Month 11 of my Reading Challenge By Frances Colville

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Margaret Graham

I found it hard to decide what to go for first this month and spent a happy hour browsing my bookshelves. In the end I chose The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson (Hodder & Stoughton paperback 2014). Set in a debtor’s prison in 18^th C London, this is in places a grim read and the plot fell short of being 100% convincing, but the author is good on atmosphere, the main character is engaging and the book is a good choice for anyone who likes historical crime fiction.

I had no idea what to expect when I began my next book A Little Life by American writer Hanya Yanagihara, knowing nothing at all about it other than it had been shortlisted for this year’s Man Booker. But it hooked me in right from the first page. What’s it about? Friendship, identity, working out who you are and what your life is all about, pain, abuse, relationships, death, grief and love. It’s challenging, harrowing and absolutely compelling. And of all the books I’ve read so far this year, this is the one I would recommend most. Currently available in hardback – published Picador – or on Kindle.

What do you choose when you’ve just finished a brilliant book; one which has taken you a long time to read and which you can’t get out of your head? For me, the solution is to turn to something familiar and reliable and completely different. And as followers of this year of book reviews will know, that means in my case an Agatha Christie. This time I picked up The Moving Finger – one of a batch I was given last Christmas. I don’t think I’ve read it before though it’s hard to be sure. Either way, I couldn’t remember the ending. And of course neither the book itself nor the ending disappointed. Vintage Christie – and very enjoyable at that. My copy is a Fontana paperback, reprinted 1971.

This Little World edited by Sue Ashby is the sort of book you can dip in and out of whenever you have ten minutes to spare It’s a collection of short stories from people who live in Dorset – some as young as 11 – and each story is located in Dorset. Lots of variety and lots to interest anyone who knows anything about Dorset. My personal favourite is A Smuggler’s Life by 12 year old Sam. Available now on Amazon and will soon be published as an e-anthology.

And I’ve also been dipping in and out this month of my copy of the works of poet George Herbert edited by W H Auden. I studied Herbert for A level and there are certain lines from certain of his poems which still stick in my mind. Writing in the first half of the 17^th C his poems are all about religion, his understanding of it and his struggle to be worthy, but it isn’t the content of the poems which speaks to me but the beauty of the language and the strength of his belief. Not I think a well-known or in any way fashionable poet but one who in my opinion deserves to be read more. My edition is a Penguin paperback published 1973.

Only one month left to go. And so many books to choose from………………..

30,000 Years of Art: The Story of Human Creativity Across Time & Space

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Frostie

This book has the wow factor and then some. A huge sigh-worthy hard backed tome of 30,000 years of art. Imagine having a museum in your living room: there you go. It is accessible and not densely text heavy, a brilliant introduction to the whole history of art. This stunning book is indispensable for the library of any art lover. Perfect for Christmas too. Frost loves.

30,000 Years of Art is an accessible, chronological introduction to art history from 28,000 BC to the present day.

Providing a truly global and comprehensive perspective, 30,000 Years of Art charts a course through art history that tracks seminal and lesser known works in all of the fields of both the fine and decorative arts. Featuring over 600 works across all media, from painting and sculpture to textile, metalwork, and ceramic, and updated to include new works from the 20th and 21st centuries, 30,000 Years of Art presents the defining moments, both big and small, of art history. Each entry is accompanied with informative texts written by 35 of the world’s leading museum curators, academics and archaeologists providing insights into each work that clearly explain their importance. An illustrated timeline, full index and extensive glossary of schools and movements make 30,000 Years of Art, an indispensable addition to any art library.

Features:
– Updated to include over 25 new entries that expand the scope of the book further into the 21st century.
– Includes 600 of the world’s greatest works of art across all media (painting, sculpture, textiles, metalwork, ceramics), ranging from seminal masterworks to lesser known pieces in both the fine and decorative arts.
– Written by 35 of the world’s leading museum curators, academics and archaeologists and the easy-to-use chronological format featuring illustrated timelines, and a glossary of terms, schools and movements.

30,000 Years of Art (Revised and Updated Edition): The Story of Human Creativity Across Time & Space

MONEY PIZZA RESPECT By Josh ‘The Fat Jew’ Ostrovsky Book Review

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Frostie

Social media superstar @thefatjew has written a searingly honest and completely hilarious autobiographical book. It is amusing and fun: full of hilarious stories and humorous pictures. Ever wanted to see the author in a beef jerky bikini? Of course you do. There may even be an inappropriate (accidental?) shot of the authors, ahem, testicles. There is also lots of drug taking so…don’t try this at home kids, or anywhere else. Just read about Josh Ostrovsky a.k.a. The Fat Jew doing it instead. That is the best way. This book will not be to everyone’s taste but the author has laid himself bare- literally and figuratively, and that is commendable.

Money, Pizza, Respect is available here. Josh Ostrovsky a.k.a. The Fat Jew has written a book about himself. It will be the funniest book you will ever read.

MONEY PIZZA RESPECT By Josh ‘The Fat Jew’ Ostrovsky Published by Hardie Grant, priced £16.99 Hardback

Follow on Instagram and twitter @thefatjewish

Spotlight interview with Maya Pieris

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Pinning down this writer was easy as it’s me, trying out the Spotlight idea:

In this new series, conversations with writers, I aim to shine a brief spotlight onto what makes someone begin that uncertain path from brain to book, and to consider what makes us write.

Have I always written? Yes and no- I thought about it, had periods of trying but too often gave up. For a few years I attended various workshops but it’s since being in Bridport, Dorset, that writing has become almost a reflex reaction. There’s something in the air here that really encourages people to write to be read. And to be published.

