Shadows in Bronze - by Lindsey Davis

The adventures of Marcus Didius Falco as a "private informer" and his romantic pursuit of Helena Justina make a good story in themselves. The setting in ancient Rome - or specifically in the Roman Empire - give it an interesting twist. I also have reasonable faith in the author's integrity. So I have some confidence that I am learning something as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of the series.

Presentations for Dummies - by Malcolm Kushner

Another book I have been reading in preparation for a session I am running at work next week.

My experience is that Dummies books are very variable - obviously depends upon the author. But when they're good, they're often very good. This is such an example. There is hardly a page that doesn't have a good idea or some new insight. Even as a very experienced presenter, learned a lot from this book.

It is not without humour, of course. I particularly enjoyed:

There are 3 types of presenter: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.

An old philosopher's advice to presenters: speak up to be heard; stand up to be seen; shut up to be enjoyed.

A Japanese proverb: Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Shadows in Bronze by Lindsey Davis.

I was recommended Lindsey Davis' book a while ago and read the first in the Falco series, The Silver Pigs, which I enjoyed. Didius Falco is a kind of private detective in the Roman Empire, which I think is an interesting idea. This book carries on where the last left off [but I think it could be read by itself].

Inconceivable - by Ben Elton

I enjoyed the style and form of this book. In many ways it reminds me of Bridget Jones.

Sam is one of these people who is very taken with all the trappings of being successful, but doesn't seem to have grasped [early in the book] that, to be successful, you have to do an exceptional job of something.

Lucy is totally obsessed with the idea of having a baby. My observation is that such single-mindedness is not uncommon. As a man, I put it down to hormones. I would like to hear a woman's perspective on this book.

I thought that the self-referential nature of the book was curious. Sam is writing the screenplay for a movie with the name Inconceivable. It reminded me of How to be Good, where a book of that name is being written.

Elton did not disappoint me. It's a good read and I was in there right up to the end. And it does have a satisfactory ending - particularly when you realize that the story isn't really about Sam and Lucy trying to have a baby.

Present Yourself! - by Michael J. Gelb

I don't recall where exactly I got this book or why I chose it. My guess is that I saw a good review somewhere. Looking at the mug-shot of the author on the back, I clearly didn't find it on a book shop's shelves [I looked at his Web site and the intervening years have been kind to him!].

I read it this afternoon, as I am preparing a short session on presentation techniques for my work. I wanted to do some background reading to get more ideas. I didn't find many new ideas in this book, but what I did find was a very good encapsulation of the concepts that I see as important. And there are some thought-provoking angles on what presenting is all about. All in all, a very useful concise [100 pages] book on the topic.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Inconceivable by Ben Elton.

I felt that I needed some light reading this time. I unexpectedly enjoyed Elton's Popcorn a while ago and acquired some more of his books. I selected this one from my shelf as it is just a tiny bit too tall for the place it was stored ...

The story is about a couple who are attempting, but failing, to start a family. Part of their therapy to is write letters to nobody in particular to help them gather their thoughts. The book is an alternating sequence of these letters. It is essentially a two-person diary. It has shades of Adrian Mole ...

I'm enjoying it so far. I was taken with the phrase "nuttier than squirrel shit".

The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat - by Oliver Sacks

I'm not sure about this book. It is supposed to be a series of pieces about specific cases, where patients have a brain disorder, written for the non-specialist. Although the author does spend a lot of time looking at the implications and meaning of his patients' conditions, he seems to be unable to stay away from medical jargon. I am challenged by phraseology like this: "Similar hyperosmia, sometimes paroxysmal, may occur in encephalitics on L-Dopa, and some patients with Tourette's syndrome." Having to look up 3-4 words just to get through once sentence is too much.

Although many of the stories were interesting, my concentration would lapse as the author rambled on about the higher significance of the patient's condition.

I didn't find it that hard to read, but I'm glad I got it finished and can move on.

What I'm reading ...

I have started The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat by Oliver Sacks

I had heard of this book, but knew nothing about that. This would have continued, except it is the next Bookclub selection. The book is a series of essays - case studies - about people with neurological problems. They are mainly right-brain malfunction, which have interesting effects. Doesn't sound like a bundle of laughs, but what I have read so far is interesting.

