I Need a Little More Help...

You may have seen my post about the reading challenge I have set myself for 2012.  The post can be found here.

I have had many, may replies for which I am very grateful.  I still have a few categories which I'm bereft or low on suggestions for though.

These are...

Classic British Novels. This is the one I'm most eager to get into as I am really at a loss here.

Novels Set In or Around Manchester.  I can probably find books in my local library for this but a recommendation is always sweeter.

Biography.  Historical, Sport, Entertainers any surprises I may not expect?

Crime Fiction.  My favourite genre.  I need to spread my horizons.

Non-Adult.  Unfortunately most of my recommendations in this one I'd previously read.

All suggestions most gratefully received :-)

Theatre - Beautiful Thing at the Royal Exchange

I walked into this performance having no idea what the show was about.  I hadn't made the link between the title and the film that had been adapted from it.  I enjoyed the film a couple of years ago, without realising it started life as a play.  I put 2 and 2 together when I read the programme before the play began.

The set was even better than the Royal Exchange's usual standard.  It evoked very well the London Housing Estate the play is set in.  Without being dour.  With the lighting it seemed chirpy and summery.  The lighting was a fabulous part of the scene setting.  From the lights in 'other flats' to the overall feel of the day.

The cast never put a foot wrong here.  They were all excellent but I have to say the two women were fantastic. Especially the younger one who was playing a gobby truant.  The conversations between characters was great. It zipped along wonderfully and never felt scripted.  I have never laughed so much in a theatre.  The one liners are hilarious.

The story deals with two serious topics.  Making you think about them without thrusting them repeatedly in your face.  The sad parts are brief but not too brief.  This is a play that you initially enjoy and then spend time thinking about afterwards.  It doesn't have an explained ending.  It seems that life will carry on.  Not necessarily easily but there's no portent of misery either.

Thanks to a fantastic script and a script full of great banter, this is the play I have most enjoyed at the Royal Exchange.  I'd be hard pressed to think of one I've enjoyed more anywhere.  I'm gutted I haven't chance to see it again.

One question I left with was - Why don't they make those duvet covers in a Double?

I hope any local readers can make it there if they haven't already.  It's well worth the trip.  More info can be found on the Royal Exchange website.

5 out of 5 pawprints

Tome Time - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Started October 16th, finished October 16th.

This was an impulse 'free for Kindle' Amazon download.  I fully intend to exhaust their free ebooks that tickle my fancy.  Suggestions are mroe than welcome :-)

I love this film but I'm afraid to say I hadn't read the book first.  When the film was released I didn't even know there was a book.  

I wasn't surprised to find the book much 'quieter' than the film.  It hadn't been 'Burtoned'.

The tsory tells of Ichabod Crane.  A lanky, superstitious guy who isn't ever going to be part of the 'in crowd'.  He is sent to the small hamlet of Sleepy Hollow as a schoolteacher.  Here he falls for a girl who is seemingly way out of his league.  I won't tell you any more.  It's a short enough tale to enjoy in one sitting and i think worth a read.

The book is spooky with a sense of fun.  Just the right length to tell the somewhat open-ended tale.  It is definitely one I will read again.  None of the characters are fleshed out very much.  The style is more the telling of a folk tale.

4 out of 5 pawprints

Next - Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C Clarke

Tome Time - 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer & Kevin Flynn

Started October 11th, finished October 15th.

After the events of 9/11 I read quite a lot of books written by people involved in the events, cleanup or building of the World Trade Center.  Then for quite a few years I didn't read anything more.  With the tenth anniversary of those terrible attacks there were obviously books being re-released and catching my eye.

This book tells the tales of those that were in the towers from the time the first 'plane struck to the the falling of the North Tower.  Needless to say this is a moving book.  It seems to contain only what is factually known.  No romanticising things, it's totally unnecessary.

It is well told.  The stage is set well.  The events unfold without any overdramatic build ups to what we know will unfold.  This is s very moving book and although you know the final outcome it is very gripping.  The stories that are most well known are not dwelt on.  Making this a very human book where it would be difficult not to empathise with the people whose stories you are learning.

The facts about the engineering are explained in layman's terms.  As are the planning laws that were in place as the World Trade Center was planned and built.  There is no finger pointing, just the facts.  Which speak for themselves.  This is not a book for conspiracy theorists.  They will find nothing here to occupy their imagination.

