Caroline's 2022 Book Bolt Hole (pt 4)

Hi I'm Caroline, I live in London and I'm a book-a-holic. I won't be around long enough to read all the books I already own, but I can't resist buying more...

Over the past 40 years pockets of London have been visited by flocks of green parakeets.



Here is one visiting my brother's garden to munch on the fruits.

READING 2022


By Vita Schagen

Fiction
A month in the Country (JL Carr) (*) (02/01/22) *****
The Remains of the Day (Kazuo Ishiguro) (*) (10/01/22) *****
Shuggie Bain (Douglas Stuart) (17/01/22) ****1/2
Unsettled Ground (Claire Fuller) (22/01/22) ****
Once There Were Wolves (Charlotte McConaghy) (29/01/22) ****
Agent Running in the Field (John le Carré) (01/02/22) ****
Foster (Claire Keegan) (02/02/22) ****
The Gardener (Salley Vickers) (06/02/22) ***1/2
Lincoln's Dream (Connie Willis) (13/02/22) ***1/2
Love and Saffron (Kim Fay) 14/02/22) ****
Wide Sargasso Sea (Jean Rhys) (20/02/22) ****
When the Emperor was Divine (Julie Otsuka) (19/03/22) ****
The Buddha in the Attic (Julie Otsuka) (22/03/22) ****
Mornings in Jenin (Susan Abulhawa) (02/04/22) ****1/2
Rizzio (Denise Mina) (02/04/22) ****
1979 (Val McDermid) (05/04/22) ***1/2
Sankofa (Chibundu Onuzo) (10/04/22) ****1/2
A Year of Marvellous Ways (Sarah Winman) (17/04/22) ****1/2
The Réparateur of Strasbourg (Ian. R MacLeod) (18/04/22) ****1/2
Station Eleven (Emily St John Mandel) (23/04/22) ****1/2
Zorrie (Laird Hunt) (21/05/22) ****
The Island of Missing Trees (Elif Shafak) (28/05/22) ****1/2
Lessons in Chemistry (Bonnie Garmus) (02/06/22) ****1/2
Silverview (John Le Carré) (07/06/22) ***1/2
Mr Cadmus (Peter Ackroyd) (11/06/22) ***1/2
Great Circle (Maggie Shipstead) (22/06/22) ****1/2
The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje) (*) (14/07/22) *****
Arctic Summer (Damon Galgut) (24/07/22) ****
Will and Testament (Vigdis Hjorth) (28/07/22) ***1/2
Plainsong (Kent Haruf) (*) (31/07/22) ****1/2
State of Terror (Hillary Rodham Clinton & Louise Penny) (02/07/22) ****1/2
The Personal Librarian (Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray) (09/08/22) ****
After Sappho (Selby Wynn Schwartz) (24/08/22) ****
Flush (Virginia Woolf) (17/08/22) ***
Girls they Write Songs About (Carlene Bauer) (19/09/22) ****
The Thursday Murder Club: The Bullet that Missed (Richard Osman) (30/09/22) ***1/2
We have Always Lived in the Castle (Shirley Jackson) (02/10/22) (*) (Kindle) ****
The Trees (Percival Everett) (23/10/22) ****
The Marriage Portrait (Maggie O'Farrell (27/10/22) ****
The Joys of Motherhood (Buchi Emecheta) (01/11/22) (Kindle) ****
Sorrow and Bliss (Meg Mason) (06/11/22) ****
Mother's Boy Patrick Gale) (11/11/22) ****1/2
What is Left The Daughter (Howard Norman) (10/12/22) ****1/2
Yell, Sam, If You Still Can (Maylis Besserie, trans Cliona Ni Riordain) (14/12/22) ****
Not a Happy Family (Shari Lapena) (17/12/22) ***
The Transit of Venus (Shirley Hazzard) (21/12/22) (*) *****
Laidlaw (William McIlvanney) (23/12/22) ***1/2
Through the Billboard Promised Land Without Ever Stopping (Derek Jarman) (23/12/22) ****1/2
Reputation (Sarah Vaughan) (28/12/22) ****1/2
Euphoria (Elin Cullhed, trans Jennifer Heyashida) (25/12/22) ****1/2
The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley(Sean Lusk) (31/12/22) ****1/2

Non-Fiction
How Poetry Can Change Your Heart (Andrea Gibson/Megan Falley) (03/02/22) ****
Jews Don't Count (David Baddiel) (07/02/22) *****
Redemption Ground (Lorna Goodison) (essays) (07/03/22) ***1/2
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath (Heather Clark) (14/03/22) *****
Night Haunts (Sudhdev Sandhu) (18/03/22) (essays) ***1/2
On Love and Tyranny (Ann Heberlain, trans. Alice Menzies) (09/04/22) *****
Letters to Gwen John (Celia Paul) (14/04/22) *****
Real Estate (Deborah Levy) (15/04/22) ****1/2
The Cost of Living (Deborah Levy) (15/04/22) ****
She's Not There (Jennifer Finney Boylan) (02/05/22) ****1/2
Why Women Read Fiction (Helen Taylor) (11/05/22) ****
Unprotected (Billy Porter) (22/06/22) ****
Arctic Dreams (Barry Lopez) (10/08/22) ****1/2
Own it (Diane Von Furstenberg) (12/09/22) ****
Madly Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries (Alan Rickman; ed Alan Taylor) ****
Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds (Huma Abedin) (20/10/22) ****1/2
What Writers Read: 35 Writers on their Favourite Book (various, ed Pandora Sykes) (03/11/22) ****
Come Back in September (Darryl Pinckney) (18/11/22) ****
Super-Infinite: the Transformations of John Donne (Katherine Rundell) (25/11/22) ****1/2
Homelands: History of a Friendship (Chitra Rawaswamy) (06/12/22) ****
In Iraq (Michael Palin) (26/12/22) ****
'Pharmacopoeia: The Dungeness Notebook' (Derek Jarman (29/12/22) ****1/2

GN N/NF

Here (Richard McGuire) (GN/NF) (AAC) (09/01/22) ****

Poetry
Call Us What We Carry (Amanda Gorman) (Poetry) (14/01/22) *****
You Better be Lightning (Andrea Gibson) (28/01/22) *****
In the Lateness of the World (Carolyn Forché) (08/02/22) ****
Is, is not (Tess Gallagher) (16/02/22) ***1/2
The Trouble With Poetry (Billy Collins) (25/02/22) ***
Alternative Values (Frieda Hughs) (28/02/22) *****
Gold from the Stone: New and selected poems (Lemn Sissay) (09/03/22) ***1/2
Vita Nova (Louise Glück) (14/03/22) ***

(*)= reread

Total Read= 81

Fiction: 51
Non-Fiction: 21
Poetry: 8
Rereads: 5
GN/NF (no3 counted in total): 1
Female: 44
Male: 25
Non-binary/other: 1

Various: 1
UK: 33
US: 26
US/Indian/Pakistani: 1
British/Turkish: 1
Australia: 2
Australian/American: 1
Dominican/UK: 1
Jamaica: 1
Japanese/American: 2
Palestinian: 1
Swedish: 2
Nigeria: 2
Canada: 3
Sri Lankan/Canadian: 1
South Africa: 1
Norway: 1
French: 1

Welcome...

It must be interesting to see those flocks of parakeets in the city, but I imagine they can be a bit of problem. That one is certainly a "pretty bird".

>5 laytonwoman3rd: They squark a lot, and I guess when they congregate in big flocks (I saw an estimated 200 in a tree in Kew gardens a few years back Linda) then the usual mess and smell I guess.

One made me laugh recently as he sounded like he was telling a joke, then laughing at it after. We don't have many colourful birds here, so nice to see them mostly.

I love your photos, Caroline. Happy new thread.

Happy new thread, Caroline, wonderful toppers!

>7 BLBera: >8 jessibud2: Thanks Beth and Shelley.

Malta is renowned for its door knocker's (top centre). I wish I'd bought one.

HI Caroline, love all the pictures and happy new thread!

>10 mdoris: Thank you Mary.

>1 Caroline_McElwee: *eeeeeeeeeeeek* The Weeping Angel in the magnolia is truly terrifying!

No one loves flocks of birds, for all the expected reasons. Messy thing, nature.

Happy new thread, Caroline

>6 Caroline_McElwee: The main problem with those parakeets here (yes we have them too in the cities), is that they take over nesting places of some native birds. Although it is a beautiful sight when the parakeets fly together in flocks around sundown.

>9 Caroline_McElwee: I was just going to ask about that picture, would not have guessed it was a door knocker. Is it a little dog in between the two humans?

I also like the picture in the middle right, where you can see the books in the mirror.

Happy new thread, Caroline!

>12 richardderus: Bad RD grin. She didn't much like that sculpture herself.

>13 FAMeulstee: It could be some kind of dog Anita, it is certainly a critter of some kind, even mythological perhaps.