How to be Good - by Nick Hornby

The story is told from the viewpoint of a middle-aged woman doctor. Her husband is having a kind of mid-life crisis. He is adjusting his lifestyle to become a better person and "do good". The book is about the development of their relationship. She begins to question how good a person she is.

It is not a comic book, but it has its moments. I had long since given up on any notion of absolute good and evil, but this story was food for thought.

What I'm reading ...

I have started How to be Good by Nick Hornby.

I have had this book on my shelf for some time, having read High Fidelity and About a Boy a while back. I guess that I feel like some light-hearted reading.

How To Build A Time Machine - by Paul Davies

This book proved to be a surprisingly easy read. It has a good pace and isn't full of mathematics - none actually. I guess it has given me just a tiny bit more insight into modern physics and cosmology. But I remain stuck with some of the fundamentals ...

Take the time dilation experiment with the twins. One stays on Earth, the other flies off somewhere at near light speed. When the travelling twin comes home, they are younger than the one that stayed behind. I am happy with that and can even handle the equations. But it's the relativity bit that I struggle with. Who was moving at high speed? They are simply moving apart from one another - why is the one in the rocket "special"? There isn't supposed to be an absolute frame of reference, so surely their relative speed is what counts.

Guess I don't get it...

Radio programme broadcast

On Sunday [5th] the Bookclub programme, that Emmeline and I went to the recording of, will be broadcast at 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 [repeated at the same time the following Thursday and available thereafter on Listen Again at bbc.com].

I have exchanged email with the producer and I am assured that Emmeline's [opening] question will be included. I don't know if my contributions got used. We will find out on Sunday.

What I'm reading ...

I have started How To Build A Time Machine by Paul Davies.

I don't remember how/why I got this book. Maybe it was some Amazon targeted marketing ... But, anyway it is my kind of thing and I thought it time to read something a little serious. The book is really about modern physics' view of time and the likely feasibility of time travel. I read a review which warned that it was not a manual on how to knock one up in the back yard over a bank holiday weekend [shame!].

The Snapper - by Roddy Doyle

It was no surprise that I enjoyed reading this book. Guess that's why it only took me a few days.

The story is basically about Sharon getting pregnant out of wedlock by mistake and the implications on her, her family and those around her. It is a serious story, but hardly a page goes by without something making you smile or laugh out loud.

Doyle is a master at evoking a feeling of "being there". I have no experience of being in a working class Irish household, but I do feel I've been visiting one over the last few days. I think it is his rendition of the very individual dialect that makes the dialogue come alive. At times, I have to wonder if they are talking English at all! Here are some examples of local turns of phrase:
"Snapper" = baby - I guess this comes from "whippersnapper".
"Young one" = teenager or young person, usually referring to the opposite sex.
"Old one" = elderly person.
"Mot" = wife.
"Having a baby for X" = "X is the father of my baby".
"Gas" = good time; laugh.
"Ride" = have sex with (verb); good person with whom to have sex (noun).
"Eejit" = idiot.

I have another of Doyle's book on the shelf, which I will savour for a while. It's sequel is also available - that is what he was reading from when I saw him in Cheltenham. Sounded good.

What I'm reading ...

I have started The Snapper by Roddy Doyle.

This is the second book in the Barrytown Trilogy [along with The Commitments and The Van]. I have read the other two and, for some reason, never got around to this one. I am a big fan of modern Irish writing and Doyle is a key contributor to the excellent work from that country. I had the pleasure of seeing him at the Cheltenham Literature Festival last year and that whetted my appetite for his latest work.

Dimension of Miracles - by Robert Sheckley

The story is, on the surface at least, a fantasy romp through the galaxy. I found some parts more convincing than others and some of the writing style was a bit laboured.

There are distinct parallels with Douglas Adams' work for sure. The idea of Earth being specifically constructed is familiar, but the idea that God simply sub-contracted the work is different from DA's more "industrial" approach. The sentient city of Bellwether reminded me of the ship-board computer, the doors with attitude and Marvin.

I was interested in the concept of locating somewhere in the Universe effectively in five dimensions: 3 spatial, time and probability. They could find Earth in space and select the right time, but then it was a matter of choosing the correct "version" of Earth.

