Dear Fatty – Dawn French

The only problem with reading an autobiography is that afterwards you are left with the feeling that you know the person really really well. Bob forbid I ever bump into Dawn French when shopping in the Co-op, I’d have so much I wanted to discuss.

Although it’s not very likely, as the sleeve notes, she lives in Cornwall with a bloke called Len and a daughter called Bill. Despite the fact that this is an autobiography – very little ‘detail’ is given about her life now, or the people in it.

The whole book takes the form of a series of letters to various people who have some meaning to her; ex-boyfriends, the BF (best friend, whose name is never revealed), Lenny Henry (the letter to her husband is truly a love letter), Fatty (Jennifer Saunders) and of course her family.

Through reminiscences we hear about her early life, with the suicide of her father when she was a teenager, her boarding school, college (learning to be a teacher), and the various people she met and worked with along the way.

Throughout the book it was obvious how much she misses her father, but also how she’s been lucky enough to have been surrounded by some wonderful friends and family. Many of the letters are hilarious retellings of incidents, some are even jokes themselves, many more are extremely moving – particularly the letter to ‘Scotty’ telling the story of his death from AIDS and the subsequent ‘scattering’ of his ashes in New York – this one had me howling with laughter and crying at the same time!

I’ve never been a follower of ‘celebrity’, so for me this was just a book about someone who is living an interesting life. I’ve not read many other autobiographies or biographies – but maybe I will do now, but only if they are as engaging and entertaining as this one – it will be a hard act to follow.

Bought on Green Metropolis
29th August - 10th October 2009

Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer

I was going to wait, but I couldn't....then I was going to take my time ready it (even reading something else at the same time), but I didn't!

The third book in the Twilight series sees Edward back in Bella's life full time, but with the complication of her close friendship with Jacob Black. It must be very difficult being so close to two men, both with very complicated 'conditions' - not to mention the fact that their types are sworn enemies.

But nearby Seattle is being ravaged by a spate of mysterious killings, and it looks like someone, or something is coming after Bella again.....well, she does attract them! The two factions must work together to destroy a common foe - before it manages to find Bella.

The interaction between the reserve at La Push and the Cullen family is great, I have to admit to loving reading about Alice, the vampire who loves to arrange parties and organise!

Only one more book to go, but I'm forced to wait as it's not out in paperback yet. It will do me good!

Bought on Green Metropolis 12th-27th September 2009

New Moon - Stephenie Meyer

Given how much I enjoyed the first book in the series, it's not surprising that I moved directly on to the sequel.

Although not quite as 'grabbing' as the first, this book was equally as enjoyable, and only took me three days to read - I really should ration myself a little more!

With Edward gone Bella doesn't know what to do with herself, this is much more of a loss than is normal for teenage love - she feels it so strongly that for a time she is unable to function normally and just wanders through life like a zombie.

Until she is re-acquainted with Jacob, and a friendship that starts to rebuild her shattered life.

But as you'd expect, Bella can't choose anyone simple to be friends with.....and Jacob turns out to be as dangerous a friend as Edward was.

I'm amazed at how good these books are, and sorry that they don't seem to have made the cross over to adult reading in the same way that the Harry Potter or His Dark Materials books did. The third in the series has arrived, but I'm going to take a break and read something else first - or at least that's the plan.....

Bought on Green Metropolis. 8th-11th September.

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

I can't get over how much I enjoyed this book - I really couldn't put it down! Seriously, I was reading it in traffic queues and supermarket toilets!

The basic storyline of the book is a love story between two teenagers - it just so happens that one of them is a vampire!

When Bella moves in with Charlie (her dad) and starts at a new school she makes a few friends, but she soon notices the mysterious Edward - and he notices her. Despite being warned by various people they do start a relationship - with all the problems associated with the fact that he has to control his bloodlust when he's with her.

It's hard to put my finger on why this book was so compelling, it's written for teenagers so is easy to read - maybe that's why I read it in only a few days!

Part one of four, so more to come!

Bought on Green Metropolis. 31st August - 2nd September

Danny the Champion of the World - Roald Dahl

You won't be surprised to hear that this is not the first time I've read this book, I don't know how old I was when I first devoured the Roald Dahl books, but I'd reckon it was when I was about 9 or 10 years old.

