Orange is not the only Penguin (book) - charl08 reads #10

From Mighty Mo, a story about a raccoon who can't quite work out what he's good at...

Books read in 2017 - 172
Last three month's reading: (ish)

August 20
The 7th Function of Language (M, France, fiction)
Night Rounds (F, Sweden, fiction)
Miss Buncle's Book (F, UK, fiction)
Let Them Eat Chaos (F, UK, poetry)
Sylvester (F, UK, fiction)
Lincoln in the Bardo (M, US, fiction)
History of Wolves (F, US, fiction)
In the Morning I'll be Gone (M, UK, fiction)
How to talk to Girls at Parties (M, UK, GN)
How to understand Israel in 60 Days or Less (F, US, Graphic memoir/ travelogue)

The Story of a Brief Marriage (M, Sri Lanka, Novel)
The Golden Calf (F, Sweden, fiction)
Midwinter (F, South Africa, fiction)
The Black Sheep (F, UK, fiction)
A Fabulous Liar (F, Germany, fiction)
Guapa (M, Egypt, fiction)
Ways to Disappear (F, US, fiction)
A Masterly Murder) (F, UK, fiction audio)
Return of the Runaway (F, UK, fiction)
Gun Street Girl (M, UK, fiction)

July 26
A Necessary Evil (M, UK, fiction)
A Chance Encounter (F, Canada, fiction)
Bookshops (Spain, M, non-fiction)
Boxers (US, M, GN)
The Skeleton Road (UK, F, fiction)
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley (F, US, fiction)
The Life Project (F, UK, history of Science)
L'Origine du Monde (F, Sweden, graphic non-fiction)
The Cold Cold Ground (M, UK, fiction)
Blessed are the Dead (F, Australia, fiction)

Darling Beast ( F, US, fiction)
Leap In (F, UK, non-fiction memoir/sport)
Dearest Rogue (F, US, fiction)
Mai-Tai'd Up (F, US, fiction)
Persuading Austen (F, UK, fiction)
I hear the sirens in the street (M, UK, fiction)
Hold your own (F, UK, poetry)
Prague Nights (M, Ireland, fiction)
The Good Lord Bird (M, US, fiction)
Strange the Dreamer (F, US, fiction)

The Undateable (F, US, fiction)
The Children (F, Colombia, fiction)
The Argonauts (F, US, memoir/ philosophy)
Fall with Me (F, US, fiction)
Into the Duke's... (ditto)
Field Study (F, UK, short stories)

June 23
Milk and Honey (F, Canada, poetry)
Husband by the Hour (F, US, fiction)
When he was Wicked (F, US, fiction)
Shot gun Grooms (ditto)
Married on Demand (ditto)
East West Street (M, UK, history)
The Hawkshead Hostage (F, UK, fiction)
A Rising Man ( M, UK, fiction)
Father in Training (F, US? fiction)
Crimson Lake (F, Australia, fiction)

The Masuda Affair (F, Germany, fiction)
The Long Dry (M, UK, fiction)
Cream of the Crop (F, US, fiction)
It’s in his kiss(F, US, fiction)
Meetings with Remarkable Trees (M, Ireland, natural history)
Just Mercy (M, US, non-fiction- law/memoir)
Burma Chronicles (M, Canada, non-fiction graphic travelogue/ memoir)
The Bottom of Your Heart: Inferno for Commissario Ricciardi (M, Italy, fiction)
Saints (M, US, GN)
Dancing With Clara (F, Canada, Novel)

El Deafo (F, US, Graphic memoir)
Witches Abroad (M, UK, fiction)
Blasphemy: new and collected stories (M, US, short stories)

May 22
The Patriots (F, Ukraine, novel)
Out of this World (F, UK, novel)
As good as New (F, US, novel)
Spandex and the City (F, UK, novel)
Shenzhen: A travelogue (M, Canada, graphic memoir)
Maigret at Picratt's (M, Belgium, novel)
Flesh and Bone and Water (F, Brazil, novel)
Fever Dream (F, Argentina, novel)
Blanche and Marie (M, Sweden, novel)
The Way to a Duke's Heart (F, US, novel)

Barbara the Slut (F, US, short stories)
Truevine (F, US, history/ biography)
For Your Arms Only (F, US, fiction)
Our Holocaust (M, Israel, fiction)
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (M, US, novel)
The Unaccompanied (M, UK, poetry)
Rogue's Downfall (F, US, fiction)
Victorians Undone (F, UK, non-fiction, history)
Out of Bounds (F, UK, fiction)
The Best We Could Do (F, US, graphic memoir)

Anything is Possible (F, US, fiction)
Hostage by Guy Delisle (M, Canada, Graphic Biography)

August
M7 F13
Africa 2 Asia 1 Europe 13 (UK 9) US 4
Library 15 Me 5
Fiction 18 Travel/Memoir 1 Poetry 1

July
F19/M7
Australasia 1 Latin America 1, US & Canada 12 Europe 12 ( UK 9)
Library 12 Mine 14
Fiction 20 Non-Fiction 5 Poetry 1
Netgalley 1

June
F13 M10
US & Canada 9 Europe 8 (UK 5 ) Australia 1
Library 18 Mine 4
Fiction 16 Poetry 1 Non-Fiction 5

May
F15 M 7
Europe 8 (UK 5) US & Canada 11 Latin America 2 Middle East 1
Library 17 Netgalley 2 Mine 3
Fiction 17 Non-fiction 4 Poetry 1

For Jan/Feb see http://www.librarything.com/topic/254233
For Mar/Apr see https://www.librarything.com/topic/257735#6053690

Goals:
1. Last year I read over 300 books: I'd like to do the same this year.
2. Read Harder Challenge (Bookriot) 18 down...
Read a book about sports. Leap In
Read a debut novel. The Dry
Read a book about books. Bookshops
Read a book set in Central or South America, written by a Central or South American author. Fever Dream
Read a book by an immigrant or with a central immigration narrative.The Lonely Londoners
Read an all-ages comic. Huck
Read a book published between 1900 and 1950.In a Lonely Place
Read a travel memoir On a Chinese Screen
Read a book you’ve read before. Black Sheep
Read a book that is set within 100 miles of your location. Becoming Unbecoming
Read a book that is set more than 5000 miles from your location. Human Acts (South Korea)
Read a fantasy novel. The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Read a nonfiction book about technology.
Read a book about war. The Darkroom of Damocles
Read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+.
Read a book that has been banned or frequently challenged in your country.
Read a classic by an author of color.
Read a superhero comic with a female lead. Ms Marvel: volume five
Read a book in which a character of color goes on a spiritual journey Saints
Read an LGBTQ+ romance novel -Guapa
Read a book published by a micropress.
Read a collection of stories by a woman. Kafka in Bronteland
Read a collection of poetry in translation on a theme other than love.
Read a book wherein all point-of-view characters are people of color. A Chinese Life

Gratuitous beach shot


North Berwick

Congrats on your shiny new thread, Charlotte and happy weekend.

Thanks Barbara. Helped my mum set up for a week away today, and will head home tomorrow. Have been enjoying a lazy evening with the books.

An average romance (I want them all to be Tessa Dare, but sadly, they're not) . Pet peeve : use of language. Who "utters"?
Followed by a short story collection Field Study which wasn't as sparkling as I hoped from her other books (e.g. Dark room). Thought the stories about German/Polish border crossings were especially strong though.

Safe travels. We are safely arrived at our holiday destination.

Happy New Thread, Charlotte.

Nothing better than a lazy evening reading. Have a safe trip home.

Happy new thread, Charlotte.

>4 charl08: And why not have a gratuitous beach shot? Love it! Safe travels home and congrats on the new thread. : )

Happy new thread, Charlotte :-) And what was the average romance? Just so I know not to get it...

Happy new one, Charlotte!

>7 Ameise1: Glad to hear that Barbara. Hope you get plenty of relaxation in.

>8 jnwelch: Thanks Joe. I really felt I deserved it after travelling for most of the day! I ended up in a central London hotel overnight which was beautifully quiet. I read enough to feel justified in bringing all the books I brought with me. Win.

>9 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg. I must head over to your thread, I think I've missed you recently, not sure what I've done there.

>10 Berly: Thanks Kim. Always good to have a TKD expert in my corner!

>11 susanj67: Good question Susan. There's a Duke in the title somewhere. Must check!

Happy new thread, Charlotte as well as a slightly belated congratulations for already passing 75x2.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Thanks Paul. I'm home, exhausted but had a lovely time with my friend and then visiting the Russian Revolution exhibit at the British library.

Highly recommended if anyone is in the area.

Happy new thread, Charlotte!
Glad you made it to the Russian Revolution exhibit. I don't remember who visited it earlier this year, it sounded like a great exhibit.