And what was the "predator" all about?

I was rather dissatisfied with the ending and wondered whether this was some kind of comment upon the world that we live in. Overall, I was left with a feeling that the author was drawing some far-reaching metaphor which I am not intellectual enough to grasp.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Dimension of Miracles by Robert Sheckley.

This book has been lent to me by a friend, who saw the similarity to some of Douglas Adams' ideas in the Hitchhiker's Guide, which it pre-dates. It certainly seems off-beat enough ...

Bravemouth - by Pamela Stephenson

Although I don't rate Pamela Stephenson as a writer and this book is less well crafted than Billy, it is still good to read a biography from "close to the source". It's an affectionate account and I enjoyed it. I particular liked Jimmy Tarbuck's compact description of what Billy Connolly is: an observation comic.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Bravemouth by Pamela Stephenson.

A while ago, I read Billy, which was Pamela Stephenson's biography of her husband Billy Connolly. This book is a follow up and describes, in more detail, one year [his sixtieth] in his life. I am a big fan of Billy Connolly. I have a feeling that he is just the same person in real life as we see in his shows.

Small Island - by Andrea Levy

I was right about the structure of this book being good. I found that it led me through very well. I never felt lost as I have done with other books which employ multiple timelines and viewpoints. As I observed, each chapter is written from the viewpoint of one of the 4 main characters. The chapters are grouped into sections. Each section is set in one of the 2 timeframes: "before" [war years and just after] and "1948". The chapters are contiguous in time within the section.

Although the book is ostensibly about the Jamaicans arriving in England, it has a lot more to offer in terms of insight into that time period: life in wartime London, post-war India and a lot of perspectives on prejudice in general. I was quite shocked by the extent to which this seems to dominate society at that time. People seemed to really compartmentalize themselves and others by race, gender and social class. Although there are many derogatory terms for black people quoted, one that made me sit up was "darkie". Although perhaps less coarse than many, I clearly recall it being used a lot by older people when I was a child. Fortunately it seems to have died out.

Although it is quite a long book and took me a while to read. The structure and the pace of the book kept me turning the pages. In particular, towards the end, things speeded up and I found it quite unput-downable.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Small Island by Andrea Levy.

This is the next Bookclub selection. The book is about immigrants to the UK from Jamaica in the late 1940s. Since my knowledge of 20th Century history is limited, I guess I have something to learn. I am daunted by the 500+ pages, but it is not too hard to read. I like the structure of the book - each chapter is written from a specific person's viewpoint and there are something like 4 or 5 people represented. I guess the book must be good, as it won both the Orange and Whitbread prizes this year.

Up and Down in the Dales - by Gervase Phinn

I was not disappointed. This book is well up to the standard of the previous three in the series. It manages to be amusing and uplifting without being trivial. It's an easy read, but I wasn't keen to rush through, as I didn't really want it to end. I feel I have had another genuine glimpse into other people's lives.

At the end the following prayer is quoted. I found it very moving and would like to share it:

A Parent's Prayer

Always believe in yourself.

Promise always to be compassionate.
Appreciate that you make mistakes.
Recognise that I do too.
Entrust me with your worries.
Never doubt that I will support you when you need me.
Talk to me about things you find difficult.
Share your dreams.

Please understand that I can have moods just like you.
Receive a little advice now and again.
Accept that I sometimes get things wrong.
You need to help me to get things right.
Enjoy your life.
Realise that I love you without reservation.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Up and Down in the Dales by Gervase Phinn.

Having read the previous three books in this series, I have been looking forward to the appearance of this one in paperback. The books are autobiographical, which is probably my favourite kind of reading material. They are also very humorous, which makes them an easy read. Phinn has bee described as the James Herriot of school inspectors, which I think sums him up rather well.

Independence Day - by Richard Ford

This book is about an ordinary American guy, Frank Bascombe, who is an estate agent in New Jersey. The story is really about his reappraisal of his life and his transition into the next stage, putting various traumatic events behind him.

I found it easy enough to read, even though it's quite long [450 pages]. The language could be hard, as house buying and selling is a very different process in the US. I am also not really very familiar with the geography and the use of various states' nicknames didn't help. There were new words - like "conniption", which means "a fit; a display of bad temper". Also, new concepts: garbage collection three times per week [why?].

