MEK's Meanderings

New Podcasts I've Discovered

2012-01-25T14:11:00.001Z

I am, like most people I expect, often trying to cut down my subscription list of podcasts. Podcasts age, they lose their way, they stop producing. Every now and then a cull clears up your time for what suits your listening taste best.

I'm always happy when a new podcast comes along that I enjoy though. I like a little shake up of my feed. This week I've added two new subscriptions.

Firstly Shonky Lab who can be found here http://www.shonkylab.co.uk/ Elton and Pete discussing what they like to listen to, watch, read, etc. Up to now there are two episodes on the feed. An introductory show and an episode discussing cartoons of their childhood. A very entertaining episode, even if they seem to have a totally different taste in animation to me! Go give them a listen, they're a witty duo.

Next came the Fantastic Stories Podcast which can be found here http://fantasticstoriespodcast.wordpress.com/ This has a solo presenter, Jacob. The subject is Classic Audio Drama. So far there has been one episode containing one UK and one US Radio Drama. These seem to be straight out of the classic era of melodramatic radio plays. They ooze nostalgia. The good thing is they're also a good, fun listen. If you're a fan of the Hypnogoria Podcast and/or The TimeVault Podcast I strongly recommend you pop over for a listen.

I'm looking forward to hearing more from both of these podcasts. Thanks for the work you put in guys :-)

Tome Time - Cybill Disobedience by Cybill Shepherd

2012-01-22T15:26:00.001Z

Started November 15th, finished December 29th. 421 pages.

This was an impulse free purchase. I discovered it whilst hunting around for free/very cheap Kindle books. I was very surprised to find it for free. I've always quite liked Cybill Shepherd and thought her autobiography would be popular. Especially due to the Elvis bits. Then I began to wonder if she'd missed out all the juicy bits and that's why it was free....

Well, I couldn't have been more wrong really. This seems to be a no holds barred account of the way she sees her life. Unless she's led a much more exciting time and she's only given us the tip of the iceberg. I find this unlikely though as she doesn't look haggard enough.

She starts at the very beginning and we learn of her childhood. Which doesn't seem altogether the happiest. there are some dark parts to it. She's taught early on the value of her looks. Which she seems to view as a help but also a hindrance at times throughout her career.

I really expected to like Cybill and thoroughly enjoy this book. She's always come across as beautiful, bright and fun with what seems like a wicked sense of humour. The tales of her tomboy behaviour at the start of the book further confirmed this. However as the book went on I found myself not taking to her quite as much. It seems wrong to state that the author of an autobiography seems self-centred, that's what they're here for. It just seemed that she saw things from her perspective and nowhere else.

Early on in the book a relationship falls apart, which may have done anyway but she hastened it on. That's never going to warm the reader up. But I put this aside as she was honest about her involvement and she was pretty young at the time. She always seems to come across as though she's a little hard done to throughout the book. Maybe she was? The problem was I don't know anything about anyone else mentioned so I can't compare.

The chapters of her life including Orson Welles were interesting. Hell, she shared a house with Citizen Kane :-) The parts about Elvis were creepy rather than anything else. She did well getting out of there.

I hate it when I read an autobiography and I like the writer less afterwards. I don't hate the woman. I still have her to thank for episodes of Cybill when I was grounded on Friday nights. I would love to know the views of those that she was less than complimentary of. The ones she thinks stabbed her in the back. You've got to give her credit, she did well in a male dominated world. She was successful and I'm guessing she did have to stand her ground a lot. Maybe I'm doing her a huge disservice.

The problem with reading a Kindle book is that you don't get to read the cover and dedications etc, as easily as a real book. There is a ghost writer here, Aimee Lee Ball. I forget these things when I read on a Kindle though. I have no idea what her input was. The book read well enough though.

I certainly couldn't complain that there wasn't enough juice in there. This book is raw and a gossip's dream. Not one I'll ever read again though.

2.5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - Le Dossier by Sarah Long

Tome Time - Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

2012-01-20T14:55:00.001Z

Started December 1st, finished December 19th. 305 pages.

This was recommended by a friend. It had been on my radar for a while so it became time to finally read it.

I wasn't disappointed. This is a book that lives up to it's cover comments.

