Between the Stops

The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus

De: Sandi Toksvig

Narrado por: Sandi Toksvig

This long-awaited memoir from one of Britain's best-loved celebrities - a writer, broadcaster, activist, comic on stage, screen and radio for nearly 40 years, presenter of QI and Great British Bake Off star - is an autobiography with a difference: as only Sandi Toksvig can tell it.

'Between the Stops is a sort of a memoir, my sort. It's about a bus trip really, because it's my view from the Number 12 bus (mostly top deck, the seat at the front on the right), a double-decker that plies its way from Dulwich, in South East London, where I was living, to where I sometimes work - at the BBC, in the heart of the capital. It's not a sensible way to write a memoir at all, probably, but it's the way things pop into your head as you travel, so it's my way'.

From London facts including where to find the blue plaque for Una Marson, 'The first black woman programme maker at the BBC', to discovering the best Spanish coffee under Southwark's railway arches; from a brief history of lady gangsters at Elephant and Castle to memories of climbing Mount Sinai and, at the request of a fellow traveller, reading aloud the Ten Commandments; from the story behind Pissarro's painting of Dulwich Station to performing in Footlights with Emma Thompson; from painful memoires of being sent to Coventry while at a British boarding school to thinking about how Wombells Travelling Circus of 1864 haunts Peckham Rye; from anecdotes about meeting Prince Charles, Monica Lewinsky and Grayson Perry to Bake-Off antics; from stories of a real and lasting friendship with John McCarthy to the importance of family and the daunting navigation of the Zambezi River in her father's canoe, this Sandi Toksvig-style memoir is, as one would expect and hope, packed full of surprises.

A funny and moving trip through memories, musings and the many delights on the Number 12 route, Between the Stops is also an inspiration to us all to get off our phones, look up and to talk to each other because, as Sandi says, 'Some of the greatest trips lie on our own doorstep'.

©2019 Sandi Toksvig (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

Not actually an autobiography

This is NOT an autobiography! It is however a book that is interesting and entertaining. If you enjoyed her podcast you will enjoy this book with its inclusion of personal memories and stories but note, those are not the majority of the book subject. I enjoyed this thoroughly because I love Sandi’s humor and storytelling. If you want a biography keep looking. If you want an enjoyable listen with some education too this may be a book for you

Absolutely Delightful

This book is chock full of interesting facts, engaging anecdotes and heartfelt stories. The narration by the author is perfection and her perspective is insightful and much appreciated by this listener.

Terrific on all levels!

So enjoyable. Sandy's life story is fascinating. The concept she employs to share is unique and the narration is the best I've experienced. I've listened multiple times and learn something new each time. I respect and appreciate her abilities as a writer and entertainer.
Highly recommend!

Wonderful Read

I'll keep it simple, listen to this book. It's well worth a credit. Do it.

A book that will broaden your mind

I have driven for several hours on a trip, listening to this extraordinary autobiography. It is funny, thoughtful, insightful, kind, poignant and full of hope. I will listen to it again on the homeward bound leg.

This book should be read by everyone; it can only broaden minds. It is wonderful.

Sandy Is An International Treasure

I hate to admit the first time I ever learned of Sandy Toksvig was via the Great British Baking Show (I'm in America...so, please forgive me). As fantastic as that show is, I almost hate to admit that's how I was introduced to her sharp wit and intelligence because she is cosmically beyond the realm of hosting a baking show. At one point I saw her on an old episode of Time Team that airedback in the late 90s/early 2000s and I became intrigued so started searching for her on YouTube. I discovered not only is this woman insanely funny, but she is passionate, visionary, action-oriented...she wants to see change in this world so she goes out and MAKES IT HAPPEN. And you get to hear in this book all about the whys and wherefores of the schemes and antics that have sprung from her brilliant mind. I am definitely glad to have listened to her discuss her journey in life, the ups and downs that shaped her, including disheartening and at times frightening prejudice against her simply because of who she loves. She is an ardent advocate for women's rights and has dedicated her life to help empower women. I have marked this as a favorite so will be re-listening to this in the future. Get this book, you'll not be disappointed.

Brilliantly written, even better to hear her.

If you never listen to anything else, make it this. You’ll laugh and cry… a lot.

There's only one bad thing about this book

The only bad thing about this book, and that's that it ends!

I could listen to Sandi for many (many!) more hours. This is a lovely mix of not-so-general knowledge and personal stories. Some of it heart-wrenching, some of it funny, but all of it interesting ... or dare I even say "quite interesting"?

Reliably Sandi Toksvig

I got this, because it was read by the author. I generally love Sandi Toksvig, but I've mostly seen her in panel quiz shows or as a Bake Off host. But her humor just hits my humor in a right way. And this book didn't disappoint. This was not necessarily linear biography but moments here and there, but the flow was great. And told in her style.

I have a focus issue with audiobooks (and it can happen with good books too, so it's not strictly related), but I didn't have to rewind many times with this one! Absolutely loved it!

Just delightful

London like you’ve never seen it before. What an informative, thought provoking, laugh out loud funny and impeccably narrated book.