What I'm reading ...

I have started White Teeth by Zadie Smith.

I read this book before, but I am re-reading it [unusual for me] as it is the Jan Bookclub selection.

After a couple of chapters, I have to confess that I can recall very little from last time. It is slightly familiar, but I have no idea what the story will be about.

What is clear to me is Zadie Smith's amazing use of English, particularly the use of very accessible metaphors. Here are a couple of examples:

"Archie's marriage felt like buying a pair of shoes, taking them home and finding they don't fit. For the sake of appearances, he put up with them."

"He was a man whose significance in the Greater Scheme of Things could be figured along familiar ratios:
Pebble : Beach.
Raindrop : Ocean.
Needle : Haystack."

The Da Vinci Code - by Dan Brown

I guess I can see why this book is so popular. It is easy to read, even though the story is quite complex, and it has a very brisk pace. The characters are well drawn and there aren't too many, considering that it's a 600 page book. It's a mystery story with lots of interesting facets, ultimately a quest for the Holy Grail. I quite enjoyed reading it, but ...

It was spoilt for me by two things. Firstly, Dan Brown is an American and, hence, I'd assume that he writes in American English. The publishers insist on translating it into British English. This would be fair enough, if they didn't do such a sloppy job, which results in an odd mid-Atlantic dialect that I find uncomfortable. All the spellings ["colour", "travelling" etc.] are changed, as that is easy. It is the usage of words that is astray: "rotaries" instead of roundabouts; "cellular phone" in stead of mobile; "pavement" for road surface; "gooseflesh" [spoken by a supposedly very English character] instead of goose pimples.

A bigger problem for me was the amazing number of technical inaccuracies, which I feel really undermine the integrity of the author, particularly when they are key to the story [as two of these really are]. Some examples:

• The "GPS dot" - this is technically impossible; GPS doesn't work indoors; GPS doesn't work at all in the way described - it only receives; it does not transmit to a satellite. Impossible!
• Mobile phones tend to remember the numbers called, but they never keep a record of "code numbers" entered during a call. There are good [and obvious] security reasons why they don't. But Fache relies upon this feature. Also, French telephone numbers do not identify the exchange.
• One moment the Priory has a history "spanning more than a millennium"; the next we hear it was founded in 1099. A minor mathematical error.
• There's a reference to a "massive mainframe". I thought the book was set in the contemporary world.
• The big one: Silas is an albino. Albinos always have sight problems; often they are nearly blind. And yet he seems to be able to shoot people with sufficient accuracy.

Will I read more of Dan Brown's work? Don't know. Not for a while anyway.

I was quite shocked to see all the "backup reading" book you can get on The Da Vinci Code - are people really taking it seriously? There's one born every minute.

What I'm reading ...

I have started The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Well, everyone else on the planet seems to have read it!

I got my copy by accident, not being very up to date with what's trendy on the book front. We were at the hospital and Linda was being re-admitted. She was a bit short of reading matter and I selected this off of a book swap stand. She read it and said that, although it was not really her thing, she thought I'd like it. A few chapters down and I think she must have been right ...

The World's Wife - by Carol Ann Duffy

The idea of this book is that each poem is about the wife of some famous person. In most cases, the wife wasn't a celebrity in their own right.

I guess my conclusion is that I should continue to steer clear of poetry. Although I did enjoy some of them [for example, Mrs Midas, Mrs Lazarus and Mrs Icarus] and found them amusing, there were many that I just didn't understand. Having listened to the Bookclub programme, I now know that one of them is about Mira Hindley [the Devil's Wife, I assume], but I could not have figured that out for myself. I don't think I have time to read stuff for which I need to do research before I can understand it.

What I'm reading ...

I have started The World's Wife by Carol Ann Duffy.

I don't normally read poetry. I quite enjoy listening to it on the radio - I think of it as a performance medium really. But this is the upcoming Bookclub selection. So I'll give it a go.

But how do you read a book of poetry? Just start at the beginning and work through? I think of poetry as more like music. You don't just listen to a CD once and move on. You listen to music repeatedly until you engage with it or reject it. Should I approach poetry that way?

Popcorn - by Ben Elton

OK. I'll admit it. I had misjudged Mr. Elton. This is a great book and I enjoyed reading it a lot. It's a satirical look at the modern "blame culture", the unreal lives of many celebrities and the very mixed up values pervading modern US society. It's quite complex, with multiple timelines and viewpoints initially, but that builds the tension nicely. Elton's background comes through, as some of the use of English is very slick, ending up with phrases that read like one-liners. I'd recommend the book and I will be looking out for his other work.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Popcorn by Ben Elton.

