Small Joys, Elvin James Mensah Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-23 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I are reading and discussing one piece of contemporary fiction each month this year. Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah was published in 2023. It is a warm-hearted debut novel by a young author from South-East London.Watch @shawnbreathesbooks interview the author youtu.be/ZSiLlBnQfD8?si=OK2ajZQFrHTJUHEg
The colourful life of Dion Boucicault #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-13 | Dion Boucicault (Dionysius Lardner Boursiquot, Lee Moreton) was one of the most successful actor-playwright-theatremanagers of the Victorian age. Born in Dublin in 1820, he moved between Ireland, England and the USA making and losing fortunes, friends, wives and business partners until his death in New York in 1890. I give a summary of his life and briefly review two of his 150+ plays: London Assurance and The Colleen Bawn as part of my focus on the Victorian theatre for Victober 2024.Photos of Dion and Agnes courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery, London.
A September of super shorter reads Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-09 | September for me had lots of rewarding shorter books.0:00 Intro ramble1:39 There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. @tillysshelf and I recorded our discussion youtu.be/MrN8LhWZu8M?si=lhTNgiEdeIQMb5342:36 The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández translated by Natasha Wimmer3:53 Ru by Kim Thuy translated by Sheila Fischman5:08 Ti Amo by Hanne Ørstavik translated by Martin Aitken 6:17 A Little Luck by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Frances Riddle 8:03 Mammoth by Eva Baltasar translated by Julia Sanches9:19 Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason11:42 Echoes by Evie Wyld13:36 Fell by Sarah Moss15:06 Quicksand by Nella Larsen19:02 Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton 20:50 Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence25:08 Spirit of Place by Susan Owens26:27 In Parenthesis by David JonesThanks again to the various hosts of September reading events Scott @GunpowderFictionPlot for Straya September Elisabeth @bouquinsbooks Heather @heathergregg9975 Lindy @lindysmagpiereads and Hannah @HannahsBooks for FramedBert @pastorytime2683 and Heather @TooManyHeathers for Shorty SeptemberNora who is pear jelly on Instagram instagram.com/pear.jelly?igsh=eHBsMjg4ZGlrazR4 for Spinster September
Oscar Wildes plays: the famous, the infamous and the forgotten #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-06 | Oscar Wilde is my favourite Victorian playwright, along with many other readers and theatregoers. Here's an overview of Wilde's seven completed plays. He also left two unfinished ones which I don't cover.Vera or the NihilistsThe Duchess of PaduaSaloméLady Windermere's FanA Woman of No Importance The Ideal Husband The Importance of Being Earnest
BookTube Prize fiction final - how I cast my votes and why #booktubeprize Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-05 | The BookTube Prize 2024 has reached its finale. The judges drawn from BookTube, Bookstagram and BookTok have cast their final votes and Gold, Silver and Bronze medals have been awarded for Fiction and Nonfiction. I was a fiction judge and here's my rating of the six finalists. Does it match the overall results and do you agree or disagree? For full details of the books in each round and how the prize is run visit booktubeprize.org Thank you @Robert.Sheard for exemplary organisation of the competition and to all my fellow judges.You could be a judge in 2025. Anyone active on bookish social media can take part if willing to commit to reading the books. Watch out for an announcement on the channel @BookTubePrize
Happy Victober and heres my TBR #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-30 | Victober plans fill me with joy.For more about Victober check the announcements and tbr videos of my fellow hosts @katiejlumsden @katehowereads and Marissa @BlatantlyBookish Do join the conversation on Discord discord.gg/u6Dam2wrYZAnd the Storygraph challenge app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/fd310e25-19f3-4aed-ad70-8c15a57e3803Books mentioned The Doctor's Wife by Mary Elizabeth BraddonPickwick Papers by Charles DickensRuth by Elizabeth GaskellA Terribly Strange Bed, The Dead Hand and The Dream Woman by Wilkie CollinsStudy in Scarlet. The Sign of Four, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Conan DoyleCharley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas Salome by Oscar WildeLondon Assurance by Dion BoucicaultAfternoon by OuidaAlan's Wife by Florence Bell and Elizabeth RobinsThe Internet Archive archive.org
Mammoth by Eva Baltasar: a short and happy review #shortyseptember Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-21 | Mammoth by Eva Baltasar translated from the Catalan by Julia Sanches is newly out in English in August 2024. It is book three in Baltasar's loose trilogy following Permafrost and Boulder.
The Echoes: new from Australian author Evie Wyld #shortyseptember #strayaseptember Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-15 | The Echoes is the brand new (August 2024) novel by Anglo-Australian author Evie Wyld. This is shorter and more intense than Bass Rock.Thank you Scott @GunpowderFictionPlot for encouraging me to pick up Australian books this month. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason is next on my list.
