Tuesday 20 December 2011

Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegurt


I guess this has been on my 'to read' list for many years, for some reason I just didn't seem to get round to it.  Maybe the subject of war put me off, I can't cope with reading about war it really upsets me and so I tend to avoid books about it.  Or maybe it was the title, although I knew the subject wouldn't scare me - the title does make it sound like a horror.

I did worry that it wouldn't be an enjoyable read (although that isn't a reason not to read something) - I was wrong.

In a bookshop just before Christmas I gave in and on the spur of the moment bought it (crazy really as I'm sure that it can be found on the web for only a penny, or in a secondhand bookshop for a couple of pounds!).

Telling the story of Billy Pilgrim we follow him during his world war two experiences, his life before and after the war, his time as a POW, and as an alien abductee....yes, it's a strange little book!

Obviously very anti-war, it centres around the night of the bombing of Dresden, and Billy's time travelling around this point in his life.

In all honesty it's hard to describe this book, it's an easy read and the main character is engaging and interesting, you really do want to know what will happen to him next. 

I'm glad I got round to it, if I have any criticism of it, it's that it's too short.

19th - 20th December 2011

Friday 7 October 2011

THEM: adventures with extremists - Jon Ronson

Did you know that there are lots of people who believe that the world is controlled by a group of leaders of commerce and government from across the world, all of whom are either Jews or giant green lizards......that's what many people think.

They think that this group meet regularly to plot to rule the world. Ronson spent a year with the believers in these plots and conspiracies, the people who truly believe that there is a secret world order, including members of the Ku Klux Klan.

He goes searching for evidence of the secret meeting places, especially in expensive five star hotels across the world. It took me a while to get into this book, but the writing style is easy and his descriptions of the nutters (although he never calls them that of course) is great, but to be honest it just didn't grab me, perhaps it would have made a better film or television programme?

Maybe some of it is true, I'm none the wiser!

September 2011

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K Hamilton

I had high hopes for this book, there seem to be loads in the series (15 plus) so finding a new author would have been good.......but it wasn't to be.

The story is told in the first person by Anita Blake 'Vampire Hunter' - but I hated her! She has no likeable characteristics and by the end I was hoping that she would be skated instead of the vampires!

Firstly she seems to have an identity crisis - she's a Vampire Hunter, and someone who can raise the dead (eg. zombies) - but she doesn't seem that good at any of it.  She's scared of everything, and doesn't even know how to do the things you'd expect - like use a gun, pick a lock or quickly kill a vampire!?  She also doesn't seem to know much about vampires!

Secondly, she's just not a nice person in anyway - why would I be even vaguely interested in seeing her live to the end of the book?!

I thought the True Blood books were badly written, but at least the stories in those are well thought out, logical and the characters are great. Guilty Pleasures is supposed to be the first in the 'Anita Blake Vampire Hunter' series, but I still know little about her or what she does - there is no character descriptions, the book just launches into a half arsed story about Blake having to solve vampire murders - which incidentally I'd solved by 214 (a whole 120 pages before Blake worked it out!!).

Characters are introduced but are instantly forgotten as they aren't given enough description or background only to reappear later - which makes keeping track of things very difficult.

To say I thought this book was a disappointment is putting it mildly - it's shit!  Which is a shame as I friend gave me it, she'd enjoyed it and thought I would too.  I'm going to get a second opinion from someone I know who reads a lot of vampire teen novels.

Given to me by Bob
26th August - 12th September 2011

Thursday 25 August 2011

Welcome to Everytown - Julian Baggini

'A journey into the English mind' - says the cover, but to be honest I'm not convinced, unless the 'English mind' it means is the middle aged, male, liberal from the south.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this book but I'm not sure that it would have been quite so interesting if I hadn't had a vague idea of the places mentioned, and if I hadn't known that he makes some really sweeping generalisations about the average person in the UK.

The premise of the book is that Baggini decides to go and live in the 'most typical postcode in the country' - this is the area that had the closest match of household types to the country as a whole, the place that has the most typical mix of wealthy pensioners, struggling families, aspiring singles etc......and it turns out to be S66 in South Yorkshire.  Maltby near Rotherham in fact.

