Firstly, an apology. TBR is an acronym, hence the shouty capital letters. In the context of reading, it means 'to be' read. The usual currency of TBR is the 'pile.' If reading enthusiasts mention their TBR pile, they will always describe it in colossal, sometimes overwhelming terms. My pile is subdivided into stacks. I like to be different. These books reflect my reading habits - mainly fiction - and are far more liberally stocked with writers I've read before and can rely on and have enjoyed in the past, than zeitgeisty or recently zeitgeisty titles.

Novel, 2016 Dystopian novel, made up of sections which are interconnected, inter-related, telling of the attempts and effects of the human race trying to keep itself alive through various means, including cloning, growth from animal DNA and the overseeing of 'mothers' and 'super-mothers.' There's a great deal of imagination and speculative intelligence at work here, although the book can feel a little alienating in its structure and narrative. A book which is, therefore, disorientating, but which might improve with repeated reading for those who can persevere, though for many, this may be difficult.

Recent news stories have reflected on a phenomenon picked up by second-hand bookshops, some of whom (not the shop I work at), have been inundated with hefty orders of any number of obscure books. Here's one from June this year. Foolish optimist that I am, I initially overlooked the mention of AI and blithely assumed digitisation was being carried out with the aim of perserving knowledge.

Novel, 1954 Story of a death cult organised around a rather bewildered character - John Cave - and narrated by one of the founders, now in exile after having been discredited and removed from the order. A books whose satirical message holds strong today - the structures and mechanics around belief, and their reliance on the marketing and amplification of their messages will resonate, even if the writing feels a little stodgy, reported back and a little underwhelming at times. Worth a read for those interested in dystopian style set ups, though some books will have aged better.

Novel, 2015 Sparkling, messy story covering the professional and love life of its main protagonist, Cheryl Glickman. When her highly ordered life is disrupted by the overbearing, lusted over and violent daughter of one of her company’s board members, things start to spiral out of control. The characters in this crazy story are all as twisted and messed up as each other, and while there’s a middle section muddled with sexual fantasies and non-encounters, they eventually work themselves out. The trip is long, hard (at times), but always top drawer exhilarating throughout.

Novel, 2019 A book about Augusta and her twin sister, Julia, with Augusta’s intelligence and obsession with Burundi reflected in a narrative from Parfait. While the dual narrative works for the most part, and some of the writing is incredibly powerful - particularly in scenes and situations involving loss - this is a book which will hit home for some more than it does for others.

Hello again. I blame the heat, in part, for my recent lack of activity on the writing front. Also the reading, cycling and being alert front. It's been tough and the hosepipe ban (or more to the point, the drought conditions) hasn't/haven't helped; everything seems to have conspired to me low at mock my writerly ambitions. And now, the ruddy football season's started, which takes out every other Saturday.

Biography, 1992 Hunter S Thompson biography, avowedly trumpeted as "unauthorized", both on the cover and within the book itself. A quite curious publication, in which the author appears to have engaged with Thompson, and who encouraged him (HST) to write a later, not so well received piece. The fairly non-essential but well-written account of Gonzo excess is a remove from the self-eulogising in Thompson's own memoirs and biographically infused sketches and essays, and gives a picture of someone who's still charming, but also hugely floored and, in truth, pretty unpleasant. An abrupt ending too, which is a little disconcerting.

Novel, 1952 A Maigret with a little more psychology than normal, involving a cross-channel dash and some ever so slightly murkier plotlines than is often the case. Still a good read, however, even if the era and location aren't necessarily to point. Some pretty great description and an easy flow, early on, with the writing clear and simple, but also very evocative.

Non-fiction, 2004 The story of British drinking in pubs, which looks at beer, but has a main focus on the development of the British pub. Brown's slightly sarcastic almost-but-not-quite laddish tone sometimes lands and sometimes doesn't, with the use of footnotes a little irritating, but the main text is alive with interesting facts and a well-told story for those with an interest.

