Search

12 Books in 12 Months

writing books and blogging about it

Open Search
Category

reading

Weekly Photo Challenge – One Shot, Two Ways

‘Before taking a picture, Jeff studies his scene – looking at a shot horizontally and vertically to decide what orientation works best for his photograph.’  ME TOO, JEFF.  Not only have I read some of this pile of books, I’ve also assessed them horizontally and vertically, from several angles, as they sat on my living room floor for this challenge.  So profesh.

Horizontal
Vertical

Having said that, it turns out I slightly missed the point (i.e. to do the same shot both vertically and horizontally), but whatever, that’s the sort of maverick I am.  You should probably get used to it for when all my 12 books are available to download.

In the meantime, do you recognise any of these already published books?  Leave a comment saying which ones, and you will win a special prize!  The prize of my respect.

1

Weekly Photo Challenge – Foreshadow

The prompt for this week is foreshadow.  So far there are lots of incredible entries showing gathering clouds before the storm, this thoughtful one about growing up… and now, my take.  I’ve actually got two, because why the heck not.  First, the opening to the excellent children’s book Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.  This foreshadows some of what is about to happen to lead character Sophie.

IMG_0789

And second, my newest notebook (bought on Friday when I went into Paperchase for a birthday card…).  This foreshadows a trip I’m taking to Canada and the US in October, for which  I figured I’d need a beautiful notebook to write my adventures down in.  Perhaps said adventures will be the foundation for another children’s book in the vein of Howl – so that makes this picture a double foreshadow!  Or something.

IMG_0807

8

Review – Edinburgh Bookshop Trail

In the second of my book app reviews, I took a look at the Edinburgh City of Literature Bookshop Trail.

bookshoptrailWhat is it?

A comprehensive list of where to find literature in Edinburgh – be it a bookshop or a literary event.

What can you do with it?

Read up on Edinburgh’s 52 bookshops, then creep out the proprietors by going in and knowing everything about them!  The A-Z list tells you exactly how far you are from any of these book shops at any given time, and gives you directions on how to get there as well as contact details, opening times and specialisms.  There is also a menu telling you about upcoming literary events, which is very handy if, like me you have recently found yourself thwarted by gmail’s new inbox and keep forgetting to look at the tab it puts City of Lit’s weekly e-newsletter in.

Who is it for?

Lovers of all things bookish, however niche.  Edinburgh, lest we forget, is home to Scotland’s largest independent specialist legal bookshop (Avizandum, on Candlemaker Row) and loads of second hand, antiquarian, comic and other types of bookshop to boot.  This app would be good for visitors to the city who want to explore a bit, as well as for those who have lived here for years who may not be aware just how much there is on offer.

Where did it come from?

The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, whose MO since 2004 has been to build on Edinburgh’s reputation as a city built on books through engagement, creativity and learning.  These guys know their Edinburgh Bookshops.

Where can I get it?

The Apple Store, for the very reasonable price of FREE.

Anything else?

It’s simple to use and has all the information you’ll need to start your own journey around Edinburgh’s bookshop trail.  It’s also a must-download if you want definitive answers to the questions, ‘which Edinburgh bookshop has the best mascot (alive or stuffed)?’ and ‘which Edinburgh bookshop has the most cuddly toys?’  Be honest, now I’ve put those questions in your head, you won’t be able to rest until you know the answers…

To find out more about this and what the Edinburgh City of Literature Trust are up to when they’re not designing handy book apps, follow them on twitter @EdinCityofLit.

0

Weekly Photo Challenge – Masterpiece

The latest photo prompt from the Daily Post is Masterpiece – so naturally the entries thus far include things like architecture, awesome geological features, and smiling children.  Mine is more reflective of my reading habits, which I think is legitimate because the prompt in full reads:

‘No matter where you are (and where you’ve been), I’m certain you’ve stumbled upon something extraordinary: a place that blows your mind; a work of art or object that speaks to you; or even a location or scene that’s special, unusual, or even magical in some way.’

Boom.

IMG_0777

I bloody love a good dystopia, and there are plenty to choose from – but The Handmaid’s Tale is probably my favourite – and may actually have started the whole thing, now I think about it.  I first read it as a teenager and it just tapped into something in my brain, or ‘spoke to me’ if you prefer.  It felt frighteningly plausible, which a lot of these books do – a good dystopia essentially speculates on possible fallout from the introduction of new technology, so is generally grounded in recognisable science and social situations.

The Handmaid’s Tale may have the edge for me because it was my first dystopia, or because of Margaret Atwood‘s prose, or perhaps because of being from the perspective of a female protagonist; comparatively rare given the others I considered photographing were Oryx and Crake (also by Atwood, also awesome, but with a male narrator), Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and 1984 by George Orwell.

I strongly suggest you read them all, and an honourable mention must also go to  The Passage by Justin Cronin, which I read in February this year.  It was never really in the running for this photo because I read it on kindle, which is not as aesthetically interesting as a paper book – but if you like dystopia it’s a damn good read.

11

Think Before You Write

IMG_0691I recently made a vow to start drafting things longhand.

Continue reading “Think Before You Write” →

0

Celebration of Iain Banks

Iain 3In my line of work, people occasionally send me press releases about interesting booky things that are occurring.  I received such a missive yesterday from the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust on the subject of a season of events celebrating Iain Banks.

Continue reading “Celebration of Iain Banks” →

3

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