Is There Life Outside the Box? An Actor Despairs
by Peter Davison (John Blake, 2016)
Peter Davison is self-deprecating to a fault in this frank, entertaining, career-spanning autobiography, taking responsibility for his failings but not his successes (which are put down to good fortune and the one acting ability Davison is prepared to acknowledge: hitting his mark).
The Navy Lark, Series Six, Volume 1
(BBC, 1963)
Though tending to hammer the same nails over and over, radio sitcom The Navy Lark (any episode) showcased all the ingredients necessary to sustain a long-running comedy. Familiarity brought the audience close, breeding contentedness. Starring Jon Pertwee and Ronnie Barker, among others.
Psmith in the City
by P. G. Wodehouse (A & C Black, 2010); audiobook read by Jonathan Cecil (Chivers, 1997)
Wodehouse’s glib paean to the banking profession exhibits some of the style but little of the intricate substance of his later works. The loquacious Psmith has his charms, yet the narrative voice is comparatively lacking, the plot rather straightforward in its weave.
Arrow, Season 3
(2014-2015)
The theme of identity runs heavy through Arrow Season 3, with an upping of the characters’ personal stakes, relationship issues, deceptions, and ability to recover very quickly from both near- and actually fatal injuries. The show remains stylish, though out of control.
Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History
by Daniel Wallace (Insight, 2015)
In posing the question ‘how did all those iconic visuals come to be’, this hefty hardcover provides a comprehensive behind-the-scenes chronicle not only of the making of the original Ghostbusters films (primarily), but also of the two animated series and other spinoffs.
Doctor Who: Doom Coalition
by Matt Fitton; John Dorney; Marc Platt; Edward Collier (Big Finish, 2015)
Doom Coalition introduces one of the most striking and original Who villains ever: the Eleven, a Time Lord with trans-incarnational dissociative identity disorder. Unfortunately, having featured in the first story, he subsequently becomes a background presence à la the Key to Time.
The Professionals #5: Blind Run
by Ken Blake (Sphere, 1979)
Although not one of the best Professionals novelisations — a verdict that rests as much on the quality of the three episodes depicted as upon the writing — Blind Run nevertheless captures much of the on-screen action and the charisma of its three leads.
To celebrate the one month publication anniversary of Sirens, Derelict Space Sheep is proud to announce Crossbones and Skulls, a brace of pirate and zombie stories by Simon Messingham; consisting of:
Crossbones and Skulls is available for purchase separately, or as a bonus publication when buying Sirens from the Gumroad store (epub) (mobi) (pdf).
Stephen Fry does The Knowledge
(BBC, 2011)
Stephen Fry is at his most engaging in this Radio 4 exploration of knowledge: what it is; how it changes; in what forms we value it; and where it is (or isn’t) useful. Fry’s lucid discourse is underscored by numerous archival recordings.
Darren Lockyer: Autobiography
by Darren Lockyer with Dan Koch (Random House, 2011)
Rugby league player Darren Lockyer shows himself to be atypically down to earth and introspective; his autobiography is an easy read, giving insight into the mindset of a country kid turned top level footballer, as well as (in particular) coach Wayne Bennett.