Dear November

Dear November

by | Nov 2, 2026 | November Poems, Poems, Poetry

November, don't take my little glass fingers and shatter them;

Like she did the window to my heart when I let her in.

11th full moon, don't leave me howling at the night,

Paws stained by the blackness of the noon, shivering for daylight.

Oh, November, please embrace me,

Like the flame embraces firewood.

Don't leave me alone;

I've let everyone go.

A single stone drowning in the sea.

My 11th subscription,

I plead for your permission

To meet December whole.

September left a hole aching in my soul.

Oh, pretty November,

Let me bask beneath your leaves,

Experience your cool breeze,

And heal despite the heat.

Oh, lovely November,

Don't break me like October.

Allow my sorrow to slumber,

And sleep within your shelter.

~Dear November~

Uzithepoet

10 Fabulous Books About Autumn

10 Fabulous Books About Autumn

by | Oct 29, 2026 | Book Reviews, Books, Emerald Book Club

1. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

This elegant novel unfolds across the English countryside during autumn, where a retired butler reflects on his life of service. Ishiguro masterfully weaves the fading season with themes of regret, duty, and missed opportunities. The atmospheric backdrop of autumn leaves and shortening days perfectly mirrors the protagonist's own autumn years, making this a deeply moving read for those seeking literary depth.

2. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

This whimsical fantasy adventure begins when a young woman is cursed to age rapidly, setting her on a journey to find a cure. Autumn provides the ideal setting for this enchanting tale of magic, romance, and self-discovery. The cosy, warm atmosphere of the season complements the growing bond between the characters and the comfort found within the titular moving castle.

3. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

A classic of atmospheric suspense, Bradbury's novel captures the eerie magic of autumn in a small American town. A mysterious carnival arrives in October, bringing danger and temptation to two young friends. The crisp autumn air and Halloween backdrop create an unforgettable sense of foreboding that makes this perfect reading for the darker half of the year.

4. The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Set in Victorian Essex, this literary novel explores the intersection of faith, science, and natural wonder. The autumn landscape of the Essex marshes becomes a character in itself, contributing to the mood of mystery and discovery. Perry's lush prose captures the beauty of the season as her characters search for truth along misty riverbanks.

5. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

This fantasy classic follows a young wizard's journey of growth and redemption across the archipelago world of Earthsea. The story carries an autumnal tone of change and transformation as the protagonist matures through challenges and self-discovery. Le Guin's elegant world-building creates an immersive escape perfect for quiet autumn evenings.

6. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Often considered one of the first mystery novels, Collins' masterpiece weaves intrigue and suspense across Victorian England. The autumn setting provides a moody backdrop to the unfolding secrets and revelations. Its page-turning plot makes it an ideal companion for those cosy autumn nights when you want to be thoroughly engrossed.

7. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This spellbinding novel centres on a magical competition set within an enchanting circus that appears without warning. Autumn winds and darkening evenings enhance the novel's dreamlike, mystical atmosphere. The rich descriptions of the black and white circus, paired with the season's visual palette, create a truly immersive reading experience.

8. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Jackson's unsettling novel tells the story of two sisters living in isolation in their family home. The autumn setting amplifies the story's sense of unease and separation from the outside world. The novel's psychological tension and Jackson's precise prose make this a haunting read that lingers long after the final page.

9. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

A Gothic mystery wrapped in literary passion, this novel explores the relationship between storytelling and truth. The autumn atmosphere, combined with creaky old mansions and overgrown gardens, creates the perfect mood for this dual narrative. Setterfield's elegant writing and intricate plotting will captivate anyone who loves mysteries with depth.

10. Beloved by Toni Morrison

Morrison's powerful and haunting novel confronts the legacy of slavery through the story of Sethe and her daughter's ghost. The autumn setting frames the characters' emotional journey as they grapple with trauma and the possibility of healing. This profoundly important work is essential reading that rewards careful attention and reflection.