I'm jealous of your trip to London to see the Russian Revolution exhibit. I'm glad you liked it.

And thank you for pushing me towards The Patriots. I really enjoyed it.

Happy new thread, Charlotte.

Happy newcthread!

Happy New Thread, Charlotte!

>16 charl08: I wish I were in the area; that looks very interesting.

Happy New Thread Charlotte, and I also wish I was in the area, looks fascinating . Must travel more *newyearresolution2018*

>16 charl08: oh, that looks amazing! I remember seeing a propaganda poster art exhibition a decade or so ago, and I still remember it. I probably have the exhibition book around somewhere.

Happy newest thread!

Happy new thread, Charlotte!

>17 FAMeulstee: It was great - I'd been to the RA one which was much more art based - so paintings and posters and even pots and scarves inspired by the revolution. This one had a lot more textual content, although posters and paintings turned up too. I was very tempted by the exhibition catalogue, but decided it was too much of a brick to take home. I'd guess they must be available online though?

>18 RidgewayGirl: I'd wanted to see it, as I think this is a fascinating period of history, but it was a complete fluke and last minute decision. My mum wanted company on her trip down south, and was happy to cover my travel fare back. I emailed two friends in the hope that they might have some spare time and one of them was free for breakfast.

>19 BLBera: Thanks Beth! I'm trying to think of easy crafting activities for the 10-12 new kids when they meet on Friday. Failing that, I'll go and get some more sets of bubbles!

>20 drneutron: Thanks Dr Jim! I don't know how you keep up, but it's much appreciated.

>21 EBT1002: Thanks Ellen. Maybe when P is recovered there will be some travel in your future?

>22 Deern: Thanks Nathalie. Maybe we can organise a meetup?

>23 LovingLit: I studied this period at school and then Stalinism at uni, so fascinated by it all.

Thanks Amber.

I'm thinking about making these https://funfamilycrafts.com/patriotic-stained-glass-window-craft/ (except missing out the 'patriotic' bit)
or
http://www.createinthechaos.com/printable-dragon-marionette-puppet/
on friday. I see glue everywhere in my future...

Kids generally like crafts. What is the age range?

Everything from tiny tots to ten year olds, Beth. I'm thinking if I prep several, one might work!

Do you have funds for supplies? Scout really likes to work with beads right now, to make necklaces.

Also, she loves bubbles and sidewalk chalk. There are also special markers for writing on windows that she has fun with.

Good luck. It sounds like fun.

I would love to see the Russian Revolution exhibit -- I wish it were a traveling one! We don't seem to have any fabulous ones on that topic around here. Bah humbug.

I would have bought the catalog, brick or no brick, I confess!!

>29 BLBera: Haven't needed them up to now (just small numbers) but might ask for some help from the group. Chalk is a wonderful idea - I wonder whether we'll have the weather...

>30 Chatterbox: One of the amazing things was how much had been donated or collected in the UK about the revolution. They also include some stuff about censorship too.

I'm still tempted to get that catalogue online.

Still reading The 7th Function of Language. Its an unlikely premise - crime detection amongst French theorists in the 1980s. Pretty funny too.

Oooh, both of those crafts look like fun!

I have some tissue paper, and think I'm going to be able to get hold of some paper plates, so might be making some moving octopus (octopi?) - except we won't be painting. I'm not that brave to do that in a library!
http://iheartcraftythings.com/paper-plate-swimming-jellyfish-craft.html

New acquisitions into the library:
Kate Tempest's Let them Eat Chaos
Flaneuse (it finally came out in paperback!)
Penguin Modern Poets 5: Occasional Wild Parties by Sam Riviere et al
and a revolutionary GN 1917: Russia's Red Year plus Alexievich's book on Russian women fighters, The Unwomanly Face of War (which I am very pleased is in penguin. Less pleased it is pink).

>34 charl08: I have read two books by Svetlana Alexievich now, Charlotte, both were great, so I will add that one to mount TBR.

Me too Anita. I'm having a kind of conflict about buying to reread the new penguin translation: now called Chernobyl Prayer in English.

Oooh! Arts and crafts! Sounds like my kind of fun.

Why would you make a book called The Unwomanly Face of War pink?!?! Even if it was the called The Womanly Face of War, you shouldn't make it pink.

Yup. I suspect it's supposed to be 'ironic' but...

I've been posting quotes from The 7th Function of Language on litsy - this novel is making me laugh. It has taken me ages to work out I can just copy them over here -
This very silly scene takes place on a plane, managing to mash up the 'good guys' trying to search some luggage for clues, with a commentary on binary gender identities!


(and now I want to read Foucault's book about Herculine Barbins)

Bookish art - Anouk Kruithof, titled Enclosed Content Chatting Away in the Colour Invisibility.


http://www.chroniclebooks.com/blog/2017/07/27/eye-catching-art-installation-made...

>39 charl08: - That is awesome!

Happy newish thread, Charlotte!

Brand New Ancients was very good, Charlotte, so thanks for the tip. I'll be looking for more by Kate Tempest.

>40 lkernagh: I liked the idea behind it, putting a new value on eastern European books after the fall of the Wall.

>41 Carmenere: Thanks Lynda!

>42 jnwelch: Glad you liked it Joe! I've got to get reading the one I've just bought...

>39 charl08: Facinating!
I visted her website and found a video of the books falling down and then backward they go up again:
http://www.anoukkruithof.nl/enclosed-content-chatting-away-in-the-colour-invisib...

The Seventh Function of Language sounds stellar, Charlotte. I have it on reserve at the library. I have to look for Kate Tempest.

>44 FAMeulstee: Glad you liked it Anita. I always feel a bit torn by books as art, but this is rather lovely.

>45 BLBera: I've finished it Beth: it's very meta, but hopefully in a good way...

>39 charl08: >44 FAMeulstee: Love it!

>39 charl08: That's amazing! It looks a bit like a Van Gogh, or a Turner - something familiar, anyway.

>47 Berly: Thanks Kim. Or is it Beth?!! :-D

>48 susanj67: I can't imagine how much of this art gets sold to private hands (but what do I know about art?)

The new person who got the promotion I applied for in work starts this week. I didn't think it bothered me but it turns out I am quite sad about not having the opportunity. Overcompensating by smiling in a somewhat gormless fashion.

The Seventh Function of Language - enjoyed this crime romp through early 80s Paris (and Venice, and a well known campus in Ithaca). An unlikely pairing of 'traditional' cop and weedy linguistic scholar team up to try and solve the death of Barthes, which may or may not be an accident. Was it a coincidence he was coming from a meal with the then President, Giscard? Who are the unlikely pairs who keep following them around town - two Bulgarian and two Japanese secret agents? Foucault refuses to 'collaborate' with the police - does he have something to hide? And what is the mysterious Logos society, and why are so many people missing fingers?

There's a lot of injokes about French theorists (and American reactions to French theorists) I didn't get them all but enjoyed the Spivak one (who was on my required reading list!). Umberto Eco turns up too and with the leading characters we start wondering if this is a novel, who will get bumped off near the end... (or will they?) Binet doesn't take it all too seriously, and I suspect we're not supposed to either.

Recommended, especially if you enjoyed Hhhh.

>49 charl08: Sorry you feel sad, Charlotte, hoping an other opportunity for you comes soon.

>50 charl08: Good review, I haven't read anything by Laurent Binet, so I have added HhHH to mount TBR.

>49 charl08: Hah! We are interchangeable, I think. If you go with Kith, you're safe. :)

Sorry about your missed promotion. I hope something else turns up soon.

>50 charl08: I just got a note that The Seventh Function of Language is waiting for me at the library! I'm looking forward to it. I love metafiction.

> Oh, my. Looks like I have no choice but to take a bullet on this book: I was at Cornell in the 80s, met Spivak and Derrida both. Thanks for the review, Charlotte.

>51 FAMeulstee: Ooh, you're in for a great read Anita.

>52 BLBera: Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Beth. Will you have time to finish it before school starts again?

>53 majleavy: Hey! Have you been to my thread before? You're very welcome either way. I'm not sure that Binet's academics will resemble the real people very closely, but would love to hear what you make of it.

Somewhere in the U.K., Charlotte, is a used book store with this collection. Better get moving or it'll be sold out from under you.



:-) :-) :-)

>54 charl08: I don't think that I've posted on your thread before, but have followed for a while. Probably be a couple of weeks before I get to Binet, but I'll let you know how it strikes me.

>55 weird_O: Looks good Bill. I'm going to try my best to find it!

>56 majleavy: Thank you. Look forward to hearing what you think.

I've headed back for some crime in Sweden with Night Rounds.

