Litlove

LATEST ARTICLES ( 399 )

• The Bad Samaritan

  I had such an unpleasant encounter in the book shop last week that it’s taken me a few days to reach the point of writing about it. In fact I’ve been very much... Read more

  Posted on 04 May 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• A Photo, Two Links and a Mystery

  

  Well this must be a first: I don’t think I’ve ever posted a proper photo of myself on this site and I wouldn’t break the routine now if it weren’t in honor of... Read more

  Posted on 29 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• First Cousin Once Removed of the Great American Novel

  

  The ‘Great American Novel’ is a redolent term that reviewers tend to use towards a certain kind of book: a thick doorstep of social realism, wide in scope,... Read more

  Posted on 24 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• A Change of Heart

  

  It just so happened that both Annabel and I had copies of Jill Dawson’s new novel, The Tell-Tale Heart, and by swiftness of reading and writing, Annabel’s was... Read more

  Posted on 22 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Three Disasters

  1. I was sitting up in bed writing my diary about a week ago, when I heard Mr Litlove talking on the phone. Few people ring so late, so I was not surprised to... Read more

  Posted on 19 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Old School

  

  First, a brief questionnaire to assess your eligibility for this book: 1. Do you have a wickedly dry and deadpan sense of humour? 2. Do you appreciate gentle,... Read more

  Posted on 16 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Lost Diary

  Last week we renovated our study, and this involved moving the desk out for a while. We took the drawers out first and realised they were crammed full of... Read more

  Posted on 11 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Cuckoo’s Calling

  

  I really felt for J. K. Rowling when she was outed as the author of this, the first in a new crime series, under the pseudonym, Robert Galbraith. Read more

  Posted on 09 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• It’s Live and Lovely!

  

  Yes, Shiny New Books went live this morning – we were all there (virtually) for a momentous switch-on at 8am. We think it looks amazing, and hope so much that... Read more

  Posted on 07 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• An Eye-Opener

  

  I’ve heard it said that you should judge a society on the way it treats its most vulnerable members. Susan Nussbaum, whose first novel has won the PEN/Bellwethe... Read more

  Posted on 03 April 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Finally, I Can Tell You

  

  There have been good and bad reasons why I’ve been so quiet in the blogworld lately, and finally I can tell you about the good reason. Read more

  Posted on 31 March 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The World of Angela Thirkell

  

  It’s curious the way that some of the most amusing and comforting writers develop their voice out of personal tragedy. Any reader might be forgiven for... Read more

  Posted on 29 March 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Mwah-ha-ha To You, Too

  

  This isn’t the kind of book I’d normally read, but lately I’ve been drawn to stories with a horrific or extreme edge to them. I fear I’ve finally turned into th... Read more

  Posted on 25 March 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Loving Hermann Hesse

  My birthday earlier in the week brought back memories of another birthday, one spent in far less auspicious circumstances. In fact, it could qualify as one of... Read more

  Posted on 21 March 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Tuesday Bullet Points

  1. Yesterday was my birthday – I’m now 45, and wondering where the time went. Yes, I know, I’m not completely out to pasture yet, but this is still the oldest... Read more

  Posted on 18 March 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Two DNFs

  

  When you hate a book, it’s always personal, I think. By which I mean that the book cannot possibly be as bad as you think it is – the hatred and dislike arise... Read more

  Posted on 14 March 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• A Rare Linky Post

  Usually I think of my blog as the place where I put down my thoughts. But things have been so hectic of late that I haven’t really had any that are worth noting. Read more

  Posted on 11 March 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• M.i.a.

  I’m sorry to be so quiet around here this week. I’m afraid difficult times remain the order of the day for the Litloves. About ten days ago, my son and his... Read more

  Posted on 06 March 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Speaking of Love

  

  Fairy tales feature a lot in Angela Young’s striking and sensitive novel, Speaking of Love and as I was reading them, I wondered why it was that the particular... Read more

  Posted on 27 February 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Someone

  

  Alice McDermott is one of those writers who make you wonder how on earth they do it. Every sentence in her deceptively simple novel, Someone, is written with... Read more

  Posted on 25 February 2014 BOOKS, CULTURE