Changes

{{Frontpage|class-"wikitable" cellpaddingisbn="15" <!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->1794467440|title=Watchwords |author=Philip Neal|rating=4|genre=Short Stories|summary=This satisfying collection of short stories has a provenance at least as beguiling as the provenance of the antique watches that inspired it.

<!-- Philip Neal -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1794467440lost a watch.jpg|link=http://wwwIt was a watch he was fond of and had been told was like a 1930s Cartier.amazonInstead of mourning its loss, he began to collect vintage watches that resembled it.co.uk/dp/1794467440/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"| ===[[Watchwords by Philip Neal]]=== [[image:4starAnd that's how he became a watch collector. An eBay purchase led him to the Antique Watch Company watch repairers in Clerkenwell.jpg|link=Category:{The eBay purchase was a fake, but the friendship that grew between the buyer and the repairer of watches was not and the seed of an idea for a book was born.}}{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short StoriesFrontpage|isbn=1529006031|title=Return to Wonderland|author=Various Authors|rating=4.5|genre=Short Stories]] This satisfying collection of short stories has |summary=In following a provenance at least as beguiling as young girl called Alice down the provenance of rabbit hole a few years ago, when the antique watches that inspired it. Philip Neal lost a watch. It first book she was a watch he was fond of in [[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (150th Anniversary Edition) by Lewis Carroll and had been told was like a 1930s Cartier. Instead Anthony Browne|hit 150 years of mourning its lossage]], he began to collect vintage watches that resembled it. And I found thatI didn's how he became a watch collectort really find too much favour with it. An eBay purchase led him to The wacky-for-the Antique Watch Company watch repairers in Clerkenwell. The eBay purchase was a fake, but the friendship that grew between the buyer and the repairer -sake-of watches was -it did not gel, and the seed of an idea I don't remember loving it more as a child. But I would suggest I am the perfect audience for a this book was born. [[ Watchwords by Philip Neal |Full Review]]  <!-- Various-->|-| style=''width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;I had every chance to enjoy these short stories that come at the core from a tangent, that show the benefits of the oblique glance. I've always preferred coming to an author'|[[image:1529006031.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1529006031/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbags output through their least obvious, allegedly throw-21]]  | style=away pieces, and it's the same with franchises – I'vertical-align: top; text-align: left;d more likely go for Bree Tanner''|===[[Return to Wonderland by Various Authors]]=== [[image:4s short novella than the whole Twilight saga (although that remains just a hunch, for obvious reasons).5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating For another thing, there was every reason to expect some kind of greatness here – with Carroll much loved by millions, surely pieces written with that love in mind could only provide for success after success? }}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers{{Frontpage|Confident Readers]], [[:Category:Short Storiesisbn=1846974658|Short Stories]]title=The Long Path To Wisdom In following a young girl called Alice down |author=Jan-Philipp Sendker|rating=4|genre=Short Stories|summary=On my travels around the rabbit hole world, I have a few years agotendency to end up in any bookshop that is selling English-language books, when and while I buy as many second-hand escapist tales as the first book she was in [[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (150th Anniversary Edition) by Lewis Carroll and Anthony Browne|hit 150 years of age]], next person, what I found that I didn't m really find too much favour with it. The wacky-looking for-is the 'local' – the-sake-of-it did not gelcookbook maybe, and I don't remember loving it more as a child. But I would suggest I am the perfect audience for this bookmaps definitely, but above all: the folk tales. If I had every chance ever get to enjoy these short stories that come at the core from a tangentBurma, that show the benefits of the oblique glance. Iwon've always preferred coming t need to an author's output through their least obvious, allegedly throw-away pieces, and it's the same with franchises – hunt, I can read before I'd more likely go for Bree Tanner'.