Tag Archives: books

A poem for National Poetry Day

Posted on October 6, 2022 by John S

I was listening to BBC 6 Music this morning and Mary Anne Hobbs was talking about National Poetry Day – which is today! It’s also five years since I published my first book of poetry, called Growin’ Up – Snapshots/Fragments. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Poems | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

My new novel: “Hope Rising”

Posted on July 27, 2020 by John S

I’ve just published my new novel “Hope Rising” on Amazon and Kindle. It’s the follow up to “The Decision” which came out in 2018. Like “The Decision” it is set in 2027, and it continues the story of the eco-socialist … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Politics and social | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Graceland – the Book and the Place

Posted on April 28, 2020 by John S

This is a blog I’ve been meaning to write since last year. One of the many pleasures of the End of the Road festival are the interviews that take place in the mornings and early afternoon in the literary tent, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Photos | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Music and Landscape – a concert and album by Caoimhin O Raghallaigh and Thomas Bartlett; a book by Richard King

Posted on October 10, 2019 by John S

Music has always been connected to its environment, and to the landscape – or the seascape, the cityscape. Environment can shape the nature of music – is it to be played outdoors or in a cathedral, in a club or … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

On re-reading “1984” – the Brexit connection

Posted on May 24, 2019 by John S

Over the last few days I’ve done a fair bit of travelling. Memphis to Chattanooga by bus, then back to Nashville, and the flight home via Detroit. Amongst other things I took the opportunity to re-read George Orwell’s dystopian classic … Continue reading →

Posted in Random stuff | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

My novel “The Decision” is now on Amazon and Kindle!

Posted on November 15, 2018 by John S

Regular readers of this blog will know that I first published “The Decision” in March this year. It’s now on Amazon and Kindle. See the link here or at the end. “The Decision” is a dystopian political tale set in … Continue reading →

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My novel: “The Decision”

Posted on April 28, 2018 by John S

I’ve written a novel. It’s called “The Decision”. It’s now available for sale – direct from me at the moment. Like to know what it’s about? Here’s a summary; “The Decision” is a novel about politics, the environment, relationships and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Some poems – “Growin’ Up – Snapshots/fragments”

Posted on August 8, 2017 by John S

So, this is a new venture for me. Poems. The poems here are snapshots and fragments of memories from the first 25 years of my life. Some of the memories may be faulty, but they are moments which resurface from … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Poems | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

“I Was There – A Musical Journey”. Now on Amazon and Kindle!

Posted on November 26, 2016 by John S

  Finally! All the tweaks and formatting done. The page index revised, then revised again.  “I Was There – A Musical Journey”, the story of my musical life, is now available on Amazon and Kindle. You can see the Amazon … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

“Born to Run” (the autobiography) by Bruce Springsteen

Posted on November 21, 2016 by John S

Bruce Springsteen is responsible for the best record I ever heard – “Darkness on the Edge of Town”. He is responsible for the best concert I ever saw – Wembley in 2013, when he played the whole of “Darkness on … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments