by Carolyn Thomas. This empowering read encourages mothers to jettison the guilt and self-sacrifice so often associated with modern parenting and to put their own mental and physical welfare needs front and centre. As author Poppy O’Neill puts it, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup’ – meaning that...
Books
March Under the Covers: Mothers in literature
by Carolyn Thomas. As we celebrate Mother’s Day in the UK this month I started thinking about the vast range of mother characters in literature. From the 19th century’s loving and capable ‘Marmee’ in Little Women, through to the resourceful and resilient 21st century ‘Ma’, held captive with her...
Book review: Toy Fights, a Boyhood, by Don Paterson
by poetry editor Anita Foxall. Toy Fights, a Boyhood is the wonderful memoir by poet Don Paterson. However, straight at the beginning, we are warned not to expect poetry, as this book stops where the poetry begins. However, widely aware poetry cannot be omitted from his life, Patterson brought...
Literary homes and haunts – from Haworth to Hampshire
by Carolyn Thomas. Every year thousands of people travel to places associated with the authors they love. The link can be that it’s the place where a writer was born, lived, died, or set their novels. But does seeing a writing desk or following the route taken by a...
Meet the author: Tamar Hodes
by Carolyn Thomas. This occasional In Common series introduces authors with a connection to Southampton or Hampshire – they may have been brought up here, or live here now, or use the area as a setting for their work. Kicking things off is Tamar Hodes, currently living in Bassett,...
Short story: Love Among the Branches
by Tamar Hodes. Love among the Branches, by Southampton author Tamar Hodes, was originally commissioned for Radio 4 back in 1999. Look out for an author profile on In Common, coming soon. Richard stood at the open door, planks of timber stacked at his side like skis. “I’ve come...
Under the Covers – upcoming book events, February – March
by Carolyn Thomas. Calling all bookworms! Been tucked up reading under cosy blankets during a cold January? It’s time to venture out. As February brings us some more light and a hint of spring, it’s a great time to get back out, not least for a rummage through all...
Review: Stella Davis poetry collection launch at Southampton’s October Books
by Anita Foxall. Poet Stella Davis returned to Southampton for the launch of her new poetry collection Lunch on a Green Ledge on the 28th of January at October Books. Born and raised in the South of England, and an alumni of the University of Southampton, Stella Davis has...
January Under the Covers: take time to travel with the help of a good book
by Carolyn Thomas. January is a tricky month. As well as being dark and dank, it’s a period of reflection and resolution at a time when many of us are feeling less than positive and energetic post-Christmas. This paradox could well be down to the fact that the month...
Books column: Under the Covers – the Christmas wish list
by Carolyn Thomas. While my Christmas ‘to-do’ list is probably much like anyone else’s, I do have one particular and selfish tradition of my own… which is to buy myself a book. This is, after all, the season of goodwill to everyone – so why shouldn’t I include myself...