Dead as a Doornail - Charlaine Harris

I admit it, I'm addicted!  I was going to wait a while before I read the next one - but I couldn't!

Having 10 of the books in the house makes me want to read them all back to back - but then I'd have to wait for more!  So, I really must read something else now.

Anyway, the storyline in this edition of the Sookie Stackhouse novels sees her brother, Jason, turning into a werepanther, Fairies, more werepanthers, shootings, two-natured, vampires and a few normal humans....things are really beginning to get silly, but I just don't care.

I'm a bit disappointed that Sookie and Bill still aren't together, he only makes a brief appearance in this book, but Eric is more than making up for the lack of Bill - and having the look of the actors from the tv show in my head as I read these books makes it even more enjoyable!

The story line centres around the fact that many of the two-natured are being shot, and someone has tried to burn down Sookie's house (with her inside) - there are lots of subplots, and interesting wanders too.

I know I'm looking forward to the next book, but I AM going to wait a while.

Bought from 'The Book Collection'
30th November - 5th December 2010

Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris

Everytime I read one of these books I say it will be the last, but this time I know it won't as I've actually ended up buying a set of 10 of them! And they really are so hard to resist!

This edition of the story sees Sookie looking after an amnesiac Eric, and helping the Weres, Vamps and other Supes fight a coven of evil witches who wish to take over the area.....

There isn't much more to say except that as usual it was an easy, quick and enjoyable read.  I just need to stop myself from reading the remaining editions too quickly.

Bought from 'The Book Collection'
27th - 28th November 2010

Memoirs of a Fruitcake - Chris Evans

As I've said before I'm not really one for biographies, but Liz lent me the first part of Chris Evans' story and it was brilliant.  By the end I was left wanting to know what happened next - and this is from someone who REALLY doesn't give a stuff about celebrities!

This book, subtitled 'The wilderness years 2000 - 2010' and takes us from the end of the first book when Chris bought Virgin radio, up to recently when his first son, Noah, was born.  In between he doesn't spare his embarrassment much but telling of all the stupid things he has done and the multi-millions of pounds he has gained, spent and lost!

As I think I said in my review of his first book, I didn't like Chris Evans at all during this period of his life, and he fully admits that he was a complete idiot 'lost in showbiz'.   It wasn't until he started to pick his life back up, got back on the radio (Radio 2) and met his new wife, Tash, that things started to get better and I certainly rediscovered what a fantastically entertaining DJ he actually is.

I will never be pleased that he moved from the Drivetime show to the Morning (not because I wanted Terry Wogan to stay, but because I listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and therefore can't listen to Radio 2) - but the book has gone a long way to explaining why and how this happened.

I'd suggest that it's not necessary to know anything about Chris Evans to read this book, but it would certainly help (and reading the first book would help too but isn't necessary), it's an interesting 10 years, I look forward to the next chapter of his life - I think with Tash and Noah it will be a lot quieter and perhaps a bit more sensible (but then again......this is Chris Evans the 'fruitcake').

Lent to be by Liz Jones
19-22nd November 2010

The Survivors Club - Ben Sherwood

I didn't pick this book up because it is a New York Times bestseller, or because I thought it would help me survive a crisis or disaster; I picked it up as it looked interesting - and it is.

The basic premise of the books is that everyone has the potential to be a survivor. A survivor of accidents, disaster, serious illness, bereavement, stress and life in general, it's not about what you know, how fit you are or knowing how to survive in a jungle with a single match; it's more about attitude and being prepared.

The author looks at situations and exceptional circumstances and how people have survived, and what we can learn from these experiences.

How to better your odds at surviving a plane crash, how to survive a trip to casualty, and what makes someone a survivor. Looking at victims of crime, survivors of accidents and wars; we learn the simple little things that we can teach ourselves about surviving.

The second half of the book is linked to a website where you can take a multi-question test to find out your own survivor profile. I'm not sure about that, when I did the test I'm not sure I agree with the result. But it's still fascinating nonetheless.

I've learnt some important facts and survival techniques, that I actually hope I'll never need. But I've also come to realise how I've survived some of the stresses and situations I've already been in so far in my life.

October 2010

Bought in Waterstones, Sheffield

No and Me - Delphine de Vigan

This came onto my radar due to the link to homelessness (i've been volunteering for a homeless charity), and it looked of interest.

I loved the style of writing and the voice of the narrator (the 'Me' in the title).

Lou is a gifted child with a disfunctional family and issues with school (she's in higher year group than her age). When she meets a homeless girl ('No' - short for Norween) in the streets of Paris, she's moved to take her in and care for her....with unintended consequences.

This is a great book, easy and enjoyable to read. I cared about the characters and wanted to know what was going to happen, particularly to 'No'.

The end was a bit disappointing, and I guess it's left rather open for a sequel. I imagine that it will be optioned for a film, but I'm not sure how well it will transfer to screen (certainly it would have to be a French film - the book was originally published in France and is set in Paris).

Bought on Green Metropolis
15th - 22nd October 2010

Club Dead - Charlaine Harris

I know, I know, I said I wouldn't be reading any more of these.......but I finished watching the second season of the True Blood on DVD and wanted more...

As with the first two this is really poorly written and needs a damn good editor - clunky grammar and sentence structure (and that coming from someone who is slightly dyslexic!).

BUT, the characters are fab and the story is great fun - like before I read this book in a day or so, and couldn't put it down.

Now looking forward to the third season (not on DVD for a while here in the UK), I'm undecided about reading the fifth book, but I'm sure I'll give in at some point.....it's like an addiction (but since when has a reading addiction been bad for anyone!?).

