The boy in the striped pyjamas - John Boyne

What can I say about this book?  It's short, simply written (the narrator is a nine year old boy), and it totally brew me away.  I'd got to within 20 pages of the end, and even though it was very late and I'd worked out where the story was going, I couldn't put it down.

One of the things I loved most was the way it was written, the voice of Bruno.  Such as the description of his Dad's office, which was 'Out Of Bounds At All Times With No Exceptions' and of his sister, who although older than him was a 'Hopeless Case'.

Set in Germany and then Poland during the second world war the story is of Bruno's family move to a new house, and his friendship with a boy who wears striped pyjamas, even in the day.

I'm not going to tell you anymore, you'll have to read it.  There is a film adaptation, which I believe is very good - it's certainly on my list of films to see, I just hope they've done it justice.

Many of my friends have said that it made them cry, but strangely enough I didn't find it sad in that way.

Bought at the HARC bookstall in Nether Edge Market.

27th - 29th September 2010

The Moneyless Man - Mark Boyle

When I told a friend that I was reading a book about a man who lived for a year without money her reaction was a common one,

'oh, so he's freeloading off others then'

But he didn't, and as far as I know still doesn't.

I can't say I agree with all Mark Boyle's ideas about society and money, but a lot of what he writes certainly struck a cord with me.  He fully admits that moneyless living wouldn't work if everyone tried it, and that he has to be realistic and deal with the world he lives in now and not some idealised world where everything is freely given.

Nor does he survive much on bartering which he sees as close to being a form of money.

So he was given a caravan to live in on a piece of land given by a local organic farm where he volunteers.  He grows his own food, forages or bin raids, gets what little power he needs for charging his mobile phone (in coming calls only) and laptop (for publicising the project on a blog and running a freeconomy website) from solar panels, uses a wood burner made from old oil tins for cooking (or eats raw food - he's vegan), showers with water from the river, and cycles or hitches everywhere.

The only things he does barter for are food items that can't be grown or found - but that's rare.

The year obviously isn't easy, but it is interesting to read about, to understand his ideas and motives, and to see how he managed.

I finished the book determined to try to use less and recycle more (although I'm sure I do pretty well already).

The book style is very blog like, even though its not set out as such.  Informal and engaging to read but manages to inform at the same time.

At the end he pledges to continue, with all proceeds from the book going into a trust in order to purchase a piece of land to establish a freeconomy community.

I have my doubts it will work, we live in a world so ruled by money, rules and regulations, and I'm afraid I have a rather jaundiced view of the human race (we are probably beyond saving).

The book ends with a list of relevant web addresses, and I've already signed up on facebook to follow his journey onwards, and I really want to go on a foraging course.

Bought with leaving present Amazon gift voucher from Age Concern Stockport.

- 27th September 2010  

Her Fearful Summetry - Audrey Niffenegger

When Elspeth Dies she leaves the very nice flat over looking Highgate Cemetery to her twin nieces who she has never met.  But only on the understanding that their mother and father never visit the flat, and the twins must live in it for at least a year before they can sell it.

But when the twins arrive they find themselves having to deal with those left behind by their aunt, and it seems that their aunt might not have totally left the premises.

This ghost story was really enjoyable, the characters were interesting, even if many of them lacked the depth I'd have liked.

I have to say that it was refreshing to read a book which I knew little about (I didn't take any notice of the surrounding hype when it was released), and which I found unpredictable.

For some reason I'm finding this review hard to write, perhaps that's because this book was enjoyable, but I can't put my finger on why!

Lent to me by Liz
3rd - 15th Sept 2010

The Secret River - Kate Grenville

It's the early 19th century, and even a minor crime can see you sent to the gallows, or if you are lucky transported around the world to Australia - often as good as being dead.

Will and Sal Thornhill find themselves far from London struggling to come to terms with the strangeness of the land and the difficulties of dealing with their change in circumstances.

My neighbour mentioned in passing that he was reading this book, and when I next looked on my book shelves I found I already owned a copy; on Ian's recommendation I gave it a try, and I'm glad I did.

The descriptions of working on the Thames are fascinating, but the strangeness that Will and Sal encounter in Sydney is so well described.  Striking out on their own piece of land around the coast, the Thornhills must come to terms with the fact that they are surrounded by convicts (who have done much worse than Will ever did) and the 'blacks' (- remember when this is set).

I like the even-handedness of the book - neither the settlers or the aborigines are made out as the villains, both are as guilty or innocent as each other.  I found myself with a sympathies for both, both were victims of a situation not of their making.

I knew this would be a sad read, and to be honest knowing a little history of the way European's marched around the world taking whatever they pleased, I knew that there would be trouble - although this is obviously a novel, I'm sure that the story was played out many times across many continents, and it makes me ashamed of what our ancestors did (even if they perhaps didn't understand their actions).

Not a taxing read, but very 'enjoyable', well written and with engaging characters.  I'd like to say that it would make an interesting film, but to be honest I'd say the story lacks enough substance for that - but still a good read and one that I would recommend.  I might even go and have a look at the author's other books.

Picked up in ACS Pop In
21st August - 4th September 2010

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!)