When a friend told me she was reading Dan Brown I had to do something.

I thought I would post the e-mail I sent to her:

I've decided to compile this list of books you have to read now. I can't believe you're wasting your time with Dan Brown. Once you have read these you will never pick up populist rubbish ever again. These are just a select few, if you would like some more get back to me.

George Orwell, 1984- Even after writing a 12,000 word dissertation on this bad boy I still love it. This novel set a precedent and captured the mood of a generation, not to mention coining some of the most known sayings, Big Brother. The dystopic world of Oceana is at war with Eastasia, food is scarce and the perpetual fear hangs in thick in the air. Winston Smith wears his forced smile and congratulates the state on their propaganda forced achievements. But below the surfice Winston doesn't fit in. He hates the regime and is looking for revolution.

Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange- Alex, a 14-year-old teenager with psychotic tendencies goes on a violent rampage to the soundtrack of Beethoven and his own language- which the novel is full of.

Alex is leader of his 'droogs' (friends) who are all as violent as him, together they rape pensioners and beat up kids.

Alex then becomes subjected to the Ludovico technique which is supposed to make him not want to give into his dark thoughts.

Will it work out? Who knows, well you've probably seen the film but the book is fucking amazing.

Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh- Again you know the basic plot because of good old Danny Boyle... But the novel is incredible, it's written in a thick Scottish dialect, a particular saying, “Get ye Foocked”, is repeatedly used. Though the text is somewhat fragmented with the perspective of the narrator constantly changing. It's one of the best books I've ever read. I took it to India, and while I was on my sunbed in the beautiful heat I was literally gagging while reading the infamous toilet seen. You need this in your life.

One Day, David Nicholls- Two people are lying in bed as the sun rises the day after graduation on July 15 1988. Emma Morley, a self confessed frumpy 19-year-old, stares at her fellow student Dexter Mayhew, a well educated, wealthy and beautiful individual. They have just spent the night together but where does it go from here? Dexter's going travelling and Emma doesn't have a clue. One Day follows these two characters for one day each year on July 15. It's just such a good book.

Tokyo Cancelled, Rana Dasgupta- A post modern re-working of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. A group of people of all nationalities and different social demographics get stuck at Tokyo airport and all tell a tale from their lives, though whether these are fabricated or the truth the reader never knows for certain. Incredibly written and it makes a real statement on globalization. Another all time favourite.

The Power and the Glory, Graham Green- If you like novels with a religious undertone with moralistic implications then you'll like this. It's also set in Mexico, so the language is captivating and exotic, there is almost a heat from the book. It follows an unnamed priest in the 1930s where the current presidency looks to wipe out Catholicism but despite the people being poor and without food they won't give up their religion. Though as the book unfolds the so named whiskey priest isn't quite what he appears. Just a lovely book.

I'm also a massive pusher of holocaust literature, I think everyone should read at least one of these books in their life time. It makes Anne Franks Diary look like shit. If you have never read it, don't. I fucking love books, this has been my favourite waste of time task ever. Actually any Jewish literature is worth reading. Sorry I've gotten uber carried away with this.

Night, Elie Wiesel- When the opening depiction of Auschwitz begins with the 14-year-old Wiesel seeing a van emerging from the smokey darkness with the cargo moving, as the reader, your heart sinks. Wiesel takes a small step forward and as the smoke clears he sees that on the back of the van there are hundreds of babies, who are still alive being taken straight to the furnace. There are moments of intense beauty juxtaposed against the most baron and horrendous acts of man.

If this is a man, Primo Levi- This is Levi's depiction of his time in Auschwitz. Levi before he was in the concentration camp was a scientist so has a very methodical way of describing the autrocities but it is just incredibly written and should be read.

Maus, Art Spiegelman- Art Spiegelman is a second generation holocaust survivor and is re-telling his fathers story in a graphic novel format. The Jews are mice and the Nazi's are cats, simplistic but really effective.

No one reads this so perhaps that's why I never blog

It also bemuses me as to how I make my blog look all fancy?
If anyone would care to enlighten me I think I would be very grateful... I think probably being the right word.
Well I'm mainly blogging as I would like to put my review out and my actual review is yet to be published, it will probably appear next week, but I thought I would write a more biographical account as well.
I'm doing this mainly because it is deadline day and I have now finished all my pages and stories for this week, so if I look busy I won't have to help sub or help at all.
My brow is furrowed in an expression of faultless mock concern, as I type I turn my head slightly to the side and suddenly lift an eye-brow as if something has suddenly caught my attention!

A review/tale of the drive to Guildford!

When I first heard that Guildford Shakespeare Company were putting on an open-air production of Much Ado About Nothing, my heart soared as, Shakespeare and the promise of open-air theatre are some of my favourite things.

However when on Monday, June 20 did I arrive at work in the pouring rain and thought about driving all the way to Guildford in rush-hour with a dodgy window that lets in rain did my mood sink.

