Caroline's 2022 Book Bolt Hole (pt 1)

Welcome to my 2022 Thread. I'm Caroline and I live in London, UK. I'm now enjoying my '3rd age' as they say here, though not yet retired unfortunately. I enjoy engaging in book and cultural related chat on my thread, and keep a tally of my reading.

Plump a cushion and take a seat...

READING 2022


By Vita Schagen

Fiction
A month in the Country (JL Carr) (*) (02/01/22) *****
The Remains of the Day (Kazuo Ishiguro) (*) (10/01/22) *****
Shuggie Bain (Douglas Stuart) (17/01/22) ****1/2
Unsettled Ground (Claire Fuller) (22/01/22) ****
Once There Were Wolves (Charlotte McConaghy) (29/01/22) ****
Agent Running in the Field (John le Carré) (01/02/22) ****
Foster (Claire Keegan) (02/02/22) ****
The Gardener (Salley Vickers) (06/02/22) ***1/2
Lincoln's Dream (Connie Willis) (13/02/22) ***1/2
Love and Saffron (Kim Fay) 14/02/22) ****

Non-Fiction
How Poetry Can Change Your Heart (Andrea Gibson/Megan Falley) (03/02/22) ****
Jews Don't Count (David Baddiel) (07/02/22) *****

GN N/NF

Here (Richard McGuire) (GN/NF) (AAC) (09/01/22) ****

Poetry
Call Us What We Carry (Amanda Gorman) (Poetry) (14/01/22) *****
You Better be Lightning (Andrea Gibson) (28/01/22) *****
In the Lateness of the World (Carolyn Forché) (08/02/22) ****

(*)= reread

Total Read= 15

Fiction: 10
Non-Fiction: 2
Poetry: 3
Rereads: 2
GN/NF (not counted in total): 1
Female: 7
Male: 6
Non-binary/other: 1

UK: 7
US: 7
Australia: 1

Favourite reads from 2021:


Just a few of the covers

So, so hard this year, I have had a lot of really good 4.5* reads as well as 5* ones. So far I have read 91 books (53 fiction/30 non-fiction + poetry and rereads; 60 Female/25 Male writers, + a few various or both). Unusually for me the majority have been by women and fiction (normally I am about 50/50 on both). Though my ‘best of…’ is a little more even. 7 volumes of poetry. This list doesn’t include all the 4.5* reads.

–

Fiction

Winter Flowers (Angélique Villeneuve) *****
Bewilderment (Richard Powers) *****
The Vanishing Half (Brit Bennett) *****


The Signature of All Things (Elizabeth Gilbert) ****1/2
Still Life (Sarah Winman) ****1/2
Migrations (Charlotte McConaghy) ****1/2
The Maiden Dinosaur (Janet McNeill) ****1/2
You will be Safe Here (Damian Barr) ****

Non-Fiction

Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and its urgent lesson for today (Eddie S Glaude jnr) *****
Four Thousand Weeks: Time and How to Use it (Oliver Burkman) *****
The Writer’s Library (eds Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager) *****
On Freedom: Four Songs of Care and Constraint (Maggie Nelson) - I’m a quarter through this and know it will be a 5*


On Seamus Heaney (RF Forster) ****1/2
How to Live. What to do: in Search of Ourselves in Life and Literature (Josh Cohen) ****1/2
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear (Elizabeth Gilbert) ****1/2
Things I have Withheld (Essays) (Kei Miller) ****1/2
No 91/92: notes on a Parisian Commute (Lauren Elkin) ****1/2


Poetry

The Seven Ages (Loise Gluck) ****1/2

Rereads

The Great Gatsby (F Scott Fitzgerald)

My full 2021 reading is here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/336612#7649928

I will be continuing a shared read with Paul and Stasia, and anyone else who wants to participate in the 20 classics by people of colour, chosen by people of colour. We aim to do 1 a month. Thread:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/337035

I also dip into the American Author Challenge (AAC):

https://www.librarything.com/topic/337915#

The British Author Challenge:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/337720

and this year will also participate in the Asian Book Challenge:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/337731

By Winslow Homer

Happy new year! I hope 2022 is a great reading year for you.

Dropping in to place a star and follow your reading for another year.
Hope 2022 improves on 2021. That shouldn't be too much to hope for, is it.

>7 drneutron: Thanks Jim. Reading so rarely disappoints.

>8 Helenliz: Keeping everything crossed Helen. At least we have books that can take us elsewhere, when where we are is ... complicated/frustrating/restrictive and sometimes sad.

Dropping a star, Caroline, and hoping I do a better job of keeping up with the thread in 2022. Two of your favorite reads from this year will also make my list - Winter Flowers and Still Life.

>10 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie, they were both fine reads, my copies both on loan right now, and will hopefully please friends in the new year.

Off to check out your new thread.

Happy New Year and happy new thread!

I’m very impressed with your reading stats from 2021 and hope to do as well as you when it comes to reading poetry next year.

>5 Caroline_McElwee:, >2 Caroline_McElwee: Lovely artworks, Caro.

>1 Caroline_McElwee: That recamier is a beaut!

Happy 2022's reads.

>1 Caroline_McElwee: Such a lovely image. Happy reading in 2022, Caroline!

>12 PawsforThought: I'm hoping to improve on my poetry next year Paws. I'm working through three volumes at the moment, but unlikely to finish another this year.

>13 richardderus: Thanks RD, good to see you peak around the door. I've long loved the Homer painting.

>14 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks Linda. I won't be disappointed if I have as many fine reads as this year.

Dropping my star on your thread, Caroline, along with an early Happy New Year wish.

>16 kidzdoc: Lovely to see you peep around the door Darryl.

I'll be here! Looking forward to what you get up to in the new year.

>18 ursula: Thanks Ursula. I will look forward to keeping up with your thread too.

This group always helps me to read; welcome back, Caroline. I hope that this year we finally get that poetry shopping spree done.

>20 PaulCranswick: Wouldn't that spree be great Paul.

>21 Caroline_McElwee: I am confident that by hook or by crook I will get back in 2022 and we will have our day!

Happy reading in 2022!

>22 PaulCranswick: Crossing everything Paul.

>23 banjo123: And to you Rhonda.

Happy New Thread, Caroline! Happy New Year! I love the toppers. I also love seeing both Still Life & Migrations on your Best of List. Yah!

Happy New Year Caroline!

ed!!

I am pleased to see you rated both Bewilderment (Richard Powers) and The Vanishing Half (Brit Bennett) as five star reads, as they are high on my list for 2022 reads.

>25 msf59: >26 SandDune: And to you Mark and Rhian.

>27 Berly: I am sure you will enjoy both Kim.

Happy reading in 2022, Caroline!

Have a great reading year!

>30 thornton37814: Thanks Lori, you too.

Happy New Year, Caroline! I've pulled up a seat - always enjoy your thread.

Happy New Year and happy first thread of 2022, Caroline!

>5 Caroline_McElwee: I love that painting by Winslow Homer. The only one of his I can think of offhand is Crack the Whip. Now I want to learn more about him and his paintings.

Happy new thread and new year, Caroline. I love the toppers and book images.

Thanks Shelley. And to you.

Happy new year, Caroline. I love the topper art.

>37 charl08: And to you Charlotte.

>38 Berly: Thanks Kim.

Happy New Year, Caroline. Your thread is always so pretty. I love the Homer and the Schagen.

Great list of best reads for last year.

Happy New Year, Caroline!

I look forward to chatting up new (and old) books with you in ‘22. Thanks for helping end my ‘21 on a good one, Still Life.

Happy 2022, Caroline!

Great to see you best of reads for 2021 >3 Caroline_McElwee:. Wishing you wonderful reading for 2022 Caroline. I'll be following your threads!

>3 Caroline_McElwee: Great list, Caroline! Thanks for sharing it.

