UK on a G-String - Justin Brown 2004 * * *

Not a bad book in my book ( snort!), Justin Brown makes a ridiculous bet with his friend in New Zealand, I think to do with football, and to cut a long story short, his penalty ( I'm hilarious today!) for his team loosing is for him to fly to Englad and busk around it, making enough money for a plane ticket home. I'm sure many people would be thinking 'what a ridiculous idea, he's just setting himself up for disappointment,' 'why doesn't he just refuse to do it?' etc and you may well be right. However Justin isn't just a normal busker in that he plays to wide open spaces in horrible areas of London, he is in fact the first and I'm sure he won't mind me saying this 'most awful door to door busker ever.' That's right, he knocks on unsuspecting families, couples, pensioners' doors and demands to sing to them. Armed with a song about a Kentucky fried Kitten and a slightly rude tune based on Harry Potter he's all set to go traipsing around lovely and goddam awful parts of Britain where he soon meets a myriad of bizarre and charming characters. As long as someone will be kind enough (or desperate enough) to give him some money! By half way through the book you come to see Justin as an old friend and really start rooting for him ( although you wish he'd stop spending the money he makes on pints of beer with new acquaintances!)

Very humorous, easy to read and fun.

Started 18th November

Finished 25th November

Jean Harlow:Tarnished Angel - David Bret 2009 * * * *

I know enough about Jean Harlow to know that part of this book is fabricated stuff. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it immensely but I feel that for people who don't know about Jean's life that this is not a brilliant book to get them started. Classic movie stars dominate my world and I spend hours researching them for my own enjoyment. Hence how I know that many of the things Bret says about her are quite obviously fake. But hey I can still enjoy a good old scandal bio. 'Hollywood Babylon' is one of my favourite books despite the fact most of it is fictional gossip because I love imagining 'what if' these scenerios were true.

Harlow lived a tragically short and unfulfilled life, only just starting to realise her true potential when it was too late and I think she really was one of the most unique and adorable actresses of the day. She was also incredibly loving and kind to people around her which is a rare thing in Hollywood and that is the reason her funeral was almost mobbed with fans - nothing since Rudolph Valentino's early demise had caused such a commotion.

I was, am and will continue to find myself astounded and mesmerised by the Hollywood of yesteryear, it's people, it's image and it's life. Timeless to me forever.

Although I know Bret was far off on many areas of his biography that doesn't stop me from getting out his Joan Crawford and George Formby ( my favourite) biographies to eagerly devour. I know so much about George Formby that I doubt anything in Bret's book will make me adore him any less.

Started 26th October

Finished 1st November

Ivor Novello: Portrait of a Star - Paul Webb 2006 * * * *

Biographies are another of my 'phases'. I love them and have started drooling over all the possible books I can read on my favourite old stars ( as long as I can find them in the library!)
I have only seen Novello in 'The Lodger' and so couldn't really say I was a hard-core fan of his but after reading about his life in a lovely easy and entertaining way and seeing numerous pictures of him through various stages of his life I was hooked. Sad really that 'The Lodger' is the only film of his that is now properly accessable as all others have been lost or destroyed ( it always upsets me to hear that rare silent films have been lost of detroyed - my generation will never be able to see them) and therefore anyone who wants to know more about Ivor would do well to watch that first. I feel awful not knowing that it was Novello who was responsible for 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' which was one of the most popular songs of WW1. He was an incredibly talented and charismatic individual that doesn't seem to have been matched today on account of his quantity and quality of work complete with drop dead handsome looks. To be a genius is one thing, but to be an amazingly jaw-droppingly handsome genius is quite different as his looks opened up many doors for him in film and theatre.
Amazing book and so easy to read. I'm now an Ivor Novello fan.

Started 20th October
Finished 27th October

Someone to Watch Over me - Izzy Hammond 2007 * * *

This was another misery memoir that succeeded in pulling me out of my reading block. I sped through it, devouring everything Izzy explained about her ghastly childhood at the hands of her abusive father Ronald who was also deaf and partially blind. Her mother Emily was also deaf and so Izzy had no one to turn to when the sexual abuse inflicted upon her became too much to bear, resulting in her bringing her own children up in a similar pattern to her mother and neglecting them emotionally. I very brave story full of heart-breaking events that was easy to read.