Bought on Green Metropolis

12 - 15th October 2010

Salmon fishing in the Yemen - Paul Torday

I'd wanted to read this book for sometime, in fact I'd given Dad a copy of it as we'd visited the Yemen together on business about 15 Years ago.

However I'd also heard that it was an incredibly silly book, and that had put me off a little.  So as is often the way with books I'm not sure about I got an audio version.

Often with me its not the story I don't like, but the writing style, something that doesn't matter when you listen to an audio book version.

What I'd heard was absolutely correct, the premise of the book is very silly - a wealthy Yemeni sheik wants to introduce salmon fishing into the wadis of the Yemeni deserts!  And as the project gains momentum it drags in various characters including the prime minister of the UK.

The book appears to be a collection of documents including diaries of the chief scientist on the project, an unpublished autobiography of the PMs press officers, transcripts from interviews and extracts from Hansard.

By the end I found that I was being carried along by the story and ignoring the improbability of salmon swimming in a river in a desert region of the world.

I'm not sure I'd have stuck with the book, and to be honest I'm not sure that Dad would have enjoyed it; but it made for great entertainment in the car, and the multi-voiced reading made it much more that a conventional audio book.

I've just discovered online that a film version is being made starring Ewan McGregor - I'd say it would certainly be worth a look, in fact it's probably more suited to being a film than a book!

Bought on Green Metropolis.

27th September - 4th October 2010

The boy in the striped pyjamas - John Boyne

What can I say about this book?  It's short, simply written (the narrator is a nine year old boy), and it totally brew me away.  I'd got to within 20 pages of the end, and even though it was very late and I'd worked out where the story was going, I couldn't put it down.

One of the things I loved most was the way it was written, the voice of Bruno.  Such as the description of his Dad's office, which was 'Out Of Bounds At All Times With No Exceptions' and of his sister, who although older than him was a 'Hopeless Case'.

Set in Germany and then Poland during the second world war the story is of Bruno's family move to a new house, and his friendship with a boy who wears striped pyjamas, even in the day.

I'm not going to tell you anymore, you'll have to read it.  There is a film adaptation, which I believe is very good - it's certainly on my list of films to see, I just hope they've done it justice.

Many of my friends have said that it made them cry, but strangely enough I didn't find it sad in that way.

Bought at the HARC bookstall in Nether Edge Market.

27th - 29th September 2010

The Moneyless Man - Mark Boyle

When I told a friend that I was reading a book about a man who lived for a year without money her reaction was a common one,

'oh, so he's freeloading off others then'

But he didn't, and as far as I know still doesn't.

I can't say I agree with all Mark Boyle's ideas about society and money, but a lot of what he writes certainly struck a cord with me.  He fully admits that moneyless living wouldn't work if everyone tried it, and that he has to be realistic and deal with the world he lives in now and not some idealised world where everything is freely given.

Nor does he survive much on bartering which he sees as close to being a form of money.

So he was given a caravan to live in on a piece of land given by a local organic farm where he volunteers.  He grows his own food, forages or bin raids, gets what little power he needs for charging his mobile phone (in coming calls only) and laptop (for publicising the project on a blog and running a freeconomy website) from solar panels, uses a wood burner made from old oil tins for cooking (or eats raw food - he's vegan), showers with water from the river, and cycles or hitches everywhere.

The only things he does barter for are food items that can't be grown or found - but that's rare.

The year obviously isn't easy, but it is interesting to read about, to understand his ideas and motives, and to see how he managed.

I finished the book determined to try to use less and recycle more (although I'm sure I do pretty well already).

The book style is very blog like, even though its not set out as such.  Informal and engaging to read but manages to inform at the same time.

At the end he pledges to continue, with all proceeds from the book going into a trust in order to purchase a piece of land to establish a freeconomy community.

I have my doubts it will work, we live in a world so ruled by money, rules and regulations, and I'm afraid I have a rather jaundiced view of the human race (we are probably beyond saving).

The book ends with a list of relevant web addresses, and I've already signed up on facebook to follow his journey onwards, and I really want to go on a foraging course.

Bought with leaving present Amazon gift voucher from Age Concern Stockport.

- 27th September 2010  

Her Fearful Summetry - Audrey Niffenegger

When Elspeth Dies she leaves the very nice flat over looking Highgate Cemetery to her twin nieces who she has never met.  But only on the understanding that their mother and father never visit the flat, and the twins must live in it for at least a year before they can sell it.

But when the twins arrive they find themselves having to deal with those left behind by their aunt, and it seems that their aunt might not have totally left the premises.

This ghost story was really enjoyable, the characters were interesting, even if many of them lacked the depth I'd have liked.

I have to say that it was refreshing to read a book which I knew little about (I didn't take any notice of the surrounding hype when it was released), and which I found unpredictable.

For some reason I'm finding this review hard to write, perhaps that's because this book was enjoyable, but I can't put my finger on why!

Lent to me by Liz
3rd - 15th Sept 2010

The Secret River - Kate Grenville

It's the early 19th century, and even a minor crime can see you sent to the gallows, or if you are lucky transported around the world to Australia - often as good as being dead.

Will and Sal Thornhill find themselves far from London struggling to come to terms with the strangeness of the land and the difficulties of dealing with their change in circumstances.

My neighbour mentioned in passing that he was reading this book, and when I next looked on my book shelves I found I already owned a copy; on Ian's recommendation I gave it a try, and I'm glad I did.

