1PawsforThought
Hello, friends!
For those who don't know me, I am PawforThought - usually referred to as "Paws" on LT. I am a former librarian in my early 40s, currently working with university administration. I live in the northern part of Sweden and am currently trying to find a flat in my old hometown so I can finally move home. I have been on LT since 2012 and most of that time has been spent here in the 75ers - though I've only reached the magic number twice. I like reading a variety of genres, but right now I'm mostly focused on checking off as many classics and "must-reads" as I can. Other than that, I also lean towards fantasy, comedic works, golden age mysteries and childrens books. It is unusual for me to be reading anything written in the past 20 or so years.
2025 was a tough year for most people, and it was no different for me. Obviously, the state of the world at large has not exactly been uplifting, and it’s also been tough personally. My team at work has had to battle quite a lot that we frankly shouldn’t have to (thankfully, it’s a great team that I’m immensely grateful I get to work with). But worst of all, my dad died. Aside from the pain of losing him, it has caused other issues. Death brings a surprising amount of administration with it and I’ve done my very best to help mum handle it all.
One good thing that happened in 2025 was that I continued to be able to read at a significantly higher rate than in years and I ended up reading more books this year than any other year since joining LT back in 2013. It’s been a balm for the soul, and a greatly needed one at that.
Almost everything besides reading fell to the wayside during the course of the last year, including working out and crafting. I am otherwise moderately active in the Needlearts group here on LT. If you want to know what I’m up to in my knitting and sewing head over to my 2026 thread there.
For those who don't know me, I am PawforThought - usually referred to as "Paws" on LT. I am a former librarian in my early 40s, currently working with university administration. I live in the northern part of Sweden and am currently trying to find a flat in my old hometown so I can finally move home. I have been on LT since 2012 and most of that time has been spent here in the 75ers - though I've only reached the magic number twice. I like reading a variety of genres, but right now I'm mostly focused on checking off as many classics and "must-reads" as I can. Other than that, I also lean towards fantasy, comedic works, golden age mysteries and childrens books. It is unusual for me to be reading anything written in the past 20 or so years.
2025 was a tough year for most people, and it was no different for me. Obviously, the state of the world at large has not exactly been uplifting, and it’s also been tough personally. My team at work has had to battle quite a lot that we frankly shouldn’t have to (thankfully, it’s a great team that I’m immensely grateful I get to work with). But worst of all, my dad died. Aside from the pain of losing him, it has caused other issues. Death brings a surprising amount of administration with it and I’ve done my very best to help mum handle it all.
One good thing that happened in 2025 was that I continued to be able to read at a significantly higher rate than in years and I ended up reading more books this year than any other year since joining LT back in 2013. It’s been a balm for the soul, and a greatly needed one at that.
Almost everything besides reading fell to the wayside during the course of the last year, including working out and crafting. I am otherwise moderately active in the Needlearts group here on LT. If you want to know what I’m up to in my knitting and sewing head over to my 2026 thread there.
2PawsforThought
Reading plans for 2026 and the Ray Bradbury Challenge
In 2025, a lot of my reading was focused on checking off books from my TBR lists, and I managed quite well. I am going to continue with this in 2026. Most of these books are classics, although there are some newer books on the lists too.
“I’ll give you a program to follow every night, a very simple program…one poem a night, one short story a night, one essay a night, for the next 1,000 nights. From various fields: archaeology, zoology, biology, all the great philosophers of time, comparing them…But that means that every night then, before you go to bed, you’re stuffing your head with one poem, one short story, one essay—at the end of a thousand nights, Jesus God, you’ll be full of stuff, won’t you?”
Ray Bradbury, “Telling the Truth,” the keynote address of The Sixth Annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, 2001
I have decided that 2026 will be the year I take on The Ray Bradbury Challenge, where you read one poem, one short story and one essay every day for a thousand days. I don’t want to push myself too hard, so if I realise that one of each every day is too much to fit into my day, then I will go with one from either category each day instead. We’ll see if I make it to a thousand days, but I’ll at least give it a go. And if I miss a day, I won’t beat myself up about it – I can always catch up later.
In 2025, a lot of my reading was focused on checking off books from my TBR lists, and I managed quite well. I am going to continue with this in 2026. Most of these books are classics, although there are some newer books on the lists too.
“I’ll give you a program to follow every night, a very simple program…one poem a night, one short story a night, one essay a night, for the next 1,000 nights. From various fields: archaeology, zoology, biology, all the great philosophers of time, comparing them…But that means that every night then, before you go to bed, you’re stuffing your head with one poem, one short story, one essay—at the end of a thousand nights, Jesus God, you’ll be full of stuff, won’t you?”
Ray Bradbury, “Telling the Truth,” the keynote address of The Sixth Annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, 2001
I have decided that 2026 will be the year I take on The Ray Bradbury Challenge, where you read one poem, one short story and one essay every day for a thousand days. I don’t want to push myself too hard, so if I realise that one of each every day is too much to fit into my day, then I will go with one from either category each day instead. We’ll see if I make it to a thousand days, but I’ll at least give it a go. And if I miss a day, I won’t beat myself up about it – I can always catch up later.
3PawsforThought
Non-fiction
I have never been a big reader of non-fiction but lately I’ve been feeling that I’d like to add some non-fiction to my TBRs, so I will aim for at least one non-fiction book every month. This will likely end up being mostly history books, but I am trying to make sure that other genres make an appearance too. I am including memoirs and essays as non-fiction. I do have a list that I am using as a strating point but nothing is set in stone.
I have never been a big reader of non-fiction but lately I’ve been feeling that I’d like to add some non-fiction to my TBRs, so I will aim for at least one non-fiction book every month. This will likely end up being mostly history books, but I am trying to make sure that other genres make an appearance too. I am including memoirs and essays as non-fiction. I do have a list that I am using as a strating point but nothing is set in stone.
4PawsforThought
Challenges and group reads
As usual, I want to try and join in a few challenges. I always try to fit reads into the TIOLI challenges if possible, and I always try to join in on the British Authors challenge, but as they have already covered many of the authors I would like to read, I’ve decided to have a “Previous BAC challenges” theme to my reading in 2026. I will also join in on at least some of the 2026 BAC themes/authors. I’m also going to try and cover some of the authors in the American (beyond US and Canada) Authors challenge.
I am also still planning on continuing with the Émile Zola group read of the Rougon-Macquart series, even though I've only managed to read the first book. I do have the next two borrowed from the library.
As usual, I want to try and join in a few challenges. I always try to fit reads into the TIOLI challenges if possible, and I always try to join in on the British Authors challenge, but as they have already covered many of the authors I would like to read, I’ve decided to have a “Previous BAC challenges” theme to my reading in 2026. I will also join in on at least some of the 2026 BAC themes/authors. I’m also going to try and cover some of the authors in the American (beyond US and Canada) Authors challenge.
I am also still planning on continuing with the Émile Zola group read of the Rougon-Macquart series, even though I've only managed to read the first book. I do have the next two borrowed from the library.
5PawsforThought
Read in 2026
6PaulCranswick
Lovely to see you back with us for another year, Paws.
7PawsforThought
>6 PaulCranswick: You're not getting rid of me yet, Paul!
9PawsforThought
>8 EllaTim: Hi Ella! Thanks for popping by! I was really pleased when I found the Ray Bradbury challenge, because essays are not something I've really read at all and I feel I should. And I always feel I should be reading more poetry, so it fit nicely.
11EllaTim
>9 PawsforThought: Have you thought about what kind of essays you’d want to read? And what counts as an essay? I like to read the short columns in some papers, for instance.
12PawsforThought
>11 EllaTim: I’ve already planned out possible reads for every month of the year! (I didn’t want to risk suddenly not having something to read, because I know myself and I know that would result in me not reading any more essays.) I’ve chosen to go with essay collections, and simply trusted those who catalogue the books at my library - if it’s catalogued as “essays” or says so in the description, then I’m counting it. Some were already on my TBR list, others I found by simply searching for “best essay collections” or similar.
I’m not the most knowledgeable about the subject, but from what I understand, the term “essay” is pretty vague and the definition is pretty much “short piece of writing on a particular subject”. I don’t think there is any length requirement - and anyway, you read what you want!
