'Can books conduct electricity?' 'My children are just climbing your bookshelves: that's ok... isn't it?' A John Cleese Twitter question ['What is you'Can books conduct electricity?' 'My children are just climbing your bookshelves: that's ok... isn't it?' A John Cleese Twitter question ['What is your pet peeve?'], first sparked the "Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops" blog, which grew over three years into one bookseller's collection of ridiculous conversations on the shop floor. A quick and easy read - 114 pages, a good few illustrations by the Brothers Mcleod - this is amusing and frustrating in equal measure and, also, often depressing, with the distinct lack of knowledge displayed by the public. I enjoyed it. ...more
Six old friends who met at Oxford university reunite for a party after twenty years. Ali and husband Mike live a charmed middle class life in a littleSix old friends who met at Oxford university reunite for a party after twenty years. Ali and husband Mike live a charmed middle class life in a little village with their two children. Jodi and Callum are wealthy lawyers on the brink of having their first long awaited baby. Karen, Ali’s best friend, is a free-spirited single mother while quiet Bill is recently separated from his wife. After a night of drinking heavily, Karen wakes the house up with her shouting. Bloody is running down her legs and she says that Mike has raped her. This is the third McGowan book I’ve read - “Are You Awake” is excellent, “Let Me In” felt padded and overlong - and it falls somewhere between the two camps. It gets a *lot* of mileage out of very little and having all the main characters, bar Karen, be very successful and wealthy people doesn’t help - Ali is a journalist and works for a woman’s refuge charity, yet her dialogue is often stilted and silly and she all but throws Karen under the bus to protect her husband since, after all, he couldn’t have raped anyone, could he? This “brilliant, breathless thriller” (according to the blurb) is actually quite meandering, with virtually no sympathetic characters, a very insular world view and a plot that literally meanders along. As a novella, it might have worked. As a novel, it doesn’t. ...more
Fifteen years after graduation, four old university friends head to the Lake District to celebrate Luke’s stag party. They expect a weekend of real alFifteen years after graduation, four old university friends head to the Lake District to celebrate Luke’s stag party. They expect a weekend of real ale, log fires and gentle hikes – but a stag party of locals have other ideas. Drawn into a terrifying traditional game, the four are hunted across unfamiliar ground that will leave only one of them standing. But old wounds and resentments resurface and threaten to hurt them more than their pursuers ever could. This is a solid and impressive novel. With strong and assured writing (told from the viewpoints on the four friends, with additional ones occasionally added to the mix), the characterisation is top notch and you really feel for - and understand - the characters. With tension building almost from the off, the pace rockets along and when the violence happens, it’s quick and brutal and unforgiving, helped along by a well-realised set of locations. Reading the blurb, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s a stock story - we’ve all seen “Wrong Turn” and “Deliverance” - but this takes several steps away from them, delivering a book that is beautifully brutal. The interaction of the friends draws you in, even as the slowly revealed toxicity of their relationships pushes you away and the final twist is a real kick in the nuts. I cannot recommend this highly enough. ...more
Charting a year in the life of Cheeky and his various friends and associates, with plenty of puns and jokes on every page. I was a huge fan of the comCharting a year in the life of Cheeky and his various friends and associates, with plenty of puns and jokes on every page. I was a huge fan of the comic back in the day (I was 10, in 1979) and remember it fondly, so perhaps I shouldn’t be writing this review as a 55 year old. Bits of it were amusing, bits of it were definitely late-70s humour - let’s leave it at that. If you loved the comic as a kid and haven’t read it recently, perhaps leave yourself with grand memories!...more
