A mammoth update, sorry. You will notice that these are nearly all non-fiction- I’m still struggling with novels at the moment. I’ve got a few on the go, but I’m getting nowhere: I can’t concentrate or remember the plot.
75. The Covid Companion: 52 Ways to Be Happy in Isolation- Muzzammil Ali This was a general self-help book which had very little to do with self-isolation or Covid 19. I downloaded it as part of my free Kindle Unlimited trial, so luckily I didn’t waste any money on it.
76. Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division- Peter Hook I’d already read the book, but I enjoyed the audiobook even more. Peter Hook reads it brilliantly, with lots of character. If there are any novels in the style of ’Shameless’, I’m sure he’d read those brilliantly too. Both times I’ve read or listened to this book, I’ve been struck by the amount of fun and practical jokes that took place between Joy Division’s members: their life was really not as depressing as you might expect (except when poor Ian died, of course). There is quite in-depth analysis of Joy Division’s songs (especially the basslines!), which was a little excessive for the casual fan like me, but nonetheless I thought this was excellent and a standout. There doesn’t seem to be an audiobook yet of his Substance: Inside New Order which is a shame, as I really enjoyed the Kindle version of that too, especially the parts about his marriage to Caroline Aherne.
77. Strangeways: A Prison Officer’s Story- Neil Samworth Yet another prison book! I’m not sure what the attraction is for me, but I find them fascinating. Here, Samworth describes the cell fires, dirty protests and horrendous acts of self harm which were an almost daily occurrence in Strangeways. What was quite surprising was that he only received eight weeks of training before starting his job there (plus nine weeks’ training before his previous job in another prison). Unsurprisingly, when he left, he needed extensive therapy. I liked the way the chapters were named after songs or albums by (usually) Manchester bands.
78. Finding Stevie- Cathy Glass Another fostering memoir: this time, this time about the author’s spell looking after a gender fluid teenager.
79. Horn Life, or What’s Your Proper Job?- John Pigneguy A romp through the fascinating career of French horn player John Pigneguy. He played for all the prestigious London orchestras, at Covent Garden and under the baton of André Previn, John Eliot Gardiner and other luminaries. He then decided that session work was more fun, and went on to work with Paul McCartney, U2, the Pet Shop Boys, Joni Mitchell, Robbie Williams and many others. He featured on many film soundtracks including Harry Potter, Gandhi, Billy Elliott and The Full Monty. His TV work included Mr Bean, Songs of Praise, The Two Ronnies, Last of the Summer Wine and the famous horn solo on Newsnight. The book is full of funny stories and jolly japes. It was interesting to read what he said about Kiri the Kanawa (lovely voice but really not very musical) and Benjamin Britten (working with him was the highlight of everyone’s career). I liked the fake Latin mottos at the end: ‘Facias ut videas quid eveniat’ (Have a go, and see what happens) and ‘Fac quam possis optime optimaque spera’ (Do your best and hope for the best). This book was enjoyable and lifted my mood.
80. Keeping On Keeping On- Alan Bennett This book is incredibly long (nearly 2500 pages on BorrowBox, on my phone) but enjoyable. Much of it consists of some of Bennett’s diaries which are quirky, verbose and (at times) meandering. My favourite anecdote was about a four-year-old son of a friend who was learning to play chess. When taken to an Anglican confirmation service and being told that the celebrant was a bishop, he whispered ‘Does that mean he can only move diagonally?’. The latter part of the book is a hotchpotch of interesting stuff. There is a lovely speech about libraries, which includes my local Armley library, and an interesting and fun diary of the filming of The History Boys. The book ends with a couple of Bennett’s short plays, in which my favourite line was ‘Unless I get this done today, my scrotum is in the mangle’.
81. Julius Caesar: A Life from Beginning to End- Hourly History Very similar to all the other Hourly Histories.
82. Fun Home- Alison Bechdel A graphic memoir looking back at her childhood, her father coming out as gay, his death and her own realisation that she is a lesbian. The tone is fascinating, a strange mixture of frivolity and seriousness.
83. Swallowdale- Arthur Ransome I listened to the audiobook. It is very well done but, as previously mentioned, I am not doing too well with novels at the moment, unfortunately.