Bourdain has an easy, chatty writing style. He can see his faults but without false modesty. He tells his student (and far past student) years honestly without a male bragging style. I don't really feel like I 'know' the author from this book but I did enjoy 'spending time in his company'.

Of course what we're all looking for is the dirt on the industry. There's plenty in here to keep you entertained. But what I liked most were the characters he described. It's also ensured that I will never attempt restaurant ownership. Bourdain doesn't give out much more personal info than Marco Pierre White did in his memoir. However this one is a far better read. You feel like you've shared rather than been shut out.

The author has a love for his industry and enjoys it warts and all. It's a fascinating, entertaining read. I've took his tips on board on what not to eat and when to avoid things but I've survived this long. I'm never going to refuse the mussels if a place looks respectable enough.

4.5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - Cybill Disobedience - by Cybill Shepherd

Tome Time - The Spanish Civil War by Antony Beevor

2012-01-19T14:16:00.001Z

Started May 19th, finished December 16th. 410 pages.

This is a book I wanted to read after seeing a few films set in the era soon after the Civil War. I wasn't pleased by my total lack of knowledge of what happened. I was glad that the book is written by Beevor as I find his books an interesting read and easy to understand.

A quick look at the glossary should have warned me of what was to come. This is a very difficult conflict to grasp. There are so many factions within the two warring sides. Far too many names involved to make remembering who's who completely possible.

I came out of the reading of the book with an understanding of what had happened and why. However the finer an even not so fine detail isn't clear to me. This may be mostly my fault. As the book was such a heavy read I dipped in and out of it. A chapter here, a few pages there. The book is well written, it's just a very hard subject to grasp. I'm very glad I read it as I now have a good overview of events that led to Franco's dictatorship.

Neither side comes out of this book well. The ridiculous in fighting and power struggles are infuriating to read about. The lives they cost horrendous. The barbarity of the commanders in what they dispatched their own men into is gut wrenching. What they used their new technology to do to 'the other side' barbaric in the extreme. This is a very depressing book. Spain's people are used to test modern weaponry on by outside factors at no risk to themselves.

It stops at the end of the war. I would like to read more though. If anyone knows of any non-fiction accounts of life in Franco's Spain please let me know. I can't seem to find any. I can't read any more about the war itself for a long time though. It seems film makers are now looking at Franco's reign and the war. Maybe the books will follow.

4 out of 5 pawprints.

Next - Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Tome Time - March Violets by Philip Kerr

2012-01-18T15:16:00.001Z

Started November 20th, finished December 1st.

I came across this series of novels via an ad for the latest. I was surprised i had never heard of the Bernie Gunther novels. They are crime fiction, about a Private Eye, Bernie Gunther, set in Berlin under Nazi rule. Sounds right up my street. Well, you know how these things go, I'll probably love or loathe them....

It took a while to find a realistically priced copy. I ended up buying the 'Berlin Noir' trilogy of the first books in the series. March Violets, The Pale Criminal and A German Requiem. I can well understand why they named the trilogy Berlin Noir. It is written very much like an old Hollywood noir film.

Bernie is not a man you would instantly warm to. His thoughts about women are a tad sexist to say the least. Up to now though he hasn't mistreated any. He's a world weary cynic making a living locating or finding information on missing Jews in Berlin. The events take place in 1936. He was once a member of the official police force and still has contacts there but now he works alone.

He is hired by a rich businessman to find a diamond necklace stolen as his daughter and son in law were murdered. As can be expected the case is anything but simple and he comes across many twists and turns. Most of them involving danger.

As we go long we find Bernie is a man who can survive Nazi Berlin whilst not becoming as bad as the worst people in the city. He's no Goody, but we're led to read him as a decent soul overall even if he's not the cleanest living soul.

My knowledge of the era isn't good enough to spot any factual errors and Kerr gives a good sense of the atmosphere in Berlin at the time. My one quibble was that the story had to involve a high ranking party official everyone has heard of. This wasn't necessary to the tale and felt a little like name dropping for teh sake of it.

I have a feeling the books will continue through Berlin's timeline. I'm looking forward to seeing how the events of the next few years are tackled by Kerr and how Gunther reacts. This is a dark book, the lead character leads to some smutty passages. It's not one you'd read aloud to your Grandmother. I enjoyed it though and will definitely be reading the next two novels at least.

