The Ossians

Conor is the lead singer and key member of Scottish indie band, The Ossians. In a bid to find the "true Scotland" and prepare for a make-or-break gig in Glasgow's legendary King Tuts they go off for a two week tour of Scotland, carefully planned by their manager. However throw in new relationships, a potential angelic stalker, drug dealers and more drugs and alcohol than a night out in Cumbernauld and things spectacularly don't go to plan.

Like a lot of Scottish men Conor is a mix of swagger and vulnerability - liable to talk pish about his home country and then ask if it sounded stupid. Would I want to go for a drink with him a pub? No (not least because I suspect I would be buying) Would I like to read about his madcap, increasingly bizarre adventures in the desolate wastes of Scotland? Yes. Not only is this a brilliantly, dark comedy about a band and its journey (especially with the drunken Russians) but it is a look at what it means to be a modern Scot - with all its contradictions, and as a modern Scot - I loved it.
PS Doug Johnstone writes some brilliant descriptions of driech weather!

"It was one of those miserable days when the sun never had a chance. The sky was full of low fuzzy clouds that couldn't even be bothered raining; they just sat there bored and tired."

Find out more;

• http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/interview-with-doug-johnstone/
  
• http://www.myspace.com/theossians (music from the fictional band)

Fab Film - Venus

Just watched Venus staring Peter O'Toole. What a brilliant film - made me laugh out loud at points and almost cry at others! A wry funny, moving look at age, love and life.

This scene is lovely and also shows the power of words to move people

Desert Island Discs (1)

The perfect heart-lifting, soul-enhancing, smile-inducing song (ideal if you're stuck on an island!)

One Day Like This - Elbow

Houdini Girl

Fletcher Brandon is a professional magician whose life is turned upside down with the arrival of impulsive, mysterious wild Rosa. When she dies, Fletcher is determined to find out the truth, and in doing so reveals that he is not the only one who can decieve and trick.

This book, like the main charcter, reveals things slowly and surely, making sure the reader is fully ensnared before upping the pace and the action. I especially liked the way Rosa's past and love was revealled, allowing the reader to discover her past in the same way as Fletcher. The characters are believable, and likeable - even when their flaws and foibles are revealed and the ending is one of the most poingant I have read in a while and will linger in my head.
Like this? Try Bullet Trick by Louise Welsh.

"Truth is, I tricked her into falling for me. Rosa Kelly: dark hair, blue eyes - wicked combination. And, though, she could've had her pick, she fell for me. OK, maybe 'tricked' has inapproriate connotations. How about this: she wasn't tricked so much as beguiled?"

The Greatest Man in Cedar Hole

The Greatest Man in Cedar Hole is about two boys - Robert Cutler, the very definition of a teacher's pet (so much so that his slightly off the wall fourth grade teacher remains in love with him for years) and Francis Pinkham, the boy who always remains two steps behind (even when he wins he somehow loses) - it is also about what a good man is, and how maybe the greatest man is not always who you think it is.

Thank heavens for impulse buys and quirky book covers - I had never heard of this book until I saw it on a shelf of discounted books (heaven for the gal addicted to buying books!) Sometimes impulse buys don't always work (my wardrobe is a testament to that!) but this time it did. Like John Irving (who is an obvious influence) it is a sprawling BIG American novel that at its heart still manages to retain a warmth and humour about the characters, especially Franicis Pinkham.

"Bernie leaned back against the counter and stared out of the window. The glaring sunlight gave her purple track suit an electric sheen that glowed bright and dangerous. Nadine tucked the knives deep in the utensil drawer."

Find out more
http://mjroseblog.typepad.com/backstory/2005/09/stephanie_doyon.html
http://stephdoyon.blogspot.com/

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Todd is the last boy in Prentistown and in a month, he will become a man. However while exploring the swamp that surrounds his town with his annoying dog, he stumbles across something that changes his life forever and he has to run from everything and everyone he knows.


I have a confession to make...I wasn't looking forward to reading this book - there was so much hype and recommendations around it that I thought it would be one of those earnest books that misguided adults thinks teenagers will enjoy but I was wrong, so so wrong. The Knife of Never Letting Go is a fantastic novel that grabs you from the start and never lets go - it is the first book in ages that I couldn't out down and read well past my bedtime! Like Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, it is a careful blend of wow-inducing ideas, believable and likeable novel and a plot that never loses it momentum. Like all good novels; it made me laugh, it made me cry and most important of all it made me think.

"I don't know how I feel about any of this.

Doing what's right should be easy.

It shouldn't be just another big mess like everything else"

Find out more;

• http://www.patrickness.com/


• http://www.yareads.com/author-interview-with-patrick-ness/author-interviews/1673

What?

My name is Katcustard and I am addicted to buying books. It is something that I have known for some time - all the signs were there;

- I know how much each brand of charity shop charges for their second hand books
- My bookshelves for unread books have spilled out onto the floor
- I was shocked when I heard that Borders was closing - like my supplier had suddenly been arrested by the police. (but I did go and check out what books were discounted, well an opportunity is an opportunity!)

It is time for me to stop buying books. I am setting myself a challenge - no buying of books for a year (felt a bit faint typing that!) - no sneaking two books into my supermarket basket, no charity shop splurges and definitely no visiting Waterstons. This blog is my attempt to keep myself on track - and also keep a record (in a geeky way) of what I am reading in a year. Like a kinda reading (b)log crossed with a confessional if I crack and buy three for two you will be the first to know!

Katx