April 2025 Update!

 

Greetings Nerds!

2025 looks set to go as fast as the last 2 years.  Into the fourth month already.

April is one of my favourite months as it usually gets sunnier and warmer and the cherry blossom comes out which I love.

March Review -

Sadly March was also a bad month emotionally as I said goodbye to my girlfriend Jane.  The ceremony and wake would have made her proud as she had a good send off and was packed which showed how popular she was.  RIP Jane x

Work wise I've still been off as my head still hasn't been right to deal with incoming calls and the call centre.

I haven't done any writing in March but did start reading again and getting far in Best Served Cold.

In April -

Hopefully go back to work in April and also keep my options open.

By the middle of April I hope to have finished Best Served Cold and started another book on my 25 books in 2025 which I can't see myself completing.

I'm going to get back into my writing this month and finish The Cubby Hole which will be dedicated to Jane.  I will also make notes on an Urban Explore horror I have in mind.

I will again look at an Open University course on editing/ copy writing as the new courses start in May and I'll never get a job in that sector and publishing if I don't do the qualifications.

Hopefully I will start the gym and swimming again in April and get in shape.

What are your plans in April?

Neil x 

Captain America 4 - Brave New World - Film Review

 

Hi Nerds!

Went to see the latest Marvel movie with the daughter and I've got to be honest, I was a little disappointed.

It starts with the new Captain America Sam (Anthony Mackie) and the new Falcon Joaquin (Danny Ramirez) chasing a sinister league who have stolen the newly discovered Adamantium from the Japanese. After retrieving it for new President Ross (Harrison Ford), they agree to help out with peace talks over the Celestial in the Indian Ocean from the Eternals film.

The talks fall apart when Sam's friend and one of the first to take the super soldier serum Isaiah attempts to assassinate President Ross.

Sam has to find out what has happened to his friend and who is manipulating events from the shadows.

Spoilers - it's Samuel Sterns - The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) who was last seen in the 2008 Incredible Hulk film.

Overall - The film is a bit of a mess and you can tell different versions were filmed in reshoots. Some characters disappear and storylines are cut short.

The acting for the most part is fine especially from Harrison Ford and Anthony Mackie and the new Falcon is fun to watch.

The action scenes are ok.  Most of the fighting is what we've seen before in other Captain America movies and Avengers.  This is what makes what Sam does a bit unrealistic, as he's doing practically the same as Steve Rogers yet not had the super serum.  He even jokes he should have had it whilst fighting the Red Hulk.

The Red Hulk is another problem with this film.  Yes the film is building tension up but it could have done with another ten minutes of Red Hulk smashing Washington up.

As well as the reshoots to the film jumbling the story up, the fact that you have to remember the characters in the 2008 Incredible Hulk film, like Sterns and Betty Ross (Liv Tyler returning) but it's also requires you to have watched The Eternals and the Falcon and the Winter Soldier series.

It was watchable and entertaining, it isn't the MCU's worst film but I hope they get better for the upcoming Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four.  Especially as they are building up to two big Avengers movies.

Bels Score  -  6.5/10

My Score    -  6.5/10

Neil x

Twisted Fate Publishing Event - Feb 2025!

 

Welcome Fellow Readers and Writers.

At the end of February, I attended a talk at Huddersfield Library.

This was partly because I knew Nick, one of the founding members of Twisted Fate Publishing, whom I met at an Edge-lit event a few years ago in Derby.

It was a great evening which should have had more people there supporting a local creative company.

L-R Chris, Nick and Gareth 

Twisted Fate Publishing started during COVID when Nick met the other Co-founders Chris and Gareth at the Huddersfield Authors Circle.

They specialise in speculative fiction including fantasy, sci-fi and horror and they agreed the weirder the better.

Each member has a role in the company and they all explained this and how their writing and publishing journeys began.

Chris explained how he wrote technical books but at Forty whilst in the bath decided he wanted to write fiction.  Once he'd written his novel he tried a small independent publisher.  That didn't work out.

For Twisted Fate Chris writes his own novels including his Fixpoint series, but he also deals with the behind the scenes including the financial side of the business.

Nick started his writing journey at the tender age of fifteen.  His fascination with werewolves led to his first novel, Hybrid, being published at Wolf Publishing which was most appropriate.  A villain approached Nick promising the world but did nothing with his Hybrid series.  Once Nick was out of the contract he helped set up Twisted Fate.

Nick does most of the editing and writing for the publisher as well as his own freelance work.

Gareth, like Chris started his writing later in life and self published his own first novel Fogbound on Amazon.  He wasn't fully happy with the process and helped create Twisted Fate.

With experience in marketing, Gareth deals with the marketing side of the company as well as cover design and editing.  He also writes his own series, Chronicles of the Fallen.

The guys explained how they see themselves as a cross between a small independent publisher and a big publisher and they don't charge any fees.  

