Author Archives: beatriceco

Clacton man pens debut book about spies… with action set in Harwich and Manningtree

Stephen Gage’s Triptych: Pastiche is partly set in Harwich and Manningtree. 

The book, which took three years to write, follows the story of Arthur Mann, whose fake pension query reveals past work he has done for MI5 and MI6. 

A seemingly unrelated past operation called Pastiche causes Arthur to go on his own quest for answers.

But soon after, the man who questioned Arthur is found dead in a field with Arthur’s utility bill, creating further mystery. 

Mr Gage, 78, said: “It’s a spy story that delves back into history – it starts in the present day but goes back to the Cold War and even the Second World War.

“Part of the book includes a person travelling from Manningtree and Harwich and going up the Suffolk coast.

“The climax of the story takes place in Westleton, near Southwold, so parts of the book take place in north Essex and Suffolk.”

Mr Gage has lived in north Essex for more than 60 years and was the managing director of Colchester United FC in 1999. 

Nowadays, he enjoys writing, walking near his home on the Essex coast, watching sports and spending time with his family. 

Mr Gage said: “I have been trying to write a book for a while and eventually got back to it so I am very pleased to have published it.

“I will wait and see how this book goes to see if we can publish the second and third books in the story.”

He added: “I read a lot of John McCray and Philip Kerr and they both write about spies and a lot about the Second World War.”

Paperback copies of the book are £8.99 and can be bought in any local book store or online.

Woherem Unveils New Book, “Building A New Africa”

Dr. Evans Woherem, a renowned scholar and thought leader, has unveiled his latest book, “Building a New Africa,” urging Africans worldwide to rethink the continent’s future and unite in shaping a new chapter of progress, self-reliance, and shared prosperity.A timely and thought-provoking publication that offers more than just a history lesson; Building a New Africa not only presents a roadmap for reclaiming Africa’s greatness and unlocking its vast potential, but explores the continent’s rich past, its present challenges, and a bold, actionable vision for transformation.“This book doesn’t just touch on the past of Africa,” Woherem declares, “but it makes us understand Africa’s potential and offers a vision for a future where Africa can thrive and stand proudly alongside the rest of the world.”In Building a New Africa, Dr. Woherem draws from history to remind readers of the continent’s glorious civilizations—Egypt, Kush, Mali, Songhai, Oyo, Benin, and Great Zimbabwe, among others—emphasizing Africa’s foundational role in the story of humanity.He then examines how centuries of slavery and colonialism disrupted this trajectory, leaving long-lasting impacts on political, economic, and social systems.Despite gaining independence, the book notes that many African nations remain trapped in neo-colonial systems, burdened by political instability, economic stagnation, and underdevelopment.“The question we need to ask ourselves is: Where did the rain start beating us? How did Africa lose its greatness?” Woherem asks.But Building a New Africa is far from a lament. It is a clarion call for solutions, providing concrete ideas and practical pathways forward. Central to the book’s thesis is the urgent need for visionary leadership, the kind that can unite people, inspire change, and drive inclusive growth.It also advocates for a political and economic framework rooted in industrialization, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. The book outlines strategies for mobilizing resources, building institutions, and investing in sectors that can generate jobs and wealth.One of the most compelling ideas presented is the proposal of a Pan-African model of development—a cooperative, borderless approach that leverages the collective strength of African nations.This model, according to the author, is essential to overcoming shared challenges and building resilience.Dr. Woherem pushes readers to look ahead and ask: What will Africa look like in 50 years if bold steps are taken today?“This book isn’t just for academics, policymakers, or experts. It’s for all of us—Africans, and anyone who believes in Africa’s potential,” he writes.

Rs 7000 for Class 5 books? Lawyer’s sarcastic video on private schools goes viral