The book is a sequel to another and maybe I would have felt more connected to Frank if I'd read that first. But the book has a satisfactory beginning - I didn't feel dropped into it. I like books to have an ending. In this case there is one, but I found it unsatisfying. Instead of moving on to the next stage in his life, we leave Frank ready to do so and speculating upon what it might be.

Attending a Bookclub Recording

On Tuesday, my daughter Emmeline and I went to attend a recording of the BBC Radio 4 Bookclub programme. Having been before, I knew what to expect and thought it would be fun. The book being discussed was "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged Thirteen and Three Quarters" by Sue Townsend. Since Emmeline is almost exactly this age, it seemed appropriate.

The recording was at the BBC's Birmingham studios. We went by train [from Cheltenham], as this was low stress and a further treat for Emmeline. The place is quite challenging to find, but I had allowed plenty of time and we got there on schedule.

For me, it was good to see familiar faces: Jim Naughtie and the production team. They were all very friendly and made us feel welcome.

They always aim to have a small audience - 20 or so. But, on this occasion, there were quite a few no-shows. This meant that nobody was denied a chance to pose a question.

The producer felt that it would be good if Emmeline put the first question and she agreed [rather nervously] to do that. After Jim had done the initial introduction, he addressed Emmeline [having already established the correct pronunciation of her name - he's a true pro], prompting her to ask her question, which she did very well. I am fairly confident that they will use this in the broadcast.

In due course, I also asked two questions. Of course, I don't know whether they will use them. Despite the smaller than planned audience [or maybe because of it], there was a lot of discussion and the production team have quite an editing job ahead of them.

After it was finished, I got my book signed by the author. Emmeline is interested in the possibility of going into journalism and/or radio as a career. So she asked Jim how he got started in the field. As he is probably the most influential journalist in the country, I guess his advice was worth seeking!

All in all, we enjoyed going to the recording and I hope that I can do it again sometime. They did say that I was always welcome. But, for now, we await the broadcast on 5 June.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Independence Day by Richard Ford.

Another Bookclub selection. From what I've read so far, it seems to be the story of the main character's life over the last few years, during which it is hinted that dramatic changes occurred. We'll see ...

Easy enough read so far, but it is untranslated American, so there's lots that I don't quite understand.

The Hippopotamus - by Stephen Fry

Another good read. I found it quite easy going and kept turning the pages. Contrary to my initial impression, the story is not as outrageous as Tom Sharpe or Ben Elton's stuff, although I could imagine some people being a little shocked by some of the content.

The story is apparently about a boy with healing powers who is being observed by the narrator of the book. It is not until the end that we learn the whole truth.

A lot of the story is in the form of letters between the narrator and his god-daughter. I quite like this form of writing, as the point of view is always clear.

Fry's use of English is often enjoyable. I liked the simile "bitterer than a forgotten poet" [the narrator is a poet]. A place which is conducive to thought and inspiration is referred to as a "cogitarium". At breakfast, the sideboard was laden with "gleaming tureenery".

I found the leukaemia references a little "close to home".

All in all, I'd say that it is clear that Stephen Fry does have talents beyond his acting and repartee that I have hitherto been familiar with.

What I'm reading ...

I have started The Hippopotamus by Stephen Fry.

I don't believe that I have ever read anything by Stephen Fry before, but, of course, I am very familiar with him from radio and TV. This book is the next Bookclub selection.

The story appears to be quite intricate with lots of characters. I have a feel for it being out of the same mould as Tom Sharpe and Ben Elton.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged Thirteen and Three Quarters - by Sue Townsend

I had forgotten all the details of this book, many of which made me laugh out loud on re- reading. I was also struck by how much the world has changed in the 20+ years since it was written. I wonder if an Adrian Mole of the 21st Century would be very different.

I like the diary format, as it gives the book an understandable pace. The juxtaposition of his observations would not work without it.

I don't often re-read books, but it was good to have an excuse to revisit this old favourite.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged Thirteen and Three Quarters by Sue Townsend.