3.5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - The Spanish Civil War by Anthony Beevor

Tome Time - The Twin Dilemma by Eric Saward

2012-01-18T14:54:00.000Z

Started November 16th, Finished November 19th.

This is a readalong with Paul's Target blogging which can be found here http://goldfishandparacetamol.wordpress.com/target-books/

I had only recently suffered the TV version of The Twin Dilemma. THis was going to be interesting. Would I prefer it to the dramatisation, which I didn't remember being anywhere near as awful as it was...

I found the story to be written with a slightly smug edge. The descriptions of the father character at the beginning is what highlighted this for me. It didn't seem to gel with what I expect from a novelisation of a children's story.

It probably didn't win any love from me as I was so let down by the DVD so soon before reading it.

The character of Azmael I expected to be fleshed out a little more. Made a little more like he can make a difference one way or the other. I don't think he ever gives enough oomph. No one in this story seems to fulfil a satisfying role. I think less characters, fleshed out more may have been a better idea. They all fail to scare me.

All in all, this book felt cluttered and not very satisfying. I can't see me watching or reading this story again any time in the near or middle future.

1 out of 5 pawprints

Next - March Violets

Tome Time - The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

2012-01-10T14:28:00.001Z

Started October 29th, finished November 15th.

I was very much looking forward to this book. The first of this author's I read, The Shadow of the Wind, immediately added itself to my list of favourite books. The fact that was was another large volume pleased me.

The book is set in the same universe as TSotW, Barcelona, under Franco's rule. It also contains some of the same characters in smaller roles. It visits the Cemetery of Forgotten Books too. A wonderful invention of the author's that I'm sure we'll see again.

I was sad to find that this book didn't speak to my soul the way the first did. I can't say there was anything wrong with it. It was dark, spooky, filled with well written characters. I think it was just a little too fantastical for me. Maybe the story of a text isn't as gripping as the story of a love affair? It was quite easy to work out what was happening. I don't think the author wanted to hide this from the reader. While I grasped 'the mystery' I guess I couldn't really grasp or care 'why?'

I would love to know how I would have reacted to this book without prior knowledge of the author. Did I feel a little let down because TSotW was so good? Or was it because this one isn't to my tastes as much? I'll never know.

It's still an interesting tale. I wouldn't want to put anyone off reading it as I think it's a taste thing rather than a quality issue I have with it. It's always nice to read things set in cities such as Barcelona. There is a real sense of the city here. He uses it well. I can't see me reading this again in a hurry but I'm not quite ready to consign it to the charity shop yet.

3.5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - Doctor Who and the Twin Dilemma by Eric Saward

Tome Time - The Coach House Cats by Marilyn Edwards

2012-01-09T14:59:00.003Z

Started October 7th, finished November 7th.

This was a titbit book, like all its predecessors. I haven't much to say on it really. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's tales of life with her cats and life in her local community. It is a continuation of the previous books.

I thoroughly enjoy these books. I think they would be any cat lover's cup of tea. If you are to read them I suggest you start with her first The Cats of Moon Cottage .

The author comes across as a lovely lady. She also writes children's fiction, about cats again. Her website can be found here - http://www.thecatsofmooncottage.co.uk/

I was sad to learn at the end of the book that this is the last.

4 out of 5 pawprints

Next - The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Tome Time - Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke

2012-01-09T14:53:00.000Z

Started October 18th, finished October 28th.

As a teen this was my favourite sci-fi book. It gripped me early on and kept me all the way through. I was as desperate as the characters to know what was happening inside 'Rama'.

For some reason I haven't read it in a very long time, probably around fifteen years. I've never forgotten it though and always remembered it with fondness if it was ever mentioned. Then my wonderful dad appears with the entire Rama series for me. He'd found them at a second hand book sale. No excuses not to retread old paths then....

I was initially worried that I may be disappointed by it. My memory has a habit of pushing things further towards the end of the spectrum than they deserve. I remember loving or loathing a lot but not so much things in the middle.

I did enjoy this book a lot this time. The only drawback being that it felt a little dated. A single comment about women in their space clothing was enough to make me cringe. However it was not enough to spoil a great reading experience. I forgive it its faults as they're surrounded by a wonderful story. A story that unfolds at just the right pace to keep you desperate to know what's happening.

