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The Guardian
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
David Nicholls: ‘I'm nervous to admit it but I struggled with Jane Austen'
My earliest reading memoryThe Very Hungry Caterpillar. There wasn't much to read – the prose is what's now called 'spare' – but I vividly remember the pleasure of poking a finger through the holes punched in the page. And that final twist! My favourite book growing upI was a fanatical member of the Puffin Club at school, and so many of those books embedded themselves in me; E Nesbit's Dragons, Narnia, of course, the Molesworth books, which I barely understood and found hysterical. But my favourite were Tove Jansson's Moomins, particularly the chilly later books, with their very particular melancholy. Other books seemed to be reaching for laughter or excitement, but there was a pleasure in all that sadness and solitude. The book that changed me as a teenagerGreat Expectations was my first 'proper classic' and I was tremendously pleased with myself for getting through it, and startled, too, by how familiar the characters felt. The foolishness, the passionate friendships, the empty aspiration and unrequited love, it all made perfect sense to me, even across 120 years. The book that made me want to be a writerI'm not sure if I ever dared voice that ambition, even to myself, but I remember laughing hysterically at Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4, and thinking what an achievement that would be, to make a reader laugh with marks on a page. In many ways, the early 80s was a golden age of comic writing but so much of it had a rather rather self-satisfied Oxbridge tone. Suddenly, here was an authentic working-class voice, writing with an almost supernatural such precision and insight into the teenage boy's mindset. I loved it and, as with Great Expectations, turned the pages thinking 'How does the author know? The book or author I came back toI'm a little nervous to admit this but I used to struggle with Jane Austen, recognising her subtlety and brilliance but finding that ironic tone a little relentless and, despite many attempts, never making it to the end. But in lockdown I picked up Persuasion and finally, after 40 years of trying, something fell into place. The book I rereadIf I ever find myself stuck or jaded, I pick up Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. The prose is just perfect, that atmosphere of a water-logged small town so vivid. There's a warmth and generosity of spirit, particularly in the character of Aunt Sylvie, I find incredibly moving. I feel sure that it's one of the very best American novels. The book I could never read againI've been lucky enough to adapt several of my favourite novels for the screen, but the process is prolonged, intricate and exhausting. The patient never survives the operation and I struggle to imagine the circumstances in which I would ever pick up Far from the Madding Crowd again. The book I discovered later in lifeI'm so pleased that Helen Garner is getting the praise and attention she deserves. I love her wonderfully frank and spiky diaries and nonfiction but there are two very different novels of hers that I think about all the time. The Spare Room is a tough, unsentimental book about the demands and limits of friendship. The Children's Bach is wildly different, a spare, moving portrait of a loving family falling apart. Those final pages! The book I am currently readingI tend to read two books at a time, one fiction and one nonfiction. Yiyun Li's memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow, is extraordinarily wise, thoughtful and affecting, and the best case I can think of for the power of the written word. Alongside that, I'm reading the wonderful The Country Girls, my first Edna O'Brien but not my last. My comfort read Anita Brookner. There are no big narrative surprises – someone will inevitably be disappointed in a west London mansion block – but she's a great prose stylist, often very funny and sharp and undoubtedly underrated. You Are Here by David Nicholls is published in paperback by Sceptre. To support the Guardian order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
The Guardian
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
David Nicholls: ‘I'm nervous to admit it but I struggled with Jane Austen'
My earliest reading memoryThe Very Hungry Caterpillar. There wasn't much to read – the prose is what's now called 'spare' – but I vividly remember the pleasure of poking a finger through the holes punched in the page. And that final twist! My favourite book growing upI was a fanatical member of the Puffin Club at school, and so many of those books embedded themselves in me; E Nesbit's Dragons, Narnia, of course, the Molesworth books, which I barely understood and found hysterical. But my favourite were Tove Jansson's Moomins, particularly the chilly later books, with their very particular melancholy. Other books seemed to be reaching for laughter or excitement, but there was a pleasure in all that sadness and solitude. The book that changed me as a teenagerGreat Expectations was my first 'proper classic' and I was tremendously pleased with myself for getting through it, and startled, too, by how familiar the characters felt. The foolishness, the passionate friendships, the empty aspiration and unrequited love, it all made perfect sense to me, even across 120 years. The book that made me want to be a writerI'm not sure if I ever dared voice that ambition, even to myself, but I remember laughing hysterically at Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4, and thinking what an achievement that would be, to make a reader laugh with marks on a page. In many ways, the early 80s was a golden age of comic writing