Allison Symes's Blog, page 20
February 5, 2022
Books You Treasure
I treasure all of the books I have, of course, but some are just that bit extra special.
These include books left to me by my late mother (a beautiful collection of the works by Dickens is the highlight there) and the first book I bought for myself in my teens.
That was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and I still have it. I collected many of the Famous Five books by Enid Blyton in my younger years too.
I still have the Louisa May Alcott books - Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men and Jo's Boys.
I will always have a soft spot for Jingo as that was the first Discworld novel I read. I eagerly read the rest of Terry Pratchett's fabulous and fantastic series after that.
So which books do you treasure and why?
These include books left to me by my late mother (a beautiful collection of the works by Dickens is the highlight there) and the first book I bought for myself in my teens.
That was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and I still have it. I collected many of the Famous Five books by Enid Blyton in my younger years too.
I still have the Louisa May Alcott books - Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men and Jo's Boys.
I will always have a soft spot for Jingo as that was the first Discworld novel I read. I eagerly read the rest of Terry Pratchett's fabulous and fantastic series after that.
So which books do you treasure and why?
January 29, 2022
Books and Trains
Books and trains are a match made in heaven (especially publishing heaven!).
As well as stories inspired by train (and my favourite here is Murder on the Orient Express - the ultimate train, yes?!), books are the best form of portable entertainment and a fabulous way of passing the time.
I must admit I wait to read until I know I am on the train I want otherwise there is the risk I will still be reading at the platform long after the train has gone! (It helps a lot if I know I’m going somewhere like London Waterloo which is the end of the line as I know I can’t miss my stop either!).
It is no coincidence that the major stations have bookshops on them. For me the perfect way to escape the cares of the world is to read, ideally while listening to classical music via my headphones. (If there’s a cup of tea or hot chocolate to hand, even better!)
And if I’m not reading stories while travelling, I am writing my own so I love that too.
It probably helps that I write flash fiction which a dear friend described as a “bus stop read”. It works well on trains too!
As well as stories inspired by train (and my favourite here is Murder on the Orient Express - the ultimate train, yes?!), books are the best form of portable entertainment and a fabulous way of passing the time.
I must admit I wait to read until I know I am on the train I want otherwise there is the risk I will still be reading at the platform long after the train has gone! (It helps a lot if I know I’m going somewhere like London Waterloo which is the end of the line as I know I can’t miss my stop either!).
It is no coincidence that the major stations have bookshops on them. For me the perfect way to escape the cares of the world is to read, ideally while listening to classical music via my headphones. (If there’s a cup of tea or hot chocolate to hand, even better!)
And if I’m not reading stories while travelling, I am writing my own so I love that too.
It probably helps that I write flash fiction which a dear friend described as a “bus stop read”. It works well on trains too!
January 22, 2022
Best Friends in Fiction
With my other writing hat on, I blog including for a weekly online magazine. My current topic for them is Best Friends in Fiction but I realised it would be a good topic for Goodreads too.
When a lead character and their best friend/sidekick character are well portrayed, it is a joy to read their adventures and the interactions between them.
Can you imagine Holmes without Watson or Wooster without Jeeves? So many classic stories depend on the best friend character - and across genres too.
Think Sam Gamgee and his support of Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings. (It was literal support at some points too).
Characterisation has always been what makes or breaks a story (of any length) for me. I have got to understand where the characters are coming from, even if I disagree with their attitudes and actions.
And for lead and best friend characters I have got to see why the lead has the best friend character they do.
Holmes is a genius but needs Watson to temper that but Holmes does recognise that. Watson knows he can never be as brilliant as Holmes but knows he has his own role to play that could not be fulfilled by Holmes. Can you imagine Holmes trying to narrate a story for the masses? Err… no I think!
Do you have any favourite best friend fictional characters and if so why have you chosen these?
Mine is Sam Gamgee - you can’t beat the guy for loyalty and guts when it matters.
When a lead character and their best friend/sidekick character are well portrayed, it is a joy to read their adventures and the interactions between them.
Can you imagine Holmes without Watson or Wooster without Jeeves? So many classic stories depend on the best friend character - and across genres too.
Think Sam Gamgee and his support of Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings. (It was literal support at some points too).
Characterisation has always been what makes or breaks a story (of any length) for me. I have got to understand where the characters are coming from, even if I disagree with their attitudes and actions.
And for lead and best friend characters I have got to see why the lead has the best friend character they do.
Holmes is a genius but needs Watson to temper that but Holmes does recognise that. Watson knows he can never be as brilliant as Holmes but knows he has his own role to play that could not be fulfilled by Holmes. Can you imagine Holmes trying to narrate a story for the masses? Err… no I think!
Do you have any favourite best friend fictional characters and if so why have you chosen these?
Mine is Sam Gamgee - you can’t beat the guy for loyalty and guts when it matters.
January 15, 2022
Reading as Therapy
Now there are certain things I see as therapeutic - chocolate, classical music, my dog, and, naturally, a good book or several.
When the news is grim (as it so often is these days), a good book can transport you back in time, forward in time, anywhere on Earth (other planets are available if you like sci-fi), and can chill you, thrill you or make you laugh.