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=B077969HN8|title=Alternative Medicine|author=Laura Solomon|rating=4.5|genre=Short Stories|summary=Laura Solomon's publisher describes the short novella than the whole Twilight saga (although that remains just stories in ''Alternative Medicine'' as ''black comedy with a hunch, for obvious reasons)twist of surrealism''. For another thing, there was every reason to expect some kind of greatness here – with Carroll much loved by millions, surely pieces written with I'm rather glad that love in mind could only provide for success I didn't see this until ''after success? [[Return to Wonderland by Various Authors|Full Review]] <!'' I'd finished reading as I'm not normally a fan of either, but I've come to two conclusions about the book: what the publisher says is correct -- Sendker -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1846974658and I really enjoyed it.jpg|link=http://www The comedy is not ''too'' black and the surrealism is gentle and perhaps best described as a twist or flick of reality when you were least expecting it. Your comfort zones are going to be invaded in the nicest possible way.amazon.co.uk/dp/1846974658/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]}}{{Frontpage| styleisbn="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"9386897504|===[[The Long Path To Wisdom by Jan-Philipp Sendker]]title=Tales of Love and Disability|author=Laura Solomon|rating=4 [[image:4star.jpg|linkgenre=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short Short Stories|Short Stories]], [[summary=I've always believed that less-able writers produce longer books:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]] On my travels around the world, I have it takes a tendency great deal of skill and talent to end up in any bookshop that is selling English-language books, write a short story which holds the reader and while I buy as keeps them coming back for more. There are far too many second-hand escapist tales as the next person, what collections of short stories which are all too easy to put down and forget after you've read a couple of pieces. I'm really looking for is the ve recently read a couple of novellas by Laura Solomon - [[Marsha's Deal by Laura Solomon|Marsha'locals Deal]] and [[Hell' – the cookbook maybe, the maps definitely, but above all: the folk tales. If I ever get to Burmas Unveiling by Laura Solomon|Hell's Unveiling]] and enjoyed them, so I won't need was intrigued to hunt, I can read before I gosee what she could do with an even shorter form. [[The Long Path To Wisdom by Jan-Philipp Sendker|Full Review]]}}<!-- Laura Solomon -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=1986586898| styletitle="widthGoing To The Last: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|Short Stories About Horse Racing[[image:B077969HN8.jpg|linkauthor=http://wwwK D Knight|rating=4.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077969HN8/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] 5| stylegenre="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"Short Stories|summary===[[Alternative Medicine by Laura Solomon]]=== [[image:4In the opening story, a man whose wife has deserted him visits Sandown with little money but comes away with cash in his pocket - and his wife.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] Laura Solomon's publisher describes In ''A Grey Day'' an owner struggles with the short stories problem of whether or not to run his horse in the Gold Cup when the ground is against him. My favourite was ''Alternative Medicine'The Story of H' as ''black comedy with a twist , the story of surrealism''Foinavon. I'm rather glad that I didn't see this until ''after'' I'd finished reading H is depicted as I'm not normally a fan of either, but I've come kind horse who only wanted to please people. After changing hands on various occasions he came to two conclusions about the book: what the publisher says is correct - and I really enjoyed ityard of John Kempton. The comedy is not ''too'' black and H (or Foinavon) was entered in the surrealism is gentle Grand National and perhaps best described as considered a twist or flick of reality when you were least expecting itno-hoper. Your comfort zones are going to be invaded in In one of the most dramatic runnings of the nicest possible wayrace, a pile-up occurred at the 23rd fence. [[Alternative Medicine by Laura Solomon|Full Review]] <!-- Laura Solomon --> Foinavon, who had been many lengths adrift, cleared the fence and galloped to the line, winning the race at odds of 100/1.}}{{Frontpage|-isbn=9386897296| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"Hell's Unveiling|author=Laura Solomon[[image:9386897504.jpg|linkrating=http://www3.amazon.co.uk/dp/9386897504/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] 5| stylegenre="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"Short Stories|==summary=A little while ago I really enjoyed [[Tales of Love and Disability Marsha's Deal by Laura Solomon|Marsha's Deal]]=== [[image:4starand I was delighted by the opportunity to read the sequel, ''Hell's Unveiling''.