100 books

This is Jo Brand's first novel: and I have to say that it is significantly more amusing when read in a Jo Brand, droll, style. Its not bad- it has pretty clear characters, is funny in places.. but its not a great. I think a part of me has gotten to the point in reading where I really want something that will engage me. This book didn't do that. Sorry Jo, stick to stand up.

This is blatantly a kids book. And a very odd one at that. I can only assume it has been written for kids who get all freaked out and anally retentive in the truest sense of the phrase. Basically it tells us that everyone poos, and that it looks different and smells different but all living things do it. And it has pictures. Which are a bit grim. As for why I read it... well, you'll just have to speculate!

Anglican priests love Susan Howatch. And they love recommending that I read them: which is fine, until you get to the first sex scene in each book and then you freak out completely. Mercifully I got two hundred pages into this one before the freak out moment. Its a good read: and so appropriate for someone just going to minister in the City. The story is that of a female city high flier who finds her ordered life invaded by the spiritual. Its great; pretty compelling, until the end. In fact it ends with a whimper. Slightly disappointing, but still well worth the read.

This is a set text for many, many schools; but unlike set texts in my day, is a darn good read. Its pretty short (200 or so pages), but as loads of different layers. I love the way the whole thing is layered with generations and stuff. Sacahr writes in such a way that you do get a few little surprises along the way. Really gald I read it: totally makes sense that its in the BBC top 100 too.