What's Tha Up To Nah? is not a sequel or a follow on from Martyn Johnson's first book, but more stories from the same era. Yet again his humour and co...moreWhat's Tha Up To Nah? is not a sequel or a follow on from Martyn Johnson's first book, but more stories from the same era. Yet again his humour and compassion for other people and his love for the city of Sheffield shine through each story. Martyn Johnson is a born story teller and the reader is soon captured up and taken back to the days of the bobby on the beat, police boxes, a clip round the ear and respect for the local copper. Like his first book, this one contains some incredibly funny stories and some extremely sad and heart breaking recollections too. From dealing with the death of a small boy who has been run over to the suspected shoplifter with a pocket full of combs, Martyn Johnson could adjust himself to any situation, handling each one with care and sympathy, and sometimes with the back of his hand! The city of Sheffield and it's people are the main stars of his stories and whilst the city may have changed dramatically since the days that Martyn walked the beat, the people and the humour are still there. I hope that Martyn Johnson has more stories to tell and that he will continue to share them with readers for a few more books yet.(less)
This novel really is a joy to read. It is the story of two women; Claudia and Maria, sisters who grew up happily together. The sisters loved and respe...moreThis novel really is a joy to read. It is the story of two women; Claudia and Maria, sisters who grew up happily together. The sisters loved and respected each other, but have now reached old-age having not seen or spoken to each other for forty years. The reader is introduced to Claudia on the day of her retirement as a Headteacher. Claudia is a lonely lady, full of bitterness and regret and with nothing to look forward to in life except the company of her cat and her memories. As Claudia reflects on her life, the cause of her sadness is revealed to the reader, and this really is a sad sad story. Interwoven into Claudia's story is that of her sister Maria and also Fran, a younger woman who pulls the whole plot together. The Golden Thread is an expertly written story of love, relationships, regret and loss. Each of the characters have their own story and these are very cleverly woven together to make a seamless story. (less)
When I came across this little book, I just knew I had to read it. The adorable face of Goofy on the cover, and the added bonus of it being set on the...moreWhen I came across this little book, I just knew I had to read it. The adorable face of Goofy on the cover, and the added bonus of it being set on the Greek island of Paxos - where I've just booked a holiday. I was not disappointed at all. It's a slim book, just less than 100 pages but within those pages Belinda Harley paints a vivid picture of a beautiful little dog called Goofy.
Initially Goofy adopted her. Belinda was staying on Paxos when this funny little dog started to follow her around, stealing her heart and showing her endless love. Belinda discovered that Goofy's owners were out working hard for much of the day and that he was left tied up in the hot sun in their yard. They soon became inseperable and she was heartbroken when she had to return to London and leave Goofy behind. Belinda made a very big decision, one that would change both of their lives. She would bring Goofy to England, he would live with her.
Goofy's owners agreed and so began the long process of bringing Goofy home - the endless paperwork, the long journeys, the legalities of it all.
Goofy loved England! And the English people loved him, he was soon a feature in the high-class London neighbourhood, making friends everywhere that he went.
This is a wonderful, well-written story that will tug at the heartstrings and will require a box of tissues at your side before the end.(less)
Judith Mackrell is the Guardian's dance critic and is the author of four other books, all non-fiction, and all based around dance.
Flappers, sub-titled...moreJudith Mackrell is the Guardian's dance critic and is the author of four other books, all non-fiction, and all based around dance.
Flappers, sub-titled 'Six Women of a Dangerous Generation' is a multi-biography. Judith Mackrell follows six women from the 1920s who between them were the faces of this generation.
Diana Cooper, Nancy Cunard, Tallulah Bankhead, Zelda Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker and Tamara de Lempicka were either adored or scorned by the public. They were women who broke the mould, who dared to be different, to be independent and to be noticed.