Books are wonderful. Doesn’t matter what format they come in either.
And when my own mood is low, reading a cosy crime (Agatha Christie) or something by Wodehouse or Pratchett or Austen is the very thing to help lift it.
Books cannot stop my problems, yet alone the ones we see in the news day in day out, but they can transport us “somewhere else” for a while and sometimes that is all you need.
So yes I see the act of reading as a therapeutic art in and of itself and one major reason why I would love to see everyone enjoy books and reading.
When the news is grim (as it so often is these days), a good book can transport you back in time, forward in time, anywhere on Earth (other planets are available if you like sci-fi), and can chill you, thrill you or make you laugh.
Books are wonderful. Doesn’t matter what format they come in either.
And when my own mood is low, reading a cosy crime (Agatha Christie) or something by Wodehouse or Pratchett or Austen is the very thing to help lift it.
Books cannot stop my problems, yet alone the ones we see in the news day in day out, but they can transport us “somewhere else” for a while and sometimes that is all you need.
So yes I see the act of reading as a therapeutic art in and of itself and one major reason why I would love to see everyone enjoy books and reading.
January 8, 2022
Why Reviews Matter
Every writer with a book out longs for reviews but they can be difficult to come by. I’ve never really understood why.
Reviews don’t have to be long. Indeed the short one or two liners often work better. And, aside from buying the book itself, leaving a review is one of the best ways you can support authors.
What I like to see in a review (and try to do when I give them) is for the reviewer to give a flavour of what the book is about without giving too much away.
I like to see mention of characters that have grabbed the reviewer’s attention and, in flash and short story collections, which were the “stand out” tales.
Reviews obviously help raise an author’s profile. The author can quote from them on their website, Facebook and social media posts etc. And they really don’t take long to write.
My policy here is to review a book as soon as I have finished reading it. It ensures I don’t forget to do it. Maybe that is where the problem lies. Any thoughts?
Reviews don’t have to be long. Indeed the short one or two liners often work better. And, aside from buying the book itself, leaving a review is one of the best ways you can support authors.
What I like to see in a review (and try to do when I give them) is for the reviewer to give a flavour of what the book is about without giving too much away.
I like to see mention of characters that have grabbed the reviewer’s attention and, in flash and short story collections, which were the “stand out” tales.
Reviews obviously help raise an author’s profile. The author can quote from them on their website, Facebook and social media posts etc. And they really don’t take long to write.
My policy here is to review a book as soon as I have finished reading it. It ensures I don’t forget to do it. Maybe that is where the problem lies. Any thoughts?
January 1, 2022
New Year, New Books, New Authors?
Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you received lots of lovely books for Christmas.
Am currently working my way through the latest Richard Osman one and a couple of flash fiction collections, and am loving them all. The To Be Read pile shows no sign of going down much though I think that is how it should be!
So with a new year ahead of us are there new books you’re looking forward to? Are there new authors you discovered in 2021 whose works you really enjoyed?
A new year gives us the chance to try new books and writers new to us and I hope to do plenty of that over the next twelve months.
I like to mix up classic and contemporary reading and going to book events, whether I take part in them myself or not, gives me plenty of opportunity to boost my contemporary To Be Read pile!
What matters is enjoying plenty of stories. And I must admit I have finally got to watch the latest Bond film No Time to Die. I thought the storyline there was excellent.
However you take your stories “in”, whether you read them, watch them, listen to them, or do a mixture, as long as the tale grips you, you are on to a winner. And I was gripped by this one.
As ever with any great story, the characters make it work. They are the story.
Am currently working my way through the latest Richard Osman one and a couple of flash fiction collections, and am loving them all. The To Be Read pile shows no sign of going down much though I think that is how it should be!
So with a new year ahead of us are there new books you’re looking forward to? Are there new authors you discovered in 2021 whose works you really enjoyed?
A new year gives us the chance to try new books and writers new to us and I hope to do plenty of that over the next twelve months.
I like to mix up classic and contemporary reading and going to book events, whether I take part in them myself or not, gives me plenty of opportunity to boost my contemporary To Be Read pile!
What matters is enjoying plenty of stories. And I must admit I have finally got to watch the latest Bond film No Time to Die. I thought the storyline there was excellent.
However you take your stories “in”, whether you read them, watch them, listen to them, or do a mixture, as long as the tale grips you, you are on to a winner. And I was gripped by this one.
As ever with any great story, the characters make it work. They are the story.
December 27, 2021
Stories at Christmas
Thought I’d put my blog up after Christmas this time. Next one will be back on Saturday.
I hope you received plenty of books in the formats of your choice for Christmas. Am currently reading the second Richard Osman book and enjoying that.
I’m also reading a couple of excellent flash fiction collections. Whoever said you only had to read one book at a time?!
Naturally I enjoyed stories via film over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Muppet Christmas Carol is a must. How can you not love an adaptation where the narrator, in this case Gonzo, recommends you read the original book?
The other must is The Polar Express. I’ve not read the book but the film is wonderful. Has a bit of a dark edge to it as well. Definitely not twee and something to make you think about the nature of belief.
