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June 2010

I want…The Dead by Charlie Higson

By Books & Authors10 Comments

I loved The Enemy by Charlie Higson, indeed I even wrote a book review: Book Review: The Enemy by Charlie Higson.

Now I´ve just discovered on The Young Bond Dossier that the much awaited sequal entitled The Dead is to be realised in October 2010. And look here´s the cover:

I´m so excited, I´ve found it on Amazon: The Dead by Charlie Higson. The plot from Amazon:

Product Description
A terrible disease is striking everyone over the age of fourteen. Death walks the streets. Nowhere is safe. Maxie, Blue and the rest of the Holloway crew aren’t the only kids trying to escape the ferocious adults who prey on them. Jack and Ed are best friends, but their battle to stay alive tests their friendship to the limit as they go on the run with a mismatched group of other kids – nerds, fighters, misfits. And one adult. Greg, a butcher, who claims he’s immune to the disease. They must work together if they want to make it in this terrifying new world. But as a fresh disaster threatens to overwhelm London, they realize they won’t all survive
(From: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0141384654?ie=UTF8&tag=theyoungbondd-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0141384654, Last Accessed: 16 June 2010)

It goes a year before the first book when adults start getting ill and sounds like it promises to be another gripping book. You can be assured when it´s in my hands and has been read it will be reviewed.

Looking forward to the release,

Antony


A book review can now be found here: Book Review: The Dead by Charlie Higson.

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Goodbye Democracy? As Online Petitions Suspended

By Political, Thinking4 Comments

Is it goodbye to democracy with the new conservative liberal democrats coalition government?

I ask this open question with the recently aquired knowledge that epetitions at No. 10 Downing Street online has been suspended. From their website:

With a new Government in place a review is taking place of online services, including e-petitions. We are committed to improving the e-petitions process and are looking at ways of ensuring that it functions as part of a cohesive approach to public debate and transparent government. A full announcement on how we plan to use these and other services across Government will be made as soon as this important work is completed.

Existing e-petitions, submitted to the previous administration, will not be carried forward to the new administration as part of this process. E-petitions that were live at the time of the election announcement on 6 April, when the e-petitions system was suspended, will therefore not be reopened for signatures. We will respond to e-petitions that had exceeded the 500 signature threshold as of 6 April 2010.
(From: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/, Last Accessed: 16 June 2010)

I think it´s a real shame this service has been suspended and is being reviewed – with the possibility of being discontinued. It was a way for any UK citizen to tell their goverment what was important to them in a way that was quick, easily and convenient to all.

Despite being poorly promoted and marketed unlike some other of the governments ideas to get people involvement in politics, it was used by thousands who logged on and signed the hundreds of petitions on every area of government policy. Most importantly though petitions were created by your ordinary every day peerson and anyone could set one up.

Labour had set up epetitions, so is it simply that the coalition government didn´t like that fact that it was Labour´s idea? And does this mean that it´s going to be harder to tell the coalition government how we feel about their policies?

Or is it that they are going to come up with more innovative ways for us to express our views on government policy?

What do you think? Leave a comment.

Antony

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Book Review: The Self-Preservation Society by Kate Harrison

By Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
The-Self-Preservation-Society-Kate-Harrison The Self-Preservation Society by Kate Harrison was a book I picked up because it was on offer.

In it you meet Jo Morgan who puts all her energy in to minimising the risk in her life. Accident prevention is part of her job as is planning for catastrophes that might happen. But it is not just a job to her, it´s a way of life. Her long term boyfriend Dennis her senior at work also shares this way of life and it seems to be their bond.

Then Jo is the victim of a hit and run accident and everything starts to change as Jo realises that she can´t avoid all risks in life. Jo goes on a inner journey to explore why she has a deep desire to prevent accidents and plan for catastrophes. With guidance from new found friends Jo starts to take risks and begins her outer transformation. Jo´s life with Dennis starts to fall apart as a new one is created through her inner soul searching and outer risk taking. The conclusion of the book is the transformation of Jo to a much happier well rounded individual.

Jo Morgans character feels some what false at times because Jo´s views on risk minimisation in life are too extreme, especially at the beginning of the book. The plot is far too predictable and I would find myself reading other books rather than finishing this one.

You can buy The Self-Preservation Society by Kate Harrison on Amazon.

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Anticipated Albums

By Music & RadioNo Comments

There are some really good albums coming out this summer and Whoop! Whoop! I´m excited!

First Night Work by Sissor Sisters. See their first single off the album Fire With Fire:

Release date: 28th June 2010

Second Aphrodite by Kylie Minogue. Here first single from the album is All the lovers. You can hear it here:

Release date: 5th July 2010

So it looks like the summer anthems are going to be cheesy pop all the way – love it.

Blog soon,

Antony

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