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BEYOND THE AIRING CUPBOARD
Book reviews, poems, general musings and more!
April is a moment of joy for those who have survived the winter.
Samuel Johnson
Latest Posts
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Sunshine on Scotland Street / Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers – Alexander McCall Smith
I have relaxed into these delightful stories over the last couple of weeks. They are numbers 8 and 9 in the series of ‘44 Scotland Street’ and I am way behind numerically. I have commented before about the incredible speed with which this author produces books, as does his Edinburgh neighbour Ian Rankin. Impossible to […]
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The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan
There has of course long been an immigration route from China over the Pacific to the West coast of America. In the 19th century people were attracted by the Gold Rush and then in a huge area that was asset rich and labour poor, Chinese immigrants were vital in building the miles and miles of […]
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A Better Life – Lionel Shriver
I have known Lionel Shriver for years as a journalist writing in a variety of journals, magazines and newspapers. Lionel is female and was born Margaret Ann. At age 15 and already a fledgling writer she changed her name as she felt this would bring her more respect. I find this a little dispiriting as […]
I grew up in freezing cold Kent in the 1950s and early 60s. The airing cupboard was the one place to curl up comfortably and read. The cat sometimes chose to join me. He too knew where it was warm …
Susan Brice