my own private book club rereads Wild Mind by Natalie Goldberg Paul Magrs 2024-07-02 | while i was still away in Scotland i finished rereading Natalie Goldberg's book. I've read it three times before and this time it meant even more to me. It's the second book in My Own Private Bookclub for summer 2024
i think we carry on writing not just for us but for everyone weve loved who cant tell us their sto Paul Magrs 2024-10-18 | walking around our little autumnal park, posting some letters - and having a complete epiphany about why we send cards and why we carry on doing all these things to do with writing and reading.
Ineed to get this book about our stray cat back into print ten years on from his death and publica Paul Magrs 2024-10-17 | it's exactly ten years since Penguin US published 'The Story of Fester Cat'... my memoir of our lovely stray tuxedo cat. Theylet it go out of print and I've tried for two years to get the rights back from them so i can get it out again. Anyway, here's some photos and reflections - and a reading of one of my favourite short chapters.
at the end of a busy Monday im thinking about nostalgic kids books Ive been collecting in nice ed Paul Magrs 2024-10-14 | a very full day! Here's what i'm reading and here's what i've been buying and getting in the post! I'm thinking about the vintage kids' books i've been collecting in fancy editions.
Do i even have that many cookery and recipe books? Paul Magrs 2024-10-13 | As requested, here's a video about the cookery books in our kitchen! Here I realise i've got a preference for the vintage 1970s ones - when they seemed to make a party out of every single occasion!
a lovely book haul and a wander in the graveyerd Paul Magrs 2024-10-12 | we had a friday afternoon to wander in the local town of Cheadle, where i had a look in the graveyard and then i bought some interesting books...
heres my new novel, just arrived in the mail! Paul Magrs 2024-10-11 | i just got my boxload of new novels from my publisher. 'The Forgotten Daughter' by Elsie Mason is already out, and here I explain what it and the whole series is about.
autumnal adventures with stone circles, hot coffee and making soup Paul Magrs 2024-10-10 | a walk around the stone circle of Levenshulme and how to make onion soup - as well as a catch up about reading, writing and artwork in production.
How do i choose how to spend my reading time this autumn? Paul Magrs 2024-10-08 | i'm trying out an idea i had - to build piles of reading-possibles in 7 different genres and then whittle them down carefully.... so that i get a little bit of everything this autumn...
Why cant all book festivals be like this? Paul Magrs 2024-10-06 | We were in Withington for their very first book festival and had a lovely time. Lots of friends and readers came out to support, to listen and buy books. I shot a tiny bit of footage outside and then some photos... Here's my recap on a lovely day!
Getting all my stuff ready for my reading at the book festival tomorrow! Paul Magrs 2024-10-04 | Here's my pile of books, ready for my reading at Withington Book Festival this weekend - and here's Bernard Socks co-starring in this video...!
why are there piles of books all over my study floor? Paul Magrs 2024-10-03 | there are a number of heaps of books that have appeared all over my study floor. I really haven't priotized my october reading yet...
we had a day out in a magical wood with a bag of cakes Paul Magrs 2024-10-02 | We went - like we always do at this time of year - to Alderley Edge in Cheshire. We visited the very locations of Alan Garner's children's classic, 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.' On the way we got coffee and fancy cakes and pastries - and i read out a few choice bits of this favourite book about wizards, goblins and magic and myth.
hahaha someone said my channel was really boring but how exciting do you want a bookish thing to be Paul Magrs 2024-10-01 | my first terrible comment! but it leads me to think about the soothing dullness of bookish preoccupations - and Flaubert's line about leading a bourgeois life so your mind can be free and exciting. Also, thinking about the week ahead and all kinds of fun coming up! Plus, an appearance by Bernard Socks.
ive managed to get myself hooked on Cosy Thrillers this autumn Paul Magrs 2024-09-29 | #booktubeuk, #booktuber, #spookyseason, #thrillerfiction, #mary higgins clark, breaking off from cooking Sunday lunch i'm taking a moment to explain my current addiction to the glitzy, cosy mystery thrillers of Mary Higgins Clark... and to look ahead at spooky season reading - and even... dare i say it? - Christmas reads...
