Jo’s use of witty chapter titles and writing as she would talk instantly engages the reader. Your hooked from page one, even though the subject is about motorways ones she loves and ones she doesn’t. The majority of the book focuses on her late teenage years and her early adult years before she became a TV comedian. Each chapter contains a truthful and witty story, including several about her time as a Psychiatric Nurse. It has several glossy photo pages, spaced throughout the book, so you can image what the then Jo would look like along with other important people in her life.

Although funny, cleaver and engaging I did feel that it was kept very superficial. Jo didn’t discuss life goals, or lovers or people and experiences that have helped shape her in the fabulous woman that she is. Indeed she states that there wasn’t one key reason she went in to stand up comedy. This was disappointing because all stand up comedians seem to have a reason, for acceptance from others through humor, because they were always that way – making people laugh, etc.

As I edged closer and closer to the end of the book, I started to realise that Jo wouldn’t be discussing how she got in to stand up and moved on in her TV career and I came to realise there would be another book. Overall I thought Look Back in Hunger by Jo Brand was good light witty reading, that you could dip in and out of. It’s a good introduction to were Jo Brand came from. Her latest book, the second part in this autobiography is available to buy on Amazon as well: Can’t Stand Up For Sitting Down by Jo Brand.

Blog soon,

Antony

In addition to this it’s my first in the new apartment (see The Move), so I’m going to get the biggest, campest christmas tree I can afford! But I thought I’d better let Father Christmas what I want like you used to as a child, addressing the letter to the North Pole. So here goes:

Dear Father Christmas,

This year I’ve been a good boy. I have tried hard at work and tried to help those who need it. Plus I have tried to be more adult-like and responsible by buying apartment (I know you have a super computer system that can find me, so I don’t need to give you my address, mum told me). I am concerned that this place (as far as I’m aware) doesn’t have a chimney. So I have let security know and they said they will let you in.

So now on to the important issue of what I would like this year. Here’s my list (I’ve split it in to Books and DVD’s to make it easier for the elfs to find):

Books
Jo Brand, Look Back in Hunger
John Barrowman, Anything Goes: The Autobiography
Justin Lee Colins, Good Times! (with free T-shirt)
Ant & Dec, Ooh! What a Lovely Pair: Our Story
Cecelia Ahern, The Gift
Cecelia Ahern, The Book of Tomorrow
Sophie Kinsella, Twenties Girl
Various Authors, Pagan Visions for a Sustainable Future
Edian McCoy, Astral Projection for Beginners
Various Authors, Spellcaster: Seven Ways to Effective Magic
Cassandra Eason, Magic Spells for a Happy Life (Essential Series)
Cassandra Eason, Cassandra Eason’s Modern Book of Dream Interpretation

DVD’s
Bill Bailey – Tinselworm [DVD] [2008]
Jo Brand – Barely Live [2003] [DVD]
The Vicar of Dibley – The Ultimate Collection [DVD]
Confessions of a Shopaholic [DVD] [2009]
The Next Best Thing [DVD] [2000]
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (2 Disc Deluxe Edition) [DVD] [2005]
An Evening With John Barrowman [DVD] [2009]
Robbie Williams – Live At The Albert [DVD] [2001]
Kylie Live ‘X’ 2008 [DVD]
Celine Dion – Live In Las Vegas – A New Day [DVD] [2007]
Torchwood: Complete BBC Series 1 Box Set [2006] [DVD]
Torchwood: Complete BBC Series 2 Box Set (2008) [DVD] [2007]
The Colour Of Magic (2-disc edition) [DVD] [2008]

That’s my list. Oh just to add one more thing, right at the top of my list please A joyfilled, happy christmas for all of my family and friends. Hope that’s not too much of a tall order for the 1st November?

My love to the elfs and raindeers and of course Mrs Christmas, hope they are all keeping well,

Antony x x x

Post pictures of the tree when I’ve bought it, decorated and put it up.

Loving the anticipation of Christmas,

Antony