A selection of short stories, fairly typical to Steinbeck‘s style but seemingly lack purpose, any depth or greater exploration. Thinking back to last week when I read it I only remember two of the stories. The story of a lynching in 1930s America was confronting, and he captured a moment well - yet reading it today one wants more condemnation or understanding. It‘s a curious piece. Not where I‘d start with Steinbeck but quick enough to give a go.

Fairly classic Tangier era Burroughs. Nothing phenomenal, nothing super Naked Lunch-esque. A short read for a short flight. Junky‘s Christmas is in this collection, the Immaculate Fix bestowed upon one who is junk sick sacrificing his potential relief being a highlight.

A little gothic horror novella. Nathanial is tormented by events from his childhood involving an alchemist and stories of the Sandman, horrors of which have re-entered his imagination and life upon leaving home for university. An event involving eyes near the end tied in very nicely. Only criticism is it ended in a way where I turned the page expecting a bit more, making me wonder if that insipid last paragraph suffered from translation a little.

I should have bailed at the half way mark when I was first seriously considering it. Skimmed the last 100 pages. A local man in a wealthy town with a mysterious past dies, the book follows the subsequent year experienced by various locals who were emotionally touched. My only glimmer of a favourite was Owen Cutler who remarked ‘good‘ upon news of the death. Oates writes so well but this was a snooze.

I thoroughly enjoyed this ‘non fiction novel‘ set in the Georgian city of Savannah. It‘s the sort of place which has a hold in my imagination and I‘d love to see one day. Some vivid characters and entertaining moments. While there is a murder mystery the trial is a part of the events rather than a central theme. I admit the tail end of the book loosened its grip on me but overall a great read - unlike the drag of a movie which was made from this.

“Could we protest? We could not. It was all legal. The only thing that would have been illegal would have been for us to protest”
This book left a lasting impression. Written in 1930 it follows the experience of Cafone - peasants - of the fictional mountain village of Fontamara in Italy during the rise of fascism, and the happenings around them.

Wonderful to finally read this, many years after reading (and loving) Oryx & Crake. This added more substance and perspective to the events and characters of the first book and was great to experience the lives of some outside the compounds. Some of the gardeners hymns became a drag, and the coincidences were too much. Otherwise fantastic and looking forward to reading the last of the trilogy.

Finally read this after collecting the set. Unfortunately I‘d recently watched the later movie adaptation which is fairly close to the events in the book. As usual, some greater depth and understanding of characters and events through reading the book, and these increased the interest. Enjoyed, quite wholesome, and looking forward to Prince Caspian, the story of which I am quite unfamiliar.

“Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death”.
I found this a bit of a bore, I‘m sure Kendo practitioners who have more relation to the Ways might get something out of it, but I don‘t think it‘s of general interest. The introduction which talks of Musashi‘s life and fights was somewhat interesting, although I suspect it leaned into fantasy.
You must practice. This you must research well.

I gasped when I found this at thrift for a couple of dollars. Did not disappoint! Love it! I was hooked like I haven‘t been in a long while - oh the suspense! While different in it‘s setting and events I was reminded of reading The Robber Bride years back. The Bamford! The occult! 1960‘s New York!

Beautiful work. Equal parts adorable and harrowing. How had I not read it before?! By chance I found this on a sale table the week of the (most recent) bombings of Iran, what a context to be reading it in. History rhymes indeed, and the people always suffer for it.

I enjoyed it, although the end was a bit odd - was there a recent family tragedy which makes for a really sad event? Unsure, unexplained. Aside from that it was fun enough. A couple of prankster kids with a fascination for ghosts and the local haunted house. I may have the positive feeling primarily because this was read to me, drifting off to sleep with Goosebumps being read aloud was really nice.

Another mini Penguin for a short trip. Thoroughly enjoyed this, my introduction to the Ramayanam - an abridged version of R. K. Narayan‘s 1972 prose - I think this is from just one section. The cover is beautiful too, this image doesn‘t do it justice. I do now have a bunch of tabs open with writing on patriarchy and the Ramayana due to Sita‘s ordeal by fire…

I searched this out after spotting it in Bullet Train. While the plot and various aspects were decent, overall I found it tried too hard to be overly intelligent. Hel also ends up more super hero than man, and the aspect which got to me the most was the authors infatuation with race - particularly attributing stereotypes and the appalling way Arabs were portrayed. It wrapped up decently and wasn‘t the worst read but not one I‘d recommend.

A great reference book. Various subjects with accessible overviews and a bunch of stats and facts. Great work, and I‘m very happy our local library has this in the collection.

These Papercut Tales from the Crypts are fun, I‘ve been keeping one on the bedside table for breaks from novels. The TV show is one of my favourite series. Bad taste humour, puns, non digital special effects and classic noir horror was so well done. This series of trade paperbacks fits the lineage well.

Spurred by the (way too long imho) movie I finally picked up a copy of Queer. Interesting and descriptive in its time and places, somewhat disjointed, not entirely satisfying but still good. More accessible than his later works. His protagonist isn‘t exactly likeable but I don‘t believe that is the intent. Glad to have finally read it.