The descriptions of working on the Thames are fascinating, but the strangeness that Will and Sal encounter in Sydney is so well described.  Striking out on their own piece of land around the coast, the Thornhills must come to terms with the fact that they are surrounded by convicts (who have done much worse than Will ever did) and the 'blacks' (- remember when this is set).

I like the even-handedness of the book - neither the settlers or the aborigines are made out as the villains, both are as guilty or innocent as each other.  I found myself with a sympathies for both, both were victims of a situation not of their making.

I knew this would be a sad read, and to be honest knowing a little history of the way European's marched around the world taking whatever they pleased, I knew that there would be trouble - although this is obviously a novel, I'm sure that the story was played out many times across many continents, and it makes me ashamed of what our ancestors did (even if they perhaps didn't understand their actions).

Not a taxing read, but very 'enjoyable', well written and with engaging characters.  I'd like to say that it would make an interesting film, but to be honest I'd say the story lacks enough substance for that - but still a good read and one that I would recommend.  I might even go and have a look at the author's other books.

Picked up in ACS Pop In
21st August - 4th September 2010

What the dog saw - Malcolm Gladwell

Firstly, I'm not entirely sure who this book is aimed at?  If it's for Malcolm Gladwell fans in the States then they've more likely than not read most of it already (it's a collection of articles from his time at a staff writer with The New York Tiimes), if it's fans in the UK then it's of interest but I found many of the articles weren't really of interest or assumed a knowledge of American culture/politics that I just don't have.

So, perhaps it's for those who don't know his work?  But then for me it's not a good representation of his writing.  Where Gladwell shines for me is when he really gets his teeth into an issue or idea, as in his books 'Blink' or 'Outliers'.

Subjects here range from the fall of Enron to the dangers (or not) of pitbull type dogs.....quite an eclectic mix. 

It took me some time to read, and if I'm honest I did give up on some of the articles.  I have this in hard back, and much as I was looking forward to it (actually excited at the idea of a new Gladwell book!), I'm very pleased that I didn't pay full hard back price for it.

If you've not read anything by Gladwell, don't start here; if you've read his other work you'll probably enjoy this one - or at least parts of it!

Bought on Green Metropolis
May/June/July 2010

And now on Radio 4 - Simon Elmes

A Celebration of the World's Best Radio Station

I was bound to enjoy this book, as I'm a big fan of Radio 4 - when I'm at home there are various radios around the house tuned in (even if this does mean a strange affect from the delay of DAB radios).  I started listening in about 2002, I'd just finished university my partner at the time was a Radio 4 devotee, and along with reading The Guardian newspaper (which I also do, but did before too) it was the thing that archaeologists do.

Over the years since I've learnt so much from the station - I get my news, my current affairs, my knowledge and my entertainment from this station.  I don't have a television, so Radio 4 really is my window on the world.  So, this book gave me a history of the station that accompanies my every day.

Little stories from different presenters (particularly funny are the stories from Charlotte Green, who I've heard get the giggles on a number of memorable occasions), the programmes that have been on but didn't make it, the different controllers and the changes they've made to the running order and the programmes themselves - all add some depth and history to the programmes I listen to.

I've learnt how the schedule has changed substantially since the station began in 1967, how when it began there was a lot of music (now there is very little - as I write this I'm listening to Mozart on one of the few programmes which has been there since the beginning and still contains music - Desert Island Discs), how the wars in the Falklands and Iraq changed the face of the station (more news), and settling down of the schedule to what I know today.

I particularly enjoyed reading about The Archers (a guilty pleasure but not one I'm a slave to!), and my absolute favourite bit of the station (which I don't hear often) - The Shipping Forecast.

For anyone who enjoys listening to Radio 4 this programme is a must - I've already got a copy for Liz, might get one for Colin for his birthday.

Bought on Green Metropolis
August 2010

Look back in hunger - Jo Brand

The cover of this book has a quote from a newspaper I've always had my doubts about - and that should have been a warning, but I like the author and so bought it anyway.

'Moving and very funny' - The Times

I found myself wondering if the reviewer had read a different book, or if the publishers had cherry picked the words and what the critic had actually said was something along the lines of;

'Give Brand's comic talents this book could have been moving and very funny, but instead it was neither'

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy reading this, but at the end I was left feeling I wanted to know so much more, in fact I'm left feeling cheated and as if either Brand wrote the book just to make money, or because she was asked - certainly I felt not because she wanted to!

Very little is said about her family, nothing about her husband and/or children, and nothing at all about her friends and/or relationships except those long in the past.  The title seems just to play on the fact that Brand is what is known as a 'big girl' - but no discussion of this either really.

At one point Brand points out that she's actually very shy - and it certainly shows in this book; I feel cheated and left wondering how someone so obviously comically talented can write such a dull book - what a missed opportunity and a shame.

16th July 2010

Bought on Green Metropolis (and left in Cyprus!)

Burning Bright - Tracy Chevalier

It's a long time since I read a whole book in a day, but being on holiday with little else to do I guess I shouldn't be surprised!

As with the last book I read, I'd picked this one up at the resort and having enjoyed her book 'The girl with the pearl earring' thought I'd give this a try and I'm glad I did.

Although a totally fictional story, the way Chevalier writes of the past you know that historically it's accurate - and therefore they are interesting from a historical perspective as well as as a story.

This book is mainly set in Lambert, London in 1792/3.  Telling the story of a family who move from rural Dorset and struggle to fit in with their new surroundings and the differences between town and country and the people who enhabit both.