Can i pick out my best reads of the first three quarters of the year? Paul Magrs 2024-09-28 | A video featuring panda's new outfit... and my autumnal publications of recent years and writing rituals... and also an attempt to mark 3/4 of the year by picking out my seven favourite books. Do I push the best, the most enjoyable, or those needing shouting about? Can it be all three...?
will walking in the autumn afternoon sort out my back pain and when will i get time to read? Paul Magrs 2024-09-27 | #autumncolors, #sunlight, #british author, #lgbtq reader, #writing life, #youtuber,another trip out round our little park, posting letters, thinking about writing and reading...
time to wear big long autumn coats and read thrillers! Paul Magrs 2024-09-26 | in a gap between rain showers i'm wearing this new long coat for the first time, and getting a bit of exercise for my bad back (it's just come on suddenly!) Talking a little bit about reading thrillers...
when you abandon all your current reads and just go with your gut over what to read next Paul Magrs 2024-09-25 | I've been putting aside the things i've meant to read - it's been a week of insomnia and migraine... and i've ended up with a 70s kids' classic about a genie, a spooky collection of macabre tales - and a very slick thriller.
book fair in Gorton Monastery on a rainy sunday Paul Magrs 2024-09-22 | we went to a book fair that's on about twice a year, quite near to where we live. It's held in a really splendid old monastery. We ventured out on a rainy sunday in September...
hauling books from a trip to town and a vintage comics unboxing! Paul Magrs 2024-09-21 | impromptu trip into town on a sunny day brought me books and cafe visits - british mythology, new romantic bands, a closing down bookstall... and then today i've had a mystery comics parcel from Ian at Cromford collectibles that i have to open!
walking round our little park before the leaves fall Paul Magrs 2024-09-19 | i was going to do a video indoors, just catching up with stuff - what i'm writing and what i'm reading - then i saw it was sunny. I decided to take you on a little walk to the park round the corner, where the leaves are just about to start falling.
when you change your mind utterly about a book youre reading and decide you love it after all Paul Magrs 2024-09-17 | i was looking forward to 'slow dance;' the new novel by Rainbow Rowell so much, and bu page 150 i was disappointed i didn't like it more. I almost gave up... but then I read it slowly, with great attention - and spent a slow week getting wrapped up in the characters and all the emotions. I've ended up enjoying it enormously.
a saturday in september Paul Magrs 2024-09-14 | a surprise sunny Saturday in levenshulme - and firstly, i must take back what i said about Rainbow Rowell's 'Slow Dance', because now, a hundred pages later i'm loving it and here's why. Then - we take a walk out in sunny Levy - swapping books and dvds at the station little library and walking round the park.
my fabulous halloween acquisition the spooky green hand! Paul Magrs 2024-09-13 | i've bought something special for Halloween! It's the most ridiculous snow globe with black snow and a spooky green hand. Also: here's what i intend to read this coming weekend, and here's my halloween book pile...
whats going on today in my study? Publication, commissions, flowers in the post Paul Magrs 2024-09-12 | a busy day - with writing, an amazing new commission day, publicated day for 'the forgotten daughter' and slightly dead flowers in the post. But everything is good and i'm glad to be busy!
im giving a public reading soon! Paul Magrs 2024-09-11 | A catch up all about today's writing and drawing and painting. A bit about reading and my disappointment so far in a book i was looking forward to. A forthcoming sponsorship thing - and i'm giving a public reading soon!
Loving Doctor Strange adapted as a novel Paul Magrs 2024-09-10 | James Lovegrove's 'Doctor Strange: Dimension War' is published by Titan, and adapts the early comic strips into novel form. How successful can a comic novelisation be in capturing the flavour of the comic but also giving it some depth?
immense book haul from a day out in west yorkshire Paul Magrs 2024-09-07 | a couple of days out resulted in a huge book haul - involving some high-end literary fiction, a dinosaur pop-up books, nostalgic Star Trek and some other wonderful bits and pieces. It's a summery interlude in the early autumn - and i have yet another awkward indy bookshop visit! (why are they so unwelcoming..?!)
ive been asked about recommendations for where to start in reading science fiction! Paul Magrs 2024-09-05 | a really good question from a subscriber called Michelle! Where to start in sf. I'm no expert really - but after a lifetime of reading all kinds of genres, i'd say the sf i'd recommend are those books that have real heart - but also paint amazing, surreal pictures in your head. Here's a list!
how do you even listen and take notes to lectures? Paul Magrs 2024-09-04 | this video begins with talking about what i'm writing and drawing and reading - and i go from Dr Strange into a big detour into when I was Dr Magrs. September always feels like the beginning of term and here i am talking about listening to and giving lectures. I've got some good advice on taking notes and learning and how to do the whole thing.
three perfect books is about all you can ask from any author Paul Magrs 2024-09-03 | a reading update! thinking about John irving for book club and how you can't expect more than three perfect books from any author you love. And then onto Dr Strange...
a book surprise in the post from my sister and niece Paul Magrs 2024-09-01 | amazing to get - in the middle of a busy weekend - a book parcel from my sister and an illustrated letter from my niece! The book is something i've wanted for years - 'Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain' from 1974 - absolute treasure!
