Blog: Mel's Muse
Showing posts categorised as 'Dairy'
Uv Book Group: God On Mute
NEXT MEETING:
Thursday 14th April at 7.30pm
VENUE:To be advised
BOOK & AUTHOR:God on Mute by Pete Greig
Questions and Discussion Summary will be posted on Mel's Muse a few days after the meeting (and listed under Book Reviews) and Mel's Online Book Club - which has an open membership - are invited to...
Interview With Christian Bookshops Blog
Only a months late with this diary event! A month ago today, I had the privilege of writing an article for Phil Groom who, in addition to managing the bookshop at London School of Theology, also runs the excellent Christian Bookshops Blog.
I'd been asked to write about "Who I Am, and What I Do?" and...
Review Of The Torn Veil By Gulshen Esther For July Book Club Meeting
I was asked if I would take this book on for Readers’ Group, and I have to say that, although I agreed, I wasn’t wildly enthusiastic. How wrong can you be! It was what someone once dubbed one of my earliest books: a one-bath-book. You don’t notice that the water’s getting cold because you...
Guest Blog For Uk Christian Bookshops
An invitation to write a guest blog for the UK Christian Bookshop website is not to be sneezed at! So I was delighted when Phil Groom asked me to do just that.
AUTHOR & SPEAKERJust say who you are and what you do, he suggested. It got me thinking! Can who I am be...
Wise Writing Words
ADVICE FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS
Asked what advice I would give aspiring authors in an interview I was recently asked to do, I parodied Winston Churchill's famous Fight Them On The Beaches speech. Writing, in other words, requires hard labour and endurance!
I also shared how I nearly turned down a commission from a major publisher for...
Writers' Interview
As the published author of a number of books, I'm often targeted with mail wanting me to subscribe to all sorts of things. Most of them end up in my Spam box or Recycling Bin.
But a couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail asking me if I was willing to be interviewed...
Uv Readers' Group - Next Meeting 6th May 2010
UV Readers' Group meet at 7.30 p.m. on 6th May (after polling) to discuss Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth - story of an unmarried Amish girl who gives birth secretly to a baby who then dies. Lots of issues raised as she is put on trial.
ONLINE BOOK CLUB will follow, with questions and discussion...
Internet Radio Show Voice America - 3rd May 2010
BREAKING NEWS:
As the author of the novel A Painful Post Mortem, I will be speaking to Dr Gloria Horsley about my personal experiences of grief and loss. Looking at the way in which divorce, my daughter's teenage drug abuse, and bereavement have all taken their toll, I'll be demonstrating how victory in adversity...
Uv Readers' Group & Online Book Club Questions: The Return Of The Prodigal Son By Henri Nouwen
MEETING: 4th March, 2010
Without exception, members of my real-time Readers’ Group found this an AMAZING book, and couldn’t believe how much they got out of it.
You can find all the questions for this book here.
To read their Discussion on these Questions, go to:
Return Of The Prodigal Son – Rembrandt Painting Inspires Author Henri...
Uv Readers' Group - Next Meeting 4th March 2010
VENUE
Please note that we are no longer meeting at The Grand because of the cost of the room. Please ring me for details of our current venue.
TIMEPlease note, also, that a typo occurred in the last bulletin. We have not met at 7pm for some time - we now meet at 7.30pm
BOOKReturn of...
New Online Book Club: Begins Thursday 21st January 2010.
NEW ONLINE BOOK CLUB:
BEGINS THURSDAY 21st JANUARY
2010.
The book we're studying is The Reluctant Fundamentalist (international bestseller, shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2007) by Mohsin Hamid
Thursday 14th January, 2010, I shall be posting a Precis and Discussion Questions on Mel’s Muse, details here tomorrow.
NEW ONLINE BOOKCLUB: Read the book look at the discussion questions leave your comments debate with...Mel On Bbc Radio 5 Live: The Matthew Bannister Show
6th January, 2010
At Midnight
Mel on BBC Radio 5 Live: The Matthew Bannister Show
Debate: Are Christians made to feel awkward, or diffident, about openly declaring aspects of their faith.
