Paul C's Roads Less Travelled in 2026 - 7
This is a continuation of the topic Paul C's Roads Less Travelled in 2026 - 6 .
This topic was continued by Paul C's Roads Less Travelled in 2026 - 8.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2026
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1PaulCranswick
Many may not associate much of Mexico with high end swank, but there is always Acapulco and (pictured) Cancun!
2PaulCranswick
The Opening Words
One of the TIOLI challenges this month is for a book that has been made into a film and I have decided upon Michel Faber's Under the Skin. Apparently a pretty dark one.
Isserley always drove straight past a hitch-hiker when she first saw him, to give herself time to size him up. She was looking for big muscles: a hunk on legs. Puny, scrawny specimens were no use to her."
Interested .........................?
One of the TIOLI challenges this month is for a book that has been made into a film and I have decided upon Michel Faber's Under the Skin. Apparently a pretty dark one.
Isserley always drove straight past a hitch-hiker when she first saw him, to give herself time to size him up. She was looking for big muscles: a hunk on legs. Puny, scrawny specimens were no use to her."
Interested .........................?
3PaulCranswick
Poetry
I have the Collected Poems of Richard Wilbur on my shelves and since he is a March born poet, I thought I would feature a poem of his.
Barred Owl
The warping night air having brought the boom
Of an owl’s voice into her darkened room,
We tell the wakened child that all she heard
Was an odd question from a forest bird,
Asking of us, if rightly listened to,
“Who cooks for you?” and then “Who cooks for you?”
Words, which can make our terrors bravely clear,
Can also thus domesticate a fear,
And send a small child back to sleep at night
Not listening for the sound of stealthy flight
Or dreaming of some small thing in a claw
Borne up to some dark branch and eaten raw.
I have the Collected Poems of Richard Wilbur on my shelves and since he is a March born poet, I thought I would feature a poem of his.
Barred Owl
The warping night air having brought the boom
Of an owl’s voice into her darkened room,
We tell the wakened child that all she heard
Was an odd question from a forest bird,
Asking of us, if rightly listened to,
“Who cooks for you?” and then “Who cooks for you?”
Words, which can make our terrors bravely clear,
Can also thus domesticate a fear,
And send a small child back to sleep at night
Not listening for the sound of stealthy flight
Or dreaming of some small thing in a claw
Borne up to some dark branch and eaten raw.
4PaulCranswick
Books Read
January:
1. The Place of Tides by James Rebanks (2024) 285pp {Non-Fiction} Penguin/Allen Lane (Completed 1/1/26) 8/10
2. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano (1996) 204 pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 3/1/26) RLT Challenge/ TM Challenge 6/10
3. Girl by Ruth Padel (2024) 107 pp {Poetry} Vintage (Completed 4/1/26) 4/10
4. Shardik by Richard Adams (1974) 592 pp {SF/Fantasy} Oneworld (Completed 6/1/26) BAC/TM Challenge 7/10
5. Antarctica by Claire Keegan (1999) 209pp {Short Stories} Faber (Completed 7/1/26) 8.5/10
6. The Good Father by Noah Hawley (2013) 384pp {Fiction} Hodder TM Challenge (Completed 10/1/26) 7.5/10
7. antibody by Rebecca Salazar (2025) 139pp {Poetry} McClelland & Stewart (Completed 12/1/26) 3/10
8. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li (2025) 172pp {Non-Fiction} 4th Estate (Completed 13/1/26) 7/10
9. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell (2017) 455pp {SF/Fantasy} Hodder (Completed 17/1/26) 7/10
10. Suspicion by Friedrich Durrenmatt (1953) 157pp {Thriller} Pushkin Vertigo (Completed 18/1/26)
11. The Wardrobe Department by Elaine Garvey (2025) 221pp {Fiction} Canongate (Completed 20/1/26)
12. The Hill Bachelors by William Trevor (2000) 245pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 21/1/26)
13. Question 7 by Richard Flanagan (2023) 275pp {Non-Fiction} Vintage (Completed 23/1/26)
14. Before the Fact by Francis Iles (1932) 326pp {Thriller} Pan (Completed 24/1/26)
15. Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin (2024) 383pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 25/1/26)
16. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987) 324pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 29/1/26)
17. The War of the Poor by Eric Vuillard (2019) 79pp {Fiction} Other Press (Completed 30/1/26)
18. The Distinctly Competent District Councillor by Jonas Jonasson (2026) 132pp {Fiction} 4th Estate (Completed 31/1/26)
February
19. Love Forms by Claire Adam (2025) 295pp {Fiction} Faber (Completed 2/2/26)
20. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo (1831) 501pp {Fiction} Penguin Completed (2/2/26)
21. Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan (2021) 279pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 3/2/26)
22. After by Morris Gleitzman (2012) 209pp {Fiction} Penguin (Completed 5/2/26)
23. What Happened to the Corbetts by Nevil Shute (1939) 245pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 9/2/26)
24. The Autumn Throne by Elizabeth Chadwick (2016) 484pp {Fiction} Sphere (Completed 18/2/26)
25. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin (2015) 399pp {Short Stories} Picador (Completed 18/2/26)
26. Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick (2024) 436pp {Non-Fiction} Norton (Completed 19/2/26)
27. The Separation by Christopher Priest (2002) 405pp {SF/Fantasy} Gollancz (Completed 23/2/26)
28. Poems from an Attic by Iris Murdoch (2025) 155pp {Poetry} Chatto & Windus (Completed 24/2/26)
29. Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving (1832) 304pp {Short Stories} Ebook (Completed 27/2/26)
30. Lublin by Manya Wilkinson (2024) 196pp {Fiction} And Other Stories (Completed) 27/2/26)
31. Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky (2024) 226pp {Fiction} Ecco (Completed 28/2/26)
32. Strange Pictures by Uketsu (2022) 236pp {Thriller} HarperVia (Completed 28/2/26)
March
33. Nobody Asked for This by Charly Cox (2025) 105pp {Poetry} One Place Many Stories (Completed 3/3/26)
34. Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands (2024) 388pp {Fiction} Phoenix (Completed 3/3/26)
35. Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst (2024) 258pp {Non-Fiction} (Completed 10/3/26)
36. The Cuckoo's Lea by Michael J. Warren (2025) 277pp {Non-Fiction} Bloomsbury (Completed 10/3/26)
37. The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (1993) 202pp {Fiction} W&N (Completed 19/2/26)
38. On Reflection by Richard Holloway (2024) 227pp {Non-Fiction} Canongate (Completed 24/3/26)
39. Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi (2023) 61pp {Poetry} Penguin (Completed 28/3/26)
40. Returning by Edna O'Brien (1982) 158pp {Short Stories} Phoenix (Completed 30/3/26)
41. Under the Skin by Michel Faber (2000) 296pp {SF/Fantasy} Canongate (Completed 30/3/26)
42. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli (2019) 350pp {Fiction} (Completed 30/3/26)
43. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (1919) 247pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 31/3/26)
44. Vertigo & Ghost by Fiona Benson (2019) 90pp {Poetry} Cape Poetry (Completed 31/3/26)
45. Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin (1833) 273pp {Poetry} Pushkin Press (Completed 31/2/26)
January:
1. The Place of Tides by James Rebanks (2024) 285pp {Non-Fiction} Penguin/Allen Lane (Completed 1/1/26) 8/10
2. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano (1996) 204 pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 3/1/26) RLT Challenge/ TM Challenge 6/10
3. Girl by Ruth Padel (2024) 107 pp {Poetry} Vintage (Completed 4/1/26) 4/10
4. Shardik by Richard Adams (1974) 592 pp {SF/Fantasy} Oneworld (Completed 6/1/26) BAC/TM Challenge 7/10
5. Antarctica by Claire Keegan (1999) 209pp {Short Stories} Faber (Completed 7/1/26) 8.5/10
6. The Good Father by Noah Hawley (2013) 384pp {Fiction} Hodder TM Challenge (Completed 10/1/26) 7.5/10
7. antibody by Rebecca Salazar (2025) 139pp {Poetry} McClelland & Stewart (Completed 12/1/26) 3/10
8. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li (2025) 172pp {Non-Fiction} 4th Estate (Completed 13/1/26) 7/10
9. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell (2017) 455pp {SF/Fantasy} Hodder (Completed 17/1/26) 7/10
10. Suspicion by Friedrich Durrenmatt (1953) 157pp {Thriller} Pushkin Vertigo (Completed 18/1/26)
11. The Wardrobe Department by Elaine Garvey (2025) 221pp {Fiction} Canongate (Completed 20/1/26)
12. The Hill Bachelors by William Trevor (2000) 245pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 21/1/26)
13. Question 7 by Richard Flanagan (2023) 275pp {Non-Fiction} Vintage (Completed 23/1/26)
14. Before the Fact by Francis Iles (1932) 326pp {Thriller} Pan (Completed 24/1/26)
15. Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin (2024) 383pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 25/1/26)
16. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987) 324pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 29/1/26)
17. The War of the Poor by Eric Vuillard (2019) 79pp {Fiction} Other Press (Completed 30/1/26)
18. The Distinctly Competent District Councillor by Jonas Jonasson (2026) 132pp {Fiction} 4th Estate (Completed 31/1/26)
February
19. Love Forms by Claire Adam (2025) 295pp {Fiction} Faber (Completed 2/2/26)
20. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo (1831) 501pp {Fiction} Penguin Completed (2/2/26)
21. Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan (2021) 279pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 3/2/26)
22. After by Morris Gleitzman (2012) 209pp {Fiction} Penguin (Completed 5/2/26)
23. What Happened to the Corbetts by Nevil Shute (1939) 245pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 9/2/26)
24. The Autumn Throne by Elizabeth Chadwick (2016) 484pp {Fiction} Sphere (Completed 18/2/26)
25. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin (2015) 399pp {Short Stories} Picador (Completed 18/2/26)
26. Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick (2024) 436pp {Non-Fiction} Norton (Completed 19/2/26)
27. The Separation by Christopher Priest (2002) 405pp {SF/Fantasy} Gollancz (Completed 23/2/26)
28. Poems from an Attic by Iris Murdoch (2025) 155pp {Poetry} Chatto & Windus (Completed 24/2/26)
29. Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving (1832) 304pp {Short Stories} Ebook (Completed 27/2/26)
30. Lublin by Manya Wilkinson (2024) 196pp {Fiction} And Other Stories (Completed) 27/2/26)
31. Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky (2024) 226pp {Fiction} Ecco (Completed 28/2/26)
32. Strange Pictures by Uketsu (2022) 236pp {Thriller} HarperVia (Completed 28/2/26)
March
33. Nobody Asked for This by Charly Cox (2025) 105pp {Poetry} One Place Many Stories (Completed 3/3/26)
34. Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands (2024) 388pp {Fiction} Phoenix (Completed 3/3/26)
35. Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst (2024) 258pp {Non-Fiction} (Completed 10/3/26)
36. The Cuckoo's Lea by Michael J. Warren (2025) 277pp {Non-Fiction} Bloomsbury (Completed 10/3/26)
37. The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (1993) 202pp {Fiction} W&N (Completed 19/2/26)
38. On Reflection by Richard Holloway (2024) 227pp {Non-Fiction} Canongate (Completed 24/3/26)
39. Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi (2023) 61pp {Poetry} Penguin (Completed 28/3/26)
40. Returning by Edna O'Brien (1982) 158pp {Short Stories} Phoenix (Completed 30/3/26)
41. Under the Skin by Michel Faber (2000) 296pp {SF/Fantasy} Canongate (Completed 30/3/26)
42. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli (2019) 350pp {Fiction} (Completed 30/3/26)
43. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (1919) 247pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 31/3/26)
44. Vertigo & Ghost by Fiona Benson (2019) 90pp {Poetry} Cape Poetry (Completed 31/3/26)
45. Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin (1833) 273pp {Poetry} Pushkin Press (Completed 31/2/26)
6PaulCranswick
Roads Less Travelled
THE AMERICAN CONTINENTs OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Our tour of the less well traveled pathways of the American continents in 2026.
