Books

Reading list for the first autumn weekend

Kate Weston | Friday 23 September, 2011 10:51

With Autumn snugness closing in, it’s all about hibernating with a good book.

Player One Douglas Coupland
Douglas Coupland is one of my absolute favourite writers, so obviously I was very excited to read his latest offering. Five strangers, trapped in an airport lounge during a global disaster struggle to survive and learn about each other. It has the usual formula for Coupland, an invisible narrator talks you through the events, while the characters have their own individual stories. It kept me gripped, and entertained. More like Girlfriend in a Coma than Generation X, but definitely worth the read.

The Sense of an Ending Julian Barnes
Booker Prize Shortlisted, this is more of a novella, which makes it perfect for a weekend read. The plot begins simply, Tony (the narrator) receives a letter from his past which makes him re evaluate his previous actions and behaviours and accept that memory has faults and not everything can be seen in black and white terms. While I’ve found most of Barnes’ previous work a bit difficult to read, this really grabbed my attention. Tony is easy to identify with, not being too over emotional or dramatic and provides a level headed and reflective look at human behaviour. Short and sweet, but with an ending you’d never expect.

Chavs Owen Jones
I was a bit late to the party on this one. I’d seen it, heard about it, but not really been driven to read it, until the riots happened that is. Jones sheds new light on ignorant views, and shares insights and information into situations the media have sensationalised. Although a little bit repetitive at times this was a breath of fresh air on a subject widely misunderstood.

The Help Katherine Stockett
This book’s been around for over a year now but it’s still great. The film’s due out in October so for people who haven’t read it yet, read it, read it, read it! – before the film comes out, and it gets Hollywood-ed. Shocking and heart warming at the same time, you’ll find yourself incredibly frustrated, and if you’re a girl close to emotional bouts of teary high pitched noises. A plot you can get fired up by and characters you can weep over, compelling reading.

How to be a woman Caitlin Moran
I’m not a feminist but… I love this book! It’s all I’ve heard recently, so I gave in, followed the flock and read it. I nodded my head vigorously, I stood on a chair (“I would like you to stand on a chair and shout I AM A FEMINIST!” as Moran kindly requests at one point) and I laughed until I reached for the Tena lady.

Moran seems to have put a fire up the rear of women everywhere, writing about so-called taboo subjects of masturbation and why porn is ruining sex for women. After reading How to be a Woman you can’t help but talk about them to everyone you meet.

A lot has been achieved since Germaine Greer wrote The Female Eunuch and sometimes it’s easy to sweep under the carpet the things that still aren’t quite right. Moran has pulled the rug up and got everyone talking again, and it’s bloody exciting.
If anyone wants me, I’ll be standing on my chair.

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This writer can be contacted at kate.weston@snipelondon.com

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