Tag Archives: UK

Map of Stories

The Map of Stories is a wonderful interactive map that provides the opportunity to explore tales from throughout Scotland. The site allows visitors to discover the oral storytelling traditions of Scotland and listen to folktales from the ancient land. The … Continue reading

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“LIBRARIAN – HAPPY EASTER X”

“LIBRARIAN – HAPPY EASTER X”, just  three words and a signature X was all it took to once again open one of Britain’s most intriguing literary mysteries of the 21st century. In November 2000, a pair of notebooks belonging to … Continue reading

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Bookstore Tourism: The End of an Era

A 143 year legacy will soon be coming to an end after it was announced last week that Waterstones has bought Blackwell’s, the UK’s biggest independent bookshop chain. This will mean that Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, Foyles and Blackwell’s will all … Continue reading

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Resign yourself to the lifelong sadness that comes from never ­being satisfied.

I recently stumbled upon an interesting take on the “rules for writers” list from the great British author Zadie Smith. Her list offers an excellent balance of the practical, the philosophical, and the emotional. When still a child, make sure … Continue reading

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Library Lovers’ Month

Innerpeffray Library, Innerpeffray, Perthshire, Scotland is the oldest lending library in the nation, founded in 1680 by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie. The original library collection was only 400 books, but eventually grew to over 5,000, including rarities, first editions, … Continue reading

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The World Turned Upside Down

This week, the prize-winning British sculptor Mark Wallinger unveiled a dynamic new work at the London School of Economics. The World Turned Upside Down is an enormous inverted globe reversing our normal view of the world. Wallinger’s piece forces the observer to … Continue reading

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Banksy Takes A Seaside Holiday

The slippery street artist(s) known as Banksy recently dropped a new work in the old English seaside town of Clevedon. As an “old” person I resent the implication, but it does make a point.

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Choose Love

As many of you enjoy the festive season and celebrate the story of the birth of the world’s most famous refugee child, please take a moment to consider the plight of millions of displaced children around the world. Iranian animator … Continue reading

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Everybody Loves Miniature Golf

The always amusing UK-based American artist Doug Fishbone continues to spread joy while tackling weighty issues. His ever popular installation Leisure Land Golf, which premiered at the 2015 Venice Biennale, is now showing at the York Gallery in York. The fully-playable show … Continue reading

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Economy vs Business Class

The UK travel search web site Just The Flight figured out how much a flyer would have to spend on snacks and refreshments to make up the difference between economy and business class airfare. NB: 1 £ =  $1.29

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