Another one of Kate Atkinson’s 20th century history novels in what I’ve come to think of as her ‘Life after Life’ series. Much lighter in tone than ‘TAnother one of Kate Atkinson’s 20th century history novels in what I’ve come to think of as her ‘Life after Life’ series. Much lighter in tone than ‘Transcription’ it is set in the clubs of 20s London. It is full of colourful characters, touching in parts and laugh-out-loud in others. It seems slighter than some of the others but probably that’s just because it is not attempting to tackle big issues head on. It would actually be a good standalone for someone who had not read any of Atkinson’s books before....more
This is an absolutely fantastic book. The author, who is from the US but transplanted to Scotland travels around the country visiting memorials to theThis is an absolutely fantastic book. The author, who is from the US but transplanted to Scotland travels around the country visiting memorials to the victims of the Witch Trials. The book is also partially a personal memoir as the author is quite honest in her responses. Thoughtful, touching and highly recommended....more
Well written and very creepy. Would recommended to anybody with an interest in the paranormal, the author has obviously done his research but this is Well written and very creepy. Would recommended to anybody with an interest in the paranormal, the author has obviously done his research but this is something a bit different....more
This is a wide ranging book which courageously sets out to connect human spiritual experience with understandable physical phenomena. In doing so it pThis is a wide ranging book which courageously sets out to connect human spiritual experience with understandable physical phenomena. In doing so it posits some very interesting ideas. The authors suggest that atmospheric plasmas produced by natural processes could provide a means by which extradimensional entities could acquire agency within our universe. The book is not too technical a read and has a lot to recommend it even to the sceptic. ...more
This is generally listed as science fiction but it probably is closer in spirit to Game of Thrones. Don’t be put off by the glossary at the back and tThis is generally listed as science fiction but it probably is closer in spirit to Game of Thrones. Don’t be put off by the glossary at the back and the appendices, you don’t need any of that to understand what’s going on as it’s actually fairly self explanatory. Lots of interesting ideas thrown about and a rattling good story to boot. ...more
Read this years ago and reread it after Operation Trojan Horse. Keel’s vision of UFO phenomena as ultra terrestrial and intimately connected with otheRead this years ago and reread it after Operation Trojan Horse. Keel’s vision of UFO phenomena as ultra terrestrial and intimately connected with other aspects of the paranormal remains relevant today . ...more
This is an account of the author’s connection with the South Downs. He travels around, exploring the unfamiliar, the weird and the well known and linkThis is an account of the author’s connection with the South Downs. He travels around, exploring the unfamiliar, the weird and the well known and linking it to his own history (his grandfather’s first wife tried to commit suicide at Beachy Head). Engaging and atmospheric. Would recommend....more
I read this for the first time many, many years ago and found it again on Audible. Keel puts forward his ideas that UFOs are not extraterrestrial but I read this for the first time many, many years ago and found it again on Audible. Keel puts forward his ideas that UFOs are not extraterrestrial but that they are inter dimensional and come from this planet. He discusses lots of historical cases and also links UFOs with other paranormal phenomena in a way that has only been taken up again very recently. Again and again he reiterates that the solution to the mystery lies in the high strangeness cases so often neglected by investigators. A really visionary piece of writing....more
Really loving these books digging into the urban legends of Pennsylvania. Timothy Renner debunks some stories but finds beneath another layer of stranReally loving these books digging into the urban legends of Pennsylvania. Timothy Renner debunks some stories but finds beneath another layer of strangeness that is not so easily explained away. This would appeal to anyone who is interested in history, urban legends, psychogeography or the paranormal....more
A brilliant collection of essays about the deserts of the south west US. They cover a wide range of subjects including nature, history, culture, localA brilliant collection of essays about the deserts of the south west US. They cover a wide range of subjects including nature, history, culture, local characters, legend and the supernatural. Each is about 10 -15 minutes long and is stand alone. You could just dip into it but it’s more likely you’ll read it at one sitting. Looking forward to the next volume....more