I was instantly intrigued by the thought of reading about these six women, especially Diana Cooper as her family home; Belvoir Castle is not far away from where I live and I'd also recently read The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey which had aroused something of a fascination with the strange, almost dysfunctional Rutland family of Belvoir. Judith Mackrell has cleverly interwoven the six separate stories by only allowing each women two chapters each. Each has one chapter in the first half of the book, and one chapter each in the second. I thought this was an excellent way of keeping the reader's interest in each of the women.
There is no doubt that these six women caused chaos and controversy everywhere that they went. With the exception of Josephine Baker, each of them came from rich and privileged backgrounds and were able to use their contacts to achieve their aims of wealth, fame and, to some extent beauty. Surrounding themselves with the beautiful people of the day, dancing in the fashionable clubs and wearing the highest fashions, these women broke boundaries. Not for them, the stay-at-home, traditional female role, their aim was to shock, whether that meant taking drugs, lesbian love affairs, sleeping around or dancing naked in public.
Each woman, in their own way was damaged to some extent, and although Judith Mackrell has relayed documented facts in this book, her writing does not try to force an opinion upon the reader. It becomes our choice as to whether we can forgive such awful behaviours because of things that may have happened to Zelda, or Diana, or Tallulah in the past.
Beneath the glamour and the excess, the tragedy and the fame, this is the story of how six women changed the world for a little while. They were a new breed; daring and explicit and paved the way for women, especially in show-business and in art. Regardless of what we may think of their behaviour, there is no doubt that they made being female more equal and probably easier for generations to come.
Judith Mackrell The Pan Macmillan Reading Group Panel had a lively debate about this book. We particularly found it interesting to compare and contrast the six women and their lifestyle to celebrities of today. Comparisons ranged from Kerry Katona, to Katie Price to Courtney Love. There were also the parallels to the 1960s and also to some extent the 1980s, with the money, the drugs and the complete hedonism of that decade. Another comparison that would apply to the 1980s is the fact that the behaviours peaked before a Depression or Recession. We wondered just how far women would have moved forward without the disruption of financial collapse.
We all agreed that we would recommend Flappers to reading groups, even if groups do not traditionally read non-fiction this is written in such a style that it could almost be fictional. It most certainly isn't a dull list of times and dates, it's an entertaining and educating read. Groups that have enjoyed books such as The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or The Suspicions of Mr Whicher would certainly enjoy this. Our advance proof copies did not have any illustrations, but the Pan Macmillan assure us that the finished edition will include photos - all of us agreed that this is essential. We all admitted to Googling pictures of the women whilst we were reading as Judith Mackrell's descriptions are so well written that as a reader you find yourself dying to look at real photos.(less)
Me And Mr Jones is Lucy Diamond's seventh novel and is published by Pan Macmillan, released on 6 June 2013.
The story revolves around the Jones family;...moreMe And Mr Jones is Lucy Diamond's seventh novel and is published by Pan Macmillan, released on 6 June 2013.
The story revolves around the Jones family; the four Mr Jones and the women and children that share their lives. Eddie Jones and his wife Lilian have lived in Mulberry House for over forty years, this is where they brought up their three sons; Hugh, David and Charlie. Mulberry House is now a guest house and Lilian and Eddie have managed their business very well over the years. Lilian has realised though that Eddie's health is not so good, it is time for them to retire, but will any of their sons want to take over the business?
Be warned! Once you start reading Me And Mr Jones you will won't want to put it down. This is the perfect summer read, full of entertaining and vividly drawn characters who immediately begin to feel like members of your own family. Hugh has been married to Alicia for around twenty years, they appear to be the model family; good jobs, nice house and three lovely children. Alicia is approaching her fortieth birthday and is beginning to feel unsettled, she is tired of being the perfect wife, always cleaning and cooking, she want a little excitement in life. Little does she know that good old Hugh has a little secret of his own.
David, the middle son has lost his job. His wife Emma is desperate for a baby, everything seems to be crumbling around them. Emma wants a baby, she is determined to get pregnant, and nothing will stand in her way.
