Me And My Big Mouth: Further Pen Update

What Santa Left Under The Tree For Me

Leanne Shapton: Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris: Including Books, Street Fashion and Jewelry
A late present. One from my wish list. Very happy.
The Jacques Tati Collection
8 hours of Tati on DVD.
P. D. Ouspensky: Strange Life of Ivan Osokin
Recommended by a reader who left a comment on this blog two years ago. Finally got selected by someone looking through my Amazon wish list.
Olga Tokarczuk: House of Day, House of Night
Recommended to me by Sjon, author of my book of 2009 The Blue Fox. It looks amazing. Will read very soon.
Arvo Part: Spiegel Im Spiegel
A beautiful piece of music.
Moon
I actually bought this for myself for Christmas. I deserved it.
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
And this.
David Markson: Vanishing Point
One of the finest experimental novelists out there. He may be an acquired taste but one well worth acquiring.
John Fowles: The Aristos
I am slowly working my way through Fowles. This is a collection of ideas on life. Could be more art-wank. Think I will leave it in the loo to read when attending to more serious business.
Halldor Laxness: The Fish Can Sing
Another book recommended by Sjon, this time by Iceland's Nobel-winning novelist. We drove past his house when we were there last year. Nice pad.
Great Lake Swimmers: Lost Channels
The new GLS album. They are wonderful.
Great Lake Swimmers: Ongiara
And the one before that. Imagine a more modern take on Harvest-era Neil Young.
The Beat That My Heart Skipped
A French movie. I'm very modern.
Veda Hille: This Riot Life
Her Return of the Killdeer album was my favourite of 2007 and this follow up sounds just as good on the first few listens.
Stieg Larsson: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Bless her, Martha got me this for Christmas.
Art of the Finnish Kantele
A collection of Finnish kantele music. Quite a few polkas.
Ian Stewart: Annotated Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions
Flatland is one of the most surprising classics I have ever read. This annotated version should keep me busy for a while.

Popcorn Moment

Where The Wild Things Are
I was never a big fan of the book to be honest. The film looks amazing but there just isn't any substance to it. The kids weren't very impressed either. So, if grown-ups find it boring and children think it is just OK - what was the point? (**)
Moon
Just as good as I hoped it would be and up there with Silent Running as Solaris as a sci-fi classic. (****)
The Grass Is Greener
Not really seen as up there with the real classics but I love it. Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum and Jean Simmons fire off the one-liners at a cracking pace. Perfect weekend afternoon viewing. (****)
Coco Before Chanel
Frankly, I'd be perfectly happy watching Audrey Tautou do the crossword for 90 minutes so this was no real hardship. Not a classic, by any means, but an interesting biopic nonetheless. (***)
The Edge Of Love
It was OK but failed to deliver any real spark. Didn't help that all the characters were thoroughly unpleasant - drunks, adulterers, bad parents, wife beaters etc. Couldn't care less what happened to them. (***)
The Duchess
Actually rather good. Thought Ralph Fiennes was doing a Leonard Rossiter impression at times though. (***)

