Just a few little bits and pieces that have grabbed my attention over the last couple of days. First things first, the good news that Alice Munro won the International Man Booker Prize. I love Alice Munro; the first of her books I read was The Moons of Jupiter back in (can you believe it) January 1986 and I’ve kept more or less up-to-date since (there may be a couple lurking somewhere that I haven’t quite got around to yet) But it’s great to see someone you admire win a prestigious prize like this, isn’t it?
Pandering to my geekery is news of the new companion for the next Dr Who. She is Karen Gillan and has been in the show before as a soothsayer in the Pompeii episode (and I’m going to have to go and look at my boxed set to see if I can find her….) The best thing in this BBC storyis the quote from The Great Steven Moffat who says she is “funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy. Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it”. I will be using that one a lot over the coming weeks, I’m sure….. I know there’s (thankfully) a lot of Mr Tennant still to come but I am beginning to get very interested in the possibilities for the 2010 series.
It was my wedding anniversary this weekend, and the Book God and I went out shopping. Various purchases were made and it wouldn’t have been a proper day out without a visit to a book shop. The following additions to the library were obtained:
- The Invention of Everything Else by Samantha Hunt – all about Nikola Tesla; I’ve been interested in him for years, long before David Bowie played him in The Prestige….
- Mr Toppit by Charles Elton – one or two favourable reviews of this on book blogs, plus I’m pretty sure I heard him being interviewed on Radio 5 at some point
- Snoop by Sam Gosling – or What Your Stuff Says About You; whenever I go to visit anyone in their home I immediately head to the bookshelves for scout around, and this is going to reinforce my nosy parker tendencies
Now all I have to do is find the time to read them….
Bride of the Book God 
5 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 31, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Nymeth
I’ve only read a handful of Munro’s stories, but I was very impressed with them all, so I was happy to hear she won.
I like the sound of all the books you got! I’d have bought Mr Toppit for the cover alone, I have to say 😛
June 2, 2009 at 10:41 am
adevotedreader
I’m a Munro fan as well, and was so happy that she won.
I hadn’t heard the news about the new Doctor Who assistant, so thanks for the link. I’m going to miss David Tennant and hope the new doctor will retain some of the magic.
I’ve read mixed reviews of Mr Toppit, but it sounds good and I was impressed by his interview on BBC 5 as well (i think it was on Johnathon Mayo’s show). Will be interested to hear what you think.
June 14, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Susan
Oh good, if it’s the girl from that episode that I remember – the daughter that was saved? or was it one of the others? – anyway, very interesting. Oh, I’m going to miss David Tennant so much!!!! We still have all of the specials since Christmas to see, though.
Hmm, I might have to pick up Snoop, so long as it doesn’t make reference to actual housekeeping. I think they should make a sign that says “I’d rather be reading,” which would explain everything about my life!!! 😀
June 14, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Susan
PS Happy Anniversary!!!
June 16, 2009 at 10:06 pm
brideofthebookgod
Thanks Susan; we’ve only been married for 3 years (but together much, much longer than that!)