Pot, Kettle. Kettle, Pot.
Robert McCrum in The Observer yesterday called the Man Booker Prize 'spectacularly out of touch'.
Hmmm.
Quick Flicks
David Denby: Snark
Oh this is good. A measured, amusing and incisive attack on 'snarking' - the low-grade, insult-based journalism and humour which seems very much the rage at the moment. Essential reading for Nick Cohen and Tim Adams methinks. Oh, and probably for me too. (****)Yael Politis: Lonely Tree
An engaging and enlightening novel set around the formation of the state of Israel. Politics, history, family and love are combined well with echoes of Louis de Bernieres at his most readable. (***)William Shakespeare: The Tempest
Another take on the Shakespeare graphic novel. I realise it is sacrilegious to say this but, for me, there was too much of the text and not enough of the pictures. I would have preferred for more of the story to be told through the images. (***)Josa Young: One Apple Tasted
Far too much pink on the cover to be aimed at me, and clearly designed for the classier end of the women's fiction market, but an entertaining read nonetheless. Three narratives - one each from the 1930s, 50s and 80s - combine to explore how past events can impact on future generations. (***)Jacob Polley: Talk of the Town
It's a personal thing but I often struggle with books written in the vernacular. I either have to skim read so that it doesn't bog me down or go extra slow to work out what it all means. Either way removes a great deal of the reading pleasure. This debut, set in 80s Carlisle, has too many affternoons, watters and dropped G's for my liking. (**)Stan Cattermole: Bete De Jour: The Intimate Adventures of an Ugly Man
Stan Cattermole is an ugly man. A very ugly man. Join jim as he searches for love, although a quick shag would do. This is a true story - painfully honest and painfully funny. I hope to welcome the author to the blog very soon. (****)Terri Wiltshire: Carry Me Home
This confused me as it has a similar opening to Scottsboro by Ellen Feldman which is also published by Macmillan. Where this one differs is that it adds a parallel modern narrative and after my initial deja vu moment this did grow on me. (***)Emma Vieceli: Manga Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
All the wit and energy of Branagh's film adaptation but in comic book form. Perfect study aid. Almost made me like Shakespeare. (****)Megan Abbott: The Song is You
I love how Pocket Books has packaged this series of crime novels. Both cover and contents hark back to pulp classics of the 40s and 50s. Great entertainment. (****)Maggie Dana: Beachcombing
An edgy romance about getting back with an old flame - 35 years on! At the more sophisticated end of the genre this will appeal equally to chicklit fans and those of a more literary persuasion. Perfect summer reading. (***)Dale Peck: Sprout
A gay teenager with green hair moves with his father from New York to Kansas. They do things differently there. A coming of age novel with some verve and edge. A great books for teenagers to read. (***)Shannon Burke: Black Flies
A novel about a paramedic set in 1990s Harlem. Lots of gore and action. I am a bit suspicious of the lack of boring and pointless calls that Tom Reynolds describes so well in Blood Sweat & Tea but this is a compelling read so far. (***)Aleksandar Hemon: Love and Obstacles
I tried three of the stories but just couldn't get in to any of them. (**)Jessica Ruston: Luxury
Remember the guilty pleasure of reading a Harold Robbins or a Judith Krantz? Jess has brought the old-fashioned blockbuster bang up to date. This could be quite a ride. (***)Diana Mosley: The Pursuit of Laughter
A worthy addition to the ever-growing Mitford library. This collection of articles, reviews and diary entries is perfect for dipping into on these long summer evenings. (****)China Mieville: The City and the City
Mieville has carved a popular sci-fi/fantasy niche with his books to date. This is more of a crime thriller but still set in an imagined world. Can't say it has grabbed me so far but I should probably read some of his other stuff first. (***)Tim Murgatroyd: Taming Poison Dragons
An epic novel of old China. I confess I found the narrative a little stilted, reading more like an old-fashioned translation, which was probably what the author was trying for but it bugged me. (**)Tim Burrows: From CBGB to the Roundhouse
'Why do so many music venues close when art galleries and museums are preserved?' - a good question from the author which sets the tone for this interesting and entertaining study. (***)Julian Evans: Semi-invisible Man: The Life of Norman Lewis
I have never read any Lewis, although I have his final book on my shelves. The preface of this book, which reads like the perfect essay on the art of biography, impressed me so much that I will have to read more. (****)Jenn Ashworth: A Kind of Intimacy
I have two friends who are obsessed by morbidly obese people and they will love this. I enjoyed it too. Narrated by an XXL woman as she tries to make a fresh start in life. Funny, sexy and slightly odd. (***)Caroline Rance: Kill-Grief
