Review: Coming Up Trumps: A Memoir

Coming Up Trumps: A Memoir by Jean Trumpington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On the surface, you'd think there wasn't much to enjoy about a posh die-hard Tory (Thatcher was a hero of hers) looking back at very privileged life. But, there's actually an awful lot to enjoy. It provides an insight into a different world. One where you hop from job to job, party to party, where you can always find a gaggle of friends no mater where you end up - basically because you're rich and have the right connections. In fairness to Trumpington, she never denies she was privileged; she just embraced the opportunities that came her way. Still, it is an eye-opener to how the "other half" live.

Interestingly while she shameless name drops throughout the book, she downplays her own achievements. She implies she was at Bletchley because she had the right accent (which may well be true) but you suspect it's also because she was a very bright woman.

Overall, you get the impression that while she probably wasn't the most empathetic of people, she was honest. You might not like what she had to say but at least you could guarantee she'd say it to you rather than behind your back.

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Review: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this years and years ago when I was about 10 or 11 (I might have been even younger), so I decided to re-read it on the suspicion that I hadn't got most of the jokes the first time round. Needless to say, I was right - there are many, many jokes you don't pick up until you're adult (and have gone through being 13 3/4 yourself...).

The biggest surprise is that Adrian isn't as big of a pillock as I thought. Obviously, he's an idiot but no more so that your average socially inept teenager. Plus, most of the characters are pillocks - even the beloved Pandora says some cringeworthy things.

There are some digs about Thatcher and other events of the time that I just about get the reference to (I was one at the time that the book is set to be fair). But, it's surprising (and disturbing) how many parallels we can draw with our current political climate.

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Review: Little

Little by Edward Carey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Although this fictional biography of Marie Tussaud (the Madame of Madame Tussauds) is well written and compelling, it's frustrating. Tussaud is often portrayed as a victim. If she's not being downtrodden by a harridan of a stepmother (though, technically, her landlady), she's being neglected by her boss/pseudo father. Tussaud went through some turbulent times to become the founder of a now world-famous museum. If there was one thing she wasn't, it was a victim. She was a survivor. Therefore, I would have preferred Carey to focus less on how awful things were for Tussaud and instead look at how gritty and determined she must have been. Plus, there's countless references to how ugly she was (sigh). Why do male authors get so fixated by the appearance of their female characters. Could they not write a female character who was plain but so charismatic that it didn't matter? Oh I forgot, my bad, it's only men who get to be plain but charismatic isn't it?


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Review: The Book of Forgotten Authors

The Book of Forgotten Authors by Christopher Fowler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fascinating review of once-popular authors who are now, as the title suggests, largely forgotten.

I nearly didn't buy it as I thought it was bleeding obvious why they were forgotten - they just didn't have the genius of Dickens & Austen etc. To some extent that's true but also it's because world events got in the way or their own self-destructive tendeincies did. A surprising number may be forgotten but their work isn't. Or rather the films/plays their work inspired are still widely known.

Overall, a great read for book lovers. Personally, I don't think I will seek out any of these authors. But, I do have a new-found appreciation for what happens to authors after their books leave the bestseller lists.

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Review: Equal Rites

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this first instalment of the Witches triology.

Granny Weatherwax is a great character - a witch whose greatest power is her death stare. Being quite fond of giving what my friends call "the look", I loved that Weatherwax can get pretty much anyone to do what she wants by giving them a hard stare.

The numerous puns were fun too as were the digs at male misogyny.

I am not in huge rush to read the other books in the trilogy but I'd definitely pick them up if I saw them.

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Review: Bernard Who?: 75 Years of Doing Just About Everything

Bernard Who?: 75 Years of Doing Just About Everything by Bernard Cribbins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The words "national treasure" are banded about a lot these days but Cribbins is certainly deserving of the label - the book's tagline is certainly accurate; he really has done everything (from being paratrooper, playing a serious role a Hitchcock film, to narrating the Wombles).

Most of all, he seems to be a genuinely nice man. He rarely has a bad word to say about any of the seemingly countless number of "names" he has worked with. Despite acknowledging Peter Sellars became "a prick" after becoming famous in Hollywood, Cribbins highlights that Sellars was good to him and was "a genius".

The book loses its way a little bit towards the end. Wasn't that interested in Cribbins' charity golf or cricket matches with his famous chums to be honest (to be fair, Cribbins does make a point of keeping it brief because he knows that people won't be that interested).

