What are you currently reading, how do you feel about it, and what's next on the list? Part 2

I've never taken to Zadie Smith. Feel bad for saying so becuase I feel like she's a writer I 'should' like but I've read 3 of her books and all left me cold.

DD had to read Animal Farm for English at school and I enjoyed re-reading it when she finished.

Recently finished NW by Zadie Smith. Was first novel written by her that I’ve read and I’m not fully sure if I’d read anymore.

Currently reading Animal Farm, was one of those classics I never read as a child, and it’s set pretty near me so an extra reason to tick it off.

Finally finished 100 Years of Solitude which I enjoyed for the most part. However I had to constantly refer to the family tree, which was thankfully printed at the beginning of the book, in order to keep track of what was going on. Multiple characters from different generations had almost identical names and I struggled to remember how different people were related to each other😵‍💫

Moving on to Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Stroud now.

In keeping with seasonal reading 'The September House' by Carissa Orlando about a house which is haunted every September. I enjoyed the main character's pragmatic approach and beliefs. It'll all be fine if you just follow the rules... (Reader, it was not fine.)

Also, 'The Make-Believe' by Hannah Murray, a memoir by an actor of some success who had a psychotic break/bi-polar episode while simultaneously joining a cult/scamming MLM organisation. Not convinced how much insight she has still about all this but it's an engaging read.

Up next is 'Withered Hill' by David Barnett, which I bought from The Haunted Bookshop in Bristol, a small independent struggling to keep going - consider supporting them if you can. They're online too.

Yes, books have very different seasons for me too. Jane Austen is most definitely Summer. Sharon Penman is Autumnal. Andrew Michael Hurley is Winter.

I read the Ministry of Time, was quite enjoying the story if not the writing (I'd read a non-fiction book years ago mostly about artic exploration called Barrow's Boys which was fascinating) when it took a sudden swerve and ended. I'm not one for throwing books against the wall, but if I was....

Currently reading Once A Monster by Robert Dinsdale. He's good at making monstrous characters sympathetic but I'm struggling through it because I fear it isn't going to end well. Also Little Women because I thought it was high time I did. It is a product of its time and I'm engaged enough to be happy to finish it. One of the Little Women's pregnancy (with twins) and subsequent childbirth being done and dusted with in one sentence was a surprise. Her trials and tribulations over jam making was dealt with much more exhaustively.

Really true about weather and books. For example, Dickens is a winter kind of author I feel. Reading him in summer just doesn’t work for me.

The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles had that feel, set in the N African desert. But, I would say it is very disturbing - I can't encourage someone else to read it!

Thanks for the recommendation, I haven't no - but I'll try to in the near future.

Have you tried the Goldfinch? Also a great read.

There are very few books that I re-read (on the basis that there are so many books I haven't read yet) but 'The Secret History' is on that short list. It stands up well every single time. And it has spawned so many pale imitations. Can't say I hold it against the authors who seek to emulate it in some way, who wouldn't love to create a book like that?

Been on holiday this week, so I have read
'Don't Forget We're Here Forever' by Lamorna Ash - supposedly 'a generation's search for religion'. Not really - more like 'one self-absorbed person's dabbling with some branches of Christianity'. It was okay, interesting in places.
'Bog People' - a working class folk horror anthology. As with most anthologies, some stronger than others, but some writers I'll definitely pursue.
'On the Calculation of Volume lll' by Solvej Balle - the third installment of this existential sort of sci-fi thing. It's hard to define, but it's well written. There's definitely a diminishing returns thing going on with the series but I'll probably be back for IV and V, or whatever number she's up to now, in due course.
'Courtiers' by Lucy Worsley - full of gossipy snippets on the Georgians, mostly George II. A relaxing read but you end up feeling a little improved, so win-win.
'Powers and Thrones' by Dan Jones. Also history light, this one covers the entire middle ages, all in 700 pages or so. I found it engaging and not too taxing.
'The Golden Rule' by Amanda Craig. I swear I've read something by Amanda Craig previously and quite enjoyed it, but that does not apply here. It was a sort of updated 'Strangers on a Train' but there was a large dose of poltics interwoven throughout, mostly in a hectoring tone. Even when it was politics I agreed with, I didn't really want to be beaten round the head with it. It came out a few years ago, I think, and was trying a bit hard to be a state-of-the-nation novel, but it already felt dated and like the politics spoiled what was a decent story. I found it off-putting, but maybe it's just not for me.

Yes, The Secret History is compelling. I didn't enjoy The Little Friend.

Did he write 'The Wake'? Basically writing 1066 as an apocalyptic novel, which it effectively was for many people. He integrated a lot of archaic and obsolete words to make his own approximation of language, so the whole thing felt quite alien. Stayed with me for a long time.

On a bit of a Dan Jones streak at the moment, just read Summer of Blood about the Peasants revolt in 1381. Very readable and very interesting to see how close the country came to anarchy.
Just bought Henry V by the same author which I think is going to be my next read. Definitely on a bit of a non fiction roll at the moment, probably need to start looking at some fiction again.

I'm reading a non-fiction book called Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth, which is about what the future holds and do we want it. When you describe it it sounds like a lot of conspiracy theories but it's extremely well researched and thoughtful.

We do we want continuous progress? Why are our culture and roots no longer thought to be important, why is history being ignored or rewritten? Is the individual more important than community and national identity? Is the ultimate purpose of humanity to replace human life completely by merging with AI?

Food for thought and not very reassuring

I'm rereading Blackout by Simon Scarrow as it's the book club pick for the month. Still enjoying it the second time around, which is always a good sign!

@BrandiedAromatics and @sociableintrovert123 - you've both just described exactly why I didn't like 'Piranesi'. I can't bear dreamlike. And woe betide anyone in real life who tries to tell me about their dream...

I read 'The Palm House' by Gwendoline Riley. It was inoffensive, but Booker long listed? What for?

About to embark on 'The Lost Folk' by Lally Macbeth, non fiction about folk customs.

@BrandiedAromatics I’m about a third of the way through Piranesi and it feels very dreamlike! I don’t have a clue what’s going on but I’m enjoying the journey anyway.

Just read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. It feels like being taken on a journey in a dream. If you can go along - it is a therapeutic meditation ....

I work with absences, with silences, with curious gaps between things.

currently reading The Age of Miracles which I saw recommended on MN but I'm unsure if it's meant to be a YA book or not. it's an interesting read regardless.
I'm meant to be reading Empire of the Dmaned but it's collosal so hefty to cart about on the bus etc.

Love Posy too! I often re read Mrs Webber’s Diary; these were the sort of adults I came across as a child.

I often quote it as well - especially: Did you know if you unscrew your tummy button your bottom falls off? Just ask my dc as I ask them what happens all too frequently

Posy Simmons is so brilliant. I too have all her books, all of which are sheer genius, it's not only the illustrations but the stories/themes are bang on as well.

France are much, much more into graphic novels than we are here in Britain, and she even won an award from them at a French graphic novel festival a few years ago.

When I ordered my copy of Gemma Bovary from our local bookshop the bookseller and I spent a good 10 minutes looking through it and chuckling