The conclusions of this discussion will appear as an event within a day or two of the show.
Chocolat By Joanne Harris: Uv Book Club Book Review, Questions & Discussion Summary
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
26th November, 2009
BOOK: CHOCOLAT BY JOANNE HARRIS
Themes: Bigotry, self-righteousness, exclusivity, conformity, authoritarianism, deference and submission, self-denial, ageism and class-ism versus: generosity, open-heartedness, acceptance and inclusiveness across class and age.
OUTLINE OF CHOCOLATA single parent, Vianne, arrives in a small French village at the beginning of Lent with her young daughter, Anouk, and sets up...
Mel Menzies On Bbc Radio Wm: Should Cannabis Be Downgraded Per David Nutt's Advice?
The resignation of David Nutt, the UK government's drugs adviser, sparked controversy over the classification and downgrading of cannabis. Mel Menzies comments on BBC Radio WM on Sunday 8th November at 08.50, in the light of her daughter's teenage drug abuse, and ultimate death.
Read the story here: Addicts Like Kate Walsh Show That The...
Can You Hear Me? By Brad Jersak - Uv Book Group Questions & Summary
The Book Club met on Thursday 15th October, as usual, in the Library at The Grand. As I was nursing a hacking cough and swollen glands I had to cry off, so the group was admirably led by Pippa, who had reviewed the book, Can You Hear Me? and also compiled the following questions, below...
Book Review: Can You Hear Me - By Brad Jersak
BOOK REVIEW: CAN YOU HEAR ME BY BRAD JERSAK - This will be the
next study book for UV Book Group on 15th October, 2009
Reading this book, which was written just a few years ago, was a refreshing reminder that God speaks to ordinary people like you and me every day. It’s about...
My Sister's Keeper - Readers' Group Summary
MY SISTER'S KEEPER BY JODI PICOULT: SUMMARY OF THE
READERS' GROUP DISCUSSION
One of the intriguing aspects of Jodi Picoult’s novel, My Sister’s Keeper is that the reader is invited to read the Prologue before starting the book, and then to re-read it on finishing. The purpose was to determine in whose Viewpoint the piece had...
Readers' Group Questions - My Sister's Keeper - By Jodi Picoult 03/09/09
Readers’ Group Questions – My
Sister’s Keeper By Jodi Picoult
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Summarise the plot: this is a story about two sisters . . . OR
this is a story about two parents . . . OR . . .
Who, in your opinion, is the central character in the book?
e.g. Sara, the mother; Kate,...
Bbc Radio Newcastle - Interview For Discussion On Stepfamilies
Tomorrow, 18th August, 2009, at 8 a.m. BBC Radio Newcastle is broadcasting a discussion and phone-in on the topic of stepfamilies. The feeling is that successful stepfamilies are a rarity. So, as my book, Stepfamilies, depicts case studies of a number of happily blended families, and as I am a member of a happy stepfamily,...
What Is The Role Of Godparents: Are They Really Relevant Today?
The Richard Bacon Show on BBC 5 Live airs a debate between midnight and one in the morning. The topic, last night, was Godparents. I was asked to be one of the panellists, to explain the role, and to argue the case that Godparents were still relevant in this day and age.
THIS ARTICLE HAS...
Readers Group Questions: Intelligent Church By Steve Chalke - 9.7.2009
What exactly do you believe about God? (in a nutshell)
What are the non-negotiables of church – what are the
things that make a church a church?
Is there a difference between how we ‘do’ church at
and how we should/could do it eg. should we discard the building
and get a more modern one...
Enlarge My Vision
GENERATE 2009:
SALVATION ARMY: Adult & Family Ministries Conference
At The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick
26th – 28th June
Title: ‘ENLARGE MY VISION’
Mel will be Keynote Speaker at this Event, beginning on Friday evening with the Keynote Address, titled: Five Tent Pegs & A Central Pole.
Workshops led by Mel on Saturday will examine what it means...