I’m not the most knowledgeable about the subject, but from what I understand, the term “essay” is pretty vague and the definition is pretty much “short piece of writing on a particular subject”. I don’t think there is any length requirement - and anyway, you read what you want!
14PawsforThought
As my timezone is nearing midnight and thus the new year, I am posting what has become a tradition on my thread, Alfred Tennyson’s “Ring Out, Wild Bells”, the Swedish translation of which is read on a televised New Year celebration every year (like they to on TV, I’m skipping the last stanza). I love this poem and hope you all like it too.
I hope you all have a wonderful new year.
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
I hope you all have a wonderful new year.
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
15PaulCranswick
New Year greetings from Kuala Lumpur. My project is at least physically completed and an addition to the city scape.
Look forward to keeping up with you in 2026, Paws
18zuzaer
Happy New Year! May it be good every single day!
A lovely poem, full of hope, which is probably what we all need the most.
The Ray Bradbury Challenge sounds very interesting, although I must say I initially thought it's how you decided to do it—one poem OR one short story OR... (and yes, essays are not a genre that is structured much, although that may also depend on the language?)
Susan
A lovely poem, full of hope, which is probably what we all need the most.
The Ray Bradbury Challenge sounds very interesting, although I must say I initially thought it's how you decided to do it—one poem OR one short story OR... (and yes, essays are not a genre that is structured much, although that may also depend on the language?)
Susan
19PawsforThought
Hello Paul, Stephen, Lynda and Susan and thank you for the well wishes for the new year! I wish you all the best!
>18 zuzaer: Yeah, the “proper” way to do the challenge is to do one of each every day and that is what I’m planning to do if I can manage it. If not, then I’ll adjust accordingly. I like to challenge myself a bit, but don’t want to set the goal too high either so it’s a matter of seeing what a good level would be.
>18 zuzaer: Yeah, the “proper” way to do the challenge is to do one of each every day and that is what I’m planning to do if I can manage it. If not, then I’ll adjust accordingly. I like to challenge myself a bit, but don’t want to set the goal too high either so it’s a matter of seeing what a good level would be.
23karenmarie
Hello Paws, and happy new year.
>1 PawsforThought: I’m sorry to read that your dad died. My mom handled everything when my dad died, but when she died in 2016 it was my responsibility to handle all the estate stuff. It can be daunting, so hang in there.
I understand things falling by the wayside as you coped with your grief and helped your mum. Reading can be such a solace. I do hope you get back to the other activities that enriched your life sometime this year.
>14 PawsforThought: Thank you for posting this again. The last stanza, in particular, brings a tear to my eye.
>1 PawsforThought: I’m sorry to read that your dad died. My mom handled everything when my dad died, but when she died in 2016 it was my responsibility to handle all the estate stuff. It can be daunting, so hang in there.
I understand things falling by the wayside as you coped with your grief and helped your mum. Reading can be such a solace. I do hope you get back to the other activities that enriched your life sometime this year.
>14 PawsforThought: Thank you for posting this again. The last stanza, in particular, brings a tear to my eye.
24PawsforThought
Hi Rhonda, Kim, Susan and Karen! Thanks for visiting and for the well-wishes and I hope you all have a great year ahead of you.
25PawsforThought
My first read of the year! A very, very short one, but still.
1. A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
If you’ve head about this essay, you likely know what it’s about. Swift wrote this during a time in Irish history when there were a lot of people in the “lower classes” who were unable to support their ever growing number of children, and a lot of people who thought they knew best had opinions on the matter. Swift decided to do what he was a master of, and wrote a deeply satirical piece about a “solution” to the problem - namely to start eating babies.
1. A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
If you’ve head about this essay, you likely know what it’s about. Swift wrote this during a time in Irish history when there were a lot of people in the “lower classes” who were unable to support their ever growing number of children, and a lot of people who thought they knew best had opinions on the matter. Swift decided to do what he was a master of, and wrote a deeply satirical piece about a “solution” to the problem - namely to start eating babies.
