This excellent book by Ted Hughes is a collection of the programmes he wrote for the BBC Schools Department ‘Listening and Writing’ series.
Tag: Book Reviews
Check out the latest book reviews by Melinda J. Irvine. Not only does reading expand your mind and open you up to new possibilities, daily reading is essential to writing well.
As much as I love to read about art, creativity, spirituality, success, and how to become a better writer; I also love cracking thrillers, crime fiction, fantasy, and storybook classics.
PS: I only review books I’ve actually read.
Book Review: Faith by Tim Costello
Faith by Tim Costello My rating: 5 of 5 stars It is easy to speak highly of book where you agree with nearly everything the author has to say, and in some ways acts as an endorsement for some of…
Book Review: The Everyday Work of Art by Eric Booth
Imagine finding an award winning book (signed by the author) -- that teaches you how to awaken the extraordinary in your life -- in a second hand book bin for less than $3. ‘The Everyday Work of Art’ by Eric Booth is…
Book Review: ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ by Li Cunxin
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin My rating: 5 of 5 stars 'Mao's Last Dancer' has become a favourite of mine and I read it again between Christmas and New Year -- well listened to the audiobook compliments of the…
Book Review: Faunaverse Tasmania
'Faunaverse Tasmania' is a book of 26 fun and funky poems about the unique wildlife and flora of Australia's island state (Tasmania). It doesn't matter whether you are a kid or all grown up, you'll delight in Alex and Jane…
Book Review: ‘Cold As Ice’ by Lee Weeks
Cold as Ice by Lee Weeks My rating: 3 of 5 stars A few weeks ago Simon and Schuster featured Lee Week’s British ‘DC Ebony Willis’ crime series in one of their newsletters. The first book was free, and books…
Book Review: Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou
This wonderful book was found in a shelf of ripped and jaded books in a little department store in the rural Philippines. I've been waiting until Christmas to post my review, and what a wonderful time to read it again.…
Book Review: Dead of Winter by Lee Weeks
Dead of Winter by Lee Weeks My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book was promoted for free on Kindle and Apple Books in this week's eNewsletter by Simon & Schuster (26.NOV.2018). It's the first in a crime thriller series…
Book Review: A Separation by Katie Kitamura
A Separation by Katie Kitamura My rating: 4 of 5 stars First, if you are expecting a page-turning psychological thriller (as I was) don't buy this book. 'A Separation' is certainly unsettling and makes you feel awkward (and at times…
Book Review: The Nine Lives of Dudley Dog
The Nine Lives of Dudley Dog by Ann Hassett My rating: 5 of 5 stars My ESL (english second language) adopted son and I both loved this fun and curious tale about a naughty dog, birthday wishes and a mix-up…
Book Review: The Moon Dragon by Moira Miller
Finding 'The Moon Dragon' in a little department store in a rural province of the Philippines 2 years ago, began my real commitment to introducing Jerry to cultural stories and folk tales from all over the World. We just read it again.
Book Review: Diana and Her Rhinoceros by Edward Ardizzone
Diana and Her Rhinoceros by Edward Ardizzone My rating: 5 of 5 stars I'm not sure how long this old book has been in the family, or how many times I've read it. But reading it again was a delight.…
Book Review: The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur My rating: 3 of 5 stars As a writer and poet I felt compelled to read a recent New York Times Bestseller poetry collection. Especially when 'The Sun and Her Flowers' was…
Book Review: Me, the Tree by Ann Louise Ramsey
The earth has worked her magic on me, in return for my love of being a tree. Anne Louise Ramsey.
Book Review: I’ve Been There and Back Again by Joy McKean
Slim Dusty and Joy McKean's lifetime of travel, stories and songs I've Been There (And Back Again): Slim Dusty and Joy McKean's lifetime of travel, stories and songs by Joy McKean My rating: 4 of 5 stars You don't have…
Book Review: Habit Stacking by S.J. Scott
Habit Stacking: 127 Small Actions That Take Five Minutes or Less by S.J. Scott (2017 edition). My rating: 5 of 5 stars Habit Stacking is a handy little book to help you make some simple changes in your day that lead…
Book Review: Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is definitely a woman's book though I think all men should read it. I'm not sure how many will, If could insist upon it I would.…
Reading Jerry ‘The Magic Pudding’
When I was home in Australia last October mum produced a box filled with the books I read and loved as a little kid. They all fit in my luggage too (returning to the Philippines) and Jerry loves most especially The…
Book Review: Force of Nature by Jane Harper
Force of Nature by Jane Harper My rating: 5 of 5 stars 'Force of Nature' is one of the best new fiction books I've read in ages. I'm definitely a fan of Jane Harper now! Force of Nature is Jane…
Book Review: The Woman in the Window
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn My rating: 3 of 5 stars When I saw all the rave reviews and Stephen King giving this book the thumbs up I bought it right away. But I confess I'm a…
Book Review: Back to Reality
I think we've all had times in our lives when we'd love to reach out to our younger self and say "don't ... or ... keep going" and this book brings that concept to life in a way that's silly and crazy and just a little bit believable.
Book Review: The Maps That Contain Us
"On the clean wall of your bedroom, or on the space above your desk, imagine: a map of all the places you've ever been to. Run your hands through the islands, the bumps and the crevices. Imagine a line tracing…
Grandma’s Last Gift
Finishing a book that's been on your reading list for six years always feels like an accomplishment. Especially when it's something my grandmother had specifically requested. Here is my Goodreads review of Michael Baldwin's "The Way to Write Poetry". You…
You Can Only Give What You Have
Ethical studies around charity and compassion are what interest me most at this time. I hope to do a lot of reading and research on this topic in the coming months and share what I learn here on the blog.…
Reading Plato
Since recommencing my freelance copywriting business back in January I've had writing assignments on a wide range of topics, but last week I had to write a short piece about the reading habits of extraordinarily successful people. It was a…
Book Review: Demons at Dusk
After a visiting the Myall Creek Memorial on the road to Bingara, NSW and subsequent trips to the Inverell library, I stumbled across this book by Peter Stewart. I managed to buy it from an awesome second-hand book shop in Armidale…