Book Review: Intelligent Church By Steve Chalke
UV READERS’ GROUP MEETS NEXT IN THE LIBRARY AT THE
GRAND
AT 7.30pm ON 9th JULY, 2009
Intelligent Church by Steve ChalkeIntelligent Church by Steve Chalke is the book under discussion at the next meeting of the UV Readers’ Group. The following review, written by Simon, should whet your appetite. Unfortunately, I shall be at a...
Book Review: The Lost Message Of Jesus, By Steve Chalke & Alan Mann
At the heart of this book is the message of hope the Church can offer the world. The message that God’s Kingdom is here, that it’s open to absolutely everyone through Jesus and that it’s good.
The book explores how Jesus’ life exemplified His message of hope that we need to both grasp for ourselves...
Uv Book Group Questions - The Shack By William P Young
UV READERS’ GROUP
7.30pm Thursday 23rd April 2009
The Shack By William P Young
PART ONE: GENERAL IMPRESSIONS
What do you think of the style in which the book is
written?
Can you identify the theme of the book?
The book was originally self-published and, it has been said,
would have benefited from editing. Do you agree?
Following is...
Uv Book Group - Why Trust The Bible By Amy Orr-ewing
The Library at The Grand is such a comfortable venue, and so conducive to feeling comfortable in every sense of the word. Seventeen of us met on this occasion and a lively discussion followed. We all agreed it was a most enjoyable evening, with everyone making a valuable contribution. This time the questions were compiled...
Book Launch Generosity Nets Profits For Charities
What a brilliant event the book launch on Friday was! It had been laid on by a couple who had recently ‘downsized’ to a sumptuous apartment, which comprised the whole of the ground floor of a huge Victorian mansion. Professional people, they had invited guests from all walks of life for a wine and...
Debate On Bbc Radio 5 Live
I’ve been asked to take part in the Richard Bacon programme on BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday 2nd December from midnight until 1 a.m. The debate is: "Can step parents replace real parents?" Because I’ve written a book titled Stepfamilies, I’ve been asked to take the ‘yes’ side. Listen in if you want to put...
Uv Readers' Group - Soul Survivor By Philip Yancey
Following a number of apologies, nine of us met in The Library, including three men this time! Celia (who was unable to be with us on this occasion) had, at my request, compiled a list of questions pertaining to the book – partly because I was tied up with work / being unwell /...
Creative Writing Blog; Uv's Readers' Group
I hope you've noticed! I've redesigned, and revised some of the content, on a number of my pages - mainly to give visitors greater access, and ease in navigating. Take a look at the following pages: Home; About Me; My Books; Mel's Muse. I'd love to hear from you to...
Magazine Articles, Bereavement Poem & Readers' Feedback
MAGAZINE ARTICLES
Sorry I haven’t had time to update my diary lately. It’s been a bit hectic. Besides, what is there to say about this sodden summer? Several interviews and articles featuring my novel, A Painful Post Mortem have appeared in various publications: Activate, The Christian Writer, Devon Today among them, with more to follow.
WEBSITEMy bereavement poem, Death...
Long Crendon Ladies Breakfast
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE, OR ANY OTHER, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK
What an interesting and enjoyable couple of days we've had, my Better Half and I, away from home and away from our respective computers. For me, it was a rare opportunity to exchange the solitary slog of the...
Uv Readers' Group Meeting
THEME: FAMILY LIFE
Study books: The Family, Jack & Judith Balswick; Bringing Home the Prodigals, and Teenagers, Rob Parsons
Do you remember, any of you, the TV advert of the little girl weighing up the pros and cons of ‘Daddy or chips?’ Well, we had something of a Daddy or chips evening on Wednesday.
A new venue for...
Iraq: Searching For Hope
UV Readers’ Group met to talk about Andrew White’s book Iraq: Searching For Hope published by Continuum Publishing Ltd. It was a lively evening! Lots of cake, coffee and chat. The topic, naturally, attracted a fair few men, and the Readers’ Notes I had devised – although inconclusive – were deemed by all to be quite...
BBC Radio Devon Interview
Listen to me chatting to Dave Fitzgerald about my latest release, Chosen, on BBC local radio.
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