One surprise was the length of the book. I remembered it as being a much bigger book. I'm assuming I must have mixed it up with others later in the series.

The book ends with some finality and most questions unanswered. I know there are sequels so this is no bad thing. I do love an author that is brave enough to leave questions unanswered. It gives you much less to quibble about and plenty to mull over.

I'm looking forward to getting to the rest of the series. I remember much less of those than I do of this one.. I do know they're not all up to the quality of the original and I hope they won't make me sad for the legacy.

The first time you read this book will always be the best as you can let the story unfold as it should. I will be reading it again and much sooner than 15 years on hopefully! The story is easily strong enough for re-reads even without the 'surprise' aspect.

I can't think of a sci-fi book I enjoyed more so it still has it's favourite crown

4.5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - The Coach House Cats by Marilyn Edwards

I Need a Little More Help...

2011-12-05T15:35:00.001Z

You may have seen my post about the reading challenge I have set myself for 2012. The post can be found here.

I have had many, may replies for which I am very grateful. I still have a few categories which I'm bereft or low on suggestions for though.

These are...

Classic British Novels. This is the one I'm most eager to get into as I am really at a loss here.

Novels Set In or Around Manchester. I can probably find books in my local library for this but a recommendation is always sweeter.

Biography. Historical, Sport, Entertainers any surprises I may not expect?

Crime Fiction. My favourite genre. I need to spread my horizons.

Non-Adult. Unfortunately most of my recommendations in this one I'd previously read.

All suggestions most gratefully received :-)

Theatre - Beautiful Thing at the Royal Exchange

2011-12-01T14:03:00.001Z

I walked into this performance having no idea what the show was about. I hadn't made the link between the title and the film that had been adapted from it. I enjoyed the film a couple of years ago, without realising it started life as a play. I put 2 and 2 together when I read the programme before the play began.

The set was even better than the Royal Exchange's usual standard. It evoked very well the London Housing Estate the play is set in. Without being dour. With the lighting it seemed chirpy and summery. The lighting was a fabulous part of the scene setting. From the lights in 'other flats' to the overall feel of the day.

The cast never put a foot wrong here. They were all excellent but I have to say the two women were fantastic. Especially the younger one who was playing a gobby truant. The conversations between characters was great. It zipped along wonderfully and never felt scripted. I have never laughed so much in a theatre. The one liners are hilarious.

The story deals with two serious topics. Making you think about them without thrusting them repeatedly in your face. The sad parts are brief but not too brief. This is a play that you initially enjoy and then spend time thinking about afterwards. It doesn't have an explained ending. It seems that life will carry on. Not necessarily easily but there's no portent of misery either.

Thanks to a fantastic script and a script full of great banter, this is the play I have most enjoyed at the Royal Exchange. I'd be hard pressed to think of one I've enjoyed more anywhere. I'm gutted I haven't chance to see it again.

One question I left with was - Why don't they make those duvet covers in a Double?

I hope any local readers can make it there if they haven't already. It's well worth the trip. More info can be found on the Royal Exchange website.

5 out of 5 pawprints

Tome Time - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

2011-11-24T14:10:00.001Z

Started October 16th, finished October 16th.

This was an impulse 'free for Kindle' Amazon download. I fully intend to exhaust their free ebooks that tickle my fancy. Suggestions are mroe than welcome :-)

I love this film but I'm afraid to say I hadn't read the book first. When the film was released I didn't even know there was a book.

I wasn't surprised to find the book much 'quieter' than the film. It hadn't been 'Burtoned'.

The tsory tells of Ichabod Crane. A lanky, superstitious guy who isn't ever going to be part of the 'in crowd'. He is sent to the small hamlet of Sleepy Hollow as a schoolteacher. Here he falls for a girl who is seemingly way out of his league. I won't tell you any more. It's a short enough tale to enjoy in one sitting and i think worth a read.

The book is spooky with a sense of fun. Just the right length to tell the somewhat open-ended tale. It is definitely one I will read again. None of the characters are fleshed out very much. The style is more the telling of a folk tale.

4 out of 5 pawprints

Next - Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C Clarke

Tome Time - 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer & Kevin Flynn

2011-11-23T14:12:00.001Z

Started October 11th, finished October 15th.