Charlie, the youngest son, is a charmer. Totally unreliable, but Lilian's favourite son. Everything that he touches fails, yet he is lovable and honest and loyal. When he meets Izzy, on the run from an abusive husband with two young daughters in tow, everyone assumes that this is going to be another of Charlie's failures. They don't know Izzy though!
Lucy Diamond has written a novel that is a joy to read. It's a pleasure to sit down with this book and totally lose yourself for a few hours. Although funny, it also deals with some pretty serious issues, and she deals with them very well. I found myself completely caught up with each of the characters and their lives. We meet Lilian and scowl in frustration as she bitches at her daughters-in-law and undermines anyone who dares to speak back to her, then we get to know her a little better and find that underneath the bluster there is a loving wife who is worried sick. She is worried sick about Eddie - a wonderful father character who I loved instantly.
This is sparkly, summer reading at its very best. Characters to love and a really engaging storyline. I enjoyed every page, and really hope that Lucy Diamond will consider writing a sequel. I'd love to know what happens to the Jones family in the future.(less)
The web seems to have been overwhelmed by book bloggers recently, I'm not complaining because I'm one of them, so how could I moan? One of the hardest...moreThe web seems to have been overwhelmed by book bloggers recently, I'm not complaining because I'm one of them, so how could I moan? One of the hardest things about having such a choice of reviewers is finding just the right ones to follow, finding someone who thinks along the same lines and whose reviews you can really believe and trust in. @Bookcunt is one of my favourite bloggers. She's controversial, she's outspoken and she's very sweary! I've followed her reviews for ages, I've read her Tweets for ages, but it is only in the past couple of months that I've actually interacted with her. To be truthful, I was scared of her! She's so feisty and so cool that I didn't know what to say to her, so I said nowt! We kind of bonded over Caroline Smailes' latest novel; The Drowning of Arthur Braxton. We both loved the book, we both love Caroline - that brought us together. I'm not scared of her any more.
When The Friday Project offered to send me a preview copy of her book, I jumped at the chance. I read it over last weekend. She made me cry.
A Fucked Up Life in Books tells her story, from childhood to the present time. Each significant episode in her life is associated with the book that she was reading at the time. I love this concept, I love the fact that Howard's End is the only book she has read whilst having sex (I'd love it even more if her partner had been called Howard!). That's one of the funny moments. There are quite a few funny moments, but there are many poignant moments, and these are the moments that really resonate. These are the moments that expose her vulnerability, her emotions and her sadness. These are the moments that have made BC the lady she is today, the reasons why she is so sweary, and the reasons why she is quite special.
I don't know who BC is. I know she works in publishing and she is in her late twenties. I want to know more, and I really think that this could be just the start for her writing career.
The book is full of swearing, at times it is crude and to the point. Anyone who thinks that they'd be shocked? Then don't read it. However, I'd really recommend that you do read it. It's powerful stuff.
Huge thanks to The Friday Project for my preview copy of the book which will be released as an eBook in May.
Oh, and I've been invited to the launch party in May. I'm going to meet her! I really don't know what I'm going to say to her ........ I'm beginning to feel a tiny bit scared again!(less)
The final book of the Tiny Twisted Tales trio is Jenny. Jenny is no ordinary little girl, she's a werewolf hunting eight-year-old and nothing really s...moreThe final book of the Tiny Twisted Tales trio is Jenny. Jenny is no ordinary little girl, she's a werewolf hunting eight-year-old and nothing really scares her. Jenny doesn't like pink, or fluffy, or dolls. She is happiest when she is in the most frightening of situations, where other children would cry and scream.
Each one of the Tiny Twisted Tales are wonderfully produced. Calvin Innes has such an imagination, just perfect for small children who really enjoy reading about yuk and slime and all things horrid. These stories are not only very entertaining, but are a perfect way of introducing poetry to children, making it funny and accessible and sometimes downright gruesome. There is no doubt that Calvin Innes' illustrations add so much to the books - each one is so precisely drawn and the cartoon characters suit the stories perfectly.
