Tag Archives: Literature

For the Love of Libraries

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Karie

I love the public library service for what it did for me as a child and as a student and as an adult. I love it because its presence in a town or a city reminds us that there are … Continue reading →

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My Big Read

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Karie

Every so often I come across a list of 100 books – the result of a BBC project called The Big Read in which the British public was asked about their favourite books. The list is being circulated as part … Continue reading →

Posted in Bibliophilia, Literature, Popular Culture | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Book Cover Versions

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Karie

A good friend of mine wondered if she should read Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go (coming later this year to a multiplex near you). I warned her that I found the book unbearably bland, despite its good premise. “If there … Continue reading →

Posted in linkage, Literature, Popular Culture | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Books 2010: Scarlett Thomas – Our Tragic Universe

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Karie

I am reading a lot at the moment. Scarlett Thomas’ latest novel fell into my lap at the local library and I was happy to take it home with me. I am equally happy to take it back not having … Continue reading →

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The Skies, Now Undisturbed

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Karie

The wise elders would explain that inside the aircraft, passengers, who had only paid the price of a few books for the privilege, would impatiently and ungratefully shut their window blinds to the views, would sit in silence next to … Continue reading →

Posted in humour, Knitting, News, Personal | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Linkage

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Karie

A few links to tide things over: A few weeks ago a perceptive blogger wrote about volcanic activity in Iceland. Seeing as Northern Europe’s airports are more-or-less shutdown due to a massive cloud of volcanic ash coming from Iceland, you … Continue reading →

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Still Waters

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Karie

Yes, it continues to be cold. The novelty of snow has long worn off. My sole source of weather-related amusement is the media who insist 60,000 people will die in the Big Freeze, the British Army is being set in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books 2010, Music, Personal, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Work As If You Live in the Early Days of a Better Nation

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Karie

I do not know how many of you have read Alasdair Gray’s excellent dystopian novel, Lanark: a Life in Four Books? It takes place partly in Glasgow and partly in an imaginary Glasgow, known as Unthank. In Unthank the characters … Continue reading →

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The First Of Many: The Times’ Books of the Decade

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Karie

Oh dear, we are going to be inundated with “The Best XYZ of This Decade!” lists, aren’t we? One of the first Best Books of the Decade list comes from the Times (thank you, kimfobo) and is an eclectic mix … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Popular Culture | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Boredom Sets In

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Karie

A brief link today pilfered from elsewhere: Hey, Oscar Wilde!.  It is “a personal art collection of various artists interpreting their favourite literary figure/author/character”. I really like this Winnie the Pooh. Health update: I managed to get dressed and head … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Personal, Popular Culture | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments