About
Hello and welcome. My name is Tom and I am a thirty-something-year-old English chap. I am also something of a book addict.
From an early age I’ve been captivated by the art of good storytelling and have always tended to have a novel on the go, even in the busiest periods of life. In part, reading good novels is an escape, a relaxation, a hobby, but for me it is also much more than this: it’s a way of learning about, reflecting on, and finding a common language to describe the complex experience of being human.
Clearly, there are many other art forms that provide compelling storytelling techniques, and I do enjoy films, television, theatre, radio, podcasts, etc. However, for me personally, I have found that it is often books that have most impacted me and lived on in my mind long after I have turned the final page.
So, back in 2009, I decided to start a book blog to record the fiction that I read. (I also read a fair bit of non-fiction, but I don’t cover that here.)
To brighten up the look of the site I have also added a snapshot of the front cover of each work.
Please do submit your comments on any of the books listed; I would love to hear what these works have meant to other people.
A note about the entries on this blog:
I started this blog back in 2009 and I have written a short review of each work of fiction I have read since then. When I created the blog, I also added a whole raft of posts for books I had read previously, however, these posts are, for the most part, pretty empty at present. You can tell which is which, as the finished blog entries (containing a review, quotes, etc.) are listed with hyper links on the Books Read page and throughout the rest of the site.
I hope you enjoy the blog.
Keep on reading.
novelreading 
Jul 25, 2015 @ 14:45:29
Hi Tom, I’ve nominated you and your blog for the Premio Dardos Award: http://100greatestnovelsofalltimequest.blogspot.com/2015/07/premio-dardos-award.html
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Mar 13, 2015 @ 19:46:24
‘I like reading books and I like collecting them. I like their covers and I like their smell. I like the anticipation you get get when you’re looking forward to reading a particular book and I like the way that a good book lives on in your head long after you’ve read it.’
A kindred spirit, definitely!
How very nice to meet you, I’m so glad Honoria introduced us. I got to know her after Ashokbhatia left a comment on my own site moulderslane.wordpress.com and have found all sorts of other interesting people from articles she’s reblogged.
I’ve looked at your reviews of books that I’ve read and your analyses are pretty ‘spot-on’ so I shall make this my go-to site for books I’m thinking of reading.
The picture’s really nice – it looks a little Jack Yeats – or did you do it? Oh, and I noticed a typo – two ‘gets’ in the paragraph I quoted above.
Very nice site indeed – keep up the good work!
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Mar 14, 2015 @ 09:03:11
Hello Victoria,
Thank you for stopping by, and for your kind words! I shall take a look at your blog too.
The image I have used on this page is actually a painting entitled ‘Reading Young Man’ by the Romanian painter Ignat Bednarik (1882-1963).
Tom
p.s. Thanks also for highlighting the typo!
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Mar 17, 2015 @ 14:03:29
Just to let you know I’ve given you a mention on my blog at http://www.moulderslane.wordpress.com in a post about good blogs I recently discovered and included a link.
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Mar 18, 2015 @ 09:56:35
I am very honoured that you have mentioned my little book blog in your post about blogs that you like. Thank you so much for you kind words.
For others reading this comment, do check out Victoria’s fine blog over at https://moulderslane.wordpress.com/
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Oct 21, 2014 @ 01:56:07
Found your blog through another website. I noticed you recently reviewed an Alice Munro anthology. I am presently reading “The Beggar Maid”. She is outstanding. I noticed the children’s classic “Wind in the Willows” is on your TBR list. I was at the Frick Museum recently which has the original manuscript and more interesting the letters that the author wrote his children. The stories in the letters he wrote to his children while away became the book. My blog reviews books I like to read, which sometimes overlaps with your interests. I will follow you.
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Oct 20, 2014 @ 22:01:46
Thanks for visiting my blog – I will be following yours too now 🙂
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Oct 15, 2014 @ 05:34:19
I see you’ve already been nominated for a Liebster Award, but I already tagged you in my own post, so I’m sticking to my guns. Is it ever a bad thing to receive multiple award nominations? Feel free to participate again or not. I will still love your blog either way! Link to post here: http://pinkpanthersnipes.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/the-liebster-award.
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Apr 14, 2014 @ 15:46:07
I do love your blog design, look forward to reading about your reads!
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Apr 14, 2014 @ 15:54:59
Thanks Cathy! I’ve just been looking at your book blog – that’s quite a challenge you’ve set yourself! Happy reading!
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Apr 05, 2014 @ 04:56:32
I was looking at your selections. Very good. I am so happy you have included short stories on your list. Have two novels to suggest you add to your list: The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki and The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata. Both are great reads and will take you into a world that is unfamiliar to western readers.
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Apr 05, 2014 @ 07:50:01
Thanks Don. Yes, I am a big fan of short stories. I don’t know why, but they do often seem to get overlooked by many novel readers. Thanks also for the two recommendations – I’ve not read any Japanese literature before, so will have to add those to my wish list.
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Jun 10, 2014 @ 10:10:04
I hadn[t thought of Tle of Genji in years. Will look at again soon. Thanks.
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Feb 27, 2014 @ 23:33:12
Tom, I love your description of your love of books. I feel much the same, though I don’t think I’m quite as voracious as you. I read often with an eReader, as it is so convenient at the gym and other places, but I have to own a hardcover of every book I read. I’m on a quest to read 100 greatest novels. I’ll add a link to your blog on my blog and would be grateful if you’d do the same. Cheers…Joseph
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Feb 28, 2014 @ 09:06:47
Hi Joseph, and thanks for stopping by! I’ve just been browsing your fine blog, and have added a link to it on my “Bookmarks” page. I look forward to seeing what you make of the books on your list.
Cheers!
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Jun 28, 2013 @ 15:19:29
Hi! I found your blog through your post at 101 Books. I love your categories and the way you have it organized over here. And, of course, I’m enjoying browsing through your reviews. Thanks!
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May 18, 2013 @ 07:15:42
Hi there! I have nominated your blog for the Liebster Award. I really enjoy your analysis of books.
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May 18, 2013 @ 16:01:42
Wow! I am honoured. Thank you very much, Jayde-Ashe.
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May 18, 2013 @ 22:44:14
Not a problem! Just follow the link to pass it on!
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Jul 31, 2012 @ 14:32:09
great blog. but you should have added a email subscription option box near the page…
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Jun 06, 2013 @ 06:25:13
Thanks for pointing this out; I have now added an email subscription link to the side panel of the site. Cheers!
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Jul 05, 2011 @ 21:54:39
An exceptional website for one mans book habit, very nice layout and quality pictures too.
Keep up the good work!
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Apr 28, 2011 @ 17:25:11
Nice bookshelf pics! Lovely 🙂
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