I know the subject of space was touched on in the Power of Geography, but a whole book dedicated to it might be a little far fetched Although saying that Christmas is coming!
"Money" - by Martin Amis Set in the Thatcher years that featured Gor Blimey brokers on the floor of the Stock Exchange ..... " havin' it large " ...... He had a fantastic talent for picking up the language of the streets , and making fun of it .
Regenesis: George Monbiot - an excellent book written by someone who knows a great deal about our environment and cares passionately about how we can make real meaningful change to try to reverse the significant ongoing damage being done to our planet! Not everyone's 'cup of tea', but genuinely interesting, insightful and clear thinking, for me at least.
i dont read much in the way of books. i'm usually sleeping by the time i get three pages in. but i think i'm going to give this a go. the private memoirs and confessions of a justified sinner. i'm told it's one of thee scariest books ever published.
It's the International Laverda Owners Clubs 50th anniversary in 2024, and I'm enjoying a copy of the 50th Anniversary book they have put together. The iloc website blurb states "With many great stories and a record of the Club through its 50 years, the limited run 208 page hardback book contains articles from ILOC members about their life on two wheels, their Laverda's and why they love them, along with significant contributions from key people who have played an important role in making the club and the marque what it is. The book will appeal not only to ILOC members but the broader Laverda community and anyone who has an interest in classic Italian sportsbikes of the period as it contains over 330 images and stories dedicated to life on a Laverda." Having been involved with Laverda's in my youth, I may be a bit biased, but found it a great read, lots of interesting stories about how those orange things become a passion, as well as some fascinating interviews with the Slater brothers (original importers) and some of the small dealerships from the 70's and 80's, on how life was as a purveyer of a niche Italian bike during those heady times before health and safety was invented. It's a quality book, quality paper, printing, binding, great photos and stories, and if you are looking for a present for an old giffer who used to, or still does, own one, or even lusted after one, an ideal present imho. For more details visit the 'iloc.co.uk' website.
Spurred on by the Laverda importer and dealer stories in the iloc book, I'm also reading 'My life in Bikes - A 50 year love of Ducati, Moto-Guzzi and other motorcycles' by Dave Richardson, (who also wrote the weighty tome 'Guzziology'). Subtitled 'Its a motorcycle shop, how hard can it be?', its his experiences selling and servicing Italian bikes in the USA, dealing with the importers and factories, etc - and just quite astonishing how things were - back in the day.
Other Plans (Bunny McGarry stateside) - Caimh McDonnell 4th book in the series. As witty as ever, highly recommend this and the 6 (or is it 7) books in the Dublin Trilogy.
'The better angles of our nature' Steven Pinker Does listening to audio books count as reading these days. Its how i consume most of my 'reading' matter these days while in the car. Hardly ever read a paperbook anymore.
Not a book but maybe interesting to some. https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/12/heres-how-ducati-made-its-motorbikes-reliable-under-vw-group/
Yes indeed ! ..... it's superb Read it ? ..... I can quote it from memory ! " On the journey upstairs to Nicola's flat , the mutton vindaloo ripped another stunning burp out of Keith " Also recommended ..... "The Information" which is the last one in what has been called The London Trilogy . Between the lines there is the story of his friendship , literary rivalry and eventual falling out with Julian Barnes .
