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NeverImitate | Trying to avoid society's pigeonholes - Books & Literature
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Run Report: Severn Bridge Parkrun « neverimitate
Severn Bridge Parkrun has long been on our list of venues to be visited but only when certain criteria could be met. This morning everything aligned: no rain and only light winds forecast; no school or bank holiday traffic expected around the M4/M5 junction; no niggly injuries or illness as this event had the potential…
Book Review: When I Arrived at the Castle « neverimitate
I don't read many graphic novels although have enjoyed those I've been sent. It was therefore a surprise to receive When I Arrived at the Castle by Emily Carroll. Having ascertained that I could hold on to the copy now in my possession I decided to read it. The book is distinctive in its use…
Edward Explores: Bournemouth « neverimitate
The town of Bournemouth used to be in Hampshire. Now it is in Dorset, a change not all locals appreciate. Edward enjoys visiting both counties, and especially enjoys being by the seaside. At the end of April he travelled south on an adventure that would enable him to spend time in all these places. He…
Book Review: Ghost Mountain « neverimitate
"It was impossible for him to remain a neutral force in the world. Every day that he lived, he was accumulating more past. Everything he did was a cause that would have some effect. It was impossible not to be a cause." To be added to my list of favourites, an author requires a body…
Hotel Review: The Green House, Bournemouth « neverimitate
Described as an eco-boutique hotel, The Green House is a restored, 32-room Grade II Victorian villa that, after extensive refurbishment, opened in 2010. Its Arbor Restaurant has been awarded 2 AA rosettes. It has additional event capacity in the basement. On the weekend we stayed, at the end of April, a party had booked this…
Run Report: Poole Parkrun « neverimitate
Poole Parkrun has a reputation for being the biggest event in the south west. Having already run Bournemouth a little while back, on our return to the town this weekend we decided to see what running in such a well attended Parkrun would be like – our local typically has around a couple of hundred…
Robyn Reviews: Being Mortal « neverimitate
'Being Mortal' is a powerful and enlightening read about ageing and the end of life, both on an individual and societal level. Written by a US surgeon of Indian ancestry, it covers everything from changing attitudes to the elderly and their care, the medical aspects of ageing, the psychological impact on older people and their…
Monthly Roundup – April 2024 « neverimitate
April proved busy with family activity, most noteworthy being daughter sorting out the details of where she is to live from this summer. Yes, she has confirmed that she will move out - exciting but also a change for us all. I have been getting back into cycling, something I do more when the weather…
Run Report: Salisbury Parkrun « neverimitate
Salisbury Parkrun has been on our list of venues to visit for quite some time. We had been told the course would suit us (no mud or hills) and it had important facilities nearby (parking and toilets). With the weather forecast to be fine we decided this Saturday would be a good day to make…
Book Review: Forgottenness « neverimitate
"In Lypynski's vision, all of the inhabitants of this common land would unite in the land's interests, irrespective of their ancestry, language, faith, or occupation. Oddly enough, this simple and clear-cut plan for surmounting enmity in the multi-ethnic and socially stratified Ukrainian territories engendered even greater enmity." Forgottenness, by Tanja Maljartschuk (translated by Zenia Tompkins)…
A story of George and the Dragon « neverimitate
George heard there was a dragon living in a faraway land. "I will ride out on my trusty steed and save the people being terrorised" he declared to any who would listen. "When the beautiful princess under threat hears of my brave deeds", he thought, "perhaps she will marry me." George was in want of…
Book Review: Old Romantics « neverimitate
"I gazed at the line of skyscrapers and tried to form original impressions of the famous shapes. I did wonder what's so special about going anywhere, when everything looks so much better in pictures anyway." Old Romantics, by Maggie Armstrong, is described as a collection of linked short stories. Each entry could certainly be read…
Book Review: Teeth « neverimitate
"You can be fit, conventionally good-looking, have lustrous hair and fine, firm limbs, but if you flash a snaggle-toothed smile - it's game over, man. You're a wrong 'un." John Patrick Higgins has always taken good care of his teeth. However, between violent events and genetic inheritance he has lived his life thus far with…
Run Report: Corsham 10k « neverimitate
