A little late on the #julystats. A solid but maybe not outstanding reading month. Two books from the Miles Franklin long list but I still haven‘t read the winner ! A couple with beautiful covers that otherwise didn‘t click with me. Really enjoyed this tagged book the winner of the #MBI2019 prize.
August is all about #Booker2019 fever so looking forward to it.
pickAmazing “generational memoir”. Ernaux uses her own life (and family, friends) to illustrate the changes in France c1941-the 21st century. From economic changes (a life without indoor plumbing where everything is used through necessity to a consumerist society), to political changes and swings, the waning influence of the Catholic Church and mores, and more. She also discusses the weirdness of aging: it happens when you least expect it lol.
pick5 stars! Vasquez looks at conspiracy theories, focused on 2 assassinations in Colombia. He looks at how historical events continue to affect regular individuals even 100 years later. Long, complicated, intense, and masterfully done. On the Man Booker International shortlist. I need to read more by this author! #intranslation #colombianliterature #mbi2019 #manbookerinternational #5stars
This book is a revelation in showing ways of looking at how our personal history intersects with our collective history. It focuses on the life of a woman in post-WWII France up till the present but conveys a powerful sense of the dominant ideologies of the time. But it‘s also a profound way of looking at memory and personality. I hope it wins the #MBI2019
panI really did not understand what the author was trying to do with this book. I understand that Gilbert travels to Japan on a whim and decides to follow in the steps of Basho. In Tokyo, he meets a young man following a book on places suitable for suicide. At each spot in their travels, the reality doesn‘t fit the splendor described in the books. No suitable spot for suicide is found. The majesty of Basho‘s Japan no longer exists. Otherwise, 🤷🏻♀️
#mbi2019
Shortlist is here! We‘ve got both my favourites from the long list (remainder and drive your plough), one I found quite good (celestial bodies), one of the most disappointing books I‘ve ever read (shape of ruins) and some I haven‘t read. What an odd mix! What do you think??
pickFinished at the 11th hour before the #mbi2019 shortlist is released, this is by far my favourite of the books I‘ve read from the long list. I doubt it will win as she won it last year, but this is SO much better than flights. Weird but grounded, fascinating protagonist with a clear, individual voice, the sense of place and the Animals were just perfect. I don‘t have high hopes for it winning but certainly hope it makes the shortlist
