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NeverImitate | Trying to avoid society's pigeonholes - Books & Literature
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Hotel Review: Return to Talland Bay « neverimitate
Three years ago husband and I stayed at the Talland Bay Hotel, located on the south coast of Cornwall between Looe and Polperro. We very much enjoyed its location, quirky features and delicious food. When a suitable offer arrived in husband's inbox earlier this year we decided to make a return visit. Good memories can…
Book Review: A Stranger City « neverimitate
A Stranger City, by Linda Grant, is a story of community and the fragile ties that bind it together. Mostly set in London it focuses on the city's recent history and varying attitudes to multi-culturalism. Many of the characters introduced are generational immigrants. What is portrayed is how prejudices linger below the surface of apparent…
Run Report: Corsham 10k 2025 « neverimitate
On a sunny Sunday morning at the end of April, Team Law gathered in the Wiltshire market town of Corsham to run the local running club's annual 10k event. Having taken part a couple of years ago (report here) daughter and I knew what to expect. Son and husband didn't but we had pre-warned them…
Monthly Roundup – April 2025 « neverimitate
April started with a couple of nights away in sunny Surrey. As avid parkrunners husband and I have long wanted to return to the source of this weekly phenomenon and run at Bushy in west London. This is where the first 5k weekly time trial that evolved into parkrun was held and where events continue…
Run Report: Chippenham Parkrun (event 500) « neverimitate
Team Law got together at their home parkrun this week to join the planned celebrations for the venue’s 500th event. There were cakes. There were Easter eggs. First, though, there was a 5km run, jog or walk to complete. The early morning weather was threatening to dampen the party but in the end the forecast…
Book Review: Cautery « neverimitate
"That's how men are: you're all convinced that people are going to follow the rules simply because you've been in charge of dictating them all this time, isn't that right? You treat us like trained dogs. It never occurred to you that the same dogs might chew up your clothes, pee where they're not supposed…
Book Review: No More Normal « neverimitate
This review was written for and first published by Bookmunch. “My concern is that in our current desire to dispense and identify with a diagnostic label that explains some elements of our experience, we are starting to narrow the concept of normal, to limit our sense of who we are and how we live our…
Running Shoe Review: Brooks Ghost 14 « neverimitate
Brooks Ghosts have long been my workhorse running shoes. I got my first pair when I completed the C25K program and decided I would continue with running, thereby needing decent shoes to avoid injury. That pair were Ghost 12s and I ran them into the ground, retiring them after around 1400km by which time they…
Edward Explores: Two Royal Parks « neverimitate
For reasons he has yet to fathom, Edward's bearers like to go running - something his friend Compton fully supports as there is usually cake afterwards. This trip away was organised to enable a special run to happen - participation in a parkrun at the venue where the first of these weekly events occurred two…
Book Review: D.H. Lawrence « neverimitate
This review was written for and first published by Bookmunch. “While admitting that sex was very important in life and congratulating Freud for having made that so clear, Lawrence credited it as only half of life’s motivating force, claiming that the other half came from a religious or creative urge, the desire (of men in…
Run Report: Bushy Parkrun « neverimitate
Today, along with 1524 other participants, we went back to the source and ran at Bushy parkrun. There was a cold bite to the wind but otherwise the weather was glorious. As is our habit when visiting a new location we arrived early, around 8am. Unlike some later arrivals we had no problem finding a…
Hotel Review: Oatlands Park, Weybridge « neverimitate
Oatlands Park Hotel is located in what was once a vast estate where Henry VIII built a palace for Anna of Cleves. Oatlands Palace could have rivalled nearby Hampton Court with its illustrious residents and history over the centuries but it was demolished when Cromwell came to power - the estate sold to pay parliamentary…
Book Review: My Dog Max « neverimitate
My Dog Max, by Alan Dapré (illustrated by Alex Ayliffe) is from the same team as produced the fun and lively Grizzly Ben. Aimed at pre school and early years children there is plenty within the unfolding story and the colourful illustrations to keep the target audience, and those who read to them, engaged and…
Running Shoe Review: ASICS MetaSpeed Sky « neverimitate
I ran my first, and so far only, half marathon race in November 2023. In preparation I asked husband to find me a pair of carbon plated shoes, but not Nikes, as he was convinced his carbon plated 'race day shoes' gave him an edge when seeking a PB. He presented me with my first…
Book Review: The Harmattan Winds « neverimitate
"Every people, if left to its own devices, would exterminate all the other peoples vexing it or for which it has no need" The Harmattan Winds, by Sylvain Trudel (translated by Donald Winkler), tells the story of two young boys who feel out of place in the world within which they are being raised. They…
Monthly Roundup – March 2025 « neverimitate
March has flown by. The lingering effects of a long winter continue to affect us but there have been days when the sun broke through the cloud and it felt almost warm - so cheering. Having passed the equinox we are now officially into spring with new shoots and flowers to be admired on daily…
Running Shoe Review: ASICS Gel Nimbus 26 « neverimitate
I purchased my first pair of ASICS when Nike failed to respond to an issue encountered with a pair of my previously favoured Invincibles falling apart (see Nike: Don't Do It). I visited a running shop in Bath to discuss potential replacements and came away with the Gel Nimbus - recommended as a well cushioned…
Edward Explores: Ironbridge in Shropshire « neverimitate
Edward has recently returned from a lovely holiday in Shropshire, another shire to add to his list of favourite places to visit. His base for the weekend was The Valley Hotel in Ironbridge which you may read about here. Edward and Compton enjoyed a trouble free journey both there and back, a rare occurrence these…
Robyn Reviews: Your Blood, My Bones « neverimitate
'Your Blood, My Bones' is the second novel by US author Kelly Andrew, and cements her place as a stalwart in the YA dark fantasy/horror genre. Packed with evocative imagery, it isn't quite as good as her debut, 'The Whispering Dark', but certainly succeeds in creating an eerie atmosphere. Wyatt Westlock is ready to finally…
Run Report: Telford Parkrun « neverimitate
It was a cold but sunny morning when we rocked up at Telford parkrun looking to enjoy a ‘fairly flat, fast and firm under foot’ course. Race shoes had been donned in anticipation. This was our first visit to Telford and the venue was looking wonderful in the crisp sunshine. There were numerous water features,…
Hotel Review: The Valley Hotel, Ironbridge « neverimitate
The building that has now been turned into The Best Western Valley Hotel was built in 1757 as Severn House, the home of George Goodwin. Goodwin was a master collier and a partner in the company that owned the Bedlam furnaces just a short walk away - one of the furnaces that eventually formed part…
Book Review: Waterblack « neverimitate
This review was written for and first published by Bookmunch. “Isn’t it always the way, with powerful things, that the possession and exercise of their power is a more important thing to them than the things for which they can use that power?” Waterblack is the third book in the author’s Cities of the Weft fantasy trilogy that…
Running Shoe Review: ASICS FujiSpeed 2 « neverimitate
As someone who prefers road to offroad running I have long avoided buying trail shoes. However, as an avid parkrunner who enjoys touring different venues it is not possible to entirely avoid all grass and muddy paths. Some of these have been slippery and difficult to traverse safely following periods of wet weather. When a…
Book Review: Cosmogony « neverimitate
"I feel reasonably comfortable with the notion that narrative could be merely decorative. It's how I try to feel OK with what has occurred." Cosmogony, by Lucy Ives, is a collection of twelve short stories, half of which appeared in previous publications. Unfortunately this collection did not resonate with me. Irritations included the repeated, casual…
Robyn Reviews: Best Hex Ever « neverimitate
'Best Hex Ever' is designed to tap into the market for cottagecore, cosy romantasy, and witchcraft. Nadia El-Fassi's debut novel, it's an easy and simple read without much depth - spice without a great deal of substance. There are glimmers of greatness, but this never lives up to its potential. Dina Whitlock is a kitchen…
Run Report: Thoulstone Parkrun « neverimitate
It is always exciting when a new parkrun venue is announced, especially one that is within easy travelling distance from home. Thoulstone Park is a privately owned community hub near the Wiltshire town of Westbury that was originally built as a golf course. This was abandoned in 2002 and lay derelict for a decade before…
Robyn Reviews: Deep End « neverimitate
'Deep End' is the latest contemporary romance novel by Ali Hazelwood, best known for her series of romances about women in STEM. Whilst this is set in the same overarching universe, it's a slight departure: instead of focusing on older, graduate student or industry scientists, this novel focuses on a junior pre-med on the college's…
