Roland Butter

I'm enjoying it. It's quite a story.

Just started Elsie and Mairi Go to War by Diane Atkinson (thanks to Pontalba for the nudge )

Finished Colin MacInnes' London Novels omnibus last night. Colin MacInnes was either (depending on your point of view) the liberal scion of a wealthy family whose broadmindedness enabled him to mix easily with 1950s London's growing immigrant community and burgeoning teenage movement - or a rich toff who liked slumming it. Whichever you choose, you could never accuse him of being a great writer. There are some clunking passages of prose here, in which he sets out with ham-fisted plainness his views on the new social movements (generally favourable - they had lots of sex and drugs), and some toe-curling attempts at "hip" dialogue. But in a strange, archaic, way, these are quite enjoyable stories, especially if you've got a hankering for London's seamier side (and I do ...)

Hi, Madibelle, and welcome! How are things in the 20 Minute City today?

Just heard of the death of Solomon Burke. One of the greats of soul music, a huge influence on many better-known singers and larger than life in every sense of the word. RIP Solomon.

Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand - Ray Charles

Will you never learn?

Pontalba, you may also be interested in Elsie and Mairi Go To War by Diane Atkinson. I saw a TV programme about Elsie Knocker (honest!) a couple of years ago, and she was an incredibly brave and dedicated nurse. (I also have the book, but it's not found its way to the top of the pile yet). Here's a synopsis from Waterstone's: http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/diane+atkinson/elsie+and+mairi+go+to+war/6807163/

I've read The Way Home. A bit formulaic and very predictable, I thought - certainly not up to Pelecanos' usual high standard.

Rugby League Grand Final in about three hours - St Helens v Wigan. Should be a good'un. Followed by the Australian version tomorrow morning - Dragons v Roosters. A classic in the making.

Gonna Send You Back To Georgia - James Carr Everyone knows what the DHSS is, Chrissy! It must be some sort of folk memory, but even my son's mates refer to "being on the DHSS". Let's face it, have you ever heard anyone talk about "being on the DWP"?

I think a title as good as that was worth more than two minutes of fame, Chrissy Back Up Train - Al Green

Back in the DHSS - Half Man Half Biscuit

Two new additions to the pile today: Coppi's Angel by Ugo Riccarelli - ten short stories blending fact and fiction around the lives and careers of legendary sportsmen like Emil Zatopek, Garrincha and, naturally enough, the great cyclist Fausto Coppi. Vienna by Eva Menasse - "a twentieth century saga following the trials of a half Jewish family living in Austria, England and Canada". In anticipation of my trip in December.

I've just seen that score! It was 3-1 last I saw. Certainly didn't see that one coming. That's what makes football such a great game, eh - Leeds getting stuffed

I've started Colin MacInnes' The London Novels, an omnibus of the three books he wrote in the late 50s - City of Spades, Absolute Beginners and Mr Love and Justice. I think many of my friends here know I'm partial to a bit of London low life. This one's been bugging me for some time. I bought it in Blackwells in London on a rainy Monday afternoon in October five years ago, to cheer myself up - I'd just been made redundant - and it's been staring at me from the bookshelf ever since! To quote the blurb: ... this exciting omnibus explores a very different side of London life in the 1950s than is usually portrayed. His characters are colourful and real, painting vivid pictures of areas such as Brixton and Notting Hill at this time. The stories of friendship, love and life dance on a background of jazz and good times, as London's staid reputation progresses to that of a thriving multiracial capital. A man ahead of his time, MacInnes displayed the realities of 1950s London: an emerging teen culture, black immigration and the glamourisation of crime and criminals with remarkable insight and sympathy. Not sure London's reputation was ever "staid", but still ...

Y'all sure love a bit of country music ... Heart Be Still - Lorraine Ellison

That's a lorra lorra books. I can certainly vouch for The Kelly Gang, one of the best I've read in many a year. Cloudstreet is a good one too.

I've always been tempted to try one of Claude Izner's books. I look forward to your thoughts.

Finished Huckleberry Finn last night. You can't beat a good classic.

Have You Seen Her - The Chi-Lites