This will hurt me...

Gull! Lindisfarne. August 2013. Where Angels Fear to Tread , E.M. Forster: A cutting exploration of the prudish, snobbish, self-important ways of a certain English class. It ends on an incredibly depressing note, but the story probes concepts of morality, virtue and the nature of prejudice. You'll enjoy disliking the characters. B . Hello Mum , Bernardine Evaristo: Simple words of truth about the life of an inner kid. The street talk is simple, accessible and authentic, but the story a bit ho-hum. D . Around the World in Eighty Days , Jules Verne: Circumnavigate the World in 80 days? Amazing! I enjoyed it very much. B- . The Book Boy , Joanna Trollope: Well constructed small tale about a woman's attempt to learn to read. Sufficiently empowering, if a bit piecemeal. C- .

Pretty little flower blossom. Natone Street, Lindisfarne. September 2013. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls , David Sedaris: A new book! That's a rare thing these days. Like the one I reviewed last week, this is a hit and miss collection of essays and anecdotes with enough of a light touch to keep things ticking along. Worth a look. B- . Two Views , Uwe Johnson: A book very much of its time, this novel is essentially about the divisiveness of East and West Germany. The tale of two lovers (acquaintances would perhaps be closer to the mark), what the reader faces is an immense accumulation of detail to build the two "views" while two people endeavour to reach each other. The politics remains in the background, but remains a ubiquitous presence. I can't say that I particularly enjoyed reading this, but can recognise the skill. C+ . The Handmaid's Tale , Margaret Atwood: This is not the first time I've read this, but I'm not sure that I find myse...

Polite. East Derwent Highway, Lindisfarne. August 2013. The Gardener from Ochakov , Andrey Kurkov: I had been anxiously awaiting the latest from my favourite Ukrainian author, and it didn't disappoint. A time-travel adventure (a theme this week) with a light touch, I'm not sure whether Kurkov is satirising or indulging in a bit of post-Soviet nostalgia. As we often see in Kurkov's books, there is a clash of the mundane - tracksuits, minibuses, homemade vodka - and the surreal - knife-wielding gangsters from 1950s Soviet Union. I really enjoyed it. B+ . The Time Machine , H.G. Wells: The classic of the genre, it's a surprise to see just how much the story is interwoven with Darwinian and Marxist theory. The 19th Century was one hell of a trip! I reckon that it stands up. Well worth your time. B+ . Me Talk Pretty One Day , David Sedaris: A collection of essays by Jerri Blank's brother (that's who David Sedaris will always remain in my heart). Some of the ...

Oh really?

Self portrait. East Derwent Highway, Lindisfarne. July 2013. The Weird Question Meme, Part Two What is your ring size? Your guess is as good as mine! How often do you wear jewellery? I wear a wedding ring. None other than that. When was the last time you consumed alcohol? I had a small glass of beer with the pork roast the other night. Any big plans for the summer? Lots of diving. Lots of photos. Lots more National Parks. What is your favourite comfort food? It's hard to go past chips. Do you prefer broccoli or asparagus? Probably broccoli. Asparagus is fine though. What colour are your bedroom walls? White chocolate (according to the tin). With whom do you live? One lady and two gentlemen. Which Star Wars movie is your favourite? The Empire Strikes Back . They're supremely overrated as a series though. How about Harry Potter? Never read or seen one. What was the last movie you saw in theatres? Wreck It Ralph . Not bad. ...

How old are you? Next to the overpass by Lindisfarne North Primary School, Lindisfarne. August 2013. More Qs and More As. As usual, I've pilfered them from Sunday Stealing. This week, a set of Awkwardly Intriguing Questions 1. What’s something you hide about your personality? I'm not certain that I do. Perhaps we all suppress elements of our vulnerability or sensitivities. 2. How do you deal with criticism? Tora tora tora! 3. What’s something sweet you’d like someone to do for you? Scratch my back for more than three seconds. 4. Which fictional character would you most like to have lunch with and why? Capt. John Yossarian. 5. Who would you say is your “anti” role model? Someone who serves as a warning rather than an inspiration? I've got a few of them. Perhaps it would be wise to just touch my nose and wink. 6. What’s the most infuriating thing your parents (or caregiver) do? Use my full name. 7. Which movie character do you most identify wit...

Spikey plant. East Derwent Highway, Lindisfarne. July 2013. Sunday Top Five today sees Henry and I compile our Top Five Tracks From The Late Great Dusty Springfield (This Sunday)! The Look Of Love You Don't Have to Say You Love Me I Only Want to Be with You Breakfast in Bed What Have I Done To Deserve This (with the Pet Shop Boys)

Letter. East Derwent Highway, Lindisfarne. July 2013. The Moon is Down , John Steinbeck: Wartime propaganda at its best. By all accounts it was quite a success in occupied Europe during WWII. I can see why. The American critics hated it at the time. B- . A Clergyman's Daughter , George Orwell: Perhaps Orwell's most lesser-known work. He apparently left instructions that after his death it was not to be reprinted. After reading it, I can see why. D .

A good stretch Hen, that's what you need.

How many times can someone go down the same slide before getting sick of it?

10,000 tastebuds? Can you count them all?

Ezra and Archie trying out for the Dons.

Go for it Ez. Go hard.

The darling buds of May #1. Derwent Avenue, Lindisfarne. May 2013. This Theme Thursday brings with it a MYSTERIOUS selection of philosophical musings from a seried of over-educated ignoramuses. The first asserts "I do not know what I am: I am not what I know." The second, "But if cattle and horses or lions had hands, or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do, horses would draw the form of their gods like horses, and cattle like cattle, and they would make their gods' bodies resemble their own." The first retorts, "When the danger is so great that death has become the hope, then despair is the hopelessness of not being able to die." "Quite", I said. The darling buds of May #2. Derwent Avenue, Lindisfarne. May 2013.

Walking home from school is inherently a good thing.

Just keep walking, Hank...

I'd happily walk the plank for you.

Lights camera action . ANZAC Park, Lindisfarne. February 2013. More questions? Of course! Stolen from Sunday Stealing, as usual. This week: The Back 15 Meme ... 15) How do you vent out your anger? Ranting and raving. 16) Favourite toy as a child? Some kind of ball, most likely. 17) Favourite season? I like elements of each, but if I have to choose I'd say Summer. 18) Do you ever get letters delivered by the post office? Most letters have at some point been processed by the post office... 19) When was the last time you laughed hard? Good question. I can't specifically remember, but it most likely involved cruelly mocking someone. 20) What is on the floor of your closet? My shoes. 21) Are you any good at drawing? Not very good, but I can manage the basics. 22) What did you do last night? Read and then slept. 23) What are you most afraid of? Irrelevance. 24) Plain, cheese or spicy hamburger? Spicy with salad. 25) Favourite dog breed? I'm not...

As you know, the Internet is a wonderful place filled with the rich and varied treasures of the world holds (and RSS feeds.) The following are some things that I've had a look at in the last week. I call this: a Compendium of Click-throughs for Monday Morning... Vintage Ads for Libraries and Reading . 10 Things Garry Winogrand Can Teach You About Street Photography. Top 10 foods nutritionists won't feed their kids . Should We Tax People for Being Annoying? Tony Abbott: a confused, conservative sexist, but not a misogynist .

Male model material?