After the events of 9/11 I read quite a lot of books written by people involved in the events, cleanup or building of the World Trade Center. Then for quite a few years I didn't read anything more. With the tenth anniversary of those terrible attacks there were obviously books being re-released and catching my eye.

This book tells the tales of those that were in the towers from the time the first 'plane struck to the the falling of the North Tower. Needless to say this is a moving book. It seems to contain only what is factually known. No romanticising things, it's totally unnecessary.

It is well told. The stage is set well. The events unfold without any overdramatic build ups to what we know will unfold. This is s very moving book and although you know the final outcome it is very gripping. The stories that are most well known are not dwelt on. Making this a very human book where it would be difficult not to empathise with the people whose stories you are learning.

The facts about the engineering are explained in layman's terms. As are the planning laws that were in place as the World Trade Center was planned and built. There is no finger pointing, just the facts. Which speak for themselves. This is not a book for conspiracy theorists. They will find nothing here to occupy their imagination.

I found this a very well written book about a very tender subject. It's still hard for me to fully grasp the loss of life on that day in America. This book helps with that while never trying too hard to expand beyond its remit.

5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Tome Time - The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

2011-11-22T14:07:00.001Z

Started October 6th, finished October 10th.

This was a bit of a special read as it was the first I'd read on my ebook reader. An experience I found I disliked much less than expected. It's not reading a book by any means and it lacks something but there are also bonuses too. I won't desert my books but they will be complemented.

The best thing about this book for me was Wilde's way with words. His put downs are wonderful. He writes quite differently to anyone else I can think of. He is a man of wit.

The story of Dorian Grey is one I assumed I knew. Picture in the attic and all that. When I actually thought about it though I realised that was all I knew. How did the picture come to be? Is it the only picture? How does it all end? Finding the book for free download was the push I needed.

The story moves much slower than I expected. Maybe a little too slowly. The scenes are set as opulently as some of the scenes themselves. We are left in no doubt of the characters and what makes them tick. I did begin to wonder when things would actually start happening though. Once they did I was happier. Though they still meandered a little slower than I'd have liked. There are so many quotable passages from this book. Mainly spoken by Lord Henry Wotton. I wonder if there's any of Wilde in Wotton and his observances.

I did enjoy this book but I wish it had been shorter. Maybe I was impatient as I can't really say I disliked the bits that weren't moving the plot along fast enough. Apparently Wilde added to his original version due to criticism. Maybe the original version would have suited me better. I can't complain too much as it isn't a very long book anyway. I'm glad to have read it and I wouldn't rule out a re-read in the future. The one thing the book doesn't do is over explanation. I hate it when everything is explained too heavily.

3.5 pawprints out of 5

Next - 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer & Kevin Flynn

Tome Time - Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly

2011-11-22T13:41:00.001Z

Started September 26th, finished October 6th.

I'm always glad to be starting a new Michael Connelly novel, especially if it's a Harry Bosch story.

This starts with Harry looking into a robbery/murder. Whilst not being too happy with his partner's work ethic. From there it twists and turns and twists and turns.

This is by far the most 'action' of Connelly's novels that I've read. It's also the first time I've come sort of close to disbelief. However, it didn't mar my enjoyment of the story. I do kind of hope it's not the first of a run of movie style books about Harry.

This looks into things that are new for Harry. It takles a look at the Immigrant Community and the darker side of that than we've seen before. Harry leaves LA. He learns much more about being a father.

I won't go into the plot any more as it would be difficult to do so without spoilers. Whilst I was reading the book certain things didn't add up for Harry as he was working things out. It was the same for me. Stick with it though. It all makes sense in the end.

There are big shocks in this book. Connelly certainly doesn't pull any punches. This is a whirlwind of a story. One I enjoyed but I'm not sure it would work trying to find similar situations for Bosch to recover from again. I like his ordinariness.

Harry's life is certainly changed by the happenings in this book. Much more than we've seen things change before. I'm interested to see how his story progresses.

3.5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

Tome Time - When the Tripods Came by John Christopher

2011-11-17T13:57:00.001Z

Started September 26th, finished October 4th.

Now, I have made little secret how The Tripods trilogy is my favourite reading material from when I was but a child. I still love it. This is the prequel, written a while after the original trilogy.

