REVIEW: Capital- John Lanchester

Good old Waterstones Book Club- it has come up trumps again. It's been a while since I read a genuinely funny, easy-going book in the vein of Nick Hornby; I've decided that I need more comedic novels in my life. Also, while reading is an escape, it's also occasionally satisfying to delve into familiar territory. Every Londoner will appreciate the truth of Lanchester's observations; every non-Londoner will gain an uncanny insight into this multi-cultural, multi-faceted city.

Capital is actually a collection of short stories, all linked by living on the affluent Pepys Road, located by an undisclosed London Common. Not only that, but they are also brought together by a strange, harrassing postcard with the words 'We Want What You Have': especially ironic, considering every recipient seem dissatisfied with their lives. This element of 'mystery', as all the characters deal with this random intrusion in their own ways- while they are trying to deal with their own everyday issues- will instantly connect you to these characters, and keep you hooked until the very last page. The true beauty of the novel has to be the sheer range of characters that live on Pepys Road: from a city banker, to an elderly widow, to Pakistani newsagents...and then all the characters that they are linked to: a Polish builder, a Banksy-esque artist, a Hungarian nanny...the reader is treated into a humorous, yet realistic insight into every Londoner imaginable.

Effortlessly funny writing is hard to find- and it can be found in abundance in this novel. You will leave this book with a sense of London's incredible diversity- while realising that, apart from personal problems, a country in turmoil is a country united.

Rediscovering London #3: The Havelock Tavern, Shepherds Bush

We've discovered yet another local beauty of a pub. Tucked away in the residential area of Brook Green, Hammersmith, this boozer holds a precious secret within its blue-tiled walls- not only does it have a good atmosphere, but exquisite food as well. The menu change twice daily, and only comes out 15 minutes before food service begins. The laid-back bar staff (who never seem fazed by how busy it gets) know why most of the locals are there, and pass out food menus without even asking.

Some of our food highlights from our past 3 visits (can you tell we like this place?) include: wild sea bass with ratalle potatoes, roasted duck breast with kimchi cabbage, coriander and chilli, mussel and smoked bacon chowder to name but a few. That's before we even mention the daily oysters available- the oysters with chorizo were especially delicious. Did I mention the free home-made bread- and you all know how much I looooove bread! And, to top it all off- it's affordable! Good food at a good price- you don't find that very often in London...

Anyway, this is a great place to laze away a Sunday- or an even better place for an impromptu weekday treat. Be warned, get here around 6.30pm if you can- it may seem deceptively quiet, but as soon as food service starts, the locals will start pouring in. Also, another tip- the Bird in Hand across the road may look like a more traditional pub on the outside- but, bizarrely, it is actually an Italian restaurant! The Havelock Tavern is by far the better choice- and, to be honest, we've yet to find a better choice in the area.

REVIEW: QUIET- Susan Cain

You may rememeber, ten months ago, I wrote an article on introversion, based on an article written by Susan Cain. I had never been so deeply affected by an article, and her renewed definitions of 'shyness' and 'introversion' truly made a difference in how I view both my own personality, my loved ones' personas, and the world around me. Cut to January 2013: at Waterstones, they started to promote eight particular titles as part of their 'Waterstones Book Club'; one of those books is called 'Quiet' by Susan Cain. Somehow it had escaped my attention that the article I had read ten months ago was actually an excerpt from a book. Not only that, but a fantastically selling book, probably the best-selling out of the eight Book Club books- turns out lots of people are interested in learning how a quiet person can use such quietness to their advantage in both life and work, rather than changing their whole persona. As soon as I could, I borrowed a free copy from my manager, devoured it every second I could, and literally did not shut up about how much I loved it the whole time I was reading it- just ask Patrick. Kind of ironic, given the title.

So, why did I love it so much? Well, it helps that the author is a brilliant, thoughtful writer who is extremely easy to empathize with. Although she is emphasizing the unique qualities that can make introverts great business leaders and society contributors, she never claims that it is 'better' to be an introvert- just that you needn't think you are at a disadvantage if you are on the quieter side. She has certainly done wide and extensive research, to ensure she is not putting forward a biased perspective. The studies that she looks at, as she explores the nature/nurture debates surrounding introversion, are truly fascinating, and will make you want to tell little anecdotes to everybody around you- or maybe that's just me.