I will not impinge on the wonderful American Author Challenge and I am not looking to repeat the Canadian author challenges that have featured as this is largely about everywhere else on the continent.
This will be our journey:
JANUARY - CHILEAN AUTHORS: https://www.librarything.com/topic/377059
1. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano
FEBRUARY - ANGLO CARIBBEAN AUTHORS : https://www.librarything.com/topic/378317
1. Love Forms by Claire Adam
MARCH - MEXICAN AUTHORS
1. Lost Children Archive by Valeira Luiselli
APRIL - HISPANIC NORTH AMERICANS : https://www.librarything.com/topic/383269
1. antibody: poems by Rebecca Salazar
MAY - BRAZILIAN AUTHORS
JUNE - NON-FICTION ABOUT THE AMERICAS
JULY - CUBAN AUTHORS
AUGUST - FRANCO CARIBBEAN
SEPTEMBER - COLOMBIAN AUTHORS
OCTOBER - FIRST NATION NORTH AMERICANS
NOVEMBER - ARGENTINIAN AUTHORS
DECEMBER - OTHER PARTS OF THE CONTINENTS
THE AMERICAN CONTINENTs OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Our tour of the less well traveled pathways of the American continents in 2026.
I will not impinge on the wonderful American Author Challenge and I am not looking to repeat the Canadian author challenges that have featured as this is largely about everywhere else on the continent.
This will be our journey:
JANUARY - CHILEAN AUTHORS: https://www.librarything.com/topic/377059
1. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano
FEBRUARY - ANGLO CARIBBEAN AUTHORS : https://www.librarything.com/topic/378317
1. Love Forms by Claire Adam
MARCH - MEXICAN AUTHORS
1. Lost Children Archive by Valeira Luiselli
APRIL - HISPANIC NORTH AMERICANS : https://www.librarything.com/topic/383269
1. antibody: poems by Rebecca Salazar
MAY - BRAZILIAN AUTHORS
JUNE - NON-FICTION ABOUT THE AMERICAS
JULY - CUBAN AUTHORS
AUGUST - FRANCO CARIBBEAN
SEPTEMBER - COLOMBIAN AUTHORS
OCTOBER - FIRST NATION NORTH AMERICANS
NOVEMBER - ARGENTINIAN AUTHORS
DECEMBER - OTHER PARTS OF THE CONTINENTS
7PaulCranswick
British Author Challenge (Hosted by my friend Amanda)
January - Cressida Cowell & Richard Adams https://www.librarything.com/topic/376836#n9049588
Shardik by Richard Adams, The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
February - Elizabeth Chadwick & Nevil Shute
What Happened to the Corbetts by Shute
The Autumn Throne by Chadwick
March - Obscure Books
Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands (64 LT Members)
April -
May -
June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -
January - Cressida Cowell & Richard Adams https://www.librarything.com/topic/376836#n9049588
Shardik by Richard Adams, The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
February - Elizabeth Chadwick & Nevil Shute
What Happened to the Corbetts by Shute
The Autumn Throne by Chadwick
March - Obscure Books
Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands (64 LT Members)
April -
May -
June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -
8PaulCranswick
NON-FICTION CHALLENGE
Hosted this year by my friend Benita.
JANUARY : PRIZE WINNERS - Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
FEBRUARY : JAZZ - Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick
MARCH : RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY - On Reflection by Richard Holloway
Hosted this year by my friend Benita.
JANUARY : PRIZE WINNERS - Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
FEBRUARY : JAZZ - Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick
MARCH : RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY - On Reflection by Richard Holloway
9PaulCranswick
The Time Machine
I will be reading 200 books one from each of the last 200 years, I will read them in date order and limit myself to one book per author.
Starting 2025 and ending 31 December 2026. I am combining this with my 50 Modern Classics from last years and other years I covered last year. The older books I will try to read in sequence
1826 : The Last Man by Mary Shelley
1827 : The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
1828 : Pelham by Edward Bulwer Lytton
1829 : The Misfortunes of Elphin by Thomas Love Peacock
1830 : At the Sign of the Cat and Racket by Honore de Balzac
1831 : The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
1832 : Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving
1833 : Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin
1908 : The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck
1919 : Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
1932 : Before the Fact by Francis Iles
1939 : What Happened to the Corbetts bt Nevil Shute
1945 : The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
1946 : Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson
1947 : We Always Treat Women Too Well by Raymond Queneau
1952 : All Our Yesterdays by Natalia Ginzburg
1953 : Suspicion by Friedrich Durrenmatt
1954 : The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien
1960 : The Great Fortune by Olivia Manning
1961 : Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
1963 : The Experience of Pain by Carlo Emilio Gadda
1965 : Lost Empires by JB Priestley
1966 : Silence by Shusaku Endo
1967 : Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
1974 : Shardik by Richard Adams
1975 : The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
1976 : Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor
1977 : Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
1978 : The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan
1979 : The White Album by Joan Didion
1982 : Returning by Edna O'Brien
1987 : Beloved by Toni Morrison
1988 : The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind
1991 : The Whitby Witches by Robin Jarvis
1993 : The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
1996 : Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano
1997 : God's Gift to Women by Don Paterson
1999 : Antarctica by Claire Keegan
2000 : The Hill Bachelors by William Trevor
2002 : Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
2007 : The Burnt-Out Town of Miracles by Roy Jacobsen
2008 : The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
2009 : In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
2011 : What it is Like to go to War by Karl Marlantes
2012 : Nagasaki by Eric Faye
2013 : The Good Father by Noah Hawley
2014 : The End of Eddy by Louis Eduoard
2016 : Conclave by Robert Harris
2017 : The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann
2018 : A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley
2019 : The Other Americans by Laila Lalami
2020 : The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
2021 : The Heeding by Rob Cowen
2022 : Heart Lamp Stories by Banu Mushtaq
2023 : Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
2024 : The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
2025 : Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell
57/200
10PaulCranswick
A-Z Challenge
A = 12 Books: Richard Adams, Claire Adam, Sherwood Anderson
B = 12 Books: Roberto Bolano, Lucia Berlin, Fiona Benson
C = 12 Books: Cressida Cowell, Elizabeth Chadwick, Charly Cox
D = 8 Books: Friedrich Durrenmatt
E = 6 Books: Lauren Elkin, Sophie Elmhirst
F = 8 Books: Richard Flanagan, Michel Faber
G = 12 Books: Elaine Garvey, Morris Gleitzman, Peter Gizzi
H = 12 Books: Noah Hawley, Victor Hugo, Richard Holloway
I = 6 Books: Francis Iles, Washington Irving
J = 6 Books: Jonas Jonasson
K = 6 Books: Claire Keegan
L = 8 Books: Yiyun Li, Valeria Luiselli
M = 12 Books: Toni Morrison, Iris Murdoch
N = 6 Books: Megan Nolan, Tom Newlands
O = 6 Books: Claire Oshetsky, Edna O'Brien
P = 8 Books: Ruth Padel, Christopher Priest, Alexander Pushkin
Q = 3 Books:
R = 8 Books: James Rebanks
S = 12 Books: Rebecca Salazar, Nevil Shute
T = 8 Books: William Trevor, Judith Tick
U = 6 Books: Uketsu
V = 6 Books: Eric Vuillard
W = 8 Books: Manya Wilkinson Michael J Warren
X = 3 Books:
Y = 3 Books:
Z = 3 Books: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Total 200
45/200
A = 12 Books: Richard Adams, Claire Adam, Sherwood Anderson
B = 12 Books: Roberto Bolano, Lucia Berlin, Fiona Benson
C = 12 Books: Cressida Cowell, Elizabeth Chadwick, Charly Cox
D = 8 Books: Friedrich Durrenmatt
E = 6 Books: Lauren Elkin, Sophie Elmhirst
F = 8 Books: Richard Flanagan, Michel Faber
G = 12 Books: Elaine Garvey, Morris Gleitzman, Peter Gizzi
H = 12 Books: Noah Hawley, Victor Hugo, Richard Holloway
I = 6 Books: Francis Iles, Washington Irving
J = 6 Books: Jonas Jonasson
K = 6 Books: Claire Keegan
L = 8 Books: Yiyun Li, Valeria Luiselli
M = 12 Books: Toni Morrison, Iris Murdoch
N = 6 Books: Megan Nolan, Tom Newlands
O = 6 Books: Claire Oshetsky, Edna O'Brien
