I’m just packing some books into boxes, checking the bulbs in the fairy lights work, and making sure the equipment I need to display the books is all present and correct. Because we’re off to the seaside.  The forecast is sunny and I can’t wait to see the sea rolling in over the beach

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Westcliff-on-Sea is in Essex, a short walk along the front from Southend. I’m told it’s on  an estuary, and not real open sea, but it’s called Westcliff-on-Sea and that’s good enough for me. In the 60s Southend really was the City of Dreams. We knew that  all the good groups played in the Kursaal,

  and there were great shops where we could buy mod fashions. On top of that there was the pier and all the amusements, as well as candy floss, sticks of rock and Kiss Me Quick hats.

And tomorrow I’m going back. I’ve been back since obviously. I’ve done cases in the magistrates court and I’ve been to exhibitions – notably the East London painters at the Beecroft Art Gallery.

Heybridge Basin by Harold Steggles

Tomorrow night is going to be something different. It will be a wild affair, I think. Over 20 Essex authors all in the same room at the Westcliff Hotel. There will be books to buy, there’ll be a prize draw, and there will be a magician walking round the room doing bookish magic tricks. And entry is free! I’m really looking forward to it. Hoping I’ll pick up some writing vibes by breathing in the air!

Sometimes it is hard to start writing on a blank screen. And I know sometimes it’s hard to know what to read next. A few years ago I went to visit a friend in Denby Dale, a small village in the Yorkshire Dales. At that time there was a lovely bookshop on the main street and I went in and bought a few books but at the same time I picked up a bookmark which had a rather fab challenge. Books to read in the year. So here it is updated for 2020 (and thanks to J R Nicholls, Bookseller and Publisher who had the idea). I think it’s a great way to find books to read.

2020 Reading Challenge

Read a book:

• Published this year
• You can finish in a day
• You’ve been meaning to read
• Recommended by your local bookseller
• You should have read in school
• Chosen for you by your spouse, partner, sibling or child
• Published before you were born
• By a local author
• You previously abandoned
• You own but have never read
• You’ve already read at least once

See you there!