Don't know quite why, but 6 September seems to be a good day for publication of new books. Perhaps it is the firing of the starting pistol for the Autumn publishing season and the lead up to Christmas. Perhaps it's just an opportunity for people to pick up something new to cheer the spirits after the summer holidays are over.
In any case, of the list officially published today, I actually picked up my signed copy of 'Paris Echo' yesterday, and my signed copy of 'Transcription' is waiting for me at Waterstones. The Amazon locker has a paperback copy of 'Going on the turn' also awaiting collection (which feels like it has been a long wait - I read volume 2 four years ago).
Also in the locker is a copy of '21 lessons for the 21st century', which I am looking forward to after reading Sapiens.
As for my lunchtime stroll today, I did pretty well - Alan Bennett's 'Four Stories', and Stephen King's 'Revival', both in first edition for £1 each (I've got and read Revival already in paperback, but couldn't resist a pretty pristine first edition for £1), and one of the few missing Reacher paperbacks for 50p. Not bad.
In any case, probably shan't read anything this evening. Far more important things to do - off for a celebratory meal with the Andersons to mark the soon to be starting university adventures.
Thursday, 6 September 2018
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Teddy
It's been a week since I finished 'A God in Ruins' and I still find myself thinking a great deal about Teddy Todd and the rest of his family. Having been introduced to Kate Atkinson's books a couple of years ago, I've enjoyed them all, culminating with 'Life after Life' and 'A God in Ruins'. As it says on the cover, this book stands alone, and can be enjoyed without having read 'Life after Life' first, but I appreciated the benefit of feeling a certain familiarity and head start with the characters, of knowing about Hugh and Sylvie and Fox Corner, and about Ursula, Izzie and her creation, Augustus.
Where 'Life after Life' told us about Ursula's war, so 'A God in Ruins' tells us about Teddy's, and his experience of being a bomber pilot. But as well as his war, we get his family too. So, we have Nancy, the girl from next door to Fox Corner, but then the next generations as well, their daughter Viola, and her children Sunny and Bertie. And of course, because Kate Atkinson is so good at this sort of thing, as we get to see their lives unfold, we get to care deeply about all of them.
But most of all, as I was reading I got to caring about Teddy. The book is structured with his in-war story cut in amongst his post-war story, with both leading to their conclusion together. Having read 'Life after Life', I was prepared not to expect time to be a necessarily reliable, before leads to after experience. Plus, in the paperback copy I was reading, there were several reviews at the front of the book that referred to a 'twist' and even the front cover told me the book was 'heartbreaking'. So, I was approaching the end with some trepidation. However, even with the warnings, even with some guessing of what the twist was likely to be ("but surely not, surely, please!") it didn't stop it from being any less gut-wrenching when it finally came.
Excellent book by a great author. Looking forward to reading 'Transcription'.
Where 'Life after Life' told us about Ursula's war, so 'A God in Ruins' tells us about Teddy's, and his experience of being a bomber pilot. But as well as his war, we get his family too. So, we have Nancy, the girl from next door to Fox Corner, but then the next generations as well, their daughter Viola, and her children Sunny and Bertie. And of course, because Kate Atkinson is so good at this sort of thing, as we get to see their lives unfold, we get to care deeply about all of them.
But most of all, as I was reading I got to caring about Teddy. The book is structured with his in-war story cut in amongst his post-war story, with both leading to their conclusion together. Having read 'Life after Life', I was prepared not to expect time to be a necessarily reliable, before leads to after experience. Plus, in the paperback copy I was reading, there were several reviews at the front of the book that referred to a 'twist' and even the front cover told me the book was 'heartbreaking'. So, I was approaching the end with some trepidation. However, even with the warnings, even with some guessing of what the twist was likely to be ("but surely not, surely, please!") it didn't stop it from being any less gut-wrenching when it finally came.
Excellent book by a great author. Looking forward to reading 'Transcription'.
