On the train back from the British Museum, I randomly started reading 'The Psychic Tourist' by journalist William Little. Yesterday, I finished it.
The journey begins when Little buys an astrological birth chart for his sister and her daughter as a gift. Unfortunately, they both predict a water-related death, something which terrifies his sibling and affects badly, making her avoid travelling on or over water at any cost and give up water-based hobbies. Upset that his gift has caused so much distress, Little decides to start and investigation into the world of psychics and prediction to find a way to undo the damage he's done.
Having enjoyed 'Will Storr vs the Supernatural', I hoped that this too would be an interesting and thought provoking read. It's also described as funny in a number of reviews, so I thought it would be entertaining too. Unfortunately, although it does start off in a similar way as Storr's book, it meanders quite a lot and doesn't always seem to stick to it's destination of the truth about predicting the future, often straying into a more general look at psychics instead. It's almost as if the author wanted to write a different book but couldn't control his own destiny.
By the end, the more lighthearted tone is all but out of sight. While it's interesting that Little takes his investigation to a new level, interviewing a combination of Physicists, Nobel-prize winners and experts in Quantum Theory, it means he has to resort to including long quotes from books and people. I can understand why. Many of these ideas are hard to understand for non-academics and it's safer to quote directly rather than try to explain it in lay language and lose meaning. Unfortunately, this style also gives the book an essay feel, and essays are not usually fun or amusing. Although if anyone knows of a funny, understandable and accurate essay on Quantum Physics, I'd love to hear about it!
Overall, 'The Psychic Tourist' was a bit of a disappointment. With a rewrite that tightens up the structure and maps out the science so it's easier to understand, it would be a better book. It's a shame as there are a lot of great and interesting ideas in here, many of which need to be shared with people like Little's sister to free them from excessive worry. Maybe in the future Little will have the opportunity to revisit this book and give it a polish. Who knows..!
Now, back to Groucho Marx!
22 June 2014
16 June 2014
No Limit!
No no no no no no no no no no no no there's no limit!
OK, now I've got that out of my system, here is a post about 'Dr No' by Ian Fleming, an AudioGo 007 Reloaded version of the novel read by Hugh Quarshie.
Returning to active duty after a near fatal encounter with the Russians, James Bond is given an easy assignment; investigating the disappearance of two MI6 operatives based in Kingston, Jamaica. But the case is not as it seems. Before too long M's 'bit of a holiday' looking into a suspected affair and elopement has evolved into something far more sinister. As Bond joins the dots, he finds all the threads lead to Crab Key, home to rare birds, a guano plant and the secretive spider at the web's centre, Dr Julius No.
'Dr No' is much more meticulously paced than 'Live and Let Die', the last Bond story I listened to as an audiobook. It's still not a long novel, but it includes much more tension, character development and back story and is the better for it. Bond lives a hyper-real, ultra-violent life just within sight of reality, so it helps to actually bring the story back down to Earth by making readers care about the characters. In 'Dr No', Quarrel and Honeychile Ryder are much more developed than Solitaire in 'Live and Let Die', so there is a greater sense of danger that makes you genuinely root for these people and want to find out what happens next.
I thought Solitaire was a complete waste of space, but I absolutely fell in love with Honeychile Ryder. Although in some ways a victim of circumstances, she's not been sat around waiting for Bond to arrive and sort everything out for her. She has her own aims, talents and desires, some more sensible than others, but whether her decisions make good sense or not, at least she's trying and she's not afraid of using her skills and knowledge to make her way independently in the world. You go girl!
While the heroes seem more real, the villain Dr No was as unreal as they come. Perhaps it was a deliberate dichotomy or maybe a villain as completely off the wall as this one is so unbelievable to prevent readers having nightmares. Having said that, while No was a typical megalomaniacal Bond villain who seemed completely detached from reality in his underground lair, he was scary. Normally this sort of character becomes borderline camp in the films, but on the page and in his own domain claustrophobia sets in and you begin to doubt that even 007 can overcome this madman's manipulations.
