eBooks are commonplace. 

You can borrow them from libraries, they only take a couple of seconds to download, and they’re easily shareable.

But when eReaders first hit the shelves in the late 2000s, something weird happened.

Find out why >

*Spoiler Warning: This article will discuss plot points within The Martian.

The Martian, written by Andy Weir, is a fantastic piece of fiction.

It’s well-researched, witty, and – most importantly – entertaining.

But it’s more than that. Weir’s novel (and by extension, the fantastic movie adaption) is a celebration of human ingenuity. It’s a sincerely touching endorsement of what we can achieve as a species when we aren’t fighting each other.

The Martian is, without a doubt, one of the great Humanist novels.

Find out why >

As we head into the final quarter of the year, the Stuck at Home book tag seemed like a great opportunity to reflect upon the year.

I’ve actually been on furlough for most of the year, and whilst this hasn’t been ideal, I’m thankful for it. It gave me the opportunity to reflect upon what I value most, what makes me happy (or unhappy!), and the direction I want to head in as I approach my 30s.

It gave me the nudge to start this blog, which has been a revelation. It helped me find myself again. 

I can share my love of literature and philosophy, whilst meeting some truly wonderful people online – especially Twitter.

Anyhow, thank you to Nikki Swift Reads for tagging me in this Book Tag! Do go and check her blog out – it’s a vibrant website with some really great content! Also, full credit to Ellyn @Allonsythornraxx as the original creator of this book tag!

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BBC2 is set to launch a Friday afternoon book club show, called Between the Covers.

Starting Friday 9th October, Sara Cox will present the 30-minute TV programme that is expected to run for 7 episodes. I’m presuming that this will be on during dinnertime, based on the people involved and the description. According to a BBC press release,

Between The Covers ‘will feature some of our best known personalities chatting about their favourite books in a funny and warm-hearted half hour – a book club just for BBC Two.’

When I first read this, my eyes rolled into the back of my head. I think my exact response in a now-deleted Tweet was simply ‘WTF’.

And whilst I am pretty disappointed by what I’ve heard so far, I’m not sure my initial response was entirely fair.

It was reductive at the very least.

Find out why >

“Should book bloggers ever publish negative reviews?”

This is probably one of the more polarising discussions I’ve observed in the writing community.

There does seem to be a notion amongst certain book bloggers that publishing less-than-favourable thoughts on a book in the public domain is something that should just not be done.

I disagree.

Find out why >