I am always dubious when encountering something, added to something great, at a much later date. However, true to form the author doesn't disappoint. The story of how the Tripods came to Earth is told through the eyes of a young teen, Laurie and his friend, Andy. Once again the characters are well written and believable rather than being heroes. Laurie is reminiscent of Will in some ways and Andy has some similarities to Henry but that is where the links end really. There is no tedious links to teh original trilogy which would make the story unbelievable. The story of how The Tripods conquer Earth is well told and logical. I was originally feared that this book could spoil the experience of the story. It doesn't, it enhances it.

It leaves you at just the right point. You know where they are and what will come but it's not all tied up in a patronising fashion.

Whenever I re-read the books I always read the prequel last. It feels much better that way. I suppose I should try reading it first and see what that does to the reading experience...

4 out of 5 pawprints

Next - Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly.

I Need Your Help!

2011-11-16T14:43:00.001Z

Reading Challenge 2012

Dear Reader, you probably know that I did the 50 Book Challenge this year. As I have little responsibility in my life and I read too fast I managed to finish early. I probably would again if I tried next year so I decided to opt for something a little different.

I would like to expand my reading outside my comfort zone. I have decided on 12 genres and I would like you to choose for me a book in those genres. Hopefully I will get at least one suggestion for a book that is new to me. I will read at least one book from the genre list each month and try for more than that.

The list is below and I'll be repeating requests for each month as we go along. Please comment with your suggestions. I need help to travel further afield in the world of literature.

January - Great American Novels. This is an area I have hardly read anything at all. In fact I think the only book that would qualify that I've read is To Kill A Mockingbird.

February - Historical Fiction. I have read quite a bit in this field but I want to find something new.

March - Classic British Novels. Again an area I am shamefully uneducated in.

April - Novels Set In or Around Manchester. My latest interest in reading.

May - Travel Memoirs. Not an area I've read much in at all. Strange as I love to travel and this genre should appeal to me.

June - Fantasy Novel. I haven't read much in this area lately. Apart from the first in the Game of Thrones serial.

July - Biography. An area I find fascinating but I want to read about someone that hasn't occurred to me before or one I've missed that I should have read.

August - Science Fiction. An area in which I am scandalously badly read.

September - Crime Fiction. Probably my favourite genre and I'm always hungry for more of it.

October - A Non-Adult Book. Maybe teen fiction/young adult fiction would be a better description. An area I feel many adults miss little gems.

November - Autobiography. Same as with biography really :-)

December - Your Favourite Book. Whatever you feel I should definitely read. In any genre, fiction or non-fiction.

I am quite excited about this so please give me plenty of suggestions and ask people you know to do so too.

Tome Time - Doctor Who The Tomb of the Cybermen by Gerry davis

2011-11-15T14:24:00.001Z

Started Sept 30th, finished Oct 2nd.

This is a follow along with Paul's Blog. Pop over there. His reviews are usually in much more depth.

I was looking forward to this one. I hadn't read it before and it's one of my favourite stories. Luckily I had missed the hype before I saw it.

The pedant in me was dismayed by the wrong Cybermen on the cover. I'm very fond of the very early Cybermen and they shouldn't be airbrushed out!

I have heard that there are slight updates in the Target novel to update it for a more modern audience. Since we're now even further on those updates were a little lost to me. I have to say I couldn't find much difference between the text and the TV version.

The story was told well. Built most of it's character's up at a good pace. If I had to choose between the book and the TV version I'd take the TV version. That's rare for me but 'those iconic scenes' just don't come across as well in the book.

I enjoyed this telling a lot although the excitement is never there when you know how it all ends. I'd say it's one of the better re-tellings. It's just a shame I never read it as a kid. Unless I've forgotten that I did.

4 out of 5 pawprints

Next - When the Tripods Came by John Christopher

Tome Time - Twisting My Melon by Shaun Ryder

2011-11-14T14:48:00.001Z

Started September 27th, Finished September 30th

Now, I knew before I borrowed this book from the library the risk I was taking. They say you should never meet your idols. Though no-one in the right mind would cast Ryder as an idol.) I would add to that, be very wary of the memoirs of those characters you find interesting. Hearing someone tell their story always alters your perception of them. Sometimes, as with Mandelson, you are pleasantly surprised. Others and I think a little more often they disappoint. That's probably because they're human and I've built up an image I like to think of them as in my mind. The worst was Gordon Ramsay, I read his autobio and liked him a lot less once I'd finished. I then read Marco Pierre White's and was amazed how he'd managed to write a book about himself, I'd read it and I knew very little more afterwards. he managed to hide his true self behind words.

