Gaz

I decided to read this, partially as a St. George supporter (though Brett Morris is my favourite player out of the current squad) but also because we've got Gasnier coming to speak at work in a few weeks time. It's a very readable, if unsurprising as it covers the mains parts of Gasnier's life and career. I did skip the final chapter though which was really his family and friends providing character references. But calling it "the autobiography of a league legend"? Really? I think there are players more deserving of that title.

The Age of Miracles

Imagine for a moment what would happen in the earth's rotation around the sun gradually slowed. Imagine would it would be like to have the 24 hour day we're all used to grow longer. What effect would that have on the planet? What effect would that have on our lives?

That's the premise of this impressive debut by Karen Thompson Walker. Told through the eyes of an eleven year old girl this novel is a times beautiful and haunting. but always engrossing. The actual slowing itself is kept mainly to the background as we see the effect is has on Julia and those around her. My only real complaint is we never find out what effect the slowing ultimately has and if it's ever resolved, but maybe there's a sequel in the works?

Moon over Soho

When Rivers of London, the first book in the Peter Grant series, made its was past my desk last year, I had to read it. If nothing else I knew the author by reputation (having written one of my favorite Doctor Who stories from the last eighties). I wasn't disappointed. This, the second book, in the series was just as good. Written with a dry sense of humour, it's sort of what could have happened if Harry Potter joined the Old Bill, with a dose of Terry Pratchett thrown in. More please (and when's the TV series coming Ben? I can just imagine Mark Gatiss as the Faceless Man).

The Betrayal

Some months ago I reviewed Y.A. Erskine's first novel The Brotherhood. Now I've had the opportunity to read the follow-up.

I said at the time I was looking forward to reading more from this author and I wasn't disapointed. It was just as impressive. Useing the same characters as her first book, The Betrayal again uses the perspective of mulitple characters to tell the story; a device that works very well. The main plot involves a rape, but with a twist. The victim is a police officer and the perpertator is a fellow officer, which leads to more than one betrayal. It raises a lot of issues and, like real life, there's no easy answers (and the bad-guy doesn't always get caught either).We also see the aftermath of the events in The Brotherhood too.

If this is to become a series, I really hope the next book covers the downfall of TasPol's police commisioner. It's set-up in this book and looks to be spectacular.

The Last Werewolf

When a book is endorsed by Nick Cave you know it's going to be somewhat on the dark side. It was good, if a little long-winded in parts. Looking forward to reading second novel in the series.

Dial M for Murdoch

One of the biggest news stories of the past twelve months has been the New of the World phone hacking scandal. I think this is the first (or I suspect will be many) book that covers the saga. It's well written, full of detail and free of bias (which is a pleasant surprise as one of the authors, Tom Watson, was target by Rebekah Brooks and co.). Recommended and I hope there'll be a follow-up when Lord Leveson publishes his finding.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

I missed the film while it was out at the cinemas, so I thought I'd read the book instead.

I'm not sure what to make of it. It was enjoyable in parts (and I suspect the ending was rewritten for the film) but what is it meant to be? Love story? Political satire? Commentary on middle-eastern affairs? I'm confused.