I will enjoy sharing these stories with my little nephew, he will adore the silliness. These books make you smile just by looking at the front cover, you will continue to smile right through to the last page.(less)
I've been a fan of Bernardine Kennedy's novels for many years, and am now most certainly a fan of her alter-ego Marie Maxwell. Ruby was the first in a...moreI've been a fan of Bernardine Kennedy's novels for many years, and am now most certainly a fan of her alter-ego Marie Maxwell. Ruby was the first in a planned series of four novels and I enjoyed it immensely.
The second in the series; Gracie was published by Avon (HarperCollins) in mid April 2013 and I've been looking forward to catching up with the characters for a long time. Although this book is part of the series, the author provides enough background information throughout the story which makes it a great stand alone story too.
Gracie is Ruby's best friend and although she featured heavily in the first novel, this is her story. Gracie and Ruby are back home, living and working in the Southend hotel that Ruby recently inherited. Gracie still has the scars on her heart from the hard times that she lived through when she was younger, but is excited and happy to accept a marriage proposal from long-term boyfriend Sean Donnelly. Sean works hard and loves Gracie. This is her chance to settle down and have a family, to love and be loved, probably for the first time in her life. Gracie's big mistake is to keep secret from Sean the most important thing that has happened to her, the one thing that has shaped her life, and the thing that hurts her so much. Despite this, the couple begin married life with big dreams and high hopes for the future, until Sean begins to show a side that Gracie does not like.
I loved Ruby; Marie Maxwell's first novel, but I adored Gracie. As with Ruby, this is a compelling story that does not shy away from some really sensitive, yet very important issues. It is clear that the author has drawn on her experiences and knowledge when writing this story as it is so real and believable. The lead characters are, on the whole, strong women who have suffered hardships yet are still fun-loving and hopeful.
The period setting is wonderful, the descriptions of 1950s Southend are rich and evocative and the plot is fast-paced and packed with interesting and well-rounded characters - some you will love and others you will loathe and detest.
Both Ruby and Gracie have been a joy to read, I'm now eagerly awaiting the next in the series which I believe will feature Maggie and will be set in the 1960s. (less)
I read Ann Weisgarber's first novel The Personal History of Rachel Dupree way back in March 2009 and thought it was really stunning. It went on to be...moreI read Ann Weisgarber's first novel The Personal History of Rachel Dupree way back in March 2009 and thought it was really stunning. It went on to be short listed for the Orange Award for New Writers and was on the long list for the Orange Prize UK.
It was with some trepidation that I started to read her second book, The Promise. I wondered how she was going to write something as evocative as her first novel. I started reading The Promise on the train down to London yesterday and I finished it during my return journey. I hardly raised my head once as I was sucked into this intensely moving, sometimes very challenging, but wonderfully easy to read story. I felt as though I had been whisked off to Texas in the early 1900s and once, when I glanced out of the train window, I was actually shocked to see the fields covered in snow - this story really does suck the reader in, and very quickly.
Once again Ann Weisgarber has created a story that centres around extremely strong female characters. Catherine Wainwright, who has fled her home-town in the wake of scandal and Nan Ogden; a down-to-earth, honest farm girl who lives on the outskirts of Galveston. When Catherine realises that she can no longer hold her head up in her home town, she orchestrates a marriage proposal from Oscar Williams. Oscar moved out to Galveston to become a dairy farmer and has recently been widowed and left with a four-year-old son Andre, to care for. Nan Ogden promised Oscar's wife that she would care for Andre. Nan and Catherine are as different as chalk and cheese, yet underneath they are both very strong women, and both struggle against the rules of society.
Life in Galveston is hard for Catherine, the town-folk have never met anyone like her. She bewitches the men and the women suspect her. Nan struggles with her feelings for Oscar, her loyalties to his first wife and her feelings that no one will ever love her. They struggle on together, and it is only when a terrible storm hits the small town that they are tested to their limits.