Three superb novels by women in translation: Ti Amo, Ru and The Twilight Zone #shortyseptember Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-08 | I kicked off September with: The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández translated by Natasha Wimmer Ru by Kim Thúy translated by Sheila Fischman Ti Amo by Hanne Ørstavik translated by Martin Aitken For more about that list of the best Canadian books of 21st century youtube.com/watch?v=Z2dkguNlyFs&t=0s from @BookwormAdventureGirl And @lindysmagpiereads on Ru and the rest of a French Canadian top twenty youtu.be/5qra7JDeA00?si=F48wfg7wWa3dP8ZL
Augusts reading joys: new novels, opinionated nonfiction, women in translation and a true epic Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-01 | A cheerful wrap up of August's reading.Events mentioned:@BookTubePrize #FaulknerinAugust#WIT Women in Translation Month @MarilynMayaMendoza Phenomenal Women readathon Books mentioned:North Woods by Daniel Mason The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner youtu.be/TKY2EbRTB8ISmall Joys by Elvin James Mensah youtu.be/L5ui8NqWtaQThe Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud youtu.be/fT734IzWf2AWifedom: Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna Funder Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon The Apple in the Dark by Clarice Lispector translated by Benjamin Moser The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu translated by Royall TylerThe Iliad by Homer translated by Emily Wilson and by Robert Fagles
Victober 2024 announcement #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-31 | It's always a joy to announce that Victober is coming soon. Your hosts Katie @katiejlumsden , Kate @katehowereads , Marissa @BlatantlyBookish and I invite you to join us in spending the month of October enjoying Victorian literature, that is works by British and Irish authors published or written between 1837 and 1901. Join the conversation on Discord discord.com/invite/Zn4AQPnmfuThe group read is the Doctor's Wife by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Reading two chapters a day from 1st to 17th October and the last three on 18th.The ChallengesMarissa's: Read a Victorian work that was originally serialisedKatie's: Read a Victorian book that plays with form in some wayKate's: Read a Victorian book where religion is a component of the storyMine: Experience Victorian drama - read, watch or listen to a Victorian playGroup challenge: Read a Victorian work by Wilkie Collins (loved by @jenniferbrooks) and/or Conan Doyle (loved by @AliceandtheGiantBookshelf )The announcement videos for more inspirationMarissa youtu.be/CXOcNjwVnhE?si=afkw73B5vlRWeqoqKate youtube.com/watch?v=qCRSmcSfpeE&t=0sKatie youtube.com/watch?v=ynyQHVDh190&t=0sSome Victorian dramatists and videos to get you inspiredOscar Wilde youtu.be/2G6OsMp4oKo?si=plRHyxjIgvJJAfDzGeorge Bernard Shaw youtu.be/ZD5Vez-oy2o Arthur Wing Pinero youtu.be/7Tb8CcP2PMU?si=Yc7GuC7KyAfLv1B2Brandon Thomas youtu.be/xXsXVQ1p24o?si=PSC9TQO99tvuBbJhWS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan youtu.be/BWFcMRYjJtA?si=8oaFJRCrnDMvenZTProject Gutenberg gutenberg.orgAnd an update thanks to the wonderful Jo Smith and Clare PotterJo says The Internet Archive archive.org/details/texts?tab=collection has at least three plays by Victorian women writers:Afternoon by OuidaMarjorie Daw by Mary Elizabeth Braddon Alan's Wife by Florence BellAnd Clare suggests Quid Pro Quo - The Day of the Dupes by Catherine Gore. It was performed at the Haymarket in 1844. There is a digitised version available on archive.org the audio is robotic but you can increase the text size.
As I Lay Dying: a chat with Steve at the end of Faulkner in August Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-27 | This year's William Faulkner groupread in August was As I Lay Dying. Thanks to the crew of hosts and the wonderfully active members of the Voxer discussion group who expanded my experience of the novel.Faulkner in August founders Allen and Brian @bighardbooks770 @BookishTexan All the co-hosts:@HannahsBooks @BookChatWithPat8668 @aaronfacer @anotherbibliophilereads @RaynorReadsStuff @knittingbooksetc.2810 @JimReadsTooSlow @TheCodeXCantina @M-J Join us next August for Go Down Moses.
A September TBR with a Shorty pile of possibilities Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-25 | I've got a definite plan for things to read in September plus a reckless pile of possibilities. Blame three attractive reading events:Framed hosted by @bouquinsbooks @HannahsBooks @lindysmagpiereads @anotherbibliophilereads and I missed saying Heather @heathergregg9975 but here is her announcement video youtu.be/ps9aPbLw6Hs?si=RNqMvE2lQoxJcztx and her inspiring pile of possibilities youtu.be/4eEGgqwm-aE?si=ELNz0bIq6IOMcwltStraya September hosted by @GunpowderFictionPlot Shorty September hosted by @pastorytime2683 and @TooManyHeathers I don't mention Shaketember in the video as it was getting overwhelming but I hope to also dip into that by reading Shakespeare's long poem The Rape of Lucrece. Shaketember announcement by Kelly youtu.be/TeVhBpYUQhU?si=PWxtVqJFYCR-6yIxThe TBR books:There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif ShafakThe Stone Angel by Margaret LaurenceA Little Luck by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Frances RiddleSpirit of Place by Susan Owens Sorrow and Bliss by Meg MasonTi Amo by Hanne Ørstavik translated by Martin AitkenRu by Kim Thúy translated by Sheila FischmanThe POP books:Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton The Stone Quartet by Alan GarnerSouthern Mail/Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry translated by Curtis CateThe Fell by Sarah MossMoonraker by F. Tennyson JesseThe Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior Woman translated and edited by Melanie MagidowYell Sam If You Still Can by Maylis Besserie translated by Clíona Ní RíordáinThe Wandering Falcon by Jamil AhmadQuicksand by Nella Larsen@BookwormAdventureGirl video about the best Canadian 21st century books youtu.be/wTP4ZpLsdUI?si=BqUCV5XxbzzE9mHG
Lost Love Songs make for a winning book Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-11 | An enthusiastic review of Ingrid Persaud's second novel The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh which was published late April this year.
