The author of The Bitches of Suburbia talks about the real life suburb behind her book, her inspiration, her favourite humorous books, tips for aspiring writers, reveals a few secrets including her next book, and lots more.
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A review of The Blackcoat’s Daughter
Now, we are witnessing perhaps the most substantial change to the horror formula to date and the rise of a new sub-genre. These modern films focus far less on gratuitous violence and concern themselves more with a journey that leads us to tragic ends. This new crop of horror is more cerebral, less conventional—films which have been called “art house horror”—even “post-horror.”
A review of Broken Branches by M Jonathan Lee
I love me a good psychological thriller and that’s what we get with Broken Branches by M. Jonathan Lee, with a little visual horror thrown in. When it opens up we are treated to several pages introducing us to the malignant presence of a towering sycamore tree with bony branches scratching the farmhouse’s roof, walls and windows like a demon’s fingers.
An interview with Monica Jephcott Thomas
The author of The Watcher talks about her new novel and its inspiration, about the relationships and contrasts between The Watcher and her previous book Fifteen Words, growing up in Germany after the war, her favourite WWII novel, and lots more.
A review of Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan is an empathetic character with just the right combination of pluck and humility, and her increasing awareness of the importance of friendship, and of her growing sense of self-discovery is a subplot that drives the narrative forward, along with the competition trials and Morrigan’s desperation to find her gift.
An interview with Daniel Findlay
The release of Daniel Findlay’s debut novel, Year Of The Orphan, suggests that we may now be on the cusp of a new era, one in which epic titles of this ilk receive the proper attention and accolades that they so richly deserve.
A review of Three Nations Anthology edited by Valerie Lawson
At the end of “Turtle Island Turtle Rattle”, author Sarah Xerar Murphy writes, “If we cannot find a way to welcome and treat fairly with the stranger, how will we ever find our own way home?”It would be a good thing if there were more books like Three Nations Anthology, to highlight things that human beings have in common
An interview with Pip Harry
The author of Because of You talks about the origins of her latest young adult novel, the key themes she explored in the book, on the importance of diversity and inclusivity, her characters, and lots more.
A review of The Last Days of Jeanne d’Arc by Ali Alizadeh
The facts are engaging enough as a history, but Alizadeh’s portrait of a young women in love, coupled with his exploration of the patriarchal, uncertain nature of both historical account and memory (“Or does she?”) takes this story to a new level. Alizadeh’s Jeanne allows for the contradictions in the varied voices that are both inside and outside of his subject and also calls attention to the fact that narrative is something that is constructed rather than something inherent.
The State of the Music: Rihanna, Ann Powers, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Diana Ross, Sam Smith and Music Conferences in Barcelona and Britain
Music critic Daniel Garrett has compiled an extensive, topical survey of music news and notes including new album releases, concerts, books and talk.