Happy New Year!

>42 ffortsa: >43 mdoris: >44 alcottacre: Thanks Judy, Mary and Stasia. It was definitely a good reading year.

First film at the cinema this year:



Went to see 'The Electrical Life of Louis Wain', although I was familiar with the cat pictures, I knew nothing about the illustrator, played deftly by Benedict Cumberbatch. Quite melancholy.

****

I also watched Maggie Gyllenhaal's first full length film as a director: 'The Lost Daughter' which was a promising psychological offering when a woman on holiday's life crosses that of a large family, whose daughter's struggles with her own child mirror her own. Fine performance from Olivia Colman.

Cushion plumped.

Seat taken.

Star deposited.

Happy New Year, Caroline! I LOVE that painting in >2 Caroline_McElwee:, by the way.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: Cumberbatch is an excellent actor. We watched quite a dark film he was in on Netflix the other night - The Power of the Dog. He was excellent in it - very unsettling.

>47 EBT1002: It's great isn't it Ellen. Glad you have found your cushion.

>48 AlisonY: That is on my list to watch next week Alison. I don't think I've seen a dud from him. I saw 'The Courier' a couple of months ago, also excellent. I think there is another due soon. Not sure if I'll see the Marvel one though, not really my thing.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: I watched this one on Amazon prime recently, Caroline. I thought it was very good. Dropping a star so that I can follow along.

Caroline, I like the writings of James Baldwin. I haven't read Begin Again. Thanks to your listing it as one of your 2021 favorites, it is now on the TBR list for this year.

Happy New Year with lots of time for reading.

>50 NanaCC: Such an extraordinary man Colleen. Good to see you about.

>51 Whisper1: It's a fine book Linda, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Happy new year!

I see that migrations was one of your favourite reads last year. I have that one on my living room side table. I shall read it soon.

>53 figsfromthistle: Hi Figs, I am sure you will like it. I am looking forward to her new one landing near the end of the month. It too is getting plenty of LT love.

1. A Month in the Country (J L Carr) (reread) (02/01/22) *****


(one of three editions owned)

Probably the fifth reread of this exquisite little novel about two returned soldiers from WWI who turn up in Oxgodby to uncover different lost things, and who find respite in the quiet village, and the care of the humble villagers.

I sink into the tone every time.

The film with the young Colin Firth and Kenneth Branagh honours the novel perfectly.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: Well if 5 stars don't persuade me I don't know what will - must get to this one soon.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: I just discovered it's been 14 years since I read that one...unbelieveable! Time for a reread, if only I could think where my copy might be.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: I do love the cover, although I think that the subtleties of this one passed me by. Glad it brings you joy though:-)

>55 Caroline_McElwee: I loved this one, too, Caroline. I'm thinking a reread would be in order, and then I could watch the film, which I have never seen.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: I loved the book, Caroline. I didn’t know there was a movie. I’ll need to find it.

I loved A Month in the Country, Caro, and completely agree with you about the film as well.

Drats the library system does not have A Month in the Country, I will search elsewhere!

What a great way to start the year, Caroline. It is a lovely book. Maybe it's time for a reread.

Caroline, A Month in the Country is on my tbr list for a long time. Best to get this book soon. I love your description!

>55 Caroline_McElwee: That is a gorgeous book. So quiet and understated. Never seen the film though.

>56 AlisonY: It has stood up to five reading's Alison. I hope it does it for you too.

>57 laytonwoman3rd: You have a treat ahead when you find your copy Linda.

>58 charl08: It's interesting isn't it Charlotte. For me it's the tone, but also how much is said, if quietly, in such a short novella.

>59 Crazymamie: The film won't disappoint Mamie.

>60 NanaCC: It will definitely be a treat to see the film Coleen.

>61 lauralkeet: I need to dig my copy of the film out for a rewatch soon Laura.

>62 mdoris: Frustrating Mary, but it would be a worthy addition to your collection.

>63 BLBera: It was Beth. I've been on a short rereading jag, which continues with The Remains of the Day.

>64 Whisper1: Thanks Linda, I don't think you will be disappointed.

>65 Helenliz: The film really does the book justice Helen.

Happy new year Caroline! I hope it will be a good one for you, in books and in life.

A month in the country is such a perfect book!

>67 Sakerfalcon: And to you Claire. Good to see another fan of A Month in the Country.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: Ooh, you got me with a major BB for A Month in the Country. The book, for sure, but also the film. Thanks for the heads-up!

Karen O

>69 klobrien2: Pleasure Karen, good to see you peek round the door.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: I'm another fan of A Month in the Country, both book and film. And now I'm considering a re-read.

Happy New Year, Caroline. Looking forward to sharing your reading in 2022.

>71 VivienneR: Hi Vivienne. Good to see you about. As Laura (Lauralkeet) would say, 'my work is done'.

Wow! SO many positive votes for A Month in the Country! Okay, added to my WL.

By Nicholas Kirsten-Honshin

One of my calendars this year has work by this artist.

>73 Berly: Which is great Kim.

Can't believe we are on the 7th and I've only finished one short book. I am reading four at the moment though, so that will change soon.

>74 Caroline_McElwee: I LOVE that image! I am sure it is a beautiful calendar.

Happy Friday, Caroline! Have a book-filled weekend. I also loved A Month in the Country.

>74 Caroline_McElwee: - Beautiful!

>74 Caroline_McElwee: That is lovely. Not familiar with that artist.

>74 Caroline_McElwee: Beautiful! I opted for a calendar of Hubble photos this year. The choices were bewilderingly numerous if thematically narrow...Amazon decided that I like puppies a lot more than I actually do.

A Month in the Country is such a gorgeous book. It can't be bettered as a month-opening read.

>77 msf59: >78 jessibud2: >79 Oberon: >80 richardderus: He is new to me also. His artwork goes with sayings by Thich Nhat Hanh on my calendar.>74 Caroline_McElwee: is not on my calendar, I just searched for his work.

>80 richardderus: Tee he about Amazon pegging you for puppies. Maybe you bought someone else something with puppies Richard. It took me a while to work out why I was getting nudged for books I wouldn't buy, when I realised I'd bought something for a friend not in my taste. It took about 3 months before those nudges stopped.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: Exquisite perfectly describes the work of JL Carr, Caroline.

So does >74 Caroline_McElwee: . That is really lovely.

Hope you have a splendid weekend. x

>74 Caroline_McElwee: That is lovely.

Nice image, Caroline. I always need one of those calendars that has plenty of columns for everyone in the house, and I just grabbed one this year without giving it too much thought. It's vibe is now already annoying me on the kitchen wall (annoying ditzy mum type font and images) - I wish I'd something like yours.

>74 Caroline_McElwee: Pretty!!

>46 Caroline_McElwee: I want to see that one. I so rarely go to the theatre, even pre-COVID, that is saying something!

>55 Caroline_McElwee: I have already read that one, but it is past due for a re-read. Maybe part of my Classics reading for this year?

>74 Caroline_McElwee: That is beautiful!

>82 PaulCranswick: A lovely hibernating weekend Paul, rained all day yesterday, but sunnier today. Snoozed too much yesterday, if there is such a thing where snoozing is concerned!

>83 BLBera: >85 banjo123: I love coming upon artists I've not seen before Beth and Rhonda.

>84 AlisonY: Ha. I actually bought my calendar when I was in Totnes in September Alison. It was in the window of a bookshop.

>85 banjo123: I'm a big cinema buff, but have had years when I've seen very little Stasia. It's great being able to stream stuff, but there is nothing like sitting in a big dark room and being immersed. I try and see a movie most weeks in normal times, at least.

Here (Richard McGuire) (GN/NF) (AAC) (09/01/22) ****



Probably only my third Graphic book. Quite an extraordinary volume. McGuire offers us this tiny space through time (mostly the corner of a lounge), from the BCE to the future. Overlaying images from different eras offering up juxtapositions and similarities, echoes across time.

There is almost no text, and I found it a very different experience to reading, so I am not going to count it as a read, but I did enjoy it.

I think I have two other graphic books bought over recent years, so may nudge those up later this year.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: I've never read A Month in the Country. I will do so and then watch the film (huge Colin Firth fan here).

ETA: Ha! I read it in 2014 and gave it 4.5 stars. Now I want to reread it. (I had this sneaking suspicion as I posted the above, but didn't trust my gut.)

>88 Caroline_McElwee: - Oh, I forgot about that one. I did *read* it a few years ago. Found it mostly interesting though a tad odd and disjointed in parts

Hi. Your name has been a steady feature of the 'Members with your books side bar' on my profile, so I thought I would drop in. Indeed we share both Here and A Month in the Country. Great minds or something.

>89 EBT1002: haha. I've done that before myself Ellen. Sometimes I can't even remember what I read the week before, even when I've enjoyed it.

>90 jessibud2: I suspect some things might float back into mind over time Shelley. It feels a bit philosophical in parts. How different/how similar experience in different times can be. Elements of deja vu.

>91 tallpaul: Good to see you peak around the door tallpaul. The trouble with sharing many reading tastes is the outcome leads to many book bullets!

Happy new-week's reads, Caro.

>93 richardderus: Thank you RD.

2. The Remains of the Day (Kazuo Ishiguro) (*) (10/01/22) *****



I continued my short re-reading jag with this tightly wrought novel narrated by the inimitable Mr Stevens, butler at the house of Lord Darlington. Stevens, now entering the latter part of his career, under the new American owner of the house, reflects back over the years of his prime as a butler he dares not, but hopes, might have been described as one of the finest.

His new boss has given him the loan of his car while away, and Mr Stevens takes a road-trip to visit the house's previous Housekeeper, Miss Kenton (now Mrs Benn), in order to discover whether she would be interested in returning to the House, as her letters have suggested her current life may be unsatisfactory.

On his journey we are shown the world through the eyes of this butler, and the relationships to his employer, and Housekeeper in particular.

During the course of his reminiscences, Stevens is lead to wonder about the downfall of Lord Darlington after the war, and how as a butler, the esteem he felt for himself rode on the belief in his Lordship as doing something worthy for humanity, but when it is shown that he, along with many other aristocrats, has been duped, his butler wonders at the impact it has on his own worthiness, and inability to see past his own loyalty.

There are many poignant moments, not least of which how Stevens strangles his emotions as his father is dying, in order to undertake his role as senior staff member of the house, during an important event. Explaining later, that his father, also previously a butler, would have expected it of him.

It is some years since I read this novel last, and now couldn't avoid hearing the voice of Anthony Hopkins, who played Stevens in the fine film of the book.

I'm going to rewatch the film tonight.

>95 Caroline_McElwee: That is a gorgeous book; it was a stunning film; what a perfectly wonderful story! I'm glad you're re-reading it, I feel as though my neglect isn't fatal now.

>96 richardderus: It was interesting rewatching the film as soon as closing the book RD. The film honoured the book very well, though there were a few tweaks:



Aside from some 'show don't tell' scenes about how such a house was run:

* In the book the new buyer of the house is an American unseen before, but in the film he is made Mr Lewis, the senator who tries to stop the french diplomat from coming under the influence of the British aristocracy.

* The two Jewish maids who his Lordship insists should be 'let go' are made German Jewish (simply Jewish in the book).

* The night Mr Stevens overhears Miss Kenton crying (after she has apologised for mocking him, when she has told him she has accepted the proposal from Mr Benn), he goes into her room to give an instruction about some work a maid has missed. In the book he just stands outside, then turns away.

A couple of other places where two scenes have been melded together.

Usually a film follows so long after having read a book, one has forgotten, or doesn't notice many of the changes, even if quite dramatic.

>95 Caroline_McElwee: that's another great book. Been a very long time since I saw the film.

>95 Caroline_McElwee: I will be re-reading that one as part of the Asian Authors challenge. I am not sure the last time I read it, but it has been a while!

Have a great week, Caroline!

I also liked Here, Caroline and I LOVED The Remains of the Day. 5 stars is just about right. I want to rewatch the film.

>89 EBT1002: That made me smile in recognition of a problem that seems to envelop as the books take over. I have started to ensure that I have my phone online when I am in the bookstore so that I can check with my spreadsheets whether or not I have a particular book, if I have even the slightest doubt.

>96 richardderus: There are many poignant moments, not least of which how Stevens strangles his emotions as his father is dying, in order to undertake his role as senior staff member of the house, during an important event. Explaining later, that his father, also previously a butler, would have expected it of him.

This moment chokes me up every single time, in both the book and the film. Hopkins is masterful in all respects, but especially at this moment.

Excellent review, Caro.

>98 Helenliz: Both worth a revisit Helen.

>99 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia. Enjoy your reread.

>100 msf59: As I have 'read' very few graphic books Mark, it was an interesting experience, especially as it had so little text. I thought what he attempted to do was extraordinary, though not sure he fully pulled it off.

>101 PaulCranswick: Oh yes, I've had to resort to my phone a couple of times too.

>102 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura. Yes, it is a poignant moment. You do feel deeply sad for him. It was nice revisiting both book and film.

Although I will likely see it on the big screen at the weekend, I couldn't wait to see 'The Tragedy of MacBeth', and as I still had 3 days left of my free appletv on my phone, I watched it this afternoon. Wonderful. Black and White. Visually fine.



Really good performances across the board.


... but especially from Kathryn Hunter as the three witches.

I was lucky enough to see her on stage several times in the late 1980s early 90s. Never a disappointment.

It's years since I read the play, so can't remember what might be missing/added, but I was riveted to it, and am looking forward to seeing it on the big screen which will add to the already moody atmosphere.

>104 Caroline_McElwee: Nice review. I have had that starred on my Apple TV and hope to get to it over the weekend.

>104 Caroline_McElwee: Ooh, that looks good. I need to read (and watch) some more Shakespeare this year.

>104 Caroline_McElwee: Ooohhh, that looks as amazing as the hype says it will be!

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, Caro.

Caroline, you might enjoy this interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dauBVTnEst8

>105 Oberon: You won't be disappointed Erik.

>106 PawsforThought: I have read Hamlet several times, and seen maybe 15 productions, and maybe read 5 or 6 other of his plays, but seen more productions. I bought a set of small pocket size editions, over a hundred years old, a while back, and a little case to carry a volume around with, and plan to get back to doing that. So far I have only done The Winters Tale and Measure for Measure. I think Macbeth will be up next Paws.

>107 richardderus: I haven't seen the hype, but it doesn't disappoint Richard. There aren't many films I would see a second time in just a couple of days.

>108 jessibud2: Ooo, thank you, I enjoyed that Shelley.

>109 Caroline_McElwee: Oh, hundred-year-old book, that’s fantastic!

I have my eye on an edition of Shakespeare’s works (including the poetry and the collaborative works) that look so good, but they’re a few years old so seem to be be out of print most places.
I haven’t decided on which Shakespeare to read next yet. Macbeth is always a great one, but I’ve read that and would like to read someone for the first time instead. I haven’t read either The Winter’s Tale or Measure for Measure, though…

>110 PawsforThought: Here they are Paws:

3. Call Us What We Carry (Amanda Gorman) (Poetry) (14/01/22) *****



This young woman is definitely an old soul.

Poems about pandemics and race, intersectionality, time and place.

I shall definitely be rereading this volume over the next couple of weeks.

From _ _ _ _ _ GATED

...

Why it's so perturbing for privileged groups to follow
restrictions of place and personhood.
Doing so means for once wearing the chains their power
has shackled on the rest of us.

