Shop Girl - Mary Portas

I rated this book 8/10...

Young Mary Newton, born into a large Irish family in a small Watford semi, was always getting into trouble. When she wasn’t choking back fits of giggles at Holy Communion or eating Chappie dog food for a bet, she was accidentally setting fire to the local school. Mary was a trouble magnet. And, unlike her brothers, somehow she always got caught…

'Shop Girl' begins during Mary's early years; describing a life glued together by family and happy memories. As might be expected from the Queen of Shops, her memoir revolves around retail - the tastes, scents, sights and sounds of her father's warehouse as he sells tea door to door to other shop keepers.

Mary goes on to describe her brothers and sisters. They are very close and highly supportive of each other throughout childhood and during some really distressing events. Even when the family as she knows it unravels whilst she is struggling with her teen years, her brothers and sister remain a pillar of strength for Mary over the years.

Perhaps the most important person in Mary's life is her mother. She is the centre of the family's universe and is always there when the children need a helping hand or a positive word.

'Shop Girl' was particularly touching for me as it resembles my own childhood. If we brush aside the Catholic upbringing - I have 3 sisters and 1 brother, and my siblings remain supportive and close even now whilst in different parts of the country.

This is a wonderful memoir about an inspirational lady, with short chapters that are quick and easy to read. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next chapter and hope that she decides to write one.

Born to Run - Christopher McDougall

I rated this book 10/10

Born to Run is an epic adventure that begins with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets out to find Mexico's Tarahumara Indians, the world's greatest distance runners, who can go for hundreds of miles without rest while enjoying every minute of it.

Interesting, inspiring and page turning; I loved this book and couldn't put it down. McDougall is a real writer and has a way with words that (despite the multiple flashes back and forth in time) have you hooked. His character description is second to none and you can really feel the passion for running seep through his sentences.

I wanted to go out running every time I put the book down for the evening, and even invested in a pair of 'minimal' trainers based on some of the ideas McDougall outlines.

Filled with physiological musings and mixed up in a whirlwind of biographic storytelling, this book is perfect for anybody that's into running, or for anybody interested in travel writing.

The Fry Chronicles - Stephen Fry

I rated this book 7/10

Spanning 1979-1987, The Fry Chronicles charts Stephen's arrival at Cambridge University up to his thirtieth birthday.

The first book I have finished reading in 2015!

I wasn't sure as to whether I liked Stephen Fry so much, and I must admit that I am still none the wiser. He certainly has a way with words, and his autobiography was interesting. I could almost hear him talking about some of the famous faces of comedy in that distinctive voice of his.

Having said that, I don't think we really got much emotion from him, nothing much of his personal life except his occasional bouts of self-depreciation, it's mostly a description of his and other people's successful careers. I understand that Fry suffers from cyclothymia and don't get much insight into this. Perhaps because I skipped his first memoir and have not read the next instalment yet, I am missing something?

It's definitely worth picking up, if for nothing else then for the winding and eloquent description, and the odd quote or idea that will be worth remembering. I enjoyed it overall.

I am Malala - Malala Yousafzai

I rated this book 10/10

I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

I Am Malala will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world. 

I have rated this book with top marks, as it has taught me so much about Pakistan and the conflict that the country has faced and continues to do battle with. It also taught me a lot about the Muslim community in Pakistan, and squashed some of the myths that fly back and forth between the people that do not know any better.

Malala herself comes across as young, arrogant, strong willed and opinionated. Her morals and values are completely justified and positive, as she consistently articulates the importance of education for BOTH boys and girls clearly. She not only fights for the rights of women in her own country, but for the equality of people all over the world. A really fascinating young lady who has been greatly influenced by her father of whom she thinks very highly of.

Some critics seem to think that Malala is all talk and no action. This is simply not true, and even if it was, I think it would be almost irrelevant. Somebody with this kind of passion needed to stand up and shout about what was happening, bring the issue onto the bookshelves of ordinary people all over the world - and Malala did it. Ironically, the fact that she was shot in the face by the Taliban only served to give her a higher platform to stand on and oppose them from.