18th century Chester. A young nurse with a secret to hide starts work at a new hospital. This reminded me of The Observations by Jane Harris and is recommended to anyone who enjoyed that book. I will read more of this soon. (***)Muriel Barbery: The Gourmet
In a wonderful example of linked novels, this prequel fleshes out the story of the food critic from current bestseller The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Here we find him on his deathbed, desperate to recall a forgotten flavour from his youth. A small tasty morsel and the perfect accompaniment to one of the sleeper hits of this year. (***)Giancarlo de Cataldo: Father and the Foreigner, The
The fathers of two disabled sons become friends but their relationship takes a sinister turn. A most intriguing Italian novel. Quite short too, and one I shall definitely be finishing off soon. (****)Chris Simms: The Edge
Simms writes gritty, down to earth crime fiction to rival the very best of them. And he isn't scared of killing off a major recurring character in this latest instalment. If you like crime and have yet to read his work then might I suggest you get your bloody finger out. (***)Chris Ewan: The Good Thief's Guide to Paris
A crime series narrated by a thief who is also a crime writer. Like a circle in a circle like a wheel inside a wheel. One of the more imaginative and original crime writers around at the moment and a series of books (the first one is set in Amsterdam) that I am sure is destined for big things. (****)
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Blogs & Links
- Asylum
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- Dovegreyreader Scribbles
- Hit and Run Magazine
- It Is Just You, Everything's Not Shit
- Me and My Big Mouth Record Club
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Currently Reading
Per Petterson: Out Stealing Horses
Yet more Scandinavian reading for me.
Who?
- Scott Pack is Publisher at The Friday Project, an imprint of HarperCollins.
- "Like an extra in one of those 'it's grim up north London' cartoons in Private Eye" - The Observer
- "A bull-necked, shaven-headed former pop music salesman" - New Statesman
Interviews
- Armand Cabasson
- Charles Lambert
- Chris Simms
- David Baldacci
- Deanna Raybourn
- Edward Vallance
- Elizabeth Baines
- Fiona Robyn
- Haruki Murakami
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- Len Chester
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- Nawal El Saadawi
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- Ray Robinson (Again)
- Robert McCrum
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- Simon Armitage
- Sjón
- Stephen Clayton
- Steve Stack
- Steve Watson from Stack Magazines
- Stona Fitch
- Sue Cook
- Warwick Cairns
- William Horwood & Helen Rappaport
Dipping Into
Joe Eszterhas: Hollywood Animal
Marie Phillips said I should read this. Who am I to argue?
Me & My Big Mouth Bookshop
Trophy Cabinet
Bet Of The Day
- FINAL STANDINGS
Scott +£36.16
Simon -£43.05
Gary -£44.72
Consecutive Number Plate Spotting
- A rather pointless competition in which we attempt to find car number plates in sequence.
Me = 27
Ethan = 60
Martha = 20
Marie = 68
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October 22, 2007
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Popcorn Moment
Priceless
Cracking French comedy with touches of Breakfast at Tiffanys. It is entirely possible that it isn't quite as funny, charming and entertaining as I recall as I was somewhat distracted by Audrey Tautou looking impossibly gorgeous throughout. Jawdropping. (****)Infernal Affairs
The film that The Departed is based on. I had seen it before but my fellow watchers had not. They were somewhat confused but I enjoyed it just as much second time round. Well worth watching if you enjoyed the US remake. (****)Son Of Rambow
Wonderful opening third, stumbles a bit in the middle and loses it towards the end but, all in all, jolly good fun. (***)Coraline
Above average movie, some great moments, but no need for it to be in 3D really and the whole experience dulled by dark glasses. (***)Let the Right One In
Best vampire movie ever. All Twilight fans should be forced to watch this. (****)Inkheart
The kids liked it but I thought it was somewhat half-hearted and wasted a first-rate cast. (***)Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Silly, lightweight fluff but jolly good fun. Rebecca Hall is particularly good. Not sure why Cruz got an Oscar though. (***)The Reader
Not a classic but a great adaptation of the book with brilliant performances. Made MOTC cry. (****)The Wrestler
This film itself is good without being exceptional, but the performances are tremendous and lift it well above the norm. (****)In the City of Sylvia
An extremely odd movie with almost no dialogue. It attempts to immerse you in a busy city soundscape and sort of works. (***)
New Arrivals
Sean O'Brien: Afterlife
Set during a long hot Seventies summer.Helena Frith Powell: Ciao Bella: In Search of My Italian Father
