The Young V&A Bookshop

The Young V&A is an inspirational, active, and fun place for kids (and adults). 

It is brilliantly curated and designed in every corner. Better still, it has a friendly little bookshop, where I came across these rather lovely-looking editions today.

Rereading Generation X by Douglas Coupland

For the past week or so, I’ve been rereading Generation X by Douglas Coupland. I first picked it up years ago, and I’ve always remembered it as a sharp, funny, and strangely moving portrait of a very specific cultural moment. But this time around, I wanted to see if it still held up, and honestly, it’s just as brilliant as I remembered.

Yes, it’s called Generation X, but its wit, originality, and storytelling cut across generational lines. Coupland coined a term and captured a mood, a sense of drift, irony, and uncertainty, that feels just as relevant today, even if the cultural backdrop has shifted. The book manages to be both a time capsule and eerily prescient.

The brilliance of Susie Steiner's novels

I discovered this late, but I have to share how good the late Susie Steiner's Manon Bradshaw books are. They are so worth your time.

The new bookshelves are finished

It’s taken a long time, but finally, books are out of the loft and up on the new bookshelves. Reading chair also very comfy.

It makes me very happy to have these bookshelves. I now need to start organising my bookshelves into an actual system.

I've always loved this Ernest Hemingway, quote from On Writing:

"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way."

A reminder that great writing doesn’t have to be overcomplicated. Clarity, truth, and emotional impact often come from simplicity—not from forcing complexity.

Whether you're writing fiction, essays, or anything in between, focus on saying what matters in the best and simplest way.

Can ChaptGPT to find you a literary agent?

I asked ChaptGPT to find me a literary agent. While it couldn't accomplish this task, I thought its four tips on finding a literary agent were worth sharing. 

1. Research Literary Agents: Use literary agency databases, sites, and directories to find agents specialising in romance and comedy genres. Websites like the acknowledgments section of rom-com novels are similar to yours. Authors often thank their agents, providing you with potential names to research. 

Kate Atkinson on writing: Creativity, craft, and connecting with readers

I’m a huge fan of Kate Atkinson, and The Guardian recently ran a great piece on her writing process. She discusses the blend of spontaneity and meticulousness that defines her career—one that has given us Life After Life, the Jackson Brodie series, and so much more.