New Arrivals

Italo Calvino: If on a Winter's Night a Traveller
Made the mistake of lending this to someone years ago. Had to buy a replacement. Used my gift card.
Jonathan Safran Foer: Everything is Illuminated
£3 in the Waterstone's Sale.
William Trevor: The Story of Lucy Gault
As was this.
David Peace: The Damned Utd
Seeing as no one got me this for Christmas I bought it myself.
Kate Forsyth: The Puzzle Ring
Great cover. A kind gift for the kids from the author.
David Mitchell: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet
Oh yes, the new David Mitchell arrives in time for Christmas. Result.
Bobbie Darbyshire: Truth Games
A story of open marriages set in the 70s.
Samantha Harvey: The Wilderness
Longlisted or shortlisted for every award going by the looks of it. I am loving the cover, as they say.
Jo Nesbo: The Snowman
I haven't read any Nesbo, I do have some on the shelves though which I should probably tackle first.
Timothy W. Ryback: Hitler's Private Library: The Books That Shaped His Life
This looks really interesting. A tour through Adolf's bookshelves.
Salman Rushdie: Imaginary Homelands: Essays and Criticism 1981-1991
As many of you know, I can't stand Rushdie's novels. Let's see if I fare any better with this.
Paul Strathern: The Artist, The Philosopher and The Warrior
The story of how Borgia, da Vinci and Machiavelli combined forces for a military campaign.
Sian Rees: Sweet Water and Bitter: The Ships That Stopped the Slave Trade
The story of a small British fleet that liberated 150,000 Africans while trying to prevent the slave trade in the 19th century.
Rick Senley: Moustache Man: The Deadly Whiskers
An ironic take on the Victorian murder mystery.
Carol Ann Duffy: Love Poems
Must confess I haven't really liked any of her stuff so far but will give this a go.
Ian Stewart: Flatterland: Like Flatland Only More So
A belated birthday gift from my sister-in-law who thinks it was my 40th.
Mischa Hiller: Sabra Zoo
Coming soon from Telegram, the publishers of two of my favourite books of 2009.
Karan Mahajan: Family Planning
Indian comedy. Is it just me or are they going a bit Slumdog with the cover? Can't blame them really.
Anthony Quinn: The Rescue Man
Set in Liverpool during WW2, about a man who goes into bombed buildings to rescue survivors.
Amos Oz: Rhyming Life and Death
Never read any Oz. This one is rather short.
James Scudamore: Heliopolis
Was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
Matt Rees: The Bethlehem Murders
The first in the Omar Yussef mysteries. Am really looking forward to this.
Marcus Chown: Afterglow of Creation: Decoding the Message from the Beginning of Time
More from Mr Chown. He'll be one of the guests at the January Book Swap.
Carsten Jensen: We, The Drowned
A huge book. Really fat.
Emma Townshend: Darwin's Dogs
The story of how Darwin's pet dogs helped him shape the theory of evolution.
Gavin James Bower: Dazed & Aroused
A satire on the modelling industry from a male model turned novelist.
Sapphire: Precious: Based on the Novel "Push"
Critically acclaimed movie. A chance to read the book first.
Simon Lelic: Rupture
A novel about a teacher who opens fire on his pupils. A big deal in the new year for Picador, I shall check this one out.
Marcus Chown: Felicity Frobisher and the Three-headed Aldebaran Dust Devil
Scientist Marcus Chown sent this for my kids to read. I think Martha will love it.
Alan Gear: Organic Gardening: The Whole Story
Beautifully produced book looking into the history and philosophy of the organic movement.
Roy Mayall: Dear Granny Smith: A Letter from Your Postman
As soon to be heard on Radio 4.
Farah Damji: Try Me
Controversial memoir of immigration, privilege and addiction.
Norah Vincent: Voluntary Madness: My Year Lost and Found in the Loony Bin
Having spent a year as a man for her last book, investigative journalist Vincent decides to spent twelve months in the loony bin.
Juli Zeh: Dark Matter
A big hit in Germany. Certainly looks interesting.
Nathaniel Rich: The Mayor's Tongue
I know nothing about this book but am loving the cover.
Matthew Pearl: The Last Dickens
A mystery story about the disappearance of Dickens' last manuscript. I couldn't get on with The Dante Club but will take a look at this one.
Dai Sijie: Once on a Moonless Night
A story of a young French woman in 1970s China.
Druin Burch: Taking the Medicine
A social history of medicine.
Robert Crawford: The Bard
A biography of Robert Burns.
Lisa Moore: February
Quotes from Richard Ford and Anne Enright suggest that this is one to take seriously.
William Horwood: Hyddenworld: Spring
OMFG, as they say. A signed limited edition proof of the new William Horward novel. I am really rather excited.
Anna Chilvers: Falling Through Clouds
Cracking cover for this literary thriller from the always interesting Bluemoose Books.
Neal Asher: The Gabble - and Other Stories
I haven't read any of the Polity series of books so this collection of stories might be a good introduction.
Harry Eastwood: Red Velvet Chocolate Heartache
The lovely @EmmaB4 from Twitter popped round to see us and brought some books with her. This rather delightful baking book was one of them.

Bedtime Story

Christopher Russell: The Quest of the Warrior Sheep
A rather silly but entertaining tale. Kids are enjoying it so far.

Martha (Age 8) 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. (****)

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. (*****)

Big Mouth Special Offers

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A special offer for readers of this blog. Save £5 on a subscription to Stack Magazines. 12 issues for £40. Simply click above for more details.

What Is MOTC Reading?

A.S. Byatt: The Children's Book
She's enjoying the arts and crafts element of this, especially the deeply unpleasant potter.
James Lever: Me Cheeta
She enjoyed it but thought it was a bit lightweight for a book group choice - not much to chat about.

Shelf Snooping

Me & My Big Mouth Bookshop

Hidden Gems

Michael Turner: The Pornographer's Poem
A young man 'accidentally' videos his next-door neighbours having sex. Then their dog joins in. It becomes a porn sensation. (****)
Sean Stewart: Firecracker
Sort of Lovely Bones but written by someone into 90s alt.rock. (****)
Robert M. Sapolsky: Monkeyluv: And Other Lessons in Our Lives as Animals
The most entertaining book on behavioural biology you will ever read. (****)
Jean Renoir: Renoir, My Father
The legendary film director recalls life with his legendary painter faither. (****)
Deanna Raybourn: Silent in the Grave
'To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.' Hard to resist such a good opening couple of lines. (****)

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

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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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July 10, 2009

Further Pen Update

Two on their way from different sources, both from within the music industry.

Will report back.

Am suitably excited.

Posted at 08:42 AM in Ramblings | Permalink

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My Charity Shop Haul

Jonathan Franzen: The Corrections
A book that I have never owned, don't really know anything about and have never read a word of. May remedy this shortly. Oxfam £1.99.
Italo Calvino: The Path to the Spiders' Nests
Probably my find of the day. £1.99 from Oxfam.
Thomas Pynchon: Vineland
I have never actually read any Pynchon. £1.25 from Save the Children.
David Guterson: The Country Ahead of Us, Country Behind
I really enjoyed Snow Falling on Cedars but less impressed by his other novels. These short stories may be worth a sniff though. Another Oxfam purchase. £1.99.
Michael Chabon: The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
I think I had this years ago before he was, you know, somebody. £1.99 from Oxfam.
Siri Hustvedt: The Sorrows of an American
Has a sticker on it saying WATERSTONES: THE BOOK CIRCLE. What on earth was that promotion? I must have missed it. Oxfam £1.99.
Truman Capote: Breakfast at Tiffany's
A mere one quid from Save the Children. Not sure how many children I saved with that but hope they are bloody grateful.
Susan Hill: The Man in the Picture: A Ghost Story
Might be good for these long winter nights. Bought for £1.99 from Oxfam.
Jonathan Raban: Bad Land
I enjoyed his novel Waxwings very much. £1.99 Oxfam.
Ian McEwan: On Chesil Beach
It is short. It was cheap. £1.50 from British Heart Foundation.
James Robertson: The Testament of Gideon Mack
Simon Armitage recommended this when I interviewed him on this blog. £1.99 from Oxfam.
Anne Tyler: Back When We Were Grownups
With an author who has a hefty backlist like Tyler it pays to pick up bits and pieces when you see them. Oxfam £1.99.
Kitty Kelley: The Royals
Am I right in thinking this was never published in the UK due to our strict libel laws? Fancy a bit of gossip. £2 in Save the Children.

Quick Flicks

Amos Oz: Rhyming Life and Death
A writer sits in a cafe waiting to attend a book event. To pass the time he creates imaginary lives for the strangers around him. Not the most original of premises but perfectly entertaining in a not-quite-as-good-as-Calvino sort of way. (***)
Druin Burch: Taking the Medicine
Fascinating look at how bad medicine has been for thousands of years and the relatively recent attempts to actually make sure it works. (****)
Anna Chilvers: Falling Through Clouds
A young woman ditches her lover on a train journey and runs off with a complete stranger sitting opposite. Adventurous, yes, but will it all end in tears? A very strong opening means I will have to find out. (****)
Lisa Moore: February
Quotes from Richard Ford and Anne Enright give you an idea of the writing style here. It is clearly accomplished but left me a bit cold. (***)
Salman Rushdie: Imaginary Homelands: Essays and Criticism 1981-1991
I cannot stand Rushdie's fiction. This collection of non-fiction is much less annoying but I still couldn't bring myself to read the whole thing. (***)
Norah Vincent: Voluntary Madness: My Year Lost and Found in the Loony Bin
An American journalist with a history of mild mental illness checks herself in to a variety of hospitals, clinics and retreats in this expose/study of mental health care. I would have been OK with a long magazine piece. (***)
Farah Damji: Try Me
Engaging memoir of a rich girl who goes off the rails. Plenty of energy and shocking content to keep you entertained. (***)
James Delgado: Kamikaze: History's Greatest Naval Disaster
The first Western author to look at what happened when a 'divine wind' sunk Khubilai Khan's fleet as they were on their way to invade Japan. You need to be interested in the subject really. My dad will like this. (***)
Patrick Woodrow: First Contact
A proper page-turner. Found myself quite a way through it in only a couple of sittings. (***)
Thomas Trofimuk: Waiting for Columbus
A young man claiming to be Christopher Columbus is brought to a Spanish asylum for treatment. It is 500 years since the man he purports to be travelled to the New World but a friendly nurse is slowly won over by his conviction and knowledge and their relationship blossoms. A promising opening. (***)
Dave Roberts: The Bromley Boys: The True Story of Supporting the Worst Football Team in Britain
The story of the author's love affair with his local football team told through their disastrous 1969/70 season in the Isthmian League. A warm and funny memoir that every football fan will relate to. (****)
Chloe Hooper: The Tall Man: Death and Life on Palm Island
Based on her original Observer article about the death in custody of an Aboriginal man. This is interesting stuff but given a choice between the original piece and a 250 page book I'd probably go for the former. (***)
Peter Fieldman: 1066 The Conquest
The Bayeaux Tapestry retold as a novel. A neat idea and pretty well done too. (***)
Francois Lelord: Hector & the Search for Happiness
A successful psychiatrist decides to take a break so that he can travel the world in an attempt to find out what makes people happy. This first in the Hector's Journeys series of novels has the same sort of naive charm as The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency and I wouldn't be surprised if it does just as well. One to watch. (****)

Currently Reading

Marcus Chown: We Need to Talk About Kelvin: What Everyday Things Tell Us About the Universe
The author will be appearing at the next Firestation Book Swap so I am doing my research!

Toilet Reading

John Fowles: The Aristos

Now Playing

Arvo Part: Spiegel Im Spiegel
Am falling asleep to this most nights. Beautiful. (*****)
Hello Saferide: More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide
Still playing this album to death. The best thing I have heard in ages. (*****)

Firestation Book Swap

NEXT BOOK SWAP ON JANUARY 21st
A new kind of literary event. Authors in conversation, random questions from a jar, free cake and everyone gets to swap a book.
Thursday 21st January at 7.30pm. Bring a book to swap.
Guests are Matt Beaumont (author of the E Squared and Small World) and scientist Marcus Chown (author of We Need To Talk About Kelvin and Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You).

Trophy Cabinet

Books Read: 2009

Emily Bearn: Tumtum & Nutmeg's Christmas Adventure!
We have all enjoyed the books in this charmingly old-fashioned series. This one-off Christmas special was perfect reading for the festive season. (***)
Roy Mayall: Dear Granny Smith: A Letter from Your Postman
An empassioned and rather sweet plea from a real-life postman longing after the good old days of Royal Mail. (****)
Matt Beaumont: E Squared
Completely over-the-top office comedy. Hilarious. (****)
Rana Dasgupta: Tokyo Cancelled
A modern take on The Canterbury Tales. 13 travellers stranded at an airport tell each other stories to pass the time. Some very odd and disturbing yarns they are too. A bit David Mitchell, a bit Haruki Murakami, a bit Italo Calvino. Good stuff. (****)
Chris Priestley: Tales of Terror from the Tunnel's Mouth
Third volume of seriously spooky stories from Priestley. This was our book at bedtime and the whole family loved it. The scariest series for kids that I have read. (****)
Howard Buten: When I Was Five I Killed Myself.
A genuine American classic to rival Catcher in the Rye which is relatively unknown over there, is out of print here but has sold millions in France. Beats me. (****)
Bragi Olafsson: The Pets
A novel about a man who hides under the bed when an unwanted friend arrives. The friend proceeds to invite people round for a party while our hero watches on. Written by a former member of the Sugacubes. I loved it. (****)
Robert Hudson: The Kilburn Social Club
An ambitious and remarkably successful attempt to write a serious football book set in an alternative London. Part epic family saga, part dirty dealing business satire, part sports fantasy. (****)
Charles Baxter: First Light
Another gem from Baxter. The story of Hugh and Dorsey Welch, brother and sister from a small Michigan town, told backwards. When the book starts they are adults with children, when it ends Hugh is seeing his baby sister for the first time. Not as tricky as it may sound, instead a clever and rewarding way of looking at the characters and their history. Baxter should be much more widely read. He is really very good indeed. (****)
Stona Fitch: Senseless
Uncompromising and disturbing novel in which a kidnap victim has each sense removed in turn. Not for the squeamish but definitely worth the discomfort. (****)
Chris Steele-Perkins: England, My England: A Photographer's Portrait
A wonderful collection of images of England from the author's 40 year career as a photographer. I found the pictures from the 70s and 80s particularly evocative. (****)
Sloan Wilson: The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
First rate. I cannot believe I haven't come across this before. Like Richard Yates but with a touch of Frank Capra. (*****)
Andy Stanton: What's for Dinner, Mr Gum?
A return to form (not that there was that much of a dip) for one of the best series of books for kids out there. Spendid stuff. (****)
Jah Wobble: Memoirs of a Geezer: Music, Life, Mayhem
Frank and entertaining memoir from the former member of PiL who went on to have one of the most diverse careers in modern musical history. Highly recommended. (****)
Elisabeth Beresford: The Wombles