It is to surrender the one difference that kept them
separate & thus superior.

...

>111 Caroline_McElwee: - Gorgeous!!

>113 jessibud2: They are each about 5"x4" Shelley.

I do love little pocket books.

>111 Caroline_McElwee: That’s amazing. What a treasure! I’d be too scared to touch them, I think.

>115 PawsforThought: I'm a 'use things now' rather than a 'save them for best' kind of gal, Paws. I'd rather use things for years then have them break or fall apart, than keep them preciously away, and accidentally break or spoil them the second time you pick them up.

>116 Caroline_McElwee: I completely get that, even though I’m not like that myself.

>What a very powerful poem. Your are right Amanda Gorman is an old soul!

>111 Caroline_McElwee: What an amazing set. I'd have to have one with me at all times.

I have the Gorman volume waiting in the wings. I need to put it next to the bed, for dipping into.

Oh my, I love your 100+ year old editions, Caroline. What a brilliant purchase.

I thought Here was okay, but maybe not worthy of the buzz.

I’m reading and liking that Amanda Gorman collection.

Good for you for re-reading Remains of the Day and A Month in the country. To me, Remains of the Day, like To Kill a Mockingbird, is a perfect novel. Both are heartbreakers, too.

I LOVED A Month in the Country. I didn’t know there was a movie. Your positive reaction makes me want to see it.

>111 Caroline_McElwee: Julius Caesar looks like it has had the most action there!

How wonderful, I am thrilled for you and a little jealous.

Have a lovely weekend, Caroline.

>111 Caroline_McElwee: Fab!
My next Shakespeare will be Shakespeare tragedies: classic BBC Radio, starting with Hamlet. You know, of course, that Shakespeare wrote 2 categories of plays - the ones you did at school and all the others. >;-) Hamlet was the one I did at school - let's see how much I can remember after *mumble mumble* years.

Happy Saturday, Caroline. Ooh, I want to see "'The Tragedy of MacBeth". Very limited release here. I have been a big fan of the Coens for decades. Striking images.

Sadly, the Gorman collection fell short for me. I just could not connect with it. Poetry can be tricky like that. I am glad it worked for you.

The little bag I bought to tote my WS volumes around in.



Each has an illustration in the front.



>118 Whisper1: There are some hard hitters in the volume Linda. I read most poems several times (as I usually do). I was stopped in my tracks a number of times.

>119 laytonwoman3rd: That was my intention Linda. I need to get back to it.

I try at least a couple of mornings a week to start the day with a few poems. I'd like to make it a daily habit.

>120 jnwelch: I am lucky indeed Joe. The online bookshop I bought it from did tell me where he got them from, mostly from one man, but he found the few missing ones elsewhere. I must track that email down.

I hope the Gorman volume does it for you, it missed the spot for Mark unfortunately >123 msf59:.

I have several shelves with copies of my all time favourites on Joe, they are books I will have read 3 or more times. Of course, A Month in the Country resides there.

You are right re Here, I think it was ambitious, but he bit off more than he could chew.

>121 PaulCranswick: Yes, interesting about Caesar, not one I have read, but I will get to it Paul.

>122 Helenliz: I hope you enjoy revisiting Hamlet Helen. It always amuses me in the theatre, often half the audience murmur some of the big soliloquies under their breath along with Hamlet.

>123 msf59: I'm really hoping to see the movie again on the big screen tomorrow Mark, but I'm out all day with a friend for an exhibition and lunch, and there will be a three hour gap between lunch and the showing. I may have run out of steam. I hope to just curl up in one of the cinema lounges and read until it starts. We will see.

Sorry the Gorman didn't speak to you Mark. It can happen. Maybe a reread in time will give you a breakthrough.

I love the little Shakespeare editions too. I've just started reading Don Patterson's annotated collection of all of Shakespeare's sonnets, and finding that works well as a poem and short exposition (a couple of pages) per day. It helps that Paterson makes me laugh, too.

>125 charl08: I've been eyeing that Charlotte. May have to press click.

The Gorman book sounds wonderful, Caroline. I'll add it to my WL. I'm almost done with my current poetry read, so I need to start looking around for a new one.

I love your Shakespare volumes! There are a few plays I haven't read yet, mostly the histories. Macbeth -- the film -- sounds really good. That is a play that is hard to stage. It's one I've seen on stage a couple of times, some versions better than others.

>124 Caroline_McElwee: How lovely, Caro! The book, of course, but also the bag. Quite soignée.

>127 BLBera: I haven't seen a production of Macbeth on stage, but I liked the Jon Finch film years ago. I think the new version my have outstripped that though Beth.

>128 richardderus: Thanks RD. Although I'm not much into jewellery, I am drawn to jewelish things.

>124 Caroline_McElwee: OMG, the little bag is gorgeous! Those illustrations are bound (ha!) to add to your enjoyment!

Karen O.

>124 Caroline_McElwee: The bag is beautiful. Where did you find such a gem?

>111 Caroline_McElwee: Those are really cool. I recently picked up https://www.librarything.com/work/9594426/book/210157264

It is from the early 50's and is supposed to be more readable. Can't be worse than my current complete works in one volume with onion thin pages and tiny print.

>130 klobrien2: Yes Karen, they are beautifully done.

>131 Whisper1: I cant remember now Linda, ppssibly a little Indian shop in town.

>132 Oberon: Nice Erik. Much more manageable. I do like those thin pages on a tome, usually the old classics, I have David Copperfield in a pocketsized volume, but the complete Willy Shake, too much.

As always your thread is a visual feast, Caroline. Impressive to see all the Shakespeare volumes in >111 Caroline_McElwee: and the little bag is an eye catcher and looks to be a handy size.

>134 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg. Good to see you peek around the door.

Today I went to the Royal Academy with a friend to see the 'Late Constable' exhibition.

These are generally more moody than his earlier work. There are some of the big canvases, but there were a lot of his smaller works less often on display (not much bigger than A4 size in most cases), here are three of those:




Old Sarum, visited a number of times years ago.



I then went to see 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' on the big screen..Even more stunning. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED..

>136 Caroline_McElwee: Oh, that’s lovely! I need to get more acquainted with Constable; I’m painfully ignorant about him and his works. Art history is a an area of interest that I don’t give enough time to.

>136 Caroline_McElwee: With JMW Turner, my go-to English artists. Great pleasure to see them here.

>136 Caroline_McElwee: I choose Old Sarum. How did he manage to convey agrarian figures so splendidly?

>137 PawsforThought: He was thought of as a bit 'chocolate box' when I was young as some of his paintings regularly appeared on biscuit tins etc Paws, so you became over familiar with elements of them, but he was a very fine artist.

>138 richardderus: Both great artists RD, I guess I lean more to Turner of the two. He took more risks, and I'm lucky enough to have easy access to his work up close and personal in London, especially at Tate Britain.

>139 PaulCranswick: He was an aficionado of that very thing Paul. His big canvases especially have great detail and communicate a lot of the smaller detail in just a few brushstrokes. We were also admiring how he leads your eye across those canvases to admire that detail, follow the dashes of red.

>136 Caroline_McElwee: Lovely to see those, Caroline,
At the first one is it is amazing how with a few brushstrokes a whole landscape is suggested at the bottom. The clouds really look like clouds :-)

I long to see some art, at present here the museums are still closed :-(

>138 richardderus: >140 Caroline_McElwee: Leaning to Turner with you two.

>141 FAMeulstee: Oh, disappointing your museums are still closed Anita. Most of our main ones are open, but generally for fewer days. There were a reasonable amount of folk at the exhibition yesterday, but not heaving and the rooms were big and airy.