Although his thoughts on what the 'average' person eats, drinks, does for leisure, where they shop or go on holiday, or what car they drive are interesting, I have to admit to hoping for a bit more of an insight into the people he met and their views and lives.  Instead the book seems to be about him, his prejudices and stereotypical assumptions about working class northern England.

Of course the 'average' English man (or woman) doesn't exist, and anyway it's necessary to realise that despite the fact that Baggini spent six months there he really was only seeing things from the outside.  He didn't appear to work for a living so I can only assume that those he got to know were aware of his 'project', and of course he saw everything through the lens of a middle aged man............

He also seemed to compare Rotherham unfavourably with other places - but not on a like for like basis.  Rotherham is a small ex-industrial town - not a city or university town - like Bristol (where I think he came from).

In comparison to a book a read a few years ago, also looking at the poorer inhabitants of South Yorkshire - Below the Breadline, this book seemed to lack something for me, perhaps it was that I found it difficult to identify with the author - or perhaps it was that I couldn't shake the feeling that quietly he was looking down on those he lived amongst for six months.

Bought on Green Metropolis
1st - 25th August 2011

Sunday 31 July 2011

Fahenheit 451 - Raymond Bradbury

Montag lives with his wife, he's not contented in his marriage but seems satisfied with his job, he's a fireman.

But the world in which he lives is in the future (the book was written in 1953), and things are slightly different. People watch television screens the size of a whole wall - sometimes on all four walls, and books are banned.

Because they contain ideas that might influence the population, books are burnt, and it's the job of firemen like Montag to do the burning when they get the call about illegal books - but not just the books, but also the home of the owner.

But Montag starts to feel differently, and to question received wisdom, and his role as a fireman.

I've been meaning to read this book for years, I love books about books and I'm a bit of a closet sci-fi fan.

What really struck me about the story is how plausible the whole thing is, but also how even more scary real life is. It's unlikely that governments will ban books - after all if they are able to control their content that is a much better way of controlling the population. No, what is more likely is that the population are going to lose interest in books and reading - in favour of the giant tv screens that are almost like those in the book.

This was a short book, easy to read but a slow burn (every pun intended!), it took me a while to get into it.

I'm keen to see the film now, although I don't expect it to be as good as the book.

Bought from a book sale at Maltby Council offices.
19th - 31st July 2011




Saturday 25 June 2011

Ghostwritten - David Mitchell

His first book, but the second that I've read (after Cloud Atlas, which I loved). 

Nine chapters about different people across space and time, all subtly connected.  Since each chapter appeared to be a story in it's own right I think it fair to say that I enjoyed some more than others; just as I enjoyed some characters more than others.

In a way some of the stories I would like to have seen expanded slightly; the woman in the tea shack on the Japanese hillside, and the final futuristic chapter with the night-time DJ.

If you liked Cloud Atlas I can be pretty sure you'll like this book, but I still think Cloud Atlas was a better read in totality.

Borrowed off Liz Jones

10th - 25th June 2011

Friday 10 June 2011

The Bird Artist - Howard Norman

I picked this book up at the cottage we were staying in in France - not sure if under normal circumstances I'd have done so, but I did really enjoy it.

Set in Newfoundland around the turn of the century (19th - 20th) the story is told bey the main character, Fabian Vas, a bird artist. It's the story of his life, the lives of those who live in the small coastal village of Witless Bay, and in particular his confession of murder, and how it came to happen.

I know nothing about the location, or the place, but the descriptions were fascinating, and Fabian's story is compelling in a quiet understated way.

If I had a criticism of about the book it is more with the publisher than the author; it would have been a lovely addition, and in keeping with the story, to have included some drawings of the birds that are talked about - a missed opportunity.

Temporarily borrowed from 'The Old Bakehouse', Plaigne
9th -10th June 2011

Thursday 9 June 2011

Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde


I've been looking forward to this book for sometime, and had almost decided to purchase it in hardback when it became available in paperback and popped up on Green Metropolis.

Wow - it really was worth waiting for. Fforde has started, hopefully, a new series in a whole new world.

And this, for me, is where his genius lies. In his ability to create future or parallel worlds that are wholly believable, very recognisable, yet slight not 'right'.

Set far in the future, and as commented on in the blurb on the cover, with sting overtones of George Orwell's 1984 (one of my favourite books).

So, it's a love story between two people from different backgrounds, and the role of authority in the everyday lives of citizens. But a world based on colour, and people's ability (or not) to see certain colours.

