Book Spine Poetry

This is getting slightly addictive. Had I any time at all, I'd be assembling improbable piles of books myself. Instead, I'm looking at those posted on 100scopenotes. Fabulous!

Three score and more

I stumbled across this blog a wee while ago. For all your birthday needs! (or not)
Three Score & Ten is subtitled 'lives in literature' and compiled by Wayne Gooderham


Three Score & Ten is an anthology of literary quotes illustrating every year of one’s life from conception to death. Basically 0 – 70 (or minus 9 months to 70 if you prefer)...The overall aim of this project is to view the different male and female literary characters as if they were a pair of individuals, following their progress through life as  they are shaped by experience and decisions are made, talents are blunted and youthful hope turns to resigned despair and failing talents – or perhaps even growing maturity and contentment.  At very least, death (spoiler alert: the project doesn’t end happily).

Fascinating stuff!

Kick off 2012 with a laugh

So that's it, 2011 has packed it in and 2012 has taken over. If you're not a January fan, then check out the Reading Agency's latest (brilliant) idea: a list of mood-busting books that will see you through the winter no bother. The 27 titles belong mainly to 'adult' fiction (although you will find The Secret Garden, some Roger McGough and Tove Janson in there) and span all genres.
Once you've made your way through those, there are more recommendations for you, including the likes of hilarious Jasper Fforde nursury crime stories and Cold Comfort Farm.

"Research shows that reading improves mental wellbeing and reduces stress by 67%. The Reading Agency worked with BBC Headroom and nine UK reading groups in 2011 to create a list of mood enhancing books. These titles were endorsed by Charley Baker, Lecturer in Mental Health at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy at the University of Nottingham. Public libraries throughout the UK promoted this list in 2012."

Adopt a bookshop

To all writers and illustrators stuck for gifts ideas this christmas, check out the Adopt a Bookshop project. You may find that you'll receive as much as you give...

"So how does an author Adopt A Bookshop? Well, there are no social services checks involved, no counselling, no painting the spare room and tempting the bookshop into it with a plate of Pop Tarts… It’s more practical than that."

Read on...