reading

The Book Bag Bonus Edition: Peeling Apples by Alan Parry

Welcome to special bonus edition of The Book Bag.

Last week I took some time out to read Peeling Apples, a novella from Alan Parry, published by Dark Winter Press. Alan is the driving force behind Broken Spine Arts, mentioned multiple times previously in The Book Bag news sections.

Peeling Apples is Alan’s debut novella about a young lad called Martyn who befriends his Nana’s next-door neighbour, Mrs Joyce.

The personalities of the two main characters is realistic and rooted in the time. Martyn’s football-mad curious mind and how his perception of Mrs Joyce evolves is deftly done.

The references to Saturday morning wrestling, which does use one character to describe the journey Martin and Mrs Joyce take is a smart device. I also liked the time-accurate wrestlers and wrestling managers and commentators including Bobby Heenan and the merchandise available at the time in the form of cards.

There is a scene in which Martyn is at the ‘pop van’ was like time travelling. We used to get a crate of 6. 2 x Lemonade, Dandelion and Burdock, Sarsaparilla, 2x Cola and a Cream Soda. Sometimes a lemonade was switched for limeade and a cola for orangeade. Every Friday. I love Dandelion and Burdock, but Sarsaparilla will always be my favourite. It’s a bit like a root beer but not. I miss it!

The narrative and prose could easily be adapted to TV. Maybe a series by Ken Loach or Mike Leigh airing on Sunday evenings. It has an almost ‘This Is England’ crossed with ‘Danny, Champion of The World’ feel which is testament to Alan’s approach. This is definitely a working-class setting expertly written by a working-class writer.

I read Peeling Apples in under 2 hours. Only stopping for a drink part way through. The pace of the narrative is focussed yet unforced making it an easy read.

This novella truly resonated with me.

I would like to see another Martin and Mrs Joyce book. Maybe a collection of short stories containing more of their adventures.

Peeling Apples is a highly nostalgic book that takes the reader on a journey of a boy reaching emotional maturity. It’s also a tale of friendship and how important bonds can be made with those we think are our polar opposites.

I’d recommend this to anyone who knows the value of friendship, even more so if you were a child of the 80’s and 90’s.

Peeling Apples is available on Kindle and in Paperback. To find out more about the book and order your copy, click here.

Sunday’s Read

  • Title: Smatterings of Cerulean
  • Poet: Susan Richardson

Take it easy and stay poetic, I’ll catch you on Sunday.

Paul

The Book Bag – The Language of Bees

Welcome to a new feature on Paul Writes Poems. Every Sunday, I’ll be sharing the poetry pamphlet, anthology or collection I’ve been reading that week! Each week will feature a different book and I’ll let you know how I enjoyed it.

On a week where the only weather I didn’t have was snow, I spent my breaks and downtime reading; 

The Language of Bees

  • Author: Rae Howells
  • Press: Parthian

After reading Rae Howell’s, This Common Uncommon (which I recommend if you believe that wild spaces should be kept and not built upon), I wanted to read more. Her characterisation and smart word-play in This Common Uncommon had me going page to page and almost devoured it in one sitting.

In my opinion, The Language of Bees is an outstanding collection, (an opinion shared with lots of others, including the judging panel at Wales Book of The Year 2023) that talks about the importance of bees to humans and climate change in an engaging way. The way insects are used to discuss personal themes including loss, loss love and other deep human tragedy is tremendously done with care taken over each word. 

I’d highly recommend reading this if you’re a fan of poetry that deals with nature and has very personal and broader themes packed with smart language and incredible imagery. I would say to have some tissues handy as some pieces are highly emotive.

Favorite Poem:
A bit of a cheat here but my favourite is a sequence of poems that are sprinkled throughout the book with the title Dying Bee in a Takeaway Box. 

Find out more about Rae Howells at https://www.raehowells.co.uk/ where you can find links to her other books.

Next Week’s Read

Looking ahead, here’s what’s lined up for my book bag next week;

  • Title: Street Sailing
  • Author: Matt Gilbert

That’s it for this week one. If you’ve read any of the books I’m sharing or have recommendations for what poetry I should be reading, drop a comment below. 

Take it easy

Paul

Advent Calendar Haiku #6

Welcome to day 6 of the Haiku Advent Calendar, I hope you have been enjoying my efforts so far.

I’ve been receiving some lovely comments on twitter (@PaulWritesPoems); I have really appreciate the support.

Today’s Haiku is…

Nearby chimneys
wheeze grey in the winter wind;
candlelit reading.

Remember, come back tomorrow for another festive/winter haiku. Thanks again for the support.

Take It Easy

Paul