Little details make this a joy to read. The world of colour hierarchies is based on a rule book, The Book of Munsell - fantastic! People are kept within their colour 'families' by the need not to dilute the colours, or mix up the palette.

I'm not going to give anymore detail about the story, but suffice to say, I LOVED this book and can't wait for the next one.

Bought on Green Metropolis
6th - 9th June 2011


Monday 6 June 2011

The True Deceiver - Tove Jansson

Tove Jansson is best known for her children's books about the Moonins, and I'd hazard a guess that most people would be surprised to learn that she wrote adult books.

I'm at a bit of a loss to describe this book; it appears to be about a woman and her brother's relationship with an older woman who is a children's book illustrator (it did cross my mind that it might be part biographical, but having finished it I think that's unlikely).

Like other Scandinavian novels I've read, and films I've seen, the author seems to feel no need to give her characters any depth, no history or back story.

I still don't understand (or really care if I'm honest) the motives for any of the things the characters do, or really what the book is about.

If I were to hazard a guess I'd say it's about truth, lies, deception and the gullibility of people.

I know that John enjoyed this book, but I'm not sure I'll be rushing to read another Tove Jansson book, having finished this I'm left feeling unsatisfied and with lots of unanswered questions.

Bought by John from Amazon.
21st May - 6th June 2011

Saturday 4 June 2011

Chasing the heretics - Rion Klawinski

In the summer of 1999 with my then boyfriend, Rob, we made a sort of pilgrimage to the Languedoc region in Southern France.

I say pilgrimage as for Rob it was. Having seen a Channel 4 documentary about the Cathars and their subsequent demise in the 13th century, he had decided to write a book about them; they were mainly based in the Languedoc region.

So returning here in 2011 I was keen to find out more, and also visit some of the sites and towns I'd been to previously.

On arrival I discovered a library of books in the house we'd rented. Amongst these was 'Chasing the heretics', lauded in the house visitors book as a 'good read' - I agree!

It's taken me 24 hours to read this part history and part travel journal around the region and story of the persecution and eventual eradication of the Cathars.

I knew the basics; of the glossy and unjust attack on Bram, of the blood thirsty land grabbing by Simon de Montfort, and the beliefs of the Cathars themselves.

In my first year at university I'd even written a short essay on the Albigensian Crusades - although it was probably completely crap!

But this book put much of it in order for me, and located it all in the landscape we were staying in on a recent trip to France.

The modern visits by Klawinski are interesting (despite to being that well written), and show how little remains of a very troubled time in the region. But the historical sections were of most interest to me - even if I am unsure of the academic rigour of what is written.

The book uses as it's main sources two books that I am aware of but haven't read - 'The Albigensian Crusades' by Jonathan Sumption (1978), and 'The Albigensian Crusades' by Joseph R Strayer (1971) - I wonder if anything has been written more recently?

It's fired my interest again, and I'm keen to visit some of the sites mentioned.

Borrowed from library of rented cottage in France.
3rd - 4th June 2011





Tuesday 31 May 2011

Lilian's Story - Kate Grenville

I came to this book after reading The Secret River, and I wasn't sure when I first starting reading, or even two thirds of the way through. But it was certainly worth persevering with.

The Lilian of the title comes from a moneyed, but obviously damaged family early in the last century. It tells of her life, the rejection of her role as a debutant, her decision to go to university, and her eventual life on the streets living in a storm drain, reciting Shakespeare to anyone who will listen.

I found myself caring for 'fat Lil', and hoping that she would find the happiness she so longed for.

Although slow to get going, this is a fascinating story told by Lil herself. It made me wonder if it was based on a true character or story?  I'm certainly going to be looking at other Kate Grenville books.

April - May 2011



Wednesday 13 April 2011

One Day - David Nicholls

Em and Dex, Dex and Em meet on the day of their graduation, too late in their university career for a relationship and anyway they are so mismatched it's unlikely to have lasted.

The One Day of the title refers to the author's method of telling the story of a near 30 year friendship between Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew.  Each chapter tells of St Swithen's Day (July 15th), the anniversary of the day the couple met.

But to me this isn't a love story, it's a story of how life doesn't ever go as you planned.

