Tom's treasures of fiction, poetry, literature and more...

Today I am reviewing an anthology of Scottish poets.

As a new month dawns upon us that means that there will be a new author of the month. The theme will still be Scottish authors but the author of the month is changing to the poet Don Paterson.

Here is my post today and it is what I have read this month... As the first month of the new year ends, this is a look back at what I have been reading throughout the month. 1: Treasure Island   (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson. This adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson was something I devoured with Stevenson being author of the month this month. You can check out my review of the novel from earlier in the month. 2: Transport information. Because I am likely going out for the day somewhere I have been looking at transport options and information to ensure I know where to get on and off, along with making sure I would be able to get home. 3: My French. Every time I do my French I am given reading tasks to help me with the learning of French. It is something I always do and never plan to stop. I have been learning French for over seven hundred days now with my Chess. 4: Book titles, authors book blurbs. Reading books means hunting for books by author and/or title. Sometimes I re...

Today I am giving you a short story about a woman, named Grace who wants a good year, but things do not always go to plan. This is my short story entitled  Fireworks. I hope you enjoy it. Fireworks... The fireworks go off and I am still awake. I am struggling to process the news that was delivered at the dinner party. I wanted to start this new year as good as possible. I kept telling myself that this year would be better than the shipwreck of a year I have just said goodbye to. Nan died, my aunt Janine threw Uncle Morgan out for being a cheating pig (which ruined Dan's birthday), one of children was followed home and attacked for not being white... Need I go on? I just thought that this year, perhaps things could be different. I wouldn't have to see racist uncle Morgan in my life anymore. How can someone be racist to their own family? Dan, my half-brother was so distraught that his first birthday without his wife was ruined. Dan finally seemed to be getting his life back on tr...

A new year has dawned upon us and in January, people often make New Year's Resolutions. Me? I am not making them as religiously as some people choose to do so. Though it got me thinking... Are you someone who reads? Are you someone who does read occasionally or perhaps not even read in a while? Maybe even you do not read? Well... This could be the year to read! I love getting lost in an book, wanting to know what comes next or the secrets to some favourite things of mine. You could make 2026 the year to discover some great reads. I understand some people struggle with reading because they might be dyslexic or they get bored easily or work long hours. I think it comes down to what you can feel comfortable reading, even if a little bit at a time. You might even practice with a children's book or pick short stories that do not need to consume much of your time. I just think reading is valuable and can allow us to question things in life or become more aware. It can be good for peo...

This time I am reviewing the 2021 film Jekyll and Hyde directed by Steve Lawson. This film is a reimagining of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novella, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde  (1886). Normally I am not a fan of films that reimagine books but this was very good. In this film, the story is told from the perspective of Dr Henry Jekyll's friend, Gavin Utterson. Utterson (played by Tom Hendryk) is a lawyer who tries protest his friend's innocence when Jekyll is accused of murder and subsequent suicide. Throughout the film, Gavin Utterson tries to work out the truth, speaking to people and trying to delay the police. The policeman in charge is trying to close the case, not wanting to entertain the possibility the idea that Henry Jekyll could be innocent and that his suicide was anything more than just a suicide. His determination to prove his friend's innocence is a, obvious testament to their friendship and I find it touching. Utterson comes across as a ki...