Royalties with Twisted Fate are 50/50 and after five years the rights of your novels return to you.

So far they have created and edited two anthologies for the charity Mind.  Those being Darkness and Light.

Gareth tried getting a quote from Stephen Fry who was a patron of the charity at the time but couldn't get past his agent.

The second anthology Light has some big name authors including Adrian Tchaikovsky and Peter McLean.

For more details on Twisted Fate Publishing search for them online and check the link below.

https://twistedfatepublishing.com/

Neil x

Happy World Book Day!

Currently Reading.

Hey Readers!

Happy World Book Day.  Hopefully you are all enjoying reading a book!  Whether it's fiction, non fiction or a text book.

I'm still reading Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.

In the last few weeks, I have managed to buy a couple of books with some mini book hauls.

So what are you currently reading?  Put it in the comments.

Enjoy!

Neil x

March 2025 Update!

 

Hi Nerds.

This will be a very brief update.

February Review - 

Sadly February was a shit show as I lost someone very close to me in a tragic way.  Will discuss this and who at a later date but was hoping to be with this person through February and beyond.          

RIP Jane x

I haven't had it in me to read or write or go into work.

The one good thing I did, was attend my writing mate Nick Steads Twisted Fate Publishing event at Huddersfield Library, in which he is a co-founder.

 I will make a full blog post of this soon.

In March -

I hope to get back into my hobbies including writing and reading and finish Best Served Cold as I'm very behind with my 2025 reading challenge.

I also need to get into work or find new work if possible.

What are your plans in March?

Take care peeps.

Neil x

Bradford Waterstones and City Centre New Look

 

Hello Nerds!

On Valentine's Day because of recent events I decided to go to Bradford and treat myself at one of my favourite Waterstones.

I also wanted to see the new look Bradford.  All the roads have been paved and no vehicles allowed into the city centre.

I have to admit I liked the look.  There were too many roads before and it took ages getting anywhere waiting to be able to cross a road.

Bradford seemed busier too for a Friday afternoon.  I haven't seen the centre that busy in years.  Maybe it's a good thing.  I think it will be coming to Brighouse in the future so will need to keep an eye on Bradfords progress.

I also treated myself to a new book and coffee and cake at Waterstones.

Hopefully I will be posting more content soon.

In the meantime, take a trip to the new look Bradford.

Neil x

Quick Update!

 

Hey Nerds!

Not posted for a while due to running out of ideas and personal/life reasons.

Still reading the above book although it has took a back seat but hopefully will finish it in the next week or two.

Will try put new posts out soon.

Neil x

February 2025 Update!

 Hello Nerds!

Well it's already the second month of the year.  January did drag a lot though.

This will be a brief update.

January Review -

The month was a bit hit and miss especially now back at work full time.

Reading wise I didn't finish Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie, although I did read a good chunk of it.

I also started reading a book at work again.  The one in the photo.  Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs. So far it's ok, but I'm not adding it to my 25 books in 2025 challenge.  I will just add as an extra.

Writing didn't go as planned.  I started a writing challenge called Camp Dichotomy and only managed to write about 800 words in the month.  This was due to being tired after work.  I feel I let team Air down.

In February - 

I hope to start getting fitter this month by work outs and walking more.

Reading wise I hope to finish Best Served Cold by the second weekend and start my next book on the challenge.

I also hope to write more in February as the writing challenge fired me up, so I will finish The Cubbyhole.  I've also thought of a few more stories and I need to make notes on them.

It's a short month so hopefully pay day will come much sooner!

Well as I said it will be a brief update.

Have a fab February.

Neil x

WH Smith's to close? Rant!

Hi Nerds.

I haven't posted for a while.  In fact I haven't posted for 12 days.  Sadly been busy with other things including some reading and writing.

I've been prompted to blog due to the news today, that WH Smiths are wanting to sell off their high street stores.

This is another huge blow for the high street plus also for nerds like me, who likes physical books and magazines.

My past relationship with WH Smiths -

When I was younger I loved going into a WH Smiths.  Much as I love going into Waterstones now.

There were a big selection of books back in the 1980s and 1990s.  I even bought one of my first fantasy novels in Halifax WH Smiths. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams.

Over the years I've bought many books and magazines and comics from them.  When I was in my pre-teens I bought a variety of comics you don't see now including Transformers comic, Dandy, Buster and Topper.

I then progressed in my teens and early twenties to buying magazines.  These included sci-fi magazines SFX and Sci-fi Now, to Mens Health and the old lad mags like FHM and Loaded.

In my mid to late twenties I refound my joy of writing and started getting Writing Magazine.  Now the only magazine I still buy monthly.

In the 1990s and early 2000s WH Smiths were the owners of Waterstones and had a great selection of books.

Slow downfall of WH Smith's -

In the mid 2000s when the internet started being more popular it spelled bad news, even back then.  My favourite magazines started to stop.  There were less magazines and books for sale.