The books in the mirror are in Virginia Woolf's bedroom. I think they aren't her originals but similar editions. I will find you photos of her own copies of Shakespeare, which she covered herself in papers. They do live in that room but are not in shot.

>14 figsfromthistle: Thanks Figs.

Sweet Thursday, Caroline. Happy New Thread. Love the green parakeets. Are they Monk Parakeets? We have a few flocks in Chicagoland too.

During a period of depression Leonard encouraged Virginia to cover her set of Shakespeare volumes in papers she created herself.

I was lucky enough to have one of the custodians take a volume down, but I didn't photograph it, too busy admiring.

>16 msf59: I knew you would enjoy that Mark.Apparently they are ring-necked parakeets. Some become quite tame in public parks where folk feed them.

Happy new thread, Caroline.

>3 Caroline_McElwee: I would love that hanging up in my reading nook.

>17 Caroline_McElwee: WOW! WOW!

>19 PaulCranswick: It s simple but lovely Paul, isn't it.

>20 Whisper1: My thoughts too Linda.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread.
Excellent pictures.

>22 drneutron: >23 Helenliz: Thanks Jim and Helen.

Joining the praise for >17 Caroline_McElwee:! Telling that she's done this to her books...made even Shakespeare her own vision.

Happy new thread Caroline! I hope you will find plenty of good books to fill it with.

Lots of parakeets in South London. They have investigated the little feeder that I have stuck to my window, but I don't think they like peanuts.

Tee hee...

>27 Caroline_McElwee: Love it!

>27 Caroline_McElwee: HA!! Perfect, as always with Msrg Gauld.

>27 Caroline_McElwee: Brilliant!

I have booked myself a week off at the end of the month, what do I not want to miss that's currently on in London? Been that long since I've been to the big city.

>30 Helenliz: Let me think about it Helen. I haven't been in town much myself recently.

>30 Helenliz: I see from an earlier thread Helen you like galleries and museums and have lived in London, however, here are some of London's secret gems that people can miss.

The Soane Museum: https://www.soane.org/

Dulwich Picture Gallery: https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/

Chelsea Physic Garden: https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/

To be aware, London is suffering tube and potential bus strikes at the moment, so it might take you longer getting from place to place.

If I think of anything else I will let you know. I'm working next week and busy at the weekend, otherwise I'd have offered to meet up.

>27 Caroline_McElwee: Great!

>17 Caroline_McElwee: These are lovely things, how brilliant to be able to see them up close too.

I've still not managed to see the Soane museum, hopefully one day.
I am trying to decide if I can justify/ finance another trip to the MK Gallery, I had somehow missed that they are holding a Vivien Maier exhibition.
https://mkgallery.org/event/vivian-maier/

>34 charl08: oh! That's interesting. I'm off next week, I can pick you up from somewhere...

>32 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you. Lots of ideas there. The strikes thing does make me think I might stick within walking distance of King's Cross, seeing that's where my trains come in. The British Library's current exhibition is on the list, and it occurs to me I've never been to the Cartoon Museum, seeing it opened after I left. And I might have to have a wander round Mecklenburg square, after reading Square Haunting last year.

>2 Caroline_McElwee: Smart bird!

>17 Caroline_McElwee: Those are cool covers.

>27 Caroline_McElwee: Lol

Have a terrific Tuesday, Caroline!

>27 Caroline_McElwee: Love it!

>32 Caroline_McElwee: I like your recommendations of the Dulwich Picture Gallery, which I visited once with Bianca, and once with an old girlfriend of mine when she spent an Easter Sunday in London with me during her vacation in Paris, and I loved seeing the Chelsea Physic Garden with you several years ago. One museum I particularly like which doesn't get much attention is the Wellcome Collection, the "free museum and library exploring health and human experience" on Euston Road, which is very close to Euston Station. The Wellcome Collection sponsors my favorite literary award, the Wellcome Book Prize, which unfortunately is still on hiatus.

>35 Helenliz: I probably don't need to add this, but there are some fabulous bookshops within walking distance of King's Cross!

>38 charl08:. Um, no. >;-) I worked in Brunswick square for nearly 4 years, I (used to) know my way around...

>27 Caroline_McElwee: LOL. Love me some Gauld!

Happy Wednesday, Caroline.

The Gauld is great.

>34 charl08: I'm not going to get to the Mayer, but love her stuff Charlotte.

Yes, lovely seeing some of Virginia's special things.

>35 Helenliz: Enjoy your visit Helen. I loved Square Haunting too.

>36 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia.

>37 kidzdoc: I have been visiting Dulwich Picture Gallery since I was very little Darryl. I know I will have mentioned before but we were walking in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh (and no doubt many other famous artists). He mentions two visits as a young man when he lived in London, in his letters.

>40 msf59: Hi Mark. I hope your week is going well.

>41 Caroline_McElwee: I must have missed your post about van Gogh visiting the Dulwich Picture Gallery, Caroline! I also did not know, until I read its Wikipedia page just now, that it was designed by Sir John Soane, and that it's the oldest public art gallery in England, which opened in 1817. (I would have guessed that this title belonged to the British Museum, but apparently it falls into a different category.)

When Bianca and I visited the gallery we started out the day by having brunch in the Duck Egg Café in East Dulwich, close to Lordship Lane, which as you know is the closest major street to the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Unfortunately that lovely café, which Bianca, Claire and I all loved, closed several years ago.

>42 kidzdoc: I never made it to The Duck Egg Darryl. I hate when good eateries close. I tend to eat in the gallery café, but they are not as good as they were years ago.

>43 Caroline_McElwee: I was wondering if you had ever gone to the Duck Egg Café with Bianca or Claire. It was probably my second favorite place to have brunch in London, after Café Also in Temple Fortune, which is also gone, as you know. Another East Dulwich restaurant that Bianca and I liked, The Sea Cow on Lordship Lane, has also closed.

I don't think I ate at the café at the Dulwich Picture Gallery with either Bianca or Kim, my ex-girlfriend from Rutgers. If I did it wasn't memorable.

>44 kidzdoc: One of my all time favourite restaurants closed many years ago Darryl, Baroque, in Southampton Street*, off the Strand. I would go there at different times of day, and it had different kinds of clientele.

As well as meeting friends for dinner we could drop in after the theatre for hot chocolate and cognac. If I was passing time waiting to meet a friend I'd go in for a tapas and watch the chess and backgammon players late morning. On Wednesday nights they had an opera singer upstairs.

It was always popular, but I suspect the landlord hiked the rents. It was replaced with a boring pizzaria. Not sure what it is now.

* Another link with Vincent Van Gogh, the art dealers he worked at in London were in this street,

Went to Dulwich Picture Gallery with a friend to see 'Reframed: The Woman in the Window' a common artists theme for several thousand years:

https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/2022/may/reframed-...

Many paintings in this theme I am familiar with weren't in the exhibition, but there was a Rembrandt, Picasso, Vanessa Bell, Louise Bourgeois, Rossetti and several artists not known to me. This was one of my favourites:





One of the interesting things was how in many of the earlier paintings the women shared the canvases with bird cages or caged birds.

***
I also enjoyed a serendipitous experience. Taking a break on a bench I was watching a new exhibit being installed in a small gallery. This wonderful piece was the painting I could see:



It was not an artist I was familiar with, Anthony Daley. I got into a lovely conversation with the guy sitting next to me, who turned out to be the artist. What a treat. We had a wide ranging convo about art and other things for about 30 minutes. Like me he had visited the gallery many times as he too had lived nearby as a young person. He was in awe of the fact that for the next six months his own work would be hanging in a gallery that was home to Rembrandts.

I will definitely go back and see his exhibit in full in a couple of weeks. He told me there was a piece inspired by Vincent Van Gogh. Although the main theme was inspired by a Rubens painting.


NMP

He said he wished VVG were still around... to paint a bad painting! We agreed we couldn't name one.

What a lovely guy he is

Happy Friday and Happy New Thread, Caroline.

I love that photo in >2 Caroline_McElwee:.

Sounds like a lovely visit to the Dulwich Gallery. How cool that you had that long talk with the artist. I like the one of his you posted.

Hope you have a good weekend.

>45 Caroline_McElwee: Baroque sounds like a lovely restaurant, Caroline. I wish I could have gone there with you.

Rent raises were the death knell of several of my favorite restaurants and shops in Manhattan, most notably The Popover Café on the Upper West Side, which was my favorite place to have a weekend brunch in NYC when I worked in the city, and later when I visited friends there. It was a beloved neighborhood restaurant, and there was even a tribute to it in The New York Times around the time it closed in 2013.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: Wow, what a great visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery! I look forward to getting your take on Anthony Daley's exhibit when you return there.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: How fun, Caroline, to meet the artist.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: wow, what an excellent visit. I hope you go back and see the exhibition when it opens.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: My very favorite kind of moment! Such fun to have someone you're just shooting the breeze with prove to be someone so much more interesting now that you know who they are. I'm delighted to learn of Anthony Daley, thanks for that, too.

