Oscar

submitted 107 days ago • 0 comments

Timescape, by Gregory Benford Much of science fiction is concerned with imagination and plot, to the neglect of character development. This is serious ‘hard’ science fiction in which the protagonists are authentic people with real problems, failings and lives. Full review posted on Fb & goodreads

submitted 108 days ago • 0 comments

Sometimes bibliographies can provide leads to interesting books. The three books below were suggested in the bibliography of In Search of Schrodinger's Cat, so I sent off for them - one came from the USA! I am enjoying Timescape, which is SF set in 1963 and an apocalyptic 1989 very similar to today

submitted 109 days ago • 0 comments

My latest book review, posted on Fb & goodreads. I bought this book because it was suggested in In Search of Schrödinger's Cat, not because of the cover art. Honest! It’s long-winded, I only read up to page 50 but it seemed clear that the lady on the cover was not going to turn up anytime soon.

submitted 114 days ago • 0 comments

Full review #9 posted on Fb & goodreads: An account, with minimal mathematics, of the development of the bonkers world of quantum theory. Viewers of TV’s The Big Bang Theory will be familiar with the ambiguity of wave and particle, also of many-worlds (alternate universes). Fascinating, readable.

submitted 118 days ago • 0 comments

Posted my review of this book on goodreads & Fb. About food & feminism. Rika is a journalist who becomes fascinated by and with Kajii, a woman in prison for murder, who introduces her to the joys of eating and cooking, especially with good quality butter. After the hype it's had I was disappointed.

submitted 122 days ago • 0 comments

A paper that understands its responsibility, in a country that knows it when it sees it. Impressive from Die Zeit. Refuses to show the salute, but calls it out for what it so obviously was. Headline: “A Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute is a Hitler Salute”

submitted 128 days ago • 71 comments

#writercommunity #Writer Wrekin Writers has just launched their 2025 Doris Gooderson Short Story Competition. Max word count 1200 words, entry fee £5, Prizes are £200, £100, and £50 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Profits to Severn Hospice. Full details: wrekinwriters.wordpress.com/doris-gooder...

submitted 129 days ago • 0 comments

2025 Book review #7: A Shadow Intelligence, by Oliver Harris Harris's spy Elliott is like Nick Belsey, his rogue policeman in another series of books, fumbling his way through strange and dangerous situations, trying to find out what’s going on. Full review on Fb & www.goodreads.com

submitted 131 days ago • 0 comments

I'm following a couple of people who seem to post every hour, which fills my feed. Short of unfollowing them how can I mitigate this?

submitted 134 days ago • 0 comments

2025 Book Reviews I started writing reviews to aid my memory of what I'd read and someone suggested I post them for the benefit of others. I started in 2022. I post my full reviews on FB & www.goodreads.com, but Bluesky only allows 300 characters. My latest review: Mostly Harmless, by Douglas Adams

submitted 135 days ago • 0 comments