It tells of the troubles, enemies and friends (including the writer William Blake and his wife), and their involvement with a local circus.

I'm pretty sure that I have some of Chevalier's other novels, and I'm certainly going to read them- I'd forgotten how enjoyable and easy to read her writing style is.

Very quickly I cared about the characters, wanting to know what happens to them - and the description of the other periods in history are fascinating.  Certainly a good holiday read.

'borrowed' from the activity room of the Hylatio Tourist Village, Pissouri, Cyprus.
15th July 2010

The suspicions of Mr Whicher, or the Murder at Road Hill House - Kate Summerscale

As is often the case on holiday, I'd not taken enough books with me, so was looking around for something intelligent to read (eg. not a chick lit or detective pulp novel); when I noticed in the communal area of the resort this book.

I'd picked it up in bookshops in the past and it was on my Green Metropolis wishlist.  But it's certainly not what I'd expected it to be.  I'd thought it was a crime novel set in a country house in the 19th century a bit like Agatha Christie novels - and so it was, but not a novel.

The book is a true account of the murder of Saville Kent, a four year old boy in his family home; Summerscale uses court records, newspaper articles, police statements and other documents to tell the story of first the family, then the murder, the subsequent investigation, and then the after affect of the events on all those involved.

The Mr Whicher of the title was a celebrated detective who worked on the case (and many other famouse ones).

The book is fascinating in it's detail of 1860s life in rural Somerset, in police procedures of the time, and as a window on the lives of the middle classes - in particular the deferance and misguided respect afforded to them by the authorities (police and government).

Contemporary writers and other celebrated case are mentioned throughout - I will certainly be following up some of the leads!

'borrowed' from the activity room at Hylatio Tourist Village, Pissouri, Cyprus.

14-15 July 2010

The Devil in Amber - Mark Gatiss

It's hard not to like Lucifer Box, Secret Agent.

The second story of his daring-dos is set twenty years after the events of The Vesuvius Club, but lack none of the humour, shocks and scandal.

With devil worship, death and buggery throughout the book is certainly not for the faint hearted. 

Betrayed from within the service, and struggling to keep up with events, Box must stop evil facists from summoning the devil himself; and at the same time deal with his wayward sister.

I enjoyed this easy to read engaging sstory - the main character is so likeable, even if that does seem wrong!

I'm looking forward to the third book and hope that if they ever make a film or television adaptation out of them that they do them justice (and that the author plays Box!).

Bought in a charity shop in Stockport

12-13th July 2010

Don't Panic, Douglas Adams and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Neil Gaiman

The late Douglas Adams (DNA) was a genius - famous for missing deadlines (hence the 'late'), famous for his wonderful Hitchhikers trilogy (not a trilogy), and now famous for having died young and at the height of his talents (also hence the 'late').

I was introduced to his writing by my parents, but not as you'd expect with HHGTG, but with the little black book with 'this book will change your life' on the front cover - The meaning of Lif.  If you haven't read it stop reading this review now and go and find it immediately!

This review isn't of a Douglas Adams book - it's a of a book about him, but not a biography as such.

Neil Gaiman (another genius and fav author of mine), was obviously a friend and admirer of DNA.  This book by Gaiman tells the stories of how DNA came to write; mainly HHGTG, but also his lesser known novels (Dirk Gently), the travel/environmental collaboration with Mark Carwardine, Lif (with John Lloyd) and all the numourous Hitchhikers spin offs (the books, game, tv programme, radio sequels etc).

If you are a DNA fan this is a must read; if you aren't a fan I'd say don't bother - a working knowledge of his writing is essential.  Gaiman tells stories, quotes others involved and also collects together scenes and episodes not published before or cut from the original radio series.

Obviously written before DNAs untimely death, I wonder how Gaiman would finish it now?

Bought on Green Metropolis
7th - 11th July 2010

The Vesuvius Club - Mark Gatiss

Mr Lucifer Box Esq is a portraitist, dandy, wit, rake, and his majesty's most dashing secret agent.  When something is wrong in the empire he's the man for the job.....especially if it involves a mixture of both ends of the social scale!

I love the writing style of this book, in the vain of Oscar Wilde, but perhaps with a bit more buggery that Wilde was able to get away with (much as he might have liked to!) - how things have changed!

Mr Box is not a likeable person, yet it's had not to like him!  He's selfish, arrogant, shocking and generally a cad - but people are obviously drawn to him, just as I was whilst reading.  I wonder how much of the character is based on the author?

The story centres around the deaths of some prominent vulcanologists, and Box is despatched to find out 'whodunnit' - so it's a detective novel, of a sort.

If you are easily offended don't read the Lucifer Box books (there are three so far), but if you can cope with buggery, murder and high fashion this books is a great read, easy and funny.

Bought on Green Metropolis.

June 2010

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, who played with fire, who kicked the hornets nest - Steig Larsson

Firstly I should say that I didn't 'read' these three books, I listened to them on audio CD.  I've always had a problem with books that contain a lot of foreign words and names, and since the original language of these was Swedish I knew I'd struggle to keep up with the characters.

So, I bought the abridged versions (10 CDs each, unlike the unabridged which would have taken me forever to get through!), and started listening to them in the car......sometimes staying in the car long after the journey had ended to keep listening!

All three stories centre around two main characters; a journalist named Mikael Blomkvist, and a troubled, goth teenage computer hacker called Lisbeth Salander, and all are thrillers but with slightly different focuses; the first is a murder mystery, the second and third build on the theme with international crime and politics brought in for good measure!