Autumn in Prison Poem by Connie Leung

Autumn in Prison Poem by Connie Leung

by | Oct 19, 2026 | Autumn Poems, Poems, Poetry

Autumn in Prison

By Connie Leung

In memory of   John Fowle

these leaves are not from in here

they are nothing like the towering pine

that prickles crevices into my sky with its

decaying and sullen branches

these leaves are robust & hearty still

sneaking their way onto a stage

of concrete like renegade

prima donnas at burlesque

they dance and flicker

bare glimpses of saffron & sepia

blow kisses from lips a tint of rouge

i am certain

no man can recreate

these leaves must be

the ones you saw each day

as you sat close by painting

they huddled together didn’t they

and danced harmoniously

as they fanned rainbows into your sky

i create a story in my mind of how

you must’ve smiled and pressed

those rose-kissed cheeks toward your eyes

but your leaves are changing in here

as all the fallen do

i watch as one little ballerina races by

unable to keep pace

she collides into a steel wall

half her body in my company

half her body reaching for you

her slippers tear in the struggle

i whisper to her you’re still beautiful

and tell her you should go

she twirls her head blushing

then exposes her drying heart toward me

she waits for me to come for her

she waits for us

to save each other

Song for Autumn

Song for Autumn

by | Oct 12, 2026 | Autumn Poems, Poems, Poetry

Song for Autumn

In the deep fall
don’t you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind? And don’t you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think
of the birds that will come – six, a dozen – to sleep
inside their bodies? And don’t you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,
the everlasting being crowned with the first
tuffets of snow? The pond
vanishes, and the white field over which
the fox runs so quickly brings out
its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its
bellows. And at evening especially,
the piled firewood shifts a little,
longing to be on its way.

by  Mary Oliver

Listen On Spotify
His Dark Materials: A Journey Through Parallel Worlds

His Dark Materials: A Journey Through Parallel Worlds

by | Jul 29, 2026 | Book Reviews, Books, Emerald Book Club

His Dark Materials is an epic fantasy trilogy by Philip Pullman that has captivated readers worldwide since the mid-1990s. The series consists of three novels: Northern Lights (1995), The Subtle Knife (1997), and The Amber Spyglass (2000). At its heart, the story follows two remarkable children—Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry—as they navigate multiple worlds, uncover dangerous secrets, and become entangled in a cosmic conflict that challenges everything they believe.

The 3 Core Books

Northern Lights (known as The Golden Compass in North America) introduces us to Lyra, a spirited orphan living in Oxford. When her friend Roger disappears, Lyra embarks on a perilous journey to the frozen Arctic regions to rescue him and uncover the truth behind a mysterious phenomenon affecting children across the world.

The Subtle Knife expands the scope of the narrative when Lyra encounters Will Parry, a boy from our world who possesses an extraordinary knife capable of cutting windows between parallel universes. Together, they begin to understand the interconnected nature of their worlds and the forces working to control them.

The Amber Spyglass brings the trilogy to its climax as Lyra and Will confront a massive conflict involving heaven, earth, and the mysterious substance known as Dust—a cosmic particle that holds the key to understanding consciousness itself and the nature of existence.

Key Concepts That Define the Series

Daemons are one of the most distinctive elements of Pullman's world. In Lyra's universe, every human being has a daemon—an animal companion that represents their inner soul and personality. These creatures are inseparable from their humans and serve as both protectors and reflections of the self.

The Magisterium serves as the primary antagonist throughout the series. This powerful religious authority seeks to suppress human knowledge, free will, and imagination. Their control extends across worlds, and their actions drive much of the conflict that propels the narrative forward.

Television Adaptation brought Pullman's vision to the screen through a collaboration between the BBC and HBO. The three-season series, which aired from 2019 to 2022, brought the richly imagined worlds and complex characters to life, introducing the story to a new generation of fans and earning critical acclaim for its faithful adaptation and stunning visual design.

Whether you're a longtime reader of the books or discovering the series through its television adaptation, His Dark Materials offers a profound exploration of freedom, identity, and the power of human connection across worlds.

Coventry Bus Fares Changing From Sunday 28th June

Coventry Bus Fares Changing From Sunday 28th June

by | Jun 28, 2026 | Coventry, Emerald Book Club

From 28th June 2026 bus fares will be changing. These fare changes represent an annual price rise due to rising costs of maintaining the bus network, and nBus fares have been agreed by Transport for West Midlands and all bus operators within the nBus zone.

  • A single adult ticket will be frozen at £3.

  • An all day ticket is going up 30p from £5.20 to £5.50

  • A week pass will be £21, changing from £20 currently.

  • Paying by Direct Debit is still the best value way to travel regularly at £67 a month.

Most popular tickets

*Single tickets are valid on a National Express bus for one journey only.

Ticket Current price Price from 28th June
Adult single* £3 Frozen at £3
Adult day ticket £5.20 £5.50
Adult 1 week £20
 £21
Child single* £1.50 Frozen at £1.50
Child day ticket £2.60
 £2.80
Child 1 week £10
 £10.50
Concession single pre-9.30am £2
 £2.20
Group day ticket £9.20
 £9.70

Other popular tickets

Ticket Current price Price from 28th June
Adult 4 week £70
 £73
Adult Monthly Direct Debit £64
 £67
Child Monthly Direct Debit* £33
 £35
Student West Midlands 4 week £53
 £56

Click on the link to learn more. CLICK HERE

Pin It on Pinterest