Month: October 2022

The Best Opening Line Ever?

by

The Bookery’s Cliff waxes lyrical about the beginning of Javier Marias’ bestseller A Heart So White… Javier Marias died in September. Widely regarded as one of the best Spanish writers and translators ever, his prize-winning career was one of amazing novel after amazing novel, with no dip in quality. The publishing of a new Marias book was something to be looked forward to, and then celebrated. And, in my opinion, one of his novels contained the best opening line in … Read more

Kev’s Books For Christmas

by

Kev McCready is a writer, born in Liverpool but now living in Devon. Always with his nose in a book and a cuppa brewing. A fanatical reader since the age of five, Kev has a collection of bookmarks as esoteric as his bookshelves… The 13th of October was “Super Thursday”. No, it’s nothing to do with superheroes, or posh expressions of delight that it’s nearly the weekend. It marked the start of the season for Christmas books. And I know … Read more

Annette’s Devon Bookshelf

by

Annette Shaw is a freelance journalist with 30 years of experience, and has a regular column in Devon Life, sharing her pick of brilliant books with Devon connections. With her reputation for championing books and authors around the county, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to showcase her reviews here. The Drowning Hour by S.K. Tremayne This man, who hails from Devon, writes brilliant books. The kind where you ring a friend for a reality check because it haunts, mystifies and … Read more

Review: The Romantic

by

  Superstar author William Boyd is back, telling the story of a rich and varied life well lived. Cashel Ross, an orphan brought up in Cork, navigates his way through the early 19th century touched by major events and significant figures – he survives Waterloo, he travels Europe and socialises with romantic poets, and crosses the Atlantic to become a brewer. Although the life of one man, the history he lives touches on universal truths and deeply held values. William … Read more

Kev’s Shelf Obsession: Marian Keyes

by

Kev McCready is a writer, born in Liverpool but now living in Devon. Always with his nose in a book and a cuppa brewing. A fanatical reader since the age of five, Kev has a collection of bookmarks as esoteric as his bookshelves… It’s easy to dismiss Marian Keyes work as romantic fluff and you would be foolish to do so. Her books are a delicate balancing act of dry wit; combined with big issues addiction, mental illness, domestic violence … Read more