We’ve seen cooler temperatures that are much more bearable here in the UK, and even had some rain and thunderstorms. It seems that summer may be on the way out here!
No real progress has been made in writing this month. It’s been a busy period at work, so my drive to get on my laptop after a long day has been low. But I’m not beating myself up about this; it actually feels good to take time out!
Challenger by Adam Higginbotham
I took a little dive into non-fiction on a subject I already knew a fair bit about. I knew the timeline of the launch and the preceding days, and the nature of outsourcing that led to problems throughout the delivery of shuttle components that ultimately led to disaster. What I hadn’t appreciated fully was how far back the time pressures and financial crunches ran, and just how badly those responsible were determined to pass the buck or accept that costly problems needing delays to fix existed. A fascinating, deeply researched piece.
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
Following the events of book one, The Subtle Knife follows Lyra as she continues to understand the concept of different worlds connected by dust and the universe around her, while still trying to find her place in the world. She encounters Will, a young man from our world. Burdened by the disappearance of his father and the need to care for his ill mother, he seeks an escape. The pair embark on a mission of mutual benefit and encounter new locations in parallel worlds. It’s a fast-paced, frenetic entry with new characters and locations, but it still feels very “of the universe”. Ruth Wilson’s stunning narration once again elevates this fantastic listen.
Dissolution by C.J. Sansom
I don’t read as much historical fiction as I should for someone with a real love of history. I saw this at a local event a few months back at a second-hand book stall, and it immediately caught my eye. It hooked me on the setting alone – England under the rule of Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries. It follows Matthew Shardlake, in the employ of Oliver Cromwell, who is tasked with uncovering the mystery surrounding the murder of his predecessor in a monastery on the south coast. There’s no technology, modern weapons or high-octane car chases. Just a fear of God and a ruthless mind for investigation. Shardlake is a fantastic character, and the story was gritty and well-paced. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Wow, what a fantastic film! I know a lot of people don’t rate superhero films all that much, but as far as genuine entertainment goes, they are up there. I’ve always enjoyed the Marvel stable of movies over the DC films, and this one topped the lot for me. It was fun, action-packed, and satisfying. It follows the events of No Way Home, with the world forgetting Spider-Man’s identity. Though, sadly, this meant best friends Ned and MJ would lose this memory, too. Peter Parker comes up against a new nemesis in this instalment. Without the help of his friends, he has to find new ways to prevail. It’s a darker entry, save for some great moments where he crosses paths with his old friends, which makes for a really fantastic movie. I cannot wait to see what comes next for Parker, especially following a very satisfying ending.
Ministry of Sound Classical
I’m going to preface this by saying the sort of music associated with the Ministry of Sound – I’m more of a rock kind of guy. That said, spending an evening surrounded by lovers of the genre, hearing some of the most well-known tracks performed by an orchestra, was utterly incredible. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere, the musical performance of the conductor and orchestra and the frankly amazing vocalists, which combined for an amazing, brilliant evening of live music that even the late downpour of rain could do nothing to dampen.
Another month light on writing, but I’m slowly feeling myself returning to a place where I’ll be keen to put pen to paper again. I’ve got a holiday to look forward to in September too, so come back at the end of the month for another update.
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Steven Smith 