The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

My choice for Book Club this year, suggested in time for the Baz Luhrmann movie to come out later this year.

An American classic that I'd never read before. Read on the kindle for 70p, it's now down to 49p.

Despite being published in 1925, the themes are remarkably current, social climbing, the gap between the have and have nots, marriage and infidelity.

It's shorter than I thought it would be and more melancholy.

Jamrach's Menagerie, Carol Birch

From the Booker Prize Shortlist 2011. Read on the kindle.

Not having read the blurb I wasn't expecting such a visceral novel of shipwreck and cannibalism.

A book of two halves, before and after Jaffy goes to sea, very poetic.

Made me want to seek out more things she has written.

The Humourist, Russell Kane

Read on the Kindle.  Have seen Russell Kane a couple of times doing stand up.  Was not disappointed by his book, but was surprised by how dark the humour was.

Benjamin White, comedy critic, discovers the secret of fatal humour.

Reading in the Dark, Seamus Deane

Bought from Amazon Market Place and read for Book Club - Gillian's Choice.

A remarkably poetic book about a not-very poetic time - the troubles in Northern Ireland in the 40s and 50s.

The family story is interwoven with local myths and local histories.