Wow, it’s a big month for books around here. First there was the big Christmas round up and now this post! Next, I think I’ll take a break from book talk for a while. Rest up and read – hey, that sounds like a plan. I’ve got a few on the go. Here they are.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is one of those novels that get regular mentions on ‘Best of speculative fiction’ lists, but truth be told I’d never even held a copy in my hands until last month. It was on the returns trolley at the library, and is rather a small, battered copy – quite fitting trials for it to endure, if you think about it, as the story is about the destruction of books in a regulated and controlled ‘alternate’ reality. Think 1984 and you’re in the ballpark. This is the first Bradbury I’ve had any success with (I’m halfway through), and I’m beginning to see why he’s got so many admirers.
I picked up Australian Love Stories, edited by Cate Kennedy, because I submitted a story for consideration when it was being published. I wasn’t upset when it was passed over because I knew the piece wasn’t quite ready but it was a target I set myself and thought ‘why not’. A lot of the names in the index are familiar, but a lot are new to me as well, and I’m always keen to discover new local writers. So that’s in the pile. As is The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald, another one of those ‘I can’t believe I hadn’t read it yet’ titles, especially considering he’s one of my favourite writers.
These were all put on pause until I finished The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan, which I did on the weekend. I’d been on the waiting list at the library for approximately five thousand years when it finally came in, just after it won this year’s Man Booker Prize (just imagine how long the line has exploded to now!). My goodness, I loved it. It deserved all the awards. Flanagan is a very crafty writer, and I mean that in all the best senses. He’s literary, but doesn’t let that get in the way of actually telling the damn story. There’s a balance. It reminds me of why I also like Lloyd Jones’ work so much. Highly recommended – I give it a ‘three cry’ score, because that’s how many times I cried while reading. (If you’re interested, I also made Flanagan’s bread recipe, that’s delicious and easy.)
What are you reading this month?
