ITALIAN WAYS BY TIM PARKS
English writer and translator, Tim Parks, has lived in Italy since the early 1980s. During that time he has travelled extensively throughout his adoptive country on its varying and often baffling rail network. This book is a collection of extraordinary encounters with ordinary Italians, ticket systems, gypsies, prostitutes, immigrants and priests as he journeys from Verona and Milano in the north down to the southern parts of Sicily all by train. He brilliantly captures what makes Italian life distinctive through amusing scenes and detail and tries to make sense of their behaviour and their trains on our behalf, interpreting Italian Ways in both senses. I enjoyed the book as I felt like his travel companion throughout and as someone who plans on spending a lot of time in Italy, it proved both interesting and funny 6/10
DEIRDRE – A LIFE ON CORONATION STREET BY GLENDA YOUNG
The slaps, the glasses, the affairs, the chain belts, the hairdos (and don’ts) and the enduring love between Deirdre and Ken Barlow. This book has it all for huge Corrie fans like myself who miss the actress Anne Kirkbride and her cobbles character Deirdre who both sadly passed away last year. The photos, scripts and scenes are great reminders of her best bits; the break ups and make ups of her numerous flings and the hilarious exchanges with rogue daughter Tracey and with the wicked tongue of her mother Blanche. 200+ pages of pure Corrie joy! 10/10
OSCAR WILDE – THE COLLECTED WORKS
Coming in at 1000+ pages this volume was no mean feat for an uninspiring yet busy January but I enjoyed almost all of it. I’ve always been a Wilde fan – led to him of course by my idol Morrissey – and have challenged myself to really get to know his work better this year. The Picture Of Dorian Gray is naturally the highlight but I was also particularly fond of his other stories; The Canterville Ghost, Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime, The Sphinx Without A Secret etc. I’d read The Happy Prince and Other Tales (including The Selfish Giant) previously and found them to be just as delightful all over again. I admit to struggling with his essays and poetry but loved above all else the plays of Oscar Wilde. Witty and evocative, pushing boundaries for their time and even now in places. I know I will read Lady Windemere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest again and again. A beautifully presented book with a contents of absolute, true and declared genius within 9.5/10
The Southsea Bookworm 
Thanks for the reviews Pompeysal. I’ve read some Tim Parks as he is a favourite of the Wilkie Tours boys and they met up with him once ( I presume in Verona) on one of our many trips to Italy for the Fooseball. His book chronicling a season going to all the Hellas Verona away games will definitely appeal to a football fan like you ( It’s hair-raising !). Lucky to see a few Oscar Wilde am drams when I was out in Saudi and ditto all you said about his “currency” if you get my drift. Next on my book buying list. Corrie is a mystery to me but it sounds like a spot on read for those that way inclined. Keep the words coming Sally. Lots more please. Al.
Hey Al! Thank you! The Hellas Verona book is on my wish list