Pretty sure this will be a summer read for a whole bunch of people.Garen Ewing: The Adventures of Julius Chancer: The Rainbow Orchid
No prizes for guessing which comic book series this is trying to emulate. Both Ethan and Martha keen to read it though so one of them will report back shortly.Todd Shimoda: Oh!: A Mystery of 'Mono No Aware'
An incredibly beautiful illustrated novel. Can't quite work out what it is about yet but cannot wait to find out.Bryony Doran: The China Bird
Winner of a novel writing competition judged by book groups. Great idea, terrible cover. Hope the contents stack up.Robert Bausch: Almighty Me: A Novel
My latest 1p purchase from Amazon Marketplace.Robert Hudson: The Kilburn Social Club
A finished copy of Robbie's novel. He is a better writer than he is a fantasy tennis player!Richard Asplin: Conman
From No Exit Press who do some really interesting stuff. This looks good despite the Tony Parsons quote and the comparison to Ben Elton in the blurb.Max Frisch: I'm Not Stiller
Stona Fitch said this was his favourite book ever so I had to get hold of a copy.Megan Abbott: Queenpin
The latest in this cracking crime series.David Denby: Snark
A polemic against the snarky attitude of modern media.Edward Vallance: A Radical History of Britain: Visionaries, Rebels and Revolutionaries - The Men and Women Who Fought for Our Freedoms
How about that for a title? A major new book from a young historian who is more than happy to take his rivals on for a fight while playing Fall records at full volume.Andrew Crumey: Mr Mee
Had some Amazon vouchers to spend so ordered up loads of 1p books on Marketplace. This was one.William Shakespeare: The Tempest (Graphic Shakespeare)
Comic book version of the Bard's play.Alison Habens: Family Outing
One of MOTC's favourite books is Dreamhouse by this author. This looks worryingly like chick-lit but let's hope that is just the packaging.- Janet Morgan: Edwina Mountbatten: A Life of Her Own
Wanted to read this after seeing the Hutch documentary last year. She was a bit of a one, apparently. Wes Butters: Kenneth Williams Unseen: The Private Notes, Scripts and Photographs
£4.99 from The Works. No messin' about.Robert Twigger: Dr Ragab's Universal Language
The debut novel from the Angry White Pajamas man.Meg Gardiner: The Dirty Secrets Club
Given to me by an agent whose office I was visiting.Chris Hannan: Missy
A saucy Western, no less.Miklos Banffy: They Were Counted
The first in a sequence of books known as The Transylvanian Trilogy. Set in pre-1914 Hungary and originally published in the 1930s.Miklos Banffy: They Were Found Wanting
Book two of the Transylvanian trilogy.Peter Burton: Casualty of War, A: The Arcadia Book of Gay Short Stories
Can a story be gay? I shall find out shortly.Alan Campbell: God of Clocks (Deepgate Codex Trilogy 3)
I appear to be on a mailing list for Tor so get sent lots of their lovely books. Unfortunately they are often parts of a series, like this one, when I am unfamiliar with the books that have gone before.Neal Asher: Orbus
And this lovely numbered limited edition proof is the third in a series I was previously unaware of so can't really read it as presumably it will make no sense to me.Sarah Salway: Something Beginning with
Realised that some fucker had borrowed my copy and never gave it back so got a new one. If you are that fucker I have forgotten who you are but you won't get away so easily next time.Lia Levi: Jewish Husband, The
Europa Editions in the US seem to have me on their mailing list. That's fine by me. This is a novel about a young Jewish professor in fascist Italy. Looks interesting.Jun'ichi Saga: Confessions of a Yakuza
A gift from our author Ben Stevens. What a nice man.
Bedtime Reading
Gareth P. Jones: The Thornthwaite Inheritance
The story of twins that spend most of their time trying to murder each other. Kids are enjoying it so far, as is dad.
Ethan (Age 10) Recommends
Steve Feasey: Changeling
Really cool, really funny and really interesting. (*****)Chris Priestley: Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror
Terrifying. Pretty much all the stories are scary. But I really enjoyed it. (****)Vanessa Curtis: Zelah Green Queen of Clean
A really funny book about a girl who is a cleanaholic. Dad says I should take after her more and keep my bedroom tidy. (****)Michael Morpurgo: Kensuke's Kingdom
I think this is my favourite book ever. Dad read it to us and we all really loved it. It is about a boy who gets shipwrecked and is looked after by an old Japanese man. (*****)
Martha (Age 7) Recommends
Garen Ewing: The Adventures of Julius Chancer: The Rainbow Orchid
This is volume one of a series. It is very good but there were some difficult words that you might have to ask people about if you are younger than me. I really enjoyed it, it was great fun to read. (*****)Dinosaur
This is a huge book with lots of pull out sections and extra stuff. I liked the life-size dinosaur footprint the most. (****)The Jumble Book
Lots of really funny poems. An excellent book. (*****)Michael Morpurgo: Pigs Might Fly!
I really enjoyed reading this to myself. (****)
What Is MOTC Reading?
Andrew Kaufman: All My Friends are Superheroes
She seems to be finding this as charming as I did.F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby
She enjoyed this latest book club choice but it didn't blow her away.Darren Craske: The Equivoque Principle
Thankfully she really enjoyed this and polished it off in double quick time.
Now Playing
Nina Kinert: Pets and Friends
A wonderful new album from this Norwegian singer-songwriter. If you like Bat for Lashes then you'll like this. (****)
Books Read 2009
A.C. Tillyer: An A-Z of Possible Worlds
A remarkable thing. A boxed set of 26 separately bound short stories, one for each letter of the alphabet, all set in imagined, disturbing, fantastical, Kafka-esque worlds. BS Johnson, Borges and Franz fans should rejoice. It will be published for Christmas. I think it could be huge. (*****)Joel Grey: 01:03
Quirky collection of pictures taken from his mobile phone. Some great images. (***)Gyrdir Eliasson: Stone Tree
A beautiful collection of very short stories. A treasure of a book to return to year after year. (****)Bob Burke: The Third Pig Detective Agency
Unfair of me to rate this as I published it but Ethan has given it 4 stars. Chapter 10 almost had him wetting himself. (****)- Clifton Robbins: Dusty Death
As far as I can tell this is a long lost crime novel from the 1930s. Hardly anything about it or the author online. There isn't even a jacket to be found anywhere. I thought it was great - a murder mystery tied in with opium smuggling and scandal at the League of Nations for good measure. (****) Andrew Kaufman: All My Friends are Superheroes
How has this one passed us by? A work of adorable genius. Buy it, borrow it, steal it but just make sure you read it. I am willing to bet it will be your surprise read of the year. I read it on the train home the day I received it and spent the whole evening smiling. (****)Leo Tolstoy: The Death of Ivan Ilyich
Nothing technically wrong with it but nothing actually happens either. Well, Ivan dies but that is about it. I appear to have missed the point. (**)Knut Hamsun: Dreamers
Heaps of rustic charm in this classic from Norway. (***)Chris Priestley: Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror
Wonderfully scary stuff for kids. Genuinely frightening stories to put the wind up 'em. (****)Erlend Loe: Naive. Super
I was charmed by this sweet, off-kilter story. (****)Dag Solstad: Novel 11, Book 18
Norwegian existentialism. Not as bad as it sounds. (***)Alex Williams: The Deep Freeze of Bartholomew Tullock
This was our bedtime read with the kids. We had this US edition, in the UK it is called The Storm Maker. Ethan particularly enjoyed this tale of a land where it never stops snowing. (***)John Karter: The Profit
A parable which transplants Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet into the modern corporate world. A neat attempt to update a classic. (***)Anthony Caleshu: Churchtown: The Tale of Suzy Delou and Faye Fiddle
Bizarre tale of geriatric sexual deviancy. (***)- Keith Scales: The Cloverleaf Development
Fargo-esque smalltown murder mystery. (****) Effie Gray: Selling Light
Excellent novella. The Highest Tide meets The Juggler. (****)Various: Little Roasts
Four short stories in a neat little edition. The first was excellent. The second and third very good. The last didn't work for me. A reasonable return on an hour's reading. (***)Leonore Schick: Lizard
Very odd, somewhat bizarre and a little muddled but has a certain Kafkaesque appeal. (***)Richard H Thaler: Nudge
A genuinely thought provoking first half. Rather dull second half. (***)Lars Saabye Christensen: The Half Brother
A genuine modern classic. Challenges John Irving at his best. (*****)Dave Allan: Sticky Wisdom
Another business book with sound ideas but a bit too much marketing-speak in the explanation. (***)Stephen C. Lundin: Fish!