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] I've always believed It's probably not much of a spoiler to say that less-able writers produce longer books: it takes a great deal of skill and talent Marsha bested the devil in ''Marsha's Deal'', but the devil is not one to write a short story which holds the reader and keeps them coming back for moretake defeat lying down. There are far too many collections of short stories which are all too easy He's out to put down wage war on Planet Earth and forget after youparticularly on Marsha (who've read s thought of as a couple of pieces'goody two shoes' in Hell). I've recently read Although a couple of novellas by Laura Solomon - [[Marshastrong person, she's Deal by Laura Solomon|Marshavulnerable where her foster children are concerned. Daniel is framed for a crime he didn's Deal]] t commit and [[Hell's Unveiling by Laura Solomon|Hell's Unveiling]] sent to juvenile detention and enjoyed them, so I was intrigued refused permission to see what she could do return to live with an even shorter formMarsha. [[Tales Then, of Love and Disability by Laura Solomon|Full Review]]<!course, there are all the other children who are not only targeted but -worst of all - K D Knight -->|-| style="width: 10%; verticalsubverted to the devil's evil ends. He's out to prey on their fears and weaknesses and as with many foster children, their self-align: top; textesteem is very fragile. This is no small-align: center;"|[[image:1986586898scale operation, either - the devil has set up a training complex on earth, complete with an elevator to Hell.jpg}}{{Frontpage|linkisbn=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1986586898/ref1979217440|title=nosim?tagMarsha's Deal|author=thebookbag-21]]Laura Solomon|rating=4|genre=Short Stories| style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|==summary=Marsha didn't have an easy ride in life the first time around. She'd been afflicted with [[Going To The Lasthttps: Short Stories About Horse Racing by K D Knight]]=== [[image:4//en.5starwikipedia.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviewsorg/wiki/Fibrodysplasia_ossificans_progressiva fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva]] [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] In the opening story , a man whose wife has deserted him visits Sandown with little money, but comes away with cash in his pocket - and his wiferare disease which turned parts of her body to bone when they were damaged. In ''A Grey Day'' an owner struggles with the problem of whether or not Finally, she was unable to stand her life any longer and went to run his horse in Dignitas, the Gold Cup when the ground is against himSwiss euthanasia clinic. My favourite was ''The Story of H'She'd thought that would be the end, but after cremation, the story of Foinavon. H is depicted as a kind horse who only wanted her body went straight to please people. After changing hands on various occasions he came hell and she found herself face-to -face with the yard of John Kemptondevil. H (or Foinavon) And that was entered in when she made the Grand National and considered a no-hoperpact. In one exchange for details about some of those who had been close to her - their strengths and weaknesses - she would be reborn on the same day to the most dramatic runnings of the race, a pile up occured at the 23rd fencesame parents but would live her life free of disease. Foinavon, who had been many lengths adrift, cleared the fence and galloped to the line, winning the race at odds of 100/1. [[Going To The Last: }}{{Frontpage|isbn=150690551X|title=Roses in December|author=Matthew de Lacey Davidson|rating=4|genre=Short Stories About Horse Racing by K D Knight|Full Review]] <!|summary=''Roses in December'' is a collection of twenty-- Laura Solomon -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:9386897296two short stories. And when I say short, I mean ''short'', with each just a few pages long and some brushing the flash fiction genre, such is the brevity.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9386897296/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Hell's Unveiling by Laura Solomon]]=== [[image:3I think the shorter the story, the harder it is to write and the more difficult the task of engaging, then satisfying, the reader. So it is to the immense credit of Matthew de Lacey Davidson that I sighed in appreciation many times while reading.5starHe has a good sense of which moments of the human experience to capture in order to make the point he wants to make.jpg|link=CategorySome highlights:}}{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:CategoryFrontpage|isbn=Onymouse_Quick|title=Quick and Quirky:Short Storieswith Quips!