I hope to get to it before school starts, Charlotte. Suddenly, though, my to-do list is getting longer and longer, while the time gets shorter. How does that happen? It also depends on my pile of library books. I have a couple with reserves, so those will go first.

>55 weird_O: Ooooh, orgasmic!

Have a great weekend, Charlotte. Scandi is something I am also in the mood for and will try to fit some in this month.

Hi Charlotte! I'll be back eventually, but I've been popping in on your thread. I've been reading, but rather slowly. Yesterday I was out at a new shopping mall ( altogether quite boring) but it did have an Amazon Locker! yes! The first I have seen! I recall that your workplace has an Amazon Locker and thought of you. This shopping mall is not convenient to me at all, but still ! Just to see an Amazon Locker was a small thrill.

Smokey here. We have a bunch of wild fires in my province that have been burning for some weeks now.Just this past week the wind shifted and now I am looking out to haze of smoke - kind of orangey - grey. And it's hot.

>55 weird_O: Perfect!

>58 BLBera: I don't know Beth. I thought I had ages of summer left but the nursing students are already back on campus.

>59 PaulCranswick: I'm not sure I'd go that far Paul. I have mixed feelings about shelves like this, they often seem to mean higher prices than the penguin found mixed in with the hoi polloi. (Ha…!)

>60 vancouverdeb: A Deborah sighting! So lovely to see you here. Hope the renovations are going well, and that the fires are dealt with soon. Scary stuff.

Guardian Reviews Non-fiction

The unwomanly face of war by Svetlana Alexievich reviewed by Caroline Moorehead
"Her years of meticulous listening, her unobtrusiveness and her ear for the telling detail... have made her an old exceptional witness to modern times. "

Killers of the Flower Moon: oil, money, murder and the Birth of the FBI by David Gram reviewed by R. O.Kwon
"newfound wealth attracted a host of known outlaws... the more insidious thefts were facilitated by the US government... " ".. if white people hoped to inherit the headrights, they had to marry into the tribe, then to wish their rich spouse would die. Or cause them to die..."

Rulers, religion and riches: why the west got rich and the middle east did not by Jared Rubin reviewed by Christopher Kissane
"... argues that differences in the way religion and government interact caused the economic fortunes of Europe and the Middle East to diverge. "

Traveling Light by Alistair Sawday reviewed by Alexandra Harris
" Sawday’s career has been a long campaign against the anonymity of commercial hotel chains. He has been a joyous advocate of small-scale enterprise, environmental responsibility and, most of all, idiosyncratic human connection....After all his espousal of personality, it’s fitting that he should write a memoir... The book is... a big advertisement for the company that bears his name, but it’s hard to mind.

Risingtidefallingstar by Philip Hoare reviewed by Richard Kerridge
"... concerns itself with how humans move through water, about the pleasure and terror of swimming in cold, dark seas. Like Haunts of the Black Masseur, this book feels as if it’s half-narrated by the authors Hoare calls upon as fellow swimmers, fellow sea obsessives."

Happy weekend, Charlotte.

Thanks Barbara. Hope you're having a lovely break.

Thanks for the reviews, Charlotte. The Rubin sounds like a must, but doesn't appear in the library catalogue. I'll have to have a word with FLA :-) Killers of the Flower Moon is good - I must have read about it somewhere else because I read it earlier in the year. I have to confess that I have never heard of the company that bears Alistair Sawday's name, so maybe that one's not for me.

>65 susanj67: I hadn't heard of Sawley either but the review rather made me laugh: how the other half book their b and bs, as far as I'm concerned. The reviewer comments on the blandness of the
city hotel: personally I'm delighted when the hotel is clean and quiet and really don't care if it's stylish or not.

I finally forced myself out of the house at lunchtime only to find that the post office closed at 12 and I had missed it. Spit. Sorry to Mark and Deborah, I've still not managed to get the books I promised into the mail.

Night Rounds: Irene Huss

Susan, look away now...

I began this new-to-me series in the middle (I think) with this story of Irene Huss, martial arts expert and police detective in Sweden, trying to solve the murder of a nurse in a private hospital. There were lots of red herrings, but I worked out the killer (for once). I really liked Irene as a character: she is middle-aged and has a family rather than the usual drink problem, but wasn't worthy or wonderwoman. There are a couple of digs at unrealistic American crime shows and gender inequality in the Swedish police force, which made for interesting reading.

Happy weekend, How did the crafting go?

It was funny, I spent ages doing the dragon prep but the big success was balloon badminton (with paddles made from paper plates and lolly sticks in ten minutes). Go figure...

>65 susanj67: >66 charl08: I have to confess that I'm an Alastair Sawday addict ...

Hi Charlotte! It's been ages since I've been able to visit anyone, so I have quite a bit of catching up to do! Love your "gratuitous beach pic" - everyone needs one of those:) . Sorry about your missed promotion. I hope something wonderful comes your way very soon.

>70 SandDune: Have you been to any of his recommended places Rhian? Are they very pricey?

>71 AMQS: Hi Anne, lovely to see you. I've not been to the beach since I took the picture, and I'm wondering when I will get to go again.

I do so appreciate all the kind comments about the job, thanks so much. I've been keeping my eye out and will be applying to a few.

I picked up Miss Buncle's Book - great fun.

Finished Miss Buncle's Book : sweet story about an impoverished lady who writes a book about her community only to find that the village is not impressed! Another LT win as I wouldn't have picked this up without the reviews here.

>72 charl08: Have you been to any of his recommended places Rhian? Are they very pricey? We have been to loads over the years - it's definitely my go-to book (and website) when it comes to accommodation and I've used them in the U.K., France, Ireland and Italy. They're variable in price: probably the B&B's (which is where we stay most) average out at about £100 a night for a double room, but they do do some places that are a lot cheaper as well. They tend to go for character rather than facilities, as the article says, which is what items to go for in accommodation.

Here's their website and where we stayed in Dorset recently which was lovely:

https://www.sawdays.co.uk/find?SearchText=Wooden+cabbage#!display=list

>39 charl08: love that art! Love it that it is in an actual gallery too.

>74 SandDune: Wow, the views at that place are stunning. Thanks for posting.

>75 LovingLit: I would like to own art like that. Although the way I'm going the books will soon be stacked up the ceiling, so maybe I should just make my own?

Let Them Eat Chaos
A long poem which both records the lives (and dilemmas) of seven residents in an apartment building in London and in the world more generally, from the refugee crisis to the environment. Individuals' personal tragedies, heartbreak, dead end job, eviction, blend with the layers of the 'big' issues. It's powerful stuff and a lot of food for thought.

>69 charl08: HA! You never know what they will love, but balloon badminton does sound really cool. I'll have to remember that one.

Hi, Charlotte. I'm glad you enjoyed Miss Buncle's Book. It was adapted as a play here, and they did a charming job with it.

LT is a gift when it comes to great book recommendations, isn't it. Some day I should figure out how many books I've read and loved solely because people here loved them and talked about them.

>73 charl08: Wow you got round to that one quickly, Charlotte. Pleased to see that you liked it.

>77 nittnut: There were some rumbles that the play dough and bubbles weren't immediately produced. But there are some participants who are very keen to do Exactly what their sibling does, so everybody doing the same thing makes life less fractious...

>78 jnwelch: I really appreciate it Joe. I was reminded again when I went to a book club at work and people recommended about eight books, only one of which was new to me. Nothing against them, but I love how members here are alert and interested in books being published and reviewed, as well as rediscovering older books and books in translation.

I tried to persuade them to try graphic memoir, but I'm not sure they were buying it!

>79 PaulCranswick: I was so tired last night Paul, but couldn't sleep, so reading your review came at just the right time. And I knew Joe and others had also enjoyed it, which is always a great sign.

>62 charl08: Thanks for the reviews, Charlotte. I'd like to read the Gram and Alexievich for sure.

>67 charl08: Night Rounds sounds really good. Do you think you missed out by starting in the middle?

>69 charl08: That's usually the way it is. I remember when my kids were little, they often would play with the wrapping paper and boxes more than the actual gifts.

>76 charl08: Let Them Eat Chaos sounds wonderful. I am off to look for that one.

Glad you liked Miss Buncle's Book; I love her sense of humor.

I hope you are having a great weekend.

>81 BLBera: Hi Beth, enjoying a relatively quiet one, although have been and picked the veg on the allotment: beans are doing so well, we've been able to freeze some.


Eta pleasing amounts of beans!

Caro was the one who recommended Irene Huss! She's on book five so will be better placed to say if you need to read the first one or not. I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Hope you can find those books. I gave the Alexievich to my Dad, *just to look at* mind, and he's started reading it, which was not the plan...

I may have just bought a few Georgette Heyers, as there is a UK kindle deal on them today.

>39 charl08: I love that!

Hmm, Miss Buncle's Book is available from Persephone Books.... that is tempting.

