Devon Book Club discussion

Time to start talking about #nonfictionweek. I am really looking forward to this and am curious to see which way you want to take this themed week. Non-fiction is so wide-ranging that it could go almost anywhere. (Auto)biography, folklore, well-being, history, science, food, nature... the choice is limitless. So, this is my call for your ideas. What do you want to talk about? Which writers do you love to read? Are you a writer of non-fiction who would like to be featured? But first, and importantly, ....

An introduction to the first of my co-hosts, Ali Haggett

Ali is an author living in the Exe Valley, Mid-Devon. Formerly an academic, she moved out of university research and teaching 18 months ago to pursue a freelance career. Her background is in the history of mental health and wellbeing.

Chatting to Ali, I asked her to tell me what she loves to research and write about. She told me

"As an historian, I’m drawn to ancient Eastern and Western concepts of ‘balance’ and health and interested in distilling some of the wisdom recommended by predecessors about the importance of balance in lifestyle, rest, diet and emotions. My first book was a study of women and depression since the 1950s, and my second book looked at the history of men’s mental health. I now blog more generally about wellbeing and am currently writing a book about the history of masculinity and emotion. My writing is, in part, informed by my experience as a practitioner of kinesiology - a gentle and supportive complementary health practice, which helps clients identify and resolve areas of imbalance in the body. It combines modern, Western techniques, with the ancient Eastern practice of energy medicine".

I love talking with Ali and exploring her ideas and she is a frequent and hugely interesting contributor to our Devon Book Club community over on our Twitter account.

She has a fascinating website, which you can find here
https://alihaggett.com/ and you can also find her on Twitter @AliHaggett

I recommend her blog, where she explores a wide range of ideas, the most recent of which is called "Finding peace and keeping well in times of uncertainty"- never more relevant than now. https://alihaggett.com/blog

I know you are going to enjoy getting to know Ali

Very much looking forward to #nonfictionweek.

Personally, I have a penchant for biographies/memoirs as well as history books so would love to explore those areas more during the week.

I must say, Ali's specialisms sound very interesting, she sounds like an invaluable co-host! I'll be checking out her website now...

Jordan wrote: "Very much looking forward to #nonfictionweek.

Personally, I have a penchant for biographies/memoirs as well as history books so would love to explore those areas more during the week.

I must say..."

Hi Jordan - look forward to your input during the week. If you are on Twitter please join in with #devonbookhour on Monday from 8PM

Hi everyone. Today I am gearing up for our non-fiction week, which I am launching with Ali Haggett and Mark Norman on Monday. Our earlier theme weeks on romance and crime have been very popular and busy and I am sure this will be no exception. Also, look out for a great giveaway, which I'll announce at our launch on Monday evening

As a smooth blend between crime fiction and non-fiction, today I'm pleased to feature the work of Victoria Dowd.

Victoria is a crime writer in South Devon. After studying law at Cambridge she went on to be a criminal barrister for many years but finally hung up the wig in favour of more fictional crimes. Her first book, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder, came out in May this year. Victoria’s fascination with crime began when she first discovered Agatha Christie novels.

The perfect world of Golden Age Detective novels has stayed with her ever since and she now writes about film, audio and TV versions of Agatha Christie novels on her blog, "Adapting Agatha". She tells me that Golden Age Detection, and especially Agatha, fascinates her and that is evident in the passion she shares on the subject in her writing.

Victoria has also written a number of articles on the world’s enduring fascination with Golden Age crime for various magazines and organisations including the Crime Writers’ Association.

Here’s the link to Victoria’s website https://victoriadowd.com
And a link to the Victoria’s blog Adapting Agatha. https://victoriadowd.com/blog/

Hi Ian. I'm looking forward to non-fiction week, as at least half - if not more - of my reading is non-fiction. I'm also interested to see the various areas of non-fiction which appeal to other DCB folk. My most common areas of non-fict. reading are biography, history and (currently) books and papers about writing (especially writing biography). However I also read anything that catches my eye, so on race, philosophy, biology, anthropology and so on. I particularly love W.G. Sebald's work and have been intending a re-read of all, through lockdown … but have not - yet - managed much.

DrMama wrote: "Hi Ian. I'm looking forward to non-fiction week, as at least half - if not more - of my reading is non-fiction. I'm also interested to see the various areas of non-fiction which appeal to other DCB..."

Hi Carol - I don't read as much non-fiction but tend towards books on philosophy and yoga at present and sometimes memoir.