Fiction, 2024 Short novel with a kind of meta-fictional, philosophical base, with two main characters, one of whom is called (though isn’t) ‘the narrator.’ The fiction contains a number of scenes and reminiscences about the elusive and even ever so slightly doomed figure of Fanny, and how the narrator is inextricably linked with her. While there are some poignant moments, the book’s reflective and experimental approach doesn’t always make for the easiest of reads, although the short length makes for an interesting diversion. Not bad, but not essential.

After last week's minor sulk, my chum Stephen F requested I report back on s on he going at the bookshop. So, here's that. I never thought my professional life would such provide fertile grounds for an interesting blog. Heck; most people probably won't be interested anyway. But, for whatever it's worth, here's last week. ____________ Monday 13/7 - shop not open.

Movie, 1963 Taught, claustophobic thriller, mainly shot in a well-to-do London home of a society cad, whose sole contribution to the economy is to employ a scheming butler, who inveigles his way into a position of power. A film of huge intensity, craft and psychological pressure, which builds up a head of steam, then keeps going. The location shots are great, with London providing an appropriate setting for a fraught battleground, where class and sex interweave and cause chaos. As the film goes on, it becomes increasingly unsettling, before finishing on a great finale. A tremendous watch and superb looking picture.

Hello. Sorry I've been quiet. Yes, I've reviewed the odd film and been doing a bit of reading, but I have to hold my hands up: I've not been feeling it in the last few weeks. Ho hum. It happens. One thing that did perk me up recently, happened in the bookshop. A minor incident which took place when I wasn't there, but which nonetheless made me ever so slightly irritated.

Movie, 2025 Mystery horror, in which various element and tropes are fairly imaginatively used in a the setting of a small American town, and a class of missing children. Ignore some of the plot stretches – like the time frame and the strangely off hand reactions and responses in the town’s reactions to what’s happened - and there’s an enjoyable group of set pieces, set within a well-paced, multiple point of view narrative which lends itself well to the unfolding drama.

Novel, 1940 A strange novel on a couple of counts. First, there’s no Campion. Second, is Bridie, the main detective whose Scottishness is rendered in fairly readable dialect, and who pushes t…

Fiction, 2009 Collection of short stories. The titular Too Much Happiness is fine, although some of the earlier stories are more direct and more affecting. Some really great examinations of characters and motives bring these pieces alive in a vivid, rewarding way. Munro often tells tragic tales with domestic cruelties and situations often to the fore. Tough themes around abuse are never shied away from, and while scenes and physical details are often included, there's never any dwelling or lingering for effect, but rather, a psychological push towards emotional response and reflection.

Movie, 1957 Gritty, savage, yet whimsical comedy drama around the exploits and fortunes of the titular Cabiria, a sex worker operating in Rome. The harsh, yet funny turns in the script feel as if t…

Hello, sizzling Europe. I’m back from a week in the Algarve, looking forlornly at heat rashes generated by near 30 degree heat, not believing or daring to look at the UK forecasts. Or go outs…

Writing and reading don’t exist in a vacuum, and given that us seasoned campaigners at Clod Magazine have recently been given a spot exhibiting at The Hat Factory arts centre in Luton, it fee…

Novel, 1931 Golden Age detective novel, in which the crime is, admittedly, incredible. Or, at least, there are incredible, or perhaps less than credible structures and forces around it. This is a n…

A short post this week. Those who follow may remember that I work in a bookshop. My ideal place of employment, but a tough gig from a commercial point of view. I now live with books. Whether or not…

Last Tuesday night, I got a ping on my phone. Or I would have, had the alert been on. Anyway, one of my ol’ uni mates. I’m not sure whether he was sheepish or defiant in informing the t…

Novel, 2025 A fairly kind of standard set of Pynchonesque characters and situations, spinning out, this time, from a Depression-era cheese magnate and running to Budapest via some fraught late 1930…