P = 8 Books: Ruth Padel, Christopher Priest, Alexander Pushkin
Q = 3 Books:
R = 8 Books: James Rebanks
S = 12 Books: Rebecca Salazar, Nevil Shute
T = 8 Books: William Trevor, Judith Tick
U = 6 Books: Uketsu
V = 6 Books: Eric Vuillard
W = 8 Books: Manya Wilkinson Michael J Warren
X = 3 Books:
Y = 3 Books:
Z = 3 Books: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Total 200
45/200
11PaulCranswick
English Language Awards
50 Awards I will Monitor With Current Winner
1. BOOKER PRIZE: Flesh by David Szalay READ
2. BOOKER INTERNATIONAL: Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq READ
3. GOLDSMITH'S PRIZE: We Live Here Now by C.D. Rose
4. ORWELL PRIZE FOR FICTION: Heart Be at Peace by Donal Ryan
5. JAMES TAIT BLACK PRIZE: My Heavenly Favourite by Lucas Rijneveld
6. HAWTHORNDEN PRIZE: Lublin by Manya Wilkinson READ
7. NERO FICTION PRIZE: Lost in the Garden by Adam S Leslie
8. BRITISH BOOK AWARD WINNER: James by Percival Everett READ
9. DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE: The Coin by Yasmin Zaher
10. WOMEN'S PRIZE: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden READ
11. WALTER SCOTT PRIZE: The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller READ
12. SCOTTISH BOOK AWARD: What Doesn't Kill Us by Ajay Close
13. WALES BOOK AWARD: Clear by Carys Davies
14. WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION AWARD: The Artist by Lucy Steeds READ
15. BETTY TRASK AWARD: Winter Animals by Ashani Lewis
16. AUTHOR'S CLUB FIRST FICTION PRIZE: Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon READ
17. ONDAATJE PRIZE: Clear by Carys Davies
18. JHALAK PRIZE: Anansi's Gold by Yepoka Yeebo
19. THE WRITERS PRIZE: The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright READ
20. THE ENCORE PRIZE: Lublin by Manya Wilkinson READ
21. IMPAC DUBLIN PRIZE: The Adversary by Michael Crummey
22. IRISH BOOK AWARDS: Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell READ
23. PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION: James by Percival Everett READ
24. NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS: The True True Story of Raja the Gullible and His Mother by Rabih Alameddine
25. KIRKUS PRIZE: The Slip by Lucas Schaefer
26. NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD: My Friends by Hisham Matar
27. LA TIMES BOOK AWARD: Say Hello to My Little Friend by Jennine Capo Crucet
28. PEN FAULKNER AWARD: Small Rain by Garth Greenwell
29. PEN HEMINGWAY AWARD: Early Sobrieties by Michael Deagler
30. THE CENTER FOR FIRST FICTION: Natch by Darrell Kinsey
31. GILLER PRIZE: Pick a Colour by Souvankham Thammavongsa
32. GOVERNOR GENERAL PRIZE: Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards
33. MILES FRANKLIN PRIZE: Ghost Cities by Siang Lu
34. PRIME MINISTER'S AWARD: Theory & Practice by Michelle De Kretser READ
35. OCKHAM NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS: Delirious by Damien Wilkins
36. CNA FICTION AWARD: The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil by Shubnum Khan
37. T.S. ELIOT PRIZE: Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi READ
38. FORWARD PRIZE: Avidya by Ravinthiran & Wellwater by Solie
39. PULITZER POETRY: New and Selected Poems by Marie Howe
40. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD POETRY: The Intentions of Thunder by Patricia Smith
41. GRIFFIN PRIZE: Psyche Running by Durs Grunbein
43. DUFF COOPER PRIZE: Wild Thing by Sue Prideaux
44. WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION: The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke READ
45. WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE: Survivors: Lost Stories of the Last Captives by Hannah Durkin
46. ORWELL NON-FICTION PRIZE: Looking at Women, Looking at War by Victoria Amelina
47. BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE: How to End a Story by Helen Garner
48. CUNDHILL PRIZE: The Summer of Fire and Blood by Lyndal Cooper
49. PULITZER PRIZE FOR HISTORY: Native Nations by Duval & Combee by Fields-Black
50. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR NON-FICTION: One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
I have not included other prizes for more specific genre fiction; thrillers, sci-fi/fantasy, horror, YA etc because it would spiral to over a hundred awards.
I have not included foreign language awards (other than as translated into English) as again there are so many great awards that I simply couldn't keep up with them all.
I have only included single book awards and not awards that award multiple books or lifetime achievements.
I have favoured UK awards admittedly on the selfish grounds that I hail from there and my reading origins are bound by place.
Where Awards have multiple categories (British Book Awards etc) I have only included the fiction winner unless separately included.
Currently 15/52 books read
50 Awards I will Monitor With Current Winner
1. BOOKER PRIZE: Flesh by David Szalay READ
2. BOOKER INTERNATIONAL: Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq READ
3. GOLDSMITH'S PRIZE: We Live Here Now by C.D. Rose
4. ORWELL PRIZE FOR FICTION: Heart Be at Peace by Donal Ryan
5. JAMES TAIT BLACK PRIZE: My Heavenly Favourite by Lucas Rijneveld
6. HAWTHORNDEN PRIZE: Lublin by Manya Wilkinson READ
7. NERO FICTION PRIZE: Lost in the Garden by Adam S Leslie
8. BRITISH BOOK AWARD WINNER: James by Percival Everett READ
9. DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE: The Coin by Yasmin Zaher
10. WOMEN'S PRIZE: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden READ
11. WALTER SCOTT PRIZE: The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller READ
12. SCOTTISH BOOK AWARD: What Doesn't Kill Us by Ajay Close
13. WALES BOOK AWARD: Clear by Carys Davies
14. WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION AWARD: The Artist by Lucy Steeds READ
15. BETTY TRASK AWARD: Winter Animals by Ashani Lewis
16. AUTHOR'S CLUB FIRST FICTION PRIZE: Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon READ
17. ONDAATJE PRIZE: Clear by Carys Davies
18. JHALAK PRIZE: Anansi's Gold by Yepoka Yeebo
19. THE WRITERS PRIZE: The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright READ
20. THE ENCORE PRIZE: Lublin by Manya Wilkinson READ
21. IMPAC DUBLIN PRIZE: The Adversary by Michael Crummey
22. IRISH BOOK AWARDS: Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell READ
23. PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION: James by Percival Everett READ
24. NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS: The True True Story of Raja the Gullible and His Mother by Rabih Alameddine
25. KIRKUS PRIZE: The Slip by Lucas Schaefer
26. NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD: My Friends by Hisham Matar
27. LA TIMES BOOK AWARD: Say Hello to My Little Friend by Jennine Capo Crucet
28. PEN FAULKNER AWARD: Small Rain by Garth Greenwell
29. PEN HEMINGWAY AWARD: Early Sobrieties by Michael Deagler
30. THE CENTER FOR FIRST FICTION: Natch by Darrell Kinsey
31. GILLER PRIZE: Pick a Colour by Souvankham Thammavongsa
32. GOVERNOR GENERAL PRIZE: Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards
33. MILES FRANKLIN PRIZE: Ghost Cities by Siang Lu
34. PRIME MINISTER'S AWARD: Theory & Practice by Michelle De Kretser READ
35. OCKHAM NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS: Delirious by Damien Wilkins
36. CNA FICTION AWARD: The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil by Shubnum Khan
37. T.S. ELIOT PRIZE: Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi READ
38. FORWARD PRIZE: Avidya by Ravinthiran & Wellwater by Solie
39. PULITZER POETRY: New and Selected Poems by Marie Howe
40. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD POETRY: The Intentions of Thunder by Patricia Smith
41. GRIFFIN PRIZE: Psyche Running by Durs Grunbein
43. DUFF COOPER PRIZE: Wild Thing by Sue Prideaux
44. WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION: The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke READ
45. WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE: Survivors: Lost Stories of the Last Captives by Hannah Durkin
46. ORWELL NON-FICTION PRIZE: Looking at Women, Looking at War by Victoria Amelina
47. BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE: How to End a Story by Helen Garner
48. CUNDHILL PRIZE: The Summer of Fire and Blood by Lyndal Cooper
49. PULITZER PRIZE FOR HISTORY: Native Nations by Duval & Combee by Fields-Black
50. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR NON-FICTION: One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
I have not included other prizes for more specific genre fiction; thrillers, sci-fi/fantasy, horror, YA etc because it would spiral to over a hundred awards.