All in all an interesting read of man who is quite happy to take on whatever work came his way.

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Review: Lethal White

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another highly accomplished Strike novel. Once again, just as she did with the Harry Potter series, Rowling excels at writing characters. Not one of the characters feel false or one dimensional - even the less likeable ones have depth.

There were a few times that the story dragged but, overall, Strike and Robin are so compelling, you are willing to overlook the odd duff chapter or two.

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Review: The Life and Loves of a He Devil

The Life and Loves of a He Devil by Graham Norton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think this is best "read" as an audio book as Norton narrates it. As the late Northern Irish comic Frank Carson used to say "it's the way you tell them". Norton's gift for story telling is absolutely how he says thing rather than what he says. He doesn't say anything thing profound in this book in which outlines his passions (hence the title) but narrates in such a way, you find yourself laughing out aloud at tales that in other hands would be mundane.

To be honest, it's like a lengthy version of his radio show without the celebrities or Maria McErlane (though, both are frequently referenced). Not a bad thing at all if you're an avid fan of the show (which I am).

Probably wouldn't have bought it if there hadn't been a e-book/audiobook deal, but still really enjoyed it.

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Review: The Colour of Time: A New History of the World, 1850-1960

The Colour of Time: A New History of the World, 1850-1960 by Dan Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A stunning work of art - illustrator Marina Amaral has painstakingly brought colour (and life) to black & white photos of iconic moments in history. The detail is just amazing; so amazing that you sometimes forget that the image didn't always have colour.

Jones' historical blurbs that accompany the photos are just the right mix of information and accessibility. You actually feel you're learning something but, at the same, are not overwhelmed by fact.

This is definitely a book I will keep on my shelves and re-read multiple times.




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Review: The Light Years

The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An absorbing family saga. Howard's skill is to have numerous characters and make you care about all of them. Though, I could have done without a fourth set of cousins being introduced in the second part. While they were all individually interesting, they meant I started to lose track of who was who - I did have to keep flipping back to the family tree at the start of the book to remind myself who was a sibling, who was a cousin, and how old they they were.

However, there is a disturbing incident that happens early on in the secondary part. While Howard clearly indicates this incident is wrong, she doesn't mention it again. An underlying theme of the book is the sacrifices and compromises we make for our families. But this particular incident shouldn't be seen as something that someone has to put up with for the sake of familial harmony. Therefore, I was concerned that it wasn't addressed further. (In fairness to Howard, she may deal with it later in the series.)

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Review: We Should All Be Feminists

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting essay on why feminism is needed and why it benefits people of all genders to be feminism. I think a few of things that Ngozi Adichie covers probably wouldn't apply to the UK - though, perhaps, it's better to say that sexism in Nigeria is more blatant than it is in the UK. Just because a waiter wouldn't completely ignore a woman, as they apparently do in Nigeria, in the UK doesn't mean they won't give the wine to the man to taste (I have no clue about wine, but it would be nice if waiters didn't just assume that).

I think this is the perfect read for anyone wondering why feminism is such a thing at the moment and why, whether they are a woman or a man, they should become involved with it.

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Review: Five Children on the Western Front

Five Children on the Western Front by Kate Saunders
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I randomly came across this when I was helping out at a mobile library for homeless people - it was among the books being given away for free and, as no one else appeared to want it, I decided to pick it up.

I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have read Five Children and It (or its two sequels) to understand this book, but it probably helps as there are several allusions to events that occurred in that story.

Ultimately, this is a story about how the First World War affected everyone - regardless of how rich or poor they were - and how everyone came to realise that it wasn't the jolly adventure they initially thought it was as the fighting dragged on.

There is a subplot about the Psammead finding redemption for past misdeads that occasionally feels a bit contrived but does have moments of real poignancy.

Given the book has some serious themes, it is definitely best reserved for older children/teenagers. I think nostalgic adults (such as myself) have a lot of gain from it as well.

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Review: I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death

I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O'Farrell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first heard of this book, I did wonder how unlucky someone could be to have had 17 encounters with death. But actually, apart from the ones discussing serious illness or a truly frightening attack, most of the essays focus on brushes with death that everyone has but doesn't really think about - stepping back from the curb just in time to avoid being squashed or misjudging how deep the water is. That said by the time I was halfway through the book, I did start to think O'Farrell has a bit of a death wish - she certainly finds herself in situations that could have been avoided (such as don't jump into the sea for a dare when you have problems with perception). But, O'Farrell does address her reckless behaviour and the reasons why in the penultimate essay ("Cerebellum").