And now ideas run about like kids in a playground. I keep pens and paper around the place though on occasions thoughts have been scrawled on the back of my left hand. This affliction does affect others as the need to make notes comes at any time, and from any and everywhere. Writers are like grave robbers: plundering anything- ourselves, others. My response after the recent French tragedy was to write 2 poems though it’s not always a comfortable thought that creativity and inspiration come from such events. Seeing a dead mole led me to write a poem about an Islamist group whilst another idea came from seeing thousands of whitebait washed up on the shore near Bridport.

And what do I write? Poems, short stories, magazine articles and plays. The last time I tried writing one I was aged 10 and the play was a “who dunnit” written in turquoise ink.

The writing challenge is to focus. It really is important not to get seduced by too many possibilities. And validation from peers is also invaluable, though I write firstly for myself- to try and fix a feeling or thought in words. I’m not sure why but I seem to have to. But I do have people I trust to edit and critique work. It is, however, necessary to let your work go. In a way once it’s written it’s on its way to becoming public though it was a year before I could look at my first published book without wanting to change it.
Future plans are to write more regularly and finish work- too many unfinished “jumpers”. Writing is a private process. You have to enjoy the jigsaw of arranging your thoughts and ideas. There are lots of excellent courses to join and so many other writers to read but in the end it’s you, your pen or computer. And for me it’s an entry to a large uncharted world.

Mindfulness Colouring and Activity Book By Gill Hasson Review

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Frostie

This Mindfulness Colouring and Activity Book By Gill Hasson is an adult colouring book with a difference. It not only has colouring, but zen doodles, origami, mazes and word puzzles. A very impressive book to get you in the moment and take some time to de-stress. A great addition to the genre.

Gill Hasson is the author of the international bestsellers Mindfulness: Be mindful. Live in the moment , How To Deal With Difficult People: Smart Tactics for Overcoming the Problem People in Your Life and Emotional Intelligence: Managing emotions to make a positive impact on your life and career.

She is a teacher, trainer and writer. She has 20 years’ experience in the area of personal development. Her expertise is in the areas of confidence and self-esteem, communication skills, assertiveness and resilience.

Gill delivers teaching and training for educational organisations, voluntary and business organisations and the public sector. Gill’s particular interest and motivation is in helping people to realise their potential, to live their best life. The Mindfulness Colouring and Activity Book: Calming Colouring and De-Stressing Doodles to Focus Your Busy Mind is available here.

@thisiscapstone #adultcolouring

Inside The X Factor Finalists’ Plush 7-Bed House

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Frostie

We love X Factor at Frost and have been enjoying the performances. We have also been getting major property envy at the beautiful house the contestants are living in. We can reveal that it is located in one of Barnet’s most sought-after streets, According to Zoopla the property was previously put on the market for £7million when it was last up for sale in 2013.

The remaining XFactor hopefuls can kick back in the lap of luxury in a seven-bedroom mansion in leafy North London ahead of the finals.

Zoopla.co.uk can offer a sneak peek inside the detached new-build residence – which features an indoor swimming pool, a cinema room, and even a state-of-the-art car lift – where the finalists will be living until the winner is chosen in December. Can we move in now please?

House of Dreams – Fanny Blake Book Review

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Margaret Graham

A hilltop villa, views, sun and a sibling get together – what’s not to like?

This is a lovely novel, one with which many can empathize as Jo, Tom and Lucy meet at Casa de Suenos for the weekend. It is the house in the mountains of southern Spain where they grew up and they have come to say goodbye.

The person missing is their mother, whose last request was that they celebrate her birthday – together. As with most siblings they perceive their upbringing differently. Will coming together confirm their memories, their perception of one another? More, will this weekend alter the dynamics between the siblings so that they come to like and accept, not just themselves, but one another, and the odd partner, here and there? And that’s an altogether bigger problem.

Fanny Blake writes with warmth, wit and understanding, and, more, she likes people, and it shows. And somewhere along the way, she has become a wise woman, and that also shows.

Bravo, I loved House of Dreams. You should put it on your Christmas list.

Published by Orion. Paperback £13.99

Detonator: Andy McNab’s latest Nick Stone thriller by Margaret Graham

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Blimey, what a roller-coaster. A hardback is heavy, but Detonator was so gripping I toted it all the way up to Newcastle, where I was doing some publicity for my own books.

What an extraordinary man. During the Gulf War Andy McNab of 22 SAS commanded Bravo Two Zero and went on to write the biggest selling British work of military history about that patrol. Now he writes the huge selling Nick Stone and Tom Buckingham novels, cutting a swathe through the publishing world.

The plotting is tight, the hooks gallop us into turning the pages, the excitement is intense: there is humour, sadness, and authenticity. Or so I would think anyway. It rang so true to a mere civilian.

Nick Stone is a great main character who has spent a lifetime in harm’s way – but when someone he cares for very deeply is murdered in cold blood, he can no longer just take the pain.

A high-level internecine conflict at the dark heart of the resurgent Russian Empire and an assassin’s bullet, on an isolated Alpine pass, propel him from an apparently run of the mill close protection task into his most brutal and challenging mission yet. As the body count increases, vengeance of the most explosive kind is top of Stone’s agenda. The fuse has been ignited – but who really holds the detonator?

Set in all too realistic times the scenario felt horribly possible, and would that we had a Nick Stone on our side, but perhaps we have, in McNab’s former outfit. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit.

A rumbunctious fabulous writer, who twists, turns and makes you sweat. Probably just what this highly decorated soldier did in the SAS too.

Can’t wait for the next book. Bravo, Andy McNab.

Published by Transworld Publishers – £18.99

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Category Archives: Culture