Happy Sunday! Balloon badmitten sounds fun.

Glad to hear that your beans are growing so well. Wishing you a good start into the new week, Charlotte.

>83 EBT1002: I read the kindle version but the hard copy looks very pretty, Ellen.

>84 banjo123: There was a lot of enthusiasm for that one (including from me!).

Thanks Barbara. Had some with the Sunday roast. Delicious!

Quite like this article, if you ignore the bit where they say you can't possibly read them all, or buy them all (what about the library). Speed-dating the Booker Prize longlist, with clips and extracts from the books and their authors.

https://granta.com/discoveries-22/

Sylvester and Lincoln in the Bardo completed. I'm not sure quote how to summarise Lincoln - fascinating book, and a real contender, but half the charm for me was the surprise of the structure.
I read Heyer many years ago, and enjoyed this one! But I'd forgotten all the horse stuff. A *lot* of horse stuff.

Booker update
Now reading History of Wolves

I've read :
Swing Time by Zadie Smith (UK) (Hamish Hamilton)
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry (Ireland) (Faber & Faber)
Autumn by Ali Smith (UK) (Hamish Hamilton)
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (US) (Bloomsbury)

I've asked the library for:
Elmet by Fiona Mozley (UK) (JM Originals) (apparently not out in hardcopy here until January?!)

Not sure if I'll get to these:
The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy (India) (Hamish Hamilton)
4 3 2 1: A Novel by Paul Auster (US) (Faber & Faber)
Solar Bones by Mike McCormack (Ireland) (Canongate)
Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor (UK) (4th Estate)
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (UK-Pakistan) (Bloomsbury) (not out until next month)

Grateful for any suggestions on these... My outstanding 'Read Harder' challenge list.

Read a nonfiction book about technology.
Read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+.
Read a book that has been banned or frequently challenged in your country.
Read a classic by an author of color.
Read an LGBTQ+ romance novel
Read a book published by a micropress.
Read a collection of poetry in translation on a theme other than love.

>91 charl08: "read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+" Oh! George by Alex Gino, if you haven't already. It's excellent!

>92 scaifea: Thanks Amber! I haven't heard of that one, my knowledge of reading in these categories is rubbish.

I'm going to hold off the 'buy now' button, as I may need an intervention.
Someone has recommended Guapa over on Litsy for "Read an LGBTQ+ romance novel", and as it's set in the Arab Spring that sounded great to me.
And I may have also pushed 'buy' to get the edited collection by Foucault of letters that was mentioned in the Laurent Binet book at the same time.

I need to learn how to put up shelves.

>91 charl08: Charlotte, I am also lagging on my challenge, and Must Do Better. But for the NF book about technology, Fifty Things That Made The Modern Economy, which I read recently. I have the author of colour category in my challenge and I've chosen The Pillow Book, which is waiting on the shelf at the library for me to get to to one day. I got it from a post on Book Riot about books by authors of colour, but I'm not convinced that a Japanese person would actually describe themselves like that so I may keep looking.

>94 susanj67: Thanks Susan. I'll look for that one. Once I've managed to crack down on some of the library pile!

^Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, North Carolina.

I have not been by in awhile Charlotte so I though I would stop by with a lighthouse. Hope you like it.

I hope life is treating you well, along with your books.

>96 msf59: Yo, Mark. Is the Hatteras light burning these days. You know that contractors working on some watery project sliced through the power cables from the mainland to the Outer Banks. Most of the strip is without power; vacationers have left. Small business owners and rental property owners are suing the contractor. Going to take a month or more to restore power.

>96 msf59: Thanks Mark. Nice lighthouse. I'm enjoying the current read History of Wolves, so things are fine here.

>97 weird_O: Good to know Bill!

Read a nonfiction book about technology -- Just bought The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space and Speed by astronaut Scott Parazynski
Read a book that has been banned or frequently challenged in your country: The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier or Harry Potter (!)
Read a classic by an author of color -- It is brand new but it's going to be a classic: Born A Crime by Trevor Noah
Read a book published by a micropress -- Montana 1948 by Milkweed Editions, MN

Thanks Kim! The micropress one is bothering me. I have a couple of mini editions from bookshops, but think that they might not be micro enough. Maybe I should talk to the uni's press - they're pretty small too! How easy was Montana 1948 to get hold of?

I'm also wondering how strict to be about the 'banned' category. There are plenty of books from the 1920s and 30s (not least Joyce) but as far as I know not much has been banned here (in the UK) in recent times. Maybe I just need to dig deeper though.

>100 charl08: There are probably more books challenged, Charlotte, or banned in other countries like Salman Rushdie's The satanic verses. As far as I know there is only one book that is banned in my country: Mein Kampf.

>101 FAMeulstee: I'm not lining up to read that one, Anita. You can buy it here, but I listened to a radio show that talked about how the publishers tried to donate their royalties to charity : none of the charitable causes would touch the cash...

The famous one here is Lady Chatterly's Lover (mistyped Liver : Lady C has a drinking problem?). But I've read it, and am not tempted to reread!

I don't think it helps you with your banned category, Charlotte, but I just posted a link on my thread to a graphic from the American Civil Liberties Union listing a bunch of books that have been banned or challenged in the US. Perhaps you might see something there that would be a possibility? My impression from over here is that the UK tends to be much more sensible about not banning books.

>100 charl08: No, I would not want to read it either, Charlotte.

I'm not sure if this helps, but here is a list of previously banned books in Canada : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_censorship_in_Canada

Here is another list of books - articles pertaining to various controversial books in Canada, according to Huff Post.

Running of to get ready to meet my son for dinner. We had originally planned to met him and his wife, but his wife is unwell today. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/banned-books/

>100 charl08: Um... I had an advanced copy because I was an editorial intern and helped work on Montana 1948 so I am not sure how hard it will be to get a copy for the average person. LitCharts has a study guide for it, so it must be pretty well known and it has a rating of 3.8 on both Goodreads and LT. Good luck!

You can find a list of top 100 banned books here. And they have another category for older books.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/top-100-bannedchallenged-books-2000-2009

Have fun searching!

>103 rosalita: This was a great site Julia -very tempted by the ACLU swag too! I do wonder if in the UK books get taken off library lists without publicity!

>104 FAMeulstee: I wonder how many do Anita.

>105 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah. Some tempting books there too! Hope your DIL is feeling better.

>106 Berly: Ooh, how fun. In another life I worked in publishing. The idealised kind, with massive budgets and stacks of time to read.

>107 charl08: I'm glad you liked the ACLU list, Charlotte! Did you not have any kerfuffle when Harry Potter came out about it being anti-Christian or promoting magic? That's the most successful book that I can think that was widely challenged here. Perhaps your Christians are just more sensible?

A little Penguin trivia.

Here's a photo of Sir Allen Lane, founder of Penguin Books, chatting with a couple of the creatures at a 1949 garden party.

Just some more Penguin trivia:



The first ten titles published by Penguin; August 1935.

>107 charl08: I have had many lives this lifetime and I see you have, too. ; )

>109 weird_O: >110 weird_O: Nice trivia!

>110 weird_O: I have #3 Poet's Pub in that original format.

>109 weird_O: Arranging things for a board meeting perhaps?

Have a lovely weekend, Charlotte.

I hadn't heard a single thing about Elmet until now. I may have to try the Book Depository as it's not available in the US yet.

I have to tell you I was very fortunate in my search for Home Fire. I noted that there were 15 copies in the " big downtown store" in Vancouver, aka Chapters . So I got on the Canada Line aka subway and went downtown to look for it. I could not find it, and so asked for assistance. A clerk was rustled up for me and he made a half hearted effort at looking for it and then told me to go see if I could find it on my own. So , I went back to the counter and asked for a different clerk to assist me, as I'd made quite a journey downtown and the the in-store computer showed 15 books to be in stock. I was very polite, but I'm a fairly determined person when needs must :-) So the second fellow made a big effort and eventually told me that it was in the back on the store, but could not be sold until Aug 15 as per the publisher, and it should not be showing on the computer. I totally understood that - but even so , the clerk presented me with a $25 gift certificate to the store - which I used right away, and when I made my purchase , I was given a further $10 gift certificate. Needless to say I was quiet delighted , but rather than head back downtown, I'm ordering my copy of Home Fire from amazon ca. What book lover doesn't love free books!

Elmet looks interesting. Not available here, but I'll keep my eye out - will likely have to order that from the UK.

>131 katiekrug: Kay, I hope you find a copy. It wasn't due out here until next year, but it seems to have been moved up a bit. Although I will be amazed if the library get the new copy to me in time for the shortlist announcement!

