Books 2010 - Benn and and Steinbeck

Letters to my grandchildren - Tony Benn
In this book, the prolific diarist and general all round legend takes time to reflect on his past and consider the world that we live in, its past present and most importantly its future. The content of the book is addressed to his 10 grandchildren, and its written in a style quite different to his diaries. The book is broken down into 'letters' focusing on different issues, setting out Benn's thoughts, experiences, hopes and concerns about people the world and society locally, nationally and internationally. His great sense of fighting injustice and continuing the search for fairness and equality permeates every letter. So many of the the letters touch on issues which could make for fairly depressing reading (for example there are sections on nuclear weapons, the economy, war...) but this was balanced by his optimism and the reflections he makes on just how much positive change has also happened in his lifetime - the sections on the human family, race, feminism and the communications revolution were particularly relevant to me, reminding me how much better things are for a young Asian woman in today's Great Britain.

The book was a poignant reminder that change takes time and that "there is no final victory nor final defeat". But more then that, the book is a reminder that because of some of the actions of his generation, the future of the human race is in our hands. It's a challenge to our generation, and Benn, in his own unique and remarkable way, is passing the mantle on to us - in his words:

"...our fate will be determined collectively and it is for your generation work out what that fate will be"

NB - I'm really pleased I'll be going to see Tony Benn at the National tomorrow talking about this book, so I'll update after that in a separate post.

Tortilla Flat - John Steinbeck
I picked this penguin classic up in a second hand bookshop, and as I haven't read much Steinbeck, I thought I'd give it a go. Set in 1930's America, this novel tells the tale of Daniel and his friends, living in the hills above Monteray in California. The paisanos are poor men, rich in friendship (sort of) and the novel tells of their lives after the war, returning home to wine, women and japes. The story didn't initially grip me, but it was intriguing enough to compel me to read on and I'm glad I did, because although you can probably guess it will all end in tears you get to really like Danny and his friends Pilon, Pablo, Jesus Maria and the Pirate. On the surface it seems that they hang out and convince themselves they are doing the 'right' thing and the 'good' thing, when the aim is generally to somehow get wine and have a good time, with no care or value to their friendship - but when it comes to it they generally do the right thing - when it comes to stealing the Pirates money for example, or sharing wine even when they really don't want to. An enjoyable read.

City Spice, 138 Brick Lane, London

City spice- AKA Shitty Spice 138 Brick Lane. Went there with friends and it was the worst experience I have ever had. I love Brick Lane, I love the bars, the atmosphere, the multiplicity of people and the noise. I have been to many restaurants in and around Brick Lane and am always up for having new experiences, but City Spice is the worst place I have ever been to.

There were a lot of us it was meant to be a lets feel good about each other and our jobs kind of night, we wanted to have a few drinks, a giggle and a tasty curry of a Sunday evening. We arrived at City Spice and sat downstairs, after an hour our food still hadn’t arrived. I went upstairs to investigate- I asked about our food please? I got a number of obscenities and eventually told to ‘sit down little girl’ to which I asked to see the manager and the young man told me he was the manager, then another young man came and joined us, in front of other patrons and retorted that he in fact was the manager, and yes you guessed right, a third came up and said exactly the same. Is it because I’m a young brown girl that the young brown ‘men’ cant speak to me with any respect?

The food arrived and was freezing cold. Some of our party asked for a re-heat, and then the ‘managers’ came down to ask how the food was, some replied courteously that food was cold. The managers, as I have been reading from many reviewers of this restaurant were aggressive and truculent to our guests, asking why we hadn’t asked for a re-heat on our second bite, and continued to be incredibly obstreperous and rude. I decided not to speak, having been already spoken to appallingly.

It then took the two white slightly more older male members of our group, almost 30 minutes to speak to the ‘managers’ upstairs to get some concession.

In short, this restaurant is not worth your money, there are so many amazing restaurants on Brick Lane and if you go to City Spice it WILL ruin your experience of what is an exuberant part of London to visit.