a fantastic book haul at the very end of summer Paul Magrs 2024-08-31 | the sun is out! people are coming round to celebrate in the garden. And i've got a heap of wonderful books that i've picked up in the last week
summers ending and all the books Ive devoured this season Paul Magrs 2024-08-30 | Going through the three months of this summer - i'm reminded of the danger of falling for book hype; the importance of rock n roll, scifi and children's books. And also the infinite value of revisiting certain writers who made you into the reader you are...
i was gonna say just nice things about books but what about when i really dont like one? Paul Magrs 2024-08-29 | what about when i'm really not enjoying a book? People listen to my recommendations, so i should really be honest when i think something's a bit of a dud - especially when it's very popular and i can't even understand why. What do you think..?
buying new books and my life drawing class Paul Magrs 2024-08-28 | I'm being tempted by the new books coming out this autumn! But my reading has taken a back seat to writing and art this week. I've been to my first proper life drawing class! What do you think of the results?
all the books of August Paul Magrs 2024-08-27 | almost the end of the month, so i'm doing a round-up of the 7 books i've read in the last month of summer. Vintage novels, sci-fi, Japan and Korea, Queers and writers and rock stars...
the hyunam dong bookshop and mood reading Paul Magrs 2024-08-26 | a quiet day - though i've ended up writing a little, at the start of a new project. Finishing natalie goldberg and moving onto hwang b0-reum's 'welcome to the hyunam-dong bookshop', which i'm loving already. A book that teaches us that all the answers are in reading.
cooking kohlrabi and talking books Paul Magrs 2024-08-25 | All about the new Natalie Goldberg book on getting back into writing after losing your confidence. While i'm chopping up kohlrabi and carrots for dinner.
painting on Saturday afternoon Paul Magrs 2024-08-24 | here's me trying to make a video of me painting... this kohlrabi is getting stir-fried this evening, but i like the way it looks so much i had to paint it splashily. On the way i talk about teaching writing, learning to do art-stuff... and the whole business of being bold and giving yourself permission.
Thats not how to write, thats just someones life story! Paul Magrs 2024-08-23 | Reflecting on a fortnight of hard work, bad news and brilliant reading. Finding a recent review of Natalie Goldberg's new book on writing reminds me of a very aggressive creative writing tutorial i once had - in which someone demanded that i make it all easier for them. Then a detour into how bullies took over the arts.
is it autumn yet? Paul Magrs 2024-08-22 | the weather's changed - we had a stormy night and Bernard Socks got into a fight. I'm feeling more positive - bracing myself for good and bad news on the writing front - and i'm thinking about fairy tales and arabesques.
Getting bad news and how you have to have resilience to start again Paul Magrs 2024-08-20 | I got bad publishing news this morning and it's pretty hard to deal with. But i'm used to it after thirty years of writing. You need resilience, and that's what i'm trying to explain here - how to gather yourself back up.
what im reading this week Paul Magrs 2024-08-19 | Still completely hooked on Bernie Taupin's memoir, but i've just had the new Natalie Goldberg book about Creative Writing practise arrive in the post. She's someone i've read for thirty years or more and still find inspirational.
Devouring a stunning summer literary memoir, Bernie Taupins Scattershot Paul Magrs 2024-08-17 | every summer i hope to happen upon a big, exhausting, wonderful literary memoir or biography and this year it's Bernie Taupin's 'Scattershot.' Still only a third of the way through this wonderful book - but i had to jump in here and talk about the amazing chapter set in decadent 70s Paris, and the very bookish chapter...
unboxing Doctor Who in Wonderland from Penguin Books Paul Magrs 2024-08-16 | The thrill of unboxing a set of author copies has never quite faded! Today i'm opening up a box of 'Doctor Who in Wonderland', which has recently been published by Penguin / Puffin books. Still a joy to write for this series and this legendary publisher
a book haul to alleviate the rainy day gloom Paul Magrs 2024-08-15 | Getting a bit reflective and melancholic on a rainy august day... and i think it might be down to this Banana Yoshimoto book i'm finishing. I also have a book haul to get through - wonderful hardback bargains from Cheadle
memories of the edinburgh book festival and other festival visits over the years Paul Magrs 2024-08-14 | i just remembered about how it's august - and all the wonderful times in the past i'd be at the Edinburgh Book Festival. Some wonderful memories - and also some horribly mortifying ones too!
a bookish update from me and my cat Paul Magrs 2024-08-13 | After a weekend of attending everything at Levenshulme Pride we're all exhausted here. But we've been watching movies and reading a little - Banana Yoshimoto's new book is fab. Here's me and Socks, doing a little chat.
Saturday at Levenshulme Pride 2024 Paul Magrs 2024-08-11 | The main day at our local Levenshulme Pride, organised by my partner, Jeremy. In its eighth year, this Pride is the largest local free Pride in the area. This is my shambolic compilation of clips to give you a flavour of a really wonderful day in South Manchester