Malala's charity funding helps small communities to build the foundations for schooling and education for uneducated children. She invests her own money into that as well as campaigning for others to do the same. Visit www.malala.org to learn more.

Malala deserved the Nobel peace prize. I know that everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but I truly believe that this book should be read by all.

Blood, Sweat and Tea - Tom Reynolds

I rated this 5/10

Tom is an Emergency Medical Technician who works for the London Ambulance Service in East London. He has kept a blog of his daily working life since 2003 and his award-winning writing is, by turn, moving, cynical, funny, heart-rending and compassionate. It is never less than compelling. From the tragic to the hilarious, from the heartwarming to the terrifying, the stories Tom tells give a fascinating - and at times alarming - picture of life in inner-city Britain, and the people who are paid to mop up after it. 

This is the second book that I have read in full on my iPhone, the first one being The War of the Worlds. I find it more difficult to concentrate when reading in this way, perhaps due to the small brightly lit screen. I think that I may just give in and purchase a Kindle.

'Blood Sweat & Tea' is a highly enjoyable and brutally honest quick read about one man's experiences on the front line of emergency healthcare. Though at times I'm not sure whether I actually like the guy or not, Tom Reynolds certainly taught me a thing or two, and I've already put ICE on my phone and checked that my house number is clear enough!!! 

If you're looking for something simple that isn't going to take too much brain power then this book will be a fabulous read and hugely entertaining.

Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer

I rated this 6/10

In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter...

A solid account of McCandless, an enigmatic young man, sometimes unbearably so, with a desire to separate himself from society by hiking to Alaska and disappearing into the wild. A lot of this story and the information we are given about the man and his travels seem to consist of educated guesses rather than solid fact, but it is intriguing nonetheless.

I read this very quickly and found it interesting, however, I actually preferred the film. The movie adaptation of this event filled in the gaps (which I understand are speculation, but it lends itself to greater entertainment) and is a lot more visual than the book - less about historic facts and subplots that go off on a bit of a tangent. Plus it stars Emile Hirsch!!!

Into The Wild is an inspiring account, but not quite as epic as I was expecting it to be.

Injustice - Clive Stafford Smith

I rated this 10/10

A man wrongly condemned to death for murder, a crusading lawyer determined to free him, an investigation that reveals corruption at every turn. This remarkable book reads like a page-turning detective story, with one crucial difference: can we be sure that justice will be served at the end?

Previous to reading this book, my opinions and thoughts on the death penalty were almost non-existent. I'll admit this; it had no relevance to my life so much as it does not occur in this country and I was ignorant to the process and so didn't feel the need to contemplate it much.

My thoughts simply went this far; I have always believed that it is not only criminals that make unforgivable mistakes - but that those prosecuting are also only human; there should be no life or death decision made where human error could always be an incriminating factor. This belief, however, would never move me to the point of action.

Injustice has strengthened my opposition of the death penalty, and particularly the belief that everybody deserves a free trial. The amount of corruption uncovered by Stafford Smith and his team is absolutely shocking. In addition, he has also highlighted points (such as the potential failures of forensic evidence, the positive effects of some victim mediation processes etc) that I previously had been ignorant of.

Prosecutors don't prosecute prosecutors for sending an innocent person to prison. - p105

And the relevance of this activity to our own justice systems in Britain is also worrying - reading about Kris' case has moved me to support reprieve.org.uk myself. I believe that everybody has the right to a fair trial, particularly where capital punishment is involved.

A deeply harrowing read, shocking and compelling; well worth a few hours of your time. Note also that Injustice has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads - which across 27 ratings (as of 09/10/13) is just brilliant!

Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain

'My first indication that food was
something other than a substance
one stuffed in one's face when hungry
- like filling up at a gas station - came
after fourth-grade elementary school.

