Over the last few weeks...

I've read:

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

This has been on my 'must read' list for years. It jumped out at me when I was at the library so I thought I'd give it a go. I found it hard-going at first, but once I'd got used to the style, I was totally engrossed. It may have dated slightly, in that the style it is 'spoofing' is no longer as familiar as it once was, but it's still an intelligent and amusing read, and feels ahead of its time. I had to double-check its publication date a couple of times, with references to televisions, casual sex and Clark Gable feeling at odds with the pre-war setting.

The Inimitable Jeeves by P G Wodehouse

I've never read any Wodehouse, but always meant to, so this was another to tick off the list. I'll be reading more. I laughed out loud more than once. Of course, Jeeves and Wooster were Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in my head, but it goes to show what a great job they did that this didn't jar at all while I was reading. What ho!

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

The follow-up (but not sequel) to The Kite Runner, this is just as good. This time you get a closer look at life in Afghanistan through the Russian invasion and, ultimately, the rule of the Taliban. Not a lot of light relief, but I found this totally absorbing and was sorry when I got to the end.

I've seen:

Mamma Mia!

Obviously, it's t'riffic. Feel good through and through (except, maybe, when Pierce Brosnan 'sings'! Eek!). Not to everyone's tastes, I'm sure, but I loved it.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

What can I tell you? It's exactly what you'd expect if you've seen the first two Brendan Fraser Mummy movies. Lots of quips about "not more Mummies"; lots of running; lots of great special effects; lots of close shaves. The actress who plays Evie isn't a patch on Rachel Weisz, but if it's an unbelievable romp you want, that's what you'll get. In spades.

The Dark Knight

I hesitated in taking Thomas to see this, in light of all the publicity around the level of violence in it. It is violent, but wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected. However, it's true to say that if Thomas was any younger I wouldn't be happy about him watching it, so I can understand the furore around the 12A certificate. Anyway, it's too long - there's probably about 2 films' worth in there, but Christian Bale probably couldn't stand the chafing - but it's very good. Heath Ledger would definitely deserve the Oscar, and not just because he died. You've never seen an eviller evil character than this Joker, and Heath Ledger manages to inject a subtle Jack Nicholson flavour that rounds it all off perfectly.

Interestingly, I was checking the filming locations on imdb.com and it turns out that some of it was filmed in Chertsey! I've always thought that the Sainsbury Centre felt a bit bat cave-ish...

So... How have you been...?