Update #2 will be short - and mainly about food... One of my favourite breakfast things in America is French Toast with bacon and a little maple syrup. When I asked for this in my hotel this morning I was met with an incredulous "Is that all?". So I said yes. The French Toast and … Continue reading Houston – 2
Category: Reading
Houston – Prelude
For once it didn’t seem to matter that we were going to board late; there was just about enough entertainment in the pantomime of people trying to get to the front of the queue - as if the plane was going to leave without them! Beforehand, I had sat in the lounge trying to etch … Continue reading Houston – Prelude
The books are here!
Copies of "Oak Tree Alchemy" arrived in good time for our launch event and reading at 3pm on Saturday 6th April at The Oak Tree in Helperby, North Yorkshire. The books will be on sale the same day on-line and by order through any good bookshop worldwide. Exciting!
“The Reservoir Tapes”
This is an interesting one. "The Reservoir Tapes" is almost a 'prequel' to Jon McGregor's "Reservoir 13", and actually made its debut on BBC Radio 4. And you can see why. It's made up of a series of monologues that would be perfect for radio. Or, come to think of it, maybe it's a sequel... … Continue reading “The Reservoir Tapes”
Late Frost
Late Frost Surprised by the renegade day you had expected the temperate, a welcome more fitting for late May. This chilled air has the tell of a first date bound to fail. In the gathering grey, nothing shines, your prospects dimmed as the dial’s sharp shadow declines with the sun. Sails untrimmed you … Continue reading Late Frost
“Killing Commendatore”
Having read - and loved - just about everything Haruki Murakami has written, I think I'm allowed to say that "Killing Commendatore" just isn't up to his usual standard. My anticipation for reading this monster of a book was right up there; I had hoped - based on size alone - for something as enthralling … Continue reading “Killing Commendatore”
Why do most people who know you, never buy your books?
You would think, wouldn't you, that when you announce to your friends and family that you have a new book out, a good number would buy it. It may only be out of a sense of loyalty - misplaced or not - but there would surely be a few dozen sales you could count on. … Continue reading Why do most people who know you, never buy your books?
“As Slow As Possible”
Sometimes you read something that simply fails to engage you in any way. Try as I might, Kit Fan's volume of poetry - "As Slow As Possible" - is one such book. I looked for stanzas that grabbed me, tried to be benevolent when filtering for ideas, but I simply struggled. Perhaps it's a wavelength … Continue reading “As Slow As Possible”
Granta 144 – “Generic Love Story”
I don't normally offer a sketch on the Granta quarterlies once I have read them. Often it's because they are too eclectic, too varied to be able to hone in on something specific enough for commentary. Granta 144 is a little different. A number of the stories are told by women and relate to damaged … Continue reading Granta 144 – “Generic Love Story”
“Birthday Letters”
Confession time: I didn't managed to finish this one. And actually, I didn't like it that much. Is that sacrilege? My reasons for finding it 'hard'? Most of the poems felt too personal, as if I was some kind of Peeping Tom looking in on lives and a relationship when I had no right to … Continue reading “Birthday Letters”
Ian Gouge - Writer 