Rated 10/10

After twenty-five years of 'sex, drugs, bad behaviour and haute cuisine', chef and novelist Anthony Bourdain decides to tell all.

My thoughts: I found myself strangely inspired by Bourdain's full on account of his own culinary successes and (mostly) failures. I admire his attitude towards his business, the way that he prizes character and drive over skill, and the way that he admits to his own mistakes and makes no apologies over his completely obsessive behaviour.

This book was interesting throughout every word, and I found myself wanting to read more,  hungrily devouring the pages (pun intended) and wondering whether I could get myself a decent kitchen knife on my way home from work (I couldn't), and whether anyone would actually try my spur-of-the-moment masterchef creations (they won't).

The fact that Bourdain's journey drew me in and moved me in such a way is testament to the fact that Kitchen Confidential is a brilliant book and should be read by anybody who has an interest in food. I know that he has a bit of a reputation, but between these pages we see a more rounded view of this notorious tv chef.

That Near Death Thing - Rick Broadbent

The broken man pushes a leftover
calzone around a plate in Paparazzi
and falls off the Verandah.

Rated 10/10

The Isle of Man TT is a throwback to a maverick era that existed before PR platitudes and PC attitudes. William Hill shortlisted author Rick Broadbent gets inside the helmets of four leading motorcycle racers as they battle fear, fire and family tragedy for a gritty sort of glory.

My Thoughts: I was already a fan of Rick Broadbent when I picked up his in depth account of the TT, as I had read his work on the Moto GP a while ago and adored it.

I was not disappointed this time round either. That Near Death Thing scoops you up from your seat, carries you over to The Isle of Man, and gives you a glimpse behind the visors of some of the most fearless men (and Jenny) in the world. But these guys would never see it that way - they just love racing, finding the pencil line that marks out their limit and stepping over it. Sometimes they make mistakes. Sometimes they pay big time for these mistakes. Sometimes they get lucky and bring it home in one piece.

I could never say that I have a favourite rider as I respect every single one of them for their sheer gut and determination, and I believe Broadbent shares the same view. I love the way that he sheds light on the individual characters that he writes about - really opening my eyes to the differences between the riders, their passions, emotions, family feuds, what makes them tick. McGuinness and M.Dunlop are a mile apart when it comes to emotion and race ethic, and yet they scrape leathers on track and have the utmost respect for one another. Same goes for all of them.

I loved the way that Broadbent described the difference between road racers and circuit racers too. They are very much in different classes, but the passion for both is very much at the forefront of every single word.

I could read his observational descriptions all day - and I really hope that he is planning to write more on racing, though I get the feeling I would be happy enough to pick up any of his works, no matter the topic.

Books V. Cigarettes - George Orwell

"A couple of years ago a friend
of mine, a newspaper editor,
was fire-watching with some
factory workers."

Rated 9/10

Beginning with a dilemma about whether he spends more money on reading or smoking, George Orwell's entertaining and uncompromising essays go on to explore everything from the perils of second-hand bookshops to the dubious profession of being a critic, from freedom of the press to what patriotism really means.

My Thoughts: I enjoy reading through other people's thoughts and feelings on subjects close to my heart, and with this book being beautiful and pocket sized, I had to pick it up.

Orwell and I have had similar experiences, it seems, in bookselling, however his experiences left him with a growing distaste for books and I still can't get enough of them. Despite all the lifting and shelving and dusting and scanning and so on, I find myself spending half of my wages on stacks and stacks that pile up quicker than I can read them.

I also enjoyed Orwell's last essay in this book - it made me reflect upon my own school days and whether I felt the same way he did. 

In all, Books v Cigarettes is a great read, a quick read; and highly quotable. I loved it.

Twitchhiker - Paul Smith

"It was quiet and still, the
very dead of night when the
dead themselves might consider
turning in, and I had no business
being awake."