Book Review: The Frog in the Throat « neverimitate
"I have tended to meet women a little coolly, and prefer to define a relationship in advance as an episode. Most women respond well to that, sometimes so well that I'm not just surprised, but a little hurt." The Frog in the Throat, by Markus Werner (translated by Michael Hofmann), is the second of the…
Monthly Roundup – February 2025 « neverimitate
February has thrown all the weather at us: grey skies, heavy rain, high winds, sub zero temperatures, and a few teaser days when the sun made brief appearances. The snowdrops are out and daffodils are starting to bloom in the woods I walk through regularly. Spring is on its way although not yet here. I…
Book Review: The Language of Remembering « neverimitate
"To be in a moment completely, you think, like this, now, is the essence of living, and if only it could be taught, or if only you could learn it, like an alphabet, and repeat it over and over to music, so each moment that passes would be whole, and you could live it entirely,…
Robyn Reviews: Across the Nightingale Floor « neverimitate
'Across the Nightingale Floor' is a young adult fantasy loosely inspired by Japanese history and culture, with elements of political scheming, romance, and a hint of magic. Its an easy read with plenty to enjoy, and whilst it perhaps lacks the depth of some more modern YA, it retains a page-turning quality. Takeo has been…
Run Report: Wiltshire 10 « neverimitate
Shortly after I ran in the well organised Hullavington Secret Santa 10 road race, I discovered that the organisers, Stampede Sports, were going to hang up their hats in the middle of this year (2025). With this in mind I made a late decision last week to enter their Wiltshire 10 event, an annual road…
Hotel Review: Caer Ruhn Hall in North Wales « neverimitate
Caer Rhun Hall in Snowdonia's Conwy Valley has an interesting history. The main building dates from 1895 and was built for Major-General Gough, who was Lieutenant Governor of Jersey between 1904 to 1910. It was later opened as an accountancy school by Ronald Anderson, serving this function for nearly 70 years until 2015. As well…
Edward Explores: Conwy in North Wales « neverimitate
Having enjoyed a month of hibernation following the festive season - with just the one night out to celebrate one of his young bearer's birthdays - Edward was delighted to be off on his travels again. His first destination of the year was to be Conwy in the stunning Snowdonia National Park. As well as…
Book Review: Crossing to Safety « neverimitate
Although published as a Penguin Modern Classic, I had not heard of the twentieth-century American author Wallace Stegner until I was given this book. I learned from the introduction that he wrote prolifically across six decades, winning a variety of literary prizes including the Pulitzer. Crossing to Safety was his last novel, published in 1987.…
Book Review: The Inheritance « neverimitate
The Inheritance is Trisha Sakhlecha's third novel although the first of them I have read. It is a slick, psychological thriller set on a remote Scottish Island that is privately owned and accessible only by boat - the helipad not yet built. It bears all the hallmarks of the genre in: length, structure, the building…
Book Review: While Visiting Babette « neverimitate
While Visiting Babette is an intriguing novelette that sends the reader down a rabbit hole reminiscent of wonderland. Unlike Alice's experiences, the various characters are human albeit with habits and outlooks that remain unexplained. This never detracts from what is a largely surreal snapshot of life inside a locked facility as experienced by the inmates.…
Run Report: Penrhyn Parkrun « neverimitate
Our planned weekend away near Conwy was always going to include a parkrun. On arrival in scenic North Wales we had checked out part of the nearest course to our accommodation and were looking forward to running around what looked to be a picturesque and flat location. Then, on Saturday morning just before 8am, word…
Monthly Roundup – January 2025 « neverimitate
Looking back on January my lingering impression is of the cold. This is, of course, to be expected, it being winter in the UK. Perhaps getting older I am inclined to notice it. Or perhaps my increasing reluctance to drive a car has forced me outside more than is usual for the time of year…
Book Review: Mary I, Queen of Sorrows « neverimitate
Mary I, Queen of Sorrows is the final instalment in the author's Tudor Rose Trilogy. It was preceded by Elizabeth of York, The Last White Rose and Henry VIII, The Heart & The Crown. Although always happy to read one of Alison Weir's books, this latest offering was of particular interest having recently finishing another…