How do you prove the innocence of a man already found guilty of murder? Jean Timberlake, Bailey's girlfriend, was found dead on the sands of Floral BeHow do you prove the innocence of a man already found guilty of murder? Jean Timberlake, Bailey's girlfriend, was found dead on the sands of Floral Beach, California, seventeen years ago. Bailey, drug addict and convicted felon, with no good alibi, was sent to the slammer - even though he swore he didn't do it. After escaping less than a year before, he successfully disappeared until he was picked up on a fluke of mistaken identify. Can Kinsey prevent him from being sent back to prison by finding the real killer? This is the sixth book of the series and was first published in 1989, so some of the characters refer back to the 60s and, honestly, that’s the only thing that dates it. As always, it’s beautifully written with some nice observations and humour from Millhone and briskly told, with the case building nicely along with the pace. Taking place almost entirely in Floral Beach, the new location is well described and atmospheric and the story takes places right after book E (she mentions her apartment/garage is being rebuilt after it was blown up). Not as gripping, perhaps, as the others but it’s still great fun and I would very much recommend it. ...more
Book 36 of the Coronet series, this is taken from “You’re You, Charlie Brown vol 1” and was published in 1973, featuring strips from 1967 through to 1Book 36 of the Coronet series, this is taken from “You’re You, Charlie Brown vol 1” and was published in 1973, featuring strips from 1967 through to 1968. Again, earlier in the run than I’d normally read, so Woodstock only appears once (in a terrific “Be kind to animals” strip), but there was plenty of good stuff here. My highlights include Snoopy’s happy dance in snow, saying “hi” to Dad, Beagles are French - “Oui”, Lucy’s crab-in, Valentines woes (and a lot about the red-headed girl), Snoopy at Augusta, Snoopy and Linus’ blanket, the baseball team (including Snoopy as manager, with a fresh way to reprimand people). Almost completely focussed on Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy, with cameo’s from Sally and Schroeder, this is great fun, with some laugh out loud jokes and a strong thread of melancholy running through the whole book, which was wonderful. Great fun, this is a terrific read and a much needed blast of nostalgia, which I recommend wholeheartedly....more
A Futura paperback from 1981 (though the book itself is set in 1985, for no real reason I could determine), this has yuppie couple Clay and Holly RyanA Futura paperback from 1981 (though the book itself is set in 1985, for no real reason I could determine), this has yuppie couple Clay and Holly Ryan escaping New York (they’re fed up with city life, then she gets attacked and that makes up their minds for them) and re-locating to Credence, a small town in West Virginia on the recommendation of an acquaintance. It’s a quaint little town but nobody seems to be older than fifty, everyone’s worried about getting hurt and there are only six children there. Then the Clays meet Willis and Karen Unger and their quick friendship takes a sour note when Karen finds herself pregnant which should, in the circumstances, be impossible. This slim novel reminded me, at the start, of “Dead & Buried” (you know something’s wrong, you just can’t figure out what it is), though it takes a turn away from that and becomes all the more enjoyable because of it. Clay and Holly are a great couple, as are the Unger’s and Salem creates a wonderful atmosphere for the town and those inhabitants we meet, including the good Dr Fullwood. There are winding sense of tension, a bit of suspense, a little bit of gore, some humour and a gathering darkness that leads to a rip-roaring denouement. Great fun, this does exactly what an early 80s horror paperback original should do - it rips along, making you care about the people and grimace at the horror and entertains thoroughly. A cracking read, I very much recommend it....more
A collection to mark the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars” (published in 2007), this includes 50 interactive, rare and some never-before-published memorA collection to mark the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars” (published in 2007), this includes 50 interactive, rare and some never-before-published memorabilia items, including reproductions of Lucas's own handwritten script pages, flip-through catalogs, swag, posters, T-shirt transfers, tattoos, stickers, blueprints, production notes, animation cells and more! There are also two CDs containing over 2 hours of vintage radio ads, original cast interviews, excerpts from the NPR Star Wars radio drama, the complete Star Tours soundtrack, George Lucas's commentary and other tracks that tell the story of everyone's favorite galaxy battle as never before. I’ve had this for ages and was feeling a little melancholic, so I decided I needed a nostalgia blast and this fitted the bill. Beautifully produced, it’s a hefty volume and the memorabilia and ephemera are incredible - a lot seems to be US-only, so I hadn’t seen some of it and it was nice to hold. In addition, there’s a through-story of how the films came together and this is accompanied by a lot of well reproduced photographs. I can’t imagine how complicated this was to put together, but I’m glad someone took the trouble. Well worth a look and highly recommended. ...more
