Charlotte Street by Danny Wallace

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Danny Wallace

Sometimes a book comes along where a reviewer has little else to say apart from those three magic words….just read it.

For Charlotte Street, Wallace’s debut novel, is one of those books which will hold universal appeal, cause enouCharlotte Street by Danny Wallacegh embarrassment laughing out loud on your public transport of choice and will ultimately tug at the heart strings.

Jason Priestley accidentally is left holding a disposable camera belonging to a girl he helps, with bags as she clambers into a taxi, on Charlotte Street. With little other direction in his life and the idea that maybe this girl could be THE girl, he is encouraged to find her with the help of his best friend, Dev. It is only when the photos are developed that Jason notices he has been captured in one of them; and so the mystery thickens.

As Jason’s life erupts into chaos, from the ex-girlfriend and a drunken evening spent on Facebook, to the career writing dodgy reviews for a London paper, the girl on Charlotte Street resembles one thing he can make happen. All he needs is some detective work and only a bit of stalking, well maybe more stalking than detecting.

This is just a celebration of life as it is of London; so if you are a Londoner, an ex-Londoner or a wannabe Londoner you will love exploring the city with these characters.

Charlotte Street is perfect for anyone who would like to invest a few hours into a good read with belly laughs and a great dollop of realism. So what more can I say other than…just read it.

If you like the look of this then start a collection with some similar great books.

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The Red House by Mark Haddon

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The Red House by Mark Haddon

This is the story of estranged siblings Angela and Richard who attempt to bond during a rainy week in Wales. The self catering cottage is booked, the board games packed and waterproofs donned as the two bring their families together in order to make up for the years lost over bittThe Red House by Mark Haddoner feuds. Of course the fireworks are going to be set off as soon as they’ve managed to get the key in the door but there are deeper secrets waiting in the wings.

The Red House is lovely portrayal of the British Holiday, cooking on mass, coping with a mixture of personalities, attempting to find any activity suited to all ages and usually in the rain. Haddon creates a realism to this holiday that spans the course of the book making it so easy to connect with.

As a reader you are left with a series of questions and concerns for the family once the week’s holiday is over. Will brother and sister meet again, will Angela recover properly from the miscarriage she suffered so many years ago, will her husband end the affair which is causing him to somewhat neglect his three children? So many questions which are delectably left to the readers imagination

An enjoyable read, a rollercoaster of emotions and a great one to leave behind on the communal bookshelf on your holiday this year.

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High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

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High Fidelity

The plot…Boy meets girl, loses her, attempts to woo her back while keeping afloat a record shop and unruly employees in a trendy area of London.High Fidelity by Nick Hornby, Penguin Ink Collection

The good bits…You’ll be laughing through the majority of this book and feeling quite sad at other parts. Fast paced and full of the vitality of reflecting on rather a disastrous life. Each character is full of life and you end up loving them all. It is a real story with what you feel like real people, all down to the beauty of Hornby’s writing.

The bad bits…Brutally honest Rob, tells us his secrets warts and all. You will dislike him passionatly at times yet there is something so good in him that you can’t help thinking that he is just a human prone to mistakes like us all. You may want him to just get on with life and get his act together but this confliction of opinion makes this point more a good bit than a bad. Afterall, it makes for a good read.

Worth a mention…By the time you have counted up all the records mentioned throughout the book you’ll have a pretty good play list. This book was chosen to have a special ‘tattoo’ cover design as part of the Penguin Ink collection.

When should you read it…When you feel in the mood to reflect on life, its good and bad bits. Just make sure you read it alongside a good set of records on a night in when everyone is on a night out.

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Wild Abandon by Joe Dunthorne

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Wild Abandon

…a family saga with warmth and wit

Have you ever thought that you’d make a good Prime Minister or could create a better society? If so, this is probably the book for you. Bestselling author Joe Dunthorne, is hoping for continued success with his new novel, Wild Abandon. It tells the story of a family who live on a communal farm in Wales facing all the issues that living the ‘good life’ brings.

Teenage daughter Kate, dreams of her escape to University and a more conventional life, where as her younger brother Albert, is eagerly awaiting the end of the world. Mum Freya, has decided her marriage is over with Don, who is head of the family and the commune struggling to keep control of both.

As the cracks begin to appear and more people start leaving the farm, Don decides to show one final mark of defiance; cutting the electricity supply. In the build up to the celebrations to mark this landmark event, the family come to terms with who they are and attempt to find reason in the chaos.

The first couple of chapters are a struggle to get into. You are suddenly thrown into this family and commune without any background making you ask questions like, where is this commune, why does it exist and who are all these crazy people?

Thankfully these questions are answered during a flash back to 1989. Here we meet a younger Don and Freya that we discover aren’t new-age hippies but disillusioned students, who decide that they could create a better society in their own commune after observing the ‘rat race’ of London. I think most can sympathise with that.

Star of the show is 14 year old Albert. Every time he popped up you couldn’t help but smile. He reminded me of Ben from Outnumbered, not only does he sounds as if he has swallowed a dictionary but has a determined mind of his own and a lifetime of experience of the unusual.

There are many dark undertones battling against the lighthearted humour in the book, which will surely create plenty of opinions. Nevertheless, by the time I was at the last page, I was wishing for more. Read this book if for nothing else, then for Albert.

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Eleven by Mark Watson

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Mark Watson

…eleven lives entwine in this dark comedy

Comedian Mark Watson, famous for appearances on TV Panal Shows including the much loved, Mock the Week , is enjoying success with his new novel, Eleven. The story follows, late-night talk show host, Xavier, who spends his evenings consoling sleepless Londoners and his days trying to avoid problems. Walking home one morning Xavier fails to stop a group of bullies beating up a young boy which kick-starts a series of events which carries you through to the lastEleven by Mark Watson page.

As we discover the tragedy which brought Xavier, from his close nit friendship group in Australia, to England we also meet eleven characters who are affected by Xavier’s lack of action that morning. These eleven characters
have their own challenges and insecurities in life which tips the book from being something funny, as it is billed, to something more melancholy. Most of the humour Watson injects is somewhat dark.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t make the book any less of a good read. Watson proves he can control a good number of plots, subplots and characters, climaxing to a surprising end. His observations on real life and the darker side of human nature are handled with care and compassion.

Others may find Eleven a ‘laugh out loud’ book, but for me there wasn’t enough light relief to feel comfortable finding the story funny. As I readjusted my expectations, half way through, I began enjoying the book. This would be a great book to discuss with book clubs and will certainly divide opinion.

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Mapp & Lucia by Edward Benson

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Mapp & Lucia

…a great example of English humour

Who would have thought the quiet seaside town of Tilling in 1930’s Britain would be quite an adventure. Elizabeth Mapp and Emmeline Lucas (Lucia) are far from the quiet sort, seeking to reign supreme socially and respectably over the residents.

Lucia coveys grace, style and intelligence even if, the more dowdy Mapp, is the only one who can see through it. As they both scheme and plot to outdo each other an accidental encounter during a storm leads to a stint at sea on a table top. An unforgettable part of the book and a great climax for all the fighting, but will this finally end the feud? Don’t count on it.Mapp & Lucia by E F Benson

Benson demonstrates his power of weaving a good tale with plots unravelling throughout the book from squabbling over garden produce to sabotaging an art fair.

With the faithful Georgie, who won’t be parted from Lucia’s side, to the gossiping Diva who encourages Mapp’s antics, all the colourful characters of Tilling secretly enjoy watching the competition unfold. 

Mapp & Lucia has a quaint English feel about it similar to Woodhouse’s Jeeves and Wooster. Full of humour, it is a joy to read and perfect accompaniment to lazy days in the garden. Before you know it, you’ll be saying ‘au reservoir’ every time you leave a room.