I don't want to give the stories away, but I'd certainly say read them in order.  The first is sort of 'stand alone', and it's would be possible to read the second and third together; but the whole trilogy works so well, and the stories all come together so well it would be a shame to miss that dimension.

One thing I will say is that they are not for the faint hearted, there is violence (lots of it), and explicit sex, most of it violent.  But don't let that put you off.

The characters are great, you come to care for them, and Salander is like no other book heroine I've ever come across before – victim and heroine at the same time.

The shame of these books is the fact that the author died (suddenly and very young) just after delivering the last one to his publisher – so he never got to see the success, and we'll never get to read another story by him.

Inevitably they've been made into films, with the first and second already out – I want to see them, but haven't had the opportunity yet.  Of course they are unlikely to live up to the books, but should still be enjoyable none-the-less.  I'm sure that the character of Salander will pop up again!

Bought on Amazon - CD Audio books
April - May 2010

Who moved my Cheese? - Dr Spencer Johnson

'An amazing way to deal with change in your work and in your life'

The cover alone would have put me off reading this little 'self help' book, with endorsements by various newspapers and big bold text telling me that it's sold over 24 million copies!  But about four people at work had been singing it's praises....and it's only very short.

So short in fact that it only took me about an hour to read - more of an article than a book.

The basic premise of the book is that it uses a short parable about four characters in a maze looking for cheese to show how we can better deal with change in our lives.

So, learn how you deal with change, which one of the characters you are and how you can change to be one of the others - very few of us are one of the two mice; Sniff who sniffs out change early, or Scurry who scurries into action.  Many more of us are more like one of the Littlepeople; Hem, who denies and resists changea he fears it will lead to something worse; or like Haw, who learns to adapt when he sees that change to lead to something better.

A very interesting book, an excellent way of getting across a simple message, which really we all know - but fear!

15th June 2010

Lent to me by Gee.

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

One of my old work colleagues, a contact on Facebook, wrote a very short review of this book, and I realised that I already owned it!  I also realised that when I'd bought it, it was because I'd read an excellent review in The Guardian – so I thought I'd give it a go.

Jacob is now 90, or possibly 93, and living in a 'old people's home' somewhere in America; he's certainly got all his faculties even if his body is crumbling around him, and he can remember like yesterday his life after jumping aboard a traveling circus during the prohibition period (1920s).

Sara Gruen skillfully mixes the experiences and memories of Jacob, whilst telling the story of his life after both his parents are killed and he is left with no option but to try his luck with the circus.

At points during the book I found myself wondering if it was a true story (it's not, although many elements are taken from real circus history in the United States).  The love story between Jacob and one of the performers is wonderful, and dangerous all at the same time and the uncertainty of the outcome is kept up until very near the end.

As Jim said, this book is the type that you think about afterwards, that you wonder about going back to and reading your favourite sections – I'm looking forward to seeing what Gruen writes next (I know she's written some other books, but none like this I don't think).

I should just mentioned that if you are thinking of reading this you do so soon, as it is currently being made into a film (when I say 'currently', I do actually mean that filming has started).  It will be massive, as it stars one of the main actors from the Twilight series, but despite that I think they'll probably do a good job (not that I think that Robert Pattinson is a bad actor, just that I think that he will overshadow the film) – the book certainly lends itself to the visual.

June 2010
Bought on Green Metropolis.

It's not what you think - Chris Evans

Although I liked The Big Breakfast (which Mum was addicted to!), and TFI Friday; and thought Chris Evans was great, I never liked him on the radio.

Perhaps as the first radio I was aware of him doing was Radio 1, I thought he was purile and childish, certainly too 'shouty' for Radio 2!  When he first arrived on the drivetime programme I refused to listen.

But I've grown to love his humour and zaniness, and now really miss his evening show (can't even bring myself to listen to Simon Mayo), and rarely get to listen to his morning programme (I'm either not in the car or I'm engrossed in the Today programme on Radio 4).

So, when Liz offered to lend me his autobiography I was mildly interested, but it had to be well written and in a style I could read.

I need not of worried, from the beginning I was enjoying reading about Chris's life and how the roller coaster got started.  In fact reading it I realised how, as a listener to his shows I already felt that I knew him, in a 'mate' kind of way.  But reading the book I realise that's how he really is, he is one of those people who are genuinely open and friendly to all - and I'd say that one of the things that make him such a good broadcaster.

In true DJ style he starts each chapter with a top 10, usually something from his life, but sometimes information he wants to share.

Unlike many autobiographies, this isn't a kiss and tell, in fact Chris is terribly nice about everyone!

Ending as he signs the deal to buy Virgin Radio, means that I'll certainly be reading the next book, which I understand he's currently writing.

Lent to me by Liz

May 2010

The Island of the Colour-blind - Oliver Sacks

Having read and very much enjoyed his famous book 'The man who mistook his wife for a hat', I was pleased when Liz offered to lend me another Oliver Sacks book. 

Although more of a travel book, the writing style was easy and yet again I found myself please to be able to keep up and understand the concepts described.

Island of the Colour-blind is actually a documentation of two island trips made in the early 1990s, something Sacks admits in his preface. 

As you'd expect from a celebrated neurologist, the first trip is a study trip to the islands of Micronesia, and in particular to Pingelap.  The tiny atoll is home to an isolated group of people who suffer from hereditary colour blindness; achromatopsia.  Taking along with him a colleague who also suffers from the strange affliction, Sacks documents the ways the population deal with the lack of colour and inability to see at all in strong sunlight.  He looks at the scientific study that has taken place, and continues to do so.