What‘s not to love in this. Eastern Europe, a keep, and a vampire with a taste for Nazi blood.

Would love to find more of F. Paul Wilson‘s work, I‘ve seldom seen anything from him in Australia.

Finally read the renowned work, this the American translation. I know at it‘s time it was quite impactful. I find it more interesting for how much has been made of it over time and it‘s historical & geographic placement rather than the content itself. Men abusing dogs, women, and indifferent to others. A man writing a male protagonist who attracts a woman for not much reason. Some good quotes and moments but not a lot there today for my interest.

I took this on a short trip recently for a light read. These mini penguins are great for that. I found this one overall boring and uninspiring, there was one essay ‘On Work and Happiness‘ had moments and relevance, other than that quite unremarkable.

My father who‘s a (vintage) Ford fan had talked about this book during a visit, so I thought I‘d give it a go and did not expect much.
While I didn‘t agree with all his views, I enjoyed much of it, especially the insight into the period of the American auto industry and his critiques of Reagan. His essays on tariffs and protecting the US auto industry were informative to my ability to critique current times. Shelf alongside High Output Management!

I‘ve really fallen behind in logging my reads - again! Enjoyed this window into a place, time, situation.. I really hope their journey to the big city worked out, but I suspect it won‘t be all fame and money. Val was so frustrating!

Released during George W Bush‘s second term it is just as relevant today, providing insight and understanding to the road paved for where Trump now stands. The lessons regarding framing issues and how to change course are strong and worthy, but somehow have been missed by the mainstream left. It‘s a good read, I recommend highly, but damn it‘s sad reading this now, little of this implemented in the decades since. Dems, read it!

I discovered Stephanie Oakes from the credits to the tv series Sacred Lies (watch it!). This new book is set in a future after the great collapse of civilisation due to climate disaster, in a new technological authoritarian society. Overall I found it a bit light and slow, but wasn‘t bad. The sci fi elements weren‘t deep but the hair transplant module was interesting. Some YA does grab me, but this probably more for the teens.

I didn‘t realise until well into it that this was an abridged version. I enjoyed it. It made the film make more sense to me. Still not entirely sure how I feel about it all. An insight into the world of early - mid 20th century aristocracy and class divisions and identity within the ranks of the working class. I‘d liked to have read the original text, but kinda glad I didn‘t and I don‘t see myself ever doing so now.

Music bios are hit and miss for me. This was a total hit. Not really a biography, more anecdotes and reflections on life in music, specifically heavy metal, and as a gay man who was in the closet for so much of it. I laughed a lot, he has a great English wit and is very much not in the closet now! It was a wonderful time being stuck into this one.

❤️absolute love, my favourite book of 2024. I picked this up on Book Street in Hanoi and it was the perfect read for coming home. A story of three generations, written as a long letter to his mother, increasingly in poetic form. Love, pain, the American experience, a Vietnamese experience. The view of a ‘refugee‘ sees things we may not, loves words we throw aside. I‘m totally enraptured.

A fairly detestable character but it was an easy enough, kinda interesting read over a few days. Short bursts of a certain way of life set during 1940s LA and NY. Alcoholism, horse racing, womanizing, a detest of work (which I understand but dude, sometimes, suck it up!), trying to be a Man with a capital M. I felt mixed, but it wasn‘t a terrible read. Flipped between so-so and pick but pick it is, some of the paragraphs and writing really good.

Overall a good read. I bought this upon returning from a trip to Vietnam - visiting places gets me thirsty for content and it gave vividness to the story. I enjoyed the dialogue style, the subject and journey interesting. The characters felt like caricatures, the situations gradually more absurd - unsure if that detracted but it made an interesting way to explore subjects. The pointlessness & lack of a clear ‘right‘ in war my main impression

I picked this up at an Op shop based on the name and cover, took it as my recent read while travelling. The plot is far fetched and too much of a stretch and it just did not do it for me.

A well written and insightful look at the strongman ‘leaders‘ throughout the world and modern history and the commonalities, themes and environments which allow them power. Not a huge amount of hope was given when reading it at our current point in history, but I think important nonetheless at least in understanding our situations.

I knew nothing about this book or its author when I picked it up. Highly recommend. I laughed a lot, enjoyed the adventures and descriptions of both people and non-human animals. The word ‘lugubrious‘ is now etched into my vocabulary, not due to the book being morose but the words use which I had hardly seen before. I was sorry to learn that Larry‘s then wife was written out of the story, I guess it made it easier to write but still, unfortunate.

This one is too much work for me. Bailed at page 50. It isn‘t that it is poorly written of course, or that there aren‘t moments that I thoroughly enjoyed. I can see how it pushed various boundaries at the time and explores concepts of love, sexuality, partnership and imperial England. However I don‘t particularly care about the people nor how the rest of the day turns out. Clarissa‘s exclamation of “utterly base” was a favoured moment.

Classic pulp fiction, and my first Perry Mason. Always assumed he was a detective, but is actually a lawyer.