Now Shaun Ryder, the local legend I grew up hearing about. Star of many a scandalised newspaper article. Centre of many urban myths. The man who seemed to epitomise the Madchester dream. I knew very little past the facade that had been erected around him and his bands. I didn't watch I'm a Celebrity.

I knew reading this would give the legend back the bog standard humanity. The question was would I like what I read? In truth, it didn't give me huge feelings either way. He cam across as pretty selfish at times but not too badly. It would be nice to read an account from someone else in the band. He's not too complimentary about most of them. Without ever seeming to see that he must have been hell to work and tour with.

He tells his story pretty light heartedly. The scrapes he gets himself into are far from funny but the way he tells it you can't help but see an amusing side. It's written well by him and his ghost writer in that you can fly through it. This isn't a book to ponder over and weigh up the morals. That would be painful. Pick it up, go along for the ride and enjoy it. Just be glad he can remember as much as he has!

3.5 pawprints out of 5

Next - Doctor Who and the Tomb of the Cybermen by Gerry Davis

Tome Time - The Third Man by Peter Mandelson

2011-11-07T11:37:00.000Z

Started September 6th, finished September 24th.
Now this is a massive read. It's thick enough but then you realise how small the typeface is.
It is a book I'm glad I gave the time to though. It's a fascinating look at modern politics and New Labour. It's a no holds barred look at both those subjects. The big surprise was the lack of bitterness and bitchiness. The book is startlingly fair. I couldn't quite understand how he could be so fair but maybe the nasty environment of power grabbing they call politics gives you a thick skin.
No one comes out of this book all nice and shiny bur no one is shot down in flames either. Gordon Brown comes out the worst. Even more so because Mandelson doesn't attack him personally. Letting the acts speak for themselves.
Blair and Campbell don't shine all the time. Blair comes across as weak and Campbell as arrogant and unwilling to listen.
Mandelson tells an often complicated and dragged out story well. Some pieces took longer to read than others but I never wanted to put the book down. I would have liked to hear more about his work as an MP. That features very little. leading me to believe that 'career politicians' have a constituency merely to gain a cabinet position. What benefit that is to those constituencies is worrying.
Another question that raised its head persistently was who pays for all the back room staff? Next time the Labour party rings me for a donation at election time it will get short thrift. Politics seems to be about image rather than helping the masses. Thankfully we have limits on electioneering spending. So while we may waste considerably less than the US (think what their party spends could do in NASAs budget instead) we still could improve on how party's spend their donations.
I did feel that Mandelson had the urge to better the country and especially it's lower classes. However I think that is impossible if you also want to have a 'career' in Politics.
This is a fascinating but very long book. I'd recommend reading it in sections. Even the chapters were monstrously large. It would be interesting to read as candid a book as this from his opposite side of the House of Commons. I fear it would read very much the same though.
Next - Red Shift by Alan Garner

Tome Time - The Cats on Hutton Roof by Marilyn Edwards

2011-11-04T14:17:00.001Z

Started August 22nd, finished September 22nd.
This is another titbit book. The third in the series by the author about life for her and her cats. In this book there is much upheaval as they all move house.
These books are wonderful for cat lovers but may not entrance one who is not so enamoured. I love the author's observations. So many are so similar to many of my own. This lady can just tell the story much better than I ever could if I tried.
The illustrations are also superb. Not all artists, by far, can catch that feline essence. It may have four legs and a tail but it doesn't always look like a cat. Peter Warner catches it perfectly.
The story is mainly about life with her cats but also includes other people's stories. People she has met and people who have contacted her with their stories. These are always wonderful to read but, be warned have had the tears rolling on more than one occasion. She also includes info on the local wildlife and her neighbours. It's a lovely book to read. Makes me want to move myself and my cats somewhere more rural. One day....
4 out of 5 pawprints
Next - The Third Man by Peter Mandelson

Tome Time - Shabby Tiger by Howard Spring

2011-10-20T14:44:00.003+01:00

Started September 3rd, finished September 5th.
I have decided to read more books based around my local area. Manchester, Lancashire, the North West, etc. This book is a favourite of my mum's and one I've been seeing on the shelves forever. It was about time I read it.
The tale starts with Anna, a maid, running away from her job. She meets up with Nick, an artist, and their story is told. It incorporates many other characters, all of whom added interest for me. The cast spans the Manchester classes from just above the very bottom to the top. With those in between not always happy with their lot. It was written and set in the 1930's. It's still recognisable as Manchester and gives a fascinating viewpoint of the city.