>136 Caroline_McElwee: Loved your Constable post, Caroline, and would so love to see that exhibit. His "Salisbury Cathedral" is one of my all-time favorites. It owned by the Frick Museum in NY, directly across the street from the school I attended. I spent many lunch periods in the Frick atrium gazing at that painting, and it prompted two visits to the cathedral over the past many years. Unfortunately, The Frick is now closed for renovation and only some of the holdings are on display at the Breuer wing of the Met (the old Whitney building). Not the Constable though, and I can't imagine why they left that one out.

>143 vivians: The Salisbury Cathedral is a great painting Vivian. I hope you get to see it again soon. I guess maybe it's not in the temporary exhibition as it may be on loan overseas. That happens a lot when a museum or gallery is under renovation. It helps with the insurance bill.

4. Shuggie Bain (Douglas Stuart) (17/01/22) ****1/2



Stuart's debut novel which won the 2020 Booker Prize. A novel that takes you deep into the poverty and addiction lives of a family and their neighbours in Glasgow. It pulls no punches, and is relentless, and yet you want to keep turning the pages. It owes a lot to Stuart's own upbringing, his own alcoholic mother died when he was 16, but he insists it is a work of fiction, and for a debut writer it s certainly an accomplished work.

I read this now for my RL book group, and will revisit here after the meeting at the end of the month.

ETA: Note after book group meeting: there were 9 of us. 7 loved the book, but there were 2 dissenters who hated it and didn't get more than 100 pages in. Personally I feel if they had gone another 50 they might have liked it better. Those first 100 pages are particularly tough.

Everyone else totally got into the characters, the reason one might write a novel like this, the social/political context, the quality of the writing for a debut.

One of the dissenters thought it came under 'misery fiction', thought she would have liked it more if (a) it had been non-fiction; (b) it had been called 'Agnes Bain'! For this group member I feel that fiction for her needs to be a happier place mostly. She doesn't like lightweight reading, but she doesn't want to go into too dark a place I feel. I don't want to do it all the time, but my curiosity to understand lives different from my own means I will allow a novel to take me to darker places.

We are a group of mainly women 60+. In the pre-pandemic there were a few slightly younger as well as male participants, but in the pandemic we have only been able to meet over the past six months in one member's house instead of our usual venue (currently being used as a food bank).

Love the Constables, Caroline.

One of these days I will read Shuggie Bain.

>146 BLBera: Shuggie Bain was one of my top reads of 2021, Caro. So well done and, I agree, a very impressive debut novel.

>145 Caroline_McElwee: I can’t believe Shuggie Bain wasn’t on my “To Read” list! Well, it is now! Thanks!

Karen O

>145 Caroline_McElwee: I'm reading Young Mungo now, Caro. His debut wasn't a fluke.

ETA touchstone

>148 klobrien2: Glad to have landed a BB Karen.

>149 richardderus: That's good to hear RD.

>136 Caroline_McElwee: Sounds like a fascinating exhibition Caroline. There are so many options in your part of the world, all very tempting.

>140 Caroline_McElwee: I know what you mean about Constable. Constable prints were so ubiquitous in my childhood that I tended to dismiss them out of hand i my earlier years. But when you look at them closely he was quite innovative and impressionistic.

I'm on the fence about Shuggie Bain. Is there anything that separates it from normal Misery Lit?

>151 charl08: Some would say too much choice Charlotte.

>152 SandDune: I think sometimes some distance helps Rhian. I like to revisit artists sometimes, and have flipped my perspective before now. Damian Hirst for example.

>153 AlisonY: Hmmm, hard to say Alison as I don't really read much 'misery lit'. I have to feel that I will learn something, that it has some heart (in this, the love of young Shuggie for his damaged mother), and that it has a really authentic feel. Will I ever read it again, I'm not sure. Did it deserve its Booker Prize, definitely.

Hooray for Shuggie Bain! I loved this book. My top novel of 2020.

Love your Shakespeare collection and its bag!

>155 msf59: It was fine Mark.

>156 thornton37814: Thank you Lori. I always dreamed of having a set, so was chuffed when I found a one.

>145 Caroline_McElwee: One of my 'excellent reads' from last year. I am happy to have read it, but probably will never read it again.

>158 alcottacre: Glad it worked for you too Stasia. I think if you go into it knowing it is going to be a harsh ride, it will work for most readers. I'll find out if that is right next week at my RL reading group, we don't always agree, though we have had about 5 books that got the thumbs down from everyone over the 12 years I've been a member!

>145 Caroline_McElwee: Looking forward what your book group thought about Shuggie Bain, Caroline. It was one of my 5* reads last year.
I think by insisting it is fiction, the writer gives himsef some freedom to bend/change the story a bit.

>160 FAMeulstee: I think so too Anita.

My book group is next Friday.

I'm trying to get in a last few Masterclasses, before my subscription runs out, and watched Joy Harjo's Masterclass. It was great to discover we share the first volume of poetry ever read:



This was the go too as a child, and often brought out to read from at celebrations and family gatherings. I have the family copy now.

>162 Caroline_McElwee: I could have done with that one too, Caroline. I had a really, really well thumbed copy of the fuller Palgrave updated to include the 'moderns' - Eliot, Yeats and Auden in particular. A selection would have been nice because there was plenty of chaff with the wheat!

My favourite go to anthology growing up was the Albermarle Book of Modern Verse which I have kept with me always and still turn to for inspiration every so often. I remember also plaguing my kids to read The Rattle Bag with poems chosen by Heaney and Hughes - my enthusiasm got the better of them!

Have a lovely weekend.

>162 Caroline_McElwee: - I never read that one but the illustrator, Joan Walsh Anglund, is a name I recognize. The first little books I ever owned were by her, bought for me by a beloved cousin and I have them to this day.

>163 PaulCranswick: The Rattle Bag is one of my favourites too Paul.

>164 jessibud2: It's special to have some of our earliest treasures still Shelley.

>164 jessibud2: I had several of those Joan Walsh Anglund books too. I adored them, and have them around somewhere. The only title that comes to mind right now is A Friend is Someone Who Likes You.

Watched Munich: The Edge of War on Netflix. It reminded me of the courage of ordinary people. In this instance those who attempted to bring information to light to stop WWII, they failed, but managed a delay that potentially led to the outcome. These people were so incredibly young.

>167 lauralkeet: - Yep, that was the very first one, Laura. I think I learned to read with that one. I can probably still recite it by heart, lol. I have about 3 or 4 titles by her. Such a nostalgic memory. I don't have kids of my own but my cousin's daughter just had a baby so I may give them to her in a few years (different cousin than the one who gave me the books, obviously)

>162 Caroline_McElwee: I tried reading Harjo's memoir, Crazy Brave: A Memoir, but there were too many triggers in it for me. However, it might work for you if you are interested, Caroline.

>168 Caroline_McElwee: I will look out for that Caroline. May go and read Munich first.

>170 alcottacre: I bought Poet Warrior Stasia. Sorry you found her other uncomfortable.

>171 PaulCranswick: It's some years since I read Harris, Paul. I do have his Cicero trilogy though.

5. Unsettled Ground (Claire Fuller) (22/01/22) ****



A pair of adult, 51 year old, twins are still living at home with their mother in a ramshackle cottage on a small estate in England. Their mother, Dot, dies, and the earth beneath their feet shifts, as everything they understood to be true, turns out to be lies. Almost overnight Jeanie and Julius begin to feel even greater outsiders than they felt before.

Fuller allows you to feel the growing uncertainty and instability of their lives, as the truth eventually surfaces. I did struggle though to keep their age in mind, I kept visualising them as younger, which in many respects they were because of their naivety.

Happy Sunday, Caroline. Have you read Small Things Like These yet? If not, I highly recommend it. I also want to get to Unsettled Ground. My reading schedule is packed.

>173 Caroline_McElwee: A very intriguing premise indeed.

>165 Caroline_McElwee: He managed 95 years of not doing what he's never done, which is impressive.

