"Girl in the Band", Kim Gordon

Memoir, 2015

Autobiographical work by Kim Gordon in which she plots her artistic and musical life in California and New York. This is a good, flowing read which will disappoint anyone looking for the "warts and all" - her relationship with long-term partner Thurston Moore isn't a salacious hatchet job, while the other Sonic Youth members don't really get much of a look in. Gordon writes in small chunks, conveying the non-stop exhaustion of touring, especially as a mother, and the cliches and attitudes of being a woman in her profession. Good to hear a rock story rather than having one shoved at you.

"American Sniper," directed Clint Eastwood

Film, 2014

Two narratives for the price of one. Unfortunately, the cautionary tale of the disastrous psychological effects of a war on the family is tucked away, only appearing like an unwanted guest when the gritty gung-ho battle scenes and tired cat-and-mouse our sniper versus their sniper trope take an occasional back seat. We're left, really, with crude flag waving nonsense with half decent acting and lots of homo erotically charged blood, sweat and tears and a biopic element realised through an especially unconvincing set of family and funeral scenes at the end.

"Half Blood Blues", by Esi Edugyan

Novel, 2011

A story of betrayal and part reconciliation, looking at the relationships between members of a jazz band who'd split after the Nazi crackdowns in Berlin and then the invasion in Paris. This is an entertaining, vividly drawn work which occasionally veers perhaps a little too far into a retelling of history, but which nonetheless effectively tells a good story evolving round Sid, who's slowly revealed as an interesting main character. Maybe some of the historical detail caused very infrequent lags in the pacing, but then again, an interesting as well as informative and enjoyable read.

"Star Trek Into Darkness", directed Abrams

Blockbuster, 2013

Effective, entertaining blockbuster, which despite a slightly irritating "go in all guns blazing" opening, settles down but keeps up a cracking pace. There would be plenty to moan about in terms of stereotypes, Spock's rampant human side and some predictably lame comic relief provided by Scottie's pet thingy, but that would be pretty churlish. As popcorn romps go, this is superior stuff - much better than the first Abrams outing.