The characters in The Promise are developed so well, they grow with the story - their flaws and their failings are not glossed over, these are real people, drawn beautifully. The sense of place is what stands out the most for me - the heat, the smells, the sights and the sounds of this bleak and desolate part of Texas. The description of the terror and havoc that the storm brings is vivid.
Galveston really did suffer terribly during the storm of 1900, this is an event that I had no knowledge of and have discovered that although this is a fictional story, some of the people and the places really did exist. This storm was far worse than Hurricane Katrina and ripped the heart out of this small community, killing in the region of 6000 people.
I enjoyed every single page of The Promise, I liked it even more than Rachel Dupree. Ann Weisgarber has proved to me that she is an incredibly talented author whose stories are going from strength to strength. (less)
Book number one of the Tiny Twisted Tales is Stuart The Bug Eating Man - a tale about Stuart who loves to eat bugs, any kind of bugs. He spends all da...moreBook number one of the Tiny Twisted Tales is Stuart The Bug Eating Man - a tale about Stuart who loves to eat bugs, any kind of bugs. He spends all day collecting the most awful and ugly insects and delights in chomping them down, accompanied by a glass of liquidized slug. Stuart's wife and children are horrified by his behaviour and just want him to get a job and be a normal husband and father. One day Stuart has a light-bulb moment and his idea allows him to carry on eating bugs, but also to provide handsomely for his family.
Each one of the Tiny Twisted Tales are wonderfully produced. Calvin Innes has such an imagination, just perfect for small children who really enjoy reading about yuk and slime and all things horrid. These stories are not only very entertaining, but are a perfect way of introducing poetry to children, making it funny and accessible and sometimes downright gruesome. There is no doubt that Calvin Innes' illustrations add so much to the books - each one is so precisely drawn and the cartoon characters suit the stories perfectly.
I will enjoy sharing these stories with my little nephew, he will adore the silliness. These books make you smile just by looking at the front cover, you will continue to smile right through to the last page.(less)
Number two in the Tiny Twisted Tales series is Pale Henry. Henry is a sad, sickly looking little boy who doesn't like sunshine and doesn't leave the h...moreNumber two in the Tiny Twisted Tales series is Pale Henry. Henry is a sad, sickly looking little boy who doesn't like sunshine and doesn't leave the house. He's pale and thin and would dearly love to play outside in the sunshine like all of the other children.
Each one of the Tiny Twisted Tales are wonderfully produced. Calvin Innes has such an imagination, just perfect for small children who really enjoy reading about yuk and slime and all things horrid. These stories are not only very entertaining, but are a perfect way of introducing poetry to children, making it funny and accessible and sometimes downright gruesome. There is no doubt that Calvin Innes' illustrations add so much to the books - each one is so precisely drawn and the cartoon characters suit the stories perfectly.
I will enjoy sharing these stories with my little nephew, he will adore the silliness. These books make you smile just by looking at the front cover, you will continue to smile right through to the last page.(less)
The Drowning of Arthur Braxton by Caroline Smailes is published by The Friday Project on 11 April 2013. This is Caroline Smailes' sixth book. I've pre...moreThe Drowning of Arthur Braxton by Caroline Smailes is published by The Friday Project on 11 April 2013. This is Caroline Smailes' sixth book. I've previously read a couple of her novels; In Search of Adam and Like Bees To Honey and although I enjoyed reading both of those, I think that The Drowning of Arthur Braxton is far and away her greatest story yet. Caroline Smailes' writing is unique, quirky and sometimes a little bit strange, her style can take some getting used to but she really is a monster talent and if you don't mind having your head turned inside-out and left spinning like a top, then I'd really recommend that you read her work.