Overall, 'Dr No' is a great adventure story, action-packed, tense and with real punch in places. It has dated in the last 57 years, but, to be fair, all the Bond books I've encountered so far have, like so many of their contemporaries. If you can see beyond this, however, I would recommend it.
Now, what next?
Related Posts
'Live and Let Die'
'Casino Royale'
'For Your Eyes Only'
 |
| 'Dr No' by Ian Fleming, read by Hugh Quarshie (AudioGo 2012) |
Returning to active duty after a near fatal encounter with the Russians, James Bond is given an easy assignment; investigating the disappearance of two MI6 operatives based in Kingston, Jamaica. But the case is not as it seems. Before too long M's 'bit of a holiday' looking into a suspected affair and elopement has evolved into something far more sinister. As Bond joins the dots, he finds all the threads lead to Crab Key, home to rare birds, a guano plant and the secretive spider at the web's centre, Dr Julius No.
'Dr No' is much more meticulously paced than 'Live and Let Die', the last Bond story I listened to as an audiobook. It's still not a long novel, but it includes much more tension, character development and back story and is the better for it. Bond lives a hyper-real, ultra-violent life just within sight of reality, so it helps to actually bring the story back down to Earth by making readers care about the characters. In 'Dr No', Quarrel and Honeychile Ryder are much more developed than Solitaire in 'Live and Let Die', so there is a greater sense of danger that makes you genuinely root for these people and want to find out what happens next.
 |
| 'Dr No' by Ian Fleming (Penguin Modern Classics, 2004) |
While the heroes seem more real, the villain Dr No was as unreal as they come. Perhaps it was a deliberate dichotomy or maybe a villain as completely off the wall as this one is so unbelievable to prevent readers having nightmares. Having said that, while No was a typical megalomaniacal Bond villain who seemed completely detached from reality in his underground lair, he was scary. Normally this sort of character becomes borderline camp in the films, but on the page and in his own domain claustrophobia sets in and you begin to doubt that even 007 can overcome this madman's manipulations.
Overall, 'Dr No' is a great adventure story, action-packed, tense and with real punch in places. It has dated in the last 57 years, but, to be fair, all the Bond books I've encountered so far have, like so many of their contemporaries. If you can see beyond this, however, I would recommend it.
Now, what next?
Related Posts
'Live and Let Die'
'Casino Royale'
'For Your Eyes Only'
13 June 2014
Reading Voices (Again)...
Before I start, I want to make one thing clear. I'm reviewing the book, not the author. I say this because I've just finished 'A Host of Voices' by Doris Stokes, which includes the third and fourth autobiographies written by the popular psychic medium, and understand her to be a controversial figure to some.
'A Host of Voices' is two books in one. 'Innocent Voices in My Ear' explores Mrs Stokes particular affinity with parents who have lost children, a connection she feels keenly due to the passing of her only child as a baby. 'Whispering Voices' is broader and covers a range of personal and public events, demonstrations and sittings that took place in around 1984-5.
There are three collections of Doris Stokes' autobiographies and I've now read all of them. Although I'm not sure I have an opinion on her beliefs, her books have a very easy style and before I've realised it I'm already 50 pages in. If only more books were like that! Although where would the challenge be then?
'A Host of Voices' was no exception to this. It has a charming style that made me feel like I was visiting an elderly relative and she was telling stories about her life and experiences. 'Innocent Voices in my Ear' was a bit of an emotional roller coaster because of the subject matter, so while the style was easy going, sometimes the lives described weren't. As such, it's not really for the faint hearted. Or those without hanky to hand.
My favourite chapters were where Stokes talked about her life rather than just relaying the stories of her sitters and celebrity contacts, in this world and the next. Unfortunately, these were quite few, although I suspect much of this was probably covered in her first to autobiographies.