None of the characters are entirely sympathetic or totally loath-able. They're all pretty much in between. Much like normal folk I suppose. This isn't a dreary kitchen sink drama about the state of the nation's poor. It gives a window into life but never dwells on anything. This is no miserable read. It's fun, although not so on every single page. It rips along at a great pace.

It has encouraged me to read more about the local area. Starting with the sequel Rachel Rosing.

Unfortunately the book is no longer in print but is available via the usual 2nd hand sellers.

It was filmed for a Granada TV series in 1973. Luckily I managed to get a DVD from Amazon. That is going to be interesting viewing as it was filmed where it was set.

4 out of 5 pawprints

If anyone has any recommendations for books set around the NW of Engalnd I'd love to hear them.

Next - The Cats on Hutton Roof by Marilyn Edwards

I've been invited onto Goldfish & Paracetamol

2011-10-20T12:05:00.001+01:00

I know, I know, this blog has been shamefully quiet of late. Real life has got in the way of my online meandering.

I have however managed to get my nose through the door over at my friend Paul's blog, Goldfish & Paracetamol.

Here I describe my first venture into Big Finish. Paul & Odile finally got me to listen :-)

It's very nice over there at Goldfish & Paracetamol, lots of Whoniverse, publishing and Cult Britannia stuff. I highly recommend you have a good look around.

I promise to blow the tumbleweed off these pages sharpish.

Tome Time - Catwatching by Desmond Morris

2011-10-10T14:37:00.003+01:00

Started September 3rd, finished September 3rd.
There's not much you can say about this book that the subtitle 'The Essential Guide to Cat Behaviour' doesn't tell you. It's a fascinating read for cat lovers. You may know some of the reasons behind some of your cat's behaviour. There's bound to be the answer to more than question you've had at the back of your mind for years though.
I flew through this in a couple of hours. It's a pretty short book with no flannel. Just explanations for why cats do what they do.
It's a pretty old book. So I'm unsure as to whether it would still be seen as totally accurate. I'm sure some of what is given as explanation is opinion based on his long years of experience. Maybe views of parts of it have changed.
It's not a cat care manual just a very interesting look at felines.
5 out of 5 pawprints (naturally)
Next - Shabby Tiger by Howard Spring

Tome Time - Redshift by Alan Garner

2011-10-06T17:51:00.003+01:00

Started 5th September, finished 26th September.
I really expected to love this book. The Weirdstone of Brasingamen, The Moon of Gomrath and The Owl Service could have been written for me personally. It also fulfils my want to read more books set locally too.
However, as you can see from how long it took me to finish the shortish novel, it didn't grab me at all. I just couldn't get into the story at all. The way it's written doesn't help. It's virtually all told via dialogue. Not a style that helped me immerse myself in a story I didn't really grasp anyway.
The story is told in three different times. Roman Britain, the Civil War and present day. A sign of how badly I received this book is that I thought the modern day setting was the future for a long time. I didn't recognise the characters at all. I didn't care for them much either. The only time I felt any emotion really was for the women in the Civil War era. Without a quick look at Wikipedia I wouldn't have realised which era I was reading about at all though. I thought at first they were other, supernatural planes.
I think either I'm too thick for this book or my mind doesn't work that way. I just couldn't fully understand it. I gave up once and came back to it. Thinking a fresh mind would help. The further I got in, the easier I found it to read but never did a fondness arrive.
If I had to say the story it's telling it seems to be one of love. Love not going smoothly and heading towards great disappointment.
I still think Alan Garner is a wonderful creator of worlds and great stories. It's just that this one is most definitely not for me.
2 out of 5 pawprints
Next - Twisting My Melon by Shaun Ryder