Many parts of Emma's life really struck a cord with me, and at points her friendship with Dexter reminded me of my friendship with Nigel (although Nigel and I have never actually taken it further than friendship).

But the observations of a woman in her 30s with no husband, children or career really hit home! I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to.

Bought in Doncaster library for 10p!
April 7th - 13th 2011 (in Spain)

Thursday 7 April 2011

True Grit - Charles Portis

If you've seen either the recent Coen Brothers film (and you should as it's excellent) or the original John Wayne film you'll know the story.

Fourteen year old Mattie hires a US Marshall, Roster Cogburn, to help her avenge the murder of her father.

In a time (mid 1800s) when women were very much homemakers, its interesting to read the story of how she sets of with Cogburn and a Texas ranger to catch (or kill) her man.

Written as if told by an older Mattie (in the 1920s) the voice is perfect and engaging, and despite knowing the story I was gripped from the beginning.

I read this book in one day (on holiday), it's a short read and the story is simple - the beauty is in the telling and the characters.

As the foreword by Donna Tartt indicates, it's a favourite of many (including Roahl Dahl), and I'd certainly agree.

Bought at Watford Gap Services
7th April 2011

Paranormality - Richard Wiseman

Yet again Richard Wiseman has written an interesting and engaging science book, unfortunately it's unlikely that those who really need to read and take note of the contents will get past the first chapter (how to cold read fortune tell).  Let alone read scientific explanations for out of body experiences, bending metal with mind power, speaking with the dead, hauntings, mind reading, foreseeing the future and talking mongooses!

This book is a skeptical look at the paranormal, and as such really is unlikely to be read by many believers in the supernatural.

As with his previous books I enjoyed the style and the frequent 'speaking' directly to the reader!  But I have to admit to being left wanting more from each chapter.  Wiseman has been studying these things for years and I'm sure there are more examples.

There is an accompanying website with added information and videos.  In fact throughout the book there are QR tags which link to short films and audio clips - although I currently don't have a phone capable of viewing them I will be visiting the site on my pc.

3rd - 7th April 2011 - whilst in Spain
Bought at WHSmiths at Watford Gap services.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

The earth hums in B flat - Mari Strachan

Gwenni lives in rural Wales sometime after the second world war, but before decimalisation (I spent a lot of the novel trying to figure out when), with her Mam, Tada and sister Bethan.

She often looks after the two children up the hill, but when their father is found floating in the local reservoir Gwenni thinks that the police are on the wrong track, and wonders why her mam is so disturbed by the whole thing.

Oh yes, and Gwenni can fly - mostly in her sleep, unlike when she was younger and could fly when awake.

This book was slow and relaxed, yet enjoyable in a calming way. I'd like to have known when it was set, given it was very rural Wales the cultural clues were little help!

I enjoyed the voice of Gwenni telling the story, and the depictions of the reactions to the events in the small community, in fact I'd like to know what happened afterwards.

As a first novel, which this was, it was impressive - well worth picking up for a relaxing read.

I can't remember where I got it!
Late February to early March 2011

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Definitely Dead - Charlaine Harris

I think I might have skipped a book, but it doesn't really matter - vampire trash is vampire trash!

Yet again I've enjoyed one of the stories about Sookie Stackhouse, yet again it was essentially crap!

This time Sookie and her new boyfriend (a were-tiger!!) are dragged into a war involving supernaturals, she's attacked, beaten up, abducted and almost killed - why does she continue to hang out with these creatures?

If she was real there is no way she'd stick around for all the beatings she's taken, even if her body was able to take it (she doesn't seem to exercise at all except for working in the bar - which she doesn't seem to do much of).

Despite the fact at these books and the story lines seem to be getting more and more implausible, I'll continue reading, if only to see what the author comes up with next!

Finished 16th February 2010
Bought from The Book People




Sunday 6 February 2011

Far from the sodding crowd - Robin Halstead, Jason Hazeley, Alex Morris, Joel Morris

This is a sequel to the equally entertaining 'B**locks to Alton Towers', being a list and explanation of some of the more unusual and eccentric places to visit in the British Isles.

I'm pleased to say that I've even visited a number of them already (Papplewick Pumping Station, the Witchcraft Museum and the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale).

But I honestly don't think there will ever be a shortage of these places to visit - they are so typically English in their eccentricity!

