"The Cuckoo's Calling" - Robert Galbraith... well sort of

Being honest, I requested " The Cuckoo's Calling' because of the pseuydonym story and the origins of this book. I'm not sure if I would have got round to it if I didn't know it was a JK Rowling book, but then I may well have done. I have JK Rowling's A casual Vacancy, but it's still not been read. It's on that list we all keep of books we own, just haven't got round too. I have a serious case of the library has so many books that I can read syndrome, I blame the best friend, it is clearly contagious. I actually really enjoyed "The Cuckoo's Calling" It was a really good read, and knowing the truth about the authorship makes sense. You can clearly see Rowling in how the story is wrote, and concluded. It doesn't feature any magic or anything like that, but there are certain similar traits between the characters and plot line that does link the Harry Potter series of books along with this. My question to myself and others though is does the pseuydonym make a difference, would I have linked the two if i didn't already know. Does the author make a difference or would i have bought/read the next Robert Galbraith book naturally anyway because I enjoyed this one. I really don't know at the moment. But interested for comments...

I should blog more but something stops me....

I should blog more, but things get in the way. However, hopefully I am going to get better. After a four hour phonecall with my best friend last night, I should be blogging more. So I have decided that I will only get better the more I do it. So I am going to try.

After my last post, i have not read any of the books i posted about. However I am reading 'The unexpected journey of Harold Fry' so that is somewhere to start. I think I might write down all of the books I have to read, and then I can check them off one at a time.

Books I intend to read shortly....

I have several hundred books to read, the way I see it is if I commit it to here that I will be reading them, then maybe I will actually get myself to do it. Reading has taken somewhat of a back burner in my life, whereas it use to be how I escaped. I need this back in my life, so I will try my best to get it back introduced....So here it is:

• The Count of Monti Cristo
• Villette
• The Snow Child
• The Book Thief
• Life of Pi - Bought this for Rich for his birthday so need to borrow it back
• The Unexpected Journey of Harold Fry - need to borrow from Rich first

That should keep me going, at least for a short while....

I also need to book the tickets for Emma and I to see Audrey Nieffenegger when she comes to Ely in May.

It's been a while but I haven't stopped reading...

Whilst I haven't kept updated with my reviews online, I have been reading still. In particular I have read two books whilst I was in France.

The first, and the most enjoyable by a long way was a book that fits into the Teen fiction genre.  Pushing the Limits by Kate McGarry is a fantastic gripping book in the perhaps cliched boy turned bad, and lost girl, making a perfect couple etc. Everyone knows the basic storyline, however this has a very good relationship with its characters, the individual stories of both the central protagonists allow the reader to engage with not just the teen romance, but the back stories. Both are quite harrowing, but the emotions expressed are extremely engaging. I have picked the book up several times to reread passages, as the writing is extremely powerful. The main setting of high school feels real with the fake friendships and the relationships that are expected no matter what is surrounding your life. It is well worth a read for some easy but difficult topic reading. I read the book in a sleepless night, and it was easy to keep going until the end.

The other book i read was The Secret Letter by Emma Donoghue, the author of room. I have had it on my shelf for a little while, and have thought often that I should get through it. I actually found it quite hard to get through. Although i believe the plot is a good one, the writing seems to be very wordy which takes away some of the importance. The story centres around a Victorian relationship, which features a manipulative women, a friendship, a divorce court case and Victorian values. The book is full of melodrama, and a couple of stereotypical views on what would be. One of the main females, is referred to often as a spinster, and women's rights looked down on. I may try reading it again another time, but for now i think it is a 3 out of 5 for it.

What to read...

I have so many books to choose from, I have no idea where to start. Plus I have some book vouchers to spend, which should be fun. For Christmas I got : " The snow Child" , "Revolutionary Road" and "Villette" Plus i have at least 100 books  (in boxes from house move) that I have yet to read. I am really going to read a lot more this year... It's just where to start.

The Inside Track - Jake Humphrey

For my first book review it seems appropriate that it combines two of my favourite passions, reading and sport. I have been an F1 fan since I was around five, following each race with my step-dad, getting up at two in the morning to watch the Austrailian Grand prix, it was exciting thrilling and it still is. With all the changes that have gone on with the rights on the television, listening on 5 live still fills me with the excitement. My wind up radio travels with me just in case I am not able to be at home for part of it. I also then tape and watch the highlight programme. To read Jake Humphrey's account would always have two potential issues, one that it would not live up to the excitement that I always imagined, and two that the account would not offer any new insight, it would just be a book that was written to make money. The second definately had a very very slim chance, having witnessed the presentation skills of Jake from watching him on CBBC to the rise to F1 and on things such as the Olympics, passion is something he has never lacked, and neither is ambition. He does not come across as the type of man that would write a book, just for the spotlight, to make some money before he leaves for pastures new. I am so glad that this opinion of him turns out to be correctd that 'The Inside Track' is a fabulous book. His passion with which he speaks about F1 in his book, not only comes from his professional experience on the inside, but comes from his background. He loves the sport, he thrives on it. He shares his true opinions on it and what he believes the future should and should not have. The book breezes between history, stories and opinions effortlessly, giving the feeling that you are the interviewer rather than reading it at home. You are a part of the conversation. This is not an easy feat to achieve. There may be some that are disappointed that the book does not delve deeply into the insides of the sport, or give more technical detail. However, the book is not for the factual knowledge of the sport, it's the inside opinions of one man, who followed his dream and made it to front one of the biggest sports in the world, it follows both his journey, and his success to bring F1 to a new audience. The book also goes one step further, Jake's philosophy on life, and the messages that he pushes show someone that is both grounded in family values, but enough instinct to set goals and dreams and achieve them. His loss to BBC F1 will be felt, the friendship with EJ and DC will be hard to, replace would be the wrong word, replicate with a new presenter. When I have sat in the Grandstand at Silverstone, watching as they prepare to go live on BBC1, the professional bond they share is second to none. The new presenter has a hard job to follow, but I will watch with interest at how they take on what some may see as a dream job too far out of reach, they are certainly following Jake's mantra of 'Do not sit in the comfy Chair'. So to finish my review of both book, the man, and the Formula 1. Jake Humphrey is a passionate talented presentor, who opens a dream job up to the audience that have fallen in love with him. They get to 'meet' him. It is well worth a read for sports fans, and deserves it's place along some of the best sports books. Finally, I would like to wish Jake Humphrey the best for 2013, his new start in both work and life, his decision to leave is well respected but he will be sorely missed.