Author Archives: nicolaliteraryramblings

Third strike and you’re out…

Posted on April 5, 2016

We’ve got an ongoing thing in our household, where I ask a question and Daisy says “Told you that yesterday, third strike and you’re out”.  I spend so much time concentrating on the daily grind that I can’t be sure … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Lists | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

“Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt (1997) – a blistering if controversial tale of an unforgettable childhood

Posted on March 28, 2016

That was the month (of March) that was, and ‘Tis an understatement to say how frustrating it was that reading had to take such a back seat. Have relished following so many stories of everyone’s Irish Reading Month adventures and … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Non-fiction | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Baileys’ Women’s Prize for Fiction – Longlist (and shortlist) 2016

Posted on March 8, 2016

Everything But The Girl takes on The Apprentice! It’s a pretty stellar judging panel over at the Baileys awards this year, with Margaret Mountford, Elif Shafak and Tracey Thorn taking to centre stage. Every year this prize just keeps on getting … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Prizes | Tagged | 7 Comments

Wish List old and new : March 2016

Posted on March 6, 2016

Well over half way through the self-imposed 3-month or so long book-buying ban, and so far it’s proving to be a lot less arduous than expected, although it’s a bit like avoiding food shopping on an empty stomach, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Lists, Wish List | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

“L’Amica Geniale” / “My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante (2011) – taking the world by storm

Posted on February 24, 2016

One of the expressions I heard time and time over while living those ten years in the north of Italy was “Quando vieni al Sud piangi due volte; quando arrive e quando te ne vai” – the great North/South divide … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Literary Trail IV: “Shamrocks, St. Patrick and leprechauns” – The Begorrathon Reading Ireland month – March 2016

Posted on February 19, 2016

Dear All, It can’t just be a happy coincidence. Am tickled pink, having just recently spent a truly joyous evening up at Montmartre as a very thrilled guest of the Global Nomads book group. Like Lucy and Sarah at Hard Book Habit … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Lists, Literary Trails, Reading Challenge | Tagged , | 14 Comments

“Room” by Emma Donoghue (2010) and “The Collector” by John Fowles (1963) – giving ‘small but perfectly formed’ a whole new dimension

Posted on February 15, 2016

The brilliant Baftas were just upon us again, and another baby star is coincidentally born, with the heart-stopping performance of Jacob Tremblay as five year-old Jack. When I read “Room” for the first time, my own daughter was 12 and we were … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Books on the Big Screen | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments