Summer 2016 in a purpose-built theatre in Wembley Park, London will play host to a stage production of The Hunger Games by Lionsgate and Imagine Nation.
Continue reading The Hunger Games to hit London stage in 2016
Monthly Archives: November 2014
As You Wish: from Westley’s hands to mine
I saw the cover a few weeks ago.
My reaction was: Gimme!
Happy Bonfire Night!
“Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…”
Metzengerstein by Edgar Allan Poe
Rating: 
Hatfields & McCoys meets Sleepy Hollow (Tim Burton’s movie, not the awful book or TV show).
Metzengerstein is Poe’s first published short story, and it was not good. Seven pages of confusing, and almost nonsensical, Hatfields and McCoys tale of two feuding families.
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx & Frederich Engels
Rating:
It’s been a while since I studied Marxism at school, a refresh of my memory was required, and having never read The Communist Manifesto, I thought I might as well try it.
My views have changed. When I studied Marxism as a teenager I was enamoured with its idealistic belief that capitalism would inevitably end in revolution and somehow result in a more utopian and equal society. No one could ever accuse me of being an optimist, even back then, but I think perhaps Marx’s revolutionary philosophy played on my pessimistic “the world’s going to hell in a hand basket” outlook and shining a spark of optimistic hope that once society finally crumbles, things will get better.
Continue reading The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx & Frederich Engels
The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs
Rating: 
“It has a spell put on it by an old fakir,” said the sergeant-major, “a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it.”
A fascinating classic horror story that has definitely withstood the test of time. I don’t usually enjoy short stories but it seems Jacobs knew his craft because he didn’t leave us wanting.
The Story Behind ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ – its bookish roots
During World War II, British propaganda posters were made.
Continue reading The Story Behind ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ – its bookish roots
10 Reasons to Read the Classics #HaleNo
Monthly Round-Up: October 2014
November is here, that means it’s Movember time [ World site | UK site ]. Movember’s aim is to educate and fundraise to improve men’s health regarding mental illness and prostate and testicular cancers.
Here’s what I posted in October:
#HaleNo
I’m pulling all of the relevant posts here regardless of category, in chronological order.
- Authors Stalking Reviewers: From intimidatory Kathleen Hale to violent Richard Brittain #HaleNo [4]
- Kathleen Hale: Why Research Her Background? #HaleNo [2]
- Sociopathy, Entitlement and Delusion #HaleNo [6]
- Authors vs. Reviewers – An Ongoing War? #HaleNo [3]
- Turning Back Time: A World Without (Amateur) Reviewers #HaleNo [8]
- Leafmarks Announce New Feature: Private Reviews #HaleNo [7]
- My Response to Joanne Harris #HaleNo [1]
NEWS
- Leafmarks adds features much wanted by Goodreads users – filter out images, high-level blocking, and more [9]
- It’s World Mental Health Day! #WMHD [15]
- UK publishing’s Super Thursday – 300+ books released in time for Christmas [10]
- Ebola – why it’s a woman-killing plague [12]
- Ursula K. Le Guin, confronting sexism in sci-fi publishing since 1987 [5]
- Kindle Scout – publishing’s new crowd-sourced beta reading X-Factor game [14]
OPINIONS
REVIEWS
I’m really behind on these. Bad girl!
YEAR IN REVIEW
- 1 Year Blogiversary! [16]
SEASONS & HOLIDAYS
Thank you for reading!
[order of popularity]
Literary Ames 