Hello my lovelies! I am now fully embedded in the Welsh countryside, enjoying the fruits of a beautiful autumn. Leaving civilisation behind for a week is the perfect antidote to a stress-inducing PhD transition. Fortunately, it also affords me some headspace to put together this week's edition of The Weekly Reader - for all of your … Continue reading The Weekly Reader: 09/10/13
Happy Monday, friends! I hope that this post finds you all emerging from a spectacular weekend. Mine was dominated by a desperate attempt to accept my new status as a PhD candidate. Fortunately, I am once again in the zone and ready for an academic relaunch. Tomorrow I journey into the more glorious parts of … Continue reading Monday Musing: 07/10/13
Happy Wednesday, my literary lovelies! I hope that this first October edition of The Weekly Reader finds you all in an autumnal mood. Things have definitely taken a seasonal turn in my part of the world - the leaves are slowly on their way out, the jumpers are on the move from wardrobe to floor, and … Continue reading The Weekly Reader: 02/10/13
Granted, the apologies are getting a little old. However, on top of combatting jet lag for the past week, I also spent my weekend in the Land that Time Forgot (a.k.a. my grandmother's house, where internet is entirely absent). But I am fully yours, once again - and yes, I can hear your sighs of … Continue reading Monday Musing: 30/09/13
As promised, this post is coming to you from a very dreary and foggy part of the UK. I have returned to an autumn fully underway - the jumpers, duvets, and hot water bottles are all back with a vengeance. While I try my best to adapt, here's another edition of The Weekly Reader, keeping … Continue reading The Weekly Reader: 25/09/13
Today's the day. In a few short hours, I will be jetting my way back to the UK. But still finding time to bring you another Monday Musing. See you on the other side of the ocean!
Friends, I have made an unforgivable oversight. Given the strength of my love for Roald Dahl, it is shocking that I forgot to acknowledge the anniversary of his birth last Friday. I can only apologise. This is, after all, the man who gifted the world James and the Giant Peach. And where would we be … Continue reading Just For Fun Friday: The Three Little Pigs Retold
A couple of weeks ago in my column for The Riveter, I talked about the importance of literature in cultural exploration. As I think anyone who has occupied multiple countries will appreciate, fiction can provide an invaluable window into the historical, social, and political factors (among many others) that feed culture. When I first moved … Continue reading Review: My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk
I am now at that point in my holiday where, with less than a week left, I am beginning to question my ability to enter back into the real world. I continue to hold out hope for an almost supernatural transition into work mode. Naive, perhaps, but I remain optimistic. Next week's The Weekly Reader … Continue reading The Weekly Reader: 18/09/13
Hi pals! I hope that you are all having a stellar Monday so far. It's my last week in the great United States before returning to the UK for immersion into the joys of a PhD programme. Fortunately, still some time to go before I will have to trade in my current reading pile for … Continue reading Monday Musing: 16/09/13
The Book Habit 