but so much of it had a rather rather self-satisfied Oxbridge tone. Suddenly, here was an authentic working-class voice, writing with an almost supernatural such precision and insight into the teenage boy's mindset. I loved it and, as with Great Expectations, turned the pages thinking 'How does the author know? The book or author I came back toI'm a little nervous to admit this but I used to struggle with Jane Austen, recognising her subtlety and brilliance but finding that ironic tone a little relentless and, despite many attempts, never making it to the end. But in lockdown I picked up Persuasion and finally, after 40 years of trying, something fell into place. The book I rereadIf I ever find myself stuck or jaded, I pick up Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. The prose is just perfect, that atmosphere of a water-logged small town so vivid. There's a warmth and generosity of spirit, particularly in the character of Aunt Sylvie, I find incredibly moving. I feel sure that it's one of the very best American novels. The book I could never read againI've been lucky enough to adapt several of my favourite novels for the screen, but the process is prolonged, intricate and exhausting. The patient never survives the operation and I struggle to imagine the circumstances in which I would ever pick up Far from the Madding Crowd again. The book I discovered later in lifeI'm so pleased that Helen Garner is getting the praise and attention she deserves. I love her wonderfully frank and spiky diaries and nonfiction but there are two very different novels of hers that I think about all the time. The Spare Room is a tough, unsentimental book about the demands and limits of friendship. The Children's Bach is wildly different, a spare, moving portrait of a loving family falling apart. Those final pages! The book I am currently readingI tend to read two books at a time, one fiction and one nonfiction. Yiyun Li's memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow, is extraordinarily wise, thoughtful and affecting, and the best case I can think of for the power of the written word. Alongside that, I'm reading the wonderful The Country Girls, my first Edna O'Brien but not my last. My comfort read Anita Brookner. There are no big narrative surprises – someone will inevitably be disappointed in a west London mansion block – but she's a great prose stylist, often very funny and sharp and undoubtedly underrated. You Are Here by David Nicholls is published in paperback by Sceptre. To support the Guardian order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Struggling gardeners advised to grown this 1 plant that 'thrives on neglect
The plant does not require feeding and can survive in extreme weather conditions. If you're not particularly green-fingered then you might be worried about your garden plants failing to flourish this spring. There's nothing worse than seeing your plants wilting if you've forgotten to water them for a few days or if they've been overwatered by the Scottish summer rain. As majority of garden plants do require a lot of attention, it's important that you keep on top of your watering routine. However, if you think you're too busy to manage this, then experts are urging you to pot this one plant that 'thrives' on neglect. It's reportedly as simple as planting and leaving the rest to nature. Despite little effort and upkeep, the plant will look great and continue to grow, even if you forget to water it. Sue Townsend, a garden designer, said it's best to "avoid plants that need deadheading, such as roses, or staking and extra feed if you don't have as much time. Instead, include shrubs that don't need regular pruning for evergreen structure, flowers and fragrance, reports the Express. Sempervivums, also known as houseleeks, require very little effort to grow. They thrive in drought conditions in the summer and are tolerant to freezing temperatures too. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade and is ideal for rock or gravel gardens. They can even be grown on walls or in containers. During the cold winter months, sempervivums can withstand frost and temperatures as low as -30C. They are also well-suited to dry and hot climates. Jim Keeling, of Whichford Pottery, said: "When planting, set yourself up for success and place rocks, rather than gravel, over the container's drainage hole as gravel can quickly become clogged with repeated watering." Sempervivums grow well in poor soil which means it's not necessary to feed them. Gardeners are advised not to feed them too much as nutrient-low soils promote a better leaf colour. They also require no pruning. However, you should cut off flow spikes and remove damaged and dead leaves. If sempervivums are watered too much, they can develop a fungal disease called Endophyllum rust. Gardeners are instead advised to plant them in free-draining soil and allow them to dry out fully between watering. Sempervivums have a generally slow growth rate and take a few years to reach their full size. They are often best planted outside. Morris Hankinson, Hopes Grove Nurseries director, recently shared a list of "indestructible" and "impossible to kill garden plants". The hardy plants are ideal for those wanting to inject some effortless vibrancy into their gardens as spring and summer approach. Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum King Edward VII), Forsythia (Forsythia spectabilis) and Deutzia are hardy plants that are perfect for any garden. Hankinson hailed flowering currant as "a great, easy to grow" spring option that's too often overlooked. He advises: "Ribes will never get out of hand, they are easy to trim with a simple tidy up after flowering and easy to care for. You get a show of flowers the first spring after planting."
