What are we reading in January?

[Ally]

Just about to start the fourth book in Lynda la Plante's Jack Warr series.

[Kaz]

Not sure. Have a few lined up on my kindle

[JanB]

I'm goig to our library later this week, see what new books they have.

Also, the coffee morning on Friday, so I can hopefully pinch a few from there.

At the moment, a Jeffrey Deaver book, which I really am struggling with.

[Ally]

I've just looked in my kindle library and have 146 books waiting to be read.

As I last purchased one on December 31st I've made it in time to say I'll try and buy less books in 2024.

And it really doesn't help when you spot, like last week, the entire collection of Call The Midwife for 99 cents!

[Kaz]

What sort of book is it, Jan? Not heard of him

Ally, those are brilliant books, rather grittier than the TV series.

[cromwell]

I am reading a biography; Ray Davies, a complicated life by Johnny Rogan.

[Kaz]

The Kinks' Ray Davis? Quite a story then

[cromwell]

Yes Kaz, the one from the Kinks.

A complicated man is about right. I knew that the Kinks were all working class, but didn't realise how poor the Davies family was (in monetary terms) growing up.
Obviously a man known for his talent; he has written some beautiful songs.
But a man with a troubled adolescence, a tumultuous relationship with his brother Dave and a man who is legendarily tight with money and who wants all the credit that's going when it comes to music.A dictator in the group. Not a man who likes sharing but a compelling character nevertheless.

[miasmum]

Ray Davies was married to Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders, they share a daughter Natalie

[JoM]

I love the Kinks.

Ray Davies was married to Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders, they share a daughter Natalie

As an aside, we’re watching an excellent documentary on Paramount about Simple Minds, and Jim Kerr was also married to Chrissie Hynde (and John’s aunty and uncle who we used to stay with in the US were also Jim Kerr’s aunty and uncle).