Renegade by Mark E. Smith
Reviewed by Carole Gutherson
Mark E. Smith is the legendary lead singer of post punk indie favourites The Fall and a true anti-hero for modern times. Often misquoted and misunderstood, this book is Smith setting the record straight on everything from the numerous incarnations of the band through to the Manchester music scene. It's...

Semi-detached by Griff Rhys-Jones
Reviewed by Andrew B.
In this moving and candid memoir Rhys-Jones revisits his past both mentally and physically. Struggling with clarity in both, this is perhaps its key – the often ungraspable, ephemeral nature of memory. Griff lays out an unapologetically mischievous childhood, over years of house moves, dictated by his father Elwyn’s advancing...

Astronomy For Dogs by The Aliens
Reviewed by Andrew B.
Former Beta Band founder John Maclean, following a breakdown and time spent institutionalised, returns with other ex-Beta Band members Gordon Anderson and Robin Jones as "The Aliens". This intriguingly titled album references 60's psychedelic rock but manages, with layered electronics, and knowing melodies, to sound fresh. A fine return....

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Reviewed by Becky B.
I loved this book for the image of the after-life it presented: Susie's helplessness casts away any overly rosy depictions of life after death. Despite this, the book is a great story of love and justice, however long it takes. I read The Lovely Bones in a day, and it...

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosney
Reviewed by Carole G
Sarah, a 10 year old girl is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door to door arresting Jewish families. Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a secret cupboard and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released....

The Infinite Wisdom of Harriet Rose by Dianna Janney
Reviewed by Carole G
The book centres around Harriet Rose who has been composing philisophical meditations for some time. On her fourteenth birthday her doting family publish her thoughts and set about making it a bestseller. This charming tale with well drawn characters has been labelled ' the Adrian Mole for girls'...

The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell
Reviewed by Carole G
Welcome to the heart wrenching tale of Morrissey loving,Smiths obsessed Raymond Marks, follow him through a series of events which lead to him becoming an outcast in his home town. Can he ever redeem himself or will he always be the wrong boy? Hugely satisfying with humour and pathos perfectly...

United We Stand by Peter Ridsdale
Reviewed by Carole G
United We Stand by the former chairman of Leeds United charts his heady rise through the ranks of the club to his spectacular fall from grace during one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the club. Hardly the most popular man in Leeds by any stretch of...

Where Are They Now by John Huxley
Reviewed by Carole G
We all know that Rugby League is close to our hearts in West Yorkshire. If you ever wondered what happened to the stars, heroes and villians of the sport then this great locally published title will bring you bang up to date. John Huxley and Gary Schofield OBE (who...

God's Own Country by Ross Raisin
Reviewed by Carole Gutherson
Set in the Yorkshire Moors, Sam the local oddball farmer befriends a rebellious teenager who has recently moved there from the city. Events take a sinister turn when Sam becomes delusional and obsessed leading to a gripping climax. This is a superbly accomplished debut by a truly talented new author....

Lottery by Patricia Wood
Reviewed by Carole Gutherson
Lottery tells the tale of Perry L. Crandall who has an IQ of 76, one point above being retarded. After the death of his beloved grandmother, Crandall wins twelve million dollars on the state lottery. His family who have previously shunned him begin crawling out of the woodwork conspiring...

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Reviewed by Carole G
Margaret Lea is summoned by enigmatic author Vidal Winter to write her memoirs. This sets her upon a path to uncover the mysteries of Anglefield House and the eccentric March family who lived there. What connection does Vidal have with the house and what are the secrets in Margaret's past...

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
Reviewed by Carole Gutherson
If you've recently read Atonement and want to check out Ian McEwan's other books then this is a great one to start with. Set in 1962, Edward and Florence are newlyweds. Articulate and intelligent they are clearly made for each other and look forward to the companionship of married life....