The Ig's list for 2022

After finally hitting 100 last year - https://www.librarything.com/topic/328308- with not too much easy kindle self published dross to make the numbers (ahem), reckon that this year will be lot lower for various reasons so moving back to the 75 challenge for the first time since 2014.

Will review last years reading at some point - some really memorable reads in there as opposed to 2020, which was nothing special. Looking back was devouring the contents of kindle unlimited a lot of the time which does have quality control issues ....

From a personal library perspective - 2021 was rather eventful - sold my house and consequently donated 1/3 of my library to charity and the rest went into long term storage.

Could imagine this could bring out the cold sweats with a lot of folk on here, but found it surprisingly easy to do - esp. closer to moving date as boxes ran out and sentimentality to all possessions went out of the window.

Luckily my favourite local library was less than 5 mins away in my temporary abode, so perused their catalogue with a vengeance and found some interesting fare.

2021 review to add

2022

-l Library
-k Kindle
-r Repeat reading

Jan

1. Elevation - S.King -k -r
2. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris -k
3. Break Point: SAS: Who Dares Wins: SAS: Who Dares Wins Host's… by Ollie Ollerton -k
4. Flight or Fright: 17 Turbulent Tales -l
5. Walking Home by Simon Armitage -l
6. the cold - rich hawkins -k -r
7. God's Middle Finger: Into the Lawless Heart of the Sierra Madre by Richard Grant

Reviews to potentially follow.

Feb.

8. Sing Backwards and Weep by Mark Lanegan -k
9. The Village by Caroline Mitchell -k
10. The Tilted World by Tom Franklin -l
11. Poachers by Tom Franklin -l -r
12. 1984 - George Orwell -k -r
13. No Good Deed by John Niven -l -r

Mar.
14. Fatal Sunset by Jason Webster -l
15. The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan -l
16. The Everest Years: The challenge of the world's highest mountain by Chris Bonington -k
17. LZR-1143: Infection by James Bryan -k
18. From a Low and Quiet Sea by Donal Ryan -l

Gave up on American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett - 250 pages in - good but trying to do too many things and couldn't face another 400 pages of it

Welcome back! I'm also in the process of downsizing - books as well as furniture, etc. So I feel your our pain. 😀

Looks like a good start to the year.

#5. Thanks - forgotten how much much busier this thread is than the 100 books challenge. One page covers everyone for the year pretty much over there, one page = one day here.

Once I got on a roll it got easier, although a lot of my library is 2nd hand anyway, so just passing it on to another party via a good cause. Also my previous house was a Victorian one so had a couple of large bookcases built into walls which new abode doesn't have, so knew that a lot of books had to go as space will be limited.

Fiction wasn't that difficult tbh esp. if I know it's in my cities library stock. Practically - my saviour was a job load of Archive boxes from Mrs Ig's work - easy to stack and fill without much internal slippage and no concerns about them collapsing.

The closer to moving date, and as the supply of remaining boxes decrease the more ruthless you become ;)

Apr.
19. Ask the Dust ("Rebel Inc." Classics) by John Fante -k -r
20. The Thing About December by Donal Ryan -l
21. The Deep by Nick Cutter -l
22. The Scarlet Plague by Jack London -l
23. Cataract City by Craig Davidson

On the moving front:

4 bookcases - huge clearout is still > one large bookcase.

Horizontal stacking, double stacked - not a pretty affair at the mo. Another cull is in order it seems.

May.

May.
24. Travels With My Aunt by Graham Greene -l
25. The Fighter by Craig Davidson -l -r
26. Life at the Bottom : The Worldview that Makes the Underclass by Theodore Dalrymple -k
27. Guerra by Jason Webster
28. Monrovia Mon Amour: A Visit to Liberia by Theodore Dalrymple -k
29. Zanzibar to Timbuktu by Theodore Dalrymple -k
30. The Wilder Shores of Marx: Journeys in a Vanishing World by Theodore Dalrymple -k

reviews to follow.

Pruning the library is a lot harder now - around 12 books so far but to coin a line ' those are rookie numbers, you need to get those numbers right up'

June.

31. Short Breaks in Mordor: Dawns and Departures of a Scribbler's Life by Peter Hitchens -k

Following on the theme from book 30 above.

32. Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter - r - l

Fancied a re-read after looking back over my library list. Still very good but not quite as spectacular as I felt on my first read.

33. The Birthday Boys by Beryl Bainbridge -l

I'm very familiar with the main story, but the fictionalized personalization was well done and considering the subject matter (guessing/assuming the author has done her research here) treated respectfully.

34. No Wall Too High: One Man’s Daring Escape from Mao's Darkest Prison by Xu Hongci -k

Well written if a tad too detailed in places (for me) about the events of the author's life after being denounced as a 'rightest' in college. This covers the Anti-Rightist Campaign/Great leap forward and then the Cultural Revolution.

Xu's will to escape and methods of attempting it are impressive and you get an idea of what living in such a regime was like when you didn't confirm .. or even if you did and someone didn't like you and denounced you.

July

35. What Does This Button Do? by Bruce Dickinson -k

Entertaining and informative - esp in regards to becoming a commercial pilot - from Iron Maidens vocalist. Unlike any other 'rock star' autobiography you have ever or will probably ever read and all the better for it. IM fans might feel short changed but the book is about Bruce and you get the feeling that being the lead singer is just part of his life and certainly doesn't define him. The impression I get from the book is that aviation and being a pilot is what drives Bruce more than anything else.

36. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell -k -r

Needed something to hand, and my fav. Orwell book did the job again.

37. The road to wigan pier by George Orwell -k -r

Quick re-read - ok, part 1 is ok, part 2 makes some good points but needs to be taken into the attitudes of the times. You do wonder what Orwell would have made of last couple of years.

38. The F*ck-it List by John Niven -k -r

A re-read - my review was quite harsh the first time looking back but have upgraded it 1/2 star on reflection. Not bad, and very topical now in some ways - still slightly disappointing compared to most of John's previous books on the satire front.

39. Footnote* by Boff Whalley -r

Re-read before Charity shop donation.

40. Angelheaded Hipster: Life of Jack Kerouac by Steve Turner -r

Another re-read in the sun earlier - have reserved a couple of Kerouac books from the local library to see if what I think of his writing. Obv impressed by him as late teen/early 20 year old, but wondering whether the glow will fade.

another couple of re-reads

41. Cunning Folk by Adam Nevill -k -r

42. Some Will Not Sleep: Selected Horrors by Adam Nevill -k -r

43. Sombrero Fallout ("Rebel Inc." Classics) by Richard Brautigan -r

Needed something light to read in the sun - used to think this was amazing, now just typical Brautigan - has it's moments and a lot more violent than I remember even in it's surreal way.

44. Willard and His Bowling Trophies: A Perverse Mystery by Richard Brautigan -k

One of Brautigan's novels that I haven't read and appeared on Kindle unlimited so obv required a reading. Perverse being the operative word, and being Brautigan, usual levels of surrealness.

Not sure I'd recommend him in the ways I used to though.

45. Paranoia in the Launderette (Bloomsbury paperbacks) by Bruce Robinson -r

Short and sweet in the summer sun.

46. The Night Always Comes: a novel by Willy Vlautin

The usual well written if depressing tale of folk down on their 'luck' and just existing.

47. Shelf Respect: A Book Lovers' Guide to Curating Book Shelves at Home by Annie Austen -l

Quick and easy read although a bit twee tbh - more an easy read about bibliography rather than the subject matter hinted at in the title.

48. The Gifts of Reading by Robert Macfarlane -l

An essay more than a book about the passing on books as gifts.

49. And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks (Penguin Modern Classics) by Jack Kerouac (Author), William S. Burroughs (Author) -l

I knew the background to this story but found it more engaging than a lot of both author's others works - certainly a lot more readable and polished it off in a day.

50. The House on the Hill (DCI Billy McCartney -by Kevin Sampson

I'd picked this up on a recent trip to my new local library where a massive 50p sale of old stock was in place. Despite trying to further thin my library, I ended up increasing my tbr pile by around 20% but would have been wrong not to pick up some of bargains I found.

I knew this author by name but didn't realise he did Crime thrillers, so took a punt on this.