Saturday's almost done. What's up for Sunday chez vous?

>47 jnwelch: Those little parakeets are happy birds in my brother's garden at the moment Joe, now those little apples are ripe.

>48 kidzdoc: It doesn't make sense to me to damage a viable business for greed Darryl. Grrr.

>47 jnwelch: >48 kidzdoc: >49 BLBera: >50 Helenliz: >51 richardderus: I will very definitely go back to see Anthony's full exhibition. I have some time off mid September, and if I haven't got there before, I'll fit it in then.

>51 richardderus: I had a lovely lunch out with a cousin today Richard, we usually meet up a couple of times a year. Tomorrow I'm going to my brother's for lunch. We have a long weekend here this weekend, so I shall have a reading Monday, and Tuesday is this month's visit to Chelsea Phys. I have 2x3 working day weeks before just over two weeks off.

Catching up, Caroline. Your last few books were goodies on your last thread.

Hi Caroline. We don't have parakeets here ... yet. They have been spotted a couple of miles further south though. We are starting up our visits to London again and went to see Anything Goes at the Barbican last week. Much to my embarrassment, I got completely lost trying to find the entrance. Perhaps lost is the wrong word: I knew where I was (in relation to the rest of London) and I knew where the Barbican was (in relation to me) but do you think we could find the way in? Embarrassing, as I used to be a member of the Barbican library and went there most weeks, although admittedly from a different direction.

>52 Caroline_McElwee: Sounds like you're making the most of your bank holiday break Caroline.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: The gallery exhibit looks lovely. And how wonderful to speak with an artist about to exhibit.

>53 AlisonY: Glad to have some book bullet hits Alison.

>54 SandDune: The Barbican centre is a nightmare to navigate Rhian. Too many stairs for me, lifts in strange out of the way places. I've got to be really desperate to see something to go there, despite it being a really good commute for me.

>55 charl08: In the end lunch at my brothers was a blow out due to engineering works on the trains, common during bank holidays, but I forgot to check. I'm going Friday evening instead, but the rest has been lovely Charlotte.

Apparently the white flowers are yucca blooms. Red hot pokers were one of my dad's favourites, so smiled to see these. I love teasels. The tree (top right) shades us on our favourite bench and rains dappled sunlight on us.

Hi Caroline. I was in my car yesterday, listening to one of my favourite shows on CBC Radio, called The Next Chapter, a show about Canadian books and writers. This was a repeat show but the book that host Shelagh Rogers was talking about (and its author), made me think of your visits to the Chelsea Physic Garden. Perhaps you might enjoy the conversation:

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thenextchapter/full-episode-aug-29-2022-1.6404061/sylvi...

>57 Caroline_McElwee: Lovely photos Caroline! The garden this time of year is very thirsty here as little rain has happened in the past 6 weeks, greatly affecting blooming. Things bloom and then fade quickly even though I have consulted many drought tolerant plant lists for the garden. Oh well!

>57 Caroline_McElwee: What a lovely Dahlia at the top row, Caroline.
I had a yucca in the garden that bloomed, when we came here. Sadly it didn't survive the harsh winter of 2012.

>57 Caroline_McElwee: Yucca in bloom is beautiful...any idea how long it takes for a new plant to bloom?

We have had a group for years with great strong green leaves, yet no flower.

This year, our Rose of Sharon Hibiscus finally bloomed for the first time!

Excellent flowers and pictures, Caroline.

>58 jessibud2: Thanks for the link, I'll take a look Shelkey.

>59 mdoris: It's quite a challenge adjusting to drought conditions I imagine Mary. I don't have a garden, hence my extra enjoyment of Chelsea Phys.

>60 FAMeulstee: I do like a good dahlia or aster Anita. Sorry you lost your flowering yucca.

>61 m.belljackson: I'm not sure that all yucca's bloom Marianne, I think that is the only one I have seen do so.

>62 Helenliz: Thanks Hellen.

I am a sluggish reader at the moment, despite a couple of books on the go that are not bad. Not sure why I'm feeling like this, but hope to get my reading mojo back soon.

RIP Queen Elizabeth II.


An uncommon reader

>65 Caroline_McElwee: The entirety of my life, she was There...a fact of life. I had nothing to do with her or her family but noticed their various dallyings and toings and froings.

Now...weirdly...it feels emptier without that life-long presence.

>66 richardderus: I agree Richard. I'm not what you would call a royalist, but I respected the Queen, Charles and Anne for the endless work they do in supporting others in many varied ways. In offering the kind of service that most of us could not do.

>67 Caroline_McElwee: I'm with you on that, Caro. I used to think Charles was a doofus but felt he came into his own later in life. I've been particularly impressed with his environmental activism. As Prince of Wales he was more than just a figurehead, and it will be interesting to see how he shapes the monarchy.

It is a very odd sensation, like someone's swiped the carpet from under your feet. A constant point of stability has gone at a time when I think we need stability more than anything.

RIP Queen Elizabeth II. We are with you, Caroline, while your country mourns.

Have a good weekend, my friend.

>67 Caroline_McElwee: Sums up my own feelings too, Caroline. I am against the monarchy on principle but find myself mourning her passing in a state of shock despite myself. She provided great service with grace, humility and courage coupled with no little humour. She is all we have known as our Head of State and we should say whatever our wider belief on life and the hereafter.......God Save the Queen.

Caroline, I have been an ardent republican for most of my life, and I would vote to abolish the monarchy tomorrow if we had a vote, but I felt upset and moved by the news as well. Somehow it seemed as if she would be there for ever. Doesn't quite seem real.

I've had a couple of days in beautiful Wales with my sister.



I noticed the trees on the mountains got a darker green as we crossed the border. Iphone cameras don't do the breadth of greens justice. We visited Aberystwyth (not shown except for delicious honey and bergamot cake; met a friend for lunch, who migrated back to Wales 4 years ago). Shown: middle Aberporth/the chapel at Mwnt (pron Munt), bottom: Aberaeron.

Had a delightful time.

>68 lauralkeet: I've always felt that he wasn't treated fairly Laura, the media mocked his environmental and organic ideas when he was ahead of the curve, and never acknowledged his leadership in that area when it became accepted and practiced by the mainstream later.

>69 Helenliz: It is very surreal Helen. As is the parallel occasion of sadness with celebration of a new King. It must be a very schizophrenic sensation for the royal family.

>70 msf59: Thank you Mark. See above re the good weekend.

>71 PaulCranswick: I guess I was very aware of Her Majesty's age and fragility Paul, so was slightly less shocked perhaps. I'd read the phrasing of announcements to be a suggestion of where we were headed. I still join the nation and world in its sadness.

>72 SandDune: I think someone said something along the lines of: 'we know when we are real adults when we are able to hold two conflicting ideas in our minds at the same time' Rhian, I think this historic moment is a powerful example of that.

>73 Caroline_McElwee: We went to Mwnt and Aberaeron last year. Daisy was chased around Mwnt beach by a pair of rabid chihuahuas, who obviously had a big case of 'small dog syndrome'

>75 SandDune: Very funny Rhian. I'm not a chihuahuas fan. Don't like yappy dogs.

Unfortunately the beach was off limits to me due to stairs with no handrail, with my ankle and balance issues, but I enjoyed looking at it.

56. Own it (Diane von Furstenberg) (12/09/22) ****


(Mine not a signed copy)

DVF collection of aphorisms which her life experience led her too.

Her mother was in a concentration camp and very nearly didn't make it out. That she survived and subsequently had a child very much formed who her daughter became.

Although most of the wisdom is familiar, DVF sometimes sheds new light.

The volume lost 1/2 a star for the irritating design, looking like an edited manuscript:

The poet Laureate's tribute to the Queen:

Floral Tribute by Simon Armitage:

"Evening will come, however determined the late afternoon,
Limes and oaks in their last green flush, pearled in September mist.
I have conjured a lily to light these hours, a token of thanks,
Zones and auras of soft glare framing the brilliant globes.
A promise made and kept for life - that was your gift -
Because of which, here is a gift in return, glovewort to some,
Each shining bonnet guarded by stern lance-like leaves.
The country loaded its whole self into your slender hands,
Hands that can rest, now, relieved of a century's weight.
Evening has come. Rain on the black lochs and dark Munros.
Lily of the Valley, a namesake almost, a favourite flower
Interlaced with your famous bouquets, the restrained
Zeal and forceful grace of its lanterns, each inflorescence
A silent bell disguising a singular voice. A blurred new day
Breaks uncrowned on remote peaks and public parks, and
Everything turns on these luminous petals and deep roots,
This lily that thrives between spire and tree, whose brightness
Holds and glows beyond the life and border of its bloom."

>77 Caroline_McElwee: That fake editing would drive me insane! I rarely mark my own books, let alone want to see someone else's additions to the text!

>79 Sakerfalcon: Exactly Claire. I only persisted because I liked some of her thoughts, and it was a short book.