Delightful historical fiction - The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst #montgomeryhurst Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-08 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I talk about the new novel by Katie of the wonderful booktube channel Books and Things. This is her second book. We loved it and so will you if you enjoy Victorian literature and smart historical fiction. Here is @katiejlumsden reading chapter one to get a taster youtu.be/IeSRPQ2t4RE?si=uJm4CV-QA0jSYtFyAnd that video has links about where to get hold of it. In the UK it should be in your local bookshop.We are discussing a recent novel every month this year. Our August book will be Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah. To whet your appetite here's @shawnbreathesbooks interviewing the author youtu.be/ZSiLlBnQfD8?si=WukfXEyOTYMsj5W9
Julys reading delights, Austen and otherwise Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-03 | July is always #janeaustenjuly for me now so the first half of this wrap up is Austen related. starting with the new novel by @katiejlumsden And the second half is all the other books I read ending with my favourite of the month.0:00 Intro ramble0:53 The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden 2:25 Mansfield Park by Jane Austen 5:45 Catharine and Other Writings by Jane Austen 6:48 The Genius of Jane Austen by Paula Byrne 8:33 Who's the Dupe and The Belle's Stratagem by Hannah Cowley 11:20 trouble with the cat11:46 BookTube Prize reading - The Reformatory by Tannarive Due and Wellness by Nathan Hill 13:18 Factory Summers by Guy Delisle translated by Helge Dascher and Rob Aspinall14:42 Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better by Siobhan Miller15:49 A Time in Rome by Elizabeth Bowen 17:35 Selected Stories by Elizabeth Bowen selected by Tessa Hadley19:13 Marzahn Mon Amour by Katja Oskamp translated by Jo Heinrich 23:00 Closing rambleAusten's humour discussion with Tilly youtu.be/xqJMUhnOggA?si=BtJ3PiJQ4DjMtFmdBookTube Prize semifinal mini reviews youtu.be/b8ENMIy9FP0?si=ry4VzKZnWWgEyKZ2
Augusts pile of possibilities - WIT and Phenomenal Women Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-02 | A less excessive TBR than July's I hope.Reading events mentioned:Faulkner in August youtu.be/XLhNaJu1-YU?si=Zn7GhI5v5wRkBh2PWomen in Translation Month Phenomenal WomenBookTube Prize Booktube channels mentioned:@MarilynMayaMendoza @BookTubePrize @BernasBookishAdventures @shawnbreathesbooks @CharlieBrookReads Books mentioned:As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner The Apple in the Dark by Clarice Lispector translated by Benjamin Moser The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah North Woods by Daniel Mason The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'DonoghueWifedom: Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna FunderEve: How the Female Body Shaped 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu edited and translated by Royall TylerIndigenous Literatures from Micronesia edited by Evelyn Flores and Emelihter Kihleng The Iliad by Homer translated by Emily WilsonIn Parenthesis by David Jones The Poems of Nazim Hikmet translated by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konak
Tough choices in the BookTube Prize semi finals #booktubeprize Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-01 | Six mini reviews of the novels in the semifinal group I judged. How did I rank them and did I pick the three that will reach the final?Thank you @Robert.Sheard for all you do to make @BookTubePrize possible.Find out more booktubeprize.orgYou could be a judge in 2025.
Which are the authors I have read all of or think I should? Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-24 | Yes that's Virginia Woolf in the thumbnail. She's one of five authors I haven’t yet "completed" by reading all their novels but will. Are you a completist? I'm not as a rule but #janeaustenjuly made me reflect that there are a few authors I do feel that way about. I thought I'd share the ones like Austen that I have already read everything by, which I won't attempt and which I will. I'd love to know yours too.This 1912 portrait of Woolf by Vanessa Bell is in the National Portrait Gallery in London. I don't know why her sister Bell blurred out her eyes.
Ros and Tilly celebrate Jane Austens comic brilliance #janeaustenjuly Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-20 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I share our appreciation of Jane Austen every year during Jane Austen July. This time we think about Austen's wicked wit and observational humour. We enjoy a happy ramble through some her comic writing, especially in her six major novels and reflect on how she uses humour to reveal character or progress a story. Thank you to the #janeaustenjuly hosts for giving us the excuse to talk about her again.@katiejlumsden @SpinstersLibrary @katehowereads @BlatantlyBookish
A mid year reading celebration, with a nod to the mid year freak out book tag Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-14 | My reading highlights from 2024 up until to the end of June. Loosely based on a venerable tag whose creator has long gone from BookTube. I talk at varying lengths about lots of books and authors. Here's a rough list in the order mentioned:Thunderclap by Laura Cummings A Flat Place by Noreen Masud The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange The Singapore Grip by JG Farrell The Women of Troy by Pat Barker The Apple in the Dark by Clarice Lispector translated by Benjamin MoserSmall Joys by Elvin James MensahMy Friends by Hisham MatarThe Last Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud (also Love After Love)The Voyage Home by Pat Barker The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden The Bee Sting by Paul Murray Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt Home Child by Liz Berry Human Acts by Han Kang translated by Deborah SmithThe Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Welcome to St Hell by Lewis Hancox Strong Female Character by Fern Brady Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad The Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes translated by Ann Goldstein Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff (also Matrix)Not a River by Selva Almada translated by Annie McDermott (also Brickmakers)Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer The Wife of Bath: A Biography by Marion Turner Poyums by Len Pennie Happiness Falls by Angie Kim Western Lane by Chetna Maroo The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen Blossomise by Simon Armitage illustrated by Angela HardingThe Night Alphabet by Joelle Taylor Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel translated by Rosalind Harvey Brotherless Nights by VV Ganeshananthan After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz
You Dreamed of Empires - Ros and Tilly disagree about this new novel Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-11 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I are reading and discussing a contemporary novel every month this year. Our June choice was You Dreamed of Empires by Mexican writer Alvaro Enrigue translated by Natasha Wimmer. Pub;ished in Spanish in 2022 and in English in early 2024.Tilly and I are often in tune in our reactions but not this time. Expect a return to harmony with our July choice The Trouble With Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden @katiejlumsden . It's Katie of Books and Things second novel and comes out in the UK on 17th July.Hear Katie talk about it youtu.be/XQ78AKalOqM?si=VvfFfJCt1ncOZEFQ or hear her read the first chapter youtu.be/IeSRPQ2t4RE?si=5gQLzDxOaK4cB6dY
June is packed with books - better use the time stamps. But first a moment about Alice Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-06 | A long and lively June wrap up with plenty of delights and discoveries. But first a little reflection on BookTube friendship, mourning Alice and meeting Berna.0:00 Intro. Thoughts about the loveliness that was Alice @AliceandtheGiantBookshelf. And a happy day with Berna @BernasBookishAdventures youtu.be/TUmvlz0HUME?si=-jq3PdYM8Sw3TfIu4:04 Pyongyang by Guy Delisle translated by Helge Dascher. 7:23 Give Birth Like a Feminist by Milli Hill8:55 The Wife of Bath: a biography by Marion Turner11:24 Not talking about BookTube Prize semi final reading Tom Lake and Lone Women. Then ten more novels to come.12:53 Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hossein read for #CaribAthon 16:28 Elizabeth Bowen's Eva Trout and A World of Love18:42 Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan 21:00 The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunarilaka and Brotherless Night youtu.be/WY5aFFl5DW0?si=HWx1nc3VgQ8GUTHG22:56 You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigues translated by Natasha Wimmer to be a discussion soon with @tillysshelf 24:13 The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James 27:29 Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel translated by Rosalind Harvey 29:33 Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes translated by Ann Goldstein 33:10 After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz
As I Lay Dying #faulknerinaugust announcement Scallydandling about the books 2024-06-30 | As I Lay Dying is this year's William Faulkner shared read for #FaulknerinAugust2024Join me and the other hosts in a ftiendly Voxer group discussion of this fascinating and influential novel from 1930. There should be a good mix of Faulkner aficionados and Faulkner newbies. My Voxer identity is rcook2207 to ask to join.Your hosts are below and announcement videos are popping up now. You can also expect a video or two about the book in August from most of the hosts and you could make one too if you have a channel. Allen @bighardbooks770 Brian @BookishTexan Aaron @aaronfacer Cristina @knittingbooksetc.2810 Greg @anotherbibliophilereads Hannah @HannahsBooks Jim @JimReadsTooSlow MJ @M-J Randy Ray @LiterateTexan Una @TheCodeXCantina
Did we love Brotherless Night? Tilly and Ros on the Womens Prize and Carol Shields Prize winner Scallydandling about the books 2024-06-28 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I are reading and discussing a recent novel each month in 2024. Our May choice was Brotherless Night by VV Ganeshananthan. We didn't know then it was going to be the big prizewinner of May and June. Our June pick is You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigues translated by Natasha Wimmer and published in English in 2024.
A July TBR, mostly #janeaustenjuly of course Scallydandling about the books 2024-06-24 | I'm buzzing with Jane Austen July plans. Thanks to the hosts and here are their announcement videos:Katie youtu.be/wJ6CqZ1Zst4?si=RLGuZY5xH2_nDLdOClaudia youtu.be/ZJwAILIW0Fk?si=h2sKwZcs2Y-BrroHMarissa youtu.be/kPegr1krDcg?si=73CgXcGdk5zPRwC70:00 Intro ramble 1:00 Jane Austen July plans for 2024:Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, plus her letters and juveniliaThe Genius of Jane Austen, Paula Byrne. Plays by Hannah Cowley including The Belle's Stratagem, Which Is the Man? Who's the Dupe? The RunawayThe Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst, Katie Lumsden12:00 other July reading plans:Wellness, Nathan HillThe Reformatory, Tannarive DueThe House of Doors, Tan Twan EngMarzahn Mon Amour, Katja Oskamp translated Jo HeinrichElizabeth Bowen Selected Stories and A Time in RomeFactory Summers, Guy DelislePoems of Nazim Hikmet translated Randy Blasing & Mutlu Konak, a special gift from Berna @BernasBookishAdventures Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia edited by Evelyn Flores and Emelihter KihlengEve: how the female body drove 200 million years of human evolution, Cat Bohannon.Tell me if you fancy reading any plays by Hannah Cowley during Jane Austen July.And hear a taster of @katiejlumsden's new novel youtu.be/IeSRPQ2t4RE?si=-Z6JLGFTNOvjRhef
A Marvellous May packed with new fiction, golden oldies, fresh poetry and tremendous nonfiction Scallydandling about the books 2024-06-23 | A romp through my May reading with some positive recommendations and no disappointments. A bit late as I have been away. 0:00 Intro ramble1:30 Of Cattle and Men, Ana Paula Maia translated by Zoe Perry youtu.be/EHhr2pkU4ho?si=SsWpkF8ZTeJh7FGe for more about this2:08 Hagstone, Sinead Gleeson youtu.be/61dLOOPDr-s?si=Zr0bSjAppBjdY-I3 if you want to hear more3:06 The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer3:50 Poyums, Len Pennie5:52 Normal Women, Phillipa Gregory6:56 Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer8:01 Metamorphosis :a life in pieces, Robert Douglas-Fairhurst9:28 Of Human Bondage, William Somerset Maugham11:58 Reading Elizabeth Bowen - The Hotel, The Last September, The House in Paris14:21 Brotherless Night, VV Ganeshananthan16:28 James, Percival Everett18:49 Wandering Stars, Tommy Orange22:52 Closing ramble Thank you to the May reading event hosts or for inspiring many of my choicesScott @GunpowderFictionPlot and Gemma @GemofBooks @MarilynMayaMendoza and Kim @MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH Heidi @myreadinglife8816 Doris @alldbooks9165 Emma @ACupOfBooks Natalie @CuriousReader Emily @novellenovels @shawnbreathesbooks Sarah @HardcoverHearts