The second trip is to the American territory of Guam, and again another disease - this time, Lytico-Bogig; but also finding time to take in some of his beloved cycads and ferns.  The Lytico-Bogig disease is another isolated disease, but this time cause is completely unknown, and with many patients there are completely different symptoms.

In comparison to the previous Sacks book that I read, this one was as engaging or as enjoyable.  Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it but not as much.  It seemed very ephemeral, and lacking in detail or substance; I was left wanting more information about the sufferers of the two diseases, and certainly would have liked more about the cycads (including more pictures).  I ended up on the internet looking for much more detail about much of it.

Perhaps this due to the fact that this is 'from the major television series', and I suspect a bit of an after thought.  Shame, it could have been so much more.

Lent to me by Liz Jones
May 2010

The good man Jesus and the scoundrel Christ - Philip Pullman

I'm a fan of Phillip Pullman - not just his writing (His Dark Materials books although written for children are excellent), but also of his atheist stance (and his outspoken views).

So it was obvious that I'd be getting this book, and I knew that John would want to read it too.  It's not long, and is part of a series of books written by 'the world's finest authors', each a retelling of a well known myth.

I guess there will be those who do not regard the life of Jesus Christ to be a 'myth', but I've always believe it to be so or at least a story that could (or could not) be based on fact.  As the back cover proclaims in large letters 'THIS IS A STORY.'

Even if you've never read a bible story or heard any Christian parables I know that you'll have at least a vague knowledge of the life of Jesus, this book retells the stories but with a twist - Jesus Christ was not one man, but actually two brothers; Jesus and Christ.  The story tells of their birth to Mary and Joseph (in a stable), their lives and ultimately the death - as I said you'll know the story.

As you can see this book only took me two days to read, it's a short story essentially.  But it's well written and one thing can't be denied, Philip Pullman knows his bible and can tell a good story!  It's interesting and well written, and the Christian Pullman haters will be surprised to know that it's made me want to read the story in the bible - although I think I know it, it's been a long time since I went to church or read any religious writing.

The book is controversial, but not in that it denegrates or distorts the story of Jesus Christ, more that it chooses to put forward a different possible version of events - well it's been a long time!  One thing that Pullman makes very clear is to highlight the misinterpretation and misuse of these stories - even possibly by those who were closest to the protagonists. To be honest I'm not sure about the meaning of the title, and wonder if it wasn't thought up just to get attention?

Bought on Amazon

19th-20th April 2010

A Book of Silence - Sara Maitland

I'm not sure why I wanted to read this book, I think I must have read a review somewhere... it seems an unlikely choice for me as it's a memoir by a religious feminist!  But when I came up on Green Met I decided to buy it - a bargin as I got the hard back edition.

The other weird thing about this book is the feeling I have that somewhere, sometime I've met the author - or maybe I just think I have... very strange.

Sara Maitland is a novelist who over the last few years seem to have been slowly withdrawing from society in search of silence - silence in which to immerse herself for prayer amongst other things.  This books tells of her journey, including trips to places associated with silence (deserts, woods, hermitages, hillsides and mountains), her reading of books and poetry which discuss silence,  and her gradual realisation that she needs to withdraw from the noise and pace of modern life.

There are many different silences, and ways of being silenced.  Some enforced (solitary confinement, exile, etc), but many others chosen (retreats, withdrawal, etc).

She describes her different experiments with silence; sitting in the desert, walking in the mountains, living in a remote cottage on Skye for 40 days.  She explores other people who have written about and experienced silence - mainly nuns, monks and religious followers (not just Christian like herself).

All in all I'm not sure I enjoyed the book, although for some reason I kept reading.  It's made me think about silence and the noise we are continuously surrounded by, but it's also made me realise that although I enjoy my own company I'm rarely 'silent' in the way that Sara means.

She ends by telling how she partly manages to find the silence she needs, but how even then it won't (and can't) be total.

Green Metropolis

28th March - 17th April 2010

Postscript: as I finished reading this book a strange silence of the skies had occurred across most of Europe. A volcano in Iceland was erupting and the resulting dust cloud had forced the grounding of all flights - therefore the skies were clear of contrails, and those below free from the constant rush of aircraft noise.

A million little pieces - James Frey

Is this book a work of fiction? Or is it a true account of the recovery of a drug and alcohol addict?  Does it matter if it's true or not?

When Tamsin lent me this book I was vaguely aware of it, but didn't know that the writer had upset rather a lot of people - not least Oprah Winfrey.  It seems that the book was published as a 'memoir', but the author has subsequently admitted that whilst the majority of the content is true life, much of it was elaborated on for dramatic effect.

But does this matter? and does it take away from the quality of the writing and the story - NOT FOR ME.  

I really enjoyed this book, it was heart breaking in parts, brutal, and eye opening, the writing style is great and really suits the subject matter.  It follows the author through rehabilitation in a clinic; at the age of 23 he is, in his words, 'completely fucked up' - one more drink, or drug episode will probably kill him - his only option is to get clean.

What follows are some very graphic descriptions of detox, a retelling of some of the parts of his life that led him to where he found himself, and some stories of those he finds with him in treatment.

For me I think it quite possible that actually the backlash against this book might have been fuelled by the fact that it's uncomfortable reading for those who are trying to help those with addictions.  Frey completely rejects the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous - but still manages to get clean.

