Roland Butter

Nights Over Egypt - The Jones Girls

They wouldn't let me in. You know that bit on the visa form where it asks if you've ever been dedicated to the violent overthrow of capitalism? I'd probably say "Yes" I'm unsure of the ownership history of the Rangers, but I'll pretty much boo any team who has a history of beating us . (No idea why it's turned out like that - that's your quote ...) I believe it involves a certain two-time former "President" of yours (and I use the quotes advisedly)....

"What A Carve Up" is a truly excellent book, recommended to me by a knowledgeable colleague on the Forum. And it hasn't got any munaa in it, either ....

Robert Tressell's "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" would be the one I'd say was essential reading.

Believe it or not, I've actually seen the Texas Rangers play, against the Blue Jays when I was in Toronto a few years back. Having been brought up on real sports like we have in Europe, ( ) I wasn't expecting baseball to be up to much, but I have to say it was a pretty enjoyable evening. And when my friend explained the ...er ... "ownership" history of the Rangers, it made it easy to decide who to support that night

Started Linda Grant's "The Clothes on Their Backs" last night. Odd, as I don't even remember buying it, but still... The blurb says: "Vivien spends a quiet childhood encapsulated in the present, sealed off from the past by her timid refugee parents. She's ten before she finds out that she has a relative: to the horror of her father, her glamorous, dangerous uncle appears at their door, dressed in a purple mohair suit with his leopard-print-clad mistress upon his arm. But why is Uncle Sandor so violently unwelcome in her parents' home?" Fifty pages in, and the story's building quite nicely.

Shouldn't that be - pull yourselves together, both of you?

Good spot, Sue! I think I'll be looking out for that, too.

That's one I have lined up, so I'd be interested to hear what you make of it.

By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Glen Campbell

How High The Moon - Les Paul and Mary Ford Ask your grandparents ....

Polished off Arthur Smith last night (or his autobography, anyway). Good read - three or four "laugh-out-louds", which can't be bad.

You Made Me So Very Happy - Brenda Holloway

Games People Play - Joe South

Goodness me, another rave from the grave!! Hello, Ceinwenn, long time no hear - how have you been?

I have "The Elegance of the Hedgehog", which I bought shortly after a trip to Paris . Haven't read it yet, but I remember it got very good reviews.

When I Was A Freeport And You Were The Main Drag - Laura Nyro

Catharine Arnold's books on London are also very good. "Necropolis", which I read a while back, covers similar ground.

Up Around The Bend - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Started "My Name is Daphne Fairfax", the autobiography of comedian Arthur Smith. I'm not a huge fan of "alternative comedy" (the clue's in the name - if it was funny, it would just be "comedy"), but he's one of the few that does make me laugh. And he's from South London ... Nice, unchallenging read.

Bend Me, Shape Me - The American Breed

Well, finished "The Slaves of Solitude", and very good it was too. I love Patrick Hamilton's work. Time for a bit of non-fiction now, I think.

"...the addictive world of lock-picking...."