Roland Butter

Friends who know about these things (or tell me they do!) often rave about Giles Milton's books. I've never read any of them myself, so if they turn out to be *****, you can't blame me

Well, that's Strange Days Indeed out of the way. OK-ish ... Francis Wheen's normally a witty writer, but this didn't have a great deal of spark for me. I've probably read so much 1970s history in my time that there are few surprises, but it's a reasonable enough read if you don't know the period too well and want a skim through some of the major political events, all bound together (in some places quite tenuously) by a thread of conspiracy. What next? A nice slab of fiction, perhaps?

Spiders and Snakes - Jim Stafford Brush with fame moment (*polishes nails on lapel*)- she's my daughter's friend.

Girls Are Out To Get You - The Fascinations

Yep, I waded through it - I almost never don't finish books (sort out the negatives yourself ). But I've got to disagree with you, my little koala-hugging chum - I didn't think it improved much as it went on (except, perhaps, in the sense that there were fewer pages left to go ...) Sorry!!

My Boy Lollipop - Millie

Me too! I think we're in a minority of two, by the sound of it, but I found it pretty turgid going. Bad news is, I bought the second one as well, at the same time, 'cos it was half price. I'll be lucky if I get that read by the next World Cup ....

That's What Friends Are For - Deniece Williams

I was just glad it was over! Terrible final, to round off the most mediocre World Cup I can remember.

To give you all plenty of time to sort out your betting strategies - I'm going for Holland tonight

I tend to steer clear of footballers' biographies and autobiographies. As you say, I don't want to a) read about Ashley Cole or put any of my hard-earned cash into his already-groaning bank account. One that is worth reading, though - and we've discussed it on here before, as I recall - is The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw by Paul McGuigan and Paolo Hewitt. It's the story of Robin Friday, who played for Reading in the 70s and, apart from being a very talented footballer, also led a, shall we say, "wayward" lifestyle. It won't keep you busy for too long, but it's a good read. Every Boy's Dream, by Chris Green, is a (pretty critical) look at the system of youth coaching in this country, and in particular the failings of the Academy system - very relevant, in view of our recent less than stunning performance in South Africa. You'll Win Nothing With Kids, by Jim White, is an account of running a boys' Sunday team, with the usual cast of deluded team managers and aggressive, over-pushy parents. Enjoyable, and the humour's interspersed with some sensible views from the professional coaches that White has access to in his day job as a sports journalist. But the best football book, by far, that I've ever read is The Soccer Syndrome by John Moynihan. Written in the 60s, it's a collection of short essays on all aspects of the game, from parks football to the professional game. Of all the books I've ever read, this is the one which captures most accurately what the game's about (or should be about). It's out of print at the moment, but Amazon seem to have second-hand copies available. Enjoy your reading!

That sounds interesting, Kate. My wife and I did the Mousehole - Lamorna Cove coastal walk a couple of years back. Two miles, but it felt like fifty-two . Sounds like a book she'd enjoy. Thanks for the review.

Not normally my preferred sort of reading, this type of stuff, but a few years back I read Eric Schlosser's Fast Food. If you've ever been misguided enough to contribute to the profits of McDonalds, KFC or Burger King in the past, you won't after you've read this.

The Wreck of the Antoinette - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich (Sorry!! Just heard it on the radio)

I've never heard of it! Sounds as if I've been lucky .... Never My Love - The Association

These Things Will Keep Me Loving You - The Velvelettes. A Motown classic to start the day right

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles That's a song title, by the way poppy, not a question

Bung him a couple of pasties and I'm sure he'll be yours.

Apart from winning semi-finals, that is

Not unless they get their other ten players playing as well as the one who's scoring goals, they won't! They've been one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament for me, after playing so well to win the European Championship two years ago. Can't see anything but a German win here - they're superior in just about every respect from what I've seen. Deutschland

Dancing in the Street - Martha and the Vandellas

All part of Mr Ferguson's little games, I think. He doesn't really give a hoot about England's World Cup. He just wants to get Rooney right for the new season. Uruguay v Holland tonight. I don't have any great expectations for that one, so let's hope I'm pleasantly surprised.

Moonlight in Vermont - Billie Holiday Vermont always sounds a great place - I'd like to go there one day.

Lady Day and John Coltrane - Gil Scott Heron

I'll Be Doggone - Marvin Gaye (OK, it's a bit of a stretch, but .....)