On the morning she will never forget, suburban teenager Cynthia Archer awakes with a nasty hangover and a feeling she is going to have an even nastierOn the morning she will never forget, suburban teenager Cynthia Archer awakes with a nasty hangover and a feeling she is going to have an even nastier confrontation with her mom and dad. But when she leaves her bedroom, she discovers the house is empty, with no sign of her parents or younger brother Todd. In the blink of an eye, without any explanation, her family has simply disappeared. Twenty-five years later, Cynthia is still haunted by unanswered questions so she agrees to take part in a TV documentary revisiting the case. And then she soon discovers someone is watching her house… Sometimes Barclay’s stories work for me, sometimes they don’t and this novel (which I’ve had in my library since 2007) is the former. Mostly told from the POV of her husband, Terry, this is a cracking little thriller that unfolds slowly (it takes a while to get set up), ratcheting up the tension and suspense as it goes. The characterisation is top notch, the locations are well used and the family dynamic never feels less than real. The reveal, when it comes, could have sounded outlandish in lesser hands, but Barclay keeps all the balls in the air and delivers a first-rate thriller. Recommended....more
17 year old Gregory Underwood falls in love with Dorothy, when she becomes the striker on his school's football team (he's in goal). When he asks her 17 year old Gregory Underwood falls in love with Dorothy, when she becomes the striker on his school's football team (he's in goal). When he asks her out on a date, it soon becomes clear Gregory's girl might be someone else altogether. This is the novelisation of the fantastic 1980 film from Bill Forsyth, which has been one of my all-time favourites from the first time I watched it. Everything about the film was glorious - the cast, the locations, the look, the music, the incidental details - and Cole does his best to try and capture as much of that as he can. Mostly told from Gregory’s point-of-view, it mixes the timeline up somewhat but the through-line is the same and the big date, from the confusing (to Gregory) set-up and into the park, is absolutely glorious. I loved Susan in the film, I fancied her character here. If you liked the film, you’ll love this and if you have a thing for coming-of-age tales, you’ll love it all the more. Very highly recommended. ...more
From brutal schooldays to '80s anarchy, through The Young Ones and beyond, Berserker! is the one-of-a-kind, fascinating memoir from an icon of BritishFrom brutal schooldays to '80s anarchy, through The Young Ones and beyond, Berserker! is the one-of-a-kind, fascinating memoir from an icon of British comedy, Adrian Edmondson. I was a teenager in the 80s and the absolute perfect age for “The Young Ones” (which I loved), “Comic Strip Presents” (which I got into later) and, later, a huge fan of “Bottom” (saw the first live show at Northampton Derngate), so I have a real soft spot for Ade (and Rik and Nigel). As it was, I didn’t know much about Edmondson and was really surprised at this. It’s warmly written, he comes across very well (it’s occasionally warts-and-all), but his school days and early experiences are really quite shocking, as is the coldness of his family. Also as revealing, but in a much better way, was his ringside seat as to how alternative comedy flourished in the early 80s and he then treats us to in-depth chapters on Comic Strip, The Young Ones and Bottom, as well as detailing his close (but sometimes fractious) friendship with Rik Mayall. Ade is full of life and truly grabs it by the horns and he deals with heartache head on - it’s quite moving at times. There’s very little of his married life but, in a way, that feels right. I’ve always liked Ade, after reading this, I like him a bit more. Very much recommended. ...more
