bookmark_borderBooks wot I red

After much deliberation and swithering I ended up taking 5 books with me last week. Well, technically that’s not true. After much deliberation and swithering I ended up packing 3 books and then bought another two at the airport (I know, I know!). So, here are some brief thoughts on the ones I read.

1. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.
Always late to the party, this is a book which most people who would want to read it probably already have. So, suffice to say that I found this hugely interesting although not as immediately personal as Blink. Gladwell delivers a lot of fairly complex information in an excellently languid and accessible style, and whilst he is largely standing on the shoulders of other people, his skill as a communicator is what makes his books so readable. If you haven’t read it, read it. It’s utterly fascinating.

2. The Liar by Stephen Fry
Bought on a whim at the airport, and I’ll admit that I was expecting a lot from this book. Whilst it didn’t disappoint (I really should have taken a dictionary with me as well) it wasn’t as smart or funny as I expected. However that’s not to say that it isn’t witty, irreverent, and wonderfully constructed. A wry look at the world of Eton, Harrow and other such ‘institutions’ it has every buggering thing you expect.

3. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka
This book now holds a singular place in my book reading history. For the first time ever, whilst waiting to fly home from Malaga airport, I spotted a man that was also reading this book. Ok, not that big a deal.
And I’ll also be honest and say that I’ve not finished this yet, but I’m thoroughly enjoying it and it is already rating highly on the MMLOGOLAAL scale (“Makes Me Laugh Or Giggle Out Loud And Annoys Louise” it’s a very precise rating system).

Other books taken but not read – a Jeffery Deaver (can’t remember which one), some trashy novel by one of those sexy blog ladies (you know the one), and the manual for my new camera. Ohh and I did start reading Girl With a One Track Mind but, frankly, when you are on holiday with your sister-in-law, there are some things which, well, let’s just say they are best left to the imagination. Although I’m intrigued to see that Louise has it on her bedside cabinet…

And whilst we are on the topic of books, congrats to the lovely Clare Sudbery for completing her second book. I’ll be purchasing a signed copy as soon as is possible, mainly because I really enjoyed her last one!