October & November books I've read
As so often happens I'm using these days between Christmas & New Year to look backa t the last year and think about the next year and also realise that I am very nearly 3 months behind on my "books I've read" posts. So before we reach the end of December here are October & Novembers books.
I completely abandoned on other culture reviews - plays, musicals, exhibitions and concerts - but I have been keeping note so I'll try and write some things down about those later and in the meantime. Books.
October reviews
Mr Norris Changes Trains - Christopher Isherwood I thought I should finally read some Isherwood after seeing so many adaptations. This is such a fascinating story because the main character is simultaneously completely aware that Mr Norris is not quite what he seems but so very willing to be charmed, to the extent he is almost deliberately closing his eyes really. It's also interesting to see such a character driven piece set in Berlin in the 30s with the politics both there and not there. I also have Goodbye to Berlin further down my to read pile.
Falling in Love - Donna Leon Not one of her best novels but it was nice to catch up with Flavia Petrelli again (I think I can officially claim her as bisexual heroine too now <3) I always love sinking into Brunetti's Venice anyway, no matter what the plot.
Falling London - Paul Cornell I finally read some Paul Cornell, I had to get there eventually. It was certainly intriguing but a little bit of me just kept half expecting bits of the Rivers of London 'verse to slip in and I think on balance I prefer that version. However I am interested enough to keep reading I think because London + magic is always a thing I enjoy.
Three Japanese Short Stories - Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Kafū Nagai, Koji Uno The first two stories really look at men who don't quite know where to fit into Japanese society. The first is more atmospheric and the second more pitiable but the third story is about the national stories we tell ourselves and I think that's the one that will stick with me.
Four Russian Short Stories - Gaito Gazdanov, Galina Kuznetsova, Nina Berberova, Yury Felsen The first two short stories in this book are scenes, very effecting scenes but not really stories in their own right. The second two were more what I was expecting though. I think my favourite was Gaito Gazdanov's Requiem just because it was so atmospheric.
The Element in the Room - Helen Arney & Steve Mould This was a lot of fun, some of it was very recognisable from Festival of the Spoken Nerd shows but some was new and I loved the illustrations and footnotes.
A Time to Keep Silence - Patrick Leigh Fermor I do love Patrick Leigh Fermor's writing and this short book is about his visits to different monasteries. I liked how honest he was about his expectations and initial impressions as well as how his views (and he himself) changed during the visits.
All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr This was lent to me by a member of our choir and I see why she wanted to share it. It's set during WW2 and focuses on a blind girl and a boy who has been more or less forced into the Nazi Youth and then army and I read a review that called it haunting which I think is exactly right.
November reviews
The Lark - Edith Nesbit This is a lovely book - reckless guardians and resourceful schoolgirls trying to be grown ups. It's one of those books where if you think about it too hard you realise how close to real disaster the characters were but instead it's charming and you know it's going to end well.
Exit West - Mohsin Hamid This was one of the books I picked up after asking for recs of migrant stories and it's a fascinating one - it's science fiction really because it's about doors that suddenly appear taking people across boundaries and oceans but it's also just a story about two people in a terrible situation finding out about each other and themselves as they move between countries and cultures. It didn't go quite where I expected it to but I really liked it.
The Cyberiad - Stanisław Lem I loved these stories so much, I don't know why I've never read them before! They're a little like Arabian Nights only set in a universe of cybernetics and robotics. They're funny and ridiculous but with a thread of social commentary running right through the heart. I'll be keeping it close to reread soon I think.
Poems of Günter Grass - Günter Grass I loved The Tin Drum and I didn't know he wrote poetry so this seemed like an interesting book to try. I don't think his poetry is going to stick with me generally, it's good and interesting but didn't quite click with me. That said there are a few that really struck me.
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I completely abandoned on other culture reviews - plays, musicals, exhibitions and concerts - but I have been keeping note so I'll try and write some things down about those later and in the meantime. Books.