If it's true it's an amazing story; if it's fiction it's still an amazing story - one that made me laugh, wince at the descriptions of pain and astounded me with moments of tenderness, it even made me cry at one point.

I've ordered the follow-up, I hope it's as good - and I don't care if it's true or not!

Given to me by Tamsin

14 - 27 March 2010

Alice's adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

Unusually for me, I've actually read this book before - many years ago.  It's a short but enjoyable read, so I thought I'd sneak it into my reading before going to see the new Tim Burton film.

Despite the fact that this book was written in 1865 it really does stand the test of time - Wonderland is a place for any era.  I don't think I need to recount the story here - if you don't know it, you've been living in a hole for some time!  So many of the motifs and themes from the book have found their way into everyday life - the Cheshire Cat, Curiouser and Curiouser, Drink Me and of course the Red Queen.

I'll just to leave with one of my favourite poem/songs from the book -

Twinkle twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you're at!
Up above the world you fly,
Like a tea-tray in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle.....

If you've seen the film now read the book, if you haven't seen the film yet, read the book first (and yes I know that the film is a 'sequel' to the book, but it's always good to go back to the original).

If you are a fan of the tales of Alice I can also highly recommend, 'Automated Alice' by Jeff Noon, or 'The Looking Glass Wars' by Frank Beddor.  One book I'm very keen to get is 'Alice in Sunderland'.

10th - 13th March 2010

Bought secondhand in the National Trust Head Office Building (Heelis), Swindon!

The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman

Nobody lives in the graveyard........except someone does, and his name is Nobody (Bod for short).  

After his parents are murdered, Bod finds himself growing up within the confines of the graveyard, protected by those who come to love him - even if they've been dead for many years.  Bod is raised by the ghosts who enhabit the graveyard, and watched over by a guardian, Silas (neither dead nor alive he is able to leave the graveyard to get food and clothing for young Bod).

The story tells of Bod's childhood, his friends and family within the graveyard, and the slow dawning that there is a world outside the gates that one day he (as living person) will have to re-enter.

I really enjoyed this book, which wasn't much of a surprise as I've enjoyed other Neil Gaiman books (particularly American Gods).  However this was the first of his children's books that I've read.  We gave it to my step-daughter for christmas, and after she'd read it she insisted that we did too!

The story is original and imaginative, and despite the obvious potential for gloom (Bod's parents murdered in the first few pages, and 90% of the story set in a graveyard!), the book is uplifting and fun.

As a quick and enjoyable read I'd certainly recommend it, I have Coraline to read at some point too, but think that will actually be even darker!

March 2010

Lent to me by Caitlin.

Howards End is on the landing, a year of reading from home - Susan Hill

When Susan Hill describes her house it sounds a little like mine - not that mine is a large farmhouse in the Cotswolds, as hers is - full of books, books in every room.  And many of them either unread, or not read for many years.

Whilst looking for a book amongst the hundreds Hill realises that there are many that deserve revisiting, or in some cases, visiting for the first time.  So she embarks on a year of reading the books that she already owns instead of buying new ones.

I could easily do this with the books in my house, and I've thought it doing so many times - but then I think about what I'd miss!  Anyway, this is the reason I liked the idea of this book.

Hill takes you through the books of her childhood, reminises about the authors she's known, the places she's been and the associations that many of the books have for her.  She reads popup books, childrens book, novels, non-fiction, biographies and short stories - many of the authors are familar to me, but few of them I've actually read.

Despite the fact that Susan Hill and I are obviously from a different generation of readers, and she has a background steeped in reading (studying English Literature at Kings College), I still found the wander around her house of books interesting.

Although I'm sure she'd be disappointed to find that it didn't tempt me to go in search of many of the books she discusses; I did enjoy the style of the book and found it enjoyable to read.  I've never read a Susan Hill book; I believe there are many, I might try one of the crime thrillers........at some point (i've got no shortage of books that need my attention!)

Bought on Green Met.

A week at the airport – Alain De Botton

Despite my dislike of the expansion of airports, and the over use of cheap travel, I had been looking forward to reading this little book.   Not least as Terminal 5 is very much part of my history, despite never having been there – back in 2002 I worked for a few summer months on the large archaeological site which was to become Terminal 5, but at the time was a very loud patch of mud that still smelled of the sewage treatment works which were there before.

I've always been fascinated by transport hubs, airports, railway stations, bus stations – they are the best possible place for one of my favourite past-times – people watching!  Nowhere else is so fantastic for spying on the comings and goings (literally) of the general public.

I imagine that part of the reason the author took up the offer of spending a week with unlimited access to the airport and it's travelers had something to do with this.

Asked by BAA to spend a whole week solely within the confines of the airport; staying in an airport hotel, eating in airport restaurants and wandering at will.  He was given a desk at which to work, but also passes to go airside and into non-public areas – I'm jealous!

Using the process as titles for each section; arrivals, departures, etc – De Botton gives an entertaining and enlightening glimpse into a world that never sleeps.  Facts and figures are kept to a minimum, it's the human stories behind the luggage, vending machines and duty free shops that fascinate.

In a way it seems very brave of BAA to allow him free reign on what he wrote, even granting him an interview with the chief executive, Willie Walsh – something that De Botton admits wasn't as interesting to him as meeting the staff and customers.

The book in no way makes me want to visit T5, but it does confirm my interest in people watching!

Bought on Green Met.

The Secret History - Donna Tartt

It would spoil none of the enjoyment of this book to tell you that one of the main character 'Bunny', is murdered by his posh college friends about a third of the way through - the narrator (one of his 'friends') reveals this in the prologue.

