Book catchup! 14 to 23
Mrspao pointed out to me the other day that I had not posted about books for a while, so here is a quick catchup.
After I pointed out that I thoroughly enjoyed Devil May Care, mrspao asked whether I had read Fleming’s own works. I pointed out that I had and that my copies were in a box in the garage and I had not got them out as they are well worn and held together by sellotape. I should point out that they were well worn when I bought them second hand in the late 1970s. A few days later (bear in mind this was mid June just after I had my eye op) a rather large box arrived at home, with every Fleming Bond book in as they had just been reprinted. Fantastic!
14: Ian Fleming – Casino Royale
15: Ian Fleming – Live and Let Die
16: Ian Fleming – Moonraker
17: Ian Fleming – Diamonds are Forever
18: Ian Fleming – From Russia to Love
On the whole they are all pretty good, Diamonds are Forever is probably the weakest but was still enjoyable. Special mention though goes to Moonraker – which thankfully bears no resemblance to the film in any shape or form; anyway it is set primarily in Kingsdown – a seaside village around three miles from where I grew up as a child. As a child reading the tale of a rocket base in the cliffs at Kingsdown was made much more exciting by the fact that the Royal Marines (42 Commando) who were stationed in Deal, had a military base in and around the cliffs at Kingsdown. The other Bond’s are on the shelf awaiting my consumption.
19: David Coulthard – It Is What It Is
Borrowed from DMC (thanks), David’s autobiography – thirteen years in Formula One and David tbh has always come across as a nice guy. Here we get his versions of what happened at McLaren in ’97 and ’98 with the gifted wins to Mika Hakkinen – at last it is good to hear his version (read the book to find out). At the end of the day – hearing what David has to say about his career, his team mates, colleagues and what goes on in Formula One makes me think what a truly nice guy he is. I stand by my belief that he is one of the best GP drivers out there and what stopped him from winning the Championship is the fact that he is a nice guy and believes in doing the right thing even at cost to himself.
20: Terry Pratchett – Making Money
Have had this sat on the shelf for a while. An impending (at the time) recession reminded me that I had not read it, so now we have Terry’s take on money, gold, banking, finance and economy as a whole. Naturally in his way, it is hysterically funny and yet at the same time very true to life. Highly recommended.
21: Evelyn Waugh – Brideshead Revisited
I bought this at a village fete some years ago and have been meaning to read it for quite a while. Having had it recommended to me by a couple of people I finally retrieved it from the back of a wardrobe and got on with it. This is the tale of friendship and love in the 1920s-40s. Set in Oxford, London, New York and the stately home of Brideshead, we see relationships grow and love blossom as the Brideshead family are doomed by their own Catholic faith. I found this book deeply stirring and wonderful to read. My copy is falling apart bought as it was for around 20 pence I do not really care. However if I see a better condition copy at a bargain price I will certainly acquire it.
22: Marina Lewycka – Two Caravans
This is a hysterically funny tale of illegal immigrants in England, firstly employed as strawberry pickers just outside Sandwich and then at a chicken farm between Canterbury and Ashford. This tale is told through the eyes of the immigrants themselves and those of the adopted dog and is one of the few books that has reduced me to tears. What for me makes the book particularly amusing is that the first two thirds are set in the immediate area of Kent that we live. I will not be able to drive visit my Grandma without looking for two well worn caravans next to a strawberry field.
23: Neil Gaiman – Neverwhere
One of Gaiman’s earlier books, this is set in London – specifically London Below rather than the more usual London Above (that we know and love). In Gaiman’s own way London is twisted in ways that you would not normally expect, a floating market whose location changes from landmark to landmark in the middle of the night. Angel Islington is a person, as is Old Bailey and Earls Court is truly medieval. I thoroughly enjoyed this and will not be able to look at London in the same light. Mind the gap!
I think that is most of the consumption of late, it is probable that a few are missing from a leisure point of view (if I recall what they are I will post another day). Other not so leisurely books that have been digested at home include, Bind & DNS, Exim, Squid the Definitive Guide, VMWare ESX – Command Line Guide and a fair few others.
