About

I've been obsessed with books since before I can remember, although the first title I recall having a real impact on me is Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Today my reading focuses mainly (but not exclusively) on literary and commercial fiction. In between reading and reviewing new books I'm busy trying to catch up with all those classics I've so far missed out on.

My love of theatre came a bit later. Growing up, I was a regular at the New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme, but my Eureka moment came at the age of eighteen while watching my first west-end production, Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo. During more than a decade of living and working in London, I took as full an advantage as possible of all that was on offer. My favourite plays are still the ones that harness the power of words and ideas.

I dreamed of becoming an author and if I couldn't do that, then a librarian. In the event I did neither, though my eventual career in marketing, promoting the likes of Kodak film and cameras, Coca Cola and Oxo did involve lots of writing.

These days I work in the world of educational data and assessment in the heart of the Roman city of Bath, UK. It's a great place for culture with a fantastic year round programme of festivals, several independent bookshops and a Waterstones. Living here has also really opened my eyes to the breadth and diversity of theatre in the region, thriving despite all too often being overlooked and under-funded.

I'm happily exercising my writing muscles by wittering on about books and theatre. I'm the proud owner of a drawer full of half written things and one day I will finish that novel. 

You can find me on Twitter @clairethinking or email me at clairethinking@outlook.com