Gradually each year I visited I bought less and less as prices also went up and the magic of the stores dwindled.

This has been evident, even before Covid, when in 2016 some WH Smith's stores also started sharing the store with Post Offices.  Like the one in Halifax.

Even the big stores I visited like York and Leeds seemed to have less selection.

I have applied for jobs at the Halifax store a few times over the last few years and had do do tests regarding customer service.

Sadly some of the younger staff may have cheated as they are too busy chatting or moving things about to serve.  Maybe I'm just turning into an old moaning bastard?

What happens next? -

Well there may not be any effect for a while.  Someone could buy the brand and keep them open.

Some or sadly all could shut for good.

Consequences -

I'm worried about the magazine and some smaller book publishers.

Some weekends WH Smith's had an independent author sat at the front selling books and signing.  Although that hasn't happened for a while.

Even though most magazines have online versions there's nothing better than holding paper copies and I fear if WH Smiths do close, then the niche magazines including the one I buy every month - Writing Magazine - may be at risk. 

There's so many types of magazines they sell from pet magazines to warship magazines and even Warhammer magazine, which will be affected as I can't think of many newsagents which have such a variety.

WH Smiths main rival would probably be McColls.  Sadly you don't see them much either.

Finally -

It is a sad day for nerds, the high street and WH Smith's and their employees.

They will survive in airports and hospitals but the knock on effect will probably be huge. 

I just hope Waterstones survives this trend of high street closures.  The upcoming budget won't help matters although Waterstones are more focused on the book side.  Most have the advantage of the cafes and author events and book clubs.

We will have to wait and see what happens....

Check the link below regarding the news of WH Smiths.

https://news.sky.com/story/wh-smith-in-secret-talks-to-sell-historic-high-street-arm-13295955

Neil

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - Film Review.

 

Hey Film and Game Nerds!

Took the daughter to see the latest in the Sonic the Hedgehog series.  Film number three.

The story shows another hedgehog called Shadow (Keanu Reeves) escaping from a 50 year old forced imprisonment by the shady military force G.U.N.  After landing on Earth and making friends with a Professor and his Granddaughter.

Sadly the Granddaughter Maria dies when the Professor tries to take Shadow away which leaves Shadow in the 50 year old freezer.  Shadow vows revenge.

Cut to present day and Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O'Shaughness) are celebrating the anniversary of Sonic arriving on Earth.  Also their guardians Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) are there.

When Team Sonic are sent to Japan to stop an escaped Shadow they realise they need more help. They turn to old enemy Dr Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) for help.  Even though they thought he had died at the end of Sonic 2.

Together they trace Shadow to the place where the accident killed the Professor's Granddaughter. 

Shadow is reunited with the Professor who turns out to be Dr Robotnik' s Grandfather too.  A Dr Gerald Robotnik (Jim Carrey).  Here both Robotniks are united and go to find Gerald's weapon, which is charged by Shadow and can destroy the world.

Team Sonic have to defeat all three villains and save the day.

Overall -  Again the third film in the Sonic franchise has great special effects and CGI.  Also the voiceover of the characters is spot on, even Keanu Reeves as Shadow.  The actors all do a fine job also.  

The main stand out of the film is Jim Carrey playing two Dr Robotnik's.  He channels and even quotes some of his earlier work whilst being the madcap Robotnik and his own Grandfather.  There is a great dance sequence with them which shows Jim Carrey still has the energy of old.

Sadly the story itself seemed a bit flat and rushed and the original characters including Knuckles and Tails were left on the side line.  It had too many characters trying to get screen time.

A story plot thread that me and my daughter noticed, was that Gerald Robotnik was the Grandfather of Maria who died and also the Grandfather of the original Dr Robotnik.  Yet the Grandson didn't know who Maria was.  It could have been explained better.

Another nitpick is where Shadow came from. He arrived on Earth in a comet but which world has he come from.  Was it Sonics or somewhere else.  Hopefully this will be addressed in a future film.

It's a solid film.  I'd say as good as Sonic 1 but not as good as Sonic 2.

Bels Score   -  7.5/10

My Score     - 8/10

25 Books in 2025 Challenge!

 Hello Readers and Nerds!

Last year I attempted, and failed badly at the 24 Books to Read in 2024 challenge.

I pitifully read only four books and started a  fifth book - Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie which I'm now including in this challenge, as I was only 100 pages in.

Most of the other books that I chose for the 2024 challenge are carried over, with only a few new additions.

So other than Best Served Cold, the other books I hope to read are below -

 

I also hope to read Legend by David Gemmell.  I hoped to read it in 2024 when it was the novels 40th anniversary but the new hardback addition that was meant to come out in November never did.  So if by some miracle I read the above 25 books in 2025, Legend will be a bonus.

What is everyone else reading in 2025?

Put your reading list in the comments.

Happy Reading!

Neil x