Review here: https://www.librarything.com/work/15121583/reviews/221148213#

Gave up on A Reading Diary: A Year of Favourite Books by Alberto Manguel , bit too literary pretentious for me, although would like to check some of his others works.

>18 Ignatius777: I'd love to hear more about this statement: "Not sure I'd recommend him in the ways I used to though."

I haven't read Willard yet, but I have read Trout Fishing in America this year and In Watermelon Sugar about 9 years ago.

>22 ursula: I used to sing his praises due to the playfulness of his language and story telling, preaching to all and sundry about this writer that you need to check out whose books are like nothing else. Then I read his daughter's memoir "You Can't Catch Death: A Daughter's Memoir by Ianthe Brautigan and this biography Downstream from Trout Fishing in America: A Memoir of Richard Brautiganby Keith Abbott which didn't paint him in the nicest colours - and possibly affected my view of a carefree hippie/beat type free soul and maybe started my change in how I viewed him.

I'm re-reading a lot of authors I enjoyed in my 20's and seeing whether my aging (now >50 drneutron:) has changed my view of their works and Brautigan was the obvious first choice. I found that whilst still quirky, their was an element of more childishness noticeable in the writing and simultaneously a more dark undercurrent that I didn't notice before (the violence in Sombrero fallout for example). There are criticisms that Brautigan never evolved as a writer and I can see that more clearly now.

I'd still recommend him for something different but give a few more caveats this time. I'm going to re-read A Confederate General from Big Sur next - which I remember being a bit more straightforward and see how well that has aged.

August.

51. Canoeing the Congo: The First Source-to-Sea Descent of the Congo River by Phil Harwood -k

I really enjoyed this travelogue - some have criticised (on Amazon rather than on LT) it's same-ey-ness but what do they expect ? It's a man cannoeing down a river in Congo - it isn't going to change that much is it ? What is awe-inspiring is that (without wishing to give spoilers away) this is a proper dangerous 50/50 you make it out alive trip and primarily because of the locals not the dangers of the river itself. I've read a LOT of travel writing - the danger element is often used in marketing and is usually hyperbole - this isn't the case here. You learn about the best and worst of man here. Quite often I read a decent travelogue and think ' I'd like to do that' - that isn't the case here, but I'm glad Phil did it / succeeded and wrote about it.

Also read 3 chapters of backroom boys - wasn't interested in the other chapters but those on "Elite" (the computer game) and "The Beagle missions" were outstanding in terms of explanations of everything that allowed them to prosper.

52. Under The Skin (Canons) - Michael Faber -k

I'd seen the film but this is FAR better and wish I'd read this beforehand, one of the best things I've read so far this year. There is an obvious ethical angle/debate going on which doesn't come out in the film which is quite powerful in places.

Started the same author's short story collection "some rain must fall" as was also on Kindle Unlimited but it didn't seize my attention although certainly well written.

53. The Watchers: A gripping debut horror novel by A.M. Shine -k

Review here: https://www.librarything.com/work/27258497/summary/222613720

54. The Fahrenheit Twins and Other Stories by Michel Faber -k

Excellent collection esp as gave up on Some rain must fall only a week ago.

Also started Brighton Rock and gave up and donated after 30pages in - struggled to get into it and compared to his other works Ive read felt awkward.

Back to a re-read of Orwell's 'keep the aspidistra flying' which is far more satisfying.

55. Keep the Aspidistra Flying (Penguin Modern Classics) by George Orwell -k -r

Probably the last time I re-read this, the character is painfully annoying although when he gets a bit Bukowski-esque at one point, I found him far more likeable.... but then I would I suppose ...

56. We Need to Weaken the Mixture by Guy Martin -l

Sep

57. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones -l

Fail to understand the universal plaudits for this personally - it's different and well written but the pacing is all over the place and the last quarter unnecessarily drags on in two particular scenes, especially one which has no place here. Looking at other reviews on LT, seems I'm not the only one. Didn't really find it suspenseful or that horrific either - possibly even thinking it's YA book (which I'm sure the author would be appalled at :) )

I always feel that certain authors need a STRONG editor to curtail their literary excesses, looking at you Mr King and again Adam Nevilll from one of my modern horror favourites.

Will check out Stephen's other books though.

58. Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi -l

A readable and interesting book about Albania after the overthