What are your reading now?: December 13, 2025.

Currently working on The Iron Dragon's Mother. Noble Volunteers and The Art of Legend to follow.

I'm just past the halfway point in my reread of Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

I'm still reading Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes. The more I read it, the more I like it.

I started The Overcoat and Other Stories.

I’m finishing up ‘sushi for beginners’ ready to pass along to my mum for the new year. Have a few other books on the go including ‘murder at the Christmas emporium’ (v. absorbing 🥰) on audio.

I am re-reading The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch, which I loved the first time round. It was a Mother's Day present from my son in 2008, so it's been a while since I read it.

I tried listening to The Professor by Charlotte Bronte, but it was awful. I gave up after I'd listened to approx. 20% of the book. I'm unsure what to listen to now, but I'm sure I'll find something interesting.

Today I read sections of Western Water A to Z and The Druid Path. The first book seems to be meant more as a guidebook and not something to be read all the way through, but it's sparked my interest in the interactions between water and culture. The second book is unbearable and for the first time in a while I'm thinking about dropping it. If it wasn't for the fact that I am smooth reading it for Distributed Proofreaders, I would have stopped it a while ago.

I am reading The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

I've finished another reread of Conrad's Heart of Darkness, which I still very much admire. My thoughts on this reading are posted on my Club Read thread.

I'm now back to Sir Walter Scott, having started on The Chronicles of Cannongate.

The Guncle – Steven Rowley
Audible audiobook narrated by the author.
4****

Patrick loves his niece and nephew, who call him GUP (for Gay Uncle Patrick), and has always enjoyed their visits. But when his sister-in-law dies, and his brother has a serious health crisis, Patrick is tapped to take the children from their home in Connecticut back to Palm Springs and his decidedly NOT child-friendly environment. He is so NOT ready for this; his acting career is stalled, and he is still mourning the loss of his great love in a tragic accident. But Patrick will rise to the occasion, with a variety of Guncle rules to set parameters.

This was just delightful – in turns funny and tender, heart-wrenching and joyous. I loved how Patrick grew into fatherhood as he embraced the role of guardian to Maisie and Grant. As he helped the kids to embrace new experiences and to feel secure once again, he began to come to grips with his own loss and to recognize how much he still has to offer the world.

I can hardly wait to read the sequel!

Just started The Road to Happiness is Always Under Construction by Linda Gray

Whack Job - A History of Axe Murder
by Rachel McCarthy James
Interesting book about the history of axe murderers and the history of axes!

The new thread is up over here.