A recent book at bedtime for the Pack household. I found it a bit tricky to read aloud but the kids really enjoyed it. (***)
Helen Rappaport: Conspirator
Fascinating account of the 17 years Lenin spent in exile. (***)
Michael Morpurgo: The Best of Times
A rather sweet and endearing Christmas tale. Works for both kids and adults, perhaps the latter reading it to the former. (***)
Carol Ann Duffy: Mrs Scrooge: A Christmas Tale
Just no great point to it really. Destined to be the stocking filler of choice for TLS subscribers. (**)
David Hughes: Thomas Wogan is Dead
Wonderfully absurd graphic novel. Kafka meets Vic & Bob. (****)
John and Gary Walker: The Walker Brothers - No Regrets
Had to read it for an interview which then didn't happen. Not bad at all, actually, but would have helped if I was a fan. (***)
Audrey Niffenegger: Her Fearful Symmetry
An ambitious and largely successful ghost story. The ending felt a bit rushed but by then I was pretty much swept up in it and happy to go with the flow. Witty, edgy and dark. It doesn't have the killer hook that The Time Traveler's Wife came with but succeeds nonetheless. (****)
Magnus Mills: The Maintenance of Headway
Highly entertaining but I missed the darkness of previous books. Still heaps better than most novels you'll read this year. (***)
Yoshihiro Tatsumi: The Push Man and Other Stories
A remarkable collection. The finest graphic novel I have read. (****)
Helen Rappaport: Ekaterinburg: The Last Days of the Romanovs
A tense and gripping account of the final days of the Czar and his family. If you liked the Mr Whicher book then I suspect you'll enjoy this. (****)
Jessica Ruston: Luxury
Great fun. A proper blockbuster like they did in the 70s and 80s. A guilt-free guilty pleasure because it is so well-written. Curl up and enjoy. (***)
Kate Clanchy: Antigona and Me
The author's account of her friendship with a Kosovan refugee who became her cleaner and nanny. Funny, heartrending and a fascinating portrait of a clash of cultures. (***)
Chris Priestley: Tales of Terror from the Black Ship
Excellent. Truly scary stories. A modern classic. (****)
Robert McCrum: My Year Off: Rediscovering Life After a Stroke
A thoughtful and thought-provoking true story. McCrum was editor in chief of Faber & Faber, and a newly married man, when he suffered a stroke at the age of 42. Quite a scary read if you are near that age, as I am. (***)
Chris Hargreaves: Captain's Blog: Football, Fatherhood and the Fight for Promotion
The captain's account of Torquay' play-off winning season. A remarkably frank and entertaining story of life in the non-leagues. Absolutely essential reading for football fans as this one tells it like it really is. (****)
Oivind Hovland: Trial and Error: The Aviated Efforts of Jean Babtiste de Bomberaque
Another short graphic novel. Odd but charming. (***)
Oivind Hovland: A Day in the Life of Alfred
Very short graphic novel, formatted more like a children's picture book. A darkly sweet story. (***)
Richard E. Grant: The Wah-Wah Diaries: The Making of a Film
Witty, bitchy, gossipy and riveting account of Grant's directoral debut. Something all fans of cinema should read. Fascinating. (****)
Gareth P. Jones: The Thornthwaite Inheritance
The whole family loved this macabre tale of orhpan twins who spend all of their time trying to kill each other. Comes highly recommened from all of us. (****)
Edgar Rice Burroughs: A Princess of Mars
A cracking sci-fi adventure that I found myself enjoying far more than I thought I would. (****)
Edwin A. Abbott: Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions
My first genuine eBook discovery, something I would have never come across otherwise. A brilliantly imagined tale narrated by a square living in a 2 dimensional world whose mind is blown following a visit by a sphere. Genius. (*****)
G. K. Chesterton: The Man Who Was Thursday
Started off well but ended up too silly by half. Throwaway fun for Edwardian gentlemen. (***)
Per Petterson: Out Stealing Horses
An old man holes up in the middle of the Norwegian nowhere and finds himself confronting memories of his youth. Good, but didn't stun me. (***)
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. (*****)