Alex Wormall, a former Waterstone's bookseller and lifelong book addict reviews Mark Kermode's iPhone enhanced e-book app: I think it is only fair to begin this review with a couple of admissions. Firstly, Mark Kermode is a critic who tends to divide people. They are either hugely in favour or very much against him. I am definitely a huge fan and a regular listener to his film show with Simon Mayo. Secondly, I am a book lover, but have an almost instinctive apathy when it comes to reading books in any form other than paper. However, I guess if you’re going to start reading ebooks, you may as well start with one that you suspect you will like.

‘It’s Only a Movie’ recounts some of the key events from Kermode’s life as he recalls them, from discovering his love of cinema as a child all the way through to the years working with Simon Mayo. 

As you may expect from a film critic of some years standing, there are a number of excellent film experiences recounted in here. From Werner Herzog getting shot mid-interview to getting handbagged by Helen Mirren at the BAFTAs via an horrific journey to see ‘Dark Waters’ being filmed in Russia, Kermode proves to be an entertaining guide through his past. He is also, which may surprise some, often humble and self-deprecating. Don’t worry though, there is still plenty of opinion in here.  Kermode also keeps the pace up, the anecdotes keep you engaged and there is never the feeling that he dallies for too long on one tale. 

So, now that you know that the book is a good read, what of the ebook experience? Well, even though I felt inclined to dislike it before I started, the application won me around fairly quickly. The features are very intuitive, and just as importantly they are useful, and they really do enhance the experience. 

As Kermode himself says, he has written the book in the style that he talks, so it a welcome addition that you can choose to have him read the book himself. It also means that he avoids the woodenness that often afflicts authors when they read their own material, as he has recounted these tales many times before. 

The feel of a book is something that I felt sure I would miss, but with so much media being available via the phone, it feels very natural to keep the pages scrolling with your finger, or if you are tired of that there is an automatic scrolling option (with variable speeds). If you need to leave the book, then marking your place is simple, as is titling your bookmarks and changing the font size. 

If you’re reading this book, then you are probably a fan of Dr K and the application offers the bonus addition of number of links e.g. to the podcasts of his Friday 5Live review show, some vodcasts about his favourite/least favourite actors/films etc, as well as footage of his band, The Dodge Brothers. 

So, ultimately, the Kermode EBook experience is well worth trying. Even as someone that has read the book already, and seen the book tour (Yes, I know, the restraining order has been ordered…), this was still a fun experience. Having Kermode read the book as an option was a definite plus, but it was the links to other Kermode information as well as the ease of use that really has me sold on this.

Alex Wormall is a former Waterstone's bookseller and lifelong book addict based in the glorious metropolis that is Manchester. Has reviewed for in-house titles such as Enigma and currently writes for View magazine in Gorton. Follow him at www.twitter.com/wormito
Mark Kermode's 'It's Only a Movie' enhanced ebook app is produced by Enhance Editions and is available here priced £6.99