09/05/2024 · 15:25

Happy Birthday, Alan Bennett

Today we’re celebrating the 90th Birthday of the Leeds-born author and playwright who brought us Beyond the Fringe, The History Boys and Talking Heads – a series of monologues voice by famous faces – to name only three of a whole catalogue of great, award -winning writing.

Credit: Alex Bailey courtesy of History Boys Ltd.

The secret, at least for me, with any performance of Alan Bennett’s work is to follow it up by reading the story/script. They never disappoint.

From his books I would recommend Writing Home (faber & faber 1994), a collection of prose writings incorporating his diaries, reviews and his endless, wonderfully entertaining reminiscences. Another great read is Untold Stories (faber & faber 2005). Again this includes his diaries, more reviews and more of his childhood in Leeds. It’s funny, observant and hugely readable. As with everything from the author, that unmistakeable Alan Bennett voice shines through.

For much more on Alan Bennett, head over to tonight’s BBC 4 where Mark Lawson Talks to the author, followed by the film of The Lady in the Van starring Maggie Smith.

There’s also Dame Maggie performing one of the classic monologues Bed Among the Lentils (BBC4) and then, from the wonderful Thora Hird, Waiting for the Telegram (BBC4).

A very Happy 90th Birthday Alan!

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28/04/2024 · 16:01

Let me introduce ‘Mr Pineapple’

I met Mr Pineapple (aka French Canadian, Steve Mathieu) at the recent London Book Fair, attracted to his stand by a row of paper pineapples and a beaming smile from the man himself.

The man behind The Pineapple Theory(TPT) explains like this: ‘Theoretically, what if adding a pineapple to people’s life, leadership & business could assist living more “pineHapply”? Within you, there’s a seed for greatness, & it’s time for you to embrace the role that’s been given to you in life to make it bloom fruitfully!

The Pineapple Theory is an addition to ones’ life recipe – moving positivity forward with intelligence, reasoning & fruitful philosophy, by sharing fresh life & leadership principles, cultivating a growth mindset. Always moving forward in life, reaching new heights, like the gift of your own self-growth transformation.

Always work to achieve happiness, always work to remove misery, that’s upon yourself & it will define your character & fate. You will always harvest what you plant. The pineapple fruit is a metaphor & symbol of positivity, making your experience more fruitful.’

Now I’m all for more ‘pineHappily’, so I read Feel & Think Like A Pineapple. Did I feel pineHappily? Do I get TPT? Active syntax and literal translation needs careful study, so I’m back for a re-read.

To give Steve Mathieu credit where it’s due, he has written, edited and self published the TPT books. He’s clearly made a success of this and now travels the world promoting, smiling and keeping a pineapple close at hand!

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Filed under Readers, Writers

23/04/2024 · 18:35

What will you be reading tonight?

Welcome to World Book Night 2024 from The Reading Agency

Tonight is for everyone who reads – a lot or a little, every day or every month – to celebrate books and how they make a difference to life.

I remember many years ago – just after the invention of printing – marking WBN by trooping round my local town, with a bag full of paperbacks, trying to interest people in reading Good Omens by Terry Prachett & Neil Gaiman. I hope everyone who took a copy read it.

The aim today is to read a book between 7-8pm and share it using #ReadingHour and #WorldBookNight. You can talk to someone about it, or share a book with friends. Maybe buy a book from Bookshop.org who support local and independent booksellers with enormouse success, generating £3,506,613 in sales.

There’s loads of resources and a list of the Quick Reads on the World Book Night site. Celebrate reading!

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