I found this a very well written book about a very tender subject.  It's still hard for me to fully grasp the loss of life on that day in America.  This book helps with that while never trying too hard to expand beyond its remit.

5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Tome Time - The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

Started October 6th, finished October 10th.

This was a bit of a special read as it was the first I'd read on my ebook reader.  An experience I found I disliked much less than expected.  It's not reading a book by any means and it lacks something but there are also bonuses too.  I won't desert my books but they will be complemented.

The best thing about this book for me was Wilde's way with words.  His put downs are wonderful.  He writes quite differently to anyone else I can think of.  He is a man of wit.  

The story of Dorian Grey is one I assumed I knew.  Picture in the attic and all that.  When I actually thought about it though I realised that was all I knew.  How did the picture come to be?  Is it the only picture?  How does it all end?  Finding the book for free download was the push I needed.

The story moves much slower than I expected.  Maybe a little too slowly.  The scenes are set as opulently as some of the scenes themselves.  We are left in no doubt of the characters and what makes them tick.  I did begin to wonder when things would actually start happening though.  Once they did I was happier.  Though they still meandered a little slower than I'd have liked.  There are so many quotable passages from this book.  Mainly spoken by Lord Henry Wotton.  I wonder if there's any of Wilde in Wotton and his observances.

I did enjoy this book but I wish it had been shorter.  Maybe I was impatient as I can't really say I disliked the  bits that weren't moving the plot along fast enough.  Apparently Wilde added to his original version due to criticism.  Maybe the original version would have suited me better.  I can't complain too much as it isn't a very long book anyway.  I'm glad to have read it and I wouldn't rule out a re-read in the future.  The one thing the book doesn't do is over explanation.  I hate it when everything is explained too heavily.

3.5 pawprints out of 5

Next  - 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer & Kevin Flynn

Tome Time - Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly

Started September 26th, finished October 6th.

I'm always glad to be starting a new Michael Connelly novel, especially if it's a Harry Bosch story.

This starts with Harry looking into a robbery/murder.  Whilst not being too happy with his partner's work ethic. From there it twists and turns and twists and turns.

This is by far the most 'action' of Connelly's novels that I've read.  It's also the first time I've come sort of close to disbelief.  However, it didn't mar my enjoyment of the story.  I do kind of hope it's not the first of a run of movie style books about Harry.

This looks into things that are new for Harry.  It takles a look at the Immigrant Community and the darker side of that than we've seen before.  Harry leaves LA.  He learns much more about being a father.

I won't go into the plot any more as it would be difficult to do so without spoilers.  Whilst I was reading the book certain things didn't add up for Harry as he was working things out.  It was the same for me.  Stick with it though.  It all makes sense in the end.

There are big shocks in this book.  Connelly certainly doesn't pull any punches.  This is a whirlwind of a story.  One I enjoyed but I'm not sure it would work trying to find similar situations for Bosch to recover from again.  I like his ordinariness.

Harry's life is certainly changed by the happenings in this book.  Much more than we've seen things change before.  I'm interested to see how his story progresses.

3.5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

Tome Time - When the Tripods Came by John Christopher

Started September 26th, finished October 4th.

Now, I have made little secret how The Tripods trilogy is my favourite reading material from when I was but a child.  I still love it.  This is the prequel, written a while after the original trilogy.

I am always dubious when encountering something, added to something great, at a much later date.  However, true to form the author doesn't disappoint.  The story of how the Tripods came to Earth is told through the eyes of a young teen, Laurie and his friend, Andy.  Once again the characters are well written and believable rather than being heroes.  Laurie is reminiscent of Will in some ways and Andy has some similarities to Henry but that is where the links end really.  There is no tedious links to teh original trilogy which would make the story unbelievable.  The story of how The Tripods conquer Earth is well told and logical.  I was originally feared that this book could spoil the experience of the story.  It doesn't, it enhances it.

It leaves you at just the right point.  You know where they are and what will come but it's not all tied up in a patronising fashion.

Whenever I re-read the books I always read the prequel last.  It feels much better that way.  I suppose I should try reading it first and see what that does to the reading experience...

4 out of 5 pawprints

Next - Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly.