B

From October 2007 to December 2007 I focused my attention on the letter B, and from my hastily written after the event notes can only surmise I read bugger all books and probably stacks of comics!  Or perhaps started many books and didn't enjoy them, so never finished them.

Anyway, here is my entry from the little black book about B.

Baddiel, David - enjoyed 'Time for Bed' and am enjoying 'The Secret Purposes' more (it's not a comedy).

Started 'Arthur and George' by Julian Barnes but got a bit bored - took too long to go anywhere.

Also a Jo Brand novel - not my cup of tea. ('It's Different for Girls')

*Was not overly discerning with A must choose better!

'The Secret Purposes' David Baddiel - very good, insightful into Jewish treatment in Britain in war.  Splendid read.

And that is all wot I wrote.  hardly in depth  reviews.  However I will add that 'The Secret Purposes' was a fascinating read, the more I read and hear about World War Two, as I am now a bit more interested, just goes to show what an all encompassing event it was.  And I'm probably being really obvious here.  The energy, drive, resources and focus of the nation on the war effort is truly astounding - and then there's all the 'little' stuff - from propaganda, education and so much more that I will never know that it is breathtaking.  One of those things that we can never truly understand or appreciate.

I also think in B I read a novel about Winston Churchill at the start of the war, how he became Prime Minister and so on.  Again, very insightful.  I cannot recall who wrote it (an ex-politician I think), or what it was called, but there was a series of them.

On another note, if anyone has read this, and wishes in the comments to suggest books I should read, please do so!

Extending G because of Zombies

'I'm in the latter."  Or not as the case may be.  It's a very enjoyable read, highly amusing to have a whole paragraph of Austen romance drivel (and I mean that incredibly affectionately) and then have it end with something along the lines of "Her intention was to follow him outside and open his throat!".

But...

After reading the first few chapters, there's nothing new.  You now know what Austen with zombie fight action will be like, and really you don't need to read the rest.  But I did.  And I enjoyed it.

So, because of 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' interrupting my revisit of  Alan garner (never read since my early teen years), G has been extended.  I am currently reading 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen' and I have to say finding it a lot more complex, atmospheric and lyrical (there are some lovely sentences) than 'Elidor', which seems very simple in plot and construction, (but had fantastic Charles Keeping illustrations).  

Following 'Weirdstone', I have a copy of 'The Owl Service', never one of my favourites, but highly rated from what I have heard.  

Hopefully will post again soon, detailing earlier letters...