01 Jul 2019

Susannah Books, Newsletter 10 Comments Permalink

Reading Aloud

Susannah 1 July 2019 10 Comments

Have you ever tried reading aloud to yourself or another person? Perhaps you should. Read more

01 Jul 2019

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

The Public Library

Susannah 1 July 2019 9 Comments

One of the most wonderful places I know is the public library! To enter the doors of a library is to feel an instant sense of wellbeing and calm, Read more

01 Jul 2019

Susannah Books, Newsletter 12 Comments Permalink

The Goldfinch

Susannah 1 July 2019 12 Comments

A coming film I look forward to watching is The Goldfinch based on Donna Tartt’s 2014 Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name. Read more

01 Jul 2019

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

Emily Dickinson & Because I could not stop for death

Susannah 1 July 2019 6 Comments

Emily Dickinson did not give her poems names, but this one has been named for its first line, “Because I could not stop for death”. Read more

01 Jun 2019

Susannah Books, Lectures, Newsletter, Talks 2 Comments Permalink

Let me tell you about Men, Glorious Men

Susannah 1 June 2019 2 Comments

My first love affairs were all with fictional men. I sighed over their good looks, longed to run off with them myself, Read more

01 Jun 2019

Susannah Books, Newsletter 6 Comments Permalink

Letters that Changed the World

Susannah 1 June 2019 6 Comments

I have not yet discussed in my newsletter the wonderful literary form of the letter. I’ll remedy that omission now. I’ve recently loved reading Written in History: Letters that Changed the World Read more

01 Jun 2019

Susannah Books, Newsletter, tours No Comments Permalink

Literary Travelling

Susannah 1 June 2019 No Comments

My literary travels have been keeping me busy this year. I am leading my classic literary tour of England as you receive this. Read more

01 Jun 2019

Susannah Books, Newsletter No Comments Permalink

Foods Named After Writers

Susannah 1 June 2019 No Comments

I’ve been exploring various foods named after writers. The French poet, historian and politician Chateaubriand, who was a foodie, had a cut of steak and Read more

01 Jun 2019

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

O Captain! my Captain!

Susannah 1 June 2019 4 Comments

On 14 April 1865, American President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth (brother of the famous Shakespearian actor Edwin Booth) at Ford’s Theatre. Read more

01 May 2019

Susannah Books, Newsletter 10 Comments Permalink

Oh sleep! It is a gentle thing,

Susannah 1 May 2019 10 Comments

“Oh sleep! It is a gentle thing
Beloved from pole to pole”

Read more

01 May 2019

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month, Poems, Poets 8 Comments Permalink

Tim Heath & ‘not as the crow flies’

Susannah 1 May 2019 8 Comments

New Zealand poet Tim Heath is a friend of mine and I have been very much enjoying his new volume of poems not as the crow flies. Read more

01 May 2019

Susannah Newsletter, Poets 2 Comments Permalink

Poet Laureate

Susannah 1 May 2019 2 Comments

For English poets, I guess the ultimate position is that of ‘Poet Laureate’, when a writer is appointed by the government or authority of the day to write poems celebrating special events. Read more

01 May 2019

Susannah Books, Movies, Newsletter, Screen versions 14 Comments Permalink

The Professor and the Madman

Susannah 1 May 2019 14 Comments

Did you read Simon Winchester’s fabulous 1998 book The Surgeon of Crowthorne about James Murray who worked on the Oxford English Dictionary Read more

01 Apr 2019

Susannah Authors, Movies, Newsletter, Screen versions 10 Comments Permalink

New Movies

Susannah 1 April 2019 10 Comments

I am really looking forward to seeing All is True, a film about Shakespeare, directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh. Read more

01 Apr 2019

Susannah Books, Newsletter 4 Comments Permalink

Ada Lovelace & The Analytical Engine

Susannah 1 April 2019 4 Comments

I have been deep in the ‘Byronic world’ this past month. I fell in love with Byron’s poems as a teenager, sat in my room learning many by heart, and just revelled in his wonderful language. Read more