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