transmission no language, just sound

207

Johnny And The Bomb

Terry Pratchett

Johnny Maxwell - one of Pratchett's very best characters in a story that takes place in both 1996 and 1941.
The story pivots about Mrs Tachyon and her shopping trolley filled with black bags as Johnny tries to save the lives of the people living in Paradise Street from being killed in a bombing raid in 1941.
It's meant to be a 'Young Adult' book. I dunno, it just seems like a very good book to me. I can't recommend the Johnny Maxwell books enough. It's Pratchett at his best, set in a world that's recognisably ours, proving that he doesn't need to use the fantasy genre to write great fiction.
I can't see how anyone couldn't enjoy this book.

206

One Fine Day In The Middle Of The Night

Christopher Brookmyre

It's school reunion time, with all the attendant neuroses that involves. They're gathered on an oil rig that's half converted into a luxury holiday complex (the brainchild of the reunion organizer). When a group of mercenaries attack.
Um. I really wanted to like this book. I've loved all the other Brookmyre books I've read, but this one is only enjoyable in fits and starts. There are far too many dumb, unappealing, unsympathetic characters. I liked some of the characters Matt, Ally, Simone but he kept spending time with people I just wanted to see blown up.
Maybe you'll like it better than I did. If you've enjoyed Brookmyre before give it a try.

205

Microserfs

Douglas Coupland

This is one of my favourite books to re-read from time to time. It's the story of a group of friends who quit working for Microsoft to start their own software company. It's funny, moving and has insight into what makes geeks tick.
It's tech gets more and more outdated every time I read it, but the truths about relationships and the need to have a life outside of work still ring true.
Coupland is a very interesting writer and he has an easy going style that makes his work fun to read. I'd recommend you try one or two of his books. Apart from this one, try Generation X and Miss Wyoming. I think they're pretty good.

204

Fargo Rock City

Chuck Klosterman

This is a light-hearted attempt to explain why hair metal was so damned popular in the 1980's.
Part memoir, part critical essay, the author doesn't really succeed in giving a non-believer (say, like me) an idea of why we should all love Motley Crue, Skid Row and Poison. He managed to make me laugh, though.
I'm not completely certain that he's come to terms with the fact that he grew up loving the most critically reviled music of the period. He comes up with some highly specious reasons why bands like Black Flag, Fugazi and The Replacements don't matter as much as Gun's 'n' Roses and Motley Crue. A little bit of inverted snobbery going on there I think.
Anyway, an enjoyable read for anyone who knows enough about 1980's music to understand what the hell he's going on about. Not the greatest book of musical criticism ever written, but worth your time.