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We’re rooting out some great but less well-known small publishers and finding out what makes them tick. This month’s small press is Old Street Publishing – founded in 2006, Old Street is an independent British publisher of fiction and non-fiction who might be recognisable from their excellent ‘Shortest History’ series. Ben Yarde-Buller kindly gave us some of his time to … Read more
A hugely entertaining romp through the history of Europe’s oldest civilisation. From the popular ‘Shortest History’ series, this latest focus is of Greece and it’s surrounding islands. In a brief but detailed format which includes photographs and illustrations, it traces the odyssey of the Greeks from ancient past all the way up to their complicated present. Ex-Ottakers boss James … Read more
Fantastic Bookshops! I love the personalised nature of the shops I’ve visited here in Devon, they’re really working with their local communities and schools to make sure everyone has the books that are right for them. And it’s such a rush, seeing my own handwriting right on the shop front of The Bookery in Crediton, where I helped them with … Read more
An atmospheric Cornish setting with secrets galore make this an engrossing and intriguing story. Three half-sisters, Flora, Kat and Lauren all have different mothers and the same father Charlie Finch. Charlie is an artist and his mother owned a house in Cornwall called Rock Point. They used to visit their Granny and Father in the summer holidays and the … Read more
The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the UK’s most prestigious annual book award celebrating & honouring fiction written by women. This year’s winner was announced as The Book Of Form And Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. Our review is below, along with the rest of the very strong shortlist from this year. Ozeki’s latest breathtaking novel encapsulates grief, mental illness and … Read more
Sam Wasson revisits one of the most pivotal moments in American film history – the making of Chinatown. 1974’s Chinatown, which starred Jack Nicholson and was directed by Roman Polanski, is widely regarded as a turning point in both the style and method of filmmaking in America. Behind the scenes of this groundbreaking motion picture though is a story … Read more
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. Tea At The Palace By Carolyn Robb No doubt Devon will … Read more
A timely novel about truth and deception in our digital lives by the award winning author of Boy 87 which was a huge hit with young adult readers. Imagine a world where your only friends are virtual, and big tech companies control access to food, healthcare and leisure. This is Jess’s world but when she turns fourteen, Jess can … Read more
Some of you have already seen the news but if you haven’t, the most extraordinary thing happened on Monday evening… The British Book Awards, aka The Nibbies, are an annual celebration of books and everyone who brings them to life. Often described as the BAFTAs of the book world, they affirm, connect and energise all who have a hand in … Read more