26MickyFine
Looking forward to keeping up with you again this year, Paws. Congrats on getting your first completed book done so soon!
27PawsforThought
>26 MickyFine: Thanks Micky! It helps that the actual story was about six pages long. I decided not to read the accompanying essays about the essay.
29PaulCranswick
>25 PawsforThought: That is a short one, Paws. I have it on my shelves but I think it is together with other bits and pieces of his writing.
30PawsforThought
>29 PaulCranswick: I think that’s how it’s often published - it doesn’t make sense to publish something that is just a few pages on its own.
I started with that one so I’d have a sense of accomplishment as several other of the books I’m reading now are VERY long and/or dense reads.
I started with that one so I’d have a sense of accomplishment as several other of the books I’m reading now are VERY long and/or dense reads.
31PaulCranswick
>30 PawsforThought: It is a good idea isn't it to mix up our reading both genres and book lengths? It helps you not get too bogged down if you intersperse short books with longer ones.
32PawsforThought
>31 PaulCranswick: Yeha, I can't handle only reading long/dense books - my brain needs to relax a bit in between.
33PawsforThought
2.
Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda
This is a typical example of what I refer to as "horny old man writing" and I frankly didn't like reading it. There is a not insignificant group of men, particularly of a particular age group, whose writing tends to be very focused on writing about women in terms of what they want to do to them and regularly comparing women to things. I'm so tired of that kind of writing (the first poem in this collection mentions wanting to "plow you like a field"). I will probably not be reading any more Neruda.
Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda
This is a typical example of what I refer to as "horny old man writing" and I frankly didn't like reading it. There is a not insignificant group of men, particularly of a particular age group, whose writing tends to be very focused on writing about women in terms of what they want to do to them and regularly comparing women to things. I'm so tired of that kind of writing (the first poem in this collection mentions wanting to "plow you like a field"). I will probably not be reading any more Neruda.
34laytonwoman3rd
>33 PawsforThought: I tossed a different collection of Neruda's poetry into the donation box for very similar reasons, Paws. Gave me a creepy feeling--not at all what I want from a poetry collection.
35thornton37814
>33 PawsforThought: I don't remember if that's one our library had or not, but when I go to pluck a book by him or the other poet off the shelf, I won't choose that one.
36EllaTim
>33 PawsforThought: How disappointing! I just finished a book by Isabel Allende, and she mentions Neruda several times. Such a contrast. But I don’t much like your quote either.
37PawsforThought
3. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
This is Joan Didion's own words about the year after her husband dried suddenly of cardiac arrest, and the trauma that she goes through as a result of that (and that their daughter is between life and death at the same time). As my dad died last year, I can recognise some of the things Didion talks about in how my mother has reacted, and even some things from myself.
The writing is very quick and easy to read, especially considering the subject matter.
This is Joan Didion's own words about the year after her husband dried suddenly of cardiac arrest, and the trauma that she goes through as a result of that (and that their daughter is between life and death at the same time). As my dad died last year, I can recognise some of the things Didion talks about in how my mother has reacted, and even some things from myself.
The writing is very quick and easy to read, especially considering the subject matter.
38PawsforThought
4. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I'm not sure I can say I loved this book (too many "I will tell you about that later"), but I did find it interesting. It's an unusual story, both in the way it's told, and the fact that it's a sort of alternative reality set in the now (or the now of when it was written, at least), but only partly alternative. And it's not really until close to the end that you understand how that is. Considering the subject matter at heart, it's a very quiet book - that includes the love stories, which felt unusual. I did find the main character a bit "meh", and I get quite frustrated by such characters, but she gained a bit more interest towards the end.
I'm not sure I can say I loved this book (too many "I will tell you about that later"), but I did find it interesting. It's an unusual story, both in the way it's told, and the fact that it's a sort of alternative reality set in the now (or the now of when it was written, at least), but only partly alternative. And it's not really until close to the end that you understand how that is. Considering the subject matter at heart, it's a very quiet book - that includes the love stories, which felt unusual. I did find the main character a bit "meh", and I get quite frustrated by such characters, but she gained a bit more interest towards the end.
39PawsforThought
>34 laytonwoman3rd: No, poetry should not make you feel that way. It doesn't have to make you feel good, but I don't wnt to be creeped out by the poet.
>35 thornton37814: It's definitely not one I'd recommend. THere are a lot of books and authors (and other things as well) were I can see that just because it's not for me doesn't mean it would be for someone else. But I could really never recommend this one.
>36 EllaTim: Hi Ella! Oh, she does? I haven't got very far in my Allende.
>35 thornton37814: It's definitely not one I'd recommend. THere are a lot of books and authors (and other things as well) were I can see that just because it's not for me doesn't mean it would be for someone else. But I could really never recommend this one.
>36 EllaTim: Hi Ella! Oh, she does? I haven't got very far in my Allende.
40PawsforThought
This message has been deleted by its author.
41zuzaer
>38 PawsforThought: I read just the premise and have one thought—Ishiguro does tend to write slightly dystopian novels with robots, clones and whatnot, doesn't he? (I read “Klara and the Sun” and quite liked it).
42Matke
Hi, Paws. I’m very sorry for your loss. Losing a parent can be heart-wrenching.
>33 PawsforThought: and >34 laytonwoman3rd: Wow that’s a disappointment. I’ve seen Neruda lauded to the skies and put him on the “to investigate list.” And now I’ve taken him right off that list. I really don’t need that sort of poetry, especially since that thought could have been expressed far more elegantly. He sounds like a desperate adolescent boy trying—and failing badly—to be sophisticated.
Here’s to your finding better poets for you to read this year.
>33 PawsforThought: and >34 laytonwoman3rd: Wow that’s a disappointment. I’ve seen Neruda lauded to the skies and put him on the “to investigate list.” And now I’ve taken him right off that list. I really don’t need that sort of poetry, especially since that thought could have been expressed far more elegantly. He sounds like a desperate adolescent boy trying—and failing badly—to be sophisticated.
Here’s to your finding better poets for you to read this year.
43PawsforThought
>41 zuzaer: The only Ishiguro I’ve read before this one is The Remains of the Day. That one is also quite slow and actually has a similar quietness to it. I have actually seen the film version of this one, but have no memories of it other than who was in it.
>42 Matke: Yeah, I was hugely disappointed because I’ve seen him lauded so many times. I did read a translated version (I don’t speak Spanish anywhere near enough to read poetry in) but I have a hard time believing that a translator would make such stylistic changes.
As I was reading, I kept thinking of the “bad sex in fiction awards” and “men writing women badly” topics that sometimes makes their way around the interwebs, à la “she breasted boobily down the stairs”. Felt like Neruda was in the same club.
>42 Matke: Yeah, I was hugely disappointed because I’ve seen him lauded so many times. I did read a translated version (I don’t speak Spanish anywhere near enough to read poetry in) but I have a hard time believing that a translator would make such stylistic changes.
As I was reading, I kept thinking of the “bad sex in fiction awards” and “men writing women badly” topics that sometimes makes their way around the interwebs, à la “she breasted boobily down the stairs”. Felt like Neruda was in the same club.
44PaulCranswick
>33 PawsforThought: & >34 laytonwoman3rd: Yes I can see that and why it would be distasteful. I also don't like to objectify people and especially those of the opposite sex. I don't get along with Neruda's work either and I thought it may be issues of translation but I guess it is more substantive than that.
45thornton37814
>39 PawsforThought: I ended up picking Gabriela Mistral. I did bring a second Chilean poet's short work home, but I probably won't read it. I mainly brought it in case the first one wasn't good. So far I'm enjoying Mistral, and I'll probably finish it tonight.
46Berly
Did you finish Mistral? I think I will pass on Neruda's work after that interesting discussion. Thanks!
47PawsforThought
>46 Berly: Hi! Sorry about the late reply - I've been completely off LT for a month! Yes, I did finish the Mistral and liked it much better then the Neruda.
48lauralkeet
Welcome back, Paws! Funny thing, I thought of you last night and hoped you were doing okay. I decided I'd post a greeting on your thread this morning and lo and behold, there you are.