I wouldn't class myself as a Ben Elton fan and have not read any of his books before. I am not big on satire, but this book had an irresistible attraction: it was free. Ottaker's bookshops are giving away free books and this was one of the options. I wanted something light ...

The Cancer Code - by Mike and Bettina Jetter

I was concerned that this book would be hard to read, as it was probably written in German - at least written by two people who have German as their first language. But it wasn't - it was easy to read and gripping enough to keep turning the page. Even though it is essentially an autobiography, it reads like a novel.

It is the story of the Jetters, Mike's fight against cancer and their development of the Mindmanager software package. He is very much an engineer - keen to understand all the details of his illness and the treatment and to explain them. Being of a like mind, I was enjoying all that information. At one point he was accused of being in denial of the seriousness of his condition, hiding behind those details, which I thought was an interesting perspective. As a user of [and often evangelist for] Mindmanager, I felt part of the story too, which is an odd feeling.

What I'm reading ...

I am reading The Cancer Code by Mike and Bettina Jetter.

This book has the subtitle "How a journey through leukemia led to software that changed the way how people work". Which says quite clearly what it's about.

My encounter with the book was odd. I have been a user of Mindmanager, mind-mapping software for a long time. I can confidently say that I use it every day and very much depend upon it. I only recently heard about this book, at just the time that leukaemia has been on my mind.

It's only a small book and may be exclusively obtained from the Cancer Code Web site. All profits go to appropriate charities.

A Short History of Nearly Everything - by Bill Bryson

I actually read this book a while back, when it first came out last year. I tend to get Bill Bryson's books when they first come out in hardback, as I am a great admirer of his work. So I was very pleased to hear that he would be featured in BBC R4 Bookclub in February next year and I applied to attend the recording, which is where I went earlier this week.

I travelled into London - it took a bit over 2 hours door to door [a drive, a mainline train, 2 underground trains and a short walk]. The recording was at Bush House, the home of the BBC World Service, but apparently the studios are used by other bits of the BBC, as their main site is being remodelled.

I met other people who were going to be in the audience. There were about 20 of us in total. We were escorted down to the studio. I headed down the passage first, hearing two familiar voices ahead: Bill himself and Jim Naughtie, the presenter, who is also familiar from the Today programme. There was also the producer, Dymphna, with whom I had been in email communication. This was an opportunity to chat informally with Bill and Jim, both of whom are very easy to be with.

I have no experience of how radio programmes are made. So there was lots to learn. The recording itself took something over an hour, even though the programme is less than 30 minutes. There were a few slight interruptions, but we were told that they put it all together later. Jim actually wrapped up the programme less than two-thirds of the way through and then explained that there was a natural flow that led to the finish, so he's grabbed at it. We then carried on for a while with more questions and discussion. I did ask a question, but I have no idea whether they will use it. I look forward to hearing how the final programme is assembled when it's broadcast.

When we had finished, Jim apologised because he needed to depart promptly, as he was going to interview a member of George Bush's cabinet, who was in town, for the Today programme. The following morning, I put the radio on at breakfast time and there was the interview. I listened with a "new ear", as now I know how it's done!

Bill stayed around, chatting and signing books. I got mine signed and shook his hand. My evening was complete.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will certainly go again, if the opportunity arises. I look forward to Bill's next book, which will be a biography of William Shakespeare.

Regeneration - by Pat Barker

This story gave some interesting insights into the world during WW1 - in particular the treatment of troops who were mentally affected by it. I remain unclear about where fact ends and fiction begins. I was also a bit frustrated not to know what happened to Sassoon in the end. [I observe that he died in 1967 - so any plans he had to get killed in France obviously failed.]

What I'm reading ...

I have started Regeneration by Pat Barker.

Another book that I wouldn't have taken off the shelf, but for it being the next R4 Bookclub selection. It's set in WW1 and seems to be primarily concerned with the mental effects of warfare on the troops. I am unclear how much is fact and how much fiction, as two key characters are Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Graves. I don't know enough about them to be able to guess what might be factual.

Stargazing - by Peter Hill

This is a very "honest" book. It describes, in very accessible terms, the experiences of a young man learning about lighthouse keeping. Only once in a while does the author apply 20-20 hindsight to make an observation. It is perceptive and moving, but certainly not without a good amount of humour. My kind of book for sure and I recommend it to anyone. I am left with a feeling that I'd like to visit some of those lights and a sadness that he describes a lifestyle that is now past.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Stargazing by Peter Hill.

Like so much of my reading, I was led to this book by the radio. It was serialised on Radio 4 a while back. I heard some of it and that got my attention.