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned not to make 'common mistake' at garden centre this weekend
A gardening expert has warned Brits not to make a common mistake when buying plants at garden centres - and has shared the best flowers to plant in April and May Gardening experts are being urged to dodge a common trap at the garden centre that could compromise their efforts. A horticulture expert has dished out key tips on selecting the right plants and pinpointed one thing to steer clear of. Sue Townsend, an experienced garden designer, has warned plant enthusiasts against getting drawn in by blossoms in full swing at the garden centre stalls. Speaking to Gardens Illustrated, she advised: "Try not to be wooed by the flowers on display at the garden centre, which will offer a limited period of interest, leaving you with little to look at for the rest of the year. "Instead, ask the nursery staff which plants are best for different seasons, or use online suppliers such as Crocus and Burncoose, which offer an extensive range of plants, plus details of how and when they perform." She continued to share her philosophy: "I look at the garden as if I am the conductor of an orchestra, selecting plants for spring colour, summer flowers, autumn berries and foliage, and winter structure to create a continual performance." Distilling her approach, she said: "I think about how each plant will emerge, flower and fade, and group those with similar or contrasting shapes, textures or colours, depending on whether I want a calming or more dynamic scheme." Adding to the conversation, a horticulture guru took to Quora to state: "Plants only do one thing well at a time. If they are flowering, they will be less likely to put on roots quickly. The longer it takes to start growing roots, the longer it will be before they start to grow." Green-fingered enthusiasts take note: "If they don't grow, they won't bloom more. It's always best to buy plants without flowers on them. It's also good to cut the flowers off before you plant them. Also, loosen the roots before planting. They will get established faster." Looking for the perfect blooms to add to your garden as spring takes hold? Experts recommend getting your hands dirty with gorgeous varieties such as freesias, cosmos, poppies, angelica, cornflowers, sunflowers, zinnias, nasturtiums and lavender, reports the Express.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Columbine Survivor Dies 25 Years Later of Complications From Shooting
Anne Marie Hochhalter, who was shot in the back during the 1999 Columbine shooting, was found dead in her home Sunday, according to the Denver Post. Sue Townsend, whose stepdaughter Lauren was killed in the shooting, formed a close relationship with Hochhalter after the shooting, which left 15 people dead. She and her husband told the Post that Hochhalter's death appears to be from complications she suffered from the shooting. 'She was fiercely independent,' Sue Townsend told the newspaper. 'She was a fighter. She'd get knocked down — she struggled a lot with health issues that stemmed from the shooting — but I'd watch her pull herself back up. She was her best advocate and an advocate for others who weren't as strong in the disability community.' Hochhalter was a 17-year-old junior at Columbine High School in Colorado eating lunch outside when one of the two shooters shot her in the back. Hochhalter told People in 2004 that when she was first shot, she thought it was from a paintball gun. 'I was bleeding to death,' Hochhalter told People in 2004. 'It didn't look bad on the outside, but inside it felt wrong — it felt wet.' The shooting left Hochhalter paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. In 2016, Hochhalter wrote in a Facebook post that she holds no bitterness toward Sue Klebold, the mother of one of the shooters. 'It's been a rough road for me, with many medical issues because of my spinal cord injury and intense nerve pain, but I choose not to be bitter towards you,' Hochhalter wrote. 'A good friend once told me, 'Bitterness is like swallowing a poison pill and expecting the other person to die.' It only harms yourself. I have forgiven you and only wish you the best.' School shootings have risen over the past 25 years, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and in 2024, then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared gun violence to be a public health crisis. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat for mental health support. Additionally, you can find local mental health and crisis resources at Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention. Teen And Friends Held At Gunpoint After 'Ding-Dong Ditch' Gone Wrong, Police Say This 'Degrassi' Plotline Was Inspired By Columbine — And It's Just As Relevant Today