49PawsforThought
>48 lauralkeet: Aw, thanks for thinking of me. I've been feeling bad about not being on LT more, but I've been okay otherwise. I started working out again after many months of little to no activity and combined with some work trips and planning it's been taking up a lot of my time lately.
50PawsforThought
5. Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism - Michael Parenti
Finally managed to finish another book - I've had a bit of a reading slump lately (my ability to concentrate has been suffering due to too much phone scrolling).
This is a brilliant book and I'm so happy I read it. It dives into the way fascism has ben allowed to spread, even thought the fascist forced were defeated in World War Two, and how the fear-mongering over communism - even from the leftists - has given fascism even more room to play and negatively impact our lives. The link between fascism and capitalism is very interesting. Parenti writes in a very easy to understand way, even when talking about difficult subject matters, and gives very good examples. It's a very short read (only about 160 pages) but it's chock-full of information that will stay with me going forward. I need to see if I can get a hold of a copy of this book for my shelves.
The only negative thing I can think of is that since the book was written some time ago (late 90s) there has obviously been developments in the world since then and I find myself wondering what an updated version od the book would say (social media moguls, tech billionaires, etc.)
Finally managed to finish another book - I've had a bit of a reading slump lately (my ability to concentrate has been suffering due to too much phone scrolling).
This is a brilliant book and I'm so happy I read it. It dives into the way fascism has ben allowed to spread, even thought the fascist forced were defeated in World War Two, and how the fear-mongering over communism - even from the leftists - has given fascism even more room to play and negatively impact our lives. The link between fascism and capitalism is very interesting. Parenti writes in a very easy to understand way, even when talking about difficult subject matters, and gives very good examples. It's a very short read (only about 160 pages) but it's chock-full of information that will stay with me going forward. I need to see if I can get a hold of a copy of this book for my shelves.
The only negative thing I can think of is that since the book was written some time ago (late 90s) there has obviously been developments in the world since then and I find myself wondering what an updated version od the book would say (social media moguls, tech billionaires, etc.)
51EllaTim
Nice to see you back, Paws!
>50 PawsforThought: Sounds interesting. And yes, it would be interesting to see what could be added after it’s writing.
>50 PawsforThought: Sounds interesting. And yes, it would be interesting to see what could be added after it’s writing.
52PawsforThought
>51 EllaTim: Hi Ella and thanks for visiting!
Yes, it's really a great book - I'm going to see if more of Parenti's works are available at my library.
Yes, it's really a great book - I'm going to see if more of Parenti's works are available at my library.
53PawsforThought
6.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
Nearly forgot to post about this one, which I insisted last week. I haven’t been very diligent with reading in the past couple of months so this took me two months to finish, even though it’s a fairly easy and quick read.
This is a partial autobiography, a story of Winterson growing up in a very religious household and how that affected her, particularly when coming out as gay. Having grown up in a very religious place myself (though thankfully not a religious family) and seeing how that can turn people’s minds, parts of this were actually like reading a horror novel to me.
I like Winterson’s writing style and would probably read more by her in the future.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
Nearly forgot to post about this one, which I insisted last week. I haven’t been very diligent with reading in the past couple of months so this took me two months to finish, even though it’s a fairly easy and quick read.
This is a partial autobiography, a story of Winterson growing up in a very religious household and how that affected her, particularly when coming out as gay. Having grown up in a very religious place myself (though thankfully not a religious family) and seeing how that can turn people’s minds, parts of this were actually like reading a horror novel to me.
I like Winterson’s writing style and would probably read more by her in the future.
54PawsforThought
7.
Regeneration by Pat Barker
This was a phenomenal read. Not at all what I was expecting (I have preconceived ideas about war-themed books). It was nice to see a doctor from this era of medicine being so caring and seeming to genuinely want the best for his patients. While the story primarily revolves around dr Rivers and Sigfried Sassoon, there are patients (and people in the patients' lives) who are important characters in the book and who we get to follow for a while as well. We do meet both of the other well-known war poets (Graves and Owen) but it's fairly fleeting. Graves doesn't make another appearance after the first 50 or so pages and Owen only pops up in the latter half of the book.
