After a rather slow start to this year’s blogging – I’m finally right up to date – finished this book last night.

Ska’d for Life by Horace Panther

I loved this book.

I was a rude boy and very much a fan of The Specials. I had the flight jacket and all the trendy 2-Tone badges. I was only ten when the band was at its peak in 1980 – so it turns out when I was a fan in the early to mid 80s – they had probably already split up. I’m afraid my memory of the 80s is a bit blurry. Perhaps I wasn’t as cool as I thought I was!!

It was a really good read – very interesting.

It has also meant that I’ve been playing The Specials constantly for the last two weeks!!

Also found out that Horace Panter is a bit of an artist. Click here to have a browse.

Next up: Release

Well lucky you, yet another blog post as I finally get caught up, finished this about a week ago…

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

This is the first crime, psychological, mystery thriller of the year – I don’t mind the odd trashy thriller – this one was alright. Surprised if that quote doesn’t make it on the back of the book for the second edition!

This one was alright.

Phil Lengthorn

Another great idea for a novel – if only I could think of an equally good idea I might get a novel in print.

It begins in a large house in London. A baby is awake in a cot, happy, well-fed and content. Downstairs are the decomposing bodies of three corpses. Who has been looking after the baby, where are they now, and what has happened?

See…great idea.

I’m not about to spoil it for anyone who would like to have a go. But it is well worth a read. I know we are in lockdown, but, it’s perfect holiday reading material.

Next up: Ska’d for Life

Still on the catch-up, I finished reading this a few weeks ago…

The 392 by Ashley Hickson-Lovence

I loved this book. The premise is simple: set entirely on a London bus travelling across London and taking place over just 36 minutes.

Switching between different perspectives – covering a range of characters, from the high-flyer to the homeless – uncovering their secrets and ambitions along the way, but tied together through the shared threat of a terrorist attack.

A brilliant idea.

Although a completely fictional piece of work, the roads are real, the locations mentioned are real, giving this a brilliant authentic feel.

I can’t recommend it enough.

Next up: The Family Upstairs

I was quite late to this idea of blogging about the books I am reading – partly because I just wanted to start blogging again – which means you get a number of blogs in quick succession about the books I have read so far this year. You’re welcome.

Book 2 of 2021

‘Ramble Book: Musings on Childhood, Friendship, Family and 80s Pop Culture’ by Adam Buxton

This was read about the middle of January…

Wasn’t particularly enamored with this book. I quite like Adam Buxton. I don’t have extensive experience or knowledge, I’ve never seen him in live. But I like him when he is in dictionary corner on ‘8 out 10 cats does Countdown’ and I’ve been an avid listener to his podcast. So was quite looking forward to reading it.

There were quite a few good things to say about it:

• It was funny – laugh out loud in places.
• I was born in 1970, so the 80s was my ‘growing up’ time – brought back some great memories.
• The stuff about his dad is both incredibly moving and incredibly funny.
• His rambles – who doesn’t like a ramble?

Some bits that were less good:

• David Bowie, he talks about David Bowie a lot. A lot. I quite like David Bowie – but not that much.
• The Adam and Joe Show. Never seen it. Don’t really fancy watching it. Again, it gets a lot of mentions.

What you definitely get is Buxton’s ‘voice’ coming through – if you’re a fan, even if you’re not – probably worth a read.

Next up: The 392