"""Arthur Braxton runs away from school. He hides out in an abandoned building, an Edwardian public baths. He finds a naked woman swimming in the pool. From this point on, nothing will ever be the same. The Drowning of Arthur Braxton is an unflinching account of the pain and trauma of adolescence, of how first love can transform the most unhappy of lives into something miraculous. It is a dark and brooding modern fairy tale from one of our most gifted writers.""""
Caroline Smailes has layered Arthur Braxton's story very cleverly with the stories of the other two main characters; Delphina and Laurel. She also brings the story to the reader using different techniques including first-person narrative and stage-play scripting. The story slips back and forth in time and starts with Laurel's story. Laurel is a teenage girl who starts to work at The Oracle - the public baths on the seafront in a small Welsh town. Laurel is the oldest of seven children, her single-parent Mother is 'proper useless' but Laurel has dreams and ambitions and wants to go to college and train to be a teacher.
Arthur Braxton is a teenage boy who is lonely. His Mother walked out years ago, his Dad has lost the plot completely and spends his day eating crisps and smells of pee. Arthur is bullied constantly by a gang of yobs and the final straw comes when a photo of his cock is posted on Facebook accompanied by 'you are a gay' taunts.
Arthur takes refuge in the uninhabited building that once was The Oracle and there he meets the mysterious Delphina, and falls in love. Arthur soon becomes obsessed with Delphina's magical world of water-healers and strange old men and spends more and more time in their world.
This is a complex story that interweaves the harsh reality and grittiness of Arthur's modern-day life with the magical, mystical world of The Oracle. Where bullying, twagging school and parental neglect slot in perfectly with water healing, 'other' worlds, fairy-like nymphs and the peculiar history of The Oracle.
My head was spinning when I finished this story, at times I felt a little bit lost, but at others I felt as though I was there, in The Oracle, alongside Arthur, Laurel and Delphina. I realise now that Caroline Smailes has used some classical Greek myths as her basis for this novel but I'm really not familiar with those, so I really can't comment on the comparison.
Caroline Smailes has an amazing imagination, and paints a stunning picture with her words. The setting of the derelict public baths is amazingly real and her characters are so well-drawn that I could see every inch of them in my mind.
I have absolutely no doubt that The Drowning of Arthur Braxton is going to stay in my mind for a very long time, in fact I may re-read it at a later date, and that is something that I rarely do.(less)
David M Brown has written a very funny, entertaining book that will delight cat-lovers, although non-cat people may be scared, very scared!
David was p...moreDavid M Brown has written a very funny, entertaining book that will delight cat-lovers, although non-cat people may be scared, very scared!
David was persuaded by his wife that a cat would be a perfect addition to their household, this very soon became six cats. For David, this was something of an invasion, he did not understand the cat world or that each individual cat has it's own individual personality, quirks and characteristics.
As David and the cats grew to know each other, David's paranoia also grew. He became convinced that the cats were out to get him and the first part of the book relates their adventures. The second part of the book however, takes a different turn when David discovers that yes, those cats are determined to be the masters of his universe!
A simple, funny and quick read that kept me entertained, smiling and nodding my head in agreement!(less)
Although I do read short story collections every now and again, I often find that I'm left feeling a little let-down by them.
Although I've heard the t...moreAlthough I do read short story collections every now and again, I often find that I'm left feeling a little let-down by them.
Although I've heard the term 'flash fiction', I'd never investigated it further until I came across Flash Fraction. Helena Mallett's book is a collection of 75 short stories - very short stories - each one is exactly 75 words long. I was intrigued, and wondered just how this would work - how on earth can a story be told in so few words?
I've been really surprised and very impressed by Flash Fraction. Each story does indeed stand up on it's own, and each one is so cleverly put together, and the best thing about the stories is that most of them have a little unexpected twist at the end.
It must be incredibly difficult to incorporate an interesting, often funny and always quirky story into such a short space, but Helena Mallett seems to do it with ease. The collection includes stories about everything from love to aliens, each one is very different and each one makes a lasting impression.(less)
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