This is a well written book, with clever and inventive use of language. The author seems to have cornered the market on the description of dirt, filth and disease. In contrast to this is the constant reminder of cleanliness of a main character, to the point of obsession. There are some clever metaphors throughout the…
This is a well written engaging book.The author tries but I am not sure, wholly succeeds in writing in the language and style of the period within which the book is set. Love, comradeship, danger and alcohol abound as the hero discovers himeslf. The story however whilst being predictable is enjoyable and a quick read….
This is a fascinating book. The story develops over a couple of generations whilst exploring culture, history, colonialism, family and relationships. The author provides a warning at the beginning of the book suggesting that this is a book to be avoided if you are looking for a story. But its an unnecessary warning. The book…
The Guardian website has a list of books that various authors are recommending, from this year. Here is the list. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/nov/28/christmas-book-choice-review Hilary Mantel recommends MJ Hyland’s This Is How (Canongate). Mantel argues that “Maria Hyland is like no one else writing today; her work is spare, ungiving, a challenge. At the same time, it is deeply humane”. MJ…
Some technologies are allowing writers to publish their work at no cost. Authors can use Amazon’s Digital Text Platform and upload their work for Kindle download in seconds. Smashwords, is another publishing medium. that allows authors to upload their work for purchasing in multiple electronic formats. It’s easy. It’s quick and cuts out the middle layer of publishing. …
I read in The Resident this week that this area is 50% down on rain levels. Its bizzarre looking at the floods in the UK and wishing for rain here. http://www.algarveresident.com/story.asp?XID=33997
I watched the Nesta event yesterday that was streamed live. Stephen Fry, Biz Stone, Founder and Chief Executive of Twitter; and Reid Hoffman, Founder and Chief Executive of LinkedIn discussed the phenomenon of social media and its future impact. It can be viewed here http://www.nesta.org.uk/assets/events/social_media__a_force_for_good
I received an email via a community informatics list. The author is c.wagner BBC News Magazine just published an interesting article about the fading interest in Second Life. If corroborates what many of us Second Life users have experienced already, namely that it’s pretty lonely out there in Second Life. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8367957.stm I don’t think…
I developed a learning programme a year or so ago for the Community Sector Coalition The programme is for small community groups who want to start using computers and ICT. A report and two volumes can be downloaded for free. See below for links to PDF’s The key findings of the research into the ICT…
Monica Ali – In the Kitchen Feisty and tough, is how Monica Ali characterises herself. She is a novelist who creates controversy because she has the audacity to be both Asian and a woman who puts the spotlight on racism and inequality in modern Britain. She was born in Dhaka, Pakistan in 1967, to a…