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Skippy Dies by Paul Murray

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Skippy Dies

…a fantastic writing talent

Shortlisted for the 2010 Costa Novel Awards and currently being adapted for the silver screen, Skippy Dies is a novel which is both beautiful and brilliant.

From slide splitting funny to extremely dark humour, this story covers all sorts of emotions with a cast of characters so individual you will love them all.Skippy Dies by Paul Murray

Set in a Dublin Boys School the story follows the students and teachers through some turbulent times. As the school descends into chaos you realise how the pupils are shockingly misguided in the attempts to survive school and family life. The same can be said about the teachers who aren’t coping much better.

In the first chapter you briefly meet Daniel Juster (nickname: Skippy) before he dies, leaving a school bereft in many ways than one. In the following chapters Murray takes you back in time to the lead up of his death where you discover all the stories and people which have an impact on Skippy’s tragic end.

Even though you would put this novel on the comic section shelf in a book shop, there are some serious and dark questions that Murray presents you with that will stay with you once the last page has been turned. Murray’s style of writing is so unique that will have you raiding the shelves for other books he has written. He is a true talent, one I will be keeping a close eye on in the future.

I can not recommend the book enough so add it to your reading list this year. One word of warning though. Savour each chapter, each page, each word because when it’s gone, it’s gone.

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Carry on Jeeves

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P G Wodehouse Collection - 10 Books - Jeeves in the Offing, Stiff Upper Lip Jeeves, Mating Season, Code of the Woosters, Carry on Jeeves, Much Obliged Jeeves, Aunts Aren't Gentlemen, Right Ho, Jeeves, Thank You Jeeves, Inimitable JeevesIn reality servants have always been expected not to be heard or seen, however, in literature servants, butlers, maid’s and even an extremely helpful suitcase from Discworld, make some of the most memorable characters. On our own ReaderIReadIt poll we asked you to vote for your favourite fictional servant and now we celebrate the winner.

Crowned your favourite fictional servant is the witty and ever patient Jeeves from Jeeves and Wooster. Created in 1915 by P.G Woodhouse, Jeeves is the loyal and extremely intelligent Valet to Bertie Wooster who despite his wealth and status, lacks a few brains cells and always gets himself into tricky situations. Originally created for magazines the stories were later collected into books. With a total of 35 stories and 11 novels there are plenty to choose from but why not join them on all their adventures by treating yourself to the whole collection.
Jeeves and Wooster DVD Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie
There have been many adaptations of Jeeves and Wooster including radio, plays and even musicals, but ReaderIReadIt’s personal favourite is the TV Series with Stephen Fry (Jeeves) and Hugh Laurie (Wooster) who gave a most entertaining performance.

So all there is left to say is Jolly Good Voting Readers! Leave your favourite Jeeves moments in the comments below and with a stiff upper lip we say Cheerio for now.

 

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A Marvellous Story from a Marvellous Actress

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A Tiny Bit Marvelous

A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn FrenchA real treat for bookworms this week with a novel which is set to storm the bestsellers lis., A Tiny Bit Marvellous is pend by one of Britain’s national treasures who has entertained us on stage and screen including The Vicar of Dibley, Murder Most Horrid and is half of French and Saunders.

Hoping to achieve the success seen by Dear Fatty her memoir published in 2009, Dawn French’s debut novel tells the story of a modern dysfunctional family and their imminent journey to meltdown. With a great selection of characters this sharp, witty but poignant tale is one that is not to be missed. Oh and don’t forget the dog!

This is a real treat to look forward to so click on the cover to get your copy.

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New Discworld Novel Alert!

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I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

For all you Terry Pratchett fans out there, I Shall Wear Midnight is the new Tiffany Aching book in the Discworld Series due to be released in September 2010. Apparently the title is loosely based on the poem Warning by Jenny Joseph which begins ‘When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple’ so we can only imagine what the Witches will be up to this time. Pre-order your copy now by clicking on the book cover and do your best to hold on to those broomsticks till September.

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