*****

Can't believe it was the first book on this thread. Reading still a bit sluggish, but bookmarks in a number of books.

>77 Caroline_McElwee: That looks fun for a page or two, but after that would become rather annoying, I suspect.

>73 Caroline_McElwee: excellent pictures, I hope you had a good time (and lots of lovely cake).

>73 Caroline_McElwee: Looks lovely, Caroline!

>65 Caroline_McElwee: Lovely to see she was a fellow reader, Caroline.

>78 Caroline_McElwee: That is lovely, Caroline.

>77 Caroline_McElwee: That looks very annoying.

Greetings, Caro. Hoping your week is a good one.

Popping to say Hi! And no to the book with editing marks, LOL.

>81 Helenliz: It was lovely Helen, and the cake so good.

>82 FAMeulstee: It was my first time fully in Wales Anita. Beautiful place. I look forward to a revisit.

>83 Familyhistorian: Yes Meg. Have you read Alan Bennett's amusing The Uncommon Reader?

>84 BLBera: Laureate poems don't always succeed, but I felt that one did Beth.

>85 richardderus: Nice to see you peek round the door RD.

>86 Berly: Yes, the publishers need their knuckles rapped for that Kim. Maybe they were targeting at younger readers who are more tolerant of such visual noise.

Sweet Thursday, Caroline. Wales looks beautiful. I love the Armitage poem. I would also like to recommend a poetry collection- Kaddish: Before the Holocaust and After. Strong stuff.

>88 msf59: Thanks for the recommendation Mark. I'm going to start Ada Limon's new collection today.

On Tuesday I went into town to see Gabriel Byrne's one man show 'Walking with Ghosts'. Based on a recent autobiography Byrne takes you on a lap of his childhood and the characters who fill it. Much humour at impersonations of his parents and other local personalities. The wit is counterbalanced by his openness of being abused as a child by a priest teacher, and the mental illness suffered by his adored sister.

The performance won a swift standing ovation. I've been enjoying his work since the 1980's, though it is the first time I've seen him live.

London was teaming. Many heading to Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Hall. I've rarely seen it so busy.

>87 Caroline_McElwee: - I loved The Uncommon Reader, even read it twice and I am not generally a re-reader.

Hi Caroline. I love the photos of Wales.

I haven't read The Uncommon Reader but I have a copy on my shelves and this seems like a good time to read it!

Mischief...

Her duty done.

>90 Caroline_McElwee: This sounds wonderful, Caroline.

I loved The Uncommon Reader, and it might be a good time for a reread.

57. Girls they Write Songs About (Carlene Bauer) (19/09/22) ****



A novel about the friendship of two women, and about still reaching for it after the stream has gone out of the relationship. A touchstone, a comparison.

Iwent for a few days to Herne Bay in Kent with a friend. A few photos.



The sculpture top left is of pilot Amy Johnson, her plane came down just off the coast of Herne Bay. Her body never found.

The sculpture beneath is called Boy and Boat.

The lights and food in last night's Turkish restaurant were excellent. We also had Mexican and Indian meals.

It's quite a sleepy town, which has suffered from pandemic years. But it was a pleasant visit.

We went to a cat café too.

I also added to my owl collection, I try to buy an owl wherever I go.



He's yet to be named, Herne (as in the hunter) is not the most positive option.

There were also entertaining political cartoons by Rob Murray along the pier:

>96 Caroline_McElwee: Lovely town, good-looking art, and *hi*lar*ious* Johnson (!) joke!

Thank you for sharing, Chouette.

>97 richardderus: too-witt-too-woo.

Great photos, Caroline. Thanks for sharing. I love the idea of an owl collection.

>96 Caroline_McElwee: Lovely picture, Caroline.
The owl is beautiful. My mother also collected owl figurines, and had a small collection.

>96 Caroline_McElwee: The owl is a beauty!

>99 BLBera: >100 FAMeulstee: >101 mdoris: Thanks Beth, Anita and Mary. I've named him Morgan, as I was reading Forster earlier this year.

>96 Caroline_McElwee: Nice! I quite like the boy and boat sculpture. My eye was drawn to it right away.

Love the glass owl! So cute.

>103 figsfromthistle: He was fun Anita.

I went to see this autobiographical film, mostly narrated by Bowie himself, with unseen film across his life. A vivid sense of a man and his creativity. I think they showed some of his paintings for the first time, and tape of him working on them.

Interestingly out of about 40 attendees, there were only about half a dozen of us old enough to have seen him live. There were a small group of 20 somethings dressed Bowiesque.

I am going to start a project of reintroducing myself to his work chronologically. There are certainly some albums I have not heard too.

I saw him live at Wembley during his Thin White Duke era. Touts offered my friend B and I £200 for each of our tickets. No way Hosé. I've rarely seen anyone who had the audience more fully in his hand.

Hi, Caroline! I love the owl up there, that you picked for your collection. "Moonage Daydream" sounds really good. I saw Bowie once in the early 90s. He was part of a music festival. Of course, he was very good.

>106 msf59: Thanks re my owl Mark.

Moonage DayDream is worth a view.

58. The Thursday Murder Club: The Bullet that Missed (Richard Osman) (28/09/22) ***1/2



I have to say that I can’t think of a series whose formula is so blatant, and it irritates me especially in the first 50 pages. That said, I do enjoy the characters and the convoluted plots, so I guess I will continue to read them. I smashed this out in 2 days!

Osman has said he will be starting a new series after TMC4. Will be interesting to see how different that is.

>108 Caroline_McElwee: I couldn't make it past the first 50pp. Of the first one. Just...quit smackin' me! I get it! It's A SET-UP I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW.

And that was that.

For fans of the Thursday Murder Club (don't look RD), meet Richard Osman's mum:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-63014394

>105 Caroline_McElwee: You dressed "Bowiesque" right?

>111 Oberon: Hmmm, only in my dreams now Erik.

>108 Caroline_McElwee: Yes, the formula is obvious now but they are just so much fun to read.

>110 Caroline_McElwee: that was cute.

>110 Caroline_McElwee: Fun stuff. I love the idea that she read the book as a lawyer!

"Moonage Daydream" does sound good, Caroline. I like the idea of revisiting his work in chronological order.

Lovely pictures of your trip and I love the cheery little owl.

>109 richardderus: I finished book 1, but have no inclination to seek out further examples.

>113 lauralkeet: >114 charl08: I'll probably read the next.

>115 BLBera: I've let music fall out of my life Beth. I think Bowie will help me turn the tide on that, once I get started.

>116 Helenliz: Thanks Helen. I'm very fond of the latest edition to my owl family.

59. We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Shirley Jackson) (Kindle) (02/10/22) ****



I enjoyed this reread of this short, dark novella. This time round the attempt to control the women (it is easy to forget they are not girls, Constance is 28) by cousin Charles stood out, the bullying by the villagers (scared and unsettled by the sisters), and the warmth of the sisters' relationship and their aim to make themselves comfortable whatever situation they find themselves in, all stood out.

Certainly knowing about Jackson's controlling husband this time brought Charles' behaviour to the fore.

Caroline, I'm still not sure I'll ever get to Shirley Jackson. Too creepy for my taste, I think.

I just finished Maggie O'Farrell's new one, I wondered if this was on your TBR pile. Lots of lovely descriptions of artworks and painting techniques. I have to return the beautiful hardback to the library, hoping the paperback keeps the same cover for when I buy my own.

>119 charl08: Interesting, I didn't find the Shirley Jackson particularly creepy Charlotte.

The O'Farrell is in the 'wait for paperback' pile. I might cave before, but so far I have been doing well with that and am reducing my hardback intake.

>120 Caroline_McElwee: Sorry, didn't mean to lead you astray there. If I see a cheap copy of the hardback though, I think I will buy it.
Although I should wait for a paperback copy.

Enjoyed catching up, Caroline. I'm a diehard Bowie fan, so delighted to hear that's the musical odyssey you're embarking on. Not heard of that film - I don't think it's showing here.

>118 Caroline_McElwee: Merricat still scares the bejabbers out of me.

Happy Spooktober.

Hi, Caroline.

I read a rave review of The Bullet That Missed that called it “brilliant” and the best one yet. I’m a dedicated follower of the Thursday Murder Club, and can’t wait to read it.

I was too slow to join you and Mark in reading Plainsong, but I just finished my re-read of it and can happily report I loved it even more the second time through. What a beautiful book. I’m continuing right away with Eventide, as I’m already craving more stories about these characters. The McPherson brothers - I wish we all could know them in real life.

I’m also reading Sharon Olds’ new collection, Balladz. She remains one of my favorites.

Lovely stuff here as always, Caroline.

>78 Caroline_McElwee: Don't know how I missed that so thanks for posting it up. I like Armitage as you know :

"I have conjured a lily to light these hours" shows that he was a great choice to succeed Carol Ann Duffy.

