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
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Tuesday, 14 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: -
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
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
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
Sunday, 12 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
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
Monday, 11 May 2009
Quirkology, the curious science of everyday lives - Richard Wiseman
If you think science is about high minded things such as microbes, physics and nanoparticles, think again. Science can be about fun things too.
Richard Wiseman writes in a easy engaging style about some of the more quirky and very interesting studies that he and various international colleagues have undertaken into the science of everyday life.
Do you wonder why all the spoons go missing in communal kitchens? What is the funniest joke in the world? Why women should get men to write their personal ads? or whether your surname influences your life? These are all the subject of scientific studies carried out and reported on in this book.
I found myself wanting more information about many of the studies, especially the one about lost gloves (!) - but luckily this book is written well and each study is fully referenced with an excellent bibliography at the back.
There is a website (www.quirkology.com) to follow up things afterwards, and lots of quirky bits of information to share with friends and family.
Who can resist the following facts -
I loved this book and didn't want to finish it, i'm off to see what else Richard Wiseman has written.
Lent to me by Liz.
14 April - 11 May 2009
Richard Wiseman writes in a easy engaging style about some of the more quirky and very interesting studies that he and various international colleagues have undertaken into the science of everyday life.
Do you wonder why all the spoons go missing in communal kitchens? What is the funniest joke in the world? Why women should get men to write their personal ads? or whether your surname influences your life? These are all the subject of scientific studies carried out and reported on in this book.
I found myself wanting more information about many of the studies, especially the one about lost gloves (!) - but luckily this book is written well and each study is fully referenced with an excellent bibliography at the back.
There is a website (www.quirkology.com) to follow up things afterwards, and lots of quirky bits of information to share with friends and family.
Who can resist the following facts -
The Mona Lisa seems enigmatic because Leonardo da Vinci painted her so that her smile appears more striking when people look at her eyes rather than her mouth.Yep, all of these facts are as a result of serious study. Little do we know that we are being watched and questioned by an army of researchers, taking down notes about our every action!
People would rather wear a sweater that has been dropped in dog poo and not washed, than one that has been dry-cleaned but used to belong to a mass murderer.
The personality of lemons is seen as dislikeable, onions as stupid and mushrooms at social climbers.
Words containing the 'K' sound - such as duck, quack and Krusty the Clown - are especially likely to make people laugh.
I loved this book and didn't want to finish it, i'm off to see what else Richard Wiseman has written.
Lent to me by Liz.
14 April - 11 May 2009
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Nation - Terry Pratchett
The kids gave Nation to John for his birthday, it's a children's book - but don't be put off.
As many will know Pratchett is a master of words and storytelling. I've read, and enjoyed, a few of the Discworld novels; but this is not one of those.
Mau lives on an island, the 'Nation', part of the 'Mothering Sunday Islands' in the Great Southern Pelagic Ocean; he's just returned from the Boy's Island - he'd been expecting a welcome on the beach - he is now a Man.
But when he returns he finds everything, and everyone, gone. A HUGE wave has destroyed everything, and brought a large ship, the Sweet Judy with a one survivor.
Now Mau is the only member of the 'Nation', he must defend the island, keep the customs, make the beer and please the gods - even if he isn't sure that he believes in them.
The new inhabitant of the island is a 'trouserman' girl, she has been brought up properly - being that she is 139 in line for the crown of the Empire - but this isn't the empire, and things are done differently in the middle of nowhere (not that her grandmother would ever believe that).
Don't be fooled by the cover text, this is not a funny book (well certainly not like Pratchett's others), but it is a wonderfully crafted story of friendship, tradition, theology and science. I found myself growing to love the idea of the Nation, to care for the strange Mrs Gurgle, for the Pantaloon (or Grandfather) birds who throw up their dinner straight after eating it, and especially for Mau and the trousergirl, Daphne.
My only hope for this book is that they don't ruin it by trying to make it into a film.
29th (ish) March - 13th April 2009
As many will know Pratchett is a master of words and storytelling. I've read, and enjoyed, a few of the Discworld novels; but this is not one of those.
Mau lives on an island, the 'Nation', part of the 'Mothering Sunday Islands' in the Great Southern Pelagic Ocean; he's just returned from the Boy's Island - he'd been expecting a welcome on the beach - he is now a Man.
But when he returns he finds everything, and everyone, gone. A HUGE wave has destroyed everything, and brought a large ship, the Sweet Judy with a one survivor.
Now Mau is the only member of the 'Nation', he must defend the island, keep the customs, make the beer and please the gods - even if he isn't sure that he believes in them.
The new inhabitant of the island is a 'trouserman' girl, she has been brought up properly - being that she is 139 in line for the crown of the Empire - but this isn't the empire, and things are done differently in the middle of nowhere (not that her grandmother would ever believe that).
