Book: Gordon Ramsay - Humble Pie
Interesting autobiography charting the rise and rise of a driven man. At times the writing is a little rough around the edges, but the story is compelling and has an air of honesty about it.
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Book: James May - Notes From the Hard Shoulder
A collection of writings with varying relevance to motoring, this book pays due reverence to the God of automotive creative writing, and is also witty, charming and enjoyable to read. Definitely recommended.
CD: Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City
Bloc Party's second album builds on the base of the first, but adds in a huge increase in all-round ability to be a magnificent - although sometimes uncomfortable - listen.
CD: Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Second full album from UK five-piece is notably better and more interesting than its predecessor. And there's a couple of real classics in the mix too.
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Book: Andrew Jefford - Peat Smoke and Spirit
Starts very well, but this is deception, for this book is perhaps too concentrated. It tries to cover too much in too short a space of time, and thus is very heavy going. Editorial tricks work in the short term but ultimately make it disjointed. All a bit of a shame, really.
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CD: Interpol - Antics
Interpol's second album shows the results of some strong introspection. It's all power and emotion, hugely taut as a song set. The only trouble is that you need to be in the mood for it to enjoy it, and so its appeal is not as universal as one would like.
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Movie:
Saving Private Ryan
Spielberg's World War Two epic makes excellent use of a high-quality cast and excellent cinematography to produce an emotional film of exceptional quality.
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Book: Richie Benaud - My Spin on Cricket
Richie Benaud's meandering tome covers many of the aspects of the sport of cricket. From the way the game is played, how it has evolved, the way it is administered, to some of the all-time great performances and players. It's interesting as a set of recollections, written by the foremost living observer of the game.
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CD: Kasabian - Kasabian
Brilliant debut album from Leicester four-piece successfully amalgamates 1980s and 1990s influences into a whole with a new individual sound.
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Book: Iain M. Banks - The Algebraist
Banks invents another whole new universe in which to set this science-fiction novel. It turns out to be an interesting and exciting book that provokes some post-last-page contemplation.
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Book: Mitch Albom - The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Deeply moving book about the death of an old man, and the five people he meets in heaven. Each of these five have wisdom to impart that explains the man's life. Excellent.
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