A video by Bhopal-based lawyer Parag Agarwal is making waves online for calling out the steep prices of school textbooks. In his sarcastic tone, he asks if the books’ covers are “made of silver,” or whether the pictures in the textbooks have a silver mark, as they’re being sold for Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per set — and that too for Class 5 students.”Or maybe when a child holds the book, they automatically understand all the content,” the 51-year-old jokes in the clip.He says that unless these Class 5 private school textbooks have any of these special features, why is the price of the year’s set of books as high as Rs 6,903?”By selling such expensive textbooks, private schools are not only making schoolbags heavier, they are putting pressure on the pockets of parents,” he says.The message, though humorous, struck a chord with many parents who say private schools are becoming less about education and more about profit.Agarwal’s video calls out the gap between the promises of the New Education Policy (NEP) and what’s happening on the ground. The NEP talks about ‘One Nation, One Curriculum, One Class, One Publisher’ but many private schools continue to push expensive, privately published books instead of affordable NCERT ones.NCERT books cost Rs 60–70, while a private book with less information is priced at Rs 500–600, Parag Agarwal told TOI, urging government intervention.ONLINE OUTRAGE FROM PARENTSThe video sparked strong reactions. One user wrote, “This hits hard! Schools are turning into shopping malls—buy everything here, but for education, go elsewhere.”Another added, “I paid Rs 9000 for Class 7 books. It’s all business now.””And these are just text books, note books also will have to be bought from the fixed vendor and they will cost another 5k,” one comment stated.”It’s all about white-collar loot. If a thief steals 10k, they go to jail. But schools charge outrageous fees without any MRP. Indo Scott, Pune charging 8700/month for 1st standard—how is this okay? + Uniform charges double,” noted another comment.”We need to pass a law where a school cannot sell anything else but education. Schools selling fixed supplies at inflated costs with massive kickbacks. This is also affecting the retail industry that relies on school supplies!” wrote another user.DELHI’S WARNING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLSOn March 26, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) stepped in. New rules now make it illegal for schools to force parents to buy books or uniforms from fixed shops. Schools must display book lists and uniform details publicly and allow parents to choose their own vendors.Key rules include:No pressure on parents to buy from specific shopsUniforms can’t be changed often; design must stay for 3 yearsSchools must follow official curriculum and not add extra materialsViolations will lead to legal action under the Delhi School Education Act. Parents can also report issues via a helpline (9818154069).EARLIER ACTION BY DELHI GOVERNMENTIn 2023, following complaints from parents, then Education Minister Atishi took a strong stand against private schools flouting norms. In her April directive, she made it clear that schools forcing parents to buy books or uniforms from specific shops would face serious consequences.A month earlier, on March 17, the education department had already issued instructions directing all private schools to strictly follow rules regarding the sale of books and uniforms.The circular also stated that if any complaint is received, schools must respond immediately with a written explanation. Failure to comply would lead to action under the Delhi School Education Act, 1973.Published By: Roshni Published On: Apr 7, 2025advertisement

Rs 7000 for Class 5 books? Lawyer’s sarcastic video on private schools goes viral

A video by Bhopal-based lawyer Parag Agarwal is making waves online for calling out the steep prices of school textbooks. In his sarcastic tone, he asks if the books’ covers are “made of silver,” or whether the pictures in the textbooks have a silver mark, as they’re being sold for Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per set — and that too for Class 5 students.”Or maybe when a child holds the book, they automatically understand all the content,” the 51-year-old jokes in the clip.He says that unless these Class 5 private school textbooks have any of these special features, why is the price of the year’s set of books as high as Rs 6,903?”By selling such expensive textbooks, private schools are not only making schoolbags heavier, they are putting pressure on the pockets of parents,” he says.The message, though humorous, struck a chord with many parents who say private schools are becoming less about education and more about profit.Agarwal’s video calls out the gap between the promises of the New Education Policy (NEP) and what’s happening on the ground. The NEP talks about ‘One Nation, One Curriculum, One Class, One Publisher’ but many private schools continue to push expensive, privately published books instead of affordable NCERT ones.NCERT books cost Rs 60–70, while a private book with less information is priced at Rs 500–600, Parag Agarwal told TOI, urging government intervention.ONLINE OUTRAGE FROM PARENTSThe video sparked strong reactions. One user wrote, “This hits hard! Schools are turning into shopping malls—buy everything here, but for education, go elsewhere.”Another added, “I paid Rs 9000 for Class 7 books. It’s all business now.””And these are just text books, note books also will have to be bought from the fixed vendor and they will cost another 5k,” one comment stated.”It’s all about white-collar loot. If a thief steals 10k, they go to jail. But schools charge outrageous fees without any MRP. Indo Scott, Pune charging 8700/month for 1st standard—how is this okay? + Uniform charges double,” noted another comment.”We need to pass a law where a school cannot sell anything else but education. Schools selling fixed supplies at inflated costs with massive kickbacks. This is also affecting the retail industry that relies on school supplies!” wrote another user.DELHI’S WARNING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLSOn March 26, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) stepped in. New rules now make it illegal for schools to force parents to buy books or uniforms from fixed shops. Schools must display book lists and uniform details publicly and allow parents to choose their own vendors.Key rules include:No pressure on parents to buy from specific shopsUniforms can’t be changed often; design must stay for 3 yearsSchools must follow official curriculum and not add extra materialsViolations will lead to legal action under the Delhi School Education Act. Parents can also report issues via a helpline (9818154069).EARLIER ACTION BY DELHI GOVERNMENTIn 2023, following complaints from parents, then Education Minister Atishi took a strong stand against private schools flouting norms. In her April directive, she made it clear that schools forcing parents to buy books or uniforms from specific shops would face serious consequences.A month earlier, on March 17, the education department had already issued instructions directing all private schools to strictly follow rules regarding the sale of books and uniforms.The circular also stated that if any complaint is received, schools must respond immediately with a written explanation. Failure to comply would lead to action under the Delhi School Education Act, 1973.Published By: Roshni Published On: Apr 7, 2025advertisement

