The Guardian weekend magazine on saturday ran a piece by Jon Ronson (shock, horror), about a Radio 4 programme he's made. Unusually however, it doesn't mention his son.
Anyway, here's the link- make of it what you will. But, gotta love that beard...

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/celebrity/story/0,,2274213,00.html

When is the right time to give up on a book that most other people seem to be enjoying, but you are finding dull, self satisfied and smug?
I'm a hundred pages into "Then we came to the End," and don't think I can finish it. I am slightly distracted by the latest Iain Banks awaiting my attention, but wonder whether I should persevere in case it gets better. But is a hundred pages in enough of a chance?
It's had very good reviews from the likes of Craig Brown, The Times and The Observer; my friend (not my only friend you understand) read it and heartily recommended it, so one wonders if to give up would be a betrayal of the time and effort of the author. Anybody else read it? Perhaps if I worked in a creative environment and had the chance to waste the hours that the workers in the book do, maybe I'd be able to relate to it better, but boy, is it dull.
So- just how much of a chance should you give a book that you're not enjoying.
Does anyone want it? It's a tiny bit worn, but I'll post it for nowt.
(Always thought this forum would be a good way of swapping/trading material).

Congrats on 5 years and all that. Sorry it's taken me nearly as long to finally finish the month's offering.
Best thing about the ish though has to be the assassination of Morrisey. Not before bloody time either. And the even better news is that he surely won't be on your cover again. Excellent.
Any chance of Quantick doing the same with Springsteen, Clapton, Gilmour and Dylan?
Oh and by the way, anybody else think that Big Nick's latest long player Dig Lazarus Dig isn't very good?

Had the distinct misfortune to sit through Atonement last night- for a film that's garnered all the accolades and oscar nomination that it has, it sure is dull. Poorly acted, terrible story, easily guessed last third of the film, truly ridiculous story that never seems to leave second gear, this is an epic of minute proportions. Overblown production values and a highly inflated sense of it's own worth do not a good movie make.
And don't get me started on Keira Shiteley- jeez, someone get her some sheperd's pie- and perhaps some acting lessons?
Tell me someone else out there thought it was complete crap.
And just before it's pointed out that I'm a boy and that it's perhaps more of a ladies film, mrs wirralboy thought it was more dull than I did.

Was out at the Liverpool Carlling Academy last night to see the Icicle Works (well, Mcnabb anyway), and Liverpool stalwarts Amsterdam (new single out Monday, album January).
The singer, Ian Prowse, had mentioned early on that he was "having a little trouble down there," and then, halfway through a blistering set, had to throw off his geetar and go t'loo!!
Now, I know what you're thinking, "yeah yeah, off for some Afghan," but no, he was visibly distressed for the rest of the show. Poor love, and what a trooper.
He blamed something he'd ingested that he'd stolen from Mcnabb's dressing room, and judging from the state of Mcnabb last night, I tend to believe him.
Is this a first?
Can't fault his searing honesty though.

I saw the above mentioned show tune starlet last week in Liverpool, and despite only knowing a smattering of his work so far, was blown away by the music, the show, but mostly by his voice. Not a bum note, not even close.
He mutters a bit and likes to slur his words, but the way he hits the hardest notes, sliding through the octaves like a wee small boy on his knees at a family wedding, was a thing of beauty.
I don't know anyone else who has been to see him, or seen a review of the shows, and was keen to hear at least one other opinion of his tour.
Anybody. At all?