All in all, a beautifully written book that raises interesting questions about how close we are to death and how often we ignore its presence.

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Review: Record of a Spaceborn Few

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the first two books in the Wayfarers series - they were wonderful feel-goods reads that gave a glimpse of what life could be like if we just accepted each other's differences. This one is also "feel good" but I think it has more depth to it. I found myself relating to the characters a lot more than I did in the previous novels; that's probably because they're mainly humans to be fair with typical human concerns - such as Tessa who is wondering where her life went or Kip who is wondering where his life will begin.

Chambers makes obvious parallels between the Exodus Fleet society and our own - for example, the plight of immigrants and concerns about AI taking over people's jobs - but it's not so obvious that you'll feel she's hammering the points home.

Even if this proves to be the last in the series, I will definitely read more of Chambers' work. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

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Review: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On Writing rightly has a reputation for being THE book to read if you want to write and I think any wannabe writer would be foolish to overlook it. Whether you like King's books or not (I've only read two of them), he undeniably knows how to write a good story. His back catalogue of bestsellers - ranging from thrillers to fantasy - is a testament to that.

This is such a useful handbook for those hankering to write fiction (he gives tips on everything from finding a place to write to finding an agent) that there's not much for those who don't want to write. There are some straightforward memoir bits - for example, the "CV" section charts his childhood - but there is a lot (a lot!) of detail about writing fiction. As I have no plans to write a novel, I did find myself skipping some bits to be honest. Still, I also learnt a fair bit that I will try to apply to my writing (should I ever figure out what it is I do want to write).

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Review: One Pair Of Hands

One Pair Of Hands by Monica Dickens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the surface, this is a charming memoir of an upper class girl slumming it as a "cook general" (cook who does housework as far as I can tell). Dickens amusingly describes her own incompetence, the interesting characters she works with (from dimwitted maids to dragons of governesses), and the sheer awfulness of her employers

However, there is an underlying question that's never really addressed - why, on earth, is she doing it? At the start of the book, she claims she went into service because she was "bored". But, that doesn't explain why she sticks at it for so long. You do wonder what she's trying to prove or who she's trying to prove it to. She doesn't outright say that she comes from a wealthy family, but that's the implication - certainly, you don't give up jobs as easily as she does if you are at all worried about money (plus her Great Granddad was the Dickens, so you'd think there'd be a bit money left over from his time).

There is a suggestion that she's somewhat flighty - before being a cook general, she tried and failed to be an actress. And after her stint as a cook general, she tried various things (including being a nurse, as detailed in One Pair of Feet) before she eventually became a writer. All of these things makes me want to read more of her books. I want to find out why someone who comes from privilege seems so determined to escape it.



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Review: Doctor Who: The Day She Saved the Doctor: Four Stories from the TARDIS

Doctor Who: The Day She Saved the Doctor: Four Stories from the TARDIS by Susan Calman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fun little book for Doctor Who fans, looking at the times when the Doctor's companions have saved the day. Does make you realise how good it is that we now have a female Doctor Who. There is a sense of "making do" with the sidekicks being the heroes for once because the top job is out of reach.

I was a bit disappointed with Calman's entry. She isn't an experienced writer and it shows - her version of Clara was fine but wasn't one that was in tune with the TV series. Jenny T Colgan, who uses the "T" in her name when writing Sci-Fi novels, is an established writer of Doctor Who novels and did a much better job with her Rose story. In fairness to Calman, though, Clara (in terms of the TV series) is probably the least interesting companion of the four - so she didn't have much to work with.

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Review: Circe

Circe by Madeline Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I surprised by how much I liked this (I only bought it because there was an Amazon deal) - I didn't really like Miller's previous novel Song of Achilles, which won the then Orange in 2012, as I found it too soppy for want of a better word.

This, however, is both unsentimental and compelling. Circe's slow acceptance of herself as someone who does not fit in with the her kin (the Gods) or fit in with those she has a natural sympathy with (the mortals) is beautifully done. The only thing I would say is that the ending is a little a bit too neat - I liked it but I think a braver option would have been to leave things a little less wrapped up.