2025’s top 10 books: The literary hits of the year (so far)

We’re only a few months into 2025, and yet the literary world feels like it’s in full bloom. Unlike previous years, which slowly built up momentum, 2025 came out swinging—with debut authors making bold entrances, veteran writers pushing creative boundaries, and publishers taking risks that have already paid off in brilliance. Whether it’s climate fiction infused with hope, memoirs that read like poetic confessions, or high-concept thrillers with emotional punch, this year’s storytelling bar is already set sky-high.What’s truly refreshing is how genre boundaries are blurring. Novels that begin like historical fiction morph into speculative tales. Essays feel like poems. Even romance isn’t just about love anymore—it’s about identity, agency, and ambition. We’re witnessing a literary renaissance, one page at a time.So, if you’re wondering which books to pick up right now—whether you’re a seasoned bibliophile, a casual weekend reader, or someone rediscovering the joy of books in a digital world—this list has something for you. 10 best books of 2025 (so far) that are a must-read1. The Half-Life of Hope by Yaa GyasiGenre: Literary Fiction | Publisher: KnopfWhy it’s a standout: Tackles faith, diaspora, and familial duty without slipping into cliché. A quiet, powerful novel that lingers long after you finish.Gyasi returns with a stunning multi-generational tale set in Ghana and the U.S., exploring the inheritance of trauma, religion, and resilience. Her prose is lyrical, her characters unforgettable, and her ability to weave timelines effortlessly feels even more masterful than in Transcendent Kingdom.Gyasi deftly explores how belief systems shape generational choices, how migration reshapes identity, and how silence can be both protective and destructive. Her characters—especially the matriarchal figures—are written with empathy and tension, offering readers a deeply emotional, intercontinental journey.2. Neon Veins by Ocean VuongGenre: Poetry / Hybrid Memoir | Publisher: Penguin PressWhy it’s a standout: A masterclass in emotional intensity and language. Vuong blurs the personal and political with heartbreaking beauty.Vuong’s latest work defies classification—it’s part memoir, part poetic meditation, and part manifesto. Centered around grief, queerness, and the body, Neon Veins is a visceral, electric read that pulses with life and vulnerability.With passages that read like dream sequences, Vuong confronts memory as both gift and curse. This book leans into the fragmented structure of trauma and recovery, making it a challenging but cathartic experience. Readers are drawn into themes of identity, dislocation, and tenderness without resolution, making every line worth lingering over.3. The Algorithm Will See You Now by Mohsin HamidGenre: Speculative Fiction | Publisher: Riverhead BooksWhy it’s a standout: A bold, timely novel about autonomy and technology that will leave you thinking (and rethinking) your relationship with algorithms.Set in a near future where AI doctors, therapists, and judges have replaced humans, this novel poses haunting questions about justice, empathy, and agency. Hamid’s minimalist style lends eerie clarity to a world that feels all too plausible.Hamid cleverly juxtaposes technological efficiency with emotional voids, crafting a protagonist who begins to question the reliability of machine-driven life decisions. The novel taps into modern fears around data privacy, the erosion of human touch, and the seduction of convenience. It’s a tech dystopia that feels chillingly close.4. Bloodroot & Starfire by Silvia Moreno-GarciaGenre: Fantasy / Gothic Fiction | Publisher: Del ReyWhy it’s a standout: Combines folklore with feminist resistance in a way that feels both ancient and sharply contemporary.This time, Moreno-Garcia takes readers to a myth-infused version of 1960s Mexico where witches, revolutionaries, and forgotten gods collide. Gorgeous, dark, and utterly original.With lush settings and eerie ambiance, Moreno-Garcia blends political unrest with magical realism. The novel’s central character—a healer caught between tradition and rebellion—is an emblem of feminine power. The supernatural elements are not ornamental; they are cultural, ancestral, and deeply rooted in identity.5. All the Days We Lost by Celeste NgGenre: Dystopian Fiction | Publisher: Penguin Random