|Short Stories]], [[:Category:General Fictionauthor=Fred Onymouse and Ann Onymouse|General Fiction]], [[:Category:Fantasyrating=1.5|Fantasy]]genre=Short Stories A little while ago |summary=Quick, and indeed, quirky, are positive attributes, I really enjoyed [[Marsha's Deal by Laura Solomon|Marsham sure you's Deal]] and d agree – apart from perhaps in surgeons. I like things that have a quirk, and I was delighted by approve of the opportunity to read the sequel, ''Hell's Unveiling''quicky. ItI's probably not much ve been dabbling in the world of creative writing for a spoiler to say that Marsha bested the devil in ''Marsha's Deal''few years now, but and whenever anyone asks what it is I mostly write, I define it with the devil is not one to take defeat lying down. Hecatch-all safety net of ''flippant''s out to wage war on Planet Earth and particularly on Marsha (who's thought of . So this book should be right up my street, being as it is a 'goody two shoes' in Hell)bijou selection of illustrated and fairly large-print short stories. Although a strong person, she's vulnerable where her foster children are concerned. Daniel }}{{Frontpage|isbn=Hill_Strange|title=Strange Weather|author=Joe Hill|rating=5|genre=Short Stories|summary=Strange Weather is framed for a crime he didn't commit collection of four short novels all linked by, unsurprisingly, strange and sent to juvenile detention and refused permission to return to live with Marshacataclysmic weather. Then, of course there are all the other children who are not only targeted, but - worst of all - subverted to the devilEach novel is distinct and showcases Hill's evil ends. He's out to prey on their fears restrained yet vivid style which takes everyday events and weaknesses and as with many foster childrenmakes them bitingly, acerbically macabre or blindingly beautiful, their self esteem is very fragileoften switching from one sentence to the next. This is no small-scale operation, either - As Hill himself says ''the beauty of the world and the devil has set up a training complex on earthhorror of the world were twined together'', complete never is this truer than in Strange Weather where moments of abject horror are coupled with an elevator to Hellraw beauty. [[Hell's Unveiling by Laura Solomon|Full Review]]}} <!-- Laura Solomon -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=Dick_Electric| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams|author=Philip K Dick[[image:1979217440.jpg|linkrating=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1979217440/ref=nosim?tag3|genre=thebookbag-21]] Short Stories| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[MarshaPhilip K Dick's Deal by Laura Solomon]]=== [[image:4starstories were originally published in the 50s, but they are more present than past.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]]On the big screen ''Blade Runner 2049'' relaunched the Dick-inspired cult classic to reviews of pure praise; and on slightly smaller screens, [[:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]]Channel 4 has adapted the author's short stories for TV. Startlingly, [[:Category:Fantasy|Fantasy]] Marsha didnDick't have an easy ride in life s current relevance reaches beyond fiction and into the first time around. She'd been afflicted with [httpsfactual://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibrodysplasia_ossificans_progressiva fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva], a rare disease which turned parts his topics from intrusive advertising and loss of her body privacy to bone when they were damaged. Finally she was unable to stand her life any longer and went to Dignitas, the Swiss euthanasia clinicthe increasing machination of society are all headline material in today's news. She'd thought that would be the endIt is as if half a century after their inception, but after cremation her body went straight to hell and she found herself face-to-face with the devilDick's electric dreams are becoming reality. And that was when she made the pact. In exchange for details about some of those who had been close to her - their strengths and weaknesses - she would be reborn on the same day to the same parents, but would live her life free of disease. [[Marsha's Deal by Laura Solomon|Full Review]]  <!-- Davidson -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:150690551X.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/150690551X/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Roses in December by Matthew de Lacey Davidson]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] ''Roses in December'' is a collection of twenty-two short stories. And when I say short, I mean ''short'', with each just a few pages long and some brushing the flash fiction genre, such is the brevity. I think the shorter the story, the harder it is to write and the more difficult the task of engaging, then satisfying, the reader. So it is to the immense credit of Matthew de Lacey Davidson that I sighed in appreciation many times while reading. He has a good sense of which moments of the human experience to capture in order to make the point he wants to make. Some highlights: [[Roses in December by Matthew de Lacey Davidson|Full Review]] <!-- Onymouse -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Onymouse_Quick.jpg|left|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1788039122/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Quick and Quirky: Short Stories with Quips! by Fred Onymouse and Ann Onymouse]]=== [[image:1.