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frankieupside's review against another edition
5.0
Unexpectedly joyful book. It has a charmingly chaotic narrative structured around a bus route and is packed full of historical snippets and anecdotes. It also gives perspectives on feminism and the Stonewall movement that I found really thought provoking.
cassbergers's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book of Sandi's I've read and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved how she interweaves anecdotes from her own life with plenty of lesser known history of London. I found it touching, entertaining and beautifully read.
picto's review against another edition
4.0
Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus was not the book I was expecting to read but it is one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is part memoir, part historical tour of London but completely fascinating on all counts.
The history pieces are pitched at the right level as to be interesting without getting into the weeds, and you don't need to be from London to enjoy them. The memoir sections, while short and out of order, are equal parts hilarious, heartwarming and rage-inducing. What a wonderful and thoroughly unique life the author has had. Actor, writer, wife, activist, sailor Sandi really has done it all.
The way the book is written it feels like you're having a conversation with Sandi what bounces around all over the place but leaves you informed and entertained in equal measure. It is a really easy and worthwhile read that even those of you who don't know Sandi (although surely there aren't many of you!?) can enjoy.
The history pieces are pitched at the right level as to be interesting without getting into the weeds, and you don't need to be from London to enjoy them. The memoir sections, while short and out of order, are equal parts hilarious, heartwarming and rage-inducing. What a wonderful and thoroughly unique life the author has had. Actor, writer, wife, activist, sailor Sandi really has done it all.
The way the book is written it feels like you're having a conversation with Sandi what bounces around all over the place but leaves you informed and entertained in equal measure. It is a really easy and worthwhile read that even those of you who don't know Sandi (although surely there aren't many of you!?) can enjoy.
kchisholm's review against another edition
5.0
Every now and again a break from crime fiction is sought, and everything I've ever seen written or heard spoken about Sandi Toksvig, and every time I've heard her on TV or the radio, makes me convinced that time spent in her company on those mediums is just better. So this was an immediate purchase when I heard people talking about it recently. BETWEEN THE STOPS reads EXACTLY as you'd expect something from Sandi Toksvig to read. You start out on the Number 12 bus, looking out at a streetscape, which leads you to a bit of a chat about somebody from history who did something or had something to do with that place, which leads to an anecdote from her life, which nearly always included something that made me laugh, that made me seriously annoyed with the world, and that really made me think.
For those in Australia who aren't as welded onto the ABC, BBC or UK-TV as those in this household, Sandi may or may not be as well known, but she is the guest who became presenter when Stephen Fry left QI; she, and Noel Fielding, took on The Great British Bake Off when they abandoned ship and moved to another UK tv station; and she often appears on English comedic panel shows and The Last Leg. She's funny, extremely erudite, an outspoken and articulate feminist, an activist, and, it comes as no surprise, incredibly well read, and knowledgeable about history, with women's history a specific interest. The way that she has woven observations of human nature (particularly pertaining to bus travel), the history of the places that the Number 12 passes, and the major events in her own life is not just entertaining it's profoundly enlightening.
Loved this book. Loved every single thing about it. Can not recommend it highly enough. (Those who are used to receiving books from me at Christmas may find their parcels contain one that comes as no surprise now....)
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/between-stops-view-my-life-top-number-12-bus-sandi-toksvig
For those in Australia who aren't as welded onto the ABC, BBC or UK-TV as those in this household, Sandi may or may not be as well known, but she is the guest who became presenter when Stephen Fry left QI; she, and Noel Fielding, took on The Great British Bake Off when they abandoned ship and moved to another UK tv station; and she often appears on English comedic panel shows and The Last Leg. She's funny, extremely erudite, an outspoken and articulate feminist, an activist, and, it comes as no surprise, incredibly well read, and knowledgeable about history, with women's history a specific interest. The way that she has woven observations of human nature (particularly pertaining to bus travel), the history of the places that the Number 12 passes, and the major events in her own life is not just entertaining it's profoundly enlightening.
Loved this book. Loved every single thing about it. Can not recommend it highly enough. (Those who are used to receiving books from me at Christmas may find their parcels contain one that comes as no surprise now....)
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/between-stops-view-my-life-top-number-12-bus-sandi-toksvig
annemn's review against another edition
5.0
Once again, I’ve drawn out reading a book because it’s such a good read no matter my mood. This book is much like having a really good conversation with someone at a dinner party - bouncing from one subject to the next, thinking of a tangential thought, getting lost in that subject, not remembering where you started (but having loads of fun along the way). This, I can only imagine, must be what it’s like at the Toksvig household around the supper table.
Sandi is one of my favorite Famous People, in that she seems to say what she thinks and she seems to think a good deal. This book is a great accompaniment to a beverage of your choice, when you want to escape the world for a bit and go back to the days of carefree bus riding.
Sandi is one of my favorite Famous People, in that she seems to say what she thinks and she seems to think a good deal. This book is a great accompaniment to a beverage of your choice, when you want to escape the world for a bit and go back to the days of carefree bus riding.
jackabybarsby's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
janinemc89's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it - such an interesting book filled with stories about not only Sandi, but this history of London, women’s rights and other various topics. Really loved this and quite sad it’s over!
rmb86's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0