On my list of must visit places are the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising; the Bakelite Museum, Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee, and Fitzpatrick's Temperance Bar.

The writers don't take the piss, they highlight the best and silliest parts of each attraction, and why they are a must visit.

Although I borrowed this from the library I'll be buying a copy for myself to go with e earlier edition. I hope that I'm not too busy to visit some of the places mentioned as this was published in 2007.

Borrowed from Sheffield Central Library
6th February 2011


Saturday 5 February 2011

The Adventuress - Audrey Niffenegger

I've read both of her novels, and had been aware that she'd written some graphic novels earlier in her career so when a saw this in the library i had to take it out.

Although to be honest, it's so sparse that I could have stood in the library and read it in about five minutes!

Each double page spread has a few words of text opposite a excellent illustration. They tell the story of a created girl who is abducted, gives birth to a cat, turns into a moth, and ..... No I won't spoil the story, but needless to say it's extremely weird!

I was left wondering what was happening in the authors life to bring on these disturbing images.

Borrowed from Sheffield Central Library
5th February 2011

The Iron Wagon - Jason

Today I went to a demonstration against the cuts at the Central Library in Sheffield, and as part of that event I took out a load of books, this was one of them.

A short graphic novel based on a Norwegian classic detective story first published in 1909.

Although if I'm honest I found the plotting rather sparse (perhaps that is typical of Scandinavian fiction?), I did enjoy the story and the illustrations were great.

Jason (no second name) draws animals and birds instead of people, but walking upright and wearing the costumes of the period. I will look out for some of his other books, and hope the story lines are a little more dynamic.

5th February 2011
Borrowed from Sheffield Central Library

Monday 31 January 2011

Room - Emma Donoghue

The sleeve notes of this book include a quote from Audrey Niffenegger saying 'is a book to read in one sitting' - how right she is! I couldn't afford the time to read it in one sitting, but I did read it in two days, and found it very hard to put it down.

I guess the main thing that kept me hooked was the narrative, the story is told by Jack, a five year old who, with his mother is kept captive in Room. 'Ma' was abducted by 'Old Nick' as a teenager, and later gives birth to Jack.

All Jack knows is the world inside Room, but just after his fifth birthday 'Ma' admits that what he sees on the TV is real, and that they have to escape.

I couldn't stop reading, the early part of the book deals with Jack's descriptions of life in Room, followed by their escape and subsequent re-establishment into society.

If I have one criticism it is that the escape was too easy, and fast; but that does not detract from the novel or my enjoyment. The fact that its loosely based on the Josef Fritzl case in Austria, meant little to me as I didn't follow the case, but having now read about it on the web I can see the similarities.

This book is compelling, read it.

January 2011
Bought in Waterstones.

Sunday 16 January 2011

Miss Smilla's feeling for snow - Peter Hoeg

My Dad read and enjoyed this book back in the mid 90s, I know this because not only did he lend me his copy (which I still have), but because the book mark he used is still inside printed with a competition with the closing date of 1995.

Knowing that I had enjoyed reading thrillers before, he had recommended this, but I never could 'get into it'. It's sat on various bookshelves ever since.

The current fashionability of Scandinavian crime fiction made me go looking for this book, the first to come to the UK and be successful.

Although I did finish it this time, it's taken a while and I'm still not convinced it lived up to all the hype. But it did keep me reading nonetheless.

I've always had a problem following story lines in which I'm unable to pronounce the names of the characters, I find myself skim reading the names and then can't work out what is going on. This certainly happened at points, as well as getting a bit lost in the plot half way through.

The story starts with the death of a young boy who lived next door to Miss Smilla, a death that the police believe is an accident, but which due to her feeling for snow, Miss Smilla knows was something more.

By the end of the book Smilla is running around on a ship in the Arctic, trying to work out where it is going and fighting with baddies!

I'm at a loss to see why the book won a crime novel literary prize, it's not so much a crime novel, as the story of a woman who is bored with life and has lost her way. The descriptions of the different types of snow and ice start off interesting, but after a while become almost overwhelming. The reasons and circumstances of the boys death become lost and irrelevant so that by the end I no longer cared. In fact I found the end to be rather abrupt and very unsatisfying - like Hoeg couldn't work out or decide where to go next, so just stopped.

Lent by (and subsequently inherited from) my father.
Mid December 2010 - 16 Jan 2011