You may be wondering: 'if Cain is such an introvert, how can she go around promoting this book?' That is actually something she brings up in the book- often, when an introvert feels passionately about a subject, they can often forget themselves and take on a more extroverted self in order to achieve the end result. I can certainly identify with this; I may have been terrified when I was leading those creative writing workshops in Fiji, or giving that creative writing talk to the kids at the International School, but once I was up there, my love for creative writing helped me to override my fear of looking stupid in front of an audience (yes, even the kids- ESPECIALLY the kids!). It's actually made me realize how much I love teaching kids creative writing- a path I would certainly like to pursue in the future.

Even if you know that you are an out-and-out extrovert, don't immediately put this book aside- everybody, from bosses to parents to friends, can gain from learning how introverts handle social situations- and that their dislike of large parties does not make them 'anti-social', but just sensitive to overstimulation. There are not many people that are one extreme or the other: a fact that Cain emphasizes throughout the book. Considering this glorious ambiguity, even extroverts may recognize introverted qualities within themselves that they had never thought they had before.

As you've probably gathered by now, I absolutely LOVED this book- I have been recommending this book left, right and centre, not that it needs the promotion. Just like the introverts it speaks about, the book is quietly drawing people towards it by offering them a unique, previously unsung insight into the world around them. Cain handled the subject beautifully and sensitively, never judging or assuming, and certainly left this mostly high-reactive introvert (with some extroverted qualities) feeling empowered, and ready to live life in a way that will promote my best assets. I'll leave you with this quote:

'The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamp-lit desk.'

Jaunts in January...

So, after the mental Christmas period, I've actually had a few weekends off to gallavant around the country. After falling for Heston's culinary charms at Dinner, Patrick and I decided to venture to Bray, a small Berkshire village that houses three Heston restaurants, including the famous, consistently globally rated restaurant the Fat Duck. Unfortunately, that one was a liiiiiittle bit out of our price range- only £195 per person!! However, we were still spoilt with the affordable Hind's Head and the Crown; both gastro-pubs had exquisite food as you would expect. The 'hash of snails' at the former was particularly incredible- garlic pan fried snails on sourdough with pistachio puree and shaved fennel, mmm mmmm MMMM! Though the HH might have slightly nudged ahead with its food, the Crown was definitely the winner in cosy pub atmopshere.

If you're ever thinking of heading there overnight, I'd recommend staying at Bray Court Bed and Breakfast. Spotlessly clean, comfy beds, friendly hosts, and amazing fry-up in the morning- what more could you ask for in a B n B? Only £60 for the night too...bargain!

The last two pictures are from when I went to visit my good friend Gem in Cullompton, Devon on a particularly snowy weekend- I actually made my first snow angel! I know, I haven't lived...

Hash of snails. Not my picture, I just wanted you to see what it looked like!

We took a little stroll to the Monkey Island Hotel while we waited for the Crown to open...

Peacocks milling about the Peacock Suite!!

Pulling a chicken pose outside the Hind's Head- don't remember why...

The Crown...

REVIEW: COLD COMFORT FARM- Stella Gibbons

Sorry it has been a while since I've written; the usual excuses apply!

Cold Comfort Farm was a present from my housemate Rosh, and also happens to be one of her favourite books. There's always a little bit of pressure when reading a book that somebody loves so much, but I'm happy to say that Stella Gibbons' novel more than lived up to the hype.

What makes this book so great? Character, character, character- although ironically, I was not a fan of the lead character in the first chapter. Then again, I think that's the whole point- you are meant to think the nineteen year old Flora Poste is careless and conceited, so that her transformation into Saviour of the Starkadders is even more dramatic.

The basic plot- Flora Poste, having recently lost both of her parents, has the startling realisation that she soon might have to get a job (shock, horror- this is what annoyed me about her!). Instead of finding employment, she decides to track down an obscure relative, and stay with them a while; out of three possibilities, the Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm seemed to be the most intriguing, with their insistence that they must pay back their dues after the wrong they commited against Flora's father. From here on in, the prim and proper Flora arrives at the farm, and decides to change the lives of the Starkadders from within, one family member at a time.

