Married with children, British nationality, live in Brussels, in steady employment.
I like mornings, toast with lots of butter, and staring out of windows.
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Simon's bookshelf: read
Not my usual kind of story, but I was attracted by the "expat Yanks in Luxemburg" angle, and this was indeed the most interesting part of the story for me. First and foremost it's a spy thriller, albeit a fairly leisurely and un-thrill...
I've marked this as non-fiction, although really it's a hybrid. I normally don't have much time for this kind of mix, but Spufford pulls it off brilliantly, his poetic prose and psychological insight breathing life into what is essential...
Equal parts entertaining and frustrating. Frustrating because the plot, such as it is, proceeds in fits and starts, rambling along over 470 pages when it could have been tighter and more tense cut to under 300. The villain and his plan a...
Inevitably slightly less than satisfying as a book, consisting, as it does, of scraps and bits and half an unfinished novel, this is nevertheless interesting for Adams fans, genuinely funny in places, and a good overview of his writings ...
Pleasant enough, bite-sized, fact-filled nuggets of food history. Presumably aimed at the UK market, as the only mention of non-European food is a couple of chapters relating to the origins of dishes found in Chinese and Indian takeaways...
A war story in which the ideas take precedence over the combat scenes, which is fine by me. Characterisation takes a back seat too while the author works through rather dry discussions of the nature of democracy and the eternal tension b...
On the surface a relatively simple story of one man and his relationship with his therapist, this swiftly evolves into a surreal, complex and spectacular yet always deeply thoughtful book, as much concerned with the ethical aspects of it...
Compelling and eye-opening. I knew pretty much nothing about the subject matter beforehand, beyond having read Heart of Darkness at school, and Hochschild's comprehensive yet intimate approach, contrasting plentiful historical perspectiv...
Vampires bore me, as a rule. Fortunately they don't turn up until later on in this novel, giving the author the time to establish characters and milieu to the extent that when things did turn gory and fantastical I was willing to go with...
Important reading, for a number of reasons. It's split into two halves; the first tackling the increased "pornification" of the mainstream media, and the spread of the idea that stripping, lap-dancing and even prostitution are now to be ...
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The second sentence is so wonderfully Austenian. It says so much about you in so few words.
Thank you.
I hadn’t even realised that people could leave comments on this page…
Do you look through the door in the evening grasping dry bread?
Every day.
nice day
Atilla: Actually no, it’s raining today.
Hi Simon!
Thanks for your comment. You’re very kind.
Simona
Quality blog Si. I think perhaps mine is a little spicy for the gentle readers of your one though, too many effings and blindings!
I’m trying to get the hosting sorted out and it might move so if you try to pay a vist and it’s not there, it’ll be back!
Best to Paola and the wee ones!
N
My readers are “gentle” are they? That’s news to me…
Well well, Mr Litton!
A certain blonde Fin contacted me recently, which made me think of you! Drop me a line.
Hello!
I am Malte Zeeck with InterNations.org. While looking for great expat blogs on Brussels, I stumbled upon yours and was instantly convinced by your great writing and contents! I am sure that the members of our expat network will feel the same way. I would love to share your great blog with our community on InterNations.org as part of our Recommended Blog on Brussels section. We will not only feature and link to your blog, but also give you the opportunity to tell us a little bit about yourself in our questionnaire. We have also designed a badge of quality for placement on your blog.
If you are interested, I would love to hear back from you. Please contact me via mail: maltezeeck@internations.org.
Best,
Malte Zeeck
I write and publish the Opinionated About Dining Survey. http://www.opinionatedaboutdining.com. I would like to use your beautful photo of the Veal and Mushrooms at Hof Van Cleve for a slideshow I am putting together for the Top 100 European restaurants for 2012. The slideshow is being published on June 4. You will get credit and a link to your blog on the frame, and a second credit and link at the end of the slideshow. If this is a problem, please let me know and I will use a different photo. Thanks.
Steve P