'Whispering Voices' wasn't as much of a success. It felt a little as though Mrs Stokes' first three books had been so popular she was encouraged to write a third. Unfortunately, the source material seems to be running out by this stage and it almost feels as if it's being written as events happen, until there's enough text for a book. By the end, whole chapters are being devoted to reprinted articles about Mrs Stokes and poetry she's been sent by her admirers. The former would be more interesting as part of an analysis of Stokes in a socio-cultural context and the latter really only illustrate the author's respect for what her correspondents send her. Which is lovely, but doesn't make for a good read.
Overall, if you are interested in the popular culture of the 1970s and '80s or spiritualism, 'A Host of Voices' and its companions are interesting and, somehow, easy reads, despite being full of loss, crime and suicide. I think a certain amount of detachment helps the casual reader, although maybe I've just been hardened by reading so many sad stories. Anyway, I suspect you already know if this is your sort of read or not!
Now the days are longer, I'm hoping to get my teeth (or should that be my head?) into a few more titles. Although I'm not doing myself any favours at the moment - am part way through two paperpacks, one hard back, an ebook and an audiobook. But at least I'm reading (or listening!), so watch this space or follow me on Twitter for updates!
Related Posts
Getting into the Spirit of Things...
 |
| 'A Host of Voices' by Doris Stokes (Warner Books, 2000) |
There are three collections of Doris Stokes' autobiographies and I've now read all of them. Although I'm not sure I have an opinion on her beliefs, her books have a very easy style and before I've realised it I'm already 50 pages in. If only more books were like that! Although where would the challenge be then?
'A Host of Voices' was no exception to this. It has a charming style that made me feel like I was visiting an elderly relative and she was telling stories about her life and experiences. 'Innocent Voices in my Ear' was a bit of an emotional roller coaster because of the subject matter, so while the style was easy going, sometimes the lives described weren't. As such, it's not really for the faint hearted. Or those without hanky to hand.
My favourite chapters were where Stokes talked about her life rather than just relaying the stories of her sitters and celebrity contacts, in this world and the next. Unfortunately, these were quite few, although I suspect much of this was probably covered in her first to autobiographies.
'Whispering Voices' wasn't as much of a success. It felt a little as though Mrs Stokes' first three books had been so popular she was encouraged to write a third. Unfortunately, the source material seems to be running out by this stage and it almost feels as if it's being written as events happen, until there's enough text for a book. By the end, whole chapters are being devoted to reprinted articles about Mrs Stokes and poetry she's been sent by her admirers. The former would be more interesting as part of an analysis of Stokes in a socio-cultural context and the latter really only illustrate the author's respect for what her correspondents send her. Which is lovely, but doesn't make for a good read.
Overall, if you are interested in the popular culture of the 1970s and '80s or spiritualism, 'A Host of Voices' and its companions are interesting and, somehow, easy reads, despite being full of loss, crime and suicide. I think a certain amount of detachment helps the casual reader, although maybe I've just been hardened by reading so many sad stories. Anyway, I suspect you already know if this is your sort of read or not!
Now the days are longer, I'm hoping to get my teeth (or should that be my head?) into a few more titles. Although I'm not doing myself any favours at the moment - am part way through two paperpacks, one hard back, an ebook and an audiobook. But at least I'm reading (or listening!), so watch this space or follow me on Twitter for updates!
Related Posts
Getting into the Spirit of Things...
03 June 2014
Bond goes on a Treasure Hunt
The final book I finished last month was 'Live and Let Die' by Ian Fleming. It was another in the 007 Reloaded series from AudioGo and read by Rory Kinnear, who played M's assistant Bill Tanner in 'Quantum of Solace' and 'Skyfall'. Fact!
'Live and Let Die' begins with a pirate's gold. Old, rare and valuable coins from a legendary Caribbean hoard are mysteriously surfacing in America and the authorities want to know how they're getting there. Working with the FBI and the CIA's Felix Leiter, Bond is sent on a treasure hunt that plunges him headlong into a world of superstition, voodoo and organised crime. His target is Mr Big, cult leader, smuggler and SMERSH operative, a powerful figure in the Black community who manipulates his magical reputation to get what he wants from his network of terrified informants. When 007 is forced to go on the run with Mr Big's pet psychic Solitaire, there seems to be no chance of escape. But Bond was born lucky and it takes more than stories to frighten him. Something more like the thought of a night time swim in a sea of frenzied sharks and barracuda...
