It’s looking likely that we’ll be settling in the north-east and as we don’t know much about it we bought an AA Leisure Guide to Northumbria and Coast. It’s a beautiful part of England with a National Park, the Cheviot Hills, golden sands, castles and dramatic ruins, Holy Island and the Farne Islands, nature reserves, historic towns, Hadrian’s Wall and the cathedral cities of Newcastle-upon Tyne and Durham – so much to see and explore.
We’ve also been pouring over Ordnance Survey maps of the area:
I’m always interested in the history of the places I’ve lived in. I know very little about the history of Northumberland and the Borders, so I’ve been looking in some of my own books and found very little. I can see that I’ll be visiting the local library for some local history information.
I’m also interested in the literary connections. One author that immediately springs to mind connected with the North East is Catherine Cookson. I’m not a great fan of her books but I haven’t read many of them, so I really shouldn’t comment. But I have read her autobiography Our Kate which I thought was very good. I also have her book Let Me Make Myself Plain, an anthology of her poems and essays, including some her paintings. Both books are very open and honest, and very down to earth.
If anyone has any suggestions of books either about the area, its history or North Eastern authors please let me know.
BooksPlease 
You are going to live a true adventure. The only “famous” person that I know from this area of England is “Sting” who was born in Newcastle. I am a fan and have read his biography by Wensley Clarkson and his autobiography “Broken Music” which came out last year. Both very interesting but maybe not what you had in mind to get acquainted with your new surroundings. Have fun exploring.
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I hope you won’t mind but just checking online I found something that you might enjoy if you don’t know it already:
http://www.newwritingnorth.com/
It is a site that keep people informed about everything litterary in your new “neck of the woods”.
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Roxane, thank you, that’s a great link. I didn’t know about it.
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I also enjoyed Catherine Cookson’s autobiography. I wished that I could enjoy her books because she is such an interesting person herself. But it doesn’t matter that I don’t because so many people have and occasionally I’ve spotted made for tv movies based on her books. And I’m glad that she was able to make a good living writing.
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Hi Margaret,
Can’t help you with authors. But I do have an award for you at my place, A View of My Life. Stop by and pick it up some time. Have a great day!!
Sherrie
A View of My Life
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Ann Cleeves has written some great mysteries set in the North East. She encouraged me to visit Holy Island with my family this year, and I thought it a truly magical place.
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