I have not included foreign language awards (other than as translated into English) as again there are so many great awards that I simply couldn't keep up with them all.
I have only included single book awards and not awards that award multiple books or lifetime achievements.
I have favoured UK awards admittedly on the selfish grounds that I hail from there and my reading origins are bound by place.
Where Awards have multiple categories (British Book Awards etc) I have only included the fiction winner unless separately included.
Currently 15/52 books read
12PaulCranswick
Best 100s
Best British 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103389
Best North American 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103390
Rest of the English Speaking World 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103392
Best in Translation 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103393
Best British 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103389
Best North American 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103390
Rest of the English Speaking World 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103392
Best in Translation 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103393
13PaulCranswick
BOOKS ADDED (hopefully a reduction here!!!)
January
1. Ruin and Renewal by Paul Betts
2. Super Pulses by Jenny Chandler
3. The Road Cyclist's Companion by Peter Drinkell
4. The Heart is a Shifting Sea by Elizabeth Flock
5. Elidor by Alan Garner
6. Angel Island by Inez Haynes Gillmore
7. One of Our Ministers is Missing by Alan Johnson
8. Wilder: How Rewilding is Transforming Conservation and Changing the World by Millie Kerr
9. August Blue by Deborah Levy
10. The War of the Poor by Eric Vuillard READ
11. An African History of Africa by Zeinab Badawi
12. On Reflection: Looking for Life's Meaning by Richard Holloway READ
13. Selected Poems by Linton Kwesi Johnson
14. Poems from an Attic by Iris Murdoch READ
15. A Lonely Man by Chris Power
16. Together: A Manifesto Against a Heartless World by Ece Temelkuran
17. Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick READ
18. North Sun, or, the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther by Ethan Rutherford
19. Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin by Sue Prideaux
20. Murder Mindfully by Karsten Dusse
21. The Daughters' War by Christopher Buehlman
22. Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen
23. The Distinctly Competent District Councillor by Jonas Jonasson READ
24. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
25. Miss Jane by Brad Watson
February
26. Fulfillment by Lee Cole
27. Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey
28. The Bone Chests by Cat Jarman
29. Always Home, Always Homesick by Hannah Kent
30. Our Was the Shining Future by David Leonhardt
31. The Imagined Life by Andrew Porter
32. Daughters of the Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demick
33. The Finest Hotel in Kabul by Lyse Doucet
34. The Genius of Trees by Harriet Rix
35. Indignity by Lea Ypi
36. The Quiet Mother by Arnaldur Indridason
37. Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty
38. Plastic: A Poem by Matthew Rice
39. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
40. The Atlas Six by Olivia Blake
41. Malice by John Gwynne
42. All Down Darkness Wide by Sean Hewitt
43. I Found Myself...The Last Dreams by Naguib Mahfouz
44. Between Britain by Alistair Moffat
45. How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva
46. All in it Together by Alwyn Turner
47. The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
48. Israel: A Personal History by Goran Rosenberg
49. Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
50. Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst READ
51. Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett
52. Foretokens by Sarah Howe READ
53. Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry
54. Lublin by Manya Wilkinson READ
55. The Matchbox Girl by Alice Jolly
56. Pulse by Cynan Jones
57. Everest by Ashani Lewis
58. The Evidence by Christopher Priest
59. Being Lolita by Alisson Wood
March
60. Moderation by Elaine Castillo
61. Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
62. Heart the Lover by Lily King
63. A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang
64. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans READ
65. Twist by Colum McCann
66. The Collected Poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
67. The Collected Short Stories of Saki by Saki
68. The Disappeared by Andrew Porter
69. Only Sing by John Berryman
70. Venetian Vespers by John Banville
71. Eating Ashes by Brenda Navarro
72. Aednan by Linnea Axelsson
73. The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas
74. The Power in the People by Michael Mansfield
75. Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah
76. Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi READ
77. The Therapist by Helene Flood
78. Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi
79. Outback by Michael Davies
29 non-fiction
28 fiction
7 poetry
10 SF/fantasy
5 crime / thrillers
By Men 42
By Women 37
Read: 9
January
1. Ruin and Renewal by Paul Betts
2. Super Pulses by Jenny Chandler
3. The Road Cyclist's Companion by Peter Drinkell
4. The Heart is a Shifting Sea by Elizabeth Flock
5. Elidor by Alan Garner
6. Angel Island by Inez Haynes Gillmore
7. One of Our Ministers is Missing by Alan Johnson
8. Wilder: How Rewilding is Transforming Conservation and Changing the World by Millie Kerr
9. August Blue by Deborah Levy
10. The War of the Poor by Eric Vuillard READ
11. An African History of Africa by Zeinab Badawi
12. On Reflection: Looking for Life's Meaning by Richard Holloway READ
13. Selected Poems by Linton Kwesi Johnson
14. Poems from an Attic by Iris Murdoch READ
15. A Lonely Man by Chris Power
16. Together: A Manifesto Against a Heartless World by Ece Temelkuran
17. Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick READ
18. North Sun, or, the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther by Ethan Rutherford
19. Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin by Sue Prideaux
20. Murder Mindfully by Karsten Dusse
21. The Daughters' War by Christopher Buehlman
22. Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen
23. The Distinctly Competent District Councillor by Jonas Jonasson READ
24. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
25. Miss Jane by Brad Watson
February
26. Fulfillment by Lee Cole
27. Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey
28. The Bone Chests by Cat Jarman
29. Always Home, Always Homesick by Hannah Kent
30. Our Was the Shining Future by David Leonhardt
31. The Imagined Life by Andrew Porter
32. Daughters of the Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demick
33. The Finest Hotel in Kabul by Lyse Doucet
34. The Genius of Trees by Harriet Rix
35. Indignity by Lea Ypi
36. The Quiet Mother by Arnaldur Indridason
37. Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty
38. Plastic: A Poem by Matthew Rice
39. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
40. The Atlas Six by Olivia Blake
41. Malice by John Gwynne
42. All Down Darkness Wide by Sean Hewitt
43. I Found Myself...The Last Dreams by Naguib Mahfouz
44. Between Britain by Alistair Moffat
45. How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva
46. All in it Together by Alwyn Turner
47. The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
48. Israel: A Personal History by Goran Rosenberg
49. Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
50. Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst READ
51. Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett
52. Foretokens by Sarah Howe READ
53. Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry
54. Lublin by Manya Wilkinson READ
55. The Matchbox Girl by Alice Jolly
56. Pulse by Cynan Jones
57. Everest by Ashani Lewis
58. The Evidence by Christopher Priest
59. Being Lolita by Alisson Wood
March
60. Moderation by Elaine Castillo
61. Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
62. Heart the Lover by Lily King
63. A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang
64. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans READ
65. Twist by Colum McCann
66. The Collected Poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
67. The Collected Short Stories of Saki by Saki
68. The Disappeared by Andrew Porter
69. Only Sing by John Berryman
70. Venetian Vespers by John Banville
71. Eating Ashes by Brenda Navarro
72. Aednan by Linnea Axelsson
73. The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas
74. The Power in the People by Michael Mansfield
75. Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah
76. Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi READ
77. The Therapist by Helene Flood
78. Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi
79. Outback by Michael Davies
29 non-fiction
28 fiction
7 poetry
10 SF/fantasy
5 crime / thrillers
By Men 42
By Women 37
Read: 9
14PaulCranswick
Book Stats 2026
Books Read : 45
Pages Read in completed books : 11,991
Longest book : Shardik : 592 pp
Shortest book : Fierce Elegy : 61 pp
Mean book length : 266.47 pp
Pages per day average in completed books : 131.77
Books written by men : 24
Books written by women: 21
Non-Fiction : 7
Fiction : 18
Poetry : 7
Thriller : 3
SF/Fantasy : 4
Drama :
Short Stories : 6
1830s : 3 books
1910s : 1 book
1930s : 2 books
1950s : 1 book
1970s : 1 book
1980s : 2 books
1990s : 3 books
2000s : 3 books
2010s : 8 books
2020s : 21 books
UK Authors : 16
USA Authors : 10
Chile Authors : 1
Ireland Authors : 5
Canada Authors : 1
China Authors : 1
Switzerland Authors : 1
Australia Authors : 2
France Authors : 2
Sweden Authors : 1
Trinidad Authors : 1
Japan Authors : 1
Spain Authors : 1
Mexican Authors : 1
Russia Authors : 1
Challenges :
Roads Less Travelled : 4 books
Non-Fiction Challenge : 3 books
British Author Challenge : 5 books
26 Short Story Collections : 5/26
Caroline Memorial Reads : 1
1001 Books : 4
Awards :
Baillie Gifford Prize : 1
Pulitzer Prize : 1
TS Eliot Prize : 1
Read : 45 books
Added : 83 books
Change to TBR : +38
January Books : 18
January Pages : 4,689
Pages Average : Per book : 260.50 Per Day : 151.26
February Books : 14
February Pages : 4,370
Pages Average : Per book : 312.14 Per day : 156.07
March Books : 13
March Pages : 2,932
Pages Average : Per Book 225.54 Per day : 94.58
Books Read : 45
Pages Read in completed books : 11,991
Longest book : Shardik : 592 pp
Shortest book : Fierce Elegy : 61 pp
Mean book length : 266.47 pp
Pages per day average in completed books : 131.77
Books written by men : 24
Books written by women: 21
Non-Fiction : 7
Fiction : 18
Poetry : 7
Thriller : 3
SF/Fantasy : 4
Drama :
Short Stories : 6
1830s : 3 books
1910s : 1 book
1930s : 2 books
1950s : 1 book
1970s : 1 book
1980s : 2 books
1990s : 3 books
2000s : 3 books
2010s : 8 books
2020s : 21 books
UK Authors : 16
USA Authors : 10
Chile Authors : 1
Ireland Authors : 5
Canada Authors : 1
China Authors : 1
Switzerland Authors : 1
Australia Authors : 2
France Authors : 2
Sweden Authors : 1
Trinidad Authors : 1
Japan Authors : 1
Spain Authors : 1
Mexican Authors : 1
Russia Authors : 1
Challenges :
Roads Less Travelled : 4 books
Non-Fiction Challenge : 3 books
British Author Challenge : 5 books
26 Short Story Collections : 5/26
Caroline Memorial Reads : 1
1001 Books : 4
Awards :
Baillie Gifford Prize : 1
Pulitzer Prize : 1
TS Eliot Prize : 1
Read : 45 books
Added : 83 books
Change to TBR : +38
January Books : 18
January Pages : 4,689
Pages Average : Per book : 260.50 Per Day : 151.26
February Books : 14
February Pages : 4,370
Pages Average : Per book : 312.14 Per day : 156.07
March Books : 13
March Pages : 2,932
Pages Average : Per Book 225.54 Per day : 94.58
15PaulCranswick
Dedicated to.: We and 30 years. Hani and I were married on 23 March 1996. 30 years this month. I usually tell her that Ronnie Biggs got a lighter sentence!