Friday, 11 May 2018
Books
Work trips, with a fair amount of time spent on planes (or waiting for them) can be a good time to catch up with some reading, and I loaded up the iPad with a selection before heading off a few weeks ago.
Highlights included 'A Possible Life' by Sebastian Faulks. I hadn't realised before starting it that it was actually five separate stories (with occasional links by place or object), each of them remarkable in their own right. I haven't read a book of his that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.
I also read a couple of books inspired by my parents' reading habits. The first was 'Surprised by Joy' by C.S.Lewis, and I have to be honest and say that I found it pretty hard going, which was disappointing. Perhaps I need to get on with The Screwtape Letters soon and hope for better luck there (or maybe just get stuck into Narnia). The second was 'Saint Peter's Fair', the 4th Cadfael book. As with the earlier ones, what's not to love about Brother Cadfael. Perhaps what I was failing to find in Lewis, I found in Cadfael's words, talking about death to his young apprentice.
If I may selectively quote:
"Child, it is with us always. Never let it shake your faith that there is a balance hereafter. What you see is only a broken piece from a perfect whole. It is our duty to preserve what we may, and fit together such fragments as we find, and take the rest on trust."
Highlights included 'A Possible Life' by Sebastian Faulks. I hadn't realised before starting it that it was actually five separate stories (with occasional links by place or object), each of them remarkable in their own right. I haven't read a book of his that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.
I also read a couple of books inspired by my parents' reading habits. The first was 'Surprised by Joy' by C.S.Lewis, and I have to be honest and say that I found it pretty hard going, which was disappointing. Perhaps I need to get on with The Screwtape Letters soon and hope for better luck there (or maybe just get stuck into Narnia). The second was 'Saint Peter's Fair', the 4th Cadfael book. As with the earlier ones, what's not to love about Brother Cadfael. Perhaps what I was failing to find in Lewis, I found in Cadfael's words, talking about death to his young apprentice.
If I may selectively quote:
"Child, it is with us always. Never let it shake your faith that there is a balance hereafter. What you see is only a broken piece from a perfect whole. It is our duty to preserve what we may, and fit together such fragments as we find, and take the rest on trust."
Thursday, 12 April 2018
I want my time with you
A busy start to the week, and early on Tuesday as I was arriving at St Pancras I noticed that there was a new artwork in the station, and it seemed to be a neon sign. I didn't get a chance to pay any more attention to it than that as I dashed off for my tube train.
However, on my way home I went for a closer look and this is what it said.
It turns out that it had only just arrived, and even featured on the news later that evening, including an interview with Tracy Emin about why she'd decided that those words were appropriate.
I know who I want my time with. In fact I've known for a very long time.
To seal the deal, there was even a busker in the station playing and singing at one of the pianos:
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I love you just the way you are.
However, on my way home I went for a closer look and this is what it said.
It turns out that it had only just arrived, and even featured on the news later that evening, including an interview with Tracy Emin about why she'd decided that those words were appropriate.
I know who I want my time with. In fact I've known for a very long time.
To seal the deal, there was even a busker in the station playing and singing at one of the pianos:
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I love you just the way you are.
Tuesday, 3 April 2018
Proofing
Getting quite good at proof-reading now. Although, probably getting to the stage where I wouldn't see mistakes for looking.
Monday, 2 April 2018
Attachment
A week or so ago, admitting that I was struggling a bit, Nicky and I talked about how talking about grief was much better than keeping things bottled up inside. And, of course, she's right. It's a lesson I've always struggled with, but particularly at the moment, not wanting to appear down to the rest of my family. However, there's no hiding some things.
Nicky bought me a book - 'It's OK that you're not OK' which I am getting in to. And the following piece under a heading of 'Attachment is Survival' seemed appropriate:
"Real safety is in entering each other's pain, recognising ourselves inside it. As one of my oldest teachers used to say, poignancy is kinship. It's evidence of connection. That we hurt for each other shows our relatedness. Our limbic systems, our hearts, and our bodies are made for this; we long for that connection.