A slightly different run report today, looking back on the first race I ever entered, this time last year. The annual 10k run, inaugurated in 1983, starts in the pretty little market town of Corsham in Wiltshire. A popular event, it is held in April and will be happening again next weekend. Having decided to…
Book Review: Why We Remember « neverimitate
This review was written for and first published by Bookmunch “The human brain is not a memorisation machine; it’s a thinking machine” Why We Remember is subtitled, ’The Science of Memory and How it Shapes Us’. I mention this because the book focuses on the nuts and bolts of scientific research as it has been developed over…
Robyn Reviews: Bride « neverimitate
'Bride' is Ali Hazelwood's first entry into paranormal romance, after finding huge success with her 'STEMinist' series of contemporary romances. It feels very much like a Hazelwood book: entertaining, with fantastic slow-burn chemistry and a fun and engaging subplot. There is, of course, the irritating and unnecessary third act breakup - but aside from this,…
Edward Explores: Lyme Bay in Dorset « neverimitate
At the end of last month Edward travelled with his bearers to the small hamlet of Eype on the South West Coast. Despite his dislike of water, it playing havoc with a traditionally made bear's joints, Edward does like to be beside the seaside. The beaches in this part of Dorset are more shingle than…
Run Report: Calne Clock Change Challenge « neverimitate
Last Sunday husband and I took part in a local biannual road race that marks the changing of the clocks in the UK. Organised by Wiltshire Council, three options were available: 1.5km fun run for children around a playing field, 5km timed road race, 10km timed road race. We had opted to enter the longer…
Book Review: Enchantment « neverimitate
This review was written for and first published by Bookmunch “Our sense of enchantment is not triggered only by grand things; the sublime is not hiding in distant landscapes. The awe-inspiring, the numinous, is all around us, all the time. It is transformed by our deliberate attention. It becomes valuable when we value it.” Katherine…
Hotel Review: Eype’s Mouth Country Hotel « neverimitate
Our second weekend away last month was spent on the Dorset coast, basing ourselves at Eype's Mouth Country Hotel. This was our third time staying at the seventeen bedroom establishment, although unbeknown to us it had changed hands since we were last there. The previous owners, Kevin and Glenis French, retired in 2022 after eighteen…
Monthly Roundup – March 2024 « neverimitate
March started with a long weekend away in Stamford, Lincolnshire. This was not a part of the country we had visited previously and made a lovely base from which to explore the four counties it borders. I posted a review of the hotel we stayed in, the William Cecil, here. As ever, my teddy bear…
Run Report: St Mary’s Parkrun, Bridport « neverimitate
We last ran at St Mary’s in Bridport back in late 2021. Then, as this week, we had booked a short break by the stunning coast nearby and were eager to include a Parkrun in our itinerary. Memories of the course proved somewhat hazy as we both believed it was mostly flat with just a…
Book Review: The Wandering Wombles « neverimitate
The Wandering Wombles, by Elisabeth Beresford, is the second of six books for children the author wrote about the eponymous small, furry creatures - I am assuming here that readers are familiar with them. In this instalment the structure of the burrow they have long lived in is under threat from increasingly heavy traffic movement…
Book Review: The Testaments « neverimitate
The Testaments garnered Margaret Atwood her second Booker Prize win, albeit with some controversy due to the accolade being shared with Bernadine Evaristo. This decision went against clearly stated prize rules that the judges simply refused to adhere to. Both authors remained gracious when quizzed on the dilution of their achievement. Being a sequel to…
Book Review: Unwords « neverimitate
This review was written for and first published by Bookmunch. With every Tom, Dick and Jackie now able to post their thoughts on the books they read online and thereby call themselves a book reviewer, it is good to find someone who knows their stuff and can express opinions well. What we have here is…
Robyn Reviews: Bitterthorn « neverimitate
'Bitterthorn' is an atmospheric fairytale-esque story of witches in towers, loneliness and fitting in, and of course magic. With a slow-burn sapphic romance and gorgeous central European setting, there's plenty to like here - but it's a little surface level and the conclusion slightly rushed, keeping it from quite reaching its full potential. Mina, daughter…
Edward Explores: Stamford in Lincolnshire « neverimitate
Edward has recently returned from a lovely few days in a part of the country new to him. Friends will know that he enjoys visiting The Shires. This trip enabled him to explore Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire - none of which he had previously visited. His base in the pretty little town of Stamford…