Oh and Hogfather. I didn’t get around to re-reading the Terry Pratchett classic this time (I usually do) but did watch the film.
Have you found a good film adaptation makes you read the book? I have. One of my earliest introductions to Dickens was watching the Alec Guinness version of Oliver Twist. I just had to read the book directly after watching that.
And yes it can be fun spotting where lines (especially of dialogue) are kept word for word with the book and where it is clear some editing has gone on.
Do I mind if the film adaptation doesn’t stick to the original book entirely? Not if it is done well.
The Lord of the Rings is a classic example. Not everything from the books goes into the film version (and that goes for the extended version too) but the spirit of the book shines through those movies and that is fine with me.
I hope you received plenty of books in the formats of your choice for Christmas. Am currently reading the second Richard Osman book and enjoying that.
I’m also reading a couple of excellent flash fiction collections. Whoever said you only had to read one book at a time?!
Naturally I enjoyed stories via film over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Muppet Christmas Carol is a must. How can you not love an adaptation where the narrator, in this case Gonzo, recommends you read the original book?
The other must is The Polar Express. I’ve not read the book but the film is wonderful. Has a bit of a dark edge to it as well. Definitely not twee and something to make you think about the nature of belief.
Oh and Hogfather. I didn’t get around to re-reading the Terry Pratchett classic this time (I usually do) but did watch the film.
Have you found a good film adaptation makes you read the book? I have. One of my earliest introductions to Dickens was watching the Alec Guinness version of Oliver Twist. I just had to read the book directly after watching that.
And yes it can be fun spotting where lines (especially of dialogue) are kept word for word with the book and where it is clear some editing has gone on.
Do I mind if the film adaptation doesn’t stick to the original book entirely? Not if it is done well.
The Lord of the Rings is a classic example. Not everything from the books goes into the film version (and that goes for the extended version too) but the spirit of the book shines through those movies and that is fine with me.
December 18, 2021
Books as Presents
I don’t know how many books are given as presents at Christmas but it must run into millions.
Hardbacks, paperbacks, audio books, ebooks - a fabulous celebration of the written word, fictional and factual. I love that aspect.
Yes, I’ve got books on my wish list this year - I always do - no surprises there.
I still have an annual (The Friendship Book which is still going strong after many decades and published by that marvellous publisher, D.C. Thomson of Dundee). I wonder how many kids got into reading thanks to having an annual every Christmas. Certainly they’re a great way to encourage reading.
Comics and comic books can serve the same purpose. Flash fiction, my genre, can do so too because these can tempt the reluctant reader in - you don’t have to read a brick of a novel (a) all at once and (b) as your way into reading. You cam start smaller and build up or read the brick a bit at a time.
The important thing is to read and I hope whatever book presents you receive this year, you have a fabulous time reading them!
Hardbacks, paperbacks, audio books, ebooks - a fabulous celebration of the written word, fictional and factual. I love that aspect.
Yes, I’ve got books on my wish list this year - I always do - no surprises there.
I still have an annual (The Friendship Book which is still going strong after many decades and published by that marvellous publisher, D.C. Thomson of Dundee). I wonder how many kids got into reading thanks to having an annual every Christmas. Certainly they’re a great way to encourage reading.
Comics and comic books can serve the same purpose. Flash fiction, my genre, can do so too because these can tempt the reluctant reader in - you don’t have to read a brick of a novel (a) all at once and (b) as your way into reading. You cam start smaller and build up or read the brick a bit at a time.
The important thing is to read and I hope whatever book presents you receive this year, you have a fabulous time reading them!
December 11, 2021
Reading Acrostic
R= Romance
E = Epic Sagas
A = Adventures
D = Detective stories
I = Intergalatic tales
N = Novels, novellas or new flash/short story collections - the choice is yours.
G = Genre Fiction or literary - again the choice is yours.
Plenty of wonderful books to explore -paperback, hardback, audio, ebook.
Happy reading and I do hope there are plenty of book-shaped presents under your Christmas tree this year!
E = Epic Sagas
A = Adventures
D = Detective stories
I = Intergalatic tales
N = Novels, novellas or new flash/short story collections - the choice is yours.
G = Genre Fiction or literary - again the choice is yours.
Plenty of wonderful books to explore -paperback, hardback, audio, ebook.
Happy reading and I do hope there are plenty of book-shaped presents under your Christmas tree this year!
December 4, 2021
Books Acrostic
B = Bound to be several styles of book to suit you in terms of genre and format.
O = Original, captivating stories of all word counts are out there waiting for you to discover them.
O = One book or a series? Your call and there are many wonderful examples of both.
K = Kindle - a great and cheap way of discovering authors new to you.
S = Stories - one of the very best things about humanity. Think of the imaginations behind them.
O = Original, captivating stories of all word counts are out there waiting for you to discover them.
O = One book or a series? Your call and there are many wonderful examples of both.
K = Kindle - a great and cheap way of discovering authors new to you.
S = Stories - one of the very best things about humanity. Think of the imaginations behind them.