I've always enjoyed reading, and therefore it was only natural that I'd read all of his books, Danny was first published in 1975, my copy is a Penguin edition and therefore published in 1977 - so it wasn't long afterwards that I came to it.

The story of a boy and his father, their simple life together in an old gypsy caravan, and their amazing adventure on the wrong side of the law!! Simple days when poaching was fun and everyone from the local doctor to the village bobby was in on the act!

Roald Dahl books are timeless, and although the story is simple - no sub-plots or even much back story - it's compelling and so well written that the book is difficult to put down (and that's when I already knew the story!). Danny and his father come up with a wonderful plan to get their own back on the local nasty landowner - and get some scrummy dinner at the same time!

I'd recommend this book to anyone, of any age. Great for children, but still wonderful for anyone who likes a nice simple engaging story.

The other nice thing is that something that I remember with such fondness from my childhood has completely stood the test of time, it's as good as I remember it being - and how often does that happen?

17th - 21st July 2009

The spend less handbook - Rebecca Ash

365 tips for a better quality of life while actually spending less.

This book looked interesting, save money and have a better quality of life - I'll go with that!

But I have to admit it was a bit of a disappointment, although the opening chapters about happiness and the pursuit of more 'things' was interesting the main body of the book - the 365 tips - was quite frankly un-original, and in many way unhelpful.

Maybe it's me. We I live a relatively frugal life, we rarely eat out or visit the theatre/cinema, we don't buy expensive ready meals or eat take aways, all our clothes are from charity shops and we don't allow supermarkets and big stores to fool us into thinking that BOGOFFs are good value.

So, although there are lots of ideas very few of them are new to me - and to be honest short of taking up the advice to jack it all in and go and live in another country (which without a job would be more difficult in my opinion), there is little that this book can tell me.

If you are already careful with your money and don't waste cash on extravagances there is little here for you.

Just to give a flavour of the advice: -

• make a shopping list and stick to it
• don't buy on credit
• avoid branded goods
• mend and make do
• don't live in London
• renovate don't replace
• cut up credit cards
• get an extra job
• plan to work for longer
• don't give adult children too much money
• turn down the thermostat
• line-dry your clothes
• shower don't bathe
• don't travel first class unless you really have to
  

What makes me laugh is that this book was so obviously written for 'young wealthy Londonites' who have fallen on hard times, with suggestions such as 'a friend of mine got so fed up with paying £40 a month for a haircut that he shaved it all off' or 'be aware that branded goods - such as Diesel jeans, Elle MacPherson underwear or Jamie Oliver saucepans - are manufacturers ways of getting you to spend a fortune on things that cost a small amount to make'.

Does any man REALLY pay £40 a month for a haircut, and do people REALLY feel that having Jamie Oliver saucepans will make their cooking better?

No, this book had potential but for me didn't really live up to it. Shame.

Bought on Green Metropolis. 5th to 13th July 2009

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austin & Seth Grahame-Smith

Now I like a good classic; 20,000 leagues under the sea, Dracula, Count of Monte Cristo....but the Austen novels have never held any appeal to me. Girlie twaddle in my opinion. I've tried the films but the characters are annoying and the plots are just moronic.

Sorry if that offends anyone, and I know it's controversial, but it's the way I feel. But when I spotted 'P&P&Z' in book shop I saw the chance to read one of these classics, but with added 'all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem' as it states on the cover.

It's great! Austen's novel remains (I believe) but Grahame-Smith has subtly added the zombie action. Mrs Bennet is still searching for husbands for her daughters, all of whom are trained in the ancient arts of combat; Mr Darcy is still as arrogant as ever - but a dab hand with a sword and not scared of beheading any unmentionables who wander across his path; and the endless balls, parties and teas still take place, when not interrupted by zombies breaking into the kitchen and eating the brains of the household staff.

Of course Elizabeth hates Mr Darcy, feeling that she "must avenge her honour ... She meant to follow this proud Mr Darcy outside and open his throat.", a threat she does not have time to follow through due to a crowd of zombies invading the ballroom.

If you've seen the film or read the book you'll already know the story - but even if you have read the original and loved it, this version is entertaining and funny in ways that the original couldn't hope to achieve.

I'm sure that Jane Austen would be mortified, at least I hope she would be!

Bought for me as a birthday present by John.
22nd May - 12th July 2009