Reading

Reading has long been a firm favourite among commuters due to its 30-minute train journey into London. But for many of those who have made this commuter haven their home, they know that it offers more than just cheaper house prices than the capital. For there is a vibrant River Thames scene, an established shopping centre and excellent schools. It has also become a leading tech hub outside of London. Reading is favourite among commuters due to its 30 minute train journey into London It has led to house price growth in Reading outpacing the national average by a massive 10 per cent. Values rose 16 per cent during the past two years compared to 6 per cent during the same period for England and Wales, according to the exclusive research by estate agents Hamptons International. It means the average price of a home in Reading currently stands at £316,735, compared to an average of £279,035 in England and Wales.   We take a closer look at what this city has … [Read more...] about What’s it like to live in… Reading: Why this Berkshire town on the Thames is more than just a commuter haven

William S Burroughs – described in his lifetime by Normal Mailer as the "only American novelist living today who may conceivably be possessed by genius" – was born on 5 February 1914. The man Jack Kerouac liked to call Old Bull Hubbard is a genuine antiquity. Yet in spite of his venerable age and status, as a writer Burroughs remains an edgy, controversial figure, remaining outside the mainstream, and still able to spring surprises – as a current exhibition at the Photographers' Gallery has shown . A good candidate, in other words, for examination by the Reading Group. The most obvious choice for our book of the month would be Naked Lunch, and I'd certainly be interested in looking at his most famous novel again, however squeamish I may feel about re-entering Hassan's rumpus room… But Burroughs is more than a one-book author. For my money, his best books may actually be his earliest and latest works. Junky and Queer, his surprisingly straightforward works of … [Read more...] about Choose February’s Reading group: William S Burroughs

As a new version of the exhibition David Bowie Is opens this week at the Art Gallery of Ontario, curators have revealed a list of his top 100 must-read books, giving a fascinating insight into the mind of the influential musician and style icon. The show, which offered unprecedented access to Bowie's own archive, became the most popular ever mounted by London's V&A when it ran there earlier this year. As the Guardian's Alexis Petridis pointed out at the time, the Bowie story is so well-known that "unless it's content to retell a very hackneyed story indeed, David Bowie Is has to find a way of casting new light on some of the most over-analysed and discussed music in rock history." The reading list, with books presented in chronological order rather than order of preference, provides Ontario with a new angle. American classics of the 50s and 60s are strongly represented – On the Road by Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote's In Cold Blood – as are tales of working-class boys made … [Read more...] about David Bowie’s top 100 must-read books

Oxford University students walked out of an after-dinner speech by a retired cricket star after he read out a 'sexist' poem. English cricketer Don Topley, who previously represented Surrey and Essex during his career had been invited to speak at Brasenose Colleges' annual sports dinner last month. The 55-year-old, also known as 'Toppers' was accused by those in attendance of misogyny after he read out a poem 'Never Trust a Cricketer' which saw several female students walk out of the event. The poem describes cricketers as 'randier than a sailor who's been six months at sea' and goes on to warn women of the 'dangers' of falling in love with a cricketer, and states: 'My darlings do be careful; his balls are hard and fast'. Don Topley (pictured centre) read out the poem at an Oxford University dinner (left and right two Brasenose College students) However, Mr Topley seemed to be unaware that he had caused any offence and tweeted his thanks following the annual dinner. He said: 'Wow, what … [Read more...] about Oxford University female students walk out of after-dinner speech by retired cricket star as he reads out ‘sexist’ poem

The film of V for Vendetta carries the following credit line: "Based on the graphic novel illustrated by David Lloyd." Alan Moore's name is nowhere to be seen. There's nothing unusual in that. Moore has disassociated himself from all Hollywood product, explaining: "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was the reason why I decided to take my name off all subsequent films." Few who have seen League of Extraordinary Gentlemen would want to argue with that. But even though his refusal to have his name on the credits is part of a general policy, Moore seems to harbour a special resentment towards the Joel Silver and Wachowski brothers production of V for Vendetta. As the New York Times wrote at the time of its release: "To him, the movie adaptation of V for Vendetta is not the biggest platform yet for his ideas: it is further proof that Hollywood should be avoided at all costs. 'I've read the screenplay,' Mr Moore said. 'It's rubbish.'" The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw agreed with that latter … [Read more...] about V for Vendetta: Reading the film