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Although marketed as a children's book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is also suitable for adults.  I found it unputdownable and read it in one sitting in the bath on night.  Well I couldn't put it down, as it may have become wet!  But anyway, enough of my poor jokes, what about the book?  It features 15-year old Christopher Boone, a child with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome.  It isn't made clear in the book - perhaps a device by the author to demonstrate that people should not be pigeon-holed?  The story starts with Christopher discovering Wellington, the dog of his neighbour, Mrs Shears, killed with a garden fork on her front lawn.  In attempting to solve the crime, we see Christopher embark on a journey which as some very interesting and to him, shocking, results.

Haddon's portrayal of a child with Autism / AS is sympathetic.  Of course it's not perfect as many who know better than me have no doubt testified, but it certainly made me think about why certain things - e.g. the dislike of yellow and brown - might be disturbing to someone with such a condition.  It is often said that we all of us are somewhere on the Autistic Spectrum with our own idiosyncrasies - it's only a matter of degree.  This book does nor portray itself as a text book on either condition, it is a work of fiction, so can be used as a device to spark discussion and to bring such issues to popular attention.  The bottom line is that the story of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is an enjoyable story.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time

I bought this book some time ago and it's been a constant companion ever since.  MacDonald writes with a subjective clarity about The Beatles.  He is clearly a fan, but is not frightened to tell it how it is when he feels that the Fab Four were off their game for any reason.  The chapter titles of the section of the book which deals with the records of The Beatles give an instant sense of the journey to the top of their profession and the relatively rapid descent down again - Going Up; The Top and Coming Down.

For all the influence that the band has, they were only together as recording artists for 8 years between 1962's Love Me Do (a McCartney-Lennon composition) to 1970's I Me Mine (Harrison).  The book is a scholarly tome, an historical record of some of the most innovative and groundbreaking music ever produced.  Given the way The Beatles' music doesn't seem to have dated, it's a strange concept for me to understand but they had all but finished being the Beatles before I was six months old.

Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties

This is an interesting little book.  I bought it because I love football and I am more than a little interested in the history of the Soviet Union.  Not I might point out through any deep seated desire to see the resurrection of the 'Evil Empire' but just because it is so fascinating.  But that's enough about my obsession with the murky past of the USSR.

Riordan claims to have played two games for the great Spartak Moscow during the early sixties.  Some have poured scorn on his claim, but I'm going to stay on the hedge on the issue.  One of my favourite books, Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra is one of those for which claims have been made and questioned about its links to reality.  There is the odd bit of historical inaccuracy, such as towards the end when the author mixes the Taylor Report with the Popplewell Report in the aftermath of the Bradford City Stadium fire.   Ultimately though, Comrade Jim is an enjoyable way to pass a few nights ticked up in bed.

Comrade Jim: The Spy Who Played for Spartak