While you don't need to know the story of Circe to read this (I didn't), you may need to have your phone on hand so you look up certain Greek Gods and Heroes to keep up with who's who. Things gets very confusing when, later in the book, there's two characters with similar names (that to be fair, is explained).

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Review: Cheer Up Love: Adventures in depression with the Crab of Hate

Cheer Up Love: Adventures in depression with the Crab of Hate by Susan Calman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mostly read this on Audible, which - being read by Calman herself - made it more personal.

At times both poignant & funny, her memoir gives a good insight into depression & anxiety. She doesn't claim to have the answers but does provide practical useful advice for coping with depression/anxiety.

What I thought was particularly brave & honest was to highlight how having mental health issues can make you self involved.
That sometimes, you need to recognise that people aren't talking about you or judging you on that thing you said because - well - you're just not that important to them. They've got their own stuff to deal with. Calman even sites the time her wife called her out for being selfish & never asking about how she's feeling. Calman is not suggesting having depressiom means you're selfish, more to be careful to avoid getting so caught up in how awful you feel that you become oblivious to the needs & feelings of those you love.

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Review: Ace and Proud: An Asexual Anthology

Ace and Proud: An Asexual Anthology by A.K. Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Was a bit gobsmacked to discover this book in a local charity shop in my area of East London - I thought I was the proverbial only Ace in the village (probably I'm to be fair; it's yummy mummy central). Thus, I had to buy it given the absolute dearth of Ace-related stuff available.

Bit disappointed with this collection. I didn't mind the fact that the essays weren't that well written as few of the contributors claim to professional writers. But, it was frustrating that so many of them were teenagers or in their early 20s. I would prefer to read more stories about older Aces - particularly as I am 38 and have only just discovered "asexuality" was even a thing in the last couple of years. I think many older Aces might similarly be new to realising their identity because they never flipping realised it existed.

I might investigate if Purple Cake press, the publishers, have any more anthologies that feature older people.

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Review: Excellent Women

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alexander McCall Smith writes in the introduction that Excellent Women is a book that "on one level, is about very little" but is actually "a great book about a great deal". That is absolutely true. Nothing much happens - the events would probably make for one episode of Corrie, if that - but Pym's observations about people are spot on. The narrator, Mildred Lathbury, immediately recognises that a supposedly kindly, sweet hearted woman is actually a conniving little madam, realises that a man is a bit of a cad despite (to her embarrassment) developing a crush on him, and regularly reflects on her own limitations and failings.

A wonderful book for "excellent" women (or men) - those who have a tendency to be on the side lines being useful to others but are never themselves the star attraction. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that the lack of plot does make things drag now and then.

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Review: The Gender Games: The Problem with Men and Women, from Someone Who Has Been Both

The Gender Games: The Problem with Men and Women, from Someone Who Has Been Both by Juno Dawson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A thought-provoking part memoir/part review of what it is to be a "woman" vs. what it is to be a "man" - with a strong, well-reasoned, argument that the whole concept of gender is essentially nonsense and sticking to rigid ideas about male and female gender doesn't benefit anyone (least of all those who don't feel they fit into any binary category).

I don't think this book is going to change any minds to be honest. If you think a man's a man and that's it, then you'll probably always think that (though you're highly unlikely to pick up this book in the first place). But if you want to understand more about why people transition (or question their gender), this provides an valuable insight.

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Review: Home Fire

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A modern day retelling of Antigone (a Greek play which, before I read this, I'd never head of to be honest) that provides a powerful insight into how Muslim youths - or any youth for that matter - can become radicalised (and how they can realised, too late, that they've been misled). It also shows the impact of having a "Jihadi" in the family; there is a real sense of damned if you do and damned if you don't. Do you support them? Or do you abandon them to their choice in a bid to protect the rest of the family?

The only thing I didn't like about is the central love story. I found the character of Eammon a little annoying. His actions are naive to say the least and comes across a teenager even though he's meant to be about 24.

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Review: The Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The perfect book to read over a long weekend - compelling but also non-taxing.

However, I did struggle with the subplot story of Izabela and Laurent. Rich girl constrained by the rules of society meets bohemian artist isn't exactly a new concept when it comes to romantic fiction, but there were one or two twists and turns that keeps it (sort of) interesting. Plus without this subplot, Maia's story would just be your average tale of repressed woman learns to live life to the full etc.

