In the past, I was never sure about short stories. I understood (in theory) the beauty and style required, but I’m normally such a fast reader that -zip! - it was done just as I started to get into it. So I tried reading them slower and sometimes that worked. I could better appreciate the author’s choice of words and I started to understand that it’s often the evolution of the moment that is the important part, as opposed to being character or story driven. In other words, th

Hands up the booklovers! Yes, I see you all there. There is something all encompassing about books. Maybe because they’ve been around for a good 2000 years (in some form or another) that it really doesn’t matter who you are - a book lover or not - you can still understand the appeal. Even if it’s just an appreciation of the written word through a thirst for knowledge, no matter the subject. But let’s be honest, if you’re reading this blog post - you’re probably a book lover.

I have read over 200 books last year. That’s not counting the ones I started and only got a third of the way in before deciding I wouldn’t continue. ‘But that’s your job! To read books!’ I hear you cry. Well unfortunately that is not actually a primary part of my job and rarely do I get to sit at the desk and read books. However I do love reading (why else would you own a second hand book shop?) and so choose to read when I have the time. In order both to do my job more effec