Hello!

Happy March!

Books and other cultural offerings . . .

This month, I want to recommend a film instead of a book. I am as surprised as you are by this turn of events, so do forgive me! My family recently persuaded me to watch Strange World, a Disney animated film. I did not expect to enjoy it. It looked a bit weird and I’d never heard of it (even though it’s been around since 2022).

But Strange World turned out to be utterly charming and enthralling! Not only is the ‘strange world’ of the title a beautifully crazy and unexpected place, and the cast of characters joyously inclusive, but the story is packed with radical and positive environmental messaging. I can’t say much more without spoilers, but it was the loveliest film I’ve seen in ages.

On a more bookish topic, the launch of my novella, Dirt, is coming up soon, so I wanted to share the cover blurb with you:

Food is scarce in Newbeck. Rations are meagre. Everyone grows what they can on government-allotted Squares of land, using seeds and soil bought from mysterious mega-business, the Green Cultivation Corporation.

One hot day, a strange girl rides into town wearing a sunhat as big as a bicycle wheel. She arrives alone, on a desert track from nowhere, full of questions no-one’s ever asked before.

Local boy Sam is fascinated by her. Why won’t she talk about her family and where she lives? Why is she so curious about his way of life? And why can’t he get her out of his head . . .

A dystopian eco-romance for young adults, Dirt shows that even on stony ground, hope can grow.

I hope this piques your interest!

Lazy green wins #9

This one couldn’t be lazier. Saturday, March 22^nd is the day of ‘Earth Hour’. This started as an event when people all over the planet switched off their lights for an hour in a visible declaration of concern for nature loss and the climate crisis. Global landmarks that have gone dark in support include the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye, the Colosseum, the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower, to name just a few. Earth Hour has since evolved into an annual event when people ‘Give an Hour for Earth’ with 1.4 million hours ‘contributed’ from over 180 countries in 2024.

I like to keep things easy, so in my household we’ll be doing the classic switch-off at 8.30pm this Saturday. An hour without electric lights opens up so many relaxing possibilities – a bath by candlelight, a romantic dinner, or (and this is my choice for 2025) candlelit Cluedo! Murder mystery with added atmosphere, what more could anyone want?!

Will you be joining Earth Hour, in a lazy or energetic way? Let me know if you are, I’d love to hear your plans!

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Until next time, Happy reading! Laura ​