01 May 2020

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month, Poems, Poets 4 Comments Permalink

Stephen Spender & ‘The Truly Great’

Susannah 1 May 2020 4 Comments

Stephen Spender’s poem about greatness was written in the 1930s during wartime, Read more

01 May 2020

Susannah Books, Newsletter, Reading, Recommended Reading 12 Comments Permalink

Reading for difficult times

Susannah 1 May 2020 12 Comments

My Covid-19 experience has been greatly alleviated by the novels of Elly Griffiths, featuring archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway. Read more

01 Apr 2020

Susannah Books, Newsletter, Reading 10 Comments Permalink

Les Misérables

Susannah 1 April 2020 10 Comments

I dithered in a bookshop some weeks ago over buying a copy of The Novel of the Century: The Extraordinary Adventure of ‘Les Misérables’ by David Bellos. Read more

01 Apr 2020

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month, Poems, Poets 14 Comments Permalink

William Wordsworth & The Solitary Reaper

Susannah 1 April 2020 14 Comments

On the 7th April 2020 it was the 250th birthday of one of the world’s greatest poets, William Wordsworth. Read more

01 Apr 2020

Susannah Movies, Newsletter, Screen versions 34 Comments Permalink

Can a movie be better than the book?

Susannah 1 April 2020 34 Comments

There was a huge response to my piece in last month’s newsletter about the new movie of Emma and it was intriguing to read all the different reactions. Read more

01 Apr 2020

Susannah Books, Newsletter, Reading, Recommended Reading 9 Comments Permalink

Plague Literature

Susannah 1 April 2020 9 Comments

“But, ‘Lord!’ how sad a sight it is to see streets empty of people. Read more

01 Mar 2020

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month, Poems, Poets 6 Comments Permalink

Thomas Hardy & Beyond the Last Lamp

Susannah 1 March 2020 6 Comments

One of the very first poems I discussed in this newsletter was a Thomas Hardy poem. He is best known today as a novelist, Read more

01 Mar 2020

Susannah Newsletter, Reading 6 Comments Permalink

The Young Visiters

Susannah 1 March 2020 6 Comments

Have you ever read The Young Visiters? It was written by Daisy Ashford in 1919 and its author was all of 9 years old (hence the spelling mistake in the title). Read more

01 Mar 2020

Susannah Books, Newsletter, Reading 12 Comments Permalink

William Gladstone – Book Lover

Susannah 1 March 2020 12 Comments

Let me introduce you to a fascinating man. His name was William Gladstone and he was four times Prime Minister of Great Britain. Read more

01 Mar 2020

Susannah Jane Austen, Movies, Newsletter, Reading, Screen versions 78 Comments Permalink

‘Emma.’ 2020

Susannah 1 March 2020 78 Comments

How can two minutes in a movie contain both rapture and disgust? I have been to see the new Emma Read more

01 Feb 2020

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month, Poems, Poets 25 Comments Permalink

Robert Graves & A Welsh Incident

Susannah 1 February 2020 25 Comments

The only way to experience the poem I’ve chosen for you this month is to listen to Richard Burton read it. Read more

01 Feb 2020

Susannah Books, Movies, Newsletter, Screen versions 54 Comments Permalink

The Rights of Film Makers

Susannah 1 February 2020 54 Comments

I have recently been pondering the rights of film makers when they turn a classic novel into a movie or TV series. Read more

01 Feb 2020

Susannah Books, Newsletter, Reading 14 Comments Permalink

Sport in Novels

Susannah 1 February 2020 14 Comments

Reading Beartown this month, and spending time watching the Australian Open tennis, has made me think about great sporting moments in novels. Read more

01 Feb 2020

Susannah Authors, Books, Newsletter, Reading 12 Comments Permalink

Books I’ve read recently

Susannah 1 February 2020 12 Comments

I have read some lovely books recently which I’d like to recommend. I hope you’ll find some of these interesting and read them also. Read more

01 Jan 2020

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month, Poems, Poets 16 Comments Permalink

Jenny Joseph & Warning

Susannah 1 January 2020 16 Comments

I have a significant birthday this year, so a poem about ageing disgracefully seems rather appropriate. This one is by Jenny Joseph (1932 – 2018). Read more