Dr Paul Ruth finds Cameron Vale, a powerful (but innocent and unknowing) scanner, and uses him to stop Darryl Revok, another powerful scanner who wantDr Paul Ruth finds Cameron Vale, a powerful (but innocent and unknowing) scanner, and uses him to stop Darryl Revok, another powerful scanner who wants to form an alliance with others of his kind and dominate the world. I should state, from the off, that I love the Cronenberg film. I think it might have been the first of his I ever saw and I loved it then and still love it now (I re-watched it last night), with the great Michael Ironside performance and the gruesomely spectacular special effects. Sadly, this novelisation doesn’t do it justice and I have to assume Mr Whiteson was on a very tight deadline. Everything’s there (with just a handful of changes), but the characterisation is virtually non-existent, Vale is written almost as a child and it doesn’t have any of the chilly tone the film does. Worth a read, if you’re a completist, but not as good as I’d hoped it would be....more
Twenty-six years after the original series first aired, William Shatner shares a behind-the-scenes look at the now-legendary series that continues to Twenty-six years after the original series first aired, William Shatner shares a behind-the-scenes look at the now-legendary series that continues to put forth movies, books, and series spin-offs. A television phenomenon that suffered from shaky ratings from its first broadcast in 1966 through its entire run, Star Trek nevertheless exploded into a worldwide, billion-dollar industry. Originally published in 1993, this sees Shatner go into anecdote overload (in the best possible way), though he also opens up the narrative to other members of the creative team (actors as well as production people), to give their side of the story. Informative, often amusing, frustrating (with the politics), this is certainly an entertaining read (I’ve read several of Shatner’s books now and he has a good voice) and he’s very open to the fact that, on occasion, his behaviour has annoyed his colleagues (he, in fact, gives the epilogue to Nichelle Nichols, George Takai , Walter Koenig and Majel Barrett and allows them their say). Great fun, I’d very much recommend it. ...more
Two days before Christmas, Kinsey Milhone receives a bank slip showing a credit of five thousand dollars. The account number is correct but she hasn’tTwo days before Christmas, Kinsey Milhone receives a bank slip showing a credit of five thousand dollars. The account number is correct but she hasn’t made the deposit. She then gets a phone call and discovers she’d been included in a frame-up, between a company she has vague, friendly links to and the insurers she occasionally works for. The fifth book of the series, this was first published in 1988 but isn’t dated in the slightest (not that that would be a problem). As per usual, the writing style is beautiful, observant and often amusing and the case builds nicely, dragging in stray threads and situations to complete the picture which, when it’s revealed, is quite shocking. There are some nice touches of the holiday period - her landlord is away and her favourite bar/restaurant is closed - and we get to meet her ex-husband and a couple of the set pieces (especially a bomb) are brilliantly realised. With a great pace, an airtight plot and a cracking lead, this is another winner and I highly recommend it. ...more
After drowning in a swimming pool at a party, Joana Raitt is resuscitated by her boyfriend, Glen. Afterward, strange events - a near hit-and-run, a raAfter drowning in a swimming pool at a party, Joana Raitt is resuscitated by her boyfriend, Glen. Afterward, strange events - a near hit-and-run, a random attack by a stranger - made Joana believe her life is in danger and that forces are trying to bring her back into the world of the dead. Her friend, Pete Landau, is a psychic counsellor and reveals assailants are "walkers", the revived dead. With the help of a friendly doctor, Warren Hovde, she must defeat four of the walking dead before she will be safe. Published in 1980, this is the absolute pitch-perfect example of original horror paperbacks (from the 70s and 80s) that I adore. Well written, with likeable and immediately identifiable characters and a great use of location (the hospital is creepy without being overly so, Peter’s swinging batchelor pad looks like everything you’ve ever seen in a 70s movie and Joana’s flat, where one of the attacks takes place), is also benefits from a brisk pace that has the action rattling along. Combined with some good thriller elements - Warren putting the truth together, Glen trying to figure it out, Joana trying to stay alive - and a nicely twisty ending, I thought this was really great fun and would highly recommend it. ...more