To be honest, my one main gripe about the book is that it take so bloody long for them to get round to bumping him off, I'd began to give up hope!

Set in a fictional Ivy League college in the US, and narrated, years later, by one of the main protagonists, this is an astounding first novel - one I'm glad I made the effort to get into (it took a while).

A misfit group of classics students descend into drug and alcohol fuelled chaos, encouraged by their enigmatic tutor.  The story follows their time at the college, and the strange relationships and interactions between them.

John recommended this book, and it is excellent, however I did spend much of the beginning wishing that they'd just get on with  the inevitable murder.

What is most interesting is the way the author manages to make a dispicable act seem completely normal, natural and justified - as if it's perfectly acceptable for friends to murder and get away with it.

For me one of the weirdest aspects of the story wasn't the relationships, or the murder itself; but the complete timelessness of the story.  Not only were the characters ambiguous, but so was the time period in which the story was set.  Tartt gives few social markers, and I found myself searching the internet looking for a clue to when the action was supposed to have taken place.

Music is mentioned at times, but most of it obviously from the past.  Since the students are studying classics most of the references to culture are from the past, the long distant past (in time and geographical location).

I'm left with a yearning to know what happened to the students, and in particular the classics tutor - he obviously had an interesting back story - one that I'd love to read about.

26th January - 22nd February 2010

Recommended and lent to me by John.

Twilight and Philosophy, Vampires, Vegetarians and the Pursuit of Happiness - (ed.) Rebecca Housel & J Jeremy Wisnewski

I've always been interested in philosophy, not in an academic way, but the broad ethics and ideas involved; so this book certainly looked of interest.

Part of a series of philosophy and popular culture books, this volume draws together 18 articles from leading academics around the world to look at the philosophical themes within the Twilight series of books.

The articles are short and easy to read, and they certainly added depth to my reading of the Twilight series and their characters.

Themes such as whether immortality is something to be desired, what can the books tell us about god, is Carlisle really compassionate and the morality of Edward.

A number of the articles explore the theme of feminism in the Twilight books, even going so far as to discuss the similiarities between Bella Swan and Sarah Palin!

Actually when I stop to think about it Bella is very much not an empowered young woman; she moves to Forks so that her mother's new husband can move in, she has few interests or hobbies (other than Edward), she is able to walk away from her life both in Pheonix and Forks with no-one appearing to be bothered (friends?), and the only things she seems capable of doing are the laundry and cooking for her father - for everything else she asks a man (vampire or werewolf). It is as if Bella has no purpose or meaning except for that bestowed on her by the men who surround her.

As the article points out; her mother on seeing Bella and Edward together comments - 'the way you move - you orient yourself around him without even thinking about it ..... You're like a .... Satellite'.

I've never really been one to read 'notes' about books, or to study the stories in much depth, but these articles were really interesting and in my opinion added to my enjoyment and understanding of the series. I certainly came away from this book with a changed view of the characters that Stephanie Meyer's book - many of them not very flattering!

There are a number of philosophy and pop culture books available, I will be ordering some more (House, Alice in Wonderland, and possibly The Simpsons!).

Bought in Blackwells
12 - 26th January 2010

Last Chance to See - Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine

So, for the first book of the year I decided on something reasonably light, but also informative and interesting - not to mention extremely funny (Adams' writing, not the subject matter which is, of course, very serious). I've been meaning to read this book for years but never quite got round to it. I haven't seen the recent BBC programmes by Stephen Fry and Mark Carwardine revisiting some of the species from this book - but it's on my Amazon wishlist now!

The basic premise of the book is that a writer and a zoologist travel around the world visiting very endangered species in order to make a radio programme (for the BBC) and raise the profile of the animals in danger.

Animals such as the giant Komodo dragon of Indonesia, the helpless, flightless kakapo of New Zealand (the descriptions of their mating techniques had me crying with laughter!), the white rhinos of Zaire and the blind river dolphins of the Yangtze River in China (which they never did get to see, and I'm sorry to say now never will).

I've always been a fan of Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is one of the few books I've read more than a few times, and The Meaning of Liff is a work of genius. Although the book is obviously about the loss of species across the world, and the fact that humans are to blame for the plight that many find themselves in; this book is more of a travel journal recounting the trials and tribulations met by Douglas Adams and Mark Carrardine as they try to visit the animals.

The book has also certainly met one of it's aims, my interest has been sparked enough to make me go and look for further information on each of the animals featured.

Had in my library for sometime (think it might belong to an ex-boyfriend!)
1st - 7th January 2010

At the beginning of last year I decided to keep a record of the books I read, so that I could count them and also see what the breakdown would look like. So I set up this blog to record them.

I actually had no idea how many books I was reading (although I knew it wasn't as many as a few years ago when I was getting through at least one a week), and also I wanted to review them (partly so that I could remember them!).

So, since January last year I've read 26 books, above shows that the majority were fiction (17), below shows a genre breakdown. Remember that some books fall into more than one catagory.

Now, I must point out that the 'teen' and 'vampire' books are one and the same, and they predominate as I've read two 'series' of books, namely Twilight and the Sookie Stackhouse novels - both very different!

I've really got into popluar psychology and will be exploring more of that this year. I think I'll leave off the vampires for a while, and I want to try some more autobiographies too (not a genre I've read before).

John says that I'm being completely anal about this, but I think it's really interesting - and a natural extension of my blog and reading.

If you are interested at all there is also my LibraryThing, a great cataloging site for book lovers.