I will look out for the Bowie movie too. In the early seventies few could match the wealth and depth of his songcraft.

Thanks for the post regarding Bowie. I will check Netflix and Hulu to see if it is there.

I hope all is well with you.

Dropping in to say hello and wish you a wonderful weekend :)

>121 charl08: I resisted the O'F when in the bookshop on Friday. I am currently in theAlan Rickman Diaries, and will follow that with William Boyd's new novel The Romantic but I suspect I'll cave soon Charlotte.

>122 AlisonY: I haven't started my odyssey yet Alison, but I will soon. Hope you get to see the documentary.

>123 richardderus: Have you come out from behind the sofa RD?

>124 jnwelch: It is a while sinceI read Sharon Olds, but I love her work too Joe.

Enjoy the new Thursday Murder Club.

>125 PaulCranswick: I saw Armitage many times in his early career Paul. Laureate can suffocate some occupants of the role (Hughes for example), but so far he is doing OK.

>126 Whisper1: I hope you track down the documentary Linda.

>127 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita, nice one so far. Hope yours is good too.

>128 Caroline_McElwee: I didn't know William Boyd had a new novel out. My husband is a huge fan and he hasn't mentioned it so this could be a nice Christmas gift. I will watch for your thoughts on it, Caro.

P.S. Your touchstone goes to a different book ...

>129 lauralkeet: Erroneous 's'. Fixed. Thanks Laura.

I read the excerpts of Rickman's diaries in the Grauniad and was tempted. The film reviews in particular made me laugh. I am now wondering how many reservations are on the copies in the library...

>131 charl08: I'm really enjoying it.

60. Madly Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries (Alan Rickman; ed Alan Taylor) ****



The volume starts in 1993 until 2016. So quite a bit of his career not covered. The entries are short. Although it can't avoid talking about many other famous people (many of whom are personal friends) it's not a celeb biography in the tabloid sense.

It s clear he had a gift for friendship; for a man, he loved shopping, especially for clothes and shoes for he and his partner (later wife) Rima; boy do actors travel a lot. He was quite self aware, and yet also vulnerable at times - necessary for being a good actor I'd say. On the whole generous about most of those he worked with, but grouchy about anyone (especially directors) who hadn't done their homework or disrespected colleagues.

The diaries go up to a few weeks before his death. When they stop, his wife Rima has given a brief outline of his final weeks. This is followed by a few entries from short earlier journals, written by the young man taking first steps in his profession,

Some of the quotes in the media sound sharper taken out of context, they are aiming at Snappish edges me thinks.

I was a little disappointed not to find more of a Japanese play he was in (which I loved so much I saw three times), directed by Yukio Ninagawa, Tango at the End of Winter. There may have been more but the editor may not have included it. I would have liked to hear his experience of working with Ninagawa through an interpreter. One of the other actors had translated the script into English. ETA: Actually I've checked and the production was in 1991, so predates the start of the diaries. How time flies.

>133 Caroline_McElwee: One of the things I remember clearly, Caroline, is how much his voice in Hardy's audio books was loved by so many in the group. A gift for friendship is a wonderful blessing.

I am not a great reader of diaries but I would look out for that one.

>134 PaulCranswick: Interestingly Paul, I got the sense he didn't enjoy his distinctive voice.

Highly recommend this series currently on Apple+ (I hope it gets a broader showing in time). Hillary and Chelsea Clinton are perfect interviewers, participants and although it covers serious issues, there is also fun.

8x 40 minutes. I've watched the first three so far. Although the publicity image shows well known people, mostly it is extraordinary survivors and their experience and work that are covered.

>136 Caroline_McElwee: - Caroline, they have also put out a book called The Book of Gutsy Women. I don't have Apple tv so I am hoping that maybe one day it will go to dvd or something and I can get it from the library.

>137 jessibud2: I have the book on Kindle Shelley, but haven't got to it yet. I hope you get to see the series sometime.

>136 Caroline_McElwee: This sounds really good.

I loved Alan Rickman.

>135 Caroline_McElwee: Isn't that funny?! I distinctly remember the late and much missed Nancy (lit_chick) was very much in love with Rickman's dulcet tones.

I had a bad experience with hardy at school and it took me over 30 years to try it again. Which I did listening to Alan Rickman. I can now see the point of Hardy.

Caroline, thanks very much for the copy of Night Haunts which arrived a couple of days ago.

>141 Helenliz:: I think there's a lot to be said for listening to (or watching) readings/dramatisations of 19th century literature. I was put off Dickens by lots of primary/middle school comprehension exercises (looking at that, primary school sounds rather young as I would have only turned 9 right at the end, and we seemed to do nothing but Captain Cook in the last year there!).

I'm not sure whether or not it's still available on Sounds but the BBC did a series of Hardy narratives from the viewpoint of the women in them quite recently.

>139 BLBera: I would say it depends how much of his work you saw Beth. I'm not sure if non-Brits would know all the people he mentioned. Isaw him on stage maybe 9-10 times over 20 years I guess.

>140 PaulCranswick: I liked his voice Paul. Very nasal though, but I liked the timbre.

>141 Helenliz: It's interesting what turns us off of, or onto a writer's work.

I used to listen to more audio books, but whilst enjoying them, I could find being read to soporific, which is the point of parents reading to us!

>142 elkiedee: Glad it landed safely Luci.

Will look out for the Hardy from the female POV progs. Thanks.

>143 Caroline_McElwee: I agree entirely on Audio Books, Caroline. Guaranteed to send me to sleep.

Have a lovely weekend.

I've not got Apple TV but the series you mentioned sounds tempting.

I got notification about this event today, and thought of you. I think they're usually available on youtube afterwards as well: I can't see it mentioned here.
https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/begin-again-black-history-month/

‘James Baldwin grew disillusioned by the failure of the civil rights movement to force America to confront its lies about race. What can we learn from his struggle in our own moment?’

Join Eddie S. Glaude Jr., shortlisted author for the 2021 British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding, in conversation with author and historian Colin Grant to discuss what the life and work of the American essayist, novelist and playwright James Baldwin can teach us about the United States of America today.

A New York Times bestseller, Begin Again presents a searing indictment of racial injustice in America and is a powerful reckoning with America’s ongoing failure to confront the lies it tells itself about race.

As a country divided by the legacy of the Trump presidency and the violent resurgence of white nationalism, discover how Glaude finds hope and guidance in Baldwin and how his life and work can help us to understand American society today.

This event is part of Black History Month 2022.

Speaker: Professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr., James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and Chair of the Department of African American Studies, Princeton University

Chair: Colin Grant, author, historian and speaker, Director of WritersMosaic

Free, booking required.

Thanks Charlotte. I read Gaude's excellent book. Booked my ticket.

I believe that the Gaude book was also a documentary with the same title. I saw it a few years ago. It was excellent

>147 jessibud2: Are you thinking of I am not your negro Shelley? Indeed a fine documentary.

>148 Caroline_McElwee: - Yes, I think that was it. I did see Eddie gaude in conversation, possibly about that doc, around the same time as I saw the film so that's probably why it got mixed up in my memory (not a difficult thing these days, apparently!)

61. Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds (Huma Abedin) (20/10/22) ****1/2



A memoir of quite an extraordinary life. Born in the USA of an Indian father and Pakistani mother, raised partially in Saudi Arabia. By aged 21 working on the staff of the First Lady, Hillary Clinton, for whom she has so far worked, in various positions for 25+ years now.

Fascinating about the political machine behind a very high profile politician. Interesting incites into the real Hillary. The extraordinary work ethic of her and all those who support her. And about the friendship that grew across a quarter of a century.

This is also a very personal memoir, about a multi-cultural woman in the US today, and one that suffered deep personal crises when her husband, a congressman, was exposed for sexting (excuse the pun). Unable to refrain from his addiction, he subsequently served time in prison. Abedin shares the complicated, painful impact this has on her life.

I'm looking forward to learning what this woman does going forward.

>150 Caroline_McElwee: Ouch! You hit me with a BB!

>151 figsfromthistle: Clapping. Glad my aim was good Anita.

>150 Caroline_McElwee: This does sound good.

>153 BLBera: I think you would like it Beth. Well written, nice tone.

The only thing I would change is the clunky forgettable title!

Happy lettuce-less weekend ahead, Caro.

>150 Caroline_McElwee: Yes that does look like a keeper, Caroline.

>155 richardderus: Hahaha but it will be no laughing matter when BJ returns. :{

>155 richardderus: Haha RD.

>156 PaulCranswick: Stop it Paul.... No.......

I admit to be to being tempted by >150 Caroline_McElwee: as well.

>156 PaulCranswick: you can go right off some people... I will cry and join the Labour party if that happens.

>158 Helenliz: Don't shoot the messenger, Helen! I wouldn't vote for the guy in a month of Sundays. Isn't it sad that in these difficult days the world is bereft of inspiring and competent leaders?