16PaulCranswick
Welcome to my seventh thread of 2026.
17amanda4242
Happy new thread!
19beeg
hi Paul, I’ve been to Cancun and Mexico City. I climbed the pyramid of the sun. I was sore for days afterwards. Then I caught tourista and it took my mind off of being sore. I had just finished reading Aztec and it was pretty cool to experience it in person.
20richardderus
Happy threading!
21figsfromthistle
Happy new one!
23PaulCranswick
>19 beeg: That does sound quite the adventure! Great to have you stop by, Beeg.
>20 richardderus: Thank you, kind sir!
>20 richardderus: Thank you, kind sir!
24PaulCranswick
>21 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita.
25PaulCranswick
Please bear with me a little all as I will be quite slow setting up the thread today as I am in the middle of completing a Report for the JV's auditors as to why Liquidated Damages are unlikely to be successfully imposed by the Employer on the project. I am having a few minute brain rest just at the moment, because it is quite a tricky report to write.
26vancouverdeb
Happy New 🧵, Paul!
27atozgrl
Happy new thread, Paul! I'm glad I saw this so I can jump in now, before your thread gets away from me. I never did make it to your last thread.
28PaulCranswick
>26 vancouverdeb: Thank you dear Deb.
>27 atozgrl: Thanks Irene. My last thread ended with the happy news of my youngest Belle and her boyfriend paying us a completely surprise visit.
>27 atozgrl: Thanks Irene. My last thread ended with the happy news of my youngest Belle and her boyfriend paying us a completely surprise visit.
29SilverWolf28
Happy New Thread!
30Dejah_Thoris
Hapy new thread, Paul!
32foggidawn
Happy new thread! Good luck on your tricky report writing, and enjoy your visit with Belle and Logan!
33atozgrl
>28 PaulCranswick: How wonderful! A surprise visit! I know you enjoy getting to spend time with them again.
34Kristelh
Happy new thread, Paul. I’ve not visited Acapulco but I have read Under the Skin. Interesting beginning, right? Good luck with the tricky report. Sounds stressful.
37ArlieS
Happy new thread, Paul.
Have I mentioned that your thread velocity is scary. Many people (mostly not here) read fewer books in a year than you have threads.
Have I mentioned that your thread velocity is scary. Many people (mostly not here) read fewer books in a year than you have threads.
38hredwards
>37 ArlieS: I never thought of that but it is so true!!
40booksaplenty1949
Finished Eugene Onegin, which I quite enjoyed, for the 200 Year Challenge and am now moving on to Balzac’s Louis Lambert which I have owned for a very long time apropos of its being mentioned by Henry Miller as one of the important books in his life. Not sure now why I cared about this, but there we are. Publication date rather flexible, as Balzac apparently rewrote it regularly
41bell7
Happy new thread, Paul! From your last thread, what a wonderful surprise having Belle and Logan visit. I hope it's a special time with your family.
44PaulCranswick
>31 msf59: Hahaha not exactly a thread every week, Mark. Thank you, buddy.
.
>32 foggidawn: Thanks Foggi. Well I got the report done and I think that the outcome was reasonably satisfactory. I had to give an audit advice note to the auditors of Samsung as to why in my opinion the Employer was unlikely to succeed in claims against Samsung for delay damages. 28 pages of text. My style of writing such reports is to spend a day or so planning how I will structure the report, then I get all the source documents together that I want to make reference to and then I will literally set my plan into words on my laptop. I will read each section of the report as I have typed it out and amend it as may be required (the report had four sections; Introduction, Factual Matrix, Analysis of Entitlement (in six sub-sections) and Conclusion.
.
>32 foggidawn: Thanks Foggi. Well I got the report done and I think that the outcome was reasonably satisfactory. I had to give an audit advice note to the auditors of Samsung as to why in my opinion the Employer was unlikely to succeed in claims against Samsung for delay damages. 28 pages of text. My style of writing such reports is to spend a day or so planning how I will structure the report, then I get all the source documents together that I want to make reference to and then I will literally set my plan into words on my laptop. I will read each section of the report as I have typed it out and amend it as may be required (the report had four sections; Introduction, Factual Matrix, Analysis of Entitlement (in six sub-sections) and Conclusion.
45PaulCranswick
>33 atozgrl: Indeed Irene. Yesterday they bought us dinner (Belle likes Japanese) and I think that is the first time in her 22 years that my youngest has bought me dinner.
>34 Kristelh: Yes book twin; it is an interesting beginning. The only thing really stressful about the report is the deadline for it that was approaching. In terms of the content it was more a case of trying to find the positives. I do think that we will prevail or settle eventually but it is a leap of faith to say that no account provision should be made for the alternative.
>34 Kristelh: Yes book twin; it is an interesting beginning. The only thing really stressful about the report is the deadline for it that was approaching. In terms of the content it was more a case of trying to find the positives. I do think that we will prevail or settle eventually but it is a leap of faith to say that no account provision should be made for the alternative.
47PaulCranswick
>37 ArlieS: Hahaha Arlie. I am used to this sort of pace and, in any event, I couldn't do it without the help of all of my very wonderful friends.
>38 hredwards: Hi Harold. Well I suppose it is relative really because some people don't read at all!
>38 hredwards: Hi Harold. Well I suppose it is relative really because some people don't read at all!
48PaulCranswick
>39 hredwards: Thank you dear fellow.
>40 booksaplenty1949: I should get there by the weekend which is also helpfully the end of Ramadan. It does flow nicely for an poem/novel. My next pick is taxing my brain somewhat but I will come up with something.
>40 booksaplenty1949: I should get there by the weekend which is also helpfully the end of Ramadan. It does flow nicely for an poem/novel. My next pick is taxing my brain somewhat but I will come up with something.
49PaulCranswick
>41 bell7: So far, Mary, I have to say it has been an absolute delight and we are also only 2 days away from having Yasmyne and Nami here too!
>42 mdoris: They do Mary. Actually with the busyness of my schedule this last 24 hours I have not gotten started properly yet is setting up this thread!
>42 mdoris: They do Mary. Actually with the busyness of my schedule this last 24 hours I have not gotten started properly yet is setting up this thread!
50Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Paul. There is nothing like a deadline for focusing the writing brain!
51PaulCranswick
>50 Familyhistorian: Yes that works for me certainly, Meg. My mind was a little frazzled yesterday though!
52PaulCranswick
Sorry guys that I have been out of action for a couple of days but I have a good excuse:
53amanda4242
>52 PaulCranswick: Ahh! That's an even better excuse than being off reading!
54PaulCranswick
>53 amanda4242: Indeedy Amanda. Hopefully my reading will reignite now!
55PaulCranswick
Here is another one. This was taken in the elevator up to our condo. Nami/Pip looks remarkably serene considering that she had travelled half the way around the world to see her grandparents. Her mother on the other hand smelled distinctly of vomit originating from somewhere over the Indian ocean.
56quondame
>52 PaulCranswick: The best excuse!
58foggidawn
>52 PaulCranswick: Oh my goodness, she's gotten so big!
60mdoris
>52 PaulCranswick:, >55 PaulCranswick: Oh my Paul, lucky you! Nami/Pip is adorable! Enjoy every minute!
62vancouverdeb
Great pictures of both you and Nami/ Pip, Paul. Enjoy your family time together.
63booksaplenty1949
Eid mubarak.
Hope this is appropriate. Wonderful to have so many family members together.
Hope this is appropriate. Wonderful to have so many family members together.
64booksaplenty1949
https://www.canva.com/templates/s/eid-mubarak/
Hope this is appropriate. Wonderful to have so many family members together.
Hope this is appropriate. Wonderful to have so many family members together.
65PaulCranswick
>56 quondame: I do try not to make excuses, Susan, but sometimes needs must. Hopefully my book count will start ticking again soon.
>57 Kristelh: She seemed to be extremely pleased to be able to wallow in my ample padding, Kristel!
