"A Trick I Learned from Dead Men," by Kitty Aldridge

Novel, 2012

Readable first person account of how a young funeral parlour employee tries to grow up in the face of hugely challenging domestic and personal circumstances. A quick read in which Lee, the main character, has a strong voice which is very occasionally undermined by being perhaps a little too 'shouty' and vernacular. Still, the first person narrative and deadpan delivery are effective in getting across the character of the main players in the book, and also a helpless sense of trying to escape the small town. Heavy handed, but not at all bad for it.

"Looper", directed by Rian Johnson

Movie, 2012

Time travel science-fiction thriller in which execution squads take care of people flipped back to them from the future. Within this framework, a thriller with a few fairly standard goings on (chases, a nemesis and a few characters unwittingly drawn but relevant to the plot) and a few more mythical, magical elements, though possibly entirely seamlessly accommodating Bruce Willis' action hero and the more interesting family drama. A bit juddery as a result, but well worth a watch.

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"A Man Called Ove," by Fredrik Backman

Novel, 2012

Recently and deeply bereaved widower contemplates ending it all but is only happy to do so once all matters in hand are in some sort of order and those around him, in his neighbourhood, start conducting themselves in a fit and proper manner. As easy book to get into which, whenever it feels in an way repetitive or overly formulaic, brings things back round so the reader is given chance to understand and care about the main protagonists. In the end, there's some really effective emotional engagement and story telling which can be ploddy but overall, delivers a good read. 

"Look Who's Back," by Timur Vermes

Novel, 2012

A book about Hitler's exploits after the Fuhrer wakes up on a patch of ground in Berlin in 2011. This is a confusing and frustrating book, translation or both; the early scenes and situations flicking too awkwardly between those where Hitler realises nearly 70 years have passed since his incarceration in his bunker to those where he forgets. The satire picks up as the book goes along and delivers a cautionary tale - it just doesn't seem particularly well written, which dampens its impact.

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