This book is the most 'boy's own' of all the Bond stories I've read/heard so far. Ignoring the fact that the novel is very much of its time and uses words and descriptions that are unacceptable today, it starts off very gung ho and a bit Bond-by-numbers, almost like Fleming wasn't sure where he was going with it. For example, a scene set in Mr Big's night club hide out featuring an erotic dancer who strips her meagre coverings for a baying mob may be a teenage boy's cheap thrill, but it seemed excessive even as an attempt to suggest Mr Big and his minions were nothing but unsophisticated tribal savages or to remind us that we're in the hyper-charged world of Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Solitaire, also, feels like a box ticked rather than a necessity for the story. A typical damsel in distress, she comes across as vapid, useless and rather pointless overall. But can Bond be Bond without a girl?
About half way through, however, Bond and Leiter get back to the business in hand, start doing some actual
spying and - lo! - the story starts to pick up. From then onwards, the tension builds to a fantastic climax that kept me guessing even though I knew what would probably happen. Now that's more like it!
As with the other 007 Reloaded CDs I've listened to so far, this one kept things simple and benefited from it.
Overall, I was slightly disappointed by this book, but enjoyed the return of Felix Leiter, the tense second half and working out which films various scenes and events had ended up it. (It goes without saying that this book bears little resemblance to the enjoyable film, but bits of it do appear in other movies, most obviously in 'Licence to Kill'.)
I've already started on 'Dr No' and it's already a much more plodding work, leaden by comparison with this. I'll be interested to see if it does the opposite to 'Live and Let Die' and gets a bit feisty in the second half instead.
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'For Your Eyes Only'
 |
| 'Live and Let Die' by Ian Fleming (AudioGo, 2012) |
This book is the most 'boy's own' of all the Bond stories I've read/heard so far. Ignoring the fact that the novel is very much of its time and uses words and descriptions that are unacceptable today, it starts off very gung ho and a bit Bond-by-numbers, almost like Fleming wasn't sure where he was going with it. For example, a scene set in Mr Big's night club hide out featuring an erotic dancer who strips her meagre coverings for a baying mob may be a teenage boy's cheap thrill, but it seemed excessive even as an attempt to suggest Mr Big and his minions were nothing but unsophisticated tribal savages or to remind us that we're in the hyper-charged world of Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Solitaire, also, feels like a box ticked rather than a necessity for the story. A typical damsel in distress, she comes across as vapid, useless and rather pointless overall. But can Bond be Bond without a girl?
About half way through, however, Bond and Leiter get back to the business in hand, start doing some actual
 |
| 'Live and Let Die' by Ian Fleming (Penguin, 2004) |
As with the other 007 Reloaded CDs I've listened to so far, this one kept things simple and benefited from it.
Overall, I was slightly disappointed by this book, but enjoyed the return of Felix Leiter, the tense second half and working out which films various scenes and events had ended up it. (It goes without saying that this book bears little resemblance to the enjoyable film, but bits of it do appear in other movies, most obviously in 'Licence to Kill'.)
I've already started on 'Dr No' and it's already a much more plodding work, leaden by comparison with this. I'll be interested to see if it does the opposite to 'Live and Let Die' and gets a bit feisty in the second half instead.
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'For Your Eyes Only'
02 June 2014
Murder on the Hackney Express
Despite my fervent list making, I can be quite disorganised sometimes. To prove my point, this is a review of a book Waterstones sent me three years ago... Sorry about that, won't make a habit of it. Promise.