Started 17th October

Finished 21st October ( with breaks)

Love, Honour and Betray - Kathy Lette 2009 * * * *

I never realised Kathy Lette was so incredibly funny but she is, and also has a wonderful way with words when it comes to describing people.

I had a bit of a slump this month and the last and as I approach the middle of October this is really the only book I have properly read ( flicking through my Adrian Mole volumes hardly counts!). I needed a book to pick me up from my rut that I have become accustomed to finding myself in throughout the months and usually when this happens I either turn to chick lit or true crime. Having exhausted the majority of the true crime books in my library I decided to give this novel a go, having seen it a few times leering at me from the shelves as I went past and I must say it really brought me out of my reading block. The story follows the same kind of format that most other chick lit books do in that the lead character has found out her husband is cheating on her and so decides to become an independent woman and in doing so win him back forgetting in the process that her children are going to prove some work to convince.

There are loads of hilarious incidents and some memorable characters and the book flew along for me which is always a good thing. Lette's writing is fresh and witty and she describes Australia ( where most of the novel is set) in a very eye-catching way that makes me want to experience the place for myself. I'll be reading more of Kathy Lette's work and more books in general again hopefully!

Started 3rd October

Finished 5th October

Missing - Rose Rouse 2008 * * *

A very sad book but very interesting as well to hear some of the first-hand accounts of families who have lost their children or partners in unusual ways. The horrible thing that they all agree on is never knowing whether their loved one is dead or alive. That can be even worse than finding out that they have died.
Some accounts are of those people who walk away from their children, only to find them years later, and others are from parents whose sons walk out one day and never come home. Unexplained disappearances are hard to comprehend, and usually (certainly from reading the book) we get the immediate feeling that these people would not have chosen to leave of their own free will, which, sadly leaves them being made to leave or taken against their wishes. Well written and well compiled, took a bit to get used to though as you are literally plunged into tight and completely different stories every 20 pages or so.

Started 19th August
Finished 1st September ( with breaks!)

The Lost Diaries of Adrian Mole 1999-2001 - Sue Townsend 2008 * * * *

Adrian Mole can never disappoint and I have read all but 1 of his books now ( that being 'The Prostate Years'.) His wit, character and intelligence will make anyone chuckle as he tries to come to terms with his parents' sex life, his unreciprocated love for Pandora, his status as a single man living with 2 boys in a council house, his series of unfortunate and hilariously unsuccessful relationships and his overwhelming love for his many unfinished novels that he enjoys writing so much.

Enter Adrian's World, where everything ,no matter how ludicrous, can always make you laugh out loud.

Started 7th July

Finished 8th July

Disgraced - Saira Ahmed 2009 * * *

It is grotesque to think that in this day and age there are still arranged marriages taking place in the world. Even worse is the hell and unbearable suffering the girls go through who are abused by their new husbands. There is no wway out for them. Women are not permitted to leave an arranged marriage and if any do dare defy their families there is a good chance they will end up dead somewhere.
The word 'family' means something totally different in their civilisation. Not love and kindness but pride and superiority ( for the men at any rate.) They would rather murder or beat a daughter than have her bring shame on the family. How different we as societies seem to be and how frightening to think that someone you see as a loving parent could be willing to bring so much pain to you just for the sake of honouring their family.
This woman takes us through her early upbringing to her violent adolescence and late teens where she is forced to marry a stranger and forbidden to see her true love by her family. Her life is a constant stream of terror and uncertainty, most of the time she is working all hours of the day to pay her parents money for debts they owe. Her parents seem totally thoughtless and barely acknowledge her thanks when she helps them out which I find absolutely disgusting. I hope she can carve a better life for herself now with her young daughter.