>132 charl08: Deborah, well done you for insisting on better customer service. I had a recent incident in WHSmith where the serving person told me flat they didn't have something. I found it myself! Argh. She didn't even apologise when I bought it at the till. She was only a teenager so I didn't complain, but perhaps I should have said something directly to her. Shame Chapters couldn't have taken an order to post you Home Fire when it came out though!

I finished Story of a Brief Marriage last night. This is pretty short - less than 200 pages - but a powerful read. The author, who is Sri Lankan, imagines himself a young man (around 18) in a Tamil camp as the Sri Lankan army are on the point of overrunning them. The first scene, where Dinesh witnesses a brutal amputation as the doctors have run out of medical supplies, sets the tone for the book: if it had been a film I would have looked away consistently throughout. Despite this brutality, the novel is beautifully written: the author shows the numbing effect of pain and loss, as well as the desperate circle around the drain of refugees forced by war into progressively more awful circumstances.

This quote is taken from near the end of the novel, where the author seems to take a step back and acknowledge the artificial nature of the writing process, trying to recreate the horror of young men and women's experiences,

There were events after which, no matter how long or intimately one has tried to be by their side, no matter how earnestly or with how much self-reproach one desires to understand their situation, how meticulously one tries to imagine and infer it from one's own experiences, one has no choice but to watch blindly from the outside.

I really like the cover, too.

There's a much more detailed review online here: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/books/review/anuk-arudpragasam-story-of-a-bri...
If you can find it, please read this book - it's wonderful.

>132 charl08: You got me with your comments on this one, Charlotte. Onto the list it goes.

I preordered Home Fire and should have it on my Kindle tomorrow. The Guardian review sounds good, but spoils much of the plot. Of the Elmet sample almost nothing stayed in my memory and I have to say the same for the review. I fear it'll be one of those rare candidates I'll eye-read with some effort and totally not "get".

>135 Copperskye: Intrigued to see what this author writes next, Beth.
He is so young!

>136 charl08: Yes, I confess that I skim read first to check and if it looks like too much detail I try and avoid that bit.

Back to Swedish crime for me- The Golden calf.

I think you've got me with The Story of a Brief Marriage. I'll have to see if my library has it. It will also have to get in the queue of books to read. And a quick check tells me that my library only has it in e- pub format, and I don't have the sort of e- reader that supports what the library offers. I'll have to keep that in mind. Have you read Exit West ? I'm enjoying so far, but just about 1 /2 way through.

I'd had Home Fire pre-ordered for my kindle prior to the Man Booker announcement, so it will plop onto my Kindle overnight tonight sometime. It had just looked like an intriguing novel, and I had wanted to read something more by her.

>91 charl08: I admit to skimming a little, so someone may have already mentioned this one and I may have missed it, but for the Classic by an author of color category - what about Things Fall Apart? I listened to the audio last year and it was very good.

>138 charl08: It's brutal Deborah, but I found it a very powerful reminder of how war affects individuals. It is so easy (for me) to get lost with all the news. This book brought it back to an individual level.

>139 Deern: I love kindle auto-deliver books, almost as good as a paper delivery. Look forward to hearing what you make of the Shamsie.

>140 charl08: Hi Jenn, thanks for mentioning Achebe. Glad you liked it. It's definitely a classic, and it would fit the category.

I finished The Golden Calf - more Swedish crime with martial arts expert Irene. Why isn't this a tv series?
Her credits at the end made me laugh- she says no one is really except for Sammie the dog who remains untouched by fame :-)

I feel overwhelmed by all the hate-filled politics. And then someone shares this...
@BarackObama
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion..."

https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/896523232098078720/photo/1

>142 charl08: There is a Swedish Irene Huss TV-series, Charlotte, because you mentioned the dog I remembered that I had seen a few episodes.

>143 BLBera: Charlotte, I just saw that on one of the news sites. An oasis of calm in among the crazy. I hardly dare look at the news any more.

I'm sure I saw Home Fire at the library recently and didn't get it. D'oh! It even sounded familiar, but this was before the Booker announcement which may be why it was on the new books shelf.

I'm enjoying History of Wolves so far - I see what you mean about the foreshadowing, though (although I didn't know it was called that).

>144 charl08: Ooh. Will have to look and see if it's available here.

>145 FAMeulstee: Isn't it nice! It made me smile. Even if it is an old picture, I don't care!

I started looking at the 5 books website, and found some books I wanted to order. Imagine that!
Miliband comes off a bit sniffy here, but I'd wanted to read Madeleine Albright's memoir, and forgotten about it, so I've put it on the reserve list now.
http://fivebooks.com/interview/david-miliband-on-refugees/

>146 BLBera: Have only read Little Bee (then still called The Other Hand) and disliked it so much despite its good intentions and some great moments. All my issues were with the plot around that other woman (forgot her name) from the UK, so from the refugee POV it was a good book, with one scene that will cause nightmares forever.
Caught a BB for the Sacks book, but "extremely erudite" sounds scary. Hm, and Albright's sounds great as well.

>146 BLBera: - Prague Winter is excellent.

>147 Deern: I've yet to read anything by him, Nathalie, but I know people love his books. I'm not good with books where kids get mistreated, and think this one deals with that?

>148 charl08: I should have realised someone here had read it already! Thanks Katie!

Midwinter
I found this novel mostly hard going, story of a father and son divided by their grief for mum/wife. In the present they are working the land in icy Suffolk. In the past their misadventure farming in Zambia. The last third really worked though, felt I suddenly got the point as their relationship is pushed to breaking point.

Yes, I've seen the Irene Huss series too on DVD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6410134/

>143 BLBera: i saw this all over FB and it's enough to make me cry. We seem to have fallen so far in such a short amount of time. :(

Sherman Alexie has published a poem in response to recent events
https://earlybirdbooks.com/hymn-a-new-poem-by-sherman-alexie

>153 Oberon: Thanks for posting this.

>151 Deern: Any good?

>152 rosalita: Hope is such an important (and missed) thing!

>149 drneutron: Well, sorry to spoil, but slaughtered (not "just killed") hits it better. So maybe better stay away from it, I'll never forget that and I'd wish we lived in a world where such things don't ever happen.

>156 charl08: Yup, definitely not one for me. Thanks Nathalie. I've just been looking at support for refugee children and found an article about the thousand missing children following the break up of the camp at Calais. Heartbreaking.

>153 Oberon: Just lovely, Charlotte. Alone, we are defenseless. Collected, we are sacred...

>154 vancouverdeb: >158 susanj67: Glad it found more readers :-)

>143 BLBera: Love it!

Love the Alexie poem.

Me too Beth.

Exciting times: I've booked to go see the penguins!

>161 LovingLit: To see the penguins where, Charlotte?

Where, Charlotte?

Yes, where?? :D

False Bay, near Cape Town (the penguins happen to live near my Auntie, which is convenient :-)

That's a great sign!

>165 BLBera: Ha! Love that sign. Enjoy the penguins, Charlotte.

And thanks for posting the link to the Sherman Alexie poem. I had heard about it, but hadn't read it. I re-posted it over on my thread.

>165 BLBera: And such an important sign it is!!! Enjoy! :)
I had no expectations at all when I went to see the penguins in Australia in 2017, my friend had put them on the must-see list, and what an experience it was. I wish there were not such long flights away.

That sounds like a great trip to see the penguins, Charlotte! When are you going?

>165 BLBera: I have seen the penguins there! You will love it. They are super cute and it seemed very incongruous and amazing to see them walking around right in town.

Oh! So you are off to South Africa ? When do you do go?

>166 charl08: I think it's new since I was last there. I mostly remember lots of instructions about the baboons, who are much more tricky than the penguins!

>167 charl08: It's a powerful response Joe. I hope that it gets widely read. Thank you for reposting it.

>168 charl08: They make me laugh Nathalie. Less funny is that in SA and Australia the population is shrinking. Boo :-(

>169 BLBera: >171 susanj67: Not until October! I can't wait. My aunt is having a big birthday and I haven't seen her and the wider family for so long.

>170 BLBera: Yup, although you're being very tactful about eau de penguin there. I've seen some pics of people on the next beach over swimming with them.

Black Sheep
As I was reading this it seemed familiar, so must have been one the library had when I was a teenager (in my memory they had no new books but surely not?). I particularly enjoy the books set in Bath - seems easier to imagine from what I've seen of those crescents than in modern London .

Feminist and postcolonial consciousness set firmly to off though, sigh.

Guardian reviews: non-fiction

Farewell to the Horse by Ulrich Raulff
reviewed by David Blackbourn
" It is a sign of how easily Raulff moves between history and literature that his markers of change include both the fate of the European sparrow, which had once lived symbiotically with the horse, pecking at the specks of grain in equine dung, and the lost world of the country doctors on horseback who populate the works of Balzac, Flaubert and Kafka."