Hello Caroline! I skimmed through everything as I haven't been visiting threads much, trying to remind myself how to do it. ;)

Funny, on the day Truss resigned I sent my husband a message with Aldi's tweet that said "it's a good day to be a lettuce" and he immediately knew what had happened.

>160 ursula: Yes, relieved to see her go, and to see that Johnson will not put himself forward. The two worst PMs of recent years. I'm not a Tory, but it looks like the best of a bad lot, Rishi, will get the job.

62. The Trees (Percival Everett) (23/10/22) ****



I wasn't sure if this one would be for me as I don't tend to read black comedy/satire, but I was soon racing along.

White men are being found dead and mutilated in Money, Mississippi, and found in the presence of a dead black man. To say more would be a spoiler. Serious and humorous with a sip of farce.

Shortlisted for this year's Booker prize, the UK seemed to have some problems with supply.

A new writer to me, and one with a fair sized back catalogue to look forward to.

Nice comments on The Trees. I would also like to read more of his work.

I finally got back to Dulwich Picture Gallery last Wednesday with a friend, to see Anthony Daley's full exhibition >46 Caroline_McElwee:, which I loved. A few of the paintings:







We took sandwiches and ate in the grounds, it was a lovely sunny day.

***

I also went to the cinema last week to see:



Which I enjoyed. Based on the true story (with of course dramatic licence) of the search and successful discovery of the bones (and reputation) of King Richard III. I liked that the main character's imaginary King R was visible to us, but remains mostly silent.

Then yesterday I saw the quirky but very sad Banshee of Inisherin



about two friends whose friendship comes asunder. Wonderful performances, stunning scenery, but heartbreaking

>165 Caroline_McElwee: I so want to see Banshees of Inisherin. I was hoping that the local independent cinema would have it on in November, and they do. Unfortunately, the two days it’s on coincides with us going to events at the Cambridge Literary Festival.

>166 SandDune: So frustrating Rhian. It is definitely worth seeing.

>165 Caroline_McElwee: Oh, I thought about going to see both of those with my free afternoon yesterday, but ended up going to see the new Korean drama. Reminded me of Wes Anderson, an entertaining watch.

>165 Caroline_McElwee: Oooooo

Daley's use of color reminds me of Helen Frankenthaler's merging, melding, fungible emergent shapes. Just lovely. (And a Dutch or Belgian artist whose name's gone to sleep in a closed filing drawer inside my head uses those beautiful soft lines to define shapes...darn it, filing elves, wake up and dig that name out!)

>165 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks for sharing those Daley paintings, Caroline, they are lovely. The kind of images I can look at for a long time, especially the first one.

Sweet Thursday, Caroline. I want to read The Trees. I had it on my list, after it landed on the Booker longlist but you sealed it. I really want to see "Banshee of Inisherin". I don't think it has opened here.

>168 charl08: Nothing on I want to see this weekend Charlotte :-(

>169 richardderus: They really are great pieces RD. I can see what you mean about some of Helen Frankenthaler's paintings.

>170 FAMeulstee: Me too Anita. It's like looking at the wood grain in the wardrobe door and seeing images. There was an owl in mine, and a spaniel.

>171 msf59: I think you will like The Trees Mark.

63. The Marriage Portrait (Maggie O'Farrell (27/10/22) ****



An enjoyable read. The pages turned quickly. The story of the short lived Lucrezia who is married off at aged 14/15 to the Duke of Ferrara (a fictionalised fantasy of historical characters). The odd one out in her family she is left often to her own devices within the constraints of the Florentine court. Among her pass-times is painting small pictures.

As was common in the era, the girls in a family were wedded off to bring families together. When her older sister dies unexpectedly, Lucretzia is betrothed to the man intended as her husband.

Some lovely detailed writing about painting, a life in different courts, though I own I didn't feel it got enough of what we now call Italy, and I wanted a bit more about art. It does bring to the fore though the fact that many paintings were the work of multiple hands, yet only one gets the credit for the work.

I have been adding some poetry again this week after a bit of a fallow period - Julia Copus' Girlhood, Dart by Alice Oswald (two female poets whose work I have admired) and the occasional works (non official collections stuff) from Simon Armitage. Reading poetry usually gets me back writing too which I am looking forward to.

>165 Caroline_McElwee: Both of those films appeal, Caroline, but no release for them here I fear.

>174 PaulCranswick: Yes I noticed your big Ted Hughes haul Paul. I need to get to the new Ada Limon volume soon.

>173 Caroline_McElwee: I am looking forward to this one, Caroline.

>173 Caroline_McElwee: A lovely book. I think it's just made the shortlist for the Waterstones' book of the year.
https://www.waterstones.com/category/cultural-highlights/book-awards/the-waterst...

64. The Joys of Motherhood (Buchi Emecheta) (01/11/22) (Kindle) ****



A finely crafted novel set in the 1930s to 1950s following the life of a young woman Nnu-Ego in an evolving Nigeria. Moving from a rural village to Lagos where traditions slowly evolve.

In a tradition where women are seen as chattels and where the position she would hold in the rural village is lost in the hubbub of a buzzing, modernising city.

A novel not for the faint hearted as Nnu-Ego's life is hard and harsh.

Read for the 20 classics by People of Colour challenge. I will certainly return to Emecheta.

>178 Caroline_McElwee: Beautiful cover, Caroline. I have some of hers in those striking 70s covers.

>179 charl08: I do like a good cover Charlotte.

65. What Writers Read: 35 Writers on their Favourite Book (various, ed Pandora Sykes) (03/11/22) ****



Of course like most LTers I'm a sucker for books about books. I enjoyed this little volume, the proceeds of which will fund literacy projects. There were a few writers I didn't know, and a few books I'd not heard about. I wasn't surprised to find The Great Gatsby, or even Orlando. As I've found before, James Baldwin was mentioned a number of times, if not being one of the chosen books. I was delighted to find Denis Johnson's Train Dreams which I read twice in the same year, and plan to take off the shelf for a reread this weekend.

The only book that found itself in my shopping cart was Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, Ann Pratchett's favourite. I'll be starting it next.

66. Sorrow and Bliss (Meg Mason) (06/11/22) ****



I have to own reading the first dozen pages of this novel I wondered why it appeared in the volume at >181 Caroline_McElwee: recommended by Ann Pratchett (and elsewhere by Gillian Anderson), but it wasn't long before I allowed myself to be sucked in to this story of Martha and her family. An exploration of mental health, family dynamics, the spoken and unspoken and the humour, not just dark.

>182 Caroline_McElwee: I was surprised to see it got such a mention in your What Writers Read, Caroline. But maybe that's more about the kind of classic book I expect to see listed in a "favourites" list. In some ways, makes much more sense to mention books people might have missed from active authors. (Probably needless to say, I have added What Writers Read to my wishlist - thank you!)

>183 charl08: It's a nice little volume Charlotte. Not as good as some I've read, but I still enjoyed it. And the profits go to a good cause.

ETA: my most recent favourite of these kind of books is Michico Katutani's Ex-Libris: 100 books to read and reread

>181 Caroline_McElwee: I'll add this one to my list, yes, we are suckers for books about books.

I also loved the Katutani book.

>185 BLBera: oh yes Beth.

This evening went with a friend to hear the human rights lawyer Bryan Stephenson speak. Very powerful, moving, eloquent and funny at times. I read his book Just Mercy back in 2015, when I put it on the list of possible books for my RL book group, and it was chosen. It opened many eyes.



He flies back to the US tomorrow morning so he can vote.

It was part of a lecture series held at St Martins in the Field

>173 Caroline_McElwee: That was a good read for me as well.

>163 Caroline_McElwee: I have this one in my stack of library books. Glad it was a good read for you. I can't wait until I get to it.

Happy week ahead!

>188 figsfromthistle: I will definitely be reading more of Percival Anita.

>187 Caroline_McElwee: Oh, that sounds brilliant, Caroline. It almost seems diminishing to the man's life to say 'great read' about his book. But I did find it gripping as well as inspiring.

Hi, Caroline. I am back and slowly catching up on LT. Good review of The Marriage Portrait. I am looking forward to reading that one. I also agree with you on Just Mercy. An absolute Must-Read!!

67. Mother's Boy Patrick Gale) (11/11/22) ****1/2



Another fine novel from Patrick Gale, the fictionalisation of the early life of poet Charles Causley, and his mother. Captures perfectly the era, and personality of it’s characters. As ever, I love the tone of his work, and now need to track down some of Causley's poetry, I think I may have some in anthologies.

>192 Caroline_McElwee: I had to look up Causely but do remember Timothy Winters (if not that CC wrote it).
https://poetryarchive.org/poem/timothy-winters/

I just mentioned on Beth's thread that I'd seen Hamnet in coming to the RSC. As more of a theatre buff I wondered if you had plans to see it?

>191 msf59: I too remember having read 'Timothy Winters' Charlotte.

I may go and see Hamnet when it gets to London.

