December 2011 book log

Typing hurts at the moment, so limited comments on the books.

112) John Barrowman -- I am what I am
Second volume of Barrowman's memoirs, written with his sister Carole Barrowman. While the first volume was a largely chronological memoir of his life so far, this volume is a selection of stories arranged more by theme than by time, and including a lot of material in direct response to questions he was asked after the first volume was published. As with any good actor biography, part of the appeal of this book is a more general look at the side of showbusiness that the public don't see for themselves, including the amount of work needed to put a show on, whether on stage or tv. Well written, and very entertaining if this sort of book is your sort of thing.
http://www.librarything.com/work/8980550

113) Alan Hunter -- Gently go Man
Ninth of the Inspector Gently books. I mostly haven't been commenting on these, but have been enjoying them and intend to read more of them.
http://www.librarything.com/work/1774111

114) Diane Purkiss -- Fairies and Fairy Stories: A History
New edition of a book previously published as "Troublesome Things: A History of Fairies and Fairy Stories", and under at least one other title. I really need to write a proper review of this book, but right now I'm down with a viral infection and not up to the necessary thinking.
http://www.librarything.com/work/45521

115) Ruth Rendell -- Murder being Once Done
Seventh Inspector Wexford book.
http://www.librarything.com/work/292592

116) Mary Stewart -- Madam, will you talk?
Stewart's first novel, published in 1955, and the first one I've read. Contemporary (for the time it was written) suspense with a strong romantic element. Enjoyed this a lot.
http://www.librarything.com/work/96869

117) Carola Dunn -- Death at Wentworth Court
First of the Daisy Dalrymple series of 1920s country house cosies. I read this after reading several of the later books, so enjoyed seeing where it started. Great fun, and one for the re-read shelf.
http://www.librarything.com/work/39646

Book log 2011

And the full list of books read in 2011 -- all 117 of them. Most of them got at least brief notes which have been posted to the blogs and to LibraryThing, although the ones in the last couple of months have been somewhat neglected.

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RIP Reginald Hill

Just seen on the Guardian website that Reginald Hill has died. I love the Dalziel and Pascoe books -- excellent crime books, with a very *fannish* sensibility about playing games with the reader. There's a good obituary on the Guardian website here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/reginald-hill