'Mr Briggs' Hat' by Kate Colquhoun is a work of true crime recounting the story of Britain's first railway murder. In July 1864, the death of elderly banker Thomas Briggs on his train journey home sends shockwaves through Victorian society. Until now, the age of steam has been largely embraced, but with the arrival of an empty but blood-soaked carriage at Hackney station, new and horrific possibilities emerge to send accepted complacencies off the rails. The sensationalist press is soon reporting all the gory details, lapped up by readers around the world. While the respectable classes squirm at the thought of a vicious maniac on the loose, the papers speculate on one oddity of the case. In the deserted carriage are found the victim's walking stick and leather bag, plus a crushed hat, which didn't belong to Mr Briggs. Who is the owner of the mysterious headgear? And, brute or bystander, can he help police with their enquiries?
Hats off to Ms Colquhoun for the indepth research she must've done to write this book. The first two thirds are incredibly absorbing, helping the reader understand the context of this tragic story and how it helped and hindered the police at the time. This case is an interesting point on the journey towards modern crime investigation, showing how processes and techniques have evolved over the past 150 years.
When we reach the courtroom, however, through no fault of the author, the narrative runs a little out of steam. It's impossible to recount this part of the story without repeating what's gone before, which unfortunately makes the book temporarily falter. Suspense is soon regained, though, and I soon found it was me slowing things down as I dreaded turning the next page in fear of the inevitable societal vengeance.
Overall, 'Mr Briggs' Hat' is an intriguing glimpse into the crass media, popular neuroses and complex justice system of the Victorian era. Just when you think everything's been written that could be written about it, someone comes up with something like this. Hopefully when I've shortened my list a bit, I'll be able to treat myself to something else by Ms Colquhoun and see what fascinating titbits she's unearthed more recently.
 |
| 'Mr Briggs' Hat' by Kate Colquhoun (Little, Brown, 2011) |
Hats off to Ms Colquhoun for the indepth research she must've done to write this book. The first two thirds are incredibly absorbing, helping the reader understand the context of this tragic story and how it helped and hindered the police at the time. This case is an interesting point on the journey towards modern crime investigation, showing how processes and techniques have evolved over the past 150 years.
When we reach the courtroom, however, through no fault of the author, the narrative runs a little out of steam. It's impossible to recount this part of the story without repeating what's gone before, which unfortunately makes the book temporarily falter. Suspense is soon regained, though, and I soon found it was me slowing things down as I dreaded turning the next page in fear of the inevitable societal vengeance.
Overall, 'Mr Briggs' Hat' is an intriguing glimpse into the crass media, popular neuroses and complex justice system of the Victorian era. Just when you think everything's been written that could be written about it, someone comes up with something like this. Hopefully when I've shortened my list a bit, I'll be able to treat myself to something else by Ms Colquhoun and see what fascinating titbits she's unearthed more recently.
01 June 2014
Three is a Magic Number...
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday The Girl Who Loves Books blog... Happy birthday to you!
So here we are, three years old, toddling about, asking annoying questions, learning how to tell the time and throwing tantrums (mainly because I can count and I'm starting to grasp the task ahead of me).
But it's not all doom and gloom! In fact, 2013/14 has actually been pretty good. Even during the lulls I've managed to read at least one book a month and, appropriately for the third year, I read three or more books in December, February and March. In total, I've hit my two a month target and read 24 books. Yippee!
I've also read two book series (the Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell and the Oryx and Crake trilogy by Margaret Atwood) and am two titles off finishing the Cousin's War series by Philippa Gregory. I've also made a start on the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming. I've managed to get my sticky fingers on some of the excellent 007 Reloaded audio books by AudioGo, which is getting me going on these books and really helping me make progress. I don't want to make a habit of it, but everyone likes having a story read to them from time to time and it means I can keep working on the list even when I don't have time to sit down with an actual book.
As mentioned in my 2013 review post, however, there is a slight snag. I've read a lot of books that weren't on my list and/or are new. Certainly something to work on this year. Especially as I've had a count up and realised that I've got a few more books than I thought. Ooh err.
So, in the next year I want to stay focussed on the list, keep reading at least two books a month (or ideally more) and work on series of books as this is clearly helping and I do have several sets on my shelves. I also want to get better at a) blogging more regularly and b) blogging more quickly after finishing a book as I think I've got a bit rubbish at doing this again. After all, I should've written this post on 5th May 2014...