>187 Caroline_McElwee: Lucky you Caroline to hear Bryan Stephenson speak! I so appreciated his book, his wisdom, his experiences and his commitments.

>195 mdoris: It was a treat to hear him in person Mary.

Enjoyed the documentary 'Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time' 40 years in the making. An extraordinary character, and a warm friendship with the director that grows overtime.

Vonnegut's last novel Timequake is a favourite. I need to start reading his earlier stuff. I also have a volume of his letters on the shelf.

68. Come Back in September (Darryl Pinckney) (18/11/22) ****



Strangely Pinckney was a new writer to me. I enjoyed this memoir, which in reality was more a memoir about the writer Elizabeth Hardwick who was his tutor, and subsequently long term friend. You get a very powerful sense of who she and her milieu were (there is much about Barbara Epstein, Susan Sontag and Mary McCarthy too; and not part of her group, but some about James Baldwin as well - which also drew my attention to this book).

It lost half a star simply because from 2/3rds through the 'he said/she said' got a bit monotonous for a while.

I now have a novel and volume of essays in the tbr mountain.

The Vonnegut documentary sounds great. And how lucky you are to have seen Bryan Stevenson speak.

The Pinckney book sounds good as well.

Nice comments, Caroline.

>199 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I'm sure you will enjoy the Vonnegut docu. I rented it on Prime.

And always good to discover a new to me writer.

I hope all those who celebrate it have a happy Thanksgiving.

69. Super-Infinite: the Transformations of John Donne (Katherine Rundell) (25/11/22) ****1/2



Winner of this year's Baillie Gifford prize.

A totally accessible biography of the multi-facetted Dr John Donne.



Poor, wealthy, scholar of law, husband, father of 12 (6 survived), MP, poet, Dean of St Pauls Cathedral.

A wonderful flavour of a complex, sometimes contradictory, gifted man. Someone once wrote that being able to hold contradictory ideas in the mind at the same time is a sign of reaching adulthood (not so many achieve it, Donne did). I'm heading back to the poetry this winter. I read a little of it in my 20s.





The standing effigy by aptly named master stone maker Nicholas Stone, that Donne posed for, still resides in St Pauls Cathedral. During the Blitz, it sank through the floor when the cathedral was damaged.

Interview with the author:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/nov/18/john-donne-roof-walking-trapeze-fl...

Hi, Caroline. A lecture series at St Martins in the Field. That sounds great.

Good review of Marriage Portrait. After loving her Hamnet, I’m tempted, but I’m still on the fence. The story isn’t calling out to me; if it had been stronger on the art I’d be more tempted.

Your enthusiasm for Ex Libris 100 Books did prompt me to research that one and put it on my holiday WL.

Can’t wait to hear what you think of Ada Limon’s latest. I’m reading Joy Harjo’s new one, Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light, and liking it very much.

>192 Caroline_McElwee: I hadn't realised that Patrick Gale's book was about Charles Causley's youth. His Collected Poems are something I often dip back into. I met him a couple of times in the late 80s at readings and together with Laurie Lee. Causley appeared to be a lovely man although I cannot pretend that I got to know him.
His poem "The Ballad of the Breadman" was possibly my favourite poem in Middle School.

Hi Caroline - Great comments on the John Donne bio. I have that on my pile. I love his poetry.

>203 jnwelch: Hi Joe. I enjoyed Marriage Portrait, but it could have been better IMO.

I know you will enjoy Ex Libris 100 books. Of course it will be painful adding so many books to the wish list. What lifted this volume is as well as the expected books, there were a few books I hadn't heard of and a few writers new to me.

>204 PaulCranswick: I don't doubt you will enjoy Mother's Boy Paul. I've not read a dud from Gale.

>205 BLBera: Donne was an extraordinary man Beth. I took great bites at a time out of this, and am now reading the love poetry, one of my parent's books. I'll probably read the volume of complete poems I have next year. The biography shows how complicated it is for us reading some of his work as there are such layers to his language. It also shows us it doesn't matter that we may not get it all, even people in his time did not.

70. Homelands: History of a Friendship (Chitra Rawaswamy) (06/12/22) ****



An interwoven memoir and biography of two different migrant experiences. Journalist Chitra Rawaswamy is tasked with interviewing an elderly Jewish couple, Henry and Ingrid Wuga, who were among the children who came from Germany and Austria on the Kinder-transports. Over the years that follow the initial interview Rawaswamy does followups, and a friendship blossoms.

Alongside telling Henry's story, she tells the story of her own family's migration to the UK, the loss of her mother, as well as exploring the concept of 'Home'.

>207 Caroline_McElwee: - This sounds very good, Caroline

>207 Caroline_McElwee: When I read the book, and again now reading your review, I wish I could meet Henry, he sounds amazing, such a character. I felt I knew him a bit by the end of the book, a tribute to the author. His continued commitment to Holocaust education was impressive too.

>207 Caroline_McElwee: That looks a fascinating read.

>208 jessibud2: I'm sure you would enjoy it Shelley.

>209 charl08: I agree Charlotte. I would love to meet Henry. In my twenties I knew and worked with a much older Polish gentleman who was quite a card.

>210 SandDune: I discovered the book via 'The Big Scottish Book Club' (BBC) hosted by Damian Barr, Rhian. I always discover new writers via the programme. He said it was the best book he'd read in a decade. Although it wasn't the same for me, I enjoyed it a lot.

A book programme hosted by a writer makes for some good questions to his guests about the craft of writing.

71. What is Left the Daughter (Howard Norman) (10/12/22) ****1/2



Another fine novel from Howard Norman.

Wyatt Hillyer writes his life story in a stream of long letters to a lost love one. In all honesty you forget they are letters most of the time. Peopled with wonderful characters.

I've read several of Norman's books, but this one was thanks to RDs review.

>212 Caroline_McElwee: I have that one too, Caroline, but I cannot remember whether I added it because I loved The Bird Artist or because of RD's review.

I've added What Is Left The Daughter to the TBR pile and hope to read it in January of the new year. All good wishes are sent to you Caroline.

Happy Sunday, Caroline. I will have to track down the Vonnegut doc. I am a big fan of his early work. A one-of-kind author. I will also add What Is Left The Daughter to my list. I have been meaning to read more of Norman's work.

>207 Caroline_McElwee: This is definitely on my reading list for 2023.

Interesting that Donne was not accessible even during his time.

I'm glad that you were able to attend Bryan Stevenson's talk, Caroline. I haven't read and don't own Just Mercy, but hopefully I'll borrow it sometime next year.

The book by Darryl Pinckney sounds interesting...

>213 PaulCranswick: It's a good read Paul. I must reread the others I have sometime.

>214 Whisper1: Love the Gladstone quote Linda. I used to stay at the Gladstone's library in Wales. Maybe a revisit next year.

https://www.gladstoneslibrary.org/

>215 msf59: It's a while since I read Vonnegut Mark, but indeed he is one of a kind. I have a couple of volumes near the top of my reading mountain.

>216 BLBera: I'm sure you will enjoy >207 Caroline_McElwee: Beth.

>217 kidzdoc: I put Just Mercy on my RL book group list a few years back and it was chosen Darryl, and moved everyone. It was good to hear Bryan in person.

I think the Pinckney will appeal to people interested in writing/writers. I bought a novel and some essays which I hope to read next year.

We don't get a lot of snow in London nowadays (more in the 1960s-80s), but we had this land across 4 hours last night. It stopped at 1am, and is slowly melting now.

>219 Caroline_McElwee: Very pretty!

It's so pretty and sparkly when it's fresh, isn't it, Caroline? Especially at night. Soft and quiet. Once it melts, though, yuck...

>220 SandDune: >221 jessibud2: It just looks messy now its melting Rhian, Shelley.

Looks lovely. We had an inch or so, but it had mostly vanished by mid-afternoon.

>219 Caroline_McElwee: I love looking at it...hope you didn't have to go out in it until it melted some!

>223 Helenliz: I thought ours would have melted over night Helen, but there's still quite a lot out there.

>224 richardderus: Fortunately I can stay inside until it disappears RD. Used to love walking in crisp snow, but prefer to stay upright with older bones and bad balance.

No snow for us (yet?) Lovely photos.

I've not read anything by Norman, but sounds like a good read.

>226 charl08: The Museum Guard and The Bird Artist are also good Charlotte.

The snow has not melted yet, so very icy out still. Luckily I can hibernate (still working at home).

72. Yell, Sam, If You Still Can (Maylis Besserie, trans Cliona Ni Riordain) (14/12/22) ****



A short novel that imagines the thoughts that might swim in Samuel Beckett's head during his last year, living in a retirement home in Paris, alone after the death of his wife Suzanne.

Although there were rarely moments when I thought I was reading Beckett himself, Besserie makes a good stab at capturing what might have gone on in his mind, with the occasional absurdism. The theme of waiting runs throughout in various ways. As would be expected with an older person there is memory, especially about Joyce, and about May, Beckett's mother.