I love that last image but never a horse fan.


Gainsborough by James Hamilton reviewed by Kathryn Hughes
" Gainsborough’s life has long been told as a struggle between money and art.... there is a third element to the painter’s life that explains why he continued with a branch of art that he maintained bored him. This last layer is his secretive private life which, Hamilton says, consisted of week-long hangovers, a penchant for “petticoat” and the habit of scribbling smutty letters to his male friends expressing regret for his most recent bit of bad behaviour."

This new biography sounds full of lovely gossipy history.


Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz reviewed by Galen Strawson
" ...wanted to call his new book How Big Is My Penis?, but his publishers demurred. He settled for Everybody Lies. The book is subtitled What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are..."

Probably not!


Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Postwar Britain by Clair Wills reviewed by
Sukhdev Sandhu
" One of the many virtues... is its unificatory zeal. She understands and documents the Windrush generation – Windrush being the name of the ship that brought nearly 500 West Indians to Tilbury in June 1948, as well as being shorthand for people from the British Commonwealth “coming home” to the mother country. But she is also interested in Latvians, Lithuanians, Cypriots and the largest immigrant group of them all: the Irish. By 1961, fully one-sixth of the population of the Republic was living in Britain."

Maybe. Depends how brick like it is...


Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan’s Disaster Zone by Richard Lloyd Parry reviewed by Eri Hotta
" compassionate and piercing look at the communities ravaged by the tsunami, which claimed more than 99% of the day’s casualties of 18,500 – the greatest single loss of life in Japan since the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. One woman interviewed for the book reflects that it was not just lifestyles that were changed: “I mean our heads. Since that day, everyone has something wrong with them.”
Lloyd Parry tries to get inside those heads, and finds not so much “something wrong” as many layers of profound grief. He sees that “everyone’s grief is different, and that it differs in small and subtle ways according to the circumstances of loss”. It is also coloured by such factors as how quickly the bodies of family members were recovered and buried..."

Sounds like it would be similarly devastating to read as Chernobyl Prayer.


So Much Things to Say: The Oral History of Bob Marley byRoger Steffens reviewed by Neil Spencer
"...drawing on interviews with 75 assorted relatives, band members, fellow travellers and lovers; a lifetime’s research. Their accounts, not infrequently contradictory, are effectively marshalled by Steffens, who acts as a reliable narrator. Among the revelations is the extent of Marley’s deprivation in his early years.... Joe Higgs, a gifted singer who mentored the fledgling Wailers in the arts of harmony vocals, recalls Marley being an “outcast in the house” his mother shared with her partner, the father of Bob’s fellow Wailer, Bunny Livingston. Marley, says Higgs, was marginalised even by his mother and “slept beneath the bottom of the house".

Marlon James reference makes this more likely, but TMB.

And an article by
Karl Ove Knausgaard: what makes life worth living?
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/aug/19/karl-ove-knausgaard-what-makes-lif...

>165 BLBera: Love the sign - what a great trip. Enjoy. How long will you be there?

Thanks for the reviews. I'm pondering.

Thanks for the reviews, Charlotte. I already have Lovers and Strangers reserved, which makes me wonder where I saw it...

I got an email from Freeview yesterday, with news of a new series about crime writers on CBS Reality: https://www.freeview.co.uk/news-and-blog/win-a-trip-to-bloody-scotland-with-free... It looks pretty good. I'll have to make sure the PVR is properly tuned in order to record it.

Everybody Lies looks interesting. And like one of those books that goes obsolete quickly, so read it now!

And the cover for Ghosts of the Tsunami is stunning.

Thanks for the reviews, Charlotte . I've yet to read the book reviews in my newspaper. The Globe and Mail we get only on Saturdays , and I think they've taken to reviewing books helter skelter rather than on Saturdays like they used to do . We get the Vancouver Sun each day and the Globe and Mail only on Saturdays. I'd change to the Globe and Mail all week with the Sun on Saturdays only, but my husband prefers the Vancouver Sun. sigh. We've tried taking both papers every day, but we only have so much time to read the paper and the paper really piles up. Husbands sometimes! ;-)

>161 LovingLit: they look pretty interested in you too!!!
:)

>173 charl08: *drool*
Those covers, they're killing me. So gorgeous.

>174 susanj67: Just a couple of weeks. Looking forward to it.

>175 nittnut: Other reviews are available, Susan! Crime series sounds good. Hope the PVR works!

>176 charl08: Yes, they are a pretty lot this week. Tempted by "the horse book" on the strength of the cover alone.

>177 charl08: I'm terrible at throwing out old papers Deborah. I still have PhD stuff that is no use or ornament, and clearly needs recycling.

>178 BLBera: I'd have them on my shelves. Although I'd need new shelves first - have run out of space.


Now reading Guapa - a book about a day in the life of a young man in Cairo during the Arab Spring. Recommended on Litsy for an LGBTQ romance, for my Bookriot challenge (>3 charl08:)

Guardian reviews - fiction
All from www.guardian.co.uk/books


A History of Running Away by Paula McGrath reviewed by Catherine Taylor
"... despite having fewer overlapping stories than its predecessor, is no less broad in intent. Her seemingly boundless capacity for related narratives and disparate locations does, however, cause an imbalance which makes for a confusingly uneven whole."


Beautiful Animals by Lawrence Osborne reviewed by Molly McCloskey
" Puzzling over why the young adopt political positions that don’t quite square with their own material conditions, Jimmie concludes that the problem with them is that they hardly come into contact with the real world. “Their consciousness had been created by the media, not by life.” This is the sort of passage that .... makes Naomi and Sam’s behaviour, when they happen upon a bloodied migrant lying exhausted on the rocks, utterly plausible. "


Forest Dark by Nicole Krauss reviewed by Emily St John Mandel
"...it’s easy at first to imagine that this is one of those postmodern constructions wherein a writer alternates chapters with her fictional character. In a less ambitious version, our narrator would go to the Tel Aviv Hilton and find the thread of her elusive next novel, which is to say that Nicole would find Epstein. But Krauss has opted for something much more interesting, and the novel that emerges is a book of mirrors, a dazzling and fascinating meditation on fiction itself..."


We That Are Young by Preti Taneja
Deborah Smith
" Linguistic multiplicity is an important part of the dialogue, and while not all readers will be able to parse the (pleasingly unitalicised) Hindi, it’s appropriately wrong-footing, and another instance in which the novel is worlds away from the kind of book that permits only an exotic sprinkling of swear words and familial terms." "...a page-turner that’s also unabashedly political..."


Graphic Novel -
Driving Short Distances by Joff Winterhart reviewed by Rachel Cooke
"...a perfect book, as good and mostly much better than many of the regular novels I’ve read so far this year. Like his first, the brilliant Days of the Bagnold Summer, its characters are superbly drawn. But with its themes of depression and its tender examination of the ways men talk (and fail to talk) to one another, it has a depth that book perhaps lacked."

Guapa

I began to understand events in my life as plot points in a narrative of war and oppression, painted across my history with the brushstrokes of innocently asked questions and pointed statements. Why do you force women to wear the hijab? Why is your culture consumed with hate? Why do you produce terrorists?

Hi Charlotte - You got me with multiple books here: Forest Dark, We That Are Young, Guapa, and a maybe for the others.

>172 vancouverdeb: Re: Black Sheep - yes, but she is so entertaining. And her female characters, at least some of them, are pretty great, so you could argue that she is a feminist...

Beth, I have an ARC for Forest Dark - maybe I'll read it sooner than later?!

Heyer's characters are certainly more interesting than your typical romance of the era she was writing in. I'm not sure about feminist. I'd guess someone must have written a thesis on it though!

But will they live up to the book? Great news on the diverse writing front tho'
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/08/four-book-series-that-are-shaping-the-fut...
"If recent Hollywood deals are any indication, science fiction on TV is about to get even more interesting and complex. The trend started with the surprising announcement in late 2016 that Lin Manuel-Miranda's next project—after completing his run on Hamilton and writing the music for Moana—would be to adapt Patrick Rothfuss' cult fantasy series The Kingkiller Chronicle for TV and film. Just in the past two months, three more gamechanging options were announced: HBO will adapt Nnedi Okorafor's Who Fears Death, award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay is working on a TV adaptation of Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis trilogy, and TNT has snapped up N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy. All of these books represented major shifts for the science fiction genre and, until recently, would probably have been considered unfilmable.

>181 LizzieD: Guapa was a great, recommended read. The author takes an individual crisis - discovery by an elderly grandmother of her grandson's clandestine gay relationship in a deeply conservative homophobic society- and places it in the context of the national crisis - the failure of democratic protest in Egypt. It's full of smart, universal reflections on compromising and personal choice which in our current political climate seems very relevant. My quibble is with the depiction of certain women characters, perhaps unfairly given space available.