It is the autobiography of a guy who, while a student 30 years ago, signed up to be a lighthouse keeper.

How the Dead Live - by Will Self

I was reading this as it is October's Bookclub selection.

This was an easy enough read and was quite entertaining. There's lots of wordplay, which is fun. But I have trouble with the ideas of life after death. More importantly, I am sure that the book is full of metaphors and references which were quite wasted on me. Maybe I'm just not intellectual enough and should stick to more "straight" writing.

Lots of the little facts and references are interesting. For example, the word ghetto comes from the Italian borghetto, which means suburb - very telling.

I am, as always, infuriated by inaccuracies, which I see as damaging to an author's integrity. Here are a couple:

A reference to the John Hancock Center in Boston. I have been to Boston a few times and I have visited the John Hancock Center, but that was during a visit to Chicago. Wrong city.

There is a reference to "Chips drenched in ascorbic acid". This is rather unlikely, as ascorbic acid is vitamin C. Did he mean ascetic acid [i.e. vinegar]? That would make a bit more sense.

I could check these facts in moments; why couldn't the author. Or, again, is this a joke too subtle for me to understand?

Change the World for a Fiver: We Are What We Do

I heard about this book on the radio and bought it on impulse, as it caught my eye in the local book shop. It takes minutes to read, but it really could change your life. It made me smile and want to buy more copies ...

I'll quote from Amazon:

This book marks the launch of We Are What We Do, a national movement that aims to inspire people to use everyday actions to change the world. It has illustrations of 50 simple everyday actions presented with directness, whimsy and wit. This book has been produced on a gratis basis and any proceeds will go towards the development of the movement.

It does only cost just £5 - go buy a copy.

What I'm reading ...

I have started How The Dead Live by Will Self.

I have to confess: I am not a fan of Will Self. Whenever I come across him on TV or radio, I have the impression that he's egocentric and pretentious. So, I wouldn't normally choose to read any of his scribblings.

But this is the October Bookclub selection. So, I'll give it a go ...

Temptation - by Dermot Bolger

This book has three features, that I'm always pleased to find: a beginning, a middle and an ending. It's not simplistic, but has a straightforward, comprehensible structure and a great build up of tension.

The story is about Alison, who, with her family, has gone away for a week at a seaside hotel, like they do every year. But, this time, two things have changed: her husband is called away on a business matter and she runs into an "old flame" who is also staying there.

The story is told from her viewpoint. Although I like reading a story told from a woman's viewpoint, I can't help wondering how accurate that can be, given that the book was written by a man.

The character Mark is very credible. I guess that I could empathize with him in many ways. He was shy when he was younger. Now, having lost his wife and two daughters in a road accident, he feels lost.

I like to learn things from reading a book. I also like to gain insights. I think the following passage is very moving:

"Do you often forget she's dead?"

"I did last Tuesday," he replied. "For a whole ten seconds. The time it took to start the van, then remember that I'd nothing to go home to. You don't forget people are dead, it's just that sometimes you forget that death is forever."

What I'm reading ...

I have started Temptation by Dermot Bolger.

For some years, I have enjoyed reading books by a number of contemporary Irish writers. Dermot Bolger started me on this. I stumbled across a book that he edited, called Finbar's Hotel. It was actually written by bunch of writers, each of whom did one chapter, picking up where the last had finished. I enjoyed it so much I set out to read more work by each of the authors.

I have also read a couple of Bolger's other books - Father's Music and The Journey Home. I know I liked them and they were not an "easy" read [Bolger looks at some of the hard issues in life], but I confess to not recalling details [which is one reason why I'm doing this blog!].

Pompeii - by Robert Harris

For me, this is an almost ideal book. It has a good, page-turning story, which kept me going right until the last page. The characters a well drawn. And I feel I learned something about the events at that time and about Roman culture and lifestyle.

The basis for the story is the fact that there has been an interruption in the water supply to one of the towns near to Pompeii. The main character is the newly-appointed "Aquarius", who is in charge of maintaining the aqueducts. He investigates the problem and gets wrapped up in local politics and the odd disappearance of his predecessor.

The approach of telling the story almost exclusively from the viewpoint of one character gives it a very personal quality. I am left wondering whether this guy actually existed and whether there really was an interruption in the water supply, which was a portent that they did not understand.

My confidence in the author's integrity means that I know I learned a lot. I am also very interested in the Romans - maybe it's because I have spent quite a lot of my life living in places that they founded. I love some of the details, like the way being Greek was almost a term of derogation. Why exactly was that? The relationship with slaves is very unfamiliar to us today and I felt it was summed up in one short passage:

... a slave carried over a small silver bowl. He dunked his hands and dried them on the slave's tunic.

