April 2023

April 2023

Welcome to Our April Edition...

Spring is in bloom. The seedlings are bursting into life on the windowsill. Zephyr, my tortoise has escaped five times. Buddy is shedding all over the carpets. The heating is off, the doors are open and evening walks are back. I am emerging from my winter cocoon, blinking in the sunlight, pulling up the weeds. I may even shave my legs soon.
 
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Um... Thanks for sharing that last detail. I believe it's called "TMI". Shall we get on with the newsletter?]

Dog Days - On the Air

Remember the radio show pilot I shared with you? Well, I am delighted to announce that it's been commissioned I will be hosting a monthly programme called Dog Days on Radio Reverb.
 
Sponsored by Coastway Vets, the show will be bulging with fantastic features including interviews with writers, a dedicated 'Rescue of the Month’, top tips from an animal behavioural therapist and loads more. My first guest will be Bonnie Garmus, talking about the beloved dog Six-Thirty in her novel 'Lessons in Chemistry' and the joy of pets in books. Stay tuned for more news.

Listen to Radio Reverb

Heather Darwent Selects Her Life-Changing Books

This month, Edinburgh-based writer Heather Darwent shares her selection of books that changed her life.
 
Science, tears and one of the UK's foremost diarists (ahem) are featured. You can check out her great choices on my website.
 
[EDITOR'S NOTE: You're expecting me to make a comment about including a photo of a cat, aren't you? I shall rise above the blatant provocation and get on with destroying this piece of rawhide.]

Read About Heather's Selections

My Life in Books

Spring's definitely a time for looking ahead, but I've also taken a little time out to look back at some of the books that I've loved and been inspired by throughout my life...
 

The books I loved as a child
My favourite is a toss-up between Enid Blyton’s 'Magic Faraway Tree' books, with Moonface’s pop biscuits and cushions and the winding slide, and 'Five on Treasure Island' with ingots and shipwrecks and fruitcake and darling Timmy. I recently found a copy of 'Billy Blue Hat', the first book I ever read. I’m sad to say it’s not as gripping as I remember (‘here is Billy Blue hat.. his hat is blue. Billy has a blue hat’) but what a relief that 'Jennifer Yellow Hat went Out in the Sunshine' has withstood the test of time. A cracking tale. Truly gripping stuff.
 

The book that inspired me as a teenager
'Back Home' by Michelle Magorian. I connected with Rusty, who always said the wrong thing, was "too much" and too headstrong. She fought, inspirationally, to be accepted and loved for who she was. I envy her fierce bravery. I have the quote "insist on your cup of stars" (Shirley Jackson) tattooed inside my arm but I still settle for any old mug.
 
The book I’ve never finished
I’ve decided life is too short to stick with a book I’m not enjoying although I always feel guilty about it. So much work goes into novels. I swear books actually cry if I don’t get to the last page. Most recently, I put down 'Betty' by Tiffany McDaniel. I got to the part where the mother started telling Betty about her horrific childhood and I couldn’t carry on. It was too much. Sorry.
 
The books that moved me most
These include 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara which, ironically, many don’t finish as it’s so tragically depressing (see above), but I fell in love with Jude and have never let him go (and in this month's 'Five Books...' selection, Heather appears to agree). Recently I read 'In Memoriam' by Alice Winn. My great grandfathers were in the trenches. I never really knew what they meant until I read 'In Memoriam'. 'Notes on an Execution' by Danya Kukafka broke me. I couldn’t read anything else for a while. 'Wandering Souls' by Cecile Pin will stay with me. I urge everyone to read it.
 
The writers I wish I could be
You know how in the film ‘Hocus Pocus’ Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) suck the lives out of little children? I would like to do that to the talent of Rachel Joyce, Katherine Heiny, Gabrielle Zevin, Fredrik Backman and Anne Tyler.
 
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Frankly, I'm shocked that 'The Brussels Griffon Dog - Complete Owner's Manual' by George Hoppendale and Asia Moore features nowhere on this list, Ericka.]

Read About My All-Time Favourite Books

Mini Book Reviews

I've another bumper batch of compact book reviews to share with you this month.
 
You can find out more over on my website.

Latest Book Reviews

A New Short Story

I recently posted a brand new short story to my website's writing section.
 
This one's something of a meditation on that unique kind of love and admiration you have for a sibling - and how that shapes our memories. Head over to my website to read Him and Me along with lots more of my writing.

Check Out My Writing

Our Competition Winner

When we were working on the designs for my website, I asked my artist friend (see below!) to paint some portraits of my dogs and I was genuinely stunned at the fantastic results. In last month's newsletter, we gave you the chance to win the original painting of our Editor-in-Chief, Enzo.
 
Congratulations to our winner, Kenris Macleod. We'll be in touch to arrange delivery. Enormous thanks to everybody who entered the competition and your kind messages - Enzo is feeling the love.
 
 [EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm feeling the love.]

The Parting Shot

For our featured image in this edition we couldn't resist returning to my super-talented friend (and painter of Enzo's competition prize portrait) Tony Parsons. I love this beautiful south coast seascape - truly stunning. And if you're of an artistic bent, look out for Tony's series of videos sharing his oil painting expertise coming soon.
 
 

Onwards to May (and all those Bank Holidays)

That's all for this month - see you next time. I hope you all enjoy that THIRD long weekend we've graciously been granted in May.
 
Peace and paws out, people
Ericka (and Enzo)

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