The Library Book Tag #librarybooktag Scallydandling about the books 2024-05-28 | Thank you Charlotte @CoynieReads for tagging me and @BookBuds for creating this tag. Libraries are wonderful things that we should use and celebrate. The thumbnail images are from my wnderful local library in Brighton.There are two sets of questions depending on whether you use libraries or not. *If you DO go to the library… answer these: 1. How often do you go to the library? 2. Do you belong to more than one library system? 3. What percentage of books you read come from the library? 4. Do you listen to audiobooks or get e-books from the library or are you hooked on Audible or Amazon or something else? 5. Did you go to story time at the library as a kid? 6. Have you ever borrowed a movie or video game from your library? 7. Have you ever been fined for returning books late? If so, how do you feel about that? 8. Do you attend special events, groups or book sales at the library? 9. Have you ever given or taken a book from a little free library, a book box or a book swap? 10. Bonus! Does your librarian know you by name? 11. Tag some friends! *If you DON’T go to the library… answer these: 1. Why the heck not? 2. Where do you get your books from? 3. Have you ever had a library card or do you have one now? 4. When was the last time you stepped foot in the library? 5. Have you ever gone to an event at your library? 6. Do you have little free libraries or book boxes or book swaps where you live? Show us a picture if you do. 7. Tag some friends!I tag:@lindysmagpiereads @novellenovels @GemofBooks @spreadbookjoy @EveningReader
Hagstone, Sinéad Gleeson: exciting new fiction but did I love it? Scallydandling about the books 2024-05-27 | Hagstone is writer and artist Sinéad Gleeson's debut novel. For an alternative perspective to mine watch @EricKarlAnderson youtu.be/xzpcTRzDmb0?si=gjdBqPysWTtO6Akaor @BobTheBookerer youtu.be/60H1HWCG-1s?si=3eQYr7hzdxm93Jp8
Ive been feasting on South American fiction: Crooked Plow, Of Cattle and Men, Not a River & more Scallydandling about the books 2024-05-19 | Readers in English are being treated at the moment to a wealth of fiction in translation from South American authors. Here are five I read in the past few weeks. What about you? Any hot tips?Books mentioned:Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior translated by Johnny LorenzNot a River by Selva Almada translated by Annie McDermottOf Cattle and Men by Ana Paula Maia translated by Zoe Perry Simpatia by Rodrigo Blanco Calderón translated by Noel Hernandez Gonzalez and Daniel HahnUndiscovered by Gabriela Wiener translated by Julia SanchesAlso mentioned in passing Jorge Amado and Clarice Lispector.
People April: Tilly and Ros sharing our highlights Scallydandling about the books 2024-05-06 | The most exciting thing that's happened to me this weekend is that Tilly @tillysshelf came to visit bringing our new cat little Loki. But of course we also found time to talk books. This is a People April highlights conversation. A huge thank you from me to Elisabeth @bouquinsbooks who had the idea of a readathon based on life writing of all kinds. She and I have been thrilled by how booktube has embraced this and we will definitely bring it back for a third round in 2025 so even more of us can be inspired to read biographies, memoirs, letters, diaries and more. The Discord conversations have been tremendous so thanks to everyone on there, including those who expanded my experience of the groupread I Am I Am I Am by MaggieO'Farrell. I have really enjoyed watching the responses to the This or That book tag and all the other great #peopleapril content I've seen. I wish I could link to everything!Elisabeth has done a brilliant round up about both the groupread and the stats from the tag answers youtu.be/0RK8x4e6VZc?si=0SZKSF1eF3UxpJgTTilly and I mention #picturethis hosted by @spreadbookjoy and @Shellyish and the multiple People April videos by @saintdonoghue If you want to check out many recommendations use the link to the Discord server discord.com/invite/ZTv3Z54AvJBooks mentioned by Tilly or me:Strong Female Character by Fern Brady Welcome To St Hell by Lewis Hancox The Dam by David Almond and Levi Pinfold Camille and the Sunflowers by Laurence AnholtA Flat Place by Noreen Masud Feral by George MonbiotThunderclap by Laura Cummings The Midwife's Tale by Nicky Leap and Billy HuntThe Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior WomanUndiscovered by Gabriela Wiener translated by Julia Sanches Handle With Care by Rachael HearsonWhy She Wrote by Lauren Burke and Hannah Chapman A Nurse in Time by Evelyn PrentisRaising Boys Who Do Better by Uju AsihaI Can Be A Brave Adventurer by Frances LincolnLetters of Note: Mothers by Shaun Usher Missing Persons or My Grandmother's Secrets by Clair Wills Ducks by Kate Beaton
A pile of plans for May inspired by annoyingly inviting BookTube reading events Scallydandling about the books 2024-05-01 | Who put so many great readathons in May and why can't I resist their attraction?Books mentioned:Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer12 Birds to Save Your Life by Charlie CorbettPoyums by Len PennieMetamorphosis: a life in pieces by Robert Douglas FairhurstOf Human Bondage by William Somerset Maugham Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange Portrait of a Lady by Henry JamesForbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes translated by Ann GoldsteinOf Cattle and Men by Ana Paula Maia translated by Zoe PerryBrotherless Night by VV GaneshananthanThe Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan KarunarilakaJames by Percival Everett The Hotel and Last September by Elizabeth BowenNormal Women by Philippa Gregory In Parenthesis by David Jones Events mentioned with host's channels:Springathon @myreadinglife8816@alldbooks9165 @CuriousReader @ACupOfBooks Mental Health May @MarilynMayaMendoza @MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH Spoonies Readathon @novellenovels @BrewsandReviews Misery May @GunpowderFictionPlot @GemofBooks I accidentally said Jack who is also a wonderful booktube friendAsian Readathon @withcindy