That you see your own potential for grief and loss in someone else's grief? That's beautiful. Poignancy is kinship.
When emotion comes up, we can let that poignancy run through us. It hurts, but it hurts because we're related, because we're connected. It should hurt. There's nothing wrong with that. When we recognise pain and grief as a healthy response to loss, we can respond with skill and grace, rather than blame and bypass. We can respond by loving one another, no matter what happens."
Nicky bought me a book - 'It's OK that you're not OK' which I am getting in to. And the following piece under a heading of 'Attachment is Survival' seemed appropriate:
"Real safety is in entering each other's pain, recognising ourselves inside it. As one of my oldest teachers used to say, poignancy is kinship. It's evidence of connection. That we hurt for each other shows our relatedness. Our limbic systems, our hearts, and our bodies are made for this; we long for that connection.
That you see your own potential for grief and loss in someone else's grief? That's beautiful. Poignancy is kinship.
When emotion comes up, we can let that poignancy run through us. It hurts, but it hurts because we're related, because we're connected. It should hurt. There's nothing wrong with that. When we recognise pain and grief as a healthy response to loss, we can respond with skill and grace, rather than blame and bypass. We can respond by loving one another, no matter what happens."
Sunday, 1 April 2018
Easter
I could start off with talk of a new plan as we go into a new month / quarter about getting into a new blogging habit, but that is dangerous talk, and my recent track record has not been good.
In any case, it has bee great to have a few days off. A brief moment of calm amongst some pretty busy times at work. We've been doing very little so far with the long weekend, partly to recharge those batteries, partly because the weather hasn't been great, and partly because we've been at home with the littler dog who is still recovering from her 'little operation'. Still, I think we are going to try harder and actually go out somewhere tomorrow.
Having said that, we did manage an evening out yesterday. We went with Jen and Jon to the new restaurant in Maidstone (formerly the White Rabbit, now Miller & Carter steakhouse). Food was excellent, service from Frank was middling, and a fine time was had by all. I'm sure we'll be back - can't go to a good steak restaurant and not end up taking Jake.
Jake and Izzy have been on the south coast (Bracklesham Bay) with the Crans yesterday and today - I think Izzy's longest drive so far in her Mini. The rest of the family are staying for the week, by they are on their way back now. Jake is off to a basketball game tomorrow, and they are both in school a fair bit this week for revision sessions.
At church this morning it was Nathan's last service with us before he goes to his new post in Rainham. Again his sermon seemed apt. Previously he'd spoken about 'taking up your cross' (maybe more about that another time). Today he was talking about Easter Saturday and how it represents that period of darkness after after loss. It might be tough, but better times are coming.
In any case, it has bee great to have a few days off. A brief moment of calm amongst some pretty busy times at work. We've been doing very little so far with the long weekend, partly to recharge those batteries, partly because the weather hasn't been great, and partly because we've been at home with the littler dog who is still recovering from her 'little operation'. Still, I think we are going to try harder and actually go out somewhere tomorrow.
Having said that, we did manage an evening out yesterday. We went with Jen and Jon to the new restaurant in Maidstone (formerly the White Rabbit, now Miller & Carter steakhouse). Food was excellent, service from Frank was middling, and a fine time was had by all. I'm sure we'll be back - can't go to a good steak restaurant and not end up taking Jake.
Jake and Izzy have been on the south coast (Bracklesham Bay) with the Crans yesterday and today - I think Izzy's longest drive so far in her Mini. The rest of the family are staying for the week, by they are on their way back now. Jake is off to a basketball game tomorrow, and they are both in school a fair bit this week for revision sessions.
At church this morning it was Nathan's last service with us before he goes to his new post in Rainham. Again his sermon seemed apt. Previously he'd spoken about 'taking up your cross' (maybe more about that another time). Today he was talking about Easter Saturday and how it represents that period of darkness after after loss. It might be tough, but better times are coming.
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