I've always loved bookshops. Not just ones stuffed with new books, but also old ones. Used books. Books with a history. Books that have had a life. Books where you are, somehow, connecting at some level with the previous owner or owners who has long past. That owner could be a personal friend, an acquaintance, a family member, a celebrity or simply a random person who owned the … [Read more...] about The Last Bookstore
books
Revisiting Old Book Reviews
When I was at college, both as an undergraduate and later while I was a postgraduate, I wrote for The Irish Examiner from time to time. A lot of what I wrote was book reviews, though I also did a few feature pieces. Unfortunately most of what I wrote has vanished into the ether. Any copies I have in digital format would be on floppy disks I either don't have anymore or if I do … [Read more...] about Revisiting Old Book Reviews
How Many Books Should I Read?
One of my personal goals for the next few months is to read more books. I used to read a lot more than I do now. When I was commuting to work via public transport I'd read. Back when I was living in Milan I'd spend hours every week bouncing from one side of the city to the other and its many suburbs via tram, train, metro and bus. Reading has always been one of the things I … [Read more...] about How Many Books Should I Read?
Floor to Ceiling Bookcase Shelving Finally Installed
I'm currently "on the road" for a 3 week stint. While I enjoy travelling I'd prefer to be at home a bit more at the moment, as I really want to get stuff out of boxes. Over the last couple of months I've become much more interested in sorting out my house than I have in spending time living out of a suitcase! Up until about a week ago, however, I had nowhere to put anything … [Read more...] about Floor to Ceiling Bookcase Shelving Finally Installed
Handing Back the Keys to the old House and Moving on
After 13 years (give or take) I've finally said goodbye to the house that I used to called home. This afternoon I removed the last of my possessions and handed back the keys. While I'd moved into the new house over a week ago, it was only today that I finally got the last of my stuff out of the old house. Will I miss the old house? Probably in some ways as I was used to its … [Read more...] about Handing Back the Keys to the old House and Moving on