On a cold October night, five people gather in a run-down motel on the New Jersey shore and begin preparations to break in to the Paragon Hotel, a magOn a cold October night, five people gather in a run-down motel on the New Jersey shore and begin preparations to break in to the Paragon Hotel, a magnificent structure built in the glory days of Asbury Park by a reclusive millionaire, which is now boarded up and marked for demolition. The five are “creepers”, the slang term for urban explorers and on this evening, they’re joined by a reporter. But Frank Balenger and, before the night is out, they will have encountered danger, terror and death in a place ravaged by time and redolent of evil. My introduction to Morrell and I really enjoyed the writing. The story is built on a solid premise and, just when you think things couldn’t get any worse for the characters, it does and the tension keeps on building right through to the end. The characterisation is a little light (it was difficult to tell the thugs apart) and there are a few info dumps, but otherwise this was a cracking thriller. The locations are well used, there are elements of horror - mutated animals, razor wire, extreme violence - and also a few musings on love and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Recommended....more
It seemed a good idea for The Brotherhood (a collection of ex-wrestlers, living and working in the London docks of the 80s) to transport the charity mIt seemed a good idea for The Brotherhood (a collection of ex-wrestlers, living and working in the London docks of the 80s) to transport the charity money in a black canvas octopus for their float in the Paxton Carnival. But then it’s stolen, Dusty Wilkins and his mates have to try and find it, the pieces scattered over the derelict dockland, in a race against time. Published in 1981, this is typical of the kids fiction of the time, gritty and not shying away from the harsher aspects of life, but filled with humour and friendship too. Set in and around a dockland being reclaimed (the atmosphere is captured incredibly well), the bulk of the book follows Dusty and his friends trying to help out his dad by recovering the money. Dusty goes with his (kind-of) friend (though whatever issue there might be isn’t really explored) Frankie Blight, the local police chiefs son. The brothers Len & Danny end up in the tunnels and chased by police, with younger Danny coming out on top. Sally Smart (and her bad haircut) is lumbered with having to look after her baby sister Suzy and comes across a widow living in the last house on a street slowly being demolished. Herbie Cookson, meanwhile, heads off on his own and tags a lift in a truck that takes him a long way from home. Things come right in the end, but it’s not a perfectly happy ending and that works brilliantly. With some great characterisation, a nice line in dialogue and a kids eye view of the world that’s just starting to be a bit cynical, this worked a treat. Very much recommended. ...more
An almost anti-self-help guide to coming to terms with all of the inevitable unimportant imperfections in life and then choosing to not give a f*ck abAn almost anti-self-help guide to coming to terms with all of the inevitable unimportant imperfections in life and then choosing to not give a f*ck about them. It’s about learning how to give a f*ck about the few things that truly matter. Bought this by a friend - and being a bit stressed at the time - I jumped this to the top of my TBR pile. If you can weather the first couple of chapters (where Manson is all “bro” and “dude” and generally annoying), then it’s well worth a read. A lot of it either made perfect sense or I already did what he suggested, but there’s plenty to learn in here and now it’s just a case of applying those lessons to everyday life. Well worth a read, I’d very much recommend it....more
When the Corporate Sector Authority (standing in for the Empire, since Daley wasn’t allowed to include them) demands that the Millennium Falcon be broWhen the Corporate Sector Authority (standing in for the Empire, since Daley wasn’t allowed to include them) demands that the Millennium Falcon be brought in for "inspection," Han knows he has to prepare for ulterior motives. And when the best illegal ship rebuilder in the galaxy disappears, Han and Chewbacca must find him. After all, the Falcon's overhaul will require very special talents. The first of the Han Solo trilogy by Brian Daley, this was published in 1979 and is a cracking read. Despite working with restrictions (see above and also the fact Luke couldn’t be mentioned), Daley sets up a great adventure, some decent baddies (along with a quite brutal torture) and some excellent set pieces that really propel the story along. It’s briskly told, the world-building is precise and clear and the supporting cast are used brilliantly - I especially liked Zollux (renamed from the US editions as Bollux) - and all come across well. Hugely enjoyable, I’d very much recommend this....more
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