Reading this definitely made me want to revisit his work on the page. I have seen much both on stage and screen.

73. Not a Happy Family (Shari Lapena) (17/12/22) ***



Unusually for my RL reading group a crime novel. It kept me engaged, but ultimately something in its style tipped me off to the murderer. It was put on the list because it is about an unhappy family, and we had read a literary novel about another toxic family earlier in the year, and the proposer wanted to look at the parallels.

74. The Transit of Venus (Shirley Hazzard) (21/12/22) *****



The novel revolves mostly around the life of Caro (Caroline), one of three sisters, who along with husbands and lovers people this dense novel of inner lives.

Recently I was thinking about what makes a literary novel, and suspect it varies a bit for all of us. For me it very much is about use of language and good writing, often exploring place and the inner world of it's characters at least as much as their engagement with what is going on around them. And tone.

It took a little time to get into her writing as in many ways it is denser than writing we have become more used too, and occasionally a sentence needs interrogation. If not quite an original, Hazzard is certainly a writers writer.

I read this novel for the first time in 2009, along with Hazzard's other novels, and recalling nothing about the specifics, but remembered the tone. Quite common for me. Back then I gave it 4*s, and have elevated it to 5*s this time.

I chose to reread this novel now, as I am about to start Shirley Hazzard: A Writing Life (Briggita Olubas).

Highly recommended for those who enjoy literary novels and good writing.

>231 Caroline_McElwee: Very pretty!

Merry Christmas to you too, Caroline. Happy reading in 2023!

>232 laytonwoman3rd: >233 msf59: Thank you Linda and Mark.

>231 Caroline_McElwee: Holly jolly one to come, Caro!

>230 Caroline_McElwee: A dense read indeed. I think I was too young for it the first time I tried...I was only 45 at the time....

Happy Christmas from my Christmas gnome!

I love your gnome, thanks Rhian.

75. Laidlaw (William McIlvanney) (23/12/22) ****1/2



Iconic tartan noir. McIlvanney is often cited by crime writers as formative in their writing years (Ian Rankin, Val McDermid etc).

The first of his crime trilogy, this sets up the lay of the run-to-seed Glasgow-land in the 1970s. Not a who dun-it but a why dun-nit. Literary crime. McIlvanny didn't think that was a contradiction.

76. Through the Billboard Promised Land Without Ever Stopping (Derek Jarman) (23/12/22) ****1/2



First publication of the only known prose fiction story written by Jarman. It put me in mind of some of Oscar Wildes short stories in tone. The journey of a blind mythic King with his valet. Surreal and quirky.

Some of his original notebook is reproduced, along with a personal memoir written by a friend, and a couple of other essays are included in this short volume.

A long time fan of Jarman's wide and various work, so a treat to add this to the collection.

Merry Christmas, Caroline. Thanks for all the book bullets as always. Have enjoyed your theatre and film reviews too.

Congrats on reading 75 books!

May you have a wonderful Christmas.

>239 AlisonY: >240 figsfromthistle: Thanks Alison and Anita.

Congrats!

>242 drneutron: Thank you Jim. And thank you for running this group.

>238 Caroline_McElwee: That was well timed, Caroline! Congrats from me too, and festive wishes.

Malaysia's branch of the 75er's wishes you and yours a happy holiday season, Caroline.

77. Euphoria (Elin Cullhed, trans Jennifer Heyashida) (25/12/22) ****1/2



Translated from Swedish, a first person narrative of Sylvia Plath during her final year of life.

I found this novel riveting. The shifts in momentum, the contradictions of thought. The sense of what it might be like to have extensive mental health issues. Also the entrapment that many young women felt in that era, on the cusp of more liberation especially in England and America, and yet, and yet, such a way to go.

I started the year with Helen Clark's definitive biography Red Comet: the short life and blazing art of Sylvia Plath, and nudge to the end of the year with an attempt to walk in her shoes. It isn't comfortable, but maybe it strengthens empathy.

I am still meandering through Plath's poetry.

78. Inside Iraq (Michael Palin) (26/12/22) ****



A Christmas gift and a return to an old interest, the Middle East. Palin manages to journey across Iraq in 2022. He keeps his history uncluttered and concise, and tells the living story through his own eyes and the people he meets. Filled with photos, many of which his own. An impressive journey for the now 79 year old gent, in a place that few are able to travel in.

>245 PaulCranswick: >246 Berly: Thanks Paul and Kim. I hope you have enjoyed your celebrations too.

I've had a very pleasant, hibernating Christmas, and can't believe I've passed the halfway mark of my time off, I generally have just over two weeks. Bliss.

The heavens have opened again, but at least it is warmer post the cold snap here. I know many of you are dealing with much worse weather than I and hope you have power, are staying warm, and it hasn't spoilt your festive plans.

79. Reputation (Sarah Vaughan) (28/12/22) ****1/2



A topical exploration of the dark, misogynistic world women who choose to put their head above the parapet in public life can suffer.

Emma Webster is a middle aged female MP of 4 years standing. When she sets out to change the law in relation to how revenge porn is processed by the legal system, the full force of misogynistic ire is brought to bear.

>250 Caroline_McElwee: Sounds very topical, Caroline. Our (long-standing) MP has stood down to work for the NHS and it is difficult not to think that the death threats she received were a factor.

80. 'Pharmacopoeia: The Dungeness Notebook' (Derek Jarman) (29/12/22) ****1/2



A selection of Derek Jarman's writings on plants and his Prospect Cottage garden, the place where he lived at the end of his life.

Moments of poignancy and warmth.

81. The Sight of Zachary Cloudesley(Sean Lusk) (31/12/22) ****1/2



A wonderful debut novel set in the mid 1700s in London and Constantinople, following the life of young Zachary, and his clock and automata making father Abel. Full of beautifully drawn characters and adventures. A real treat to finish a year of reading on.

>253 Caroline_McElwee: Beautiful cover.

Wishing you a wonderful new year, Caroline. Thank you for your friendship, your erudition, your warmth and your good cheer. I hope to meet up with you again in the coming year.

>257 FAMeulstee: I think >256 Caroline_McElwee: would be one you will enjoy Paul.

Happy New Year to you too. I look forward to that get together.

My favourite reading of 2022:


Just a few of the covers from this year's favourite reads


It's been a really good reading year this year, and hard to keep the favourites list tight. These were all ****1/2+ reads. There were a lot of fine 4* reads not included.

If you want to see the whole list of books read this year you can find it here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343612#7908990

Total Read 81

Fiction

Mornings in Jenin (Susan Abulhawa) (02/04/22) ****1/2
Sankofa (Chibundu Onuzo) (10/04/22) ****1/2
The Island of Missing Trees (Elif Shafak) (28/05/22) ****1/2
Lessons in Chemistry (Bonnie Garmus) (02/06/22) ****1/2
Great Circle (Maggie Shipstead) (22/06/22) ****1/2
Mother's Boy Patrick Gale) (11/11/22) ****1/2
Euphoria (Elin Cullhed, trans Jennifer Heyashida) (25/12/22) ****1/2
The Sight of Zachary Cloudesley(Sean Lusk) (31/12/22) ****1/2

Non-Fiction

Jews Don't Count (David Baddiel) (07/02/22) *****
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath (Heather Clark) (14/03/22) *****
On Love and Tyranny (Ann Heberlain, trans. Alice Menzies) (09/04/22) *****
Letters to Gwen John (Celia Paul) (14/04/22) *****
Real Estate (Deborah Levy) (15/04/22) ****1/2
She's Not There (Jennifer Finney Boylan) (02/05/22) ****1/2
Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds (Huma Abedin) (20/10/22) ****1/2
Super-Infinite: the Transformations of John Donne (Katherine Rundell) (25/11/22) ****1/2

Poetry
Call Us What We Carry (Amanda Gorman) (Poetry) (14/01/22) *****
You Better be Lightning (Andrea Gibson) (28/01/22) *****
Alternative Values (Frieda Hughes) (28/02/22) *****

Usually my reading is 50/50 M/F and F/NF, but that didn't happen this year.

Fiction: 51
Non-Fiction: 21
Poetry: 8
Rereads: 5
GN/NF: 1
Female: 44
Male: 25
Non-binary/other: 1

ETA: I didn't include any of my rereads which tend to aitomatically be 5*s.

*****

2023 thread here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/346946#n8017459

>238 Caroline_McElwee: Belated congratulations on reaching 75, Caroline!

And wishing you a happy new year!

>257 FAMeulstee: Thank you Anita.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: I very much like the art of the Pre-Raphaelites, of whom Rosetti is one of the most well-known. I like the art of J.W. Waterhouse. His portrayal of women is so very lovely. Both Rosetti and Waterhouse, as well as other well-known Pre Raphaelite artists used the same model. Jane Morris was knowing as a "stunner," the term coined by this group to call attention to the beauty of the women in their paintings.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_Dream_(Rossetti)

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