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The problem with saying that “books are the carriers of civilization”
Opinion Pieces / reading / The Latest

The problem with saying that “books are the carriers of civilization”


If you follow bookish social media, this quote (usually with some inspiring background picture) pops up every so often. It is praising the importance of books, yet I just can’t get on board with the whole concept. If you break it down in parts, there are the two worrying components of this quote. “Books are … Continue reading

Life Lessons from John Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley”
American / Book Reviews / Classic / Opinion Pieces / reading / The Latest / Travel

Life Lessons from John Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley”


Travels With Charley is a travel memoir written by the famous Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck. Steinbeck piles some books, shotguns, tinned food, and his poodle Charley into a truck/camper van and sets off around the U.S. The book was first published in 1962 which was an interesting time for the U.S. and the … Continue reading

A review of Rosie Garland’s “Vixen”: what happens when we don’t check our beliefs
Book Reviews / British / historical / The Latest

A review of Rosie Garland’s “Vixen”: what happens when we don’t check our beliefs


I read this book on my flight from Switzerland to Australia. Usually long haul flights tend to soften the sparkle of most reading experiences, in fact one could argue that they soften the sparkle of almost every experience. It is something about the snoring, the crying babies… not to mention the recycled stale air and … Continue reading

#10 December: a month by any other name
Creative Writing / Repeat after me: death. And other essays. / The Latest

#10 December: a month by any other name


December is hard. Birthday, death, Christmas, funeral. A month by any other name would still smell of sorrow.   I’m scared of going home, sleeping where you died. Blue walls, pineapple delight. Scared is not the right word… you were always a better poet than me, but I can’t show you what I write, anymore. … Continue reading