A product of its time, I still wonder how he could analyse a broad‘s legs through binoculars while she‘s driving a car, perhaps the greatest mystery of all. Having said that he is happily working with intelligent women he respects, it wasn‘t all chauvinism.

Fun read, and I love the well journeyed cover.

A journey recounting the multi generational experience of a First Nations family line in occupied ‘Australia‘. Stories still not told nor respected enough on this land. In ways it was a hard read - the abuse & trauma - it also became at times not the most riveting. Overall it did link the generations and provided what felt like an authentic insight, for this I am grateful.

I felt troubled by this. I never got why Alaya was so determined to invade and brutalise the humans from the outset. Nor why the mayor jumped right in with the religious group rather than turning them in, although it kinda makes sense given the threats. Aside from that, it was a good exploration of war and intolerance. Interesting SF aspect with the silents. Kinda depressing to read straight after Maus. Very well illustrated and packaged.

Incredibly powerful account of the genocide of European Jews during WW2. Harrowing, human. The mix of the depiction of the story in its historical place interwoven with the telling of the history by father to son made it exceptional. The graphic novel form worked so well. I would recommend to all. Sits alongside Joe Sacco in my shelf. Does anyone know other great history works in graphic novel form? Would love to find more.

What a feel for 1930‘s - 40‘s Ireland. Strict Catholicism and British occupation in a misty land. At first the style was difficult (you, he, she) but it‘s not so bad. I, father, mother. The story settled in and carried me along through this Irish village life, which could be hard for all but especially it‘s women.

It became apparent this was never going to do much for me. Had a strong start, and a rambling haunted mansion which helps. Ultimately too exaggerated and not very engaging, my mind kept wandering. The final straw was the multi page yawnfest intro of the protagonists siblings, all high fliers. Doctor, entrepreneur etc. Like Kelman was trying to make this ultra cool set of people but no family is that perfect, and I don‘t care much for them.

A journey of hideouts, waiting, drinking, surviving, desire. I did find it a little immature, a teenagers impatience and desires. Enjoyed the settings and insight into a world of the petty criminal 60s France and she did have a great voice.

As much as I appreciated Sula, at no point did I feel hooked. I slogged through some of the winding lengthy philoso-prose, didn‘t get much of a picture of some of the characters. Kept feeling like putting it down. Through telling of black stories, black community I gained something, the story and book itself a bit meh unfortunately.

Like so many books of its type, there is some generally useful thought and a heck of a lot of filler. Should‘ve been 5-10 pages. It‘s aimed at leadership levels, I‘d be wary of anyone in leadership who got much out of it. One would hope that experience, self reflection and personal growth would have gotten you there. But then management are often some of the least capable people in an org. I wouldn‘t recommend wasting the paper this is printed on.

One of those books I just could not put down. Small town drama, class disparity, murders, pain, violence, inter generational trauma, care wrapped up and delivered in a masterful voice. Finished it mid morning in the bath, felt fitting given Camille‘s situation at that time. I‘m hooked and look forward to reading more Flynn.

I received this as a birthday present. Quick read and utterly enjoyable, just what I needed after recent non fiction. I think one would call this teen fiction. In some ways it reads younger but then some of the events and themes would certainly affect those too young. Really loved this world and tale, will be looking for more of the series now. Books as gifts always appreciated here!

Found the style a little hard to get into at first, but after easing in it was an enjoyable read. Some of the things said may not have got past the editors these days, but the use of these isn‘t so toxic, I believe anyhow. The topics still relevant today, a cynical, satirical dystopian ‘near future‘ with an entertaining plot. Conspiracy, espionage, murder, plenty of dark humour and there‘s even a car chase in there.

Coming from Aotearoa NZ I‘d always been interested to read Mansfield. Not really for me however. The characters and situations lean into ‘hysterical women‘, the events not all that interesting. I enjoyed the descriptions of places, furniture, clothing, transport but ultimately after 50 or so pages I had to put this down.

I‘d watched the multi-part Al Jazeera ‘al nakba‘ and was so impressed by an interviewee speaking fluent Arabic that I looked him up and bought his book. It is a wonderful work spanning the Ottoman occupations (1500‘s) to the mid 00‘s, utilising a vast amount of Arabic material rather than a usual western-heavy approach. Learned so much. If you‘re interested in the region and it‘s events, relevant to us all in many ways - please check this one out.

I‘m struggling to articulate this one. Important; intersectional; staunchly anti capitalist and decolonial. I‘m in agreement with much of the book. A lot of it is very academic in language, and very French in its history covered but not inaccessible. A summary could be single issues will not win in struggles for equality, decolonisation must be strived for and respectability politics is futile. I need to read some fiction to feel less glum now.

In Dark Emu we learn that pre colonial Australia was not populated by unsophisticated nomadic hunter gatherers, but by people who had established agriculture, lived in houses and villages, curated the landscape. Major crops included yams and grains. A people who lived for ~65,000 years with an attachment and respect for land and who did not rely on violence as an integral part of their society. We could all learn so much from First Nations people.

Insightful, heartbreaking, human. Loved this book, the world would be better if more people read this instead of social media comments.