Author Archives: drewsmith28

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About drewsmith28

Words, words, words...

Intermission by Owen Martell (Windmill Books)

Posted on January 18, 2016 by drewsmith28

“It was late in the evening, after dinner and Debby, before Harry got a chance to open the paper.” OWEN Martel told me that Dylan was probably not the greatest Welsh writer called Thomas, but only the second, or perhaps … Continue reading →

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David Bowie’s 100 best reads

Posted on January 13, 2016 by drewsmith28

The late David Bowie was an enthusiastic reader. In 2013, he posted  his 100 favorite reads on his Facebook page. Here it is: Interviews With Francis Bacon by David Sylvester Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse Room At The Top by … Continue reading →

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The paying guests by Sarah Waters (Virago)

Posted on January 12, 2016 by drewsmith28

“The Barbers had said they would arrive by three. It was like waiting to begin a journey, Frances thought.” SARAH Water’s writing career follows the trusted big crimo formula. She does not have a central hero/ine but her themes are distinct. … Continue reading →

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Into the wild by Jon Krakauer (Pan)

Posted on January 7, 2016 by drewsmith28

“Greetings from Fairbanks. This is the last you shall hear of  me Wayne”. JON Krakauer wrote one of the great Everest books Into Thin Air, which I have not included here because it was written in 1997. This work is … Continue reading →

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The lady in the van by Alan Bennett

Posted on December 21, 2015 by drewsmith28

“I ran into a snake this afternoon,’ Miss Shepherd said. ‘It was coming up Parkway. It was a long grey snake – a boa constrictor, possibly…’” POSSIBLY, is one of Miss Shepherd’s trademark conversational gambits in this miniature masterpiece, a short … Continue reading →

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Books of the year 2015

Posted on December 14, 2015 by drewsmith28

THERE were some real stand out books this year, albeit none of them seemed to make a dent on the usual literary prizes. I especially recommend for Christmas stockings and for getting the new year off to a fine start: … Continue reading →

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City of Bohane by Kevin Barry (Vintage)

Posted on December 9, 2015 by drewsmith28

“Whatever is wrong with us is coming in off that river. No argument: the taint of badness on the city’s air is a taint off that river.” A GANGLAND fantasy set in the tenements of some futuristic Irish city. The … Continue reading →

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Young skins by Colin Barrett (Vintage)

Posted on November 26, 2015 by drewsmith28

“My town is nowhere you have been, but you know its ilk. A roundabout off a national road, an industrial estate, a five screen Cineplex, a century of pubs packed inside the square mile of the town’s limits. The Atlantic … Continue reading →

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A concise Chinese-English dictionary for lovers by Xiaolu Guo (Vintage)

Posted on November 18, 2015 by drewsmith28

“Usually the man says a thing, and the woman questions it.” AN easy, very literal conceit: young Chinese girl meets middle aged white Englishman. Be my guest, he says. And so she moves in with him. Unfortunately for her he … Continue reading →

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The burning room by Michael Connelly (Orion)

Posted on November 17, 2015 by drewsmith28

“Deep down Bosch knew the dead were the dead and they no longer suffered the cruelties of life.” I lIKE Harry, he is the sort of detective you might want on your block, ex-Vietnam ‘gator, single parent, coffee obsessive, jazz-listener, … Continue reading →

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