I also liked the factual snippets at the beginning of each chapter - I must do some research to put the power dissipation of the eruption into an everyday context. It was interesting to note that the Romans did not know the height of clouds; a minority thought 5 miles [about right], but the majority thought that they were 111 miles up.

I would recommend this book to anyone. A great read.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Pompeii by Robert Harris.

I first read a one of Robert Harris' books - Fatherland - as a result of listening to one of the early BBC Radio 4 Bookclub programmes. I have then read each of the others and enjoyed them all. In particular, I like his journalistic approach and attention to detail and accuracy.

I was keen to read this book, when it came out, but I was waiting for the paperback. I happened to mention this to a friend, who said they would lend me their copy. Next time I visited, there it was waiting for me [nice of them to remember!].

New York Trilogy: The Locked Room - by Paul Auster

Again, this starts out as a mystery story - an intriguing tale about a guy disappearing and leaving instructions for his wife to contact his childhood friend if anything untoward happened to him. The story progresses in a reasonable manner, but then, once again, it diverges off into a study of the main character's obsession and self-destructive behaviour.

It is odd that the "missing" guy is called just Fanshawe - no first name is ever mentioned. Why not?

The story is written in the first person and there are hints that the narrator is Auster himself. He mentions having written City of Glass and Gihosts. There are various backwards references: a detective called Quinn [the main character in City of Glass]; a man called Walden [a book mentioned in Ghosts]; Peter Stillman and Henry Dark are mentioned; there is a red notebook just like Quinn's.

Some aspects of the story seem almost autobiographical - like the time spent in France. But again these are just hints.

For me, the whole story was just confusing. I am unable to see the overall message in my mind. Maybe it's just too intellectual for me. Suffice it to say that I won't be seeking any more of Paul Auster's books in the near future.

New York Trilogy: Ghosts - by Paul Auster

There are many similarities in this story to City of Glass: it starts off appearing to be a mystery with a private detective at the heart and changes into a psychological study [I think]. I confess that I lost the point of the story after a while.

Certain stylistic devices were also applied, like the theme that all the characters' names were colours. And, at the very end the narrator talks directly to the reader.

I think that I never empathised at all with the main character, Blue, and never really understood his actions at all.

New York Trilogy: City of Glass - by Paul Auster

This story appears to be a mystery, with the main character, Quinn, who is really an author, playing the private detective on a case. But it turns out to be much more of a psychological analysis of him and his obsessive behaviour.

It is well written, but I found myself dissatisfied. As much as anything, there is no clear ending or resolution to the story. I also did not find Quinn's behaviour altogether believable.

I am always disturbed by factual inaccuracies in novels, as I feel that it compromises the author's integrity. In this case, there is a translation error [American to English] that nagged me. It's the word "check" or "cheque". Early in the book, there is a reference to a bank "check" [I can't find it now]; later it is always spelt "cheque". Elsewhere in the book, a character a character asks for the "cheque" in a restaurant; this should be the "bill".

The appearance of Stillman's "double" seemed like an interesting twist to the story. But, as far as I could tell, it was a total red herring.

The oddest thing, I felt, was the use of Paul Auster himself as a character. The book is almost all told in the third person, mostly following the actions of Quinn. He meets another author called Paul Auster. Right at the end of the book, the narrator "speaks". He seems to have a high opinion of Quinn, but has a downer on Auster. This all seems unnecessarily complex and maybe a little egocentric.

What I'm reading ...

I have started on The New York Trilogy by Paul Aster.

This is the September BBC Radio 4 Bookclub selection. As the title suggests, it is actually three stories. I am not yet clear whether they are connected in any way beyond being set in New York.

Having had a lot of "dead time" the last couple of days [hospital visits], I have made good progress on the first story - City of Glass. It has certainly got my attention.

Lambs of God - by Marele Day

I cannot imagine seeing this book in a shop and being compelled to buy and read it. It was handed to me by a good friend a long time ago. She and I often trade views on books we've read and she thought it might interest me. It took quite a while to get to the head of my queue, but it was worth reading when I finally got around to it.

The story is about three nuns - 2 aging and one younger - who live in an isolated, derelict convent. They have had no contact with the outside world for many years and have developed a unique lifestyle and way of thinking. The pattern of their lives is disturbed by the sudden arrival of a visitor - a young priest, who was under the impression that the place was uninhabited.

The priest has ideas for the convent and for the nuns. The nuns have other ideas. The story outlines how these views are resolved. In the process we get tantalizing glimpses of the history of both the people and place. The story is told from the viewpoint of different characters at different times and this illustrates how perceptions can vary.