Author Archives: stuart56
Celebration for my father
My father died back in May 2022. Not from Covid. He spent his last few days in a care home next to my mother. He did not want a funeral so we did not have a “wake” or anything like … Continue reading
The Khan – a book
The Khan by Saima Mir My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a well-told thriller with compelling characters, strong writing and a great sense of place and atmosphere. But, it runs out of steam a bit towards the end. … Continue reading
Aether Chronicles – Book 3
Speed by Abi Barden My rating: 4 of 5 stars This appears to be a mid-series book: established characters, plot development, new questions and a great cliffhanger. I’m thoroughly invested in the adventure. It is full of questions and uncertainty. … Continue reading
Spinning Silver – a book
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik My rating: 2 of 5 stars Novik introduces three female protagonists in this book without much preamble and keeps moving between them in a confusing way. I was never quite sure which of the three … Continue reading
Messiness #6
When is a resignation speech not a resignation? When it’s given by Boris Johnson. All the media yesterday were going on about his resignation but, he did not use the word resignation in his statement. Nor did he use the … Continue reading
Messiness #5
I’m happy not to have my birthday acknowledged by people who know me. Only my sisters have sent birthday cards. Nothing from anyone else who knows me. I’m happy being “billy no mates” today, I’m free to do whatever I … Continue reading
Messiness #4
Wimbledon is over for me. It’s not just Andy’s loss but also Emma. She didn’t look her usual self yesterday, as though she wasn’t ‘in the zone’, there was no spark in her play, although she tried to make a … Continue reading
Echoes by Abi Barden
Echoes by Abi Barden My rating: 4 of 5 stars The adventure just gets better. It is a very engaging steampunk world and Amethyst’s adventures in this thought provoking “reality” move on. With several love interests at play, not just … Continue reading
Messiness #3
East Lothian Liberal Democrats are in a mess. The last meeting of it’s Executive Committee was in April this year. There have been no meetings since the elections in May. The last communication to members only was in the run-up … Continue reading
Messiness #2
A rail strike organised by only one of the unions that have members in the rail industry has the Minister responsible following his leader by telling lies about the dispute. He has said the average rail worker earns £44k per … Continue reading
