Being emotionally honest is not a big thing in our society. Oh, all the Oprah moments and talk-show confessions might convince you sometimes that’s the case but the truth is that people put a great deal of effort into personal PR and convincing the world, whether in person or on Continue Reading
Book review: A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe
We have been conditioned through countless inspiringly uplifting stories to think that getting over trauma is as simple as having your eyes opened to the true nature of your pain, realising how much better life will be without it, and deciding to do something about it. And then doing it! Continue Reading
Great good done and terrible evil unleashed: The Lord of the Rings – The Rings of Power (S1, E6-8 review)
SPOILERS AHEAD … AND GOOD GIANTS, DISGUISED EVIL AND FALLIBLE BEINGS … In our modern world where many, thought not all, have been quite used to the fact that humanity comes in all shades of complicated greys, and not just glaring black and white, the world of Tolkien is one Continue Reading
“You’re inside my house?!” Jinkies it’s a teaser trailer for Velma
SNAPSHOTVelma is an adult animated comedy series telling the origin story of Velma Dinkley, the unsung and under appreciated brains of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. gang. This original and humorous spin unmasks the complex and colorful past of one of America’s most beloved mystery solvers. (official synopsis via Collider) Much Continue Reading
Book review: Gemini Falls by Sean Wilson
Copy provided for review by NetGalley For a species that embraces the certainty of rules, regulations and dogma, we are also invariably in love with the idea of mystery, with the sense that for all the things we know about the world, there are a great many things we do Continue Reading
A trio of tantalisingly terrific trailers: Matilda, Causeway + Slumberland
Reality is a sneaky thing. Sometimes it’s out there and prominent, unmissable and sometimes undealable with; other times, it disguises itself as fantasy and myth and legend but behind all the bright songs and escapist gossamer gorgeousness it sits there still, waiting for you to discover it and deal with Continue Reading
Graphic novel review: The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman
SNAPSHOTNow an acclaimed live-action Netflix series! Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. This joyful trip into the LGBTQ+ world of Heartstopper is the perfect gift for anyone who loves the graphic novels or Netflix TV series – from Alice Oseman, bestselling author and winner of the Continue Reading
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … Santa Maybe by Mary Jayne Baker (book review)
Santa Maybe was provided as a preview by NetGalley. As romantic times of the year go, surely nothing surpasses Christmas as the go-to season for falling headlong, madly, irrevocably and without regret into the welcoming arms of Cupid? Sure, you are supposed to do that on Valentine’s Day but it’s Continue Reading
The rebellion gathers pace: Andor (S1, E4-6 review)
There is a tendency, an understandable one it should be added, to view insurgencies against tyranny and authoritarianism as wholly noble and heroic. That they are noble and heroic goes without saying – you cannot take on a fight of such gargantuan, near impossible-to-win proportions and not possess impressive quantities Continue Reading
Book review: Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Is it possible for something as confectedly light and escapist as a rom-com to have a sense of grounded, real world humanity? And even if it is, wouldn’t that break the gossamer-lovely romantic spell that every rom-com tries to weave in ways beguiling and heart-stirringly sweet? Well, while it’s not Continue Reading