Five favourite autobiographical poems #peopleapril #poetryreadathon2024 Scallydandling about the books 2024-04-28 | I'm celebrating the end of People April, National Poetry Month and the Poetry Readathon with a selection of personal favourite autobiographical poems by poets writing in English. Thank you to my People April co-host Elisabeth @bouquinsbooks and the Poetry Readathon hosts @CharlieBrookReads and @CharlesHeathcote Here's a link to hear each of the poems. It was a struggle to narrow it down to these five. There's actually a pair for Donne!John Donneyoutu.be/-4x6ZA3lfE0?si=B5CuCsUQqcEqhny1youtu.be/YC52PiK4lgU?si=KOPSuQ0rYIaAIQHyElizabeth Barrett Browning youtu.be/JT9MlPOI6C0?si=dYyuVUEQgNnvHuZ1Seamus Heaneyyoutu.be/KNRkPU1LSUg?si=4S6BIyNhKx3dn8S1Joelle Taylor youtu.be/K4EdtA4Aeyo?si=bf4pKWQ0Wq1E7-6cRaymond Antrobusyoutu.be/CqSQqmVlwFE?si=Ou2GN5ocCdG0KZVE
Is autofiction a crime? The case for and against. Scallydandling about the books 2024-04-21 | How do you feel about autofiction? Is it lazy, confusing or narcissistic? Or revealing and fascinating? Could it just be a new way of labelling a style of fiction that has been around forever? People April feels like a good excuse to discuss this literary controversy so share your thoughts in the comments. You could even make a response video if you are incensed or inspired by my opinion. Books or authors mentioned:Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener translated by Julia SanchesPD JamesJM CoetzeeDavid Copperfield by Charles Dickens Of Human Bondage by William Somerset Maugham The Lover by Marguerite DurasOranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette WintersonKarl Ove KnausgardAnnie Ernaux Outline by Rachel CuskThe Rings of Saturn by WG SebaldFor more about People April check my cohost Elisabeth's channel @bouquinsbooks youtu.be/Gt-_GfGU4wk?si=7izPg8ncK6c-8NLa
Western Lane: Tilly and Ros enthusing about Chetna Maroos #womensprize longlisted novel Scallydandling about the books 2024-04-11 | Spoiler free in case you are wondering. Tilly and I are reading and discussing a contemporary fiction book each month this year. Our April choice was Western Lane by Chetna Maroo which was published in 2023. Western Lane has had a lot of love and found its way onto the Booker and Women's Prize longlists. But there have also been some dissenting voices. We explain why it was a hit with both of us.
This or That? A book tag for People April ORIGINAL version #peopleapril Scallydandling about the books 2024-04-08 | The "This or That?" book tag: a new tag for People April and beyond from me and Elisabeth @bouquinsbooks Use this tag to talk about what you like or dislike in nonfiction about people. Pick the prompts that appeal to you or allow you to enjoy being opinionated. Do mention books good and bad as you go along.1) Big, fat and detailed biographies or short and succinct biographies?2) Celebrity memoirs or average Joe memoirs?3) Complete correspondence or selected letters?4) Memoirs written when the events are fresh or memoirs written with hindsight? 5) Gossipy biographies or scholarly biographies?6) Diaries of ordinary life or diaries of extraordinary events?7) Arty memoirs or sporting memoirs?8) Gritty autobiographical writing or inspirational autobiographical writing?9) Biographies of historical figures or biographies of contemporary figures?10) Memoirs of happy days or memoirs of tragic days?Everyone interested in biography, memoirs, letters and diaries can consider themselves tagged. I'll tag some people I know are taking part in People April. @saintdonoghue @BookTimewithElvis @spreadbookjoy@lindysmagpiereads@Eldertalk @RaynorReadsStuff @BooklessPete @BookChatWithPat8668 @insearchofwonder @AliceandtheGiantBookshelf @sarah-roadworthy @TriumphalReads @GemofBooks @novellenovels @novelideea @readandre-read @booksimnotreading @MarilynMayaMendoza @BernasBookishAdventures @stalkingkafkaBooks mentioned or most of them!Square Haunting by Francesca WadeThe Five by Hallie RubenholdStrong Female Character by Fern Brady None of the Above by Travis Alabanza The Moon's a Balloon by David NivenH is for Hawk by Helen MacdonaldThe Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters by Charlotte MosleyA Flat Place by Noreen Masud Unspeakable: The Story of Junius Wilson by Susan Burch & Hannah Joyner @HannahsBooks A Woman in Berlin by Marta HillersBedsit Disco Queen by Tracey ThornMountains of the Mind by Robert Macfarlane Rosie, Scenes from a Vanished LifeWelcome to St Hell by Lewis Hancox A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh FermorIf This Is A Man by Primo Levi
March wrap up - some brilliant books and a broken arm Scallydandling about the books 2024-04-07 | March had its ups and downs for me but the books were all good or better.0:00 Intro and personal bits. Thank you @katiejlumsden for organising the meeting youtu.be/A203etNe5R4?si=94gxdFBWwFcnFggF2:32 Heartstopper 1 to 5 by Alice Oseman5:03 Ness by Robert Macfarlane and Stanley Donwood6:02 Blossomise by Simon Armitage 7:57 Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane 9:23 Happiness Falls by Angie Kim discussion with @tillysshelf youtu.be/RdtNz_q0YLU?si=LjnOTLTw2HKghTMp11:00 The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman11:57 Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson translated by Elizabeth Portch13:08 The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope 14:45 The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa translated by Stephen Snyder16:23 Parasol Against the Axe by Helen Oyeyemi 18:04 Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens 20:22 Western Lane by Chetna Maroo 22:05 Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy 25:15 The Night Alphabet by Joelle Taylor Reading events mentioned and a host for each if you want to know more:March of the Mammoths @OldBluesChapterandVerse Irish Readathon @lisainbookland Fierce Reads @Shellyish Middle Grade March @BooksAndJams March Mystery Madness @MarilynMayaMendoza 24 in 24 Banned Book Challenge @M-J The BookTube Prize @BookTubePrize
What a stunner! The Night Alphabet by Joelle Taylor Scallydandling about the books 2024-04-04 | This debut novel by Joelle Taylor is pretty special. The Night Alphabet was published in the UK in February 2024. And if my opinion is not enough watch Bob's review @BobTheBookerer youtu.be/ZTP1VPsJitQ?si=o2Ux9fMWeyut2F8qThis was my Fierce Reads choice. Fierce Reads was hosted in March by@Bookishtravels1 @MsReadsAlot @Shellyish@EntertheBookI hope they do it again next year.