This is actually the first in what I am presuming is seven books - each one charting the story of how one of the adopted sisters finds out her origins. There are actually only six sisters but there's blatant foreshadowing about the "missing" seventh sister (which relates to The Seven Sisters mythology I think) - so, I'd be very surprised if there wasn't a seventh book about her once she is found.

Not sure if I will read the others in the series (the fourth one has just been published), but I'd definitely consider them the next time I'm in need of an easy read.

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Review: Dr James Barry: A Woman Ahead of Her Time

Dr James Barry: A Woman Ahead of Her Time by Michael du Preez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Dr James Barry: A woman ahead of her time" is the astonishing true story of Margaret Anne Bulkley - a woman who, for most of her life, pretended to be a man and worked as an army surgeon. That she managed to "get away" with her disguise for so long would have been an impressive feat by itself but she also did this while working her ways through the ranks to become one of the highest ranked medical officers in the British army.

The tragic part is that she was probably extremely lonely - she daren't get too close to anyone for fear of them discovering her secret. Plus, she doesn't come across as the easiest of people; her temper frequently being the cause of many falling outs and career set backs.

Perhaps, Barry could be seen as a transgendered man but that's impossible to know. Had Margaret had the same opportunities to be a doctor as "James" had, then you could ascribe "his" decision to live as a man as an indication that "he" saw "himself" as a man. But, her choices as "Margret" were to be a governess or get married - so deciding to be "James" could well have been she simply wanted a better life for herself. Particularly as there were indications she missed being able to live as a woman.


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Review: Picnic at Hanging Rock

Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A haunting tale of three girls (and their teacher) who go missing on Hanging Rock after a school trip to the site.

The reason for their disapperance is famously never explained - there's just the merest suggestion of them being supernaturally called away - giving it a sense of otherworldiness. But, the impact that their disapperance has the community is actually pretty realistic. Things fall apart, bonds are broken, and some (rather sweetly) are made.

Overall, an odd book that's hard to describe. May have to pitch it to my book group as definitely one that could spark a lot of discussion,

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Review: The Good People

The Good People by Hannah Kent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An absorbing story of three women and their attemtps to "cure" a severely disabled child - all of them convinced he is a "changeling" (a fairy subsitute for the real child). The lengths they go to are shocking and disturbing, making you realise how poorly understood disability was in the 19th Century (when the book is sent) - particularly in communities in which people were poorly educated. At best, you'd be written off as a "cretin" (which is actually a medical term) or condemmed for being "a fairy" at worse.

You have sympathy for Nance Roche despite her pedalling of "cures" and what she does to cure Michael. People are weary of her because of her connection to the "Good People" and for the crime of being unmarried - that doesn't stop them going to her when they need a cure or curse though. She's exactly the type of woman who would have been burnt as a witch in earlier times. Valuable when her cures seems to work but the devil when they don't.


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Review: Heart of Oneness: A Little Book of Connection

Heart of Oneness: A Little Book of Connection by Jennifer Kavanagh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A thoughtful essay on how we, as people, connect with each other, our surroundings, and even the universe. One of the reasons I buy Jennifer's books is because I know her and want to support her work. However, I honestly believe I would buy them even if I didn't know her - I really admire her writing style. It's elegant without ever being superfluous - a word I can spell without having to resort to Google (ahem) - in fact, it's the type of writing I dream of producing.

There is a slight religious bent to the book, but I think it can be appreciated by religious and non-religious alike. Definitely something to read on a quiet afternoon when you have the time to contemplates its messages.

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Review: No Highway

No Highway by Nevil Shute
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was really pleased to receive a Shute novel in a vintage book subscription package I've signed up to - Shute's A Town Like Alice was one of my favourite books as a teenager, so I was delighted to get the chance to read another of his books.

This is a great escapist read of the "little man" going up against major players in his bid to prove his theories about how "metal fatigue" might affect an aeroplane. Mr Honey is a complex oddball but a likeable character at the same time. Amusingly, he does seem to have no issues attracting women (I suspect this is wish fulfilment on Shute's part) despite being described as having the features of a toad.

The big issue with it is that it's a product of a its time. It's unbelieveable sexist. An underlying theme is that women are happiest being wives and looking after their men. So you do have to keep reminding yourself that it was written in 1948.

