A blog post in the form of an email from my friend Sue attending Adelaide Writers' Week - send from her ipad   I'm in Adelaide for Writers Week. It's been a couple of years since I was last at this event and this year, it has had a makeover - new director, new committee, new configuration of view...

    It has recently occurred to me that I am pressing on in years.  Since I turned 37 I have begun to measure my life in reading capacity, and each day takes me closer to that great library in the sky.  I scan the unread classics and literary greats in my bookcases and know view...

We're compiling our favourite Dickens across the in house team for a celebratory spread in the next issue. And there's the dilemma for me because every one I've ever read - and I've managed most of them at least once - are the best when I'm reading it. I don't know how he does it because the sheer view...

I was in my local IKEA recently and, having made my way through The Labyrinth, I descended through the Floor of Marketplace to the Great Hall of Warehouse. Having travelled this way more times than I care to remember, I was struck by a subliminal observation: Billy bookcases weren’t displayed view...

“I can’t stop. I’ve started now.” “How complicated your life must be. All these rules you make for yourself. Couldn’t you break just this one just this once and not spoil Persuasion for yourself?”   It was this conversation in the book The Ready view...

The third Thursday of every month sees the meeting of a very odd mix of people in the cellar of my local pub. The group meets to read to each other.   It isn’t a reading group and it isn’t a writing group, but rather something of a hybrid. We call it a Bring Your own Literature view...

Reviewer Caroline Field sent us an account of a recent cultural outing:   'Had a great time at Latitude last week with the only frustration being so much choice that I missed stuff I’d normally go out of my way to see – Alan Hollinghurst and Adam Ant for two! The toilets were view...

by Lou Morrish   Last night, I was introduced to London's best kept secret – Wilton's Music Hall.  A stone's throw from the Tower of London, this stunningly atmospheric building is steeped in a rich, colourful history.  Many of our greatest past performers, such as Champagne view...

When, where and why do I read? Over the years, it's the why that's changed most. During childhood I read tucked away in a corner of the lounge, often surrounded by noise. To this day I can read in a room full of people, oblivious to their presence. Today I stretch out on the sofa, or sometimes on a view...

Dawn Churchill from Belper in Derbyshire  keeps us rolling - do send in you My Books and Other Animals to info@newbooksmag.com 'I was so pleased to see that you featured Smoke Portrait by Trilby Kent in your Directory. I met this author and, of course, purchased a signed copy of her view...

Canadian subscriber, Lindy Gomm, is the first of our subscribers to add to our new initiative here - My Books and Other Animals. Just to reiterate, we know we're all bookish folk but this is a chance to share not just books but your cultural life as well. To take part just email view...

We arrived later than expected at Hebden Bridge station. On our cross country journey the train hit a cow.  As we walked out of the station, it started to rain. And it was getting dark, and there were no taxis. Feeling rather like a couple of townies my colleague Catherine and I asked the view...

Thursday evening saw Madelaine and me driving from Winchester to Petersfield. It was one of those evenings that England does so well; with shadows lengthening and the warmth of the day still lingering. The drive along the A272 is a pretty route with lovely views to the south, and the atmosphere in view...

As publisher, it falls to me to start the ball rolling on this new initiative which we're calling My Books and Other Animals. Given the willingness of nb readers to debate and discuss, this is a chance to share our cultural lives beyond the world of books. You probably recognize the cannibalization view...