Last but far from least, a big thank you to you for reading my blog. I hope you're still enjoying it and appreciate your support and encouragement. If you have any feedback, you can find me on Twitter as @Girl_LovesBooks.
Now, where's that birthday cake...
Previously from the Girl Who Loves Books...
So here we are, three years old, toddling about, asking annoying questions, learning how to tell the time and throwing tantrums (mainly because I can count and I'm starting to grasp the task ahead of me).
But it's not all doom and gloom! In fact, 2013/14 has actually been pretty good. Even during the lulls I've managed to read at least one book a month and, appropriately for the third year, I read three or more books in December, February and March. In total, I've hit my two a month target and read 24 books. Yippee!
I've also read two book series (the Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell and the Oryx and Crake trilogy by Margaret Atwood) and am two titles off finishing the Cousin's War series by Philippa Gregory. I've also made a start on the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming. I've managed to get my sticky fingers on some of the excellent 007 Reloaded audio books by AudioGo, which is getting me going on these books and really helping me make progress. I don't want to make a habit of it, but everyone likes having a story read to them from time to time and it means I can keep working on the list even when I don't have time to sit down with an actual book.
As mentioned in my 2013 review post, however, there is a slight snag. I've read a lot of books that weren't on my list and/or are new. Certainly something to work on this year. Especially as I've had a count up and realised that I've got a few more books than I thought. Ooh err.
So, in the next year I want to stay focussed on the list, keep reading at least two books a month (or ideally more) and work on series of books as this is clearly helping and I do have several sets on my shelves. I also want to get better at a) blogging more regularly and b) blogging more quickly after finishing a book as I think I've got a bit rubbish at doing this again. After all, I should've written this post on 5th May 2014...
Last but far from least, a big thank you to you for reading my blog. I hope you're still enjoying it and appreciate your support and encouragement. If you have any feedback, you can find me on Twitter as @Girl_LovesBooks.
Now, where's that birthday cake...
Previously from the Girl Who Loves Books...
June
'The Unknown Ajax' by Georgette Heyer
July
'The Lady of the Rivers' by Philippa Gregory
'The White Queen' by Philippa Gregory
August
'Will Storr vs The Supernatural' by Will Storr
'The Red Queen' by Philippa Gregory
September
'The Year of the Flood' by Margaret Atwood
'Maddaddam' by Margaret Atwood
October
'The Burning Land' by Bernard Cornwell
'Death of Kings' by Bernard Cornwell
December
'Dracula' by Bram Stoker
'You Made me Late Again!" by Pam Ayres
'The House We Grew up In' by Lisa Jewell
'Him and Me' by Michael and Jack Whitehall
January
'Alex and Me' by Irene M. Pepperberg
February
'Romps, Tots and Boffins' by Robert Hutton
'The Pagan Lord' by Bernard Cornwell
'For Your Eyes Only' by Ian Fleming
March
'The Devil in the Marshalsea' by Antonia Hodgson
'Gin O' Clock' by HM The Queen of Twitter
'The Bluffer's Guide to Chocolate' by Neil Davey
April
'Casino Royale' by Ian Fleming
'Bird Box' by Josh Malerman
May
'Mr Briggs' Hat' by Kate Colquhoun
'Live and Let Die' by Ian Fleming
Birthday Blogs
2013
2012
The First Post
January
'Alex and Me' by Irene M. Pepperberg
February
'Romps, Tots and Boffins' by Robert Hutton
'The Pagan Lord' by Bernard Cornwell
'For Your Eyes Only' by Ian Fleming
March
'The Devil in the Marshalsea' by Antonia Hodgson
'Gin O' Clock' by HM The Queen of Twitter
'The Bluffer's Guide to Chocolate' by Neil Davey
April
'Casino Royale' by Ian Fleming
'Bird Box' by Josh Malerman
May
'Mr Briggs' Hat' by Kate Colquhoun
'Live and Let Die' by Ian Fleming
Birthday Blogs
2013
2012
The First Post
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