Date Finished: 12th July 2012

There were five rules of Twitchhiker. I can only accept offers of travel and accommodation from people on Twitter. I can't make any travel plans further than three days in advance. I can only spend money on food, drink and anything that might fit in my suitcase. If there is more than one offer, I choose which I take. If there is only one, I have to take it within 48 hours. If I am unable to find a way to move on from a location within 48 hours, the challenge is over and I go home. 

My Thoughts: First impressions of this book were good - it seemed to have the dry wit and humour that the likes of 'Yes Man' entertained me with, and I was really looking forward to getting stuck in. It seems like a fascinating idea, to travel the world with nothing but the good-will of others to help you on your way.

And so you would expect really interesting cultural observations, crazy characters and heart-warming, funny tales. And you get very little of any of this. Paul Smith tells us mainly about him being drunk; waking up with hangover after hangover; complaining about being tired and far from home; crying a lot; and throwing up a lot.

I could forgive the drunkenness if there were some bizarre escapades and hilarious events that happened during these episodes. I could forgive the endless descriptions of hangovers if he didn't tell us that he sat around on his computer for the rest of the day. And of course he's tired and missing home - we don't need to be told this over and over. Too much vomit and too many tears.

The locations he visited during the course of his travelling must have been amazing, and they would have been brilliant to read about. But Paul doesn't really get chance to explore until the very end. This might not have been his fault, but as a reader I want to be captivated by the locations and entertained by amazing sights and the awesome things that happen. Even just a bit of down to Earth reflection on his deeper thoughts would have sufficed.

As for the other people in the book, Paul doesn't really do them much justice. A brief (and usually quite shallow) physical description and an outline of their personalities - and they are each just another sentence on another piece of paper. Don't get me wrong, he might be a lovely fellow when he isn't being moody and tired, but I really don't like Paul as a person in this book.

In short, although this Twitchhiking business might have been an amazing adventure for Paul and the others involved, and the journey did raise a lot of money for charity (good for him!), as an entertaining read it failed. I'm not quite sure whether the critics on the book cover were reading the same book as me to be honest.

Recommendation: I would be quite reluctant to recommend this to anyone really. Perhaps somebody who is an avid reader of travel literature might be good to give this a go. Or anybody fascinated with Twitter and its social implications. It's not a terrible read after all, just not a particularly good one. 

I RATED THIS 4/10

Click here to grab this at Waterstones.com

Pepe - Pepe Reina

Date Finished: 13th February 2012

My Thoughts: Pepe gives us an insight into his career in Spain and Liverpool. He speaks very glowingly of the fans and the club, and gives you a real sense of the pride he takes in keeping for LFC.

I love Pepe, absolutely adore him, and I treasure my signed copy of this book very much.

That's why I'm sorry that I'm going to have to pick a few negatives about this one. Pepe repeats himself quite often, he also rambles on a bit in places when really he could get to the point a lot quicker and more precise.

But, of course, this is an autobiography, and perfect literary techniques are not expected.

Although he does pick out the odd moment that's quite entertaining with regards to his antics off the pitch - I can't help but feel that there must be a lot more to Pepe's life than he reveals here. Fair dos to the guy, he wants to keep his home life under wraps; but it's so under wraps that it's less an autobiography and more an account of Liverpool's successes and failings as a club.

Pepe is brilliant: He will always be an entertainer and he will always make me smile. But this one has been written more with fans of the club in mind and less with fans of himself in mind. Not a bad read, but nothing spectacular.

I RATED IT 6/10

Barry - Steve Parrish & Nick Harris

Date Finished: 1st February 2012

My Thoughts: Barry Sheene - an absolute legend. This book actually made him come across as a bit of a nightmare, but I loved some of the antics he got up to. I still get the feeling that a lot more was left uncovered, but it was well written, fun to read and left me with a real picture of Sheene and his family.

A fitting tribute to a man with a massive character. Brilliantly written.

I RATED THIS 8/10

Marley & Me - John Grogan

Date Finished: 17th January 2012

The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life.