>173 Caroline_McElwee: I had this one out of the library around Christmas and had to return it unread. You’ve reminded me to put another hold on it.

>173 Caroline_McElwee: I really liked Unsettled Ground, Caro. Although I agree with you about having to keep their age in mind. It was easy to forget.

I also liked Unsettled Ground, Caroline. You are right about the ages. Great comments.

>174 msf59: I'll take a look at that one Mark.

>175 richardderus: It was interesting Richard. I maybe didn't quite love it as much as some, but I think some things will stick with me.

>176 NanaCC: I hope you can get it out again Coleen.

>177 lauralkeet: >178 BLBera: I certainly forgot a number of times Laura and Beth, and had to keep bringing it back to mind.

I went to see Kenneth Branagh's very fine film, Belfast.



A semi-autobiographical film. He was born and spent his first 9 years in Belfast.

Another fine black and white film this year, with a very authentic feel. Set in 1969 (I'm the same age as Branagh, so was 9 then), the character is maybe a year or two younger.

We had family in Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland and I remember the stories told in letters (as well as family I had a penpal in Antrim), and in visits from uncles and cousins who came to London. It showed some of the troubles but focussed on the lives of the characters, and showed how somehow children still managed to have their childhoods in difficult times. And the typical Irish humour.

ETA: Article by Branagh's cousin about growing up in Belfast

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/jan/30/belfast-ken-branaghs-love-letter...

>180 Caroline_McElwee: Belfast seems to be loved by audiences so far. I was a bit gutted to read it wasn't actually filmed in Belfast. Anyway, I believe the young lad is the star of the show that pulls on the heart strings. Will watch it for sure at some point.

(Random clutching at straws claim to fame - Jamie Dornan went to my school and was in my next door neighbour's year. She was heavily into drama too and they went to the school formal /prom together.)

>181 AlisonY: Yes, the young lad was certainly a star Alison.

I thought Jamie Dornan was very good in this. I've seen him in something else, but can't remember what. If I closed my eyes, the actress who played his wife sounded like one of my cousins. Another who has lived in London most of her adult life has lost a lot of hers, though no doubt gets it back when in Belfast visiting her parents.

We watched Dornan in The Tourist recently on BBC iplayer. It was a bit ridiculous yet somehow pulled you in at the same time. It was nice to see him speaking with his own NI accent for a change. He's an actor that makes me aware of his acting which makes me question how I rate him as an actor, but on the plus he's not too hard on the eyes!

>183 AlisonY: A little bit of eye-candy as a bonus goes a long way Alison.

6. You Better be Lightning (Andrea Gibson) (28/01/22) *****



This book is Treasure. Rare is there a volume where I like every single poem, this is one I do. I will be turning straight to the beginning to reread it. The poems were so good I was rationing them at the outset, 2 a day before starting work.

Most are 2-3 pages long (you won’t notice, I promise), so I will only post this tiny, yet powerful few lines:

From: Every time I ever said I want to die

If your wounds are still open, trust
they are doors to an answer,
and walk through.

There are some tough topics, some humour and much love. Highly recommended for poetry lovers. It may also be for those who are not – RD, I am looking in your direction!

I duck in and out of the Dulles Greenway eagle cam, and caught this shot a few days ago:

That's a great one, Caroline! They look like a loving couple having a bit of a disagreement, don't they? ("I don't know WHAT she's on about now." "He NEVER listens to me.")

>187 laytonwoman3rd: You nailed it Linda.

>185 Caroline_McElwee: ...hm? Did that weird blank space I can't see just address me? ...most peculiar...ghosts, permaybehaps

I haven't read anything by Gibson, Caroline, but your review sold me. Onto the WL it goes.

>183 AlisonY: He will always be that awful character in The Fall for me. Shudder.

>191 charl08: I think that must have been where I saw him first Charlotte. I hadn't clicked as he looks quite different in 'Belfast'.

>185 Caroline_McElwee: That is going on the hitlist, Caroline.

Have a lovely weekend.

Happy Saturday, Caroline! I would also like to see "Belfast". It left here pretty quickly. The Gibson collection sounds fantastic. I am a fan of hers too and so is Joe. I will have to pick this one up.

Great eagle shot! I check nearly every morning but most of the time the nest is empty.

>193 PaulCranswick: >194 msf59: Yay for Andrea making your hit list guys. Yes, Joe recommended her work to me a few years back, even sending me the heads up when she was performing in London, so I saw her live in a great venue in Islington.

>194 msf59: I have some luck around 6pm UK time, which is around 1pm your time I think Mark.

I came by to say "Thank you" for stopping by my thread while I have been sick, Caroline. I appreciate it.

Have a wonderful weekend!

>185 Caroline_McElwee: I've got You Better Be Lightning added to my TBR, Caroline! My cup of coffee!

Karen O.

>196 alcottacre: I hope you are n the mend Stasia.

>197 klobrien2: Glad to see another hit for You Better Be Lightning, Karen. You won't regret it.

7. Once There Were Wolves (Charlotte McConaghy) (29/01/22) ****



The narrator Inty Flynn is one of a pair of twins raised by a single mother, who spent part of their childhood raised in forest by their father. Inty 'suffers' from a condition that makes her feel any sensation that occurs to someone she is looking at (this condition is real, not fictionalised:Mirror touch synesthesia).

After working on a project to reestablish wolves into the wild in the US, she leads a similar project in Scotland.

The novel tells the complicated story of the twins relationship and lives, entwined in the Scottish wolf project, which on the whole is resisted by the local farmers.

Running through all this are elements of thriller, especially in the second half of the novel.

The thing that maybe loses it half a star is that I just couldn't feel myself in Scotland, I felt I was in America (though the author is Australian).

>199 Caroline_McElwee: "Mirror touch synesthesia"? Wow. What our brains, minds, and/or both won't do to us.

Hoping for a cheerier read up next!

>200 richardderus: Yes, maybe RD. Pondering which novel next.

I have three non-fiction books on the go too.

>145 Caroline_McElwee: I have updated my Shuggie Bain note post book group meeting.

>199 Caroline_McElwee: I have both that one and her novel Migrations on the shelves and am torn as to which to read first, Caroline.

>203 PaulCranswick: I liked Migrations best by a whisker Paul, and it was the first I read, but Once there were Wolves didn't feel like a let down, just different..

>202 Caroline_McElwee:, >145 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline, thanks for the update of Shuggie Bain. i will be reading it for my RL bookclub in March. A good pal (from Scotland) really struggled with the book and I appreciated your explanation of having the "curiosity to understand lives different from my own" to be able to read about difficult/troubling situations. Agree!

>203 PaulCranswick: I liked Migrations best by a whisker Paul, and it was the first I read, but Once there were Wolves didn't feel like a let down, just different.

>205 mdoris: I shall look forward to your thoughts Mary. Hmm, interesting about your Scots friend, so my thought on that might not be just my eccentricity.

>204 Caroline_McElwee: & >206 Caroline_McElwee: Gotcha and Gotcha! I think the site is a little on the blink today. x

I thought Shuggie Bain was a tough read. It seemed to take me an age to get through but parts of it were really well drawn and the whole thing rewarding. I don't know about you but I found the first two thirds much better than the last third?

>208 PaulCranswick:, >202 Caroline_McElwee: I think that reason for novel-reading, or any reading, helps those who are guided by it to see value for themselves that isn't always there for other kinds of readers.

I was utterly ensorceled by Shuggie. I understand the "misery porn" comments, but it didn't feel that way to me. A lot of that could be that Shuggie is gay in an environment that doesn't love him for it. But he was a real, multi-dimensional character for me.

Others had other opinions, and that's okay. No one reads with the same eyes I do!

>208 PaulCranswick: I'm not sure I found the last third weaker, but I think it had less 'action' and maybe less detail Paul.