So as I grumbled off to Guildford with a box of cherries and an inappropriately waterproof(less) coat in hand I thought, “I'm not going to enjoy this.”

In the car I managed to get lost three times and almost ran over a small man, might have been a child?

The ran was so ferocious I could barely see.

But eventually I got there.

Guildford castle is spectacularly placed in the centre of the town, just off the high street, if I was perhaps not so refined as I clearly am, then I might have been forgiven for traipsing into the rather large Debenhams store that is but a stones throw away and announcing that the Georgians were certainly a stylish lot.

But I didn't, I wondered through the beautiful stone walls, the grounds of the castle are simply stunning, it almost felt like I had come across some kind of secret place.

Under an archway I went and through the flower beds, careful not to tread on anything.

I then walked up another path to see an exquisite band stand with flowers, bales of hay and fairy lights all adorning it.

There was candy floss for sale, as well as a coconut shy, all very atmospheric.

So much so, I almost forgot about the rain and I headed over to a small group of chairs that were looking very soggy.

They surrounded the band stand and a shed acted as a box office.

The puddle on the seats did not look so welcoming but I was thrown a towel by another damp theatre lover, I wiped the seat and took my place.

Much Ado About Nothing is not a play I have ever seen or studied previously so apart from my brief research I was going in knowing not a lot.

This was the extent of my knowledge, it was a comedy about what Shakespeare knows best, the human condition and love.

The play is full of naturally light-hearted comedic lines, but these were enhanced by great and realistic performances.

At one stage the feisty character, Beatrice over hears a conversation regarding Benedick and his affections, as she creeps through the audience she is almost seen until she darts onto an audience members lap.

These small inclusions of the audience were perfectly balanced without anyone feeling uncomfortable.

Hero, played by Ellie Beaven was beautiful and simplistic, but showed real emotion making the scene of her slander believable and touching.

Borachio (Rhys King), who has a hand in the dastardly undoing of Hero was also exceptional, even though his part was small, so much so he also played Friar Francis, his conviction and temper was incredibly powerful and I found I wanted to see more of him.

The enchanting setting of the grounds was also captivating and added to the impact of the performances.

So much so I completely forgot about the rain and then by the time I got back into the car I was completely sodden and had to remove my leggings, driving back bare legged.

An unusual but fantastic way to enjoy a Monday night!

An adventure in the countryside

for those that know me it is no secret that I am a sucker when it comes to being outdoors.
Whether this is running, cycling or just finding ambling about in the summer months it becomes increasingly more of a challenge to get me to come inside, any psychoanalysts out there make that what you will.
So to be based at a paper which is so rural there are normally chickens running about the office, not a quip but there was actually chickens in the office last week, is actually refreshing as it means going out on a job entails endless country lanes and normally a field or two.
This morning was one of those morning, and yes I still have to work bank holidays...
I was asked to go and check out an archaeological dig that was taking place in Four Marks this morning, much to the delight. Though when I told a friend this they retorted, "Who do you think you are, Indiana Jones?", to which I said: "Call me Mr Indie, Short Round." But I digress.
So off I went the intrepid adventurer with whip in hand, easy. I got into my sorry excuse of a car that might decide to give up at any minute and headed off.
I invariably got lost but spent three very happy hours with an excuse to explore some villages and eat some local produce.
I even had to cross a field to try and track down the diggers, I probably shouldn't have been listening to Cream as I was meandering through the countryside as I think it started going to my head.
The Spring breeze was incredibly inviting and as I pulled over at a lay-by with the open road ahead and fields sprawled lazily either side with the incredible colour of the rape seed making me squint as I took my shoes off and crossed the luscious yellow field.


I seem to be more of a sentimentalist then I think I would like to admit and as I was crossing the field I let me hands run through the patches of tall grass and enjoyed the slight scratching of the dry earth beneath my feet.


I never did find the excavation site.

New job update

Having a job within journalism now is turning out exceedingly well, there is a lot of tea to be drunk and a lot of writing to be done.

I am based in Petersfield, a small town in East Hampshire as picturesque as it is sleepy.

I am with the Petersfield Post series, and have been for just under a month now, it's a weekly paper that is very much community based.

Quite ironically the paper has a reputation for sometimes not focusing on the more hard hitting articles but will go for softer news.

In last weeks paper, a local farmer took his own life, or to you and me he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a riffle.

He was found in his car with a .22 rifle by a close friend with a letter addressed to his recent ex-girlfriend, who had broken up with him only a few days before.

This was a clear tragedy and something I would have thought would have made front page, but was pushed back to page 18.

Last weeks lead was an election based story on the lack of candidates and therefore choice for the local community.

Understandably an important issue and one that should be addressed, but I would have preferred to have seen the inquest on the front, or is that just me being slightly morbid or in need of some serious news.

Off to a cat judging competition.

