I came across two albums recently that I’ve really enjoyed so I thought I’d share them with you.

The first album is called “Heartbreaking Bravery” by Moonface with Siinai.  Moonface is a solo side-project of Spencer Krug and with this album he has teamed in with a Finnish band called Siinai.  I’ve been a big fan of Krug for a long time and Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown, two of his other bands, are favourites of mine (the albums “Expo 86″ by Wolf Parade and “Dragonslayer” by Sunset Rubdown are really worth checking out), so I had high hopes for Moonface; and I wasn’t disappointed.

“Heartbreaking Bravery” is, as with all of Krug’s albums, quite odd, but brilliant for it.  His lyrics are bizarre and invoke some interesting imagery, and the more gothic sound that Siinai are providing to complement Krug’s song-writing really works.

The second album I’ve enjoyed is “Animal Joy” by Shearwater.  I’ve got two other Shearwater albums called “Rook” and “Golden Archipelago” and, while they aren’t bad albums, they never did much for me.  However “Animal Joy” is different.  There’s a great deal more energy and life in this album and it is so much better for it. Whilst John Meiburg’s singing may not be for everyone, I find it works well and I suggest you have a listen sometime!

Alex.

*Warning: not for younger readers!

The Assassin’s Apprentice is a fantasy tale that follows the life of a boy called Fitz.  Fitz is the illegitimate son of a Prince who gets brought to court and trained as an assassin.  Fitz’s life is not easy however: he has to deal with the machinations of the venomous Prince Regal, his uncle, who distrusts Fitz and sees him as a threat; as well as the Forged – ordinary people who have been captured by pirates called the Red Ship Raiders.  The Forged have had their humanity drained from them and now wander the land stealing and killing at will.

Hobb is an extremely good writer and I highly recommend this book to anyone aged 11 plus!

Alex.

I’m going to being signing in Windsor Waterstones on 19th May. If you’re nearby pop along and say hi!

Thanks to Carol and the Windsor Waterstones team for having me back!

Alex.

This is a big thank you to all the staff and students at Camelot School, Southwark; Kew Riverside Primary School, Richmond; and Holy Trinity and St. John’s Primary School in Margate for having me visit them in April!

Alex.

Apologies for the lateness of this post! I would just like to say a big thank you to all the staff and students of Millmead School, Hertford; Shipston-on-Stour Primary School; Gladstone Park Primary School, Brent; Crawford Primary School, Southwark; Holy Trinity Primary School, Burton-on-Trent; Castledown Primary School, Hastings; St. Jude’s Primary School, Lambeth; St. Osmund’s Primary School, Salisbury; John Perryn Primary School, Ealing; Smallwood Primary School, Wandsworth; Townhill Primary School, Southampton; and last but not least Hurst Hill Primary School, Dudley, for having me visit their schools!

March has been a great month for meeting students and hopefully getting them into creative writing!

I’m going to be in the Lakeside Centre Waterstone’s in Thurrock this Saturday! Pop in a say hello if you’re nearby.

Alex.

I’ve posted a new submission on my young writers’ page – it’s a creepy horror story by Lisa Edwards of Hurst Hill Primary School! You can find it here.

Thanks for the story Lisa and keep writing!

Alex.

Apologies for the lack of posts recently but I’ve been really busy with school visits and haven’t had chance to do much in the way of blogging. However, those of you in or near Woking on 25th March can find me in the Peacock Centre signing all day so pop along if you’re nearby!

Hi guys

Next weekend (10th March) I’ll be in Croydon Waterstones! Come in and say hi if you’re nearby.

Alex.

Next week is World Book Day and I’m very busy for the whole week!

I’ll be visiting: Southway Primary School, Bognor Regis; Red Oaks School, Swindon; Barton St. Peters School, Barton-Upon-Humber; Millmead School, Hartford; and the Shipston on Stour School Federation, Warwickshire.

Plus I’ll be signing books on Saturday 3rd March in Bishop Stortford too!

Alex.

The week before half term I was invited along to Witnesham Primary School near Ipswich and Hullavington Primary School near Swindon. I had a lovely time at both schools and hopefully the students got a lot out of my visit!

Alex.

On Tuesday this week I visited Weelsby Primary School in Grimsby. I had a lovely time and made to feel very welcome by both the staff and students.

While I was at Weelsby the students did some writing workshops where the characters king Harold and vagabond Jim were born! Well done to all the students from years 5 and 6!