>209 richardderus: I agree about Shuggie's multidimensionality RD.

Among other things I raised the issue of people seeing themselves or their group reflected in fiction, in the discussion on why you would wish to write such a novel.

There were several incidents that squeezed my heart, including Eugene in his insecurity encouraging Aggie to take a drink after a year without. I couldn't believe he would do it.

Throughout I had sympathy with Shuggie.

>210 Caroline_McElwee: Och aye, I think that anyone reading that even without RD's eyes, couldn't fail to be sympathetic to Shuggie. I think you hit on the most heartbreaking scene of the book too as we were willing her not to do it.

>211 PaulCranswick: I would be surprised if someone were not moved by that Paul.

I went to two exhibitions at the Queen's Gallery this morning. A small exhibition of seven portraits of Holocaust survivors, all now in their 90s. Such beautiful work by seven different artists. I wanted to see the works on the canvas. There is a BBC programme on the commission of these works and the relationships between artist and sitter, for those who can get BBC.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60088598

In order to see these I had to have a ticket to the main exhibition, which is currently Masterpieces of the Buckingham Palace collection. The majority are Dutch, and many of my favourites, which I have seen a lot, but that allowed me to spend time looking at small details.


These include work by Pieter de Hooch, Paulus Potter, Rembrandt van Rijn, Gerrit Dou, and others.

The advantage at any of the Royal galleries/Palaces is you can get your ticket franked and use it all year without more cost.

Hi Caroline.

I’m so glad you loved You Better Be Lightning. Me, too. Igot a kick out of the one containing the title - meeting Megan’s parents, as I recall. She’s got an online performance coming up; I’ll try to remembercto postbitvon my thread.

I’ve falken behind on my poetry-reading. I need to finish Amanda Gorman and the Aeneid.

I hope the week goes well fotr you.

>213 Caroline_McElwee: Coincidentally, I was having a long, slow start to my morning with Rob (over Zoom) and we watched an older documentary on Rembrandt which focused on details. It is breathtaking! And glorious! And seems to me to be the point of having eyes, seeing the small and faint clearly when focusing on them but getting the gestalt that includes them.

>211 PaulCranswick:, >210 Caroline_McElwee: That scene is one that came close to Pearl-Ruling the book for me. I was so deeply squicked by the sheer selfishness it showed. And still kept on because that light was the one needed to cast the shadow of her addiction, to make that darkness *real* in the reader's inner eye.

Nut yes, I was upset by it. I'm not sure I'd care much for someone who wasn't.

>213 Caroline_McElwee: I recorded that and watched it last night. It was excellent. And I'm a little bit jealous that you've been to see them.

>214 jnwelch: I'll keep an eye on your thread for Andrea's online gig Joe. I remember that poem, but really there wasn't one I didn't like. Favourites will emerge in my second read.

>215 richardderus: There was a lovely documentary in 2020 about some of the eccentric people who own Rembrandts RD. i'm a big fan of Dutch art. From the golden age to Van Gogh, and more recent.

I like Jos van Riswick's still lives:

https://www.josvanriswick.com/index.html

On that scene in Shuggie, yes I agree selfish, but I came to think it was insecurity too.

>216 Helenliz: If you are in London Helen, it is on to Sunday 13th, then moves to Holyrood House in Scotland for a while.

>217 Caroline_McElwee: Certainly, insecurity was at the root of it. Still appalls me!


Glorious! Thank you for showing him to me.

>218 richardderus: Glad you liked RD.

8. Agent Running in the Field (John le Carré) (01/02/22) ****



Carré is a master of little action, and yet you turn the pages, and turn the pages. This is his penultimate novel, and its two main protagonists meet in a club where the younger challenges the more senior to a game of badminton. The challenged being the reining player of the club.

The rest of the novel evolves out of this meeting. Things both are and are not quite what they seem. As the story plays out we are given the background story of the narrator, who is the older player, Nat whose career in the service appears to be heading towards its end.

As one expects with le Carré one feels as if one has been taken behind the curtain of the British Intelligence Service. He has also used this novel to air his frustrations over Brexit and the Tory government.

A quick and enjoyable read.

I really should read Le Carré. I've enjoyed adaptions of Tinker Tailor, both the original series with Alec Guinness and the more recent film with Gary Oldman. And we have several of his novels on the shelves, so I really have no excuse.

>221 lauralkeet: I read a couple of the George Smiley books years ago Laura, and Little Drummer Girl, this was the first in some while, and I enjoyed. His final novel comes out in paperback in the next couple of months, and I shall read that.

I should read more le Carré. I've read The Spy Who Came in From the Cold and the Tinker, Tailor-trilogy with George Smiley and liked them all (but the Smiley novels definitely required attention). I've been meaning to read more but it's one of those things that never seem urgent enough that I really get to it.

>223 PawsforThought: I know what you mean Paws. His later novels don't need quite so much attention, but you do have to keep your eye on the ball a bit.

I must read his memoir.

9. Foster (Claire Keegan) (02/02/22) ****



A finely crafted novella about a young girl sent to stay with family while her mother gives birth to another sibling. The contrast between her temporary carers and home gradually warms her.

ETA: A book bullet from Beth (BLBera).

10. How Poetry Can Change Your Heart (Andrea Gibson/Megan Falley) (03/02/22) ****



A nice little volume to jump-start those who maybe weren't inspired by the way they were taught poetry at school, to woo them to the form.

It also has some ideas that might inspire existing poets to try different things, and some good 'finger exercises'.

I have about 6 non-fiction books on the go at the moment, so 'books completed' is slow!

Off to choose the next novel now though.

Shared read for 20 Classics written by people of Colour, chosen by people of colour

Paul, Stasia and I are working our way through this list (1 a month).

February is a volume of Essays: Redemption Ground by Lorna Goodison.

March will be Night Haunts: A Journey Through the London Night by Sakhdev Sandu.

Progress here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/337035

The exhibitions sound amazing, Caroline.

>225 Caroline_McElwee: I recently read Foster as well; Keegan writes beautifully.

>229 BLBera: Aha Beth, it was you who inspired my acquisition. I couldn't remember who it was.

>228 Caroline_McElwee: Can I join you for Feb and March? This sounds great!

Will love to have you reading along Charlotte.

I love this quote:

Literature is an all-you-can-eat buffet with no expiry date.

David Mitchell

>228 Caroline_McElwee: Night haunts looks interesting. I'll await your thoughts with interest.

Enjoyed catching up on your thread, Caroline. The picture of the eagles is fabulous.

Thanks Caroline. They had an ebook copy in the library, so I'm sorted.

>235 NanaCC: Here is the link to the webcam Coleen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y_66gltZFQ

The female laid her first egg, which should hatch in early March. You may have seen updates on Laura's page, as she volunteers as a moderator on their website.

>236 charl08: Excellent Charlotte.

>237 Caroline_McElwee: I have been following Laura’s thread, Caroline. But your picture is great.

>238 NanaCC: Thank you Coleen.

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, Caroline.

I have Shuggie Bain on my shelf. I will read it when I feel I am in the mood :) Looks to be a great read.

Happy weekend!

>199 Caroline_McElwee: Already in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again!

>213 Caroline_McElwee: I wish I could go see that!

Have a wonderful weekend, Caroline.

>240 richardderus: Thank you Richard. Sun is out. I may go out for lunch with my book this afternoon.

>241 figsfromthistle: I agree being in the right mood will help, as it is a bit relentless Anita, also reading it in big bites helps. It is a very fine novel.

>242 alcottacre: Thank you Stasia. The portraits were all very fine.

Happy to inspire, Caroline. :)

>228 Caroline_McElwee: Got notification that it is here at last Caroline and it should be waiting for me when I get back from work on Monday evening.

Have a splendid Sunday.

11. The Gardener (Salley Vickers) (06/02/22) ***1/2



After the loss of their father, two adult sisters decide to use their inheritance to buy a pile in the country. Historically their relationship is scratchy, one makes a more natural rural inhabitant (set in Shropshire), the other can't quite release her London life. The book explores how as children we can misperceive the experiences of others, and how that misperception can shape our adult lives.

I really enjoyed this novel, a pleasant weekend read, but it is what I would call one of her middle ranking novels.

Lovely edition.

Just want to say:



LET'S GO, FINALLY!

>247 PaulCranswick: Ha, just commented on Stasia's thread.

Here's the thread for comments:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/337035#n7752364

12. Jews Don't Count (David Baddiel) (07/02/22) *****



A bold and insightful read. Baddiel is bringing to our attention the concept of 'the hierarchy of racism', and that in the current environment, of all the 'protected identities' Jewishness is either at the bottom or non-existent, especially in the progressive left. The book gives a number of examples where this is shown to be the case (in politics, online, in interviews, tv programmes).

The two key reasons he feels that Jews don't count are because:

A) On the whole, Jews are white, and are perceived to belong to the 'privileged' group (although historically they have been perceived as not quite white enough).

B) Jews tend to be perceived as powerful and wealthy (the reality, in a survey of the 13.1 million international millionaires* who identify as religious: 56.2% Christian, 6.5% Muslim, 3.9% Hindu, and 1.7% Jewish).

Although for the most part he seems to believe the rise in antisemitism is part of unconscious bias in cultures, and he in no way suggests that other protected identities should be 'down graded' within the hierarchy, he wants Jewishness to be seen equally as a minority and for there not to be a hierarchy at all.

Perhaps if Whoopi Goldberg had read this book, she may not have blundered recently. I certainly learn't plenty from reading it. It will need a reread soon.

*New World Wealth organisation.

>249 Caroline_McElwee: One would think the rankings would be broken down into billionaires rather than common-or-garden millionaires. I suspect the Muslim percentage would skyrocket.

>246 Caroline_McElwee: I think of Salley Vickers with fond nostalgia, since I read and loved Miss Garnet's Angel and Instances of the Number Three. But then came Mr Golightly's Holiday and I was off the bus at the next stop.

>249 Caroline_McElwee:: Earmarking the Baddiel book, Caro.

>250 richardderus: I would think you would enjoy The Cleaner of Chartres RD. For me it is up there with Miss Garnett's Angel, almost.

I suspect the 'common-or-garden' bit is the point maybe. Fewer billionaires to show diversity maybe?

>251 tiffin: Certainly worth your time Tui. I shall be thinking and reading more on this subject this year.

>252 Caroline_McElwee: I suspect the 'common-or-garden' bit is the point maybe.

...except mere millionaires command little economic clout nowadays. No millionaire could build a superyacht in Rotterdam then pay for them to disassemble a public bridge to get it out to sea.

The statistics are true; the analysis intentionally misleading.

>253 richardderus: Thanks Richard, something I will bare in mind when I reread. I should remember that statistics can almost always be manipulated to any point of view should you wish them to be.

Hmm re Mr B. He is not a likeable man somehow (well at least at this distance). His ex-wife seems to have a bigger heart.

>254 Caroline_McElwee: She finally emancipated herself, is what I understand to be the case. She's not Mrs. or Ms. Bezos anymore! Like the erstwhile Mrs. Gates, she's reclaimed her (father's) name.

>255 richardderus: Good for both of them I say.

13. In the Lateness of the World (Carolyn Forché) (08/02/22) ****



This volume includes some fine poems. Forché is new to me, and I will be seeking out more of her work.

She is both a witness, and a listener into the past and the future. Melding both at times. There are meditative pieces, works about loss and struggle. There is metaphor and myth.

Here is one of my favourites:
https://poets.org/poem/museum-stones

>257 Caroline_McElwee: What a beautiful cover!

>258 FAMeulstee: It is, isn't it Anita.

Alicante Lullaby
By Sylvia Plath

In Alicante they bowl the barrels
Bumblingly over the nubs of the cobbles
Past the yellow-paella eateries,
Below the ramshackle back-alley balconies,
While the cocks and hens
In the roofgardens
Scuttle repose with crowns and cackles.

Kumquat-colored trolleys ding as they trundle
Passengers under an indigo fizzle
Needling spumily down from the wires:
Alongside the sibliant narhor the lovers
Hear loudspeakers boom
From each neon-lit palm
Rumbas and sambas no ear-flaps can muffle.

O Cacophony, goddess of jazz and of quarrels,
Crack-throated mistress of bagpipes and cymbals,
Let be your con brios, your capricciosos,
Crescendos, cadenzas, prestos and pretissimos,
My head on the pillow
(Piano, pianissimo)
Lullayed by susurrous lyres and viols.

****

Alongside reading Heather Clark's biography of Plath, I'm slowly reading the Complete Poems.

>260 Caroline_McElwee: I’m in awe of Plath’s use of language—it is amazing! A confession—I haven’t read any Plath, but I think I need to, and soon.

Karen O

>261 klobrien2: I have read a bit of her poetry over the years, but not the whole body. I wouldn't say this is typical of what I've read, but I suspect she has been framed by her most contentious work in the reading public's mind Helen. Her suicide and personal issues made that almost impossible to avoid. I'm hoping to find a more measured, deeper understanding of a very talented writer and artist in both biography and literary work.

14. Lincoln's Dreams (Connie Willis) (13/02/22) ***1/2



Being a Brit, I think I needed more knowledge of the civil war to get more out of this semi historical novel. And in reality it is more about Robert E Lee than Lincoln (I wonder if it was some inspiration for Lincoln of the Bardo, a novel much loved in LT, that I Pearl ruled after 80 pages).

Jeff, a novelists researcher, becomes entangled with a young woman, Annie, experiencing extreme dreams about the Civil War.

What I did find interesting, for a debut novel (from the 1980s) was Willis's reach. In many respects she was writing three novels, the one we are reading, and within it the one for which the researcher is working on the galley proofs, and the early research for a possible novel the author he works for is interested in starting next.

There is also a lot of research about psychology and dreams (I'm curious about the accuracy of that, and its possible advance over the intervening years since the novel was written).

So while I was engaged, it was more about the mechanics of the novel. I found a lot of the Jeff/Annie stuff repetitive. I did like the Civil War nuggets. So definitely I will be returning to this writer's work.

Thanks to Stasia (alcottacre) for putting it on my radar.

15. Love and Saffron (Kim Fay) (14/02/22) ****



I have RD to thank for bringing this little gem to my attention. I love epistolary novels, almost read in one sitting. A fan writes to a columnist about the pleasure she gets from her work, enclosing a packet of saffron and a suggested use of it. The older and younger women become correspondents, and confidants. Exchanging stories of their lives and recipes. Set in the 60s, the affairs of the time, and before also frame their friendship.

I love the UK cover too.

>246 Caroline_McElwee: I have never read anything by Sally Vickers, Caroline. Is The Gardener a good place to start?

>249 Caroline_McElwee: Adding that one to the BlackHole, Caroline. Thanks for the review and recommendation!

>263 Caroline_McElwee: Glad to see that you enjoyed it.

>264 Caroline_McElwee: Already in the BlackHole thanks to Richard.

Have a wonderful week!

>265 alcottacre: I would say Miss Garnets Angel is her best, then The Cleaner of Chartres Stasia.

Hi, Caroline! As usual, you are reading some interesting books. Hooray for Once There Were Wolves! I loved that one. Jews Don't Count sounds really good. I also really liked In the Lateness of the World. I am a long overdue to read another poetry collection. I am in a drought.

>267 msf59: I am reading a volume of Tess Gallagher poems for AAC, and the complete Sylvia Plath poems Mark. I'm doing well on poetry so far this year.