Category Archives: Writing

Free Ebooks with a difference

Like everything else the cost of ebooks has continued to rise. So, it’s a relief to find a website that offers new digital editions of public domain and out of print books for free. The volunteers at Standard Ebooks  reproduce well-formatted … Continue reading

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Would you like to buy a bridge

I’ve recently been watching a period drama series set in New York City during the early 1880s. A number of episodes feature story lines about the building of the world famous Brooklyn Bridge which officially opened on May 24, 1883. … Continue reading

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I think I could turn and live with animals

Song of Myself, 32 Walt Whitman I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contain’d, I stand and look at them long and long. They do not sweat and whine about their condition, They … Continue reading

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How Random Is That

In 1927, the publisher of Paris-Soir  newspaper hired the prolific novelist Georges Simenon to become an advertising attraction. They had a glass booth constructed in the lobby of the newspaper where Simenon, under eyes of the public, was to write … Continue reading

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“Hope”

 Happy Birthday Emily Dickinson   “Hope” is the thing with feathers BY EMILY DICKINSON “Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all … Continue reading

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Last Lines

He loved Big Brother. –George Orwell, 1984 (1949) ⇔ Before reaching the final line, however, he had already understood that he would never leave that room, for it was foreseen that the city of mirrors (or mirages) would be wiped … Continue reading

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Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us.

  “What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would … Continue reading

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Thank you for waiting

Thank You for Waiting by Simon Armitage Thank you for waiting. At this moment in time, we’d like to invite First Class passengers only to board the aircraft. Thank you for waiting. We now extend our invitation to Exclusive, Superior, Privilege … Continue reading

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Devil’s Dictionary

Yesterday’s post on the dictionary word of the year reminded me of a recent book listing for the enduringly popular satirical book The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce. Bierce was one of America’s most popular humorists, journalists, and short story writers … Continue reading

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How Odd

The 2023 Diagram Prize for the Oddest Book Title of the Year shortlist is out and it’s a doozy. As tradition demands, the winner is in your hands as the shortlist goes to a public vote on The Bookseller website here. The … Continue reading

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