Tilly and Ros discuss Strong Female Character by Fern Brady #peopleapril Scallydandling about the books 2024-04-03 | Strong Female Character is stand up comedian Fern Brady's memoir looking back on her childhood in the knowledge she has now about being autistic. It is both sad and funny. It was the runner up in the vote on @bouquinsbooks my co-host Elisabeth's channel for the People April group read. Thanks Tilly @tillysshelf for sharing this one with me.Language is really important when talking about neurodivergence. Tilly and I tried to be mindful of this and apologies if we did not get this entirely right at all points. I wanted to add two things. One is that Tilly mentions Aspergers at one point and it is worth saying that Brady does this in the book to give herself the opportunity to explain why it is no longer used as a term. I am not sure we made that clear. Also she has every right to be angry about things that happened in her childhood but I was happy she has found some understanding with her mother.
BookTube Prize - my ranking and mini reviews for Fiction Group D #booktubeprize Scallydandling about the books 2024-04-01 | Reading for the BookTube Prize is such fun even when I don't love every book. Thank you Robert @Robert.Sheard for amazing organisation of @BookTubePrize Group D books alphabetically by author below. To find out my ranking you'll just have to watch! If you are not a regular viewer I should probably mention that I have a broken arm, hence the uncomfortable posture and one handed gesticulation.Old God's Time by Sebastian BarryBig Swiss by Jen BeaginLoved and Missed by Susie BoytThe Vaster Wilds by Lauren GroffSmall Mercies by Dennis LehaneThe Bee Sting by Paul Murray0:00 introductory ramble0:40 sixth and bottom despite being fine in its way4:18 a controversial fifth place decision. Don’t shoot me please9:40 a mixed bag comes fourth 13:34 intense and emotional third place and without the prize I wouldn't have read it17:17 number two, one I devoured in a blaze but may not suit everyone 21:33 top for me and a beautifully crafted, multi layered novel
People April Plans plus a dip into #picturethis #transgirlapril #disabilityreadathon #alcottapril Scallydandling about the books 2024-03-29 | Lots to type with my lefthand so will be succinct.See more on People April on my cohost Elisabeth's channel @bouquinsbooks Join us on Discord discord.com/invite/e9zBJKppANStorygraph challenge app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3dec42aa-2357-4d33-bf39-f235089f711aTwo useful resources for People April Letters of Note lettersofnote.comDiaries of Note diariesofnote.comPicture This hosts are @spreadbookjoy and @Shellyish Check out TransGirl April with @CestKevvie Disability Readathon run by @FromErinsLibrary and @nymeria941 disabilityreadathon.comDeea's Alcott April announcement youtu.be/AXqUrX0IBgE?si=b2J_tUy1PyVP9Kz_ @novelideeaThe other wonderful April readathon that I don't mention in the video is hosted by @katiejlumsden (Books and Things) and is all about tackling your longterm TBR which would have been great if I wasn't buried in People April choices. The announcement youtu.be/pElOO3PrFkU?si=T9Uio_Bf9Testx0QOther Booktubers mentioned @tillysshelf @lindysmagpiereads and @shawnbreathesbooksThe books:I Am I Am I Am by Maggie O'Farrell Missing Persons or My Grandmother's Secrets by Clair WillsNormal Women by Philippa Gregory Facemaker by Lindsey FitzharrisStrong Female Character by Fern Brady Thunderclap by Laura Cummings Welcome To St Hell by Lewis HancoxDucks by Kate BeatonWhy She Wrote by Lauren Burke, Hannah Chapman and Kaley BalesThe Dam by David Almond and Levi PinfoldA Flat Place by Noreen MasudLetters of Note: Mothers by Shaun UsherIn Parenthesis by David Jones Human Acts by Han Kang translated by Deborah Smith Of Human Bondage by William Somerset Maugham
New fiction: Parasol against the Axe, Helen Oyeyemi Scallydandling about the books 2024-03-10 | I had a wild time reading Parasol against the Axe by Helen Oyeyemi, published here on 30th January and just out stateside.
