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.