>183 susanj67: Lucky you.

>184 Carmenere: I haven't read any of the series you mentioned, so I guess I'd better step up my fantasy reading. A good friend strongly recommended the Jemisin series, so I will probably pick up that one first. You?

After being on the wait list all summer, I finally got a note that A Rising Man is available -- just in time for school! I hope I can get to it.

>187 msf59: Um, Beth, you'll probably find it safest to say "the Mukherjee book" rather than the actual title, because some people *looks around*, well, just stick with the Mukherjee book. Trust me.

Charlotte, I'll tell the roomie about We That Are Young, so she can read it first and will know what the Hindi means when I read it out across the room. Recently I was reviewing emails which had Hindi slang in them, and that was pretty funny. I was doing my best with the pronunciation, but she kept getting up and coming over to read it herself, which made me think I have a way to go. I was then able to go to a meeting and talk knowledgeably about what they said, which was satisfying :-)

>188 BLBera: Susan, you really got me laughing with that one. Hmmm. Yeah, bad title!

Guilt at ignoring my good fortune (not raised evangelical for nothing) means I've picked up Forest Dark from the digital ARC pile. I rather like that because of my reading, read the first pages and think "Jaffa! Haven't I been here recently?"

...for a long time Lianne thought of this—of Epstein’s own complexity, his resistance to easy categorization—as something to love. But in the end it had exhausted her just as it had exhausted so many others, though never his parents, who remained his tireless sparring partners, and who, Epstein sometimes felt, had lived on with such tenacity only to torment him. He’d taken care of them until the end, which they’d lived out in a penthouse he bought for them in Miami, with deep-pile carpets that came up to their ankles. But he had never found peace with them, and only after their deaths—his mother following his father within three months—and after he’d given nearly everything away did Epstein feel the sharp stab of regret. The naked bulb sputtered on and off behind his inflamed lids when he tried to sleep. He couldn’t sleep. Had he accidentally given sleep away, along with everything else?

>186 vancouverdeb: >187 msf59: I haven't read any either. But are they *ever* as good as the books?
Hope you like the Mukherjee book.
Cough.

>188 BLBera: Good, err, point Susan. Feel free to share the Hindi Susan. I would like a useful all purposes word. I have the equivalent of God willing (arabic) and possibly (Romanian). And ag shame, which works in a remarkably diverse range of South African contexts. I've never quite got over the disappointment that 'it's an abomination ' complete with finger clicks, proved almost impossible to use in every day conversation, perhaps how I seem to have missed finding one for igbo. Must try harder.

>189 susanj67: Bag as your pal the lone ranger would say.

>190 charl08: Charlotte, I have sent the roomie a link to the Amazon page for the book. And somehow I seem to be number 3 in the queue for it at the library. I'm not sure how that happened.

>183 susanj67: Someone has to have written a thesis. Although I doubt Heyer was a feminist by modern definitions (I'm not sure I am either), strong female themes occur in most of her books. Frederica was taking care of her family and launching her sister, in Devil's Cub, our heroine did not faint away upon finding herself kidnapped, Venetia refused to marry where she did not love, and nearly did the proposing herself. I could go on and on...

*grin*

>191 susanj67: How did that happen Susan? Psychic connection with FLA?! (Who my autocorrect has as Flash. Perhaps in his spare time...)

>192 charl08: I think it's her impatience with the silly women that has me doubting it. That and the ending of Black Sheep.

Ooh ! Everyone read Ways to Disappear so that I can discuss with you all how good it is...

ETA except for Beth, who recommended it , so clearly is ahead already...

I loved Ways to Disappear, but it's been a while. Tell me what you loved about it, and I will look at my comments to refresh my memory.

Guapa is obviously one to look out for, Charlotte. I have not seen it in the shops here but will keep it in mind for when it does show its cover.

Ways to Disappear is another one.

I will be stretching my now more limited resources by coming here too often but I cannot help myself, it being one of my favourite hang-outs in the group. xx

Hi Charlotte. Just finished The Seventh Function of Language, which I may have first heard about on your thread, and enjoyed it very much.

Oh, Charlotte, I'll never catch up. I don't suppose you'd start a new thread so that I could have half a chance -----?
I did just order a used copy of HHhH on the basis of your reading *7th Function*. I'm curious about the WWII Nazi leadership these days. Wonder why.
Read on, my friend, read on!

>195 BLBera: I really liked the way she talked about operating in another language, the misunderstandings and bad pronunciations. The varied structure with dictionary definitions and emails. I also found the kidnapping plot pretty gripping.

>196 nittnut: Hope your dental woes are now over Paul. I suspect you have plenty of books to be going on with, maybe you can hold off and pick up my copy of Guapa when next in the UK.

>197 charl08: Glad you liked it. I was very happy to get a copy from the library so soon after it was published here.

>198 charl08: Binet's a fascinating writer, hope you enjoy him. I know and appreciate how busy many visitors are: everyone is most welcome, occasional visitors, skimmers and scanners and lurkers...

>193 charl08: Charlotte, I don't know how it happened, but I did have a terrible dream last night in which I looked at my loans page and it was full of books that I'd forgotten I had borrowed, and I found them stashed all around the house. Maybe that's a sign of some sort...

Hi Charlotte! Just a quick flyover to see how things are across the pond. :0)

>194 Copperskye: I have it on my Kindle!! I started it today.

Popping by to say hi, though I have to get out to the butchers for some chicken for supper. I'm a great procrastinator.

>190 charl08: Ooh, I want to get my greedy mitts on Forest Dark. Sounds fantastic.

Big, warm waves to Charlotte. Hope life is treating you well.

>200 FAMeulstee: I love it - Susan is dreaming about overdue library books!

I am also a little jealous about Forest Dark. I'll watch for your comments and wait for my library to get it.

>199 nittnut: I looked at my comments from last year, and I think I was struck by the reality determined by language. This might be a good candidate for a reread.

>205 charl08: Beth, it was scary! Suddenly I was finding books all over the house and thinking I would *never* finish them. Interestingly, some were the books that I've seen and not borrowed recently, and I thought I must have borrowed them without even knowing. I'm almost scared to go to the library at lunchtime :-)

Hi Charlotte! I think Forest Dark sounds too hard for me, but I'm glad you're enjoying it :-)

Well, I'm currently reading Educational Interventions for Refugee Children, just a little light thing (sadly, not, although it is in paperback). Got the latest TLS and have added Morningstar: growing up with books, Reading with Patrick and (from the adverts: have I mentioned a few times I love the adverts?) The Curious World of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn.

>200 FAMeulstee: Susan that's disturbing. I worry about mislaid books, usually around the time they're due back. However, quite often they're where I left them. Worrying about books I didn't take out is a whole other level.

>201 charl08: Hello! All fly-by's welcome -

>202 susanj67: Hope you like it Jenn. I think it helped mine was a shiny new paperback (from the library, she adds hastily).

>203 charl08: Did you get the chicken Deborah? Enquiring minds...

>204 charl08: It's been a bit of a slow starter for me, Mark, despite involving the Middle East Peace process and the giving away of millions, neither of which strikes me as activities that could be labelled quiet or relaxed (or slow).

>205 charl08: Ooh, reality determined by language. What comes to my mind from that are the kidnapping threats, but I will go away and puzzle some more.

>206 jnwelch: I have faith in you Susan, even to finish the books you never took out.

Penguin count down: 6 weeks! I better get packing!

>207 rosalita: Charlotte, I saw that Pepys/Evelyn book somewhere (the history magazines must be my other source of books, come to think of it) and it looks good.

Aha! Other book sources! Hope I can get my hands on a copy...

Books I'm patiently waiting for from the library (Ha!)

Prague winter : a personal story of remembrance

Leica format waiting so long! March!

News of the world

Little deaths

The wicked city

Border : a journey to the edge of Europe

The outcasts of time

Exit west Booker

Who thought this was a good idea? and other questions...

As I lay dying for the book riot challenge

You can't read this book : censorship

Mysteries of the quantum universe GN

Seeking refuge GN

What it means when a man falls from the sky

George (for my Bookriot challenge)

>161 LovingLit: That's adorable and congrats on your upcoming trip!

>210 vancouverdeb: There must be a name for this, Charlotte. You're waiting for some good ones.

>207 rosalita: I am liking it. My only trouble at the moment is I'm tired. My daughter said I dropped my Kindle on my face this afternoon and it didn't even wake me up. Lol

>210 vancouverdeb: Reservomania?

and just for fun - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/oliver-tearle/10-words-every-book-lover-should-kno...

>211 charl08: I'm so looking forward to it! First long trip in years.