HouseWhy it’s a standout: A slow-burn emotional powerhouse that blends personal stakes with social commentary—classic Celeste Ng.Celeste returns with a dystopian tale of censorship, memory erasure, and a mother’s fight to preserve truth for her child. Set in a surveillance-heavy future America, it’s a chilling yet tender story.Celeste expertly renders the anxiety of parenting in an era where truth is dangerous and love is an act of rebellion. Her storytelling remains grounded even as the plot veers into speculative terrain, maintaining emotional authenticity through domestic details and inner conflict.6. Redwood Rising by Tommy OrangeGenre: Contemporary Fiction | Publisher: Alfred A. KnopfWhy it’s a standout: Rich, raw, and powerful. A must-read for anyone craving honest, rooted storytelling.A spiritual sequel to There There, Orange continues chronicling the lives of urban Native Americans with even greater depth. This time, themes of identity, environmental stewardship, and ancestral reconnection take center stage.Orange captures a generation’s search for meaning in urban sprawl while honoring indigenous history and ecological preservation. The prose is immediate and raw, and the overlapping narratives allow for a multi-voiced chorus that underscores both pain and perseverance.7. This House is Breathing by Mariana EnriquezGenre: Horror / Magical Realism | Publisher: Hogarth PressWhy it’s a standout: A master of mood and metaphor, Enriquez elevates horror into something literary and deeply human.Set in post-pandemic Buenos Aires, this haunted house tale feels both intensely personal and politically charged. Enriquez blends horror with social critique in a narrative that’s as terrifying as it is thought-provoking.The novel uses the haunted house trope to examine decay—not just of buildings, but of society, ideals, and community trust. Enriquez’s storytelling is dense with symbolism and dread, delivering horror that feels eerily grounded in real-world trauma.8. I Am Because You Are by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGenre: Essays | Publisher: Fourth EstateWhy it’s a standout: Each essay is a gem. A deeply thoughtful collection that reaffirms Adichie’s place as one of the sharpest cultural commentators of our time.Adichie’s return to nonfiction is a meditation on community, womanhood, and African identity in a fragmented world. Reflective, fierce, and deeply personal.Whether dissecting colonial legacies, modern feminism, or motherhood, Adichie approaches every subject with clarity and grace. The title, drawn from the African philosophy of Ubuntu, threads a message of interconnectedness throughout the collection.9. Children of the Cloud by N.K. JemisinGenre: Sci-Fi / Epic Fantasy | Publisher: Orbit BooksWhy it’s a standout: Inventive world-building and dynamic characters with high-stakes adventure. A cinematic, mind-expanding experience.Jemisin creates an entirely new world of floating civilisations, cloud harvesters, and sky-dwelling mystics. This is epic fantasy at its boldest, with rich political undertones.Jemisin continues to redefine fantasy by centering marginalised voices and tackling complex systems of power. This novel, equal parts high adventure and philosophical treatise, interrogates who controls the skies—and what happens when the clouds rebel.10. An Ordinary Madness by Zadie SmithGenre: Literary Fiction | Publisher: Hamish HamiltonWhy it’s a standout: A biting commentary on modern culture that’s both intellectual and emotionally resonant.Smith explores midlife anxiety, racial identity, and the literary world through the eyes of a struggling academic who accidentally becomes an influencer. Witty, sharp, and surprisingly tender.With trademark wit, Smith tackles cancel culture, digital addiction, and impostor syndrome. The novel’s layered humor masks deep observations about authenticity, ambition, and the contradictions of public life in the digital age.Final thoughts2025 is shaping up to be one of the richest reading years in recent memory. These books don’t just entertain—they provoke, question, soothe, and surprise. Whether you’re into speculative fiction, poetry, memoirs, or good old literary drama, these titles are more than just page-turners—they’re conversation starters.As more incredible works hit the shelves in the coming months, one thing is certain: the bar has been set high, and we’re here for it.