>57 Kristelh: She seemed to be extremely pleased to be able to wallow in my ample padding, Kristel!
66PaulCranswick
>58 foggidawn: Time really does fly, Foggi, doesn't it?! xx
>59 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita. Hani will be cooking most of the day (when she stops snoring and gets up)!
>59 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita. Hani will be cooking most of the day (when she stops snoring and gets up)!
67PaulCranswick
>60 mdoris: I am indeed lucky, Mary. Thank you dear lady.
>61 avatiakh: Thank you, Kerry. It does seem quite a while since I had both my daughters here at the same time.
>61 avatiakh: Thank you, Kerry. It does seem quite a while since I had both my daughters here at the same time.
68PaulCranswick
>62 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deb. I especially like the one where Nami is facing the camera. Shame I couldn't easily crop myself from it!
>63 booksaplenty1949: That is perfect, thank you. x
>63 booksaplenty1949: That is perfect, thank you. x
69PaulCranswick
>64 booksaplenty1949: In Arabic the fuller greeting or salutation would be Eid Fitr Mubarak as you can see in some of the gifs. Eid Mubarak would apply equally to the Haj celebration as well as the end of Ramadan one it is the "fitr" which identifies the end of fasting.
In Malaysia our version of the same greeting would be Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Then we would go on and seek forgiveness from whoever we were addressing for any slight we may have done them over the last year by saying. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
In Malaysia our version of the same greeting would be Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Then we would go on and seek forgiveness from whoever we were addressing for any slight we may have done them over the last year by saying. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
70booksaplenty1949
>69 PaulCranswick: Thank you for this full explanation. My church is in a downtown area where people from many backgrounds have come to live and there are festive signs on display in many languages. Soon to be joined by Happy Easter. We all have a lot to celebrate.
71SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/379749
72EllaTim
Nice pictures up there, Paul. Pip looks very much at ease with you. Enjoy your family get together!
73PaulCranswick
>70 booksaplenty1949: Malaysia quite wonderfully celebrates most religious holidays of four faiths - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. Easter is a Public Holiday in some states here and Christmas a Public Holiday in all states.
74PaulCranswick
>71 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver.
>72 EllaTim: Thanks Ella. When she first clapped eyes on my she burst immediately into tears! As soon as she realized the old fellow may be up for carrying her and straight after how comfortable a perch it was with the padding abounding. she was very much in her comfort zone.
>72 EllaTim: Thanks Ella. When she first clapped eyes on my she burst immediately into tears! As soon as she realized the old fellow may be up for carrying her and straight after how comfortable a perch it was with the padding abounding. she was very much in her comfort zone.
75SirThomas
Happy New Thread, Paul. I'm sorry I missed an entire thread, but I'll do my best to keep up with your speed again.
>52 PaulCranswick: That's no excuse—that's the main thing!
>52 PaulCranswick: That's no excuse—that's the main thing!
78klobrien2
>55 PaulCranswick: Love this picture! Such a beautiful little one, and such a sweet connection between you two!
Karen O
Karen O
79PaulCranswick
>77 hredwards: Thank you Harold. I am very honoured that she seems to like her Grandpa.
>78 klobrien2: Thanks Karen. She was in a surprisingly good mood considering that she had been travelling so long.
>78 klobrien2: Thanks Karen. She was in a surprisingly good mood considering that she had been travelling so long.
80booksaplenty1949
>79 PaulCranswick: Are you “Grandpa” or is there a Malaysian term?
81msf59
LOVE the photos with Nami & Pip! She is a beauty. So glad you got to spend some time with her.
82PaulCranswick
>80 booksaplenty1949: The more traditional phrase is Datuk or Atuk and Hani refers to me as Dada but I think of myself as Grandpa.
>81 msf59: Thanks Mark. You are truly spoiled with having Jackson always at hand.
>81 msf59: Thanks Mark. You are truly spoiled with having Jackson always at hand.
83Storeetllr
Eid Fitr Mubarak (a day late) and happy new thread!
>1 PaulCranswick: Great aerial photo of Cancun! I loved Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula when I visited, but I never went to Acapulco. I did visit Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, which are along the same coastline as Acapulco.
>73 PaulCranswick: I don't know about the rest of the U.S., but my town celebrated Eid al-Fitr yesterday - at least the schoolkids were off. Even Rowan's preschool, which is held in a Jewish Synagogue, was closed for the holiday.
What great pics of you and your grandkid! She's so cute, and getting so big! I'm so happy that you have your family with you! How long will they be staying? (If you mentioned it, I must have missed it.)
Have a lovely weekend!
>1 PaulCranswick: Great aerial photo of Cancun! I loved Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula when I visited, but I never went to Acapulco. I did visit Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, which are along the same coastline as Acapulco.
>73 PaulCranswick: I don't know about the rest of the U.S., but my town celebrated Eid al-Fitr yesterday - at least the schoolkids were off. Even Rowan's preschool, which is held in a Jewish Synagogue, was closed for the holiday.
What great pics of you and your grandkid! She's so cute, and getting so big! I'm so happy that you have your family with you! How long will they be staying? (If you mentioned it, I must have missed it.)
Have a lovely weekend!
84johnsimpson
Hi Paul, Happy New Thread mate. Great photos of the family that are with you and Hani at the moment mate.
85PaulCranswick
>83 Storeetllr: Thank you so much, Mary for those kind words and well wishings!
Belle and Logan will stay until 30th.
Yasmyne and Nami will stay until 5th April.
>84 johnsimpson: Thanks John. I hope your health is ok mate and that Karen is as always taking care of you.
Belle and Logan will stay until 30th.
Yasmyne and Nami will stay until 5th April.
>84 johnsimpson: Thanks John. I hope your health is ok mate and that Karen is as always taking care of you.
86vancouverdeb
Enjoy your time with the family , Paul. It sounds like you are all enjoying each other . My nephew has moved in your " neck of the woods" for a while as new pilot for a small airline in Indonesia, Susi Air I think it called. Braver than I would be! He is just 21 and went to aviation college in Canada, then has been instructing, but this will be his first commercial job. His mom is what I would call a nominal Muslim, and he is an adventurous eater, so I think he will do well. She doesn't eat pork and her dad is a practicing Muslim, but her mom not. My brother and his wife met in the Maldives,as my brother was then flying there , so sort of similar path that my brother took, though I don't know that Samy will find a wife there. Donia was working there as a resort something or other person.
87PaulCranswick
He sounds quite an interesting young man, Deb.
I would be happy to give him a potted tour of Kuala Lumpur when he is in town here. Susi Air does VIP flights and Medivac stuff as I understand it. Sounds interesting.
I would be happy to give him a potted tour of Kuala Lumpur when he is in town here. Susi Air does VIP flights and Medivac stuff as I understand it. Sounds interesting.
88thornton37814
Happy new-ish thread! >52 PaulCranswick: >55 PaulCranswick: look like an excellent excuse for being away from a keyboard!
89PaulCranswick
>88 thornton37814: Indeed! Lovely to see you, Lori.
90Familyhistorian
It looks like you and Nami have found common ground in the photos, Paul.
91PaulCranswick
>90 Familyhistorian: I have so many photos already and I will share some more soon.
92booksaplenty1949
Finished The White Rajahs of Sarawak which I read as a follow-up to Flashman’s Lady. I had acquired the former book some years ago mostly because of its great cover by Biro. The author Robert Payne wrote over 100 books, including dozens of bios, and I predicted it would be fairly superficial and formulaic, but was pleasantly surprised. Many interesting insights into the complicated ethnic mix of Pacific Asia.
93atozgrl
>55 PaulCranswick: Very nice pictures of Nami, Paul. She's grown quite a bit since the first ones you shared.
94PaulCranswick
>92 booksaplenty1949: He was certainly an interesting figure, for sure.
>93 atozgrl: Yes she has grown Irene, and I have to say that I am happy that she seems so comfortable with me. We sort of got each other to sleep yesterday and she was tapping my back to get me off to sleep in the same way that I aways do with her - I didn't know whether to sleep or laugh!
>93 atozgrl: Yes she has grown Irene, and I have to say that I am happy that she seems so comfortable with me. We sort of got each other to sleep yesterday and she was tapping my back to get me off to sleep in the same way that I aways do with her - I didn't know whether to sleep or laugh!
95vancouverdeb
>87 PaulCranswick: A very kind offer,Paul. I'm not sure if or when Samy is going to Malaysia. but I will mention it to him when I see / communicate with him next. He's a nice fellow.
I am so glad you and Nami are enjoying each other so much.
I am so glad you and Nami are enjoying each other so much.
96PaulCranswick
>95 vancouverdeb: No problem, Deb. It would be my pleasure.
97PaulCranswick
Finally gotten my thread set up!
I am back at work today and am not yet into the swing of things.
I am back at work today and am not yet into the swing of things.
98PaulCranswick
BOOK #37
The Prince of Mists by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Date of Publication : 1993
Origin of Author : Spain
Gender of Author : Male
Genre : Fiction (YA)
Pages : 202 pp
This was Zafon's first published work and certainly hints at the wonderful storyteller he was to become. Set during the Second World War period and a sort of coming of age ghost story.
Very well told and recommended.
The Prince of Mists by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Date of Publication : 1993
Origin of Author : Spain
Gender of Author : Male
Genre : Fiction (YA)
Pages : 202 pp
This was Zafon's first published work and certainly hints at the wonderful storyteller he was to become. Set during the Second World War period and a sort of coming of age ghost story.
Very well told and recommended.
