01 Jun 2025

Susannah Newsletter 2 Comments Permalink

The Eraser

Susannah 1 June 2025 2 Comments

Most homes and offices have somewhere in them a rubber or eraser. But this useful device for removing an error is a fairly recent invention. Read more

01 Jun 2025

Susannah Literary Pets, Newsletter, Poets 1 Comment Permalink

Literary Pets – Wessex, a wire fox terrier

Susannah 1 June 2025 1 Comment

There are few dogs that have sunk their teeth into as many famous literary legs as Wessex, a wire fox terrier. Read more

01 Jun 2025

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month 4 Comments Permalink

Oscar Wilde & Requiescat

Susannah 1 June 2025 4 Comments

Oscar Wilde was only two when his little sister, Isola Francesca Emily Wilde, was born in 1857. Read more

01 May 2025

Susannah Books, Newsletter, Recommended Reading 6 Comments Permalink

Words: their surprising stories

Susannah 1 May 2025 6 Comments

Some years ago, I really enjoyed reading David Crystal’s By Hook or by Crook; a Journey in Search of English so I was delighted when I saw he had a new book out – Bookish Words and their surprising stories, published this year. Read more

01 May 2025

Susannah Jane Austen, Newsletter 4 Comments Permalink

New Screen Adaptations

Susannah 1 May 2025 4 Comments

I am not generally a fan of sequels, prequels, continuations and modernisations of Jane Austen’s novels – why mess with perfection, I ask? Read more

01 May 2025

Susannah Books, Newsletter, Recommended Reading 8 Comments Permalink

The Great Gatsby is 100

Susannah 1 May 2025 8 Comments

On 10 April this year, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby turned 100. Read more

01 May 2025

Susannah Literary Pets, Newsletter 2 Comments Permalink

Literary Pets – Bonfire the horse

Susannah 1 May 2025 2 Comments

Poet John McCrae did not have to volunteer to serve in World War I. At nearly 42, he was older than most of the men enlisting. Read more

01 May 2025

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month 4 Comments Permalink

Robert Frost & A Time to Talk

Susannah 1 May 2025 4 Comments

I love Robert Frost’s poems. This one is about the importance of friendship. Read more

01 May 2025

Susannah Newsletter 2 Comments Permalink

Tempting Travel

Susannah 1 May 2025 2 Comments

I have many lovely events and tours coming up, and I wanted to let you, my faithful newsletter readers, know so you have an early chance to book if you are interested. Read more

24 Apr 2025

Cheryl Newsletter Permalink

Mothers in Books

Cheryl 24 April 2025

From wise and warm to wicked and absent, mothers in literature have appeared in every imaginable shape and style. Read more

01 Apr 2025

Susannah Books, Children's Books, Newsletter 5 Comments Permalink

The Story of Ferdinand

Susannah 1 April 2025 5 Comments

Did you read The Story of Ferdinand as a child? Written by Munro Leaf, with illustrations by Robert Lawson, it was first published in 1936. Read more

01 Apr 2025

Susannah Books, Children's Books, Newsletter 10 Comments Permalink

Babies Need Books

Susannah 1 April 2025 10 Comments

Whenever I go shopping for a gift for a new baby, I head straight to the bookstore. Babies tend to get dozens of toys, and they soon grow out of a tiny outfit, Read more

01 Apr 2025

Susannah Books, Jane Austen, Newsletter No Comments Permalink

Jane Austen’s Objects

Susannah 1 April 2025 No Comments

2025 will see a myriad of new publications about Jane Austen – some will be very rubbishy, and others the result of serious scholarship. Read more

01 Apr 2025

Susannah Literary Pets, Newsletter No Comments Permalink

Literary Pets – Diogenes Jugurtha the Vulture

Susannah 1 April 2025 No Comments

Alexandre Dumas was always a larger-than-life figure. Playwright, historical novelist, travel writer, and even the author of a cookbook, he flung himself into life with enormous enthusiasm. Read more

01 Apr 2025

Susannah Newsletter, Poem of the Month No Comments Permalink

John Donne & The Flea

Susannah 1 April 2025 No Comments

John Donne (1572 – 1631) had many careers – he was a soldier, secretary, clergyman and scholar, Read more