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Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A harrowing tale of survival. Similar to the graphic novel Maus, The Tattooist of Auschwitz highlights that surviving the death camps was a combination of luck and determination. While Lale does things - things he's not always proud of - to survive, he is also "lucky" that he has skills useful to the guards. You do wonder how many resourceful "Lales" there were, equally determined to survive, but persished because they didn't have anything the guards required.

Any book about the Holocaust is disturbing but what I found particularly disturbing is the implication that the guards knew what they were doing was wrong but didn't care. Not that's a huge surprise - it's just brings it home that the SS weren't necessarily people with warped ideology; they were people who enjoyed inflicting misery on others,

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Review: The Little House on the Prairie

The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having loved the TV series as a child, I thought this would make for a nice comfort read. But, I was wrong - there's nothing comforting about this book. It's not really explained why "Pa" decides to uproot his family to go West - other than he's got fed up with how busy it is where they were currently living - so the move did come across as reckless, especially considering the numerous dangers the face trying to make a new home for themselves. In fairness to Pa though, he's certainly a handy chap to have around. There doesn't seem to be much he can't build or make himself.

There is a fair bit of blatant racism towards Native Americans - "Ma" comes out with some eye-wateringly shocking things at times. That said, Pa acknowledges that Native Americans have a right to hate the "white man" because they, effectively, keep being pushed from their lands.

I am not inclined to read any the other books from the series but I would be interested in reading a book about these times from an adult perspective - particularly one that considers that the Native American voice.



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Review: The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: or the Murder at Road Hill House

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: or the Murder at Road Hill House by Kate Summerscale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The most compelling thing about this real-life "whodunit" is not who committed the gruesome murder of a small child - it's clear who the main suspect is early on in the book - but how, without the benefit of forensics, Whicher is going to prove his suspicions. I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that he was not able to (The GoodReads blurbs hints as much); although inspired in his deductions, he is simply unable to offer sufficient evidence to support this theories. Police bungling, snobbery, and Victorian attitudes all conspire against him.

The events takes place when the concept of a detective was in its infancy and it's amazing to think how much changed since then. But, there's an awful lot that hasn't changed - the media deciding who is guilty prior to a trial, making someone a scapegoat, and generally everyone having their own theory.






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Review: Stone Mattress: Nine Wicked Tales

Stone Mattress: Nine Wicked Tales by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While I didn't enjoy reading this book, I don't think it's fair to blame Atwood. I am just not a fan of dystopian stories or ones that focus on humanity's worst characteristics - two themes that feature predominantly in Atwood's work. It would be, after all, a tad odd to complain about not liking cheese on toast if you are lactose intolerant (which I am as it happens).

For her superb, flawless writing, Atwood deserves five stars. Therefore, the only reason I am giving it three stars is to indicate that it wasn't for me.

I read this book for my book club. If you're London based and are interested in attending, please see: http://www.zone1bookgroup.com/ for details.

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Review: How to Stop Time

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This well-written story ponders the question of immortality and how you would cope if you knew you would outlive anyone you loved (and whether or not you should dare to love at all). It's certainly compelling and I'd feel bad about giving it anything less than four stars but I sometimes struggle to like it. I am not quite sure why to be honest.

Firstly, and this isn't Haig's fault, I am bit fed up of reading a male voice. Most of the books I've read so far this year have been by men and/or had male protagonists so I am now a bit desperate for a female voice. Plus, again this isn't Haigh's fault, I've seen the book described as "literary fiction" in some places. There's no way it would be described as that if the author had been female. I think Haig the other day was saying something on Twitter about literary fiction being a meaningless term - which is a fair point - but it's annoying that a book gets a bit more respect because the author happens to be male.

Finally, and this is Haig's doing, I feel a tad manipulated. That the book has been crafted to tick certain boxes about what makes a good book - likeable protagonist you can identify with, interesting idea, and a few profound insights into life. The result is that while I can admire it and can't find anything to criticise, I am not able to say I love it or be that eager to recommend it to someone else.


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Review: How to be Champion: My Autobiography

How to be Champion: My Autobiography by Sarah Millican
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I both read the ebook version and listened to the audiobook (narrated by Millican herself) - thanks to a limited offer in which, essentially, you buy the two for £4.