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] Quick, and indeed, quirky, are positive attributes, I'm sure you'd agree – apart from perhaps in surgeons. I like things that have a quirk, and I approve of the quicky. I've been dabbling in the world of creative writing for a few years now, and whenever anyone asks what it is I mostly write, I define it with the catch-all safety net of ''flippant''. So this book should be right up my street, being as it is a bijou selection of illustrated and fairly large-print short stories. [[Quick and Quirky: Short Stories with Quips! by Fred Onymouse and Ann Onymouse|Full Review]] <!-- Hill -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Hill_Strange.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/147322117X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=147322117X]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Strange Weather by Joe Hill]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Horror|Horror]], [[:Category:Fantasy|Fantasy]], [[:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]] Strange Weather is a collection of four short novels all linked by, unsurprisingly, strange and cataclysmic weather. Each novel is distinct and showcases Hill's restrained yet vivid style which takes everyday events and makes them bitingly, acerbically macabre or blindingly beautiful, often switching from one sentence to the next. As Hill himself says ''the beauty of the world and the horror of the world were twined together'', never is this truer than in Strange Weather where moments of abject horror are coupled with raw beauty. [[Strange Weather by Joe Hill|Full Review]] <!-- Dick -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Dick_Electric.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473223288?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1473223288]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams by Philip K Dick]]=== [[image:3star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Science Fiction|Science Fiction]], [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] Philip K Dick's stories were originally published in the 50s, but they are more present than past. On the big screen ''Blade Runner 2049'' relaunched the Dick-inspired cult classic to reviews of pure praise; and on slightly smaller screens, Channel 4 has adapted the author's short stories for TV. Startlingly, Dick's current relevance reaches beyond fiction and into the factual: his topics from intrusive advertising and loss of privacy to the increasing machination of society are all headline material in today's news. It is as if half a century after their inception, Dick's electric dreams are becoming reality. [[Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams by Philip K Dick|Full Review]] <!-- Mettler -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Mettler_15.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/191158636X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=191158636X]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Fifteen Minutes by Erinna Mettler]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] Our world is obsessed with celebrity culture - and in this advent of social media, the updates on celebrity come 24 hours a day, delivered to us on our televisions, our magazines, on our phones and our computers. In focusing on these heightened and airbrushed lives though, are we missing the more interesting and human stories that are out there? That's what Erinna Mettler considers in ''15 Minutes'' - short stories that feature celebrity encounters told through the eyes of ordinary, but no less compelling, characters. [[Fifteen Minutes by Erinna Mettler|Full Review]] <!-- Hodgkinson -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Hodgkinson_Dark.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1782273824/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The Dark-Blue Winter Overcoat and other stories from the North by Sjon Hodgkinson and Ten Hodgkinson (editors)]]=== [[image:3star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]], [[:Category:Literary Fiction|Literary Fiction]], [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] A compilation like this should be nigh on brilliant. It's not one author's best short works, it's that of a dozen. It's not from one snapshot in time, as some were written the year of publication and some in the 1960s. It's not from one tiny patch of author's desk or one set of laptop keys, but from the entire Nordic world, whether that be urban Scandinavia, the Faroes and other island groups, or Greenland. That is a world that's changing – as the Greenland-born author now living in Brooklyn, and the Iraqi blood on these pages, testify. It's a world where new roads and new building works mean a family living on the edge of the forest at the beginning of the story are being surrounded by other life by the end, and with the influence of centuries of folklore featured, a lot more than that changes – sometimes it seems to be even the characters' species… [[The Dark-Blue Winter Overcoat and other stories from the North by Sjon Hodgkinson and Ten Hodgkinson (editors)|Full Review]]}}