A month of reading

1. Never the Bride by Paul Magrs

Boy this is a peculiar book!  Essentially it is a collection of short stories threaded together with 'the main story' running through it. The story focuses on B+B owner Brenda who struggles to be normal but takes pride in her business and the new life she has created for herself.  The trouble with Brenda is strange just has a habit of catching up with her...

"My god Brenda this is Whitby!  We don't stake people through the heart!"

I three quarters enjoyed this book and was one quarter frustrated with the gentleness of the story telling and the bumbly nature of the characters.  If you've read it I would be interested to hear what you thought.

2. The Killing Floor by Lee Childs

My gawd this book ooooooooooozes testosterone!  A friend recommended it about a year ago but I kept putting it off, however following the gentle pace of Never the Bride I wanted something with a bit more suspense.  I enjoyed the first few pages and then I reached the words..... Jack Reacher.   Ahhhh crap.  It's at this point I realised the new Tom Cruise film (the name of which escapes me and I have no interest in googling it) is based on the Jack Reacher books, quite possibly even this one.  I find Tom Cruise very unpleasant, even before all of the cult stuff he creeped me out.  But hey I was enjoying the book until that point and I'm not narrow minded enough to ditch it because Tom Cruise plays the character in the book in a film I am never going to see.  

A lot of people die in the book and Reacher proves to be something of a ninja (only American, and a bit country, a bit ex-army and probably not dressed head to toe in black).  Overall I liked the story and will more than likely read another Lee Childs books.  Win.

3. The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

A few people mentioned to me that I would like this book, it is also a book that has enabled me to strike up what is becoming a very fruitful Twitter friendship based on the recommendation of books!  

"You should beware of priests, my son.  And people who don't drink vodka.  Worst of all are priests who don't drink vodka."

"Never try to out-drink a Swede, unless you happen to be a Finn or at least a Russian."

You will possibly pick up from the above quotes that alcohol and vodka in particular played an important role in the 100 year old man's (Allan's) life, and what a life!  This story is just superb, I really enjoyed the meandering tale of how Allan stumbled in and out of trouble and across the globe, touching upon historical world events.  I would be surprised if you didn't enjoy this one, go forth and buy it!

4. Bedsit Disco Queen by Tracey Thorn

Ok so I admit my knowledge of Everything But The Girl pretty much starts and ends with the track 'Missing' but I suspect that is the case for many people my age so I'm not going to feel too guilty about it.  This is the autobiography of Tracey Thorn, in places events or people are overly described for my tastes but neither the less her tale is fascinating and punky and inspiring.

"If at this point it all sounds a bit Enid Blyton, it was about to get a bit Irvine Welsh."

It made me want to read more biographies and autobiographies which for a lover of fiction is quite the compliment.