Books Books Books - but only those I read in 2010....

This year I have decided to keep a log of the books I read and what I think about them. This is because in a year I do read quite a few books, and it will be nice to have a record of what I have read. I won’t be counting books that I have a) read before or b) just dipped into or c) started but not finished. There are no rules to reading! As far as I’m concerned, reading is a pleasure and you shouldn’t force yourself to if don’t want to, nor should you ever feel like you have to read and finish something – if you start and don’t like it, or just don’t feel like carrying on with it, put it down. You can always try again later if you want. See, that's the problem with bookclubs. I know some people might disagree but I do apply this principle to films too (which inexplicably annoys my sisters, as they are both completer finishers when it comes to films). If I’m not enjoying a movie I stop paying attention – I don’t feel obliged or compelled to see or know how it ends, who cares!? Anyone who has watched a preacher’s wife or ‘waiting to exhale will tell you that those are a few hours you will NEVER get back!

I digress – back to books. I am a big re-reader, so I won’t really be including books I have read again, just ones I have newly been exposed to. Sometimes I just pick up a book I’ve read before and dip into it at a random point, and sometimes I’ll read the whole thing again - either way I won’t necessarily always post about them. I definitely won’t post about the newspaper or magazines I read, or anything I haven’t read for pleasure. Just books – mostly novels, but you never know….and I promise I won’t give the ending away!

For completeness I have begun with the books I've read over the new year and into 2010 so far..(and I'm hoping my sisters might try and keep a log of the books they read too....it will be interesting to compare!)

Thud – Terry Pratchett

This is technically speaking a re read as I’d borrowed this from the library yonks ago when it first came out but as ever with Terry Pratchett every single time you re read a discworld novel it gets better – there are new clues you missed, jokes you didn’t get and subtle nuances to discover every time. Sam Vimes is one of my all time favourite characters, and in this book the resonance between the wars in our world and the fictional historical animosity and wars between the dwarves and trolls is stark. Its hilarious and brilliant – everyone should give the discworld a chance, you won’t regret it.

In your dreams – Tom Holt

The sequel to The Portable Door (which was introduced to me by the lovely Christopher). Tom Holt is a mentalist genius, and in this novel the main character Paul Carpenter discovers why he has to work at J G Wells and co, as well as learning about the Fey and the Bank Of The Dead. It’s funny and smart – but perhaps not as good as the first book in the series.

Earth Air Fire and Custard – Tom Holt

The third in the Paul Carpenter series, this was a hilarious and captivating book, with so many twists and turns at times I had to go back and re read whole paragraphs to stay with the story! I was hooked and couldn’t put it down, so many new silly and strange characters and magical happenings. Packed with foul mouthed swearing, perving goblins, magic crystals, flying carpet samples, custard, Paul dieing multiple deaths and a sword with a living half, this is not a book that is best read without reading the other two first. When I finished this fantastical adventure I felt quite sad (and exhausted!) its definitely one I will re-read.

The Lord God made them all - James Herriot

Aaah- the lovely James Herriot (and Helen, Siegfried, Tristan, Jimmy and Rosie). Lovely quaint Darrowby. The Yorkshire Dales. I LOVE the James Herriot autobiographies, even though I am not a huge animal lover and am in fact a confirmed city dweller most comfortable in the urban jungle. I have never read these books in order, just devouring them when I get them. This book chronicles the post war years, he is back from the RAF and his children are young. As well as recounting humorous tales from large and small animal veterinary practice, James tells of two working trips made to Russia and Istanbul accompanying animals from Great Britain. James Herriot really knows how to paint a picture with words. Delightful escapism, good wholesome reading that made me feel like I’d been breathing in lungfuls of fresh air.

