Art, compiled by Shaun Usher. Pub 2020 I chose this book in order to satisfy the languishing category of "art" for this year's list. This little book of letters was delightful but very light. I think perhaps that artists - especially painters and sculptors - are not especially good writers. The best letters here are... Continue Reading →
The Bone Clocks, by David Mitchell. Book report #34 (2023)
The Bone Clocks, by David Mitchell. Pub 2014 I've been meaning to return to David Mitchell after enjoying Slade House a few years ago. I chose this one as it's related to that other book in a prequel kind of way, and also because it helps to satisfy a tricky book club category (a book with a... Continue Reading →
Something to Do with Paying Attention, by David Foster Wallace. Book report #33 (2023)
Something to Do with Paying Attention, by David Foster Wallace. Pub 2022 This novella was only recently published on its own. It was originally a part of the last novel of David Foster Wallace, The Pale King. I have not attempted any Wallace fiction in any significant way before (I have previously read and enjoyed the... Continue Reading →
The Wayfinders, by Wade Davis. Book report #31 (2023)
The Wayfinders, by Wade Davis. Pub 2009 I've had this book for many years, likely not long after it was published. I recall reading a few previous books in the series - especially Payback (Margaret Atwood) and A Short History of Progress (Ronald Wright) - and purchasing this one when it came out. After starting it, I think I... Continue Reading →
Pandexicon, by Wayne Grady. Book report #31 (2023)
Pandexicon, by Wayne Grady. Pub 2023 I don't recall where I first heard of this book, but I know it was in the last month or so, likely on a podcast of some kind. Needing a book to fill the language category, this seemed like a timely fit, and promised (according to the cover) to... Continue Reading →
All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days, by Rebecca Donner. Book report #30 (2023)
All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days, by Rebecca Donner. Pub 2021 I can't remember when or where I first heard of this book, but it would have been last fall sometime, as I bought a copy for myself and sent a copy to a friend. Rebecca Donner is the great-great-niece of Mildred Harnack, an... Continue Reading →
Transcription, by Kate Atkinson. Book report #29 (2023)
Transcription, by Kate Atkinson. Pub 2018 I have a few Kate Atkinson's on my shelf. I've "read" (on Audible) a few other books of hers, and especially enjoyed Life After Life. She is also a mystery writer, with the Jackson Brodie series (also quite good). I wanted to try her in print so see if she's... Continue Reading →
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Book report #28 (2023)
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, rendered into English verse by Edward Fitzgerald. Originally published in 1859 (1st ed.), my copy from 1960. My current favourite podcast is Backlisted, and I may shortly breakdown and get a paid subscription just so I can get some of my favourite features, including a list of all books mentioned on the... Continue Reading →
Washington Black, by Edi Edugyan. Book report #27 (2023)
Washington Black, by Edi Edugyan. Pub 2018. I've had this one on my shelves for a while now, and recall starting it at least once but getting distracted from it as it seemed to be going in a very bleak direction. But a few months ago, another reader friend mentioned having finished and enjoyed it,... Continue Reading →
The End of Men, by Christina Sweeney-Baird. Book report #26 (2023)
The End of Men, by Christina Sweeney-Baird. Pub 2021 This was an impulse bargain buy at the local bookshop. It looked like a companion piece to The Power, with a different premise but same subject matter: what would the world look like if men were no longer in charge. A key difference: this book was much... Continue Reading →
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