October's Spotlight, if truly reflective of the output of the various accessible publishing agencies, shows a very poor and inadequate choice of books. Where are the latest novels? Where are the latest talked about biographies? Where are the interesting and informative books? Ironically we can hear all about the latest 'talking point' or critically acclaimed books on the radio and TV discussion shows. We can go to websites and read about the latest books that are shaping opinion and affecting the culture ... but the RNIB, NLB etc seem to do little or no research into what the books of the now might be! Take a look at the following list and try and work out why these books have been published now or why they've bothered at all.<


OCTOBER'S TALKING BOOK / CASSETTE OFFERINGS...

House of Men by Catherine Cookson (published 1994).
7 years old but now available for those of us who can't get enough of that formulaic stuff.

Hearts and Bones, by Margaret Lawrence (published 1997).
As seen on TV, some time ago, maybe you would have liked to have read it at the time, I dunno - can barely remember it to be honest.

My Life Story: A Personal Account by Florence Ponsford (published 2001).
It's hard to tell whether this was actually officially published). Spotlight gives the following synopsis: "This text contains the memories of Florence Ponsford, who lived in Plymouth". Who the fuck is Florence Ponsford?

A Witch Alone: 13 Moons To Master Natural Magic, by Marian Green (Published 1991).
Well, I suppose Halloween is getting closer.

Larks on Cockey Down: A History of Laverstock by Ken Grist (published 2000)
A publication with wide appeal I've no doubt (?) Make sure you're first in the queue to get this one. Where is Laverstock?

Autism: The Facts by Simon Baron-Cohen with Patrick Bolton (published 1993).
Hasn't thinking on Autism moved on rather a lot since 1993?

TM Book: The Transcendental Meditation: How To Enjoy the Rest of Your Life by Denise Denniston (published 1997).
We've all been hanging out for this one to be put in an accessible format for the past 4 years! Glad to see that a dangerous bit of mindwashing cultist pseudo religious literature made it's way to the top of the RNIB's 'must do' list. About time too.

Buttered Side Down: A Slice of Country Life by Faith Addis (published 1985).
The true story of little unfortunate city kids made happy by holidays to a country home.

(To place this in context, this was a list of 8 out of the 28 books put onto tape or Talking Book this month).


OCTOBER'S BRAILLE OFFERINGS...

Zofloya, or The Moor by Charlotte Dacre (published 1997).
Um, well, to have still been considered worthy of brailling out 4 years after it's original publication this must be a bloody good book! Get it now! (that was me trying to be positive)

delay of Execution by Hazel Holt (published 2001).
But that's this year isn't it? A quick look at Amazon told me it was published in February, looks as if it's quite a popular novel, but I've never heard of it.

Potato: The Definitive Guide to Potatoes and Potato Cooking by Alex Barker (published 1999).
The less said about this one the better I think.

Canal Dreams by Iain Banks (published 1990).
Do I detect a potentially interesting 11 year old book?

Elizabeth David: A Biography by Lisa Chaney (published 1998).
Three years in the brailling, be grateful for this book, you never know this Elizabeth person might have had an interesting life! We can but hope. Maybe next month we'll see braille versions of newer biographies of people we've heard of.

The Manual of Horsemanship by Barbara Cooper (published 1997).
Oh, well that's alright then.

The Great Shame: A Story of the Irish in the Old World and the New by Thomas Keneally (published 1998).
This book will cost you 28 pounds we feel sure you'll buy it and that it will be at the top of your 'must read' list.