Like Water for Chocolate - Laura Esquivel

This is a truly wondrous novel which deserves all the acclaim it has received. A fascinating story unfolds through recipes, richly embroidered with descriptive evocative language which captivates the reader from the beginning to the very end. The story is about love, lust, anguish and heartbreak. It tells the tale of the women of the De La Garza family and focusing on the youngest daughter Tita, who is destined to never marry but to grow old looking after her formidable mother. It’s so beautifully written you can feel the heat, smell the mole and taste the champandongo as you read.

Film and book review: Happy-Go-Lucky and Julie & Julia

As I slowly sink to the murky depths of a kafkaesque bureaucratic hell and I despair at the ignorance, the lack of compassion and general malaise with which we interact with each other. I have read and watched a book and a film which reminds me that there is hope, love, joy and compassion. There are talented and creative people who will take the time and energy to share it with us and sometimes the world does reward such people:

Julie & Julia: The book about the blog which got made into a film.

The film is funny and a lot cleaner than the book which is just fucking hilarious. Before this book/film/blog I like many non-Americans had never heard of Julia Child, but I now cannot imagine a world without her. Julie Powell comes across as honest, open, funny, compassionate and positive in a neurotic and slightly narcissistic manner. I really enjoyed the book, it's like one of those self help books but without the patronizing platitudes. Julie Powell appears to celebrate life despite or actually because of all the crap. Blogs are a funny thing and Ms Powell's story is compelling; a blogger who finds fame and fortune. She may not win the Nobel prize for literature, but her book was a joy to read. It is not a French cook book, I do not think it pretends to be. It is one woman's journey, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and her life; or at least making her very best efforts to do so.

Happy-Go-Lucky: The central character Poppy, a "happy go lucky" type of girl decides to take driving lessons. Scott is a driving instructor who is the antithesis of Poppy. It's one of those character movies where not that much happens but is fucking hilarious. Interestingly, Mike Leigh, the director, starts filming in an improvised way and the film appears to owe a great deal to this style of direction. Poppy is a gorgeous, joyful, compassionate soul who is open and interested in everyone and everything. She is so very un-self aware which allows her to be so true to her self and those around her. At first you think she may be a little too naive and innocent. Scott sees this and is amazed and in awe. His selfishness does not allow him to see that Poppy will shine her light on him but he wants her all to himself. So the film is "driven" to it's inevitable conclusion and Poppy is left standing; open and vulnerable but her joy, compassion and empathy are in tact and even more important to her soul than ever.

Life can be good, there is joy and hope, compassion and creativity. (It just does not exist at the US Immigration Services or the IT department). Joy can be found, you just have to be open to it. Jigna

Big plug for Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief products (No pun intended)

Every year at my place of employment there is an entire week of Secret Santa gifts, culminating in a "big gift" (around the $15 mark) to be exchanged at the annual Christmas lunch when Secret Santa's are revealed.

Last Christmas my big gift was the aromatherapy stress relief eucalyptus and spearmint body wash and body lotion, from Bath and Body Works. At the time I thought, mmmm nice and inoffensive, smells good. I thought I had done pretty well, I am always a sucker for lotions and potions!

This year I have had two baths, (by way of explanation it is not my personal hygiene regime that is at fault but our current bathroom, which lends itself to showers, but once in a while I try to de-stress using some of my lotions and potions, lighting a few candles and a glass of wine and I allow myself the luxury of a hot and steamy bath.) Anyway, so this year I have had two baths using my Secret Santa gift. The first time I was not expecting much, other than a nice smelly, hot bath. But honestly they are THE BEST products for relaxation I have ever in my life used, and I have tried a few! You may not believe this of me but I am slightly highly stung and neurotic of nature and do occasionally have to find a way to de-stress other than my usual rant, rave, tears and G&T remedy.

So let me tell you how great this stuff is, my legs felt like jelly I felt so relaxed and I did fall into a most luxurious deep sleep. A product has never worked so well for me, I recommend it. I am not sure if they have Bath and Body Works stuff in England yet, but maybe Boots or Body Shop may have the same sort of ingredient combination?

Might just go run myself a bath.........Jigna