A very girly post

The streets of Southampton are full of young fashionistas who will brave the cold February air to grab a bargain and work on their style and it’s my job to try and grab them.
On work experience for my local paper, the Southern Daily Echo, I have had an exciting week. I have been reporting on Somali pirates, the Liverpool Boat Show being cancelled and heard a new Costco is going to be opened in the centre of Southampton.
Well… okay it hasn’t been hard hitting journalism, but I’ve still enjoyed myself and today I was asked to write a fashion piece.
I’m not going to lie this really excited me as it meant I got to spend an hour looking up this Years Spring collection and what’s going to be big.
This season the trends are a mixture of block bright and clashing colours, animal prints and playful accessories.
Colour, colour and colour a slightly haphazard mix of tones that you wouldn’t normally put together but the effects are quite dramatic.
A very statement look, perfect for those who want to turn heads, I have been searching and ASOS is a great place to start for some wildly bright and outrageously cheap tops or funky jeans.
Though this trend doesn’t stop with clothes, make-up can be turned up a notch to.
A personal favourite of mine is Mac; their lipsticks are out of this world, in as many rainbow shades as you can handle.
At the moment I’m rocking my coral orange, which is also great for those with slightly darker complexions and really brings out tans.
I also have a fierce purple that’s very dramatic; I haven’t been brave enough to try them both on at once… But that might be pushing the colour boundaries slightly to far.
The other trend which I am all for this season is animal prints, it may have been done before but there are always new ways to wear this look.
Lose leopard print, especially in garish colours, If I see another purple cardigan I may scream. Take some inspiration from Miu Miu whose spring collection showed an elegant satin swan, showing that you can be playful and sophisticated.
Though think accessories too, a parrot bag or a swallow necklace, I’m getting excited just thinking about the things I could buy… If only I had any money.

Sicky and Ickey

The swine flu epidemic is back according to many of the papers, and I’m thinking that I’m a swine. I have a temperature, I’m not to sure whether I am way to hot or too cold. My vision is blurred and even the thought of food is making the sick feeling in my stomach heighten.

I think that my fever may have gone to my head and probably is affecting my thinking, as I don’t think writing a blog is probably a great idea as it may not make sense. I haven’t properly gotten out of bed in two days and it’s absolutely doing my head in. I hate being ill and I hate winter. I want it to be summer so that I can wear my shorts and breathe through my nose.

The other alternative is to be like the birdies and fly south for the winter; I think that would make a really nice Disney film, the delirious thought’s of a sick person.

 Speaking of which in my cold and shivering state I have decided to watch Marley and Me and I’m suppressing small sobs every so often as this is such a soppy film. But then again that could just be because of the fever. I also think everything would be slightly more realistic if Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson actually aged at all.

My own dog, Cookie is doing my head in. I have my laptop on my lap as I watch the film surrounded by tissues and Cookie has spent the past half hour trying to get on my bed, but keeps giving up to bark at Marley on the TV.

Anyway I think it might be time for my one hundredth Lemsip and another nap, mainly because a nap would mean I’ll miss the horrible ending of Marley and Me.

Feeling a little festive

The heady smell of pine fills the air, my mum manically saws away at the base of quite a magnificent Christmas tree and the dog takes advantage of the mayhem by eating biscuits foolishly left on the coffee table. My 10-year-old brother and five-year-old sister squabble over who will put the fairy on top of the tree. A tin of celebrations is knocked onto the floor with the contents spilling everywhere, my Nan walks in stumbles on the chocolate and swears loudly- it now officially feels like Christmas.

 This mixture of seasonal cheer yet festive frustration seems to be echoed throughout most of society. The Independent on Saturday morning took this approach- the seasonal news is oppositional; fun nibs about Christmas parties amid such scurrilous scepticism that would make Ebenezer Scrooge blush, yes that is a Dickensian allusion. But ‘tiss the season and if you haven’t guessed this is a Christmas blog.

 The Independent’s Alice-Azania Jarvis makes a valid point of how starting Christmas shopping early results in spending far more than you would normally and attributes this to the smell of mulled wine, which does seem very plausible. There is something enchanting (alcoholic) about mulled wine that does make otherwise quite dull things very fun- like Christmas shopping.

 However, as another tax increase looms Personal Finance Editor Simon Read warns of the dangers of over spending especially at such an over indulgent season. But as a nation of frivolous spenders with debts that match the deficit, I think this warning will fall on deaf ears.

Closer to home, my family every year attempt to cap the amount we spend on each other. I get told every year that this will be the last time I get presents from Santa- though none of this ever comes into fruition and on Christmas day me, my sisters and my brothers (all five of us) wake up in the same room with stockings that Santa has left for us and all money worries melt away.

I wrote this while sat at work on Saturday morning, I don’t think there is much of a point to it- perhaps just that I love Christmas and cannot wait for Christmas day. To be drunk by midday, shout myself horse from trying to compete with the hundreds of relatives all wanting to have their say and then eating so much dry turkey that I feel very very sick.  Bring it on!