Quick tip for reading fantasy on e-readers

Here's a quick tip for reading big fat fantasy novels on e-readers. Particularly fantasy books with aย MAPย (or maps) at the front. Take a digital photo of the map with your phone.ย This makes it so much easier to refer to the map while you're reading the novel. The lack of navigability of e-readers is their biggest … Continue reading Quick tip for reading fantasy on e-readers

In the minds of readers…

This year I thought I'd dig around in my archives a bit; resurrect and breathe some life into some of my older posts from a time when no-one read this blog. There's some good stuff buried back there. Well, I think it's good. Seems a shame for no-one to have read any of it. This … Continue reading In the minds of readers…

Four windows

Today I'm playing with the WordPress weekly photo challenge, where the theme is WINDOW. Now I daresay most participants will probably be focusing on what's on the other side of the window. Not me. For me it's all about the architecture. On my recent trip to the UK I found myself taking multiple photos of … Continue reading Four windows

Taste test: Cookies and cream ice cream

In celebration of my 300th post, today I'm going to talk about ice cream. Indeed, it seems a rather fitting subject, since it's hot and muggy here in Melbourne this evening, and I have already consumed a generous quantity of the yummy awesomeness. (I'm not overly sure how I managed to put some back in … Continue reading Taste test: Cookies and cream ice cream

D&D Chronicles: Fast talking and fast walking

ASH Day 1 After we reluctantly agree to play guard duty for our latest ally, the dodgy necromancer Dulgahar, he goes down to his mysterious underground lair and we explore this strange dilapidated building. What can it be about this place that attracts so much interest? The rooms are dusty and empty -- and then … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Fast talking and fast walking

All set for the new year with a bunch of plans

I really do love the beginning of a new year. Everything meanders to a halt over Christmas and the first week of January, giving me time to relax in the sunshine before drawing in a deep, deep breath. As usual, I have a bunch of plans for this year, some involving creative endeavours, others not. … Continue reading All set for the new year with a bunch of plans

Blog highlights from 2013

The top ranking posts on this blog for 2013 make interesting reading, I think. 1. But what if Hogwarts really does exist? (February 2013) The number of people who regularly find me using search terms like 'does hogwarts really exist' and 'does hogwarts exist' is amazing. Do you suppose they are all kids reading the … Continue reading Blog highlights from 2013

2013: A year of challenge and accomplishment

As I look back over the past year -- as one is wont to do on December 31 -- it seems that yet again it has been a year of change, challenge, new endeavours and accomplishment. In fact, it seems each one of the past few years has marked a major turning point for me. … Continue reading 2013: A year of challenge and accomplishment

What I read in 2013

It's becoming a habit of mine at the end of each year to reflect back on the books I've read in the past 12 months -- and invariably I decide the list is not long enough, or diverse enough, or recent enough and I resolve to do better. (Here's what I read in 2012.) This … Continue reading What I read in 2013

Thoughts on The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug

As a huge fan of the Peter Jackson et al movies set in Middle Earth, I once again rocked up to the latest installment of The Hobbit hoping it would be wonderful. Once again I enjoyed the movie -- ย the lavish and dedicated depiction of Tolkien's fantastical world, the rousing adventure, the eye candy in … Continue reading Thoughts on The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug