The Seaside Stories

Hi everyone! It's been a good while, I know... a lot has been going on during lockdown. Some good, some bad. One of the good things is that I finally launched my own art-lit magazine called Lux Lucet Zine, which gives an opportunity for artists to publish their work and reach a wider audience! You can find more information  here . I have been reading lots during lockdown, but one book in particular has stayed with me for a few weeks and I have nearly finished it (for it is 400 pages long!) and that is Dracula  (1897) by Bram Stoker. Having always wanted to read it, I finally found a copy in a second hand bookshop on Fossgate. I have to say it took me by surprise - Dracula isn't a sleazy, "oily" man after all. It's not even a love story, however many times it is depicted that way. Apparently, the closest to an accurate adaptation of the book is a 1922 silent film Nosferatu and that's all, none of the recent, more romantic, versions are. I have to a...

Hello everyone! Hope you are as well as can be during these mad times. If there is a silver lining to this, it's the fact that now it's impossible to come up with an excuse to not pick up that book that's burning in your bookcase and read it! I am (once again) juggling three books in one go (to be honest, one of them is a series of small, academic books). I just can't help it! I love alternating, although all of the works I am currently keeping near are in the factual sphere of things. You need to keep your brain active even (or especially) if you're in self-isolation! What book or creative work are you currently reading? Comment below The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan A massive yet intense yet beautiful brick of a book, covering the history of the famous Silk Roads (roads which saw the flowing of goods, religions, people, diseases etc.). The book refuses the Eurocentric view of the world history, which is taught in European s...

Hello everyone. I would love to start of jolly, wishing that everyone's had a great week so far, alas here we are... The world is full of anger and resentment, as well as confusion and fear. Other people are happy to stay in and work creatively, so the reactions to this are all different... However, Boris has finally ordered a lockdown to happen, so no one is about and it feels like it's a Sunday, everyday! (I secretly love it...) Just remember to respect the NHS staff and the elderly and the people who might be most affected by this. Be kind and be respectful. Namaste. Whilst we are looking at possibly staying inside for weeks on end (or even months, as my university sessions are online only until September!) I thought I'd fix up a little online reading recommendations list to keep you entertained, especially if you're avoiding libraries and book stores. Here are my recommended self-isolation reads, facts and fiction, accompanied by pics from our trip to London ...

Click the link below for my interview and an extract of 'The Hawtrey Curse' from last Friday's episode of BBC Upload! So grateful I got into the show, it was a great experience 🙏  The programme starts at 16 minutes in and my story about a minute later, followed by the interview. Enjoy and let me know what you think!  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p082799q Nelli x