What I'm reading | Not Designed to Juggle

Taking to the hills

March 10, 2012 by Diane Becker

About to pack all my books away and put them into storage for a few months. A difficult decision, but necessary while we embark on one of our adventures. This particular adventure involves clinging to a Welsh hillside in a mobile home for 6 months whilst we look for somewhere more permanent to live. At least it will be summer and we will have views, family nearby and lots of visitors. Oh, and the cat. I’ll be doing lots of […]

Categories: Journal, What I'm reading • Tags: Taking to the hills

Big Books

January 2, 2012 by Diane Becker

Big books rule! Well they did pre-Christmas. Or maybe it’s a northern thing. Out of all the big book readers I spotted on my trip south, this guy was hardcore, not only was he holding the largest book – it was hardback. I didn’t spot anyone reading on the way back. The trains were so packed I doubt anyone managed to read anything bigger than the label on the guy in front’s jacket. Or maybe, like me, they’d had a […]

Categories: Fiction, Journal, Photography, What I'm reading • Tags: big books rule, Kindle for Christmas

Out and about … in Preston

May 25, 2011 by Diane Becker

First stop yesterday: a CT scan. That was weird. As was the security van parked up on Orchard Street emitting a repeated “Help. Help. This security van is under attack. Call the police. Help…” The driver was reading his newspaper, so we assumed it wasn’t and went for coffee. Third stop was the Harris Museum to see Current: an experiment in collecting digital art. We watched and particularly enjoyed Michael Szpakowski’s – ‘House & Garden’ [2009 Animated GIFs with original soundtrack], twice, […]

Categories: Culture, Fiction, Journal, What I'm reading • Tags: Cold Light, Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Jenn Ashworth, out and about in ... Preston

Too Many Magpies by Elizabeth Baines

October 28, 2010 by Diane Becker

I finished Too Many Magpies in three bedtime reads (something I rarely do!). Mesmerised from start to finish. As a reader I identified with it to a (sometimes) uncomfortable degree – loved the prose and the way the elements and characters were mirrored/entwined. A unique experience, seldom read anything by a UK writer that has had so marked an effect! Read this and other reviews of Too Many Magpies here Latest news from Elizabeth Baines

Categories: Fiction, Reviews, What I'm reading • Tags: elizabeth baines, Fiction, review, salt publishing, Too Many Magpies, Too Many Magpies by Elizabeth Baines

#StorySunday

October 10, 2010 by Diane Becker

If you’ve been looking for new short stories to read and you have a Twitter account, join us for #StorySunday where anyone and everyone can contribute a link (or links) to a short story you can read online. Brainchild of Tania Hershman – the only rule (I think) is that you can’t use it to plug your own stories. Which is fair enough. My recommendation for today is/was Jack Swenson’s Aurora Borealis which I found in the Istanbul Literary Review. […]

Categories: Short Fiction, What I'm reading • Tags: #story sunday, #storysunday on Twitter, Istanbul Literary Review, Jack Swenson, tania hershman

Updates: Bugged, BS4 and Lydia Davis

October 7, 2010 by Diane Becker

A few updates: Firstly the Bugged creative eavesdropping project (that I talked about here) launch their book next week. For more info on launch events in Manchester and Birmingham with readings, check out the Bugged website here. Looks terrific! More opportunities for UK short story writers, the excellent Bristol Short Story Prize team announced 2011 competition. Entries by post or online. Prize money has been increased with next year’s winner receiving £1000 and £150 voucher to spend in Waterstones. Details here. Finally, the October […]

Categories: Reviews, Short Fiction, What I'm reading • Tags: AM Hurley, Bristol Short Story Prize 2011, bugged creative eavesdropping 2010, Lydia Davis, tania hershman, The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis, the short review