99PaulCranswick
BOOK #38
On Reflection: Looking for Life's Meaning by Richard Holloway
Date of Publication : 2024
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Genre : Non Fiction
Challenges : Non Fiction Challenge
Pages : 227 pp
Richard Holloway is becoming something of a go to writer for me when I need some spirtual and moral support. He was a minister indeed a Bishop in the Church of Scotland who resigned his post due to his increasing doubts about the Christian faith.
An extremely good and wise old man, he writes here on his various reflections on grief, loss, mortality, guilt, leading a spiritual life without God and the benefits of a secular world.
Recommended to readers who doubt and want to be given some assurances that their doubts are absolutely ok in a non-judgemental and gentle approach to the difficult and defining questions of life and death.
Also liberally sprinkled with some tremendous poetry.
On Reflection: Looking for Life's Meaning by Richard Holloway
Date of Publication : 2024
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Genre : Non Fiction
Challenges : Non Fiction Challenge
Pages : 227 pp
Richard Holloway is becoming something of a go to writer for me when I need some spirtual and moral support. He was a minister indeed a Bishop in the Church of Scotland who resigned his post due to his increasing doubts about the Christian faith.
An extremely good and wise old man, he writes here on his various reflections on grief, loss, mortality, guilt, leading a spiritual life without God and the benefits of a secular world.
Recommended to readers who doubt and want to be given some assurances that their doubts are absolutely ok in a non-judgemental and gentle approach to the difficult and defining questions of life and death.
Also liberally sprinkled with some tremendous poetry.
101PaulCranswick
>100 banjo123: Rhonda, any more of that and I will be blushing. xx
102thornton37814
This may be a record! Only 10 new comments on your thread since I last checked--and it's been 2 days!
103PaulCranswick
>102 thornton37814: The pace is a little sedentary, Lori, and I am not complaining! I have wife, 2 daughters and granddaughter here and it is happily taking up my time. I am not getting as much reading done as I would like to though. Nami/Pip spent four hours perched on my torso yesterday as she has decided that it is her new favourite place to sleep. I couldn't do anything else at the time and frankly I wouldn't have swapped it for all the tea in China.
104booksaplenty1949
>103 PaulCranswick: Women! Endless demands, endless rewards.
105PaulCranswick
>104 booksaplenty1949: Indeed, endless!
106atozgrl
>103 PaulCranswick: That is time well spent, and not to be missed!
107SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383150
108mdoris
>103 PaulCranswick: What a lovely image Paul of the Pip/Grampa perch!
109PaulCranswick
>106 atozgrl: Certainly not complaining, Irene. She joined me with her mum for lunch yesterday and I am sure going to miss her after the 5th.
Youngest daughter and boyfriend will go back on 30th and they have been a breath of fresh air too.
Youngest daughter and boyfriend will go back on 30th and they have been a breath of fresh air too.
111PaulCranswick
>108 mdoris: She has found her new favourite cushion, Mary, that is for sure.
112PaulCranswick
I need to catch up on books added as I have omitted to update over the last few weeks.
66. The Collected Poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
67. The Collected Short Stories of Saki by Saki
68. The Disappeared by Andrew Porter
69. Only Sing by John Berryman
70. Venetian Vespers by John Banville
71. Eating Ashes by Brenda Navarro
72. Aednan by Linnea Axelsson
73. The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas
74. The Power in the People by Michael Mansfield
75. Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah
66. The Collected Poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
67. The Collected Short Stories of Saki by Saki
68. The Disappeared by Andrew Porter
69. Only Sing by John Berryman
70. Venetian Vespers by John Banville
71. Eating Ashes by Brenda Navarro
72. Aednan by Linnea Axelsson
73. The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas
74. The Power in the People by Michael Mansfield
75. Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah
113vancouverdeb
I'm glad you are enjoying your family so much, Paul!
114PaulCranswick
>113 vancouverdeb: Only a few days left with Belle and Logan, Deb. There is so much about their relationship that reminds me of Hani and I in our earlier days. He is clearly smitten and my daughter is the centre of his universe.
115PaulCranswick
More additions today as I make up for a quite couple of weeks book wise:
76. Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi
77. The Therapist by Helene Flood
78. Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi
79. Outback by Michael Davies
76. Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi
77. The Therapist by Helene Flood
78. Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi
79. Outback by Michael Davies
116Mary_Mignano
>2 PaulCranswick: Loved his Crimson Petal...Read it when I still had 3,000 books in my Library, and a Library in my house. And a house. Enjoy the dark stuff after I read the truly dark true crime and political stuff that puts my stomach in a knot. I often find that even the best of suspense has a middle that could and should have been edited and fi d myself speed reading my way through until the last quarter of the book. Do you find that also? Reading a lot more often now, as I keep getting thrown off FB for calling out people who forget to plug in their brains before they spew what they think are facts. Also, apparently, I'm a treasonous, traitorous defender of decency and empathy. Highly frowned upon currently! 😬😄😆🤣
117Mary_Mignano
>4 PaulCranswick: I've added my March reads. Now I have to put my reviews in. Doing it all on my phone which making it so DIFFICULT! Hoping to get wifi in my RV when we move back in for the summer season. And set up my computer once again. Doctor, my eyes have seen the years...poor, dessicated, blind old things 👀😵💫
118booksaplenty1949
Having decided to designate Eugene Onegin (serial publication) as my 1832 choice for the 200 Year Challenge I am stuck for 1833. Rather than being obsessive I am assuming that something will eventually turn up and have moved on to Lorenzaccio for 1834. Hoping that yellowed pages of text I bought for first year French class will survive re-reading.
119PaulCranswick
>116 Mary_Mignano: Lovely to see you, Mary Beth. Faber certainly is an interesting writer. This is my first book of his and it is pretty unique I would say.
A treasonous and treacherous defender of decency is something worth conceding to though isn't it? xx
>117 Mary_Mignano: I hope you get a consistent run of internet via computer as the phone is never easy to use and with or without Jackson Browne,
A treasonous and treacherous defender of decency is something worth conceding to though isn't it? xx
>117 Mary_Mignano: I hope you get a consistent run of internet via computer as the phone is never easy to use and with or without Jackson Browne,
120PaulCranswick
>118 booksaplenty1949: I also realise the mistake because I can't find anything much for 1834 now that I have swapped out Pushkin.
121booksaplenty1949
>120 PaulCranswick: Eugenie Grandet? But perhaps read long since. The Last Days of Pompeii? Dreadful, but not unenjoyable. Entertainingly self-parodic. I’m saving Bulwer-Lytton for 1858–What Will He Do with It?. An irresistible title.
122PaulCranswick
>121 booksaplenty1949: Used my Balzac card already and my Bulwer Lytton card.
123EllaTim
>122 PaulCranswick: Good luck with this challenge! I couldn’t find any new ideas. I only found as extra info that this was the time of the travel histories.
124PaulCranswick
>123 EllaTim: I'm sure that we'll find something, Ella, but it will take a while and I will need to dip into another resource.
125PaulCranswick
BOOK #39
Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi
Date of Publication : 2023
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Male
Genre : Poetry
Awards : T.S. Eliot Prize
Pages : 61 pp
The shortest book I have read this year but one of the more impactful.
Allusive and elusive his words manage to wash and paint at the same time. Insightful without being dogmatic and as Rae Armantrout - a much finer judge than I says in the book blurb - "If anyone tells you the lyric is dead, give them Peter Gizzi."
This the the opening verse of four of his poem "Revisionary" which is a definite highlight of the collection:
"I've decided to let my inner weather.
Even in the nerves flashing, some things
are only shadow.
What's up with that?
My muse bruises me.
Some days I sit hours to be relieved
by a word.
Today's word is invisible."
A worthy successor to John Berryman and John Ashbery
Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi
Date of Publication : 2023
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Male
Genre : Poetry
Awards : T.S. Eliot Prize
Pages : 61 pp
The shortest book I have read this year but one of the more impactful.
Allusive and elusive his words manage to wash and paint at the same time. Insightful without being dogmatic and as Rae Armantrout - a much finer judge than I says in the book blurb - "If anyone tells you the lyric is dead, give them Peter Gizzi."
This the the opening verse of four of his poem "Revisionary" which is a definite highlight of the collection:
"I've decided to let my inner weather.
Even in the nerves flashing, some things
are only shadow.
What's up with that?
My muse bruises me.
Some days I sit hours to be relieved
by a word.
Today's word is invisible."
A worthy successor to John Berryman and John Ashbery
127Carmenere
>1 PaulCranswick: Wow! I know this area well! That is Punta Cancun or the top of the 7 shape of the island of Cancun. Brings back many memories!
Happy anniversary month to you and Hanni!
Happy anniversary month to you and Hanni!
128PaulCranswick
>126 amanda4242: I will go and have a look, Amanda
>127 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda. It looks like a great place to know!
>127 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda. It looks like a great place to know!
129vancouverdeb
>114 PaulCranswick: Sounds lovely, Paul, Logan smitten with Belle and the centre of his universe. Those early years of good relationships, and perhaps many more.
130PaulCranswick
>129 vancouverdeb: It brings back happy memories for me and for Hani too, I am sure. We sent them to the airport this morning and the house is devoid of a little of its positivity.
131PaulCranswick
BOOK #40
Returning by Edna O'Brien
Date of Publication : 1982
Origin of Author : Ireland
Gender of Author : Female
Genre : Short Stories
Pages : 158 pp
Nobody scours the fractured lives of small town Ireland quite like Edna O'Brien. Almost always from a feminine perspective of course but she writes characters and understands people and their petty jealousies and meanness and thwarted hopes like nobody else before or since.
