So I've failed again at updating this regularly but here goes with the books I've been reading recently.
Becoming Madame Mao by Anchee Min
I read The Last Empress years ago and loved so trying this book seemed like a good idea. This biography style book is written somewhere between fact and fiction and offers an insight into life behind the closed doors of Mao's life. Although Madame Mao is not exactly a lovely character you can't help feeling sorry for her at times throughout the book. What really came out in this book was the level of suspicion and back stabbing that went on at all levels within the regime. I think perhaps my next step is to read a true fact book to see how much of this was true.
I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson
This one really indulged my old love of girly books. Following the fast track life of high flying banker and mother of two Kate Reddy. If Kate had been a real person I too wouldn't know how she did it. Her banking job felt not just full time but double time, at one point Kate even leaves her family on holiday to get back to the office. Although not completely typical of the genre this book still delivered laughs, tears and a little bit of can't put it down. I'm pleased to say that as you might expect it all works out well for Kate in the end and I recommend this read for anyone that used to love chick-lit but finds it just a bit too predictable now.
The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch
An historical thriller was the description on GoodReads, sounds right up my street (although only in books, films described this way are not my thing). Some fascinating insights into life in Germany in the 1600s, the fear and suspicion with which the town hangman was viewed. A little bit of witch hunting thrown in for good measure along with a 'devil' with a bone hand and a number of murders. As the hangman and the young doctor join forces that story takes a number of twists and turns as you try and figure out who is behind the mystery and why they are doing it. The graphic descriptions and torture sequences mean this book isn't for everyone but if you read Dracula's Guest then this book would be good for you.
Nee Naw: Real Life Dispatches From Ambulance Control by Suzi Brent
Back to the ambulance blogs now, this one was recommended by Tom Reynolds whose own books I reviewed in previous posts. Suzi writes from a new perspective, behind the phones and I thought it was really interesting to see what goes on when you call an ambulance. I was amazed at the number of people who apparently don't think they need to give an address and also the crazy things you might call an ambulance for. I was also interested to learn that there is a whole team for dispatching separate from the call-takers. Not as much blood as in Tom's books but still some crazy tales of medical drama on the streets / telephones of London, for a Casualty lover like me well worth a read.
Rapid Response: True Stories of My Life as a Paramedic by Lysa Walder
More ambulance drama and this time back on the road. More mad call outs, I mean who calls an ambulance for a cold? Or even worse goes to A&E thinks the wait is too long, goes round the corner and calls an ambulance, note to the wise this won't get you a queue jump. Much like Tom and Suzi, Lysa is an engaging author and once again I am willing on all these ambulances to hit their government targets on response times. If you didn't like Tom and Suzi's books, don't read this, if you did then i suggest this is a must read title for you.
Later this weekend I will bring you a review of Gaucho's in Richmond and the Richmond theatre's Cinderella, my first panto in years. I'm sure Christmas will bring me new books and failing that plenty of time to fill with reading and maybe even blogging so here's to better blogging over Christmas and the New Year!
Becoming Madame Mao by Anchee Min
I read The Last Empress years ago and loved so trying this book seemed like a good idea. This biography style book is written somewhere between fact and fiction and offers an insight into life behind the closed doors of Mao's life. Although Madame Mao is not exactly a lovely character you can't help feeling sorry for her at times throughout the book. What really came out in this book was the level of suspicion and back stabbing that went on at all levels within the regime. I think perhaps my next step is to read a true fact book to see how much of this was true.
I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson
This one really indulged my old love of girly books. Following the fast track life of high flying banker and mother of two Kate Reddy. If Kate had been a real person I too wouldn't know how she did it. Her banking job felt not just full time but double time, at one point Kate even leaves her family on holiday to get back to the office. Although not completely typical of the genre this book still delivered laughs, tears and a little bit of can't put it down. I'm pleased to say that as you might expect it all works out well for Kate in the end and I recommend this read for anyone that used to love chick-lit but finds it just a bit too predictable now.
The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch
An historical thriller was the description on GoodReads, sounds right up my street (although only in books, films described this way are not my thing). Some fascinating insights into life in Germany in the 1600s, the fear and suspicion with which the town hangman was viewed. A little bit of witch hunting thrown in for good measure along with a 'devil' with a bone hand and a number of murders. As the hangman and the young doctor join forces that story takes a number of twists and turns as you try and figure out who is behind the mystery and why they are doing it. The graphic descriptions and torture sequences mean this book isn't for everyone but if you read Dracula's Guest then this book would be good for you.
Nee Naw: Real Life Dispatches From Ambulance Control by Suzi Brent
Back to the ambulance blogs now, this one was recommended by Tom Reynolds whose own books I reviewed in previous posts. Suzi writes from a new perspective, behind the phones and I thought it was really interesting to see what goes on when you call an ambulance. I was amazed at the number of people who apparently don't think they need to give an address and also the crazy things you might call an ambulance for. I was also interested to learn that there is a whole team for dispatching separate from the call-takers. Not as much blood as in Tom's books but still some crazy tales of medical drama on the streets / telephones of London, for a Casualty lover like me well worth a read.
Rapid Response: True Stories of My Life as a Paramedic by Lysa Walder
More ambulance drama and this time back on the road. More mad call outs, I mean who calls an ambulance for a cold? Or even worse goes to A&E thinks the wait is too long, goes round the corner and calls an ambulance, note to the wise this won't get you a queue jump. Much like Tom and Suzi, Lysa is an engaging author and once again I am willing on all these ambulances to hit their government targets on response times. If you didn't like Tom and Suzi's books, don't read this, if you did then i suggest this is a must read title for you.
Later this weekend I will bring you a review of Gaucho's in Richmond and the Richmond theatre's Cinderella, my first panto in years. I'm sure Christmas will bring me new books and failing that plenty of time to fill with reading and maybe even blogging so here's to better blogging over Christmas and the New Year!
