If you're not a fan of e-readers, you may want to skip this first section. In case you missed the news, Amazon made some big e-reader announcements this week. Four new Kindles were announced, but the biggest news is that one of them has a colour screen that's easy on the eyes (not like the Kindle Fire tablets or Kindle app). Personally, I prefer the Kindle Scribe because the screen is HUGE and you can use the little pen to take notes in it - but the idea of a regular Kindle with colour is...
2 days ago • 4 min read
Though American audiences will have to wait a bit longer, UK audiences have been enjoying a promising new period drama on Channel 5, The Hardacres. Set in 1890s Yorkshire, this six-part series follows the rags-to-riches journey of the Hardacre family, led by Claire Cooper (The Continental) and Liam McMahon (The O'Briens) as Mary and Sam Hardacre. Alongside them is Julie Graham (Ridley) as the formidable Ma.Expect family drama, hardship, and a spectacular rise from the grimy docks to a...
6 days ago • 5 min read
Scottish novelist Jenny Colgan is best known for heartwarming books that appeal primarily to women (though she's also been known to do a bit of sci-fi). With titles like The Cafe by the Sea, Little Beach Street Bakery, and The Bookshop on the Corner, her best-known books seem designed with one aim - to give the reader a warm, cosy space to spend a bit of time. They're not to everyone's taste, but there's no denying she's brightened up many a day. That's why we were so delighted for her when...
7 days ago • 2 min read
We have great news for the many people who've been asking about when the new Rebus adaptation will premiere in the US - a premiere date has been set! Based on Sir Ian Rankin's iconic Edinburgh-based detective series, it stars Richard Rankin as a younger version of John Rebus. The series kicks off when he's drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael, a former soldier, crosses the line into criminality. Rebus finds himself torn between protecting his...
11 days ago • 5 min read
Amazon is running their "Prime Big Deals" sale today and tomorrow, and while it really just sounds like an excuse for a sale, there are some legitimately great book deals. Some are exclusive to Prime members, but most are open to all. We've gone through to find the best British books included in the sale. Some sales are time limited, so remember the prices may change if you're reading this email much later than Monday evening. Last time, we focused only on the ebook deals because they tend to...
13 days ago • 10 min read
Over the last 10-12 years, it's become much easier to stream British TV in the US - but the influence of British TV on American (and worldwide) culture is nothing new. Virtually everyone knows the word "spam" has come to be mean "unsolicited electronic communication", but a lot of people won't realise British TV is responsible for that. Back in 1970, there was an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus called "Spam", and one of the sketches dealt with a restaurant where pretty much every dish...
14 days ago • 5 min read
Amazon is running a sort of mini-Prime Day next week, but as they gear up for the main event, they've teased some early book and e-book sales. Since it can be hard to find the deals on British books specifically, we put together this email to highlight some of the best ones on sale today (and possibly beyond, it's hard to know how long some sale prices will stay valid). A few are exclusive to Prime members, but most are open to all. Last time, we focused only on the ebook deals because they...
21 days ago • 8 min read
First off, thanks to everyone who sent in messages about the typo on Tim Curry's name in the last email. I hope most people knew what I meant, but just in case you didn't, that was meant to say "Tim Curry" in Rocky Horror Picture Show - not Tim Surry (who Google tells me is a chartered surveyor in London). If you're a fan of Mr. Curry, we have a few more streaming recommendations for you: Clue - Though the film is American, it's based on the real-life board game which is very much an English...
22 days ago • 5 min read
By now, virtually everyone in the English-speaking world will have heard the terribly sad news about the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. Celebrity tributes have been pouring in, and even King Charles had kind words to share: "My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances and her warmth and wit...
23 days ago • 4 min read