The People April group read is I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie OFarrell Scallydandling about the books 2024-03-06 | The readers have spoken and picked Maggie O'Farrell's memoir with a difference as the group read book for #PeopleApril 2024. I hope you will want to read this and join the discussion on Discord discord.com/invite/QsTcSfpEMJI am thrilled as I love her fiction including the wonderful Hamnet and this memoir sounds fascinating, worrying and yet life affirming.The schedule is a relaxed 70 to 80 pages a week:Week one - chapters 1 to 5Week two - chapters 6 to 9Week three - chapters 10 to 14Week four - chapters 15 to 17For more about People April you could check my cohost Elisabeth's channel @bouquinsbooks Or our announcement videosyoutu.be/Gt-_GfGU4wk?si=PmZ52-Ws8qw75Jb4youtu.be/C281LsPsk_c?si=gzTnS_fvxL8IRmrG
The Wren, The Wren, Anne Enright: Tilly and Ros discussing new fiction #WomensPrize for fiction Scallydandling about the books 2024-03-05 | SPOILER FREE Tilly @tillysshelf and I are reading and chatting about a contemporary novel each month in 2024. The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright was our February choice. It was published late August 2023 and is hitting some book prize shortlists now. In fact it is on the Women's Prize for Fiction longlist announced the same day we put this video up. Our March book will be Happiness Falls by Angie Kim. Here’s the article I mentioned about her motivation in depicting a particular character:amp.theguardian.com/books/2024/jan/27/nonverbal-people-deserve-a-voice-angie-kim-on-why-she-wrote-a-novel-about-a-boy-with-severe-autism
Februarys delights and discoveries or at least those I can talk about Scallydandling about the books 2024-03-01 | I read lots of good stuff in February but can't talk about the four books I read for the BookTube Prize. Find out more about the prize booktubeprize.org and follow it on YouTube @BookTubePrize or Instagram instagram.com/booktubeprize?igsh=c3B2ODR0MnV1bW1iSorry about the variable lighting and the wild suggestion that's it is the end of March not the start. Working around the builders was a challenge and this was my fifth attempt at recording this.Books I could talk about:Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright Bright Fear by Mary ChanSelf-portrait As Othello by Jason Allen-PaisantThe Home Child by Liz BerryThe Singapore Grip by JG Farrell (also The Troubles and The Siege of Krishnapur)Booktubers mentioned:Tilly @tillysshelf Priscilla @EveningReader Sarah @sarah-roadworthy
People April announcement - reading nonfiction about people Scallydandling about the books 2024-02-25 | Join me and Elisabeth @bouquinsbooks in a reading event all about reading nonfiction about people during April: biography, memoirs, diaries, letters and more. It's up to you whether you want to read a pile of fat biographies or one letter, but see if you can connect your choices to our two flexible prompts."Biography should be written by an acute enemy." Arthur Balfour "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train." Oscar Wilde There's a Storygraph challenge app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3dec42aa-2357-4d33-bf39-f235089f711a to record books you link to the prompts. Thanks @ameliareads589 for this.We voted on the groupread over on Elisabeth's channel Bouquins and Books. The options were:Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela Strong Female Character by Fern Brady Stranger in the Shogun's City by Amy Stanley I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell OUR WINNERGroup read schedule Week one - chapters 1 to 5Week two - chapters 6 to 9Week three - chapters 10 to 14Week four - chapters 15 to 17Link for the People April Discord discord.com/invite/QsTcSfpEMJDiscord is free and is great for multiple conversations. If this link has expired leave a comment and I will update it.Elisabeth's announcement video youtu.be/Gt-_GfGU4wk?si=8S_sMBJ19lp1Nq3-
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon, a fresh voice in historical fiction Scallydandling about the books 2024-02-25 | Glorious Exploits was published in January 2024. It is a debut novel set in Syracuse in 412 BC by young Irish author Ferdia Lennon. Steve convinced me to read it as he enjoyed it enormously so we talk about it together here.
Januarys bookish delights from Troy to Sardinia, via Palestine and Yorkshire Scallydandling about the books 2024-02-10 | A skip through the ten books I finished in January. Thank you Berna @BernasBookishAdventures for a wonderful buddyread this month. Do investigate her channel if you don't know it. Tilly @tillysshelf and I had a zoom chat about Enter Ghost youtu.be/GlZQpg0wfEc0:00 Intro ramble1:35 The Skull, Jon Klassen3:12 The Women of Troy, Pat Barker 8:13 Enter Ghost, Isabella Hammad 9:39 Hotel Savoy, Joseph Roth translated by John Hoare13:05 Kibogo, Scholastique Mukosonga translated by Mark Polizotti14:34 Winter People, Grainne Murphy16:05 Remains of Elmet, Ted Hughes18:15 The Gallows Pole, Benjamin Myers 22:18 A Shining, Jon Fosse translated by Damion Searls24:28 The Queen of Darkness, Grazia Deledda translated by Graham Anderson27:30 Outro ramble
Enter Ghost - Tilly and Ros discuss Isabella Hammads 2023 novel of Hamlet and Palestine Scallydandling about the books 2024-02-05 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I both enjoyed Enter Ghost by British Palestinian author Isabella Hammad. It is a novel of ideas and emotion focused around a production of Hamlet on the West Bank.Tilly and I are planning on reading and discussing a recent(ish) release each month in 2024. This was our January choice. Expect a video about our February book The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright in early March.
Want to walk with the Brontes? Dont miss Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell Scallydandling about the books 2024-02-03 | A lovely new novel by Karen Powell that imagines the lives of the Bronte sisters. Fifteen Wild Decembers came out in September 2023 and I nearly skipped it until I heard @BobTheBookerer describe its gentle but positive charms.