Started 7th July
Finished 8th July

We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson 1962 * * *

I can't really work out what to think of this novel. Although short it packs in a lot of information and really gets under your skin. It is written in a weirdly lyrical and surreal way which makes it hard to work out if the writing is simply disjointed or whether there is a special meaning to the prose.
The basic story - 2 sisters and their terminally sick Uncle Julian are boarded up in a large and impressive house on the outskirts of a village. They have been ever since the older sister Constance was accused and the aquitted over the murder of her remaining family. Her younger sister Mary Katherine "Merricat" spends her days playing outside with her cat Jonas and making the awful trips into the village for groceries, only to be accosted with virtually every person that she comes into contact with. It seems the village still want nothing to do with the family, and therefore when the sister's 'cousin' Charles turns up unexpected and starts imposing himself on the sister's life ( and their money) that something very nasty is gonig to happen.
Speaking as a virgin of Shirley Jackson's work I don't know if I fully understand or appreciate her style, and so this book is a bit of a hit and miss for me. Added to which, nothing is properly explained at the end, and instead we are left with an abrupt finish which leaves the reader very unsatisfied.
One to read, but not one to keep.

Started 4th July
Finished 7th July

The Thin Man - Dashiell Hammett 1934 * *

I read this novel immediatly after finishing The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler and I must say I was so desperately disappointed. The writing was dire, the plot really didn't go anywhere except round and round and it actually took me a long time to think that I should persevere as opposed to giving up . I have the film but haven't seen it yet but I can hardly doubt that Powell and Loy will translate this into as dreadful a movie as a piece of writing. In comparison to Chander, Hammett really doesn't have a clue. If I hadn't already decided to take out The Maltese Falcon (also by Hammett) from the library I would have given up on him as a writer already.

Started 1st July
Finished 3rd July

One, Two Buckle My Shoe - Agatha Christie 1940 * * * *

Is there ever going to be a dud Christie book? Highly unlikely after reading yet another brilliantly constructed and captivating piece of work from the Mistress of Crime. This novel is centred around the dentist and how maybe some people's fears can be justifed... Poirot himself is hardly fond of sitting in the chair with a large drill in his mouth and so when he finds out that the very dentist who was working on him a few hours before has 'died' in his surgery, Poirot must use every inch of his 'little grey cells' to find the truth.
Brilliant as ever.

Started 3rd July
Finished 4th July

Tiger's Child - Torey Hayden 1995 * * * *

I haven't read the prequel to this story which describes Sheila's life in more detail but I am pretty sure this book gave me as much information as was necessary.
The second Hayden book for me, this tells of Torey's encounter with a mentally and physically abused and abusive little girl who is abandoned at a young age and finds her way into Torey's special needs class. The amount of time that Torey and Sheila spend together is very brief in comparison to her other case I read ( Ghost Girl) but there is still plenty of time to get to know her and find out how gifted she really is. Torey Hayden has a wonderfully gentle way of writing which is in no way arrogant or money grabbing - she really just wants to help these children who have no one else and that is very heartwarming to see. A captivating and gripping book. I will be reading more of her work.

Started 28th June
Finished 30th June

The Big Sleep - Raymond Chandler 1939 * * * *

Who cannot love Chandler's way of writing and creating unforgettable characters. The film of the same name with Bogart and Bacall is one of my favourite film noirs and so reading this was important to me.
Philip Marlowe's drawling wisecracks and constant whisky drinking as he sets on the trail of a rich and detached family who hold many more dark secrets than they let on is captivating. Even if you hadn't seen the film the characters would naturally jump out on you from the page, one of the only times I have felt like I am living the life of the main protagonist as opposed to simply reading the book.
Amazing story and now a desperate need to read all the rest of Chandler's work.

Started 25th June
Finished 28th June

Peril at End House - Agatha Christie 1932 * * * *

I thought that after the amazing ending in 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' Christie's other books would just be fairly mediocre. Actually this story as another amazing page-turner and I hurried through it desperate to read the ending. And when I did, I uttered the now all-too common words ' It was so obvious but I didn't see it' which really proves what a fantastic genius of a writer Christie is. I have loads more of her books stacked up ready to read and if I read a 3rd one to the same amazement and enjoyment than I will think nothing of seriously working my way through all her books. I also love the creation of Poirot - I think he is superb, and he is usually so calm even when he knows the truth that it spurs me on faster and faster to finish and find out his discovery. As I have only read 2 Christie's I cannot comment on his actions throughout other books, but if the Poirot TV show is anything to go by, he is about as much of a genius as Christie is - maybe she based his character on herself...

