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The Artist by Lucy Steeds Review: A Quiet Story of Art, War, and Freedom Set in Provence
In this review of The Artist by Lucy Steeds, I explore the novel’s setting in 1920 Provence, its central characters Edouard Tartuffe, Ettie, and Joseph Adelaide, and the lingering impact of World War I on their lives. This atmospheric historical fiction novel examines art, ambition, control, and creative freedom within a remote farmhouse shaped by…
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10 Cosy Christmas Reads to Keep You Warm Until the New Year
The air is crisp, the candles are lit, and I think it’s safe to say that my favourite reading mug has achieved a permanent position in my hand. It is, undeniably, peak reading season. There is a quiet, unique magic to a good winter read. The right book provides the perfect transportive moment—perhaps to a…
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Book Review: Vianne by Joanne Harris – A Lyrical Prequel to Chocolat
Discover Vianne by Joanne Harris, a rich and introspective prequel to Chocolat that explores identity, motherhood, and the quiet beginnings of magic.
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Book Review: Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Susan Ryeland’s back, and this time the murder mystery hits even closer to home. After a stint in sunny Crete trying to play house, Susan Ryeland returns to rainy Crouch End with her classic MG, a rescue cat, and another manuscript that may or may not conceal a real murder. In Marble Hall Murders, Anthony Horowitz…
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The Rise of Mythology in Modern Literature: Slavic Influences in Contemporary Books
In recent years, mythology has experienced a resurgence in popular literature, with many modern authors drawing inspiration from ancient stories to craft captivating tales. While Although Greek and Norse myths often dominate discussions, Slavic mythology is slowly making its mark in contemporary literature, offering a rich and untapped source of inspiration. The Power of Slavic…
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Atalanta by Jennifer Saint: Book Review
I filled my copy of Jennifer Saint’s latest book Atalanta with post-its, which in my case is a sure sign of how much I enjoyed reading this novel, and an indication of definite future re-readings. In Atalanta, Saint does what she does best: gracefully treads the mythical terrain, bringing forth from the margins the enchanting…
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NaNoWriMo and Rediscovering the Joy of Writing
A blank cork board on Scrivener holds so many possibilities. Every year I talk to fellow writers just around November, and we discuss the quiet dread that surrounds NaNo: deadlines, timeframes, word counts, ideas. Some spend entire October planing and plotting for November just to unleash the ideas and fulfill the daily quota. And for…
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November Reads: 5 Gothic Books that Hit the Spooky Sweet Spot
November is my favourite month of the year, not only because it’s my birthday in November, but also because it’s in the sweet spot between the spooky October and cheery December, and it allows you to enjoy it whichever way you like. In my case, I love to put up my Christmas tree, and keep…
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The Fell and Summerwater by Sarah Moss: Book Review
“All the other plagues ended, sooner or later […] and people lived and loved and built houses and planted trees and made food and clothes – and stained glass, travelled, even made music and put on plays. Ring a ring of roses. […] And of course life won’t go back to the way it was,…
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In the Shadow of the Kogaionon by Sabina Lungeanu: Book Review
‘It was in those final days of black despair that they turned toward the heavens, seeking the help of the gods. That’s when they saw it, standing tall and proud on the peak of the Kogaionon: the sacred fir tree. Faith returned to our forefathers, for its colossal branches would provide enough fuel to last…
Myths & Stories 