Brecon and Ystradgynlais are the latest libraries to join forces with the Reading Agency and set up their own Chatterbooks reading groups for ages 8-10 year olds in their local areas. The reading group allows children to ‘develop their love and enjoyment of reading’, building on this as an effective way of encouraging children to […]
Focus Magazines
The local magazines for Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Brecon & Talgarth – Events, News and Advertising
Category Archives: Literature
‘Gorsky’ by Vesna Goldsworthy
A captivating tale of big money, Russian beauty and good books. A bold and brilliant re-rendering of F. Scott. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Vesna Goldsworthy plays out the class and caste tensions of Fitzgerald’s East Coast versus West Coast classic, but set among London’s new immigrants of Russian Nouveau Riche. Born out of the ashes […]
‘In My House’ by Alex Hourston
Maggie lives a life of careful routines and measured pleasures. But everything changes when, walking through Gatwick a few days shy of her fifty-eighth birthday, a young woman approaches her and whispers a single word: ‘Help.’ Maggie responds, and in that moment saves a stranger, earning Anja her freedom and ensuring the arrest of a […]
‘Something to Hide’ by Deborah Moggach
A warm, witty and wise novel about the unexpected twists that later life can bring, from the hugely popular author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Tulip Fever. Everybody has something to hide, but while some secrets are mildly embarrassing, others are shocking and possibly perilous. Deborah Moggach uses this facet of the human […]
Horatio Clare
The inaugural Crickhowell Literary Festival welcomes author Horatio Clare to its programme of events this year. Launching his first children’s book, Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot, Horatio will be presenting classics and gems of children’s writing, celebrating the legacy of books about beasts. The Focus caught up with him ahead of the festival to ask […]
Working together to save the Library
Everyone loves a good book and whilst your local library is a haven for discovering something new to read, it offers so much more besides: computer access, free Wifi, magazines and newspapers to mention a few. But with proposed budget cuts, the future of the local library is under continued threat. A newly formed group […]
Crickhowell Literary Festival 2015
Crickhowell lends itself well to becoming the setting for the newest literary festival in South Wales. The local area has been an inspiration for writers for centuries. Rev. Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc), lived and preached in the area in the early nineteenth century. Carnhuanawc was a vocal and active promoter of the Welsh language and culture, […]
FOOD: An Exhibition at Broadleaf books
For a few days this coming September, Broadleaf Books in Abergavenny will host a group exhibition ‘FOOD’, bringing together works by contemporary visual artists from Wales and across the U.K. Abergavenny-based artists Melissa Appleton and Edwin Burdis are working with Broadleaf Books owner, Joanna Chambers, to curate the exhibition in the intimate setting of the […]
Book Review: The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins
Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it […]
Crickhowell Literary Festival
The First Crickhowell Literary Festival will take place this year between 4th – 11th October. Initially conceived as a three day event, the wealth of local talent and the willingness of writers from throughout the UK to take part, has lead to a busy week-long programme. The Festival features something for everyone – there will […]
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