Don't be fooled by the cover text, this is not a funny book (well certainly not like Pratchett's others), but it is a wonderfully crafted story of friendship, tradition, theology and science. I found myself growing to love the idea of the Nation, to care for the strange Mrs Gurgle, for the Pantaloon (or Grandfather) birds who throw up their dinner straight after eating it, and especially for Mau and the trousergirl, Daphne.
My only hope for this book is that they don't ruin it by trying to make it into a film.
29th (ish) March - 13th April 2009
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
The Book Thief - Mark Zuzack
I've learnt some wonderful German words - none of which I'll repeat here! I had tried a couple of times to read The Book Thief by Mark Zuzack, but just hadn't got on with it.
Loving books about books I was drawn to this one, but the subject seemed a little depressing.
The story follows the life of Liesel during the difficult years of the Third Reich in a small suburb of Munich. Narrated by Death himself, the story told is that of Liesel's book thieving, starting at the funeral of her brother (The gravedigger's handbook) despite the fact that at the time she is unable to read.
Living in Himmel Street with her strict, but kind, foster mother and her loving foster father; she experiences the trauma of everyday life for the average German family (not Nazis) in Germany during the war.
Her friendship with the boy down the road, her reoccuring nightmares, her fathers attempts to keep food on the table (not just the terrible pea soup her Mama makes), the Jew who lives in their basement for a time and the library in the mayors house on the hill; Death watches all this and tells her story.
I listened to this as an audio book and not to put to finer point on it - it was spellbinding!
Listening meant that I could hear the use of the German language, the sharp tone of Mama when she was angry, and the softness of Papa when he spoke to Liesel after one of her nightmares.
Despite the grim narrator, this is not a morbid book; it's actually uplifting and life affirming. I won't go so far as to suggest that everyone should read it, but it wouldn't be a bad thing if they did.
5th - 15th March
Loving books about books I was drawn to this one, but the subject seemed a little depressing.
The story follows the life of Liesel during the difficult years of the Third Reich in a small suburb of Munich. Narrated by Death himself, the story told is that of Liesel's book thieving, starting at the funeral of her brother (The gravedigger's handbook) despite the fact that at the time she is unable to read.
Living in Himmel Street with her strict, but kind, foster mother and her loving foster father; she experiences the trauma of everyday life for the average German family (not Nazis) in Germany during the war.
Her friendship with the boy down the road, her reoccuring nightmares, her fathers attempts to keep food on the table (not just the terrible pea soup her Mama makes), the Jew who lives in their basement for a time and the library in the mayors house on the hill; Death watches all this and tells her story.
I listened to this as an audio book and not to put to finer point on it - it was spellbinding!
Listening meant that I could hear the use of the German language, the sharp tone of Mama when she was angry, and the softness of Papa when he spoke to Liesel after one of her nightmares.
Despite the grim narrator, this is not a morbid book; it's actually uplifting and life affirming. I won't go so far as to suggest that everyone should read it, but it wouldn't be a bad thing if they did.
5th - 15th March
Watchmen - Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
The Watchmen - Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
I know that this book if supposed to be the one that defines the genre but I have to admit to not being as impressed with it as I had hoped. Certainly I don't think it lives up to the hype.
I bought the book a couple of years ago as I really like graphic novels and had heard so much about this one. But therein lies the problem perhaps?
Having loved 'From Hell' and 'League of extrodinary gentlemen' by Alan Moore, and very much enjoyed 'Maus', perhaps I've left it too later in my graphic novel reading to go back to the one that started it all?
I can't begin to explain the multiple storylines, but the basic story involves a bunch of retired masked crime fighters slowly being killed off, and the race to discover who is behind it. Obviously that is a terrible over simplication and the story also covers nuclear accidents, shipwrecks, millionaire geniuses and hairbrained plans to end all wars.
Anyway, if you enjoy graphic novels and haven't yet read this one, you must.
Now I've done so I feel I can go and see the film version.
Bought on Green Metropolis (some time ago!)
13-17th March
I know that this book if supposed to be the one that defines the genre but I have to admit to not being as impressed with it as I had hoped. Certainly I don't think it lives up to the hype.
I bought the book a couple of years ago as I really like graphic novels and had heard so much about this one. But therein lies the problem perhaps?
Having loved 'From Hell' and 'League of extrodinary gentlemen' by Alan Moore, and very much enjoyed 'Maus', perhaps I've left it too later in my graphic novel reading to go back to the one that started it all?
I can't begin to explain the multiple storylines, but the basic story involves a bunch of retired masked crime fighters slowly being killed off, and the race to discover who is behind it. Obviously that is a terrible over simplication and the story also covers nuclear accidents, shipwrecks, millionaire geniuses and hairbrained plans to end all wars.
Anyway, if you enjoy graphic novels and haven't yet read this one, you must.
Now I've done so I feel I can go and see the film version.
Bought on Green Metropolis (some time ago!)
13-17th March
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)