My Thoughts: Someone recommended this book to me and gave me their copy to read so I felt obliged, specially as I'd already seen the film and figured the book would probably be better. Oh how wrong I was.

John Grogan comes across as arrogant and abrupt in this book and I didn't find him particularly likeable. It seems that he was a pretty bad dog owner too. He found an amount of amusement in strangling Marley on a choker-chain as one example, never had time for the dog as both he and his wife worked all day, left him in a metal cage completely terrified when thunderstorms passed over, bundled him onto an airplane in a crate that was too small for him, went on holiday whilst the dog was in medical care on his last legs... and none of this is anything to rave about. I don't quite understand how anyone could find this kind of behaviour endearing.

By the same token, Marley actually didn't come across very well either and I didn't get a warm feeling for this dog as much as I expected to. I love dogs, but I thought that there would be something amazing about him that would make a brilliant read. Marley just seemed hungry, destructive, scared and boisterous with no particularly admirable or special qualities at all.

In short; a normal dog in a normal house being looked after by normal people. Not the kind of stuff great biographies are made of. Quite disappointing.

I'd recommend leaving the book to gather dust.

I RATED THIS 2/10

What you see is what you get - Alan Sugar

Date Read: September 2011

From a Hackney council estate to the House of Lords, this is the extraordinary story of one of our greatest entrepreneurs. Alan Sugar was born in 1947 and brought up on a council estate in Clapton, in Hackney. As a kid he watched his dad struggle to support the family, never knowning from one week to the next if he'd have a job. It had a huge impact on him, fuelling a drive to succeed that was to earn him a sizeable personal fortune. Now he describes his amazing journey, from schoolboy enterprises like making and selling his own ginger beer to setting up his own company at nineteen.

My Thoughts: A massive disappointment. I think Alan Sugar is ace, but this book let him down. I couldn't finish it! He just did not come across well in this and it was so very dull. Not funny at all (as the blurb would lead you to believe).

I RATED IT 1/10

Yes Man - Danny Wallace

Date Read: July 2011

Recently single, Danny Wallace was falling into loneliness and isolation. When a stranger on a bus advises, "Say yes more," Wallace vows to say yes to every offer, invitation, challenge, and chance.

My Thoughts: Brilliant! Danny Wallace is an absolute legend! This was a big, bold and hilarious read that had me thinking about it long after finishing the last page. It's nothing like the film starring a certain Jim Carey - it is so much more than that!

An honest and entertaining account of one man's struggle to come to terms with his own philosophies. A definite winner that should be on everyone's reading list.

I RATED IT 10/10

Hard Time - Shaun Attwood

Date Read: March 2011

My Thoughts: Shaun Attwood is a legend. When he comes into our store, customers ignore me when I'm serving them at the till because they can hear Attwood talking. He has the most amazing stories to tell and it's well worth a listen.

The book itself is really good. I managed to read it in a couple of days; the characters are so bizarre and the situations that Shaun finds himself in are often very disturbing. Despite the troubled times, the message that comes across from the book is one of pure positivity, mental strength and highlighting the importance of love and support. It's a real winner!

As Shaun says to everyone that walks through the shop door: "It's like Shawshank Redemption except it's all true..."

I RATED THIS 10/10

Generation Kill - Evan Wright

Date Read: September 2010

Within hours of 9/11, America’s war on terrorism fell to those like the twenty-three Marines of the First Recon Battalion, the first generation dispatched into open-ended combat since Vietnam. Cocky, brave, headstrong, wary and mostly unprepared for the physical, emotional and moral horrors ahead, the “First Suicide Battalion” would spearhead the blitzkrieg on Iraq, and fight against the hardest resistance Saddam had to offer.
 
My Thoughts: Generation Kill follows First Recon Marines through nail-biting treks, stand offs and gun fights. It's a true story of bravery, comradery and talent from normal guys in a situation that most of us wouldn't even dream of. The people in the book are written in the most vividly honest manner, and I think that this will remain my favourite book for quite some time.

I RATED THIS 10/10