Why are we all so obsessed with first novels? In literary circles, a Big Deal is always made if a novel is an author’s first. First novels are intrinsically Special.

But why?

If you went into hospital to have surgery, would you be pleased if your surgeon was presented to you with the words, “this is Dr Smith’s first ever surgery(You’d probably be ( Read more... )

( Teach Yourself to Meditate: Over 20 Exercises for Peace, Health and Clarity of Mind - Eric Harrison )

( How Bad are Bananas?: The Carbon Footprint of Everything - Mike Berners-Lee )

A really quick comment at 25% through Dance With Dragons.

( George RR Martin - A Dance With Dragons )

( The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry - Jon Ronson )

I’ve been working my way through George R.R. Martin’s A Song Of Ice and Fire book series (a.k.a. the Game of Thrones books) and, as I said in my earlier reviews of the first two books, the world-building is great, but the actual narrative construction is pretty poor ( Read more... )

A song I recently rediscovered:

Jewel - Down So Long

Yeah, yeah, I know. Jewel's Spirit album has some seriously vom-inducing songs on it ("if I could tell the world just one thing, it would be that we're all okay" -- REALLY?), but this song is all growly and cynical. It could easily slot into Fiona Apple's When the Pawn album. Love it ( Read more... )

( The Weekend Novelist Writes A Mystery - Robert J. Ray )

( On Thin Ice - Susan Andersen )

( The Cutting Room - Louise Welsh )