Daily Bookshot: When expectations are surpassed

When expectations are surpassed, originally uploaded by Robert Burdock.

I was delighted and not a little shocked on Sunday afternoon, to discover that Jay Parini – author of The Last Station (Canongate Books) – had published a John Steinbeck biography way back in 1994. Because I have such an insatiable appetite for anything Steinbeck, [...]

Reading Journal: Monday 8th March 2010

First of all, Hi! It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve had the pleasure of scribing a journal entry, and during that time I’ve read a number of bits and pieces – not as much as I normally would because the focus has been more on getting RobAroundBooks to were I wanted it [...]

Daily Bookshot: Brando Does Steinbeck

Brando Does Steinbeck, originally uploaded by Robert Burdock.

It’s not often I stumble across a Steinbeck title when I’m rummaging around a 2nd-hand bookstore, but when I do it puts a smile on my face for days!
I picked this one up last week. It’s a 1991 UK edition ISBN: 043474025X

‘Book Bites’ for Wednesday 4th March 2009

Penguin Podcasts make a welcome return – Penguin UK sent out a tweet today to let their followers know that their Penguin Podcasts have returned, and with a shiny new host too, in the shape of Hannah Flyn. So head on over to the dedicated Penguin Podcast website and download Hannah’s inaugural auditory offering. Got [...]

Sweet Friday!

Friday the 27th February was John Steinbeck’s birthday and I celebrated the day with bookish decadence and in tooth-rotting fashion.

‘Shot of Short’ #25: The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck

Title: The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck
Date Read: 27 February 2008
Available Online?:

‘Book Bites’ for Thursday 26th Feb 2009

‘Netherland’ picks up PEN/Faulkner award for fiction – Joseph O’Neill’s novel Netherland has picked up this year’s prestigious PEN/Faulkner award for fiction, an accolade which pays homage to the best published fictional works by American authors in a given calendar year (obviously 2008 in this case). In the official press release (direct link in Word [...]

Another coveted Steinbeck added to the RobAround bookshelves

There’s a mini party going on here at RobAround Manor as another coveted Steinbeck title – A Russian Journal, makes it’s way on to the groaning bookshelves. Wahoo!

Wishlist: A Journey into Steinbeck’s California by Susan Shillinglaw

Ali over at worducopia reviews a Steinbeck-related gem that’s really got my mouth watering

‘Steinbeck Special’ Tortilla Flat: Afterthoughts

Briefly, Danny, the chief protagonist in this novel, returns from the war to Tortilla Flat (a paisano district that sits upon a hillside above Monterey), to find that he has inherited two houses. What then follows is a comedic tale that fundamentally can be summed up in 5 words – wine, friendship, food, women..and err..wine [...]

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