I used to read for work. Almost a book a day.
In the fallout, I'm going back to scratch. Savouring my words. Using them sparingly, and hopefully delving deeper in the process.
This might be a small list in the end, but I'd like to record my resuscitation.
(Thanks to Anika for the idea!)
Blink
Malcolm Gladwell [January]
A Christmas gift from pseudo-in-laws who know me well.
Interesting people, neat ideas and entertaining essays on how and why we make snap decisions. A good read and a great conversation but as always, he is an armchair theorist rather than a professional so take the amazing and intriguing leaps with a grain of salt.
The Blind Assassin
Margaret Atwood [February]
A re-read of an epic 20C. novel.
I love revisiting old books. This one I loved dearly. The prose is as poetic (and acerbic) as I remember - but the characters have changed hue and the depth of feeling has compounded with my own aging.
Completely beautiful and tightly woven, I'm relishing it in small doses.
The King James Bible
someone who isn't God, that's for sure [March, uncompleted]
Picked up a little leather bound pocket edition inscribed with "To Fanny from Mother, Christmas 1933" the other day and now, on a sudden and unexpected impulse, am giving it a go for the first time. It is surprising on so many levels.
I tried to read both Out of Africa and AL Kennedy's Day lately. They were abysmal failures - probably owing to my really stressful life right now. I cannot abide longwinded sentences and self-congratulatory prose just now.
Hunger Games : Mockingjay
Suzanne Collins [March]
Finally finished the triology.
While I'm glad I saved it for when I had time to tear through it in one go, like so many books before, the saga just doesn't hold up to the awesome power of the first premise. The ideas get diluted and the characters grow tired with repetition. Some high points and some fun, but mostly negated by the overblown harry potter-esque ending and endless cliches.
Science & Poetry
Mary Midgley [March - May]
A definite Dipper rather than page turner, this dense philosophical tome looks at the line between science, religion and human experience - asking questions about conciousness, relativity and social cohesion on the blurry sidelines of a (western) world too preoccupied with imperical data. the religion of science has never been so thoroughly explored. absolutely fascinating.
Lion's Honey
David Grossman [March]
A fascinating of repetitive essay deconstructing the Biblical tale of Samson.
An archeological and psychological piece of literary criticism more than a work of religious zeal, it's very interesting to pick apart the sparse biblical text to find a human soul in turmoil.
Feast
Nigella Lawson[March]
I wouldn't normally list a cookbook for reading - but I haven't cooked a thing in it and I've practically read it cover to cover.
Her tone may not be for everoyne, but the relaxed style, unconventional menus and real passion for food shine through in a lavish collection celebrating life and the foods worth sharing.
The Snobs
Muriel Spark [April]
A very short collection of very short stories by an impeccable wit.
Possibly the shortest book I've ever read, but the title story had me smiling - but perhaps that's because I read it snuggled in bed at noon one random Tuesday.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Truman Capote [April]
The novella that inspired a film, and quite possibly a lifestyle.
Having never read it or seen the movie (like in that song), I was intrigued. It was sharper and more lurid than I expected, if surprisingly short. And it's shocking how many women I have known and seen who still put on Golightly airs, knowingly or not. I certianly have no time for such women, but they make for interesting books.
The Sherlockian
Graham Moore [April - May]
A gift from the Putvin turns into an unexpected joy.
While the whodunnit of Victoriana is trending, and this is a fine addition, for some reason I started reading it aloud to Liam when he was ill. And we've kept it up (taking turns) ever since. An immensely enjoyable discovery that will outlast the Holmsian plot twists by a long shot.
Scenes from an Academic Life
David Lodge
A small compendium of passages from what are called Lodge's campus novels (apparently).
Not that I've read them, but these bite sized morsels make me wonder if I shouldn't revise that, and soon. Silly, pompous, overtly critical and charmingly nostalgic it's the bain of academia - and makes me think fondly of Rutledge.
The Collected Short Stories of Lydia Davis
Lydia Davis
She is a genius. Buy this book. Now.
Subtle, errudite, pointed and profoud, Davis can write an entire life in a sentence. I want to give this book to everyone I know. (Also, it's very pretty.)