I first heard this when it was serialised on the radio around 1982. I was struck by the fact that a woman [in her thirties] could write about the inner life of an adolescent boy and get it so spot on. I am re-reading as it is an upcoming BookClub programme, which I am interested in attending.

The Silver Pigs - by Lindsey Davis

I enjoyed this book. It's quite a straightforward read. I look forward to getting some more in the series.

The concept of placing the story in Roman times is interesting and does seem to work. I have reasonable faith in the author's integrity, which is important for me to be able to believe in a story. It was interesting trying to relate the Roman place names to modern England, for example.

I enjoyed some of the humour. I do wonder whether going to Britain would have been viewed quite some gloomily. I have an idea that the climate was better then.

I found the Roman people's names hard to deal with. They had several names, like we do, but they seem to be used differently. What I found confusing was the apparently inconsistent use of parts of names. For example, Publius Camillus Meto is variously referred to [by the author, not in dialogue] as Publius, Meto and Camillus Meto.

All in all, I'd recommend this book.

What I'm reading ...

I have started The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis.

This is the first of a series of books about a detective called Falco. They are set in Roman times. Whilst I admit to being skeptical, I know that this is series is well thought of. So I'll give it a try.

Headbanger - by Hugo Hamilton

This story is about Pat Coyne, a rather idealistic policeman in Dublin, and his brush with some underworld thugs. It's not a detective novel. It's much more about Coyne's personality, his marriage and his life.

The book is quite fast paced and easy to pick up and put down, with no chapters, just occasional breaks. The good news is that it does have a clearly defined ending [I hate books with no clear ending!].

Bookclub programme

I heard the programme this afternoon. Sadly, they did not use my question. Although I was slightly disappointed, it was still interesting to hear the programme resulting from the recording that I attended. The way the questions in the programme followed a logical sequence was quite a contrast to the somewhat random order at the recording.

I will go again sometime - when they next have an author that particularly interests me.

What I'm reading ...

I have started Headbanger by Hugo Hamilton.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, I have been sampling the work of various contemporary Irish novelists and I have been a while getting around the HH.

It seems to be the story about a policeman in Dublin. A fairly straightforward read, judging by the first few pages.

Bookclub programme

Next Sunday [BBC Radio 4 at 16:00 GMT] will be the next edition of Bookclub, which is the one with Bill Bryson that I attended the recording of. I wonder if they used my question? I guess I'll find out on Sunday...

The programme is repeated the following Thursday at 16:00 GMT and will be available via bbc.co.uk Listen Again for the month thereafter.

I Sleep at Red Lights - by Bruce Stockler

I enjoyed this book. Like most well-written autobiographies, it was a fascinating page-turner. Although it is supposed to be about being a stay at home dad and parent to triplets, it has much wider scope. It is very honest and personal - lots of thoughts on what family life and relationships are all about. I found the dynamics of his marriage very interesting. The study of the very well-defined characters of the children was beautifully sketched - I feel like I know them.

I was happy that it was an "untranslated" American book. I have commented elsewhere about bad translation. It served to remind me that I often find American lifestyles very foreign - there are many things that I don't identify with ... Some of the terminology was new to me. I can guess what a "play date" is, even if we don't really have a term for it. I was rather foxed by "tag sale" [what is it?] and "step-down unit" [in a hospital]. As a wise man once said: "Two great nations separated by a common language."

I'd recommend this book to anyone - it'll make you smile [and blink occasionally ...] and it'll make you think about your own life.

What I'm reading ...

I have started I Sleep at Red Lights by Bruce Stockler

I stumbled on this book by accident. I was reading a review of another book on Amazon and the reviewer recommended this one and it appealed to me.

The idea is simple enough: the author and his wife, living in a one-bedroom apartment in NYC with their young son, learn that they are expecting triplets ... Life is never the same again.

White Teeth - by Zadie Smith

It's taken me a while to work through this book, but I have enjoyed it.

It is a vast story, covering the life of the Jones, Iqbal and Chalfen families and the intricate connections between them.

The quality of writing is excellent, with very detailed pictures painted, but with humour always lurking in the background. I love the idea of a militant Islamic organization called K.E.V.I.N.

I'm not really sure that I understood the ending...

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.]