Recently I’ve started to get into Kindle books and I found this gem. It is the sequel to‘Beyond the Seventh Gate’ in which Timothy Renner debunks urbaRecently I’ve started to get into Kindle books and I found this gem. It is the sequel to‘Beyond the Seventh Gate’ in which Timothy Renner debunks urban legend surrounding Toad Road, an ex industrial/ agricultural area in Pennsylvania. In doing so he finds a whole new layer of story which he covers in this book. If you’re interested in the paranormal, modern folklore or psychogeography this is for you. Genuinely thought provoking....more
A new and entirely fresh look at the Bigfoot phenomenon which puts forward the idea that Bigfoot is not a large flesh and blood ape but shares more inA new and entirely fresh look at the Bigfoot phenomenon which puts forward the idea that Bigfoot is not a large flesh and blood ape but shares more in common with other supernatural phenomena such as poltergeists, ghosts and UFO’s. It also finds some interesting links between this New World ape and Old World traditions. An absolutely fascinating read (even if you don’t believe in Bigfoot or the paranormal). I cannot emphasise how much work has gone into this volume. There are exhaustive references for anyone who wants to check out original source material. Looking forward to the second volume....more
Fascinating biography of the five women who were victims of Jack the Ripper. A long overdue book giving great insights into the lives of the ordinary Fascinating biography of the five women who were victims of Jack the Ripper. A long overdue book giving great insights into the lives of the ordinary women of London and their daily struggles. Compassionate and enlightening and highly accessible, but also would appeal to anyone interested in social history. I really recommend this book....more
This book is a memoir of the author's immediate family interspersed with a geography of Britain as seen through its spooky stories. His story is touchThis book is a memoir of the author's immediate family interspersed with a geography of Britain as seen through its spooky stories. His story is touching and very sad, especially later on on the book The literature he discusses ranges from obscure early 20th century tales to the likes of MRJames and Alan Garner and he also pulls in visual classics like Children of the Stones and the Wicker Man. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in this area as it gives lots of ideas for authors they might never have previously considered....more
Really enjoyed this. It's the sequel to 'The Shining' but can be read equally well as a standalone. I had the audiobook, which I would recommend; all Really enjoyed this. It's the sequel to 'The Shining' but can be read equally well as a standalone. I had the audiobook, which I would recommend; all King's books work well in audiobook because his characters have good outer and inner dialogue. And like all his books the characters fight inner and outer demons, particularly their own inheritance and natures. The True Knot are essentially vampiric on the shining, and are deeply creepy. Like all the best horror fiction, its world is less than a step away from our own....more
This is actually written by Phil Rickman and I only discovered it recently, in audiobook form. Like all of his books it is a murder mystery with a parThis is actually written by Phil Rickman and I only discovered it recently, in audiobook form. Like all of his books it is a murder mystery with a paranormal twist. I truly enjoyed the the eccentric but believable characters and Rickman dances a fine line between police procedural and occult thriller. An easy read that I would recommend to anybody....more
This book developed out of a podcast of the same name and loosely follows the same format. Ten chapters, each of which is devoted to a single mystery This book developed out of a podcast of the same name and loosely follows the same format. Ten chapters, each of which is devoted to a single mystery associated with the paranormal. Each topic is thoughtfully analysed and the writer allows you to reach your own conclusions. The topics are wide ranging, some very well known and some much less so. Accessible to anyone and well worth a look even if this is not a field In which you’re normally interested....more
This book is a study of the reemergence of psychedelics as a medical tool in the treatment of addiction and depression and as an alleviator of the feaThis book is a study of the reemergence of psychedelics as a medical tool in the treatment of addiction and depression and as an alleviator of the fear of death in the terminally ill. The author writes informatively and insightfully about the history of psychadelics and the drug experience as therapy. He also writes candidly of his own experiences, which he undergoes during research for this work. A thoughtful, enlightening read; I recommend it highly....more
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