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231 reviews for:
Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus
Sandi Toksvig
4.32 AVERAGE
231 reviews for:
Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus
Sandi Toksvig
4.32 AVERAGE
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I listened to the audiobook and I expect that was what gives it five stars, I love Sandi!
See the locations in the novel along the bus journey here
I have to say I have always loved the wit and humour of Sandi Toksvig. I am an ardent viewer of QI because of her and even watch Bake Off to see the banter between her and Noel and I don’t even like cake that much. (And she admits she’s not that keen either in this book!)
What a genius idea to take a bus ride and then to chat as if you were on a bus beside her, about history, a nice cafe, the other people on the bus and culture down in the streets below. Add to that a series of stops – where Sandi either gets off the bus or take a turn in a more philosophical sense to share anecdotes, childhood memories or stories about her family. There’s so much to love here – sad moments as well as happy. But Sandi does what she does best – the on-liners, said with a straight face. As you read, you can see her expressions, that look (similar to the one she gives Alan Davies when he’s doing one of his Alan things on QI) haha!
The bus journey is from Dulwich to Oxford Circus and it’s a very fascinating and quirky tour. Sandi is naturally inquisitive, has a wicked memory for facts and the book really is like sitting beside her and learning about what you see out the window. Just don’t eat a sandwich wrapped in plastic on a bus beside her!
‘I idly read up on the regiment, and before you know it I had written a novel about it.’
This read a lot like a Stephen Fry autobiography without the false modesty.
There are some sweet and funny parts, usually accompanied by a description of the author as a young genius.
This read a lot like a Stephen Fry autobiography without the false modesty.
There are some sweet and funny parts, usually accompanied by a description of the author as a young genius.
Sandi Tosvig’s ‘memoir’ goes through her personal stories while teaching the reader about history in London on her journeys of the number 12 bus to Oxford Circus. She not only people watches, and is able to tell relatable anecdotes but taught me about lesser known London figures that helped build London.
I had an advanced digital copy of this book thanks to NetGallery in exchange for a review.
I had an advanced digital copy of this book thanks to NetGallery in exchange for a review.
Fascinating, funny, poignant, and personal.
Sandi charts the course of the bus route she takes from home in East Dulwich to work at the BBC in central London, touching on the interesting and often little-known histories of people and places along the route, and reflecting on experiences from her own life and career as she does so.
If you are a fan of London's past, you'll enjoy this book. If you enjoy learning more about important female figures in history who deserve more credit than they get, you'll enjoy this book. If you like memoirs with anecdotes about famous people, you'll enjoy the accounts of hilarious or touching moments shared between the actors, writers, and other leading lights Sandi has crossed paths with over the course of her career.
Mostly, I enjoyed hearing her share her various experiences of pain, injustice, gratitude, love, friendship, and resilience as a comedian, actress, broadcaster and nerd, who happened to be a queer woman, navigating life in a way authentic to herself. Her love for her father and his influence in her life is referenced poingnantly and beautifully throughout. Her appreciation for her partners, past and current, as well as for her children, is evident at every turn. It's a wonderful read that at turns made me smile, laugh, and cry.
Highly recommend this wonderful and original collection of thoughts, observations, stories and ideas.
Sandi charts the course of the bus route she takes from home in East Dulwich to work at the BBC in central London, touching on the interesting and often little-known histories of people and places along the route, and reflecting on experiences from her own life and career as she does so.
If you are a fan of London's past, you'll enjoy this book. If you enjoy learning more about important female figures in history who deserve more credit than they get, you'll enjoy this book. If you like memoirs with anecdotes about famous people, you'll enjoy the accounts of hilarious or touching moments shared between the actors, writers, and other leading lights Sandi has crossed paths with over the course of her career.
Mostly, I enjoyed hearing her share her various experiences of pain, injustice, gratitude, love, friendship, and resilience as a comedian, actress, broadcaster and nerd, who happened to be a queer woman, navigating life in a way authentic to herself. Her love for her father and his influence in her life is referenced poingnantly and beautifully throughout. Her appreciation for her partners, past and current, as well as for her children, is evident at every turn. It's a wonderful read that at turns made me smile, laugh, and cry.
Highly recommend this wonderful and original collection of thoughts, observations, stories and ideas.
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
It kinda meandered all over but in a good way, like she's basing it on taking the bus places so it makes sense that it wanders.