Uncorrected proof copies of a novel can be of varying quality. Some I have received have had paper covers (although the shabby appearance belied the quality of the writing within). Others I have received...

The truly wonderful thing about reading fiction is that it can transport you to places that you might otherwise never go to, and give you an insight into a culture, a country or a conflict which you...

If your husband, who is a waiter in the Window on the World Restaurant in one of the Twin Towers,  is killed during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, you would have every right...

A single word came to my head when I finished this book. Wow. What a ride. This was a clever combination of graphic violence, black humour, thrills and empathy and it was a story which just kept you on...

In the modern world, why is it that half of the population lives in relative affluence, with abundant food, good housing, employment and luxuries, yet the other half suffers from persistent...

All humans are inherently irrational. ‘Except me!’ I hear you cry ‘I am completely rational. It’s everyone else who is irrational’. According to Stuart Sutherland, as much...

Four years ago I bought a copy of Life of Pi by Yann Martel at a time when I was trying to read more modern fiction and prize winners. I remember loving it. I loved it so much that I recommended it to...

There are a lot of books about social media appearing in the market at the moment. Some of them bring new ideas and revelations, while others simply rehash the same information. In both cases, however,...

Did you know that there are still encrypted letters around from the 1800’s which no-one has been able to decipher yet? And did you know that the Enigma code was well on the way to being cracked...

What does it take for us to think that we have a fortunate life? Is it measured by material things? An expensive car, a large house, plenty of overseas holidays? Perhaps it is more emotional for some...