- Mr Norris Changes Trains - Christopher Isherwood
- Falling in Love - Donna Leon
- Falling London - Paul Cornell
- Three Japanses Short Stories - Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Kafū Nagai, Koji Uno
- Four Russian Short Stories - Gaito Gazdanov, Galina Kuznetsova, Nina Berberova, Yury Felsen
- The Element in the Room - Helen Arney & Steve Mould
- A Time to Keep Silence - Patrick Leigh Fermor
- All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr
- The Lark - Edith Nesbit
- Exit West - Mohsin Hamid
- The Cyberiad - Stanisław Lem
- Poems of Günter Grass - Günter Grass
October reviews
Mr Norris Changes Trains - Christopher Isherwood I thought I should finally read some Isherwood after seeing so many adaptations. This is such a fascinating story because the main character is simultaneously completely aware that Mr Norris is not quite what he seems but so very willing to be charmed, to the extent he is almost deliberately closing his eyes really. It's also interesting to see such a character driven piece set in Berlin in the 30s with the politics both there and not there. I also have Goodbye to Berlin further down my to read pile.
Falling in Love - Donna Leon Not one of her best novels but it was nice to catch up with Flavia Petrelli again (I think I can officially claim her as bisexual heroine too now <3) I always love sinking into Brunetti's Venice anyway, no matter what the plot.
Falling London - Paul Cornell I finally read some Paul Cornell, I had to get there eventually. It was certainly intriguing but a little bit of me just kept half expecting bits of the Rivers of London 'verse to slip in and I think on balance I prefer that version. However I am interested enough to keep reading I think because London + magic is always a thing I enjoy.
Three Japanese Short Stories - Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Kafū Nagai, Koji Uno The first two stories really look at men who don't quite know where to fit into Japanese society. The first is more atmospheric and the second more pitiable but the third story is about the national stories we tell ourselves and I think that's the one that will stick with me.
Four Russian Short Stories - Gaito Gazdanov, Galina Kuznetsova, Nina Berberova, Yury Felsen The first two short stories in this book are scenes, very effecting scenes but not really stories in their own right. The second two were more what I was expecting though. I think my favourite was Gaito Gazdanov's Requiem just because it was so atmospheric.
The Element in the Room - Helen Arney & Steve Mould This was a lot of fun, some of it was very recognisable from Festival of the Spoken Nerd shows but some was new and I loved the illustrations and footnotes.
A Time to Keep Silence - Patrick Leigh Fermor I do love Patrick Leigh Fermor's writing and this short book is about his visits to different monasteries. I liked how honest he was about his expectations and initial impressions as well as how his views (and he himself) changed during the visits.
All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr This was lent to me by a member of our choir and I see why she wanted to share it. It's set during WW2 and focuses on a blind girl and a boy who has been more or less forced into the Nazi Youth and then army and I read a review that called it haunting which I think is exactly right.
November reviews
The Lark - Edith Nesbit This is a lovely book - reckless guardians and resourceful schoolgirls trying to be grown ups. It's one of those books where if you think about it too hard you realise how close to real disaster the characters were but instead it's charming and you know it's going to end well.
Exit West - Mohsin Hamid This was one of the books I picked up after asking for recs of migrant stories and it's a fascinating one - it's science fiction really because it's about doors that suddenly appear taking people across boundaries and oceans but it's also just a story about two people in a terrible situation finding out about each other and themselves as they move between countries and cultures. It didn't go quite where I expected it to but I really liked it.
The Cyberiad - Stanisław Lem I loved these stories so much, I don't know why I've never read them before! They're a little like Arabian Nights only set in a universe of cybernetics and robotics. They're funny and ridiculous but with a thread of social commentary running right through the heart. I'll be keeping it close to reread soon I think.
Poems of Günter Grass - Günter Grass I loved The Tin Drum and I didn't know he wrote poetry so this seemed like an interesting book to try. I don't think his poetry is going to stick with me generally, it's good and interesting but didn't quite click with me. That said there are a few that really struck me.
This quiet,
that is , the traffic some way off, its teeth stuck into itself,
pleases me,
and this lamb cutlet,
though cold by now and greasy,
tastes good,
life,
I mean the period from yesterday to Monday morning,
is fun again:
I laugh at the dish of parsnips,
our guinea pig pinkly reminds me,
cheerfulness threatens to flood my table,
and an idea,
an idea of sorts,
rises without yeast:
and I'm happy
because it is wrong and beautiful.
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