Returning by Edna O'Brien
Date of Publication : 1982
Origin of Author : Ireland
Gender of Author : Female
Genre : Short Stories
Pages : 158 pp
Nobody scours the fractured lives of small town Ireland quite like Edna O'Brien. Almost always from a feminine perspective of course but she writes characters and understands people and their petty jealousies and meanness and thwarted hopes like nobody else before or since.
132PaulCranswick
BOOK #41
Under the Skin by Michel Faber
Date of Publication : 2000
Origin of Author : UK (Dutch born)
Gender of Author : Male
Genre : SF/Fantasy
Challenges : 1001 Books
Pages : 296 pp
A compelling but disturbing read that starts off with a woman preying upon hitchhikers and morphs to something far more stretching horizons and convoluted.
As a first novel this is impressive and the spare, correct phrasing of Faber is something I have often observed in those who make English their first language from nurture rather than nature.
Under the Skin by Michel Faber
Date of Publication : 2000
Origin of Author : UK (Dutch born)
Gender of Author : Male
Genre : SF/Fantasy
Challenges : 1001 Books
Pages : 296 pp
A compelling but disturbing read that starts off with a woman preying upon hitchhikers and morphs to something far more stretching horizons and convoluted.
As a first novel this is impressive and the spare, correct phrasing of Faber is something I have often observed in those who make English their first language from nurture rather than nature.
133PaulCranswick
The Roads Less Travelled thread for April is up and we are looking at the Hispanic contribution to North American literature.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/383269
https://www.librarything.com/topic/383269
134booksaplenty1949
1834 in the 200 Year Challenge bites the dust with Lorenzaccio.
135PaulCranswick
BOOK #42
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
Date of Publication: 2019
Origin of Author: Mexico
Gender of Author: Female
Genre: Fiction
Challenges: Roads Less Travelled
Awards: Dublin IMPAC Award, Folio Prize
Much lauded and garlanded novel by Ms. Luiselli, her first in English.
More accessible than her Story of My Teeth this novel does still meander a little but to more purpose - it is experimental too but not getting in the way of telling the story.
The road story with a twist and a very rightly admired novel by an accomplished and prescient author.
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
Date of Publication: 2019
Origin of Author: Mexico
Gender of Author: Female
Genre: Fiction
Challenges: Roads Less Travelled
Awards: Dublin IMPAC Award, Folio Prize
Much lauded and garlanded novel by Ms. Luiselli, her first in English.
More accessible than her Story of My Teeth this novel does still meander a little but to more purpose - it is experimental too but not getting in the way of telling the story.
The road story with a twist and a very rightly admired novel by an accomplished and prescient author.
136PaulCranswick
>134 booksaplenty1949: I am falling behind. Let me go and see if I can track down a copy of that book!
137booksaplenty1949
>136 PaulCranswick: Hamlet through a Byronic lens.
138PaulCranswick
BOOK #43
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
Date of Publication : 1919
Origin of Author: US
Gender of Author: Male
Genre : Short Stories
Challenges : 1001 Books / 26 Short Stories
Pages : 247pp
This interconnected vignettes of small town provincial life in Ohio are Anderson's most famous work and displayed a style very influential on later giants - especially William Faulkner.
Spare writing but effecting at the same time could be a tad maudlin in detailing the petty dissatisfactions of small town America and the longing for something beyond its restrictions.
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
Date of Publication : 1919
Origin of Author: US
Gender of Author: Male
Genre : Short Stories
Challenges : 1001 Books / 26 Short Stories
Pages : 247pp
This interconnected vignettes of small town provincial life in Ohio are Anderson's most famous work and displayed a style very influential on later giants - especially William Faulkner.
Spare writing but effecting at the same time could be a tad maudlin in detailing the petty dissatisfactions of small town America and the longing for something beyond its restrictions.
139Whisper1
>15 PaulCranswick: What a lovely image of you and Hanni. Congratulations on 30 years of marriage!
140PaulCranswick
>137 booksaplenty1949: Hahaha, I am assuming that to be a good thing?!
141PaulCranswick
>139 Whisper1: Thank you dear Linda. I can sometimes barely believe it to be honest. It seems to have passed in an instant. We have had some ups and downs as couples often will but we have successfully stared down the tougher moments and can hopefully enjoy our Autumnal days with less time apart from each other.
142booksaplenty1949
>140 PaulCranswick: I am enjoying a deep dive into French Romanticism, having recently read, besides this play by Musset, The Three Musketeers and Notre-Dame de Paris, and currently 35 hours into a 46 hour audiobook of The Count of Monte Cristo.
143ocgreg34
>8 PaulCranswick: I finished a book this afternoon that fits the non-fiction category (I tend to not read much non-fiction…): The Last Season by Eric Blehm. It dives into the story of Randy Morgenson, a backcountry ranger for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California. During his 29th summer as a backcountry ranger, he leaves for a normal patrol and disappears. The book examines his life leading up to the disappearance and mixes it with the search-and-rescue operation from the National Parks Service. A vefry fascinating look at what drives many humans toward nature, gives some history of the National Parks System in the U.S., and has an engrossing mystery surrounding the missing ranger.
Not sure if that’s to your readings tastes, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Not sure if that’s to your readings tastes, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
144PaulCranswick
I cannot find a version of the Musset and may read Catherine Gore's Silver Spooner - The Hamiltons which I am able to get on Open Library.
145PaulCranswick
>143 ocgreg34: That does look interesting, Greg. I will keep my eyes skimmed for that one.
146PaulCranswick
BOOK #44
Vertigo & Ghost by Fiona Benson
Date of Publication : 2019
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author: Female
Genre : Poetry
Awards: Forward Prize Winner
Pages : 90pp
Very accomplished sophomore collection from this Devon based poet. A voice of clarity and technical skill - she acknowledges the influence of both Julia Copus and Rachael Allen in her notes and I can see traces of both these excellent poets in her work.
This is the opening of her poem "Ace of Base"
That was the summer
hormones poured into me
like an incredible chemical cocktail
into a tall iced glass, my teenage heart
a glossy, maraschino cherry
bobbing on top as that rainbow
shimmered through me, lighting me up
like a fish, and I was drunk,
obsessed, desperate to be touched,
colour streaming from my iridescent body.
The collection is split between the first half which is a visceral sequence of poems re-imagining Zeus as a serial abuser of women and a much more contemplative and personal second half.
Recommended.
Vertigo & Ghost by Fiona Benson
Date of Publication : 2019
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author: Female
Genre : Poetry
Awards: Forward Prize Winner
Pages : 90pp
Very accomplished sophomore collection from this Devon based poet. A voice of clarity and technical skill - she acknowledges the influence of both Julia Copus and Rachael Allen in her notes and I can see traces of both these excellent poets in her work.
This is the opening of her poem "Ace of Base"
That was the summer
hormones poured into me
like an incredible chemical cocktail
into a tall iced glass, my teenage heart
a glossy, maraschino cherry
bobbing on top as that rainbow
shimmered through me, lighting me up
like a fish, and I was drunk,
obsessed, desperate to be touched,
colour streaming from my iridescent body.
The collection is split between the first half which is a visceral sequence of poems re-imagining Zeus as a serial abuser of women and a much more contemplative and personal second half.
Recommended.
147PaulCranswick
BOOK #45
Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin
Date of Publication: 1833
Origin of Author: Russia
Gender of Author: Male
Genre : Poetry (Novel in verse)
Challenges : 1001 Books
Pages : 273pp
Who would have thought that a novel in verse (Russian verse some more) written almost 200 years ago would be quite so entertaining. 389 14-line verses or 5,446 lines (389 Pushkin sonnets) fly by once you attune to his rhythm.
A novel who hero is not heroic and undeserving of our admiration or affection but strangely achieves to claim our sympathies on occasion. A novel in which the feckless and world-weary Eugene is juxtaposed with the idealist Lensky. A novel in which love is offered but forsaken and then accepted but rejected.
A great feat of penmanship (especially in Russian, I am told) and deservedly still easily found in print.
Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin
Date of Publication: 1833
Origin of Author: Russia
Gender of Author: Male
Genre : Poetry (Novel in verse)
Challenges : 1001 Books
Pages : 273pp
Who would have thought that a novel in verse (Russian verse some more) written almost 200 years ago would be quite so entertaining. 389 14-line verses or 5,446 lines (389 Pushkin sonnets) fly by once you attune to his rhythm.
A novel who hero is not heroic and undeserving of our admiration or affection but strangely achieves to claim our sympathies on occasion. A novel in which the feckless and world-weary Eugene is juxtaposed with the idealist Lensky. A novel in which love is offered but forsaken and then accepted but rejected.
A great feat of penmanship (especially in Russian, I am told) and deservedly still easily found in print.
148booksaplenty1949
>147 PaulCranswick: Who was the translator?
149PaulCranswick
>148 booksaplenty1949: I was reading the Alma Classics version featured in my reviewed. It was translated by Roger Clarke.
He isn't tied to trying too hard to the complex rhyming structure and concentrates on making the narrative sing. I liked it.
He isn't tied to trying too hard to the complex rhyming structure and concentrates on making the narrative sing. I liked it.
150booksaplenty1949
>149 PaulCranswick: I agree that a rhyming translation seems crucial to the spirit of the work. But now that I have read such a translation I would be interested in looking at Nabokov’s prose translation, which enables him to dig deeper into Pushkin’s literary craft.
151PaulCranswick
>150 booksaplenty1949: I'm sure that Nabokov would have made a spectacular job of translating it.
This topic was continued by Paul C's Roads Less Travelled in 2026 - 8.