>212 vancouverdeb: I'm going with the term from Jenn's post: BIBLIOBIBULI

>213 charl08: Crumbs! Hope you get some nap time in, so the kindle doesn't go for you again...
That list is fun - the history of the terms particularly.

Yay! The library is going to order a copy of The curious world of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn for me.
Fun times.

Yay library!

>210 vancouverdeb: That is a long list, Charlotte, what happens if they all come in while you are looking at the penguins?
My library cancels holds, if you don't pick up within a week...

>216 charl08: Yup!

>217 susanj67: Believe it or not, this is me being restrained!
What tends to happen is that some get completely stuck in the system for months , some come straight away and most take at least a couple of weeks. I can see the amount of people in front of me, and behind, so sometimes I cancel mine and then re-add myself to the back of the queue.
Or as auto correct suggested, the back of the quantum universe.... which is what it feels like when there are 24 in the line....

>215 charl08: Charlotte, excellent news about the book! It has yet to show up in the London Libraries Consortium, even as "Ordered", but it is very new. I read a good review of it in the Spectator, which said it might be best as a companion to the diaries. They're all available online, in case you want to download them...I downloaded one volume of Evelyn a while ago but haven't quite got round to it.

Ooh. Now there's a project for 2018. I enjoy the radio version of Pepys with Kris -my Uncle taught him briefly - Marshall. Speaking of projects, I was looking at OU courses today. Man are they expensive!

This starts Sunday.


Cuckoo's Calling
(Still think he's too young and pretty)

But will probably watch it anyway.

>221 Berly: Yes! Not sure when we get it here, but I can't wait.

>221 Berly: Oooh, I didn't know this was a thing! Like Joe, I'll be awaiting its arrival on these shores. I should check the BBC America schedule...

>221 Berly: I can't wait. But it isn't scheduled to air over here yet.

Wow! That's quite the hold list! My library will hold the book for you for 7 days, after which they will charge you 2.00 for a non- pickup. I have read Exit West from the library and put some brief comments on my thread. I'm okay with it going forward to the short list or even getting the Booker Prize. Currently I'm trying to get into Home Fire , but my attention keeps getting diverted. But I think it will be very good when I get my head into it.

Ooh! My DIL got the call for teaching at the school that she wanted! I'm not sure what grade, or if it f/t or p/t team teacher, she just messaged me via Iphone that the school she was teaching at hired her today! Will keep you in the loop as I find out more. It's like ' breaking news! " :)

>223 charl08: >224 charl08: >225 BLBera: I'll update everyone after Sunday. I'm sure that you are all holding your breath (!)

>226 lkernagh: >227 Ameise1: I used to be able to rush in and pick up books but can't get there most days now.
"they will charge you 2.00 for a non- pickup"
Ouch!
Congrats to your DIL. Celebrations at your place!

>228 charl08: Yes, I'll need to pop out and get a card and I'm not sure what else for my daughter in law. So far, I've not had to pay the 2.00 non - pickup charge. I've always gotten into the library in time.

>221 Berly: Not sure what that is all about, but best wishes enjoying your TV show! I'm holding my breath! ;-)

I'm impressed Deborah that you make it. I think I on the other hand, have some pretty patient librarians.

The tv show is called Strike, and based on Robert Galbraith's The Cuckoo's Calling .
Here's the original description-
Age: 35 From:Cornwall
Physical Appearance:
Large and burly (16 stone, 6''3, ex-military with a "gently-expanding belly") one leg, curly hair...

Back to the dust.

I have finished Ways to Disappear. Discussion may commence any time. *grin*

>231 charl08: Thanks Jenn. I really liked your review. I've just taken a break from cleaning. I was thinking writing a diary based on the dictionary definitions. Currently mine would be something around misplacing , tidying and and cleaning. I would be much happier if it were around reading.

Phew. Well, the cleaning's over for now. Two bags of books and some other bits ready for the charity shop, loads of rubbish to chuck. Not even half way though, so more to do for the bank holiday. Tidying up involved the usual discovery of many many books I want to read.... for now, I've picked up Flaneuse, which I'm hoping I'll finish before the end of the month.

>233 Familyhistorian: Excellent news, Charlotte! And at least you get Sunday off...I can't decide what to read next, and am faffing around. Poor.

Great progress on the cleaning, Charlotte. You must be feeling very accomplished. Reward yourself with a good book! I took one load to the charity shop, and am busy piling up another one. I did convince my daughter to take most of her things, so I actually have a spare room now.

That's so exciting that you are going to South Africa! My daughter is in Capetown now, for study abroad, and she is loving it. And very excited about the penguins. Apparently there is a specific beach to see penguins on, I don't think she has gotten there yet, but they did see penguins when they went to Robben Island.

We thought about visiting while she was there, but the length of the plane ride was too daunting.

>230 Chatterbox: Hey, I'd watch that. At least give 'er a try.

>221 Berly: I'd forgotten about that show starting!! Thanks for the reminder. I am going to give it a go, despite the miscast. ; )

>232 charl08: I've been cleaning too. Kids have outgrown clothes again and school is starting, so closets and drawers have to be cleared out. Also, my husband invited the hockey coach and his wife over for dinner, so cooking and so forth as well. My definition diary would include: prepare, tidy, organize, and coerce. Coerce applying to tween and teen who are not keen on making things clean. Ha! A little "poetry" as well.
Why do you think the author made the solution to the problem about disappearing? So many of the characters disappeared in some way or other.

>234 FAMeulstee: Hope you got to enjoy the sunny evening, Susan. I have so much to do, but looking forward to a walk.

>235 vancouverdeb: A whole room? What's it going to be?

>236 charl08: Glad she's enjoying it. I was going to say that 13 hours isn't so long and then I remembered that you're not coming from the UK... !!

>237 charl08: But is the show ever as good as the book? (This is not a trick question)

>238 It's as if he's pretty or something ;-)

>239 I hadn't thought of the book that way. Hmmm...
I have never liked cleaning, so empathise with your kids. All good life skills though.

It's going to be Scout's room. I already added a sparkly light with handing crystals, she picked out sheets and now I have to paint. Probably next summer.

She wants pink and purple, so we'll have to figure that out.

Stopping by to get caught up and join the others in being impressed with your cleaning activities!

I'm so far behind but I saw very quickly that you're going to SA. That sounds gorgeous. Love the sign you've posted. My daughter will be in SA, Naminbia and Botswana in November.
Happy Sunday.

Stressful times here in Lancashire (!)

>242 Hope the decorating goes well Beth. Will Scout be helping?

>243 Ha! My soundtrack for tomorrow will be 'many rivers to cross...' Paperwork shredding time.

>244 I would love to do Namibia and Botswana too Barbara. I better get saving for another trip though, if I'm ever going to do that!

Good for you and the cleaning, Charlotte! I did all the cleaning and more prior to the furnace installation. *Wipes brow* Glad you have that down. I'm not fond of cleaning at all! Thanks for reminding me to check my TV guide, such as it is. I'll see if anything is worth watching this evening. Happy new week ahead! By the way, enjoying Home Fire.

Yup, Cormoran Strike is too short and not "hulking" enough (relative to her). He's supposed to be a relatively intimidating figure. I don't know about the pretty part -- it depends on his facial expressions! I thought I would see whether the DVD is scheduled for release in the UK in the next three months or so, but there is NO info on Amazon UK at all. Pity, as I have a multi-region DVD player... one of my most-prized possessions for this very reason.

That's a very long library wish list!!! It's got some good books on it, too.

>246 I suspect you were doing a lot more than me, to get that big job done Deborah.

>247 I was so tired last night I recorded it instead, will catch up with pretty-boy Strike later. He's trying to look mean in this picture but in the recent marketeers season he was part of the mum's eye-candy.


Finished the 4th Mckinty book, Gun Street Girl. The dark humour appeals.

Fireworks behind. Darkness ahead. And if that's not a metaphor for the Irish question, I don't know what is.

I should be shredding, instead I'm checking out graphic bios.

Olympe de Gouges

>249 Why is it that shredding is such a chore? It always seems to take hours and make barely a dent in the pile. I have lots of that to do. Maybe I should get to that on the staycation I just started but there are piles of other things on the list. How exciting that you are going to South Africa. October seems far away but will creep up on you before you know it.

>248 We recorded Strike too, Charlotte, hope to watch it later this week.

I'm so glad that we finally got a shredder in June this year! Hand shredding stuff was neither secure nor easy! Hmm, I've looked at Adrian McKinty but I've been unsure. Maybe I'll take a second look, based on your comments.

>250 I was thinking I had loads of time but then worked it out on weeks and it's not much time at all...

>251 Fingers crossed...

>252 The one I was using gave up before I'd even filled a bag. Time for a new shredder.

And time for a new thread!