Top Ten Books by Darren Sant

Not exactly an original idea but I thought I might share my top ten favourite books with you. They are listed in no particular order of preference. Maybe you have a top ten to share with This is 'Ull? Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkien Superlatives don't do this justice so I won't even try heaping praise on this one. Suffice to say that this classic grips your imagination and stirs your soul. The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield An interesting book that made me think about spiritualism and put a whole new perspective on life for me.

Watching the Tree, Adeline Yen Mah An interesting blend of ideas and philosophy. I felt humbled by her wisdom. A Child Called It, David Pelzer This could have been a deeply depressing trilogy of books. However Pelzer fills you with hope and rekindles your faith in the strength of human spirit in this moving true story of his childhood. The Green Mile, Stephen King Once again King proves that he can deliver characters with an emotional force that few can match. Fantastic and moving. I had a sleepless night because I just had to see this one through to the end.

The Tripods, John Christopher A book that brings back memories of early adolescence for me. A tale of alien invasion with similarities to the War of the Worlds. A great read. Espedair Street, Iain Banks Pink Floyd fans out there will appreciate this one. The story of a rock bands demise and the life of one of its members told with humour and emotion. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams Strangers stared at me. I got odd sidelong glances. All because I read this book on a train and couldn't contain my laughter. The funniest book ever written with much ironic reality woven within its pages. If Adams is in heaven they will be rolling in the aisles.

The Partner, John Grisham Popular fiction it may be but no one tells them like Grisham. A novel with many twists and turn, you'll love it. The Antipope, Robert Rankin The average cynical pub goer will love this one. Pooley and Omally are two of my favourite characters of all time. Life in the pub with a tall tale thrown in. Hilarious, read it!

Reviews, Theatre - ConPromise by Mal Williamson, Directed by Mathew Smith EICH Gallery, Hull
	By Michelle Dee I shall start with no preamble but immerse you straight away very much the same way that the 30+ audience were. Last Friday night at the EICH Gallery in Hull I was sat in the front row, watching and listening to the reading of ConPromise by Mal Williamson. For the first 5 minutes I tried desperately to understand the .. Read more...

Reviews, Films - The Renegade Writers Recommend...Festive Film Releases by Jane Foster.
	When Addy met Saddy ( U ) This is a tale of two moustaches. A tale of two hardcore dictators, united in mutual follicular admiration. Adolf is a young dictator with a genetic disorder, which means that his moustache extends no further than his Cupid's bow. His secret wish is to own a large, bushy moustache. Read more...

Review of 2003 - By Nick Quantrill
	In the festive tradition of polls, surveys and what have you that all the best magazines and websites carry at this time of the year, you'll have to settle for some things I liked in 2003 and some things I didn't.. 1 Gigolo Aunts - Pacific Ocean Blues 2 Jesse Malin - The Fine Art Of Self Destruction Read more...

Reviews, Films - "Love Actually" (15) by Shelly Dee
	Wednesday night I went to see Love Actually. It is a fantastic feel good movie. Yes, it is Richard Curtis of Four Weddings fame again doing English romantic comedy but it's really good. Hugh Grant, as the man at No 10, gave a typical Hugh Grantesque performance. However, his dance to "Jump" was a real eye opener and raised a laugh or two in the auditorium. Read more...

Reviews, Books - "A Man Named Dave" by Dave Pelzer By Darren Sant
	By Darren Sant A Man Named Dave is the third and final book in the memoirs of Dave Pelzer. See this website for reviews of the first two books: A Child Called "It". and The Lost Boy. The first two books cover the authors early years and detail the abuse he suffered at the hands of his Mother. The third book details Dave's life from late teens to the present day. Read more...

Reviews, Books - "The Lost Boy" by Dave Pelzer
	By Darren Sant The memoirs of Dave Pelzer, see my review of the first book on this website. here The first book leaves you with a naïve feeling of satisfaction as Dave finally escapes his cruel mother. However, things are not as cut and dried, as we would like them to be. This second book deals with Dave's life from ages 12 to 18. Read more...

Reviews, Books - "A Child Called 'It'" by Dave Pelzer By Darren Sant
	By Darren Sant What can I say about this book? Anyone that knows me well would perhaps describe me as a "sentimental bugger". I am therefore surprised that I did not cry buckets of tears after every page of this book. A Child Called 'It' is the first in a trilogy of books. The books are the memoirs of Dave Pelzer. This first book covers Dave's life from ages 4 to 12. Read more...

Reviews, Books - "Cradle Song" by Robert Edric
	By Nick Quantrill Being a bit of sucker for crime fiction, and more pertinently, hard-boiled private investigator stories, I picked up this book purely on the basis it fulfilled the above criteria and is set in Hull. Upon further investigation it turns out this is the first part of a trilogy set on the mean streets of Hull by Booker Prize nominated Robert Edric. Read more...

Reviews, Books - "A Drink With Shane MacGowan" by Victoria Mary Clarke and Shane MacGowan
	By Nickolas Boldock Shane MacGowan may just be a medical miracle. He is, of course, a chronic alcoholic, whose love affair with drink will likely never cease until he is six feet below. His consumption of other inebriants is now the stuff of legend. His hedonistic exploits are usually the first thing to come to mind at the mention of his name; the first subject covered in any interview; the introduction to any article (even this one). Forget that though. Read more...

Poetry - You can take the boy out of the council estate... By Lee Cassanell

	Pass me a chocolate, Make mine a tea. Eyes on the tele Plate on your knee. Kids in the garden Shirts in the wash Caring if Beckhams cheating on Posh. Read more...

Poetry - Do Not Depend on the Wind By Maurice Fairfield
	Do not depend on the wind, many a sailor and miller has found A grave in the wave a grave in the ground In waiting for wind. Do not depend on the rain, Pleasure and pain, Harrowing loss, empty gain Read more...

Poetry - I Shan't Be There Anymore by Michelle Dee.
	Forgotten now are the fairies and fantasies, the magic and mysteries Brush the glitter from my eyes so sore. I shan't be there anymore The garden the swings, a child's playthings, a chance for fun in the hazy summer sun. Read more...