Stella Gibbons' characerisation is truly wonderful- you really get the sense of each character's past, present, and even future in the space of a paragraph. The descriptions of both people and the farm itself are detailed without being over-indulgent- just what you want for a crystal clear picture. What's even better, the author herself has 'starred' the passages that she thought she had written the best; hat a fantastic- if audacious- thing to do! I did not actually realise she has done this until I had finished the book- I'm just going to have to read it again!

So, in a nutshell? Funny, quirky, filled with wonderful characters...a true gem of a novel.

By the way, am back to reading real books again- nothing against the Kindle, I guess I just have missed the feel of turning those paper pages, and bending back the book's spine...

REVIEW: FISH CHANGE DIRECTION IN COLD WEATHER- Pierre Szalowski

Now I'm working full time at Waterstones, I really have a chance to get my teeth into all of the new fiction out there. When this book appeared in the staffroom, I couldn't resist picking it up, with its quirky title and colourful cover. On this occasion, I'm glad that I judged a book by its cover. I enjoyed this book just as much as that other eccentric book I read recently, The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared- and I actually think the two novels have a lot of similarities. Both present fantastical circumstances in a very realistic light, with genuinely funny moments found in both the unusual characters themselves, and events that turn out too good to be true.

In Montreal, a ten-year-old boy, the narrator of half the novel's chapters, finds his world turned upside down when his parents decide to divorce. Desperate for some resolution, he does what any boy would do in that situation, and asks the sky to help him. When a severe ice storm hits the city, the boy cannot believe his luck- or his power to actually change the weather! What ensues is a fantastic farce, where a stripper takes in a fish-obsessed Russian phD student, and a gay couple invite an angry neighbour into their home. You will not believe the conclusions that arise from these unlikely meetings- but, as I said before, that's what makes this book so wonderful. I love weird and wacky characters in novels, and Szalowski certainly offers us a fair share of them, while still making them easy to relate to.

A simple, surreal, yet very satisfying read- I was sorry that it finished so quickly. My next read is something very different- Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. After that, I'm looking to read a good sci-fi novel...it's not usually a genre that I delve into, but as always, I want to be proven wrong. 

My New Year's Travelutions...

...sometimes I like to think I'm Lewis Carroll and make up words!

Since I've cut down to just the one job, I've had a little time for some reflection about what I want from the next year. You all know where my brain goes when it gets a chance to wander...here, there and everywhere. 2013 has to be the year where I take advantage of living in one of the world's most aestheically, gastronimically and historically diverse continents. Here are the top five European destinations that I would love to visit this year, even if it ends up bankrupting me...

1. Slovakia

Skulking in the shadows of the Czech Republic, pictures I have seen of Slovakia's natural beauty always take me a little by surprise. What other gems are hiding in this dark horse of a country? 

2. Turkey

This far-eastern country has been on my list for a while, but working at Travel the Unknown has fuelled this even more. Goebleki Tepi just sounds incredible- I can't believe that this ancient temple dates back from 9,000B.C...two centuries before the first city was created! Even if I could just manage a city break to the dynamically cosmopolitan Istanbul, I will be one happy girl.

3. Sweden

Now that we've visited Finland, my appetite has been whetted for the rest of Scandinavia. Patrick has hinted of a summer road trip in this region, starting in Denmark and ending up in Sweden. I am unbelievably keen for this, especially after seeing how cheap flights are to this region. Who knows, maybe we'll even catch a hockey game?...

4. Ireland

I know, I know- living in England and never having been to Ireland is like never having said hello to your next door neighbour. I've been to a fair few "Irish" pubs across the world- I want a pint of Guinness in a real Irish pub, served by Irish barmen I only half understand.

5. Iceland

Feeling my flesh tingle as I sit in a burning hot pool in ice-cool surroundings...one experience that I\m hoping Iceland can offer me. That's even before the Northern Lights, or the chance to visit the world's most northernmost city.

On second thought, maybe I will make this list a 2 year plan. Right, I'm off to check flights on Skyscanner...