Started 18th June

Finished 24th June

Secret Smile - Nicci French 2005* * * *

This is the second Nicci French novel I have gobbled up and to be honest I would say its nearly as good if not as good as the last one ( What to do when someone dies). The thing about these 2 writers is that they have an ability to draw you in so well that you find yourself tripping over to read more and more. This really is one of those books where the case of 'just one more page' takes effect. Even when I know I have to get up for work I am still desperate to read more even if it means propping my eyelids up with matchsticks!
This is the second book I have read regarding the subject of stalking and as I read more and more I find out how complex and terrifying the act of stalking really is.
Brilliant writing.

Started 6th June
Finished 9th June

Footsteps in the Dark - Georgette Heyer 1932* * * *

I have heard a great deal about Heyer's Regency novels and was delighted to see that she had done a series of classics mystery novels that combined a good story with some dry humour which sounded ideal!
The story was a good one, although honestly I felt in some places it lagged. I liked the typically English stiff upper lipped attitude where no one says how they are really feeling and throw sarcasm around at each other every other sentence. The end was surprising, but I did sort of guess the culprit, not however having any idea about the motive. Worth a read. Will try some of her others.

Started 27th May
Finished 5th June

The Adventures of Sally - P.G. Wodehouse 1922 - * * * *

One of the better Wodehouse's, I sped through this barely stopping to take a breath except when I wanted to laugh! Sally's travels around Europe and back to America make for very funny reading and I was sad to come to the end of this one although I know I have to so that I can start new Wodehouses. The thing I liked most about this was that I didn't get mixed up with the characters like I do in many of his books and managed to stay focused the entire novel. Brilliant.

Started 25th May
Finished 26th May

Stalked - Kate Brennan 2009 * * * *

This is the kind of book that would make a good horror film, the scary part would be that it is actually a true story. One of the few books that genuinely scared me and made me go around locking all the doors before bed last night this kind of book really gets under your skin. The scary thing about it is that this woman is stalked by someone she knows better than anyone who proclaimed to love her when they were together and also threw daily insults and put downs in her face ( one such occurance happens when he pats her arm patronizingly and tells her that it's such a shame that he isn't sexually attracted to her anymore and he really wishes he was but it's just not going to happen.) How insulting and demeaning, as if this man has a right to act this way and then get angry when she mentions she can't stand it anymore. Her stalker Paul sounds like a very frightening character and the fact that he is still at large after all this time means Kate has to constantly up and move house for fear of him finding her. That is no way to live your life constantly looking over your shoulder, but unfortunately it is a reality that Kate must now live with.
A riveting read.

Started 23rd May
Finished 24th May

Something Fresh - P.G.Wodehouse 1915 * * *

After a mix up at his friend's house, Lord Emsworth absent-mindedly pockets a valuable scarab and takes it back to his home Blandings, to add to his collection. Things go from bad to worse when his friend hires someone to steal the scarab back for him, which would be fine if the man he hired wasn't also up against a beautiful and secretive woman who coincidentally lives in the same block of flats as him and has been invited to Blandings as a cook ( she secretly wants the scarab). The trouble is neither knows about each other... let the chaos begin!!
Funny and easy to read, Wodehouse is not capable of writing a dud!!

Started 20th May
Finished 23rd May

The Throwback - Tom Sharpe 1978* * * *

The first Tom Sharpe I have ever read has had me in hysterics since the beginning. I finished it last night and towards the end I had to stop for a breather because my gasping and snorts of amusement was making it hard to breathe. Sharpe is effectively Wodehouse with all the rude bits thrown in. However just because he's rude doesn't mean he is vulgar and though critics have mentioned that they find him over the top he still has a jolly good sense of humour and isn't afraid to talk about anything. Don't read this on public transport as I doubt you would last the trip (the taxidermy incident nearly made me fall off my bed I was laughing so much) and besides, this type of humour should be savoured and appreciated at it's fullest sense. But that didn't stop me from finishing it all in 2 days!


Started 17th May
Finished 18th May ( late!!!)