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,...
Books
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...
New books column: Under the Covers
by Carolyn Thomas. Since ruining my eyesight by reading under the covers as a 10-year-old wielding a torch, I’ve loved books. I can’t really remember a time when there wasn’t a pile of TBRs (to be read) next to my bed – although the topics and authors have naturally...
Book review: Churches of Hampshire, by John Vigar
reviewed by Martin Brisland. Churches are time capsules containing many graves, artefacts and curiosities that act as a window on the people and events of the past. Following a career in academia John Vigar worked for the Churches Conservation Trust and he is a Trustee of a national charity,...
Book review: The Map of Leaves, by Yarrow Townsend
by Alex Thurley-Ratcliff. From the opening, I threw myself into this new children’s book by first-time author, Yarrow Townsend, a writer with strong family and personal connections to Southampton and the New Forest. Though I do already have a love of fantasy stories, they have to be innovative and...
Book review: Secret New Forest
by Charlie Hislop. ‘And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul’ is the inscription at the front of Martin Brisland’s new book ‘Secret New Forest’. I go to the New Forest sometimes, cycle about, have a walk, stop for a beer, or show...