I definitely want to read the other books in the trilogy, but we'll have to see when I get around to it.
Regeneration by Pat Barker
This was a phenomenal read. Not at all what I was expecting (I have preconceived ideas about war-themed books). It was nice to see a doctor from this era of medicine being so caring and seeming to genuinely want the best for his patients. While the story primarily revolves around dr Rivers and Sigfried Sassoon, there are patients (and people in the patients' lives) who are important characters in the book and who we get to follow for a while as well. We do meet both of the other well-known war poets (Graves and Owen) but it's fairly fleeting. Graves doesn't make another appearance after the first 50 or so pages and Owen only pops up in the latter half of the book.
I definitely want to read the other books in the trilogy, but we'll have to see when I get around to it.
55PawsforThought
8.
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
I thought this was a lovely book, even though it is a little strange in terms of its stucture (not a typical progression of storyline). It is set during the 40s and early 50s which means there are some time-typical slurs and casual racism (this is most obviousl curing the part that is set in Australia), but it's not excessive and feels more like describing the reality of the time than anything from the author himself.
A lot of the book is really a description of life as it was during this era, and I thoroughly enjoyed that. It's similar to the world-builing in fantasy novels, but in our own world (albeit a part and time of the world I have never encountered).
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
I thought this was a lovely book, even though it is a little strange in terms of its stucture (not a typical progression of storyline). It is set during the 40s and early 50s which means there are some time-typical slurs and casual racism (this is most obviousl curing the part that is set in Australia), but it's not excessive and feels more like describing the reality of the time than anything from the author himself.
A lot of the book is really a description of life as it was during this era, and I thoroughly enjoyed that. It's similar to the world-builing in fantasy novels, but in our own world (albeit a part and time of the world I have never encountered).
56EllaTim
Hi Paws! You’ve read some of my favourite novels. I loved Oranges are not the only fruit. Regeneration is very good as well. I recently read A Town like Alice and admired the attitude of the young woman.
How are you doing? Are you still looking for a house?
How are you doing? Are you still looking for a house?
57alcottacre
I am not sure how I have missed your thread for the entire year, Paws, so I guess better late than never? Maybe?
>55 PawsforThought: I am a big Nevil Shute fan so I am very glad to see you enjoyed that one!
Have a fantastic Friday!
>55 PawsforThought: I am a big Nevil Shute fan so I am very glad to see you enjoyed that one!
Have a fantastic Friday!
58PawsforThought
Hi Stasia and Ella! Nice to see you here. Sorry I haven’t been to either of your threads in a while, I’ve been terribly absent from LT in general.
>56 EllaTim: Yes, I also liked attitude in A Town Like Alice. I wish more people who had money would spend it the way she did.
Yep, still looking for a place to live. I thought I’d found a nearly perfect place and was supposed to go to a viewing this week but it was cancelled because the flat was pulled from the market. Either the owner/s decided not to sell or there was an early offer. Really annoying, though.
Hopefully getting close to summer also means more ads out as people like to move homes in the summer season.
>57 alcottacre: I had only read one Nevil Shute before, but it made an impact on me for life! Pied Piper was the first “grown-up” book I ever read and I’ve never forgotten how it made me feel. So I was really excited to finally read another book by him and was glad to find I liked it so much!
>56 EllaTim: Yes, I also liked attitude in A Town Like Alice. I wish more people who had money would spend it the way she did.
Yep, still looking for a place to live. I thought I’d found a nearly perfect place and was supposed to go to a viewing this week but it was cancelled because the flat was pulled from the market. Either the owner/s decided not to sell or there was an early offer. Really annoying, though.
Hopefully getting close to summer also means more ads out as people like to move homes in the summer season.
>57 alcottacre: I had only read one Nevil Shute before, but it made an impact on me for life! Pied Piper was the first “grown-up” book I ever read and I’ve never forgotten how it made me feel. So I was really excited to finally read another book by him and was glad to find I liked it so much!
59EllaTim
>58 PawsforThought: Good luck this summer, I hope it works for you!
61PawsforThought
>60 Berly: Hi! I've been more absent than present on LT this year, that seems to be a bit of a trend with me lately.