Book Review: Kick the Latch « neverimitate
This review was written for and first published by Bookmunch. Let’s start by saying I am no fan of horse racing due to the way the horses are treated – disposable commodities, run to the ground and discarded if not generating required wealth. I would challenge anyone not to feel the same way after reading…
Robyn Reviews: Voyage of the Damned « neverimitate
'Voyage of the Damned' is a lighthearted fantasy murder mystery with plenty of comedic elements. It falls very much on the ridiculous end of the fantasy scale, but taken as it is without too much dissection of the over-the-top narrative, its a fun ride. The Empire of Concordia is led by the Blessed - twelve…
Hotel Review: William Cecil, Stamford « neverimitate
The William Cecil Hotel in Stamford is situated adjacent to the Burghley Estate. Unlike many of the large estates historically owned by the aristocracy, much of the associated parkland is available year round for members of the public to roam at will. When we visited, the impressive Elizabethan manor house had not yet opened for…
Run Report: Rutland Water Parkrun « neverimitate
With a weekend away in Stamford, Lincolnshire planned we looked around for a nearby Parkrun venue to tourist at and discovered Rutland Water. What a fine find this proved to be. On a Saturday morning when many Parkruns around the country had to cancel due to an excess of water underfoot, and those local to…
Robyn Reviews: The Serpent and the Wings of Night « neverimitate
'The Serpent and the Wings of Night' is a self-published fantasy-romance sensation, recently picked up for traditional publication by Tor UK and Bramble US. Featuring warring vampire clans, a secretive tournament where only one can survive, and a forbidden enemies-to-lovers-esque romance, it ticks plenty of the popular boxes for new adult fantasy - and executes…
Book Review: Little Englanders « neverimitate
This review was written for and first published by Bookmunch. The German philosopher Georg Hegel famously said, “The only thing that we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.” For proof of this one only has to read Little Englanders. The author writes of the Edwardian era – a new century that started…
Monthly Roundup – February 2024 « neverimitate
February has been a month that felt busy yet with little being accomplished. Perhaps it was the incessant wet weather affecting my mood but it has been a struggle at times to find my usual calm. Highlights were sought in coming together as a family for pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, and then the next day…
Robyn Reviews: The Principle of Moments « neverimitate
'The Principle of Moments' is a debut sci-fi adventure featuring prophecies and chosen ones, time travel, and gay illicit regency-era romance. With both multiple perspectives and dual but interlinked timelines, its ambitious, packing a lot into just under 500 pages. Whilst it starts with a bang, it loses some of its threads around the middle…
Book Review: Teddy Robinson Himself « neverimitate
Teddy Robinson Himself, by Joan G. Robinson, is the third and final book in my collection chronicling the adventures of the eponymous bear. Ten stories are included here, each written with the gentle humour and comforting love we have come to expect. For those new to the series, Teddy Robinson is a 'middling-sized' teddy bear…
Book Review: Modern Fog « neverimitate
Modern Fog, by Chris Emery, is a well sized contemporary poetry collection. The author is an impressive word conjurer, evoking vivid imagery that rewards repeated reading. A wide variety of themes are explored. Both old and young feature with certain poems offering metaphors for how people react to issues faced. The natural world is fully…
Edward Explores: Christchurch in Dorset « neverimitate
At the end of last month Edward travelled south with his bearers, to the pretty little coastal town of Christchurch in Dorset. His base for the weekend was The King's Arms Hotel, within sight of an impressive priory. Edward had read all about this place beforehand, in an interesting book titled Real Dorset. He was…
Run Report: Seven Fields Parkrun « neverimitate
Until this morning, Seven Fields in Swindon had been our nearest NNDY (nearest not done yet) Parkrun. It wasn’t that we didn’t want to try the venue but rather that the course map suggested it was run on fields, as the name suggests. Our home Parkrun includes a field that turns into a mud bath…
Book Review: About Uncle « neverimitate
"my brother asked me to stop calling his little ladyfriend his little ladyfriend, and on his hospital bed Uncle often told us to take it easy on the trees and flowers, because he was very fond of the garden just as it was, flat, green, and surrounded by a tall hedge." About Uncle, by Rebecca…