A few years ago I thought I would test the capabilities of a pocket camcorder I’d been asked to review
Read MoreNOT the camera I used! Photo by Terry Freedman
Reviews
Review: Algospeak-How Social Media is Transforming the Future of Language - two reviews in one!
In our world of social media and attempts at internet regulation or even censorship, algorithms are in place to catch “suspect” words and phrases.
Read MoreReview: Books A Manifesto - Or, How to Build a Library - two reviews in one!
A veritable cornucopia that is bound to make even the most well-read of us feel a little under-educated!
Read MoreReview: Dr Bot - Why Doctors Can Fail Us-and How Al Could Save Lives - Two reviews in one!
While the education world is largely focused on artificial intelligence as either a means of plagiarism, copyright infringement or reducing the burden of teachers’ admin, this considers a far wider range of issues.
Read MoreReview: The Cabinet of Curiosity - Two reviews in one!
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.
Read MoreA review: Here There Are Blueberries: a play about the Holocaust
in Reviews
This is an attempt to write a short review in the style of those in the New York Review of Books. The reviews there usually cover more than one book, and include the reviewer's personal opinions. That's what I've done here. I hope you like it.
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Feedback relating to a course I taught recently: "Flash Fiction: Getting Started"
I was asked to teach a one-day course on flash fiction. Here’s what the students said about it.
Read MoreReview: The Idea Machine -- two reviews in one!
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.
Read MoreReview: Digital Culture Shock -- two reviews in one!
in Bookshelf, Technology, Reviews
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.
Read MoreReview: Craftland -- two reviews in one!
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.
Read MoreReview: The Penguin Book of Polish Short Stories -- two reviews in one!
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote!
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Click the pic to see this book on Amazon (affiliate link)
Review: The McSweeney's Joke Book of Book Jokes
This is a great book for dipping into at random, and can work in two ways. One would be for sheer pleasure. The other would be to check your knowledge of the allusions. And, of course, knowing them is likely to elicit even more pleasure.
Read MoreReview: The Life of Crime
Like all the best books, this can be read chronologically or dipped into.
Read MoreReview: Things Seen, by Annie Ernaux
in Bookshelf, Reviews, On this day
At times beautiful, at times cynical, at times hard-hitting, Things Seen is an endearing and accurate portrayal of a modern city.
Read MoreReview: Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré -- two reviews in one!
Review: Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré -- two reviews in one!
Read MoreReview: Seven Brief Lessons on Physics: Anniversary Edition -- two reviews in one!
in Reviews
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote!
Read MoreReview: Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found -- Two reviews in one
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote!
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Click the cover to see this book on Amazon (affiliate link)
Review: Exercises in Style Updated
in Bookshelf, Oulipo, Oulipo book, Reviews
Anyone interested in the craft of writing should read this book. It’s not a primer, or dictionary, or anything of that nature. But it does exactly what it says on the tin.
Read MoreReview: The Many Lives of Anne Frank
You could be forgiven for thinking that all that has been said, or needed to be said, about Anne Frank had already been said, given the number of books, articles and even a play that have been written about her. And yet in some ways she has never been more relevant.
Read MoreReview: Stranger than Fiction
At first glance, this book's table of contents seems puzzling. Despite running to nearly 500 pages, Frank seems to be using fewer than 50 different novels to represent a hundred years of literary evolution — but appearances can be deceptive.
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