Yet more research. Has some good concepts but a bit wanky in how it gets them across. (***)Malcolm Gladwell: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
More research. Very interesting but not quite as compulsive reading as Blink. (***)Michael Kimball: Dear Everybody
A wonderfully clever, funny and moving novel. A collection of unsent letters from a young man who has committed suicide. (****)Andy Stanton: Mr Gum in the Hound of Lamonic Bibber
Perhaps not quite as satisfying as the full-length novels but as a World Book Day title for a quid I really can't grumble. (***)Neil Jordan: The Dream of a Beast
I must confess I didn't have a fucking clue what was going on. (**)Jan Blensdorf: My Name is Sei Shonagon
Worth seeking out by Japanophiles who like a quick read. (***)Neil Gaiman: The Graveyard Book
If I am being completely honest the kids enjoyed it a lot more than me but it was still a cracking good bedtime read. (****)Sarnath Banerjee: Corridor: A Graphic Novel
Interesting concept but a bit slight. (***)David Markson: This is Not a Novel
Unusual, experimental and great fun to read. (****)Richard Blandford: Flying Saucer Rock 'n' Roll
The best book I have read about growing up in the 90s. Also, one of the few great novels about being in a rock band. (****)Sue Cook: Force of Nature
Thought provoking novel that looks at the implications of IVF and embryo donation. Does a great job of making it highly readable and thoroughly entertaining. (***)John Kotter: Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions
Another bloody business parable, but at least this one has pictures to keep me awake. (***)Esteban Echeverria: El Matadero
Another di Giovanni translation, this time of a 19th century Argentinian story called The Slaughteryard. (****)Jorge Luis Borges: El Hacedor
Otherwise known as The Maker, in English. I actually read a new translation from Norman T di Giovanni which is only available to read online. (****)Stona Fitch: Printer's Devil
Dark and disturbing. An alarming new discovery. (***)Sebastian Beaumont: The Juggler
Confirms his position as of the of two or three most exciting British writers around at the moment. I was captivated throughout and didn't want it to end. (*****)Tom Markert: You Can't Win a Fight with Your Boss: And 55 Other Rules for Success
Frighteningly old school. Work long hours, play the game, wear expensive suits, don't befriend your work colleagues. You might be successful if you follow those rules but you'd also be a bit of a twat. (*)Ken Blanchard: The Leadership Pill
At least this one offers a bit more than the bloody obvious but it is still pretty much common sense really. (***)Ken Blanchard: The One Minute Manager Balances Work and Life
More timewasting nonsense that you don't need to read. All in the name of research. (**)Jenna Jameson: How to Make Love Like a Porn Star
Excellent (genital) warts and all memoir from the biggest porn star in the world. (****)Spencer Johnson: The One-Minute Teacher
Research for the book I am writing. A case of flogging a dead horse called Franchise with this one. (**)John Connolly: Dark Hollow
Excellent crime novel. Dark and disturbing. (****)Emily Bearn: The Great Escape
Proved a popular book at bedtime with the kids and a pleasure to read aloud. Not as good as the first Tumtum & Nutmeg book though. (***)David Bellos: Georges Perec: A Life in Words
A decent biography of a remarkable writer. A bit dry and academic at times but its got all the facts in the right order so I mustn't grumble. (***)J.R.R. Tolkien: The Hobbit
Apart from breaking off into song every chapter or so and the annoyingly archaic language in places this proved to be a most enjoyable read for the whole family. My Gollum voice was particularly good, Andy Serkis watch out. (****)Vikas Swarup: Q and A
A tad clunky in places but such a great story that you forgive it anything. (****)Ron Hansen: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
A genuine masterpiece. Quite stunning. Unforgettable. Please read this book. I am asking you nicely. (*****)Elizabeth Baines: Balancing on the Edge of the World
A short collection of short stories. Very good ones too. (***)Sjon: The Blue Fox
Beautiful. Haunting. Remarkable. (*****)
Yes that was hilarious, wasn't it? If I remember rightly, McCrum is the man who, as Observer literary editor, spiked a negative review of Paul Auster's novel Timbuktu (which was dedicated to ... Robert McCrum).
Posted by: John Self | October 22, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Also the same publication, or perhaps it was The Guardian which amounts to much the same, who hailed the giant-killing longlist when it was announced.
I must confess that I personally found it hard to get excited by the winner and am not remotely motivated to read it as a result of the prize but there were some genuinely interesting things on the longlist and that part of the whole process showed a bit of spark and originality.
Must remember to check out how many exciting new authors/indie publishers/quirky books are reviewed by McCrum's organ next week compared to dull academic tomes, obvious literary fare and books that no one actually reads.
And I love Auster but Timbuktu was pants.
Posted by: Scott Pack | October 22, 2007 at 02:40 PM
The Life of Pi was a high-spot? I must check the dedication...
Posted by: Charles Lambert | October 26, 2007 at 10:58 AM