James Willis > Recent Status Updates

Approaching what feels like the endgame now. Without giving any spoilers away, my suspicions regarding what actually happened in the middle third of the book, versus what Josie told us happened, have been confirmed. How any of this is going to play out is gripping!

So far so good! Paced well, with enough hints at a deeper mystery to pique your interest!

After a slow start, the suspense is beginning to build nicely. We’ve begun to learn some key elements from Lucca’s past, whilst also being introduced to her handler - the mysterious Mr. Smith. The next chapter sees her heading back to ‘the beginning’ of her current job.

Whereas countryfile and ‘lambing live’ make farming dull and frankly boring, Clarkson’s musings on rural life make agriculture genuinely interesting to the uninitiated. I can honestly say I’ve learned more from Jeremy Clarkson about farming than I ever did from Matt Baker.

And I never expected to be saying that.

This book reads like a typical visit to spoons. You’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next, and often you’re not quite sure if any of it makes any sense. However when reading this book, just like leaving a spoons, you can’t help but feel warm inside.

*Jäger bombs not included with book

So far Tim Moore manages to encapsulate the feelings all those who consider themselves “cycling novices” experience before their first serious ride, and injects colourful humour throughout with relatable anecdotes and observations.

Welcome to the trials and tribulations encountered by the madcap team running Jeremy’s “Diddly Squat” farm. Jeremy writes in such a style that you hear his comedic monologues being orated in your mind as you follow along with the recollections of the events unfolding on the pages in front of you. Most of all the book is loaded with witticisms, but still manages to evoke heartfelt moments.

So good to pick this up again. Working for the NHS during the Covid pandemic has meant I haven’t nearly set aside enough time to sit down and enjoy a good read. So nice to have some sunshine and be taken away to Ireland of the late 1990’s and Tony Hawks’ preposterous adventures circumnavigating the Emerald Isle.

Tony turns down the opportunity for a free reflexology session to watch the FA cup final in a crowded Sligo pub, which is largely ruined by arriving late, missing the opening goal, and the machinations of a drunk belting out deranged renditions of Bob Geldof’s work. Tony concludes the Sligo chapter of his adventure by heading for the Ballina road, to hitch once more.

Tony departs Tory island and the idyllic Bunbeg to be interviewed by RTE in the midst of bandit territory, before arriving in Sligo to soak up the local culture. Which largely consists of ‘baby-Guinness’ (a shot of tia Maria and Baileys), taking philosophy lessons from the local pub’s resident Buddhist (with a questionable lager habit), and achieving the impossible - surfing a fridge in the Atlantic Ocean.

With a little help from RTE FM’s Gerry Ryan, Tony and his fridge have become national celebrities. Due to this, on their arrival in Bunbeg with the aim of reaching the elusive Tory Island, the whole local community rallies round in typical fashion to try to find a way across the troublesome tide. This results in an absurd chain of events, culminating in an ambitious phone call direct to the head of the Irish MOD!

What starts off as a drunken dinner party wager based on Tony’s fond recollections of time spent on the Emerald Isle, and in particular one eccentric Irish hitchhiker, soon turns into a part philosophical/part mid-life crisis quest around the coast of Ireland accompanied by an ill-suited kitchen appliance companion. Very funny opening, I look forward to reading on!

Nearing the end now, Greg Sestero submits his family to a test screening of ‘The Room’ and notes that their uncontrollable laughter at what is undoubtedly a monumental cinematic failure, but also an unintentional piece of comedic genius, was an early hallmark for the cult status ‘The Room’ would go on to earn in years to come.