Of the two, I preferred the audiobook. Millican's narration breathed life into what otherwise would be your typical story of self-discovery. This is a great feel-good book one that reminds you that accepting yourself for you who are and not for who you think should be is probably be one of life's biggest challenges at times. Plus, there's a fair bit of justified fury at being criticised for having the "audacity" to be an overweight well-known woman and, worst of all, one that doesn't want children.

One word of warning, Millican (as you probably know if you have seen her stand up) is fairly liberal with coarse sexual language. I personally don't like it - in fact, I was surprised by how much I didn't like it (didn't realise I was that much of a prude to be honest). So if you have a tendency to cringe every time someone refers to their, er, "Lady Garden" in blunt terms, Millican's type of comedy may a bit off putting at times.

Overall, though, Millican comes across as a lovely person. Ultimately, just because her comedy might not be for you, doesn't mean you can't enjoy this book.

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Review: Tales of the City

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An utterly fabulous look at the lives and loves of a group of completely dysfunctional of people, who somehow are all loosely connected with each other. Each character - although most border on the caricature in some way - is interesting and has depth. I found quite a few of them to be dislikable at the beginning but I ended up being fond of almost all of them. Even, Brian - whose main goal in life appeared to be get his leg over - was endearing.

Not really a series person, so I am not sure if I will actively seek to read the other books in this series. But if I see one in a charity shop (where I found this copy), I will definitely buy it!

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Review: Good Omens

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had a bit of a epiphany reading Good Omen (pun intended). While I do enjoy the comic fantasy style of both Pratchett and Gaiman (despite what Goodreads suggests, they both wrote this book), I don't enjoy it enough to want to read a book of this size (about 400 pages).

Plus, there were several jokes about one of the characters coming across as "gay" because he was "effeminate" etc. Shockingly, someone even call him a word that I won't repeat here, but it's one that's now deemed to be extremely offensive to the LGBTQ plus community. The book was written nearly 30 years ago, so you do have to judge it by the standards of the day. I certainly don't think Gaiman would make such jokes now.

Overall, though, I did enjoy reading this book. I just think the next time I read something by Gaiman, I'll stick to one of his shorter books.

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Review: The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction

The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction by Pink Dandelion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having "officially" been a Quaker for two years now (I became a "member" of a Meeting House in 2016, but had been attending meetings before then), I decided it was high time that I found out more about my faith. Therefore, I decided to read this brilliant overview.

Pink Dandelion - the book is surely worth reading for that name alone - provides a well-researched, concise report of the beginnings of the Quakers, how they faced the challenges of having different viewpoints from each other (they did what all people of religion do when they disagree; essentially, they go off in a huff and start their own version), and the face of Quakers today.

While I knew (vaguely) that I was a Liberal Quaker, I was surprised to find that - on the global scale of things - Liberal Quakers are in the minority. In fact, everything points to Liberal Quakers dying out by the time I am in my 50s (2030s) - more than a little depressing! Though Pink Dandelion (his name is so epic, I will always use it in full) does stress that there has been a resurgence of late & the cinema didn't die out in the 1960s as predicted. Certainly, my meeting (admittedly, one of the biggest in London) is busy enough to warrant three meetings a week and its own newsletter (edited by someone fabulous*)

I think this book is an excellent read for anyone who is either a Quaker, interested in attending Quaker meeting, or simply wants to know more about the faith. Though, in true Liberal Quaker fashion, I'd advise anyone interested in the Quakers to come to a meeting because the experience is the most important thing.

* = Who just happens to be moi.


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Review: One Summer: America 1927

One Summer: America 1927 by Bill Bryson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a compelling account of the year, or rather summer, that America came of age. It truly is extraordinary that so many world-changing events happened in such a brief period. Bryson, as always, writes in a roundabout way; continually going off on a tangent just so that he can throw in another random (but fascinating) fact.

The reason I am giving it only three stars is because I had two issues with it. First, while achievements of Charles Lindbergh were amazing and had a massive impact on the world of aviation, I don't think his exploits after his flight (a tour of the country and always getting mobbed by fans) warranted quite as much attention as they have in the book. Second, Bryson is really rather judgemental about the people he writes about. They are either charasmatic but out of control (Babe Ruth) or they're personality-free oddballs (Herbert Hoover). Admittedly Bryson has done a substantial amount of research on these people, but can he really claim to know what they were like when he never actually met them?

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