Book Shelf

If you’ve enjoyed a book recently, or even ages ago, and would like people to know about it, drop us a brief note. The following titles have tickled the fancy of Voice writers lately.

The Maintenance of Headway by Magnus Mills

The complete answer to why buses come in batches, and very funny with it. Magnus Mills knows what he’s writing about, having been a bus driver himself. He has a wonderfully straight-faced view of managerial absurdities, coupled with a wickedly keen ear for dialogue. Marvellously enjoyable.

No More Mr Nice Guy by Howard Jacobson.

This won the Booker, rather oddly, since it’s what my daughter dismisses as ‘dick lit’. The owner of the dick in question is clearly intellectual (you can tell that by the Yiddish and angst) but it’s difficult to see that he was ever a nice guy. Torrents of sex can start to feel like being smothered in candyfloss, but don’t let that put you off if you fancy it.

The Spirit Level by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett

A hefty, impressive book that shows exactly why countries with high potential income levels are not necessarily the ones where people feel good. The authors argue that inequality makes everyone miserable, because the rich as well as the poor never think they have enough. Clinching graphs prove the point, and the writing is lively and thought-provoking.