What are you reading at present?

Today sees the launch of our #nonfiction week. From 8PM this evening Ali Haggett, Mark Norman and myself will be hosting a live discussion on our Twitter community using #devonbookhour I hope you will join us.

In the meantime I am also delighted to offer a giveaway from one of our wonderful and very supportive writers, Jenni Williams

Her book, "Rescued:Adventures With Down and Out Dogs", is a must-read for all dog lovers. This heartwarming memoir celebrates the enduring bond between dogs and humans and ultimately poses the question, who rescued whom?

Although not living here, Devon holds a very special meaning for Jenni and her family as you will read below.

I asked Jenni to tell us about herself:

"I am 45 and live in Dorking, Surrey with my husband Steve, my daughter Eve and my Golden Retriever, Scout. After a career spanning international disaster relief and emergency planning, I took a career break in 2010 to accompany Steve - an army officer - on his US posting. My visa status as a 'dependent alien' meant I wasn't allowed to work so she was able to finally indulge a lifelong obsession - having a dog! I'd wanted a dog since I was a child but wasn't allowed one. So I became a dog foster carer for our local animal shelter and made up for lost time by fostering 15 dogs in 18 months.

In the book I also cover becoming pregnant with my daughter who was born after we returned to the UK. Eve was born with an extremely rare chromosome condition causing severe physical and learning disabilities as well as epilepsy; she is one of only 50 people in the world diagnosed with this condition. She loves swimming, music, Fraggle Rock, Disney movies and walking Scout. She is the happiest person I’ve ever met. Caring for all those dogs prepared me in ways I could never have envisaged for life as a 'special needs mum'.

I first visited Devon as a child - I remember walking Bolt Head with my dad and some family friends and loving how wild it was and wishing I had a dog to share it with. We went to Devon a couple of times a year during my childhood, firstly Salcombe and then Dartmoor. Now, a few decades later, my own family goes back once a year, usually to Hope Cove. Eve loves the sea and being pushed up Bolt Tail to Bolberry Down in her pushchair - not an easy feat but we do it! And I finally got to complete the stunning walk between Bolt Head and Bolt Tail with my own dog at my side! Not only that but I actually put the final finishing touches to my book in Hope Cove.

The Williams family adore Devon and it's very special to us. Eve's epilepsy means we are very nervous of taking her abroad but Devon fulfills our yearning for wild and beautiful places.

I am very grateful to Jenni for giving a copy of her book to kick-start our week. To enter check out our events section. UK only I am afraid.

Ian wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Hi Ian. I'm looking forward to non-fiction week, as at least half - if not more - of my reading is non-fiction. I'm also interested to see the various areas of non-fiction which appe..." A biography of Kipling The Long Recessional: The Imperial Life of Rudyard Kipling; a book on writing biography [book:How to Do Biography: A Primer by Nigel Hamilton - which is not at all as naff and basic as it may sound; also, my nth reread of Hilary Mantel's latest The Mirror & the Light (this time I'm staying awake and it's making sense - it's very good!!! - as I'm not reading it as my bedtime book); and ditto to a reread of Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad. I also dip into many biography-related works when working. Good luck with non-fiction week, Carole!

DrMama wrote: "Ian wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Hi Ian. I'm looking forward to non-fiction week, as at least half - if not more - of my reading is non-fiction. I'm also interested to see the various areas of non-fictio..."
A wonderful range of books. We have had so many fantastic recommendations on our Twitter and Facebook pages. I will do a compendium of them and post them here when I get a minute

I've posted some pictures in the gallery for speed - wish Goodreads was more visual! We're extending the week for a fortnight as there is so much interest.

A real favourite on Monday evening's Twitter Hour was The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

Anyone read it?

Continuing our non-fiction theme I am delighted to feature a very talented writer and actor Amanda Lees and to celebrate with her the forthcoming publication of her latest book From Aconite To The Zodiac Killer: A Dictionary of Crime, released on 23 July.

"From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer" is an essential, go-to resource for readers and even for writers of crime fiction. More than simply a glossary, this is a guide that provides a doorway
into a supergenre, and one that is not just for readers, but also for the many fans of film and TV dramas, of podcasts, and crime blogs. It is also an indispensable resource for writers or
would-be writers of crime fiction. This is an indispensable guide for fans of true crime and crime fiction, whether in books, films or on TV, who want to look behind the crime…

If you want to know how many murders it takes for a killer to be defined as a serial killer, what Philip Marlowe means when he talks about being ‘on a confidential lay’ and why the ‘fruit of a poisonous tree’ is a legal term rather than something you
should avoid on a country walk, this is the reference book you’ve been waiting for.

Amanda has a fascinating and diverse history - including parts in Allo Allo, writing for BBC Radio's Weekending programme. She is the author of the bestselling satirical novels Selling Out and Secret Admirer (published by Pan) which have both received critical acclaim and have been translated into several languages.

Her major YA thriller trilogy, Kumari, Goddess of Gotham, was nominated for the Guardian Children’s Book Prize and the Doncaster Book Award. It also featured as Redhouse Book Of The Month and Lovereading4kids Book Of The Month.

Amanda has conducted a love coaching phone-in from the sofa of Richard & Judy and wooed the viewers on Channel 5 Live. She won an award at the Hungarian Gyor Film Festival for a short film she produced, a psychological thriller called Pros and Cons. She is currently working on a new spy thriller book series as well as a standalone psychological thriller.

As well as Eastern European Mafiosi and the ex-head of the KGB, Amanda numbers serving and retired Police Officers, FBI agents, members of the Special Forces and distinguished forensic scientists among her dubious but well-qualified contacts.

You can find out more about Amanda here https://amandalees.com

https://crimedictionary.com

love the way our theme weeks explore what you enjoy reading but also reveal more of the work of our local writers. One of the most enthusiastic supporters of Devon Book Club and, in particular our #nonfiction fortnight is Jane Alexander, and it my pleasure to share more about her and her work with you all. Read on....

Jane is the author of over 20 books on natural wellbeing. She tells me that her aim has always been to make arcane concepts accessible, and to introduce as many people as possible to healing techniques and practices that they can use in everyday life.

Jane started off as a journalist and pioneered the 'ground-breaking' Self series in the Daily Mail, introducing a different complementary therapy each week. She has written for the vast majority of national newspapers and a swathe of magazines over a long and fascinating career!

Jane currently has a monthly column in Natural Health magazine.

So many books to choose from but I am adding images of just a few - these are #nonfiction but Jane also has a fiction trology

You can find out more about Jane and her work here..
https://www.exmoorjane.com/

Also, have a look at this blog entry, which I found beautiful and very thought-provoking https://www.exmoorjane.com/discover-y...

'm really loving our non-fiction fortnight. It has opened all sorts of new avenues to explore. One of them, which I'd like to share with you now, is inspired by Tsara Smith, also known as the Mid Devon Walker. Tsara is currently doing a massive walk around Mid Devon, visiting every parish to support the Black Lives Matter movement and promote anti-racism.

The spark for the idea of the walk was a small BLM protest in Tsara's mid Devon village in June. She tells me that she wanted to be visibly supportive of this cause in as many places across Mid Devon as possible. Tsara is a keen walker so it made sense to her to combine the two.

The details about the walk and Tsara's motivation can be found here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Tsar...

I also asked Tsara for book recommendations. A few are attached as photos, the rest are listed below

Other Books

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' by Reni Eddo-Lodge

'Paul Stephenson OBE: Memoirs of a Black Englishman' by Paul Stephenson OBE

Paul Stephenson OBE: Memoirs of a Black Englishman by David Olusoga

Mother Countryedited by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff

'Brit(ish)' by Afua Hirsch

I'd love to hear your thoughts, both on this theme and any books or poetry you'd recommend

I've just started reading the Reni Eddo-Lodge. I think it's always good to be made to feel uncomfortable as I learn. I'm already thinking of buying several copies to give to people who just don't get it!

Strangely, I'm also reading a biography of Rudyard Kipling, The Long Recessional: The Imperial Life of Rudyard Kipling. While I think I know a lot about his history, my father loved his poetry - and would quote it ad infinitum after a pint or two! So, I wanted to read something that was more recent than the older biogs of RK I've read in the past. Will report back when I've finished!

DrMama wrote: "I've just started reading the Reni Eddo-Lodge. I think it's always good to be made to feel uncomfortable as I learn. I'm already thinking of buying several copies to give to people who just don't g..."

Great idea and I agree - I am so frustrated by the Every Life Matters response - of course it does. BLM has said so - the point is to emphasise the additional prejudice and disadvantage of being black in our world

DrMama wrote: "Strangely, I'm also reading a biography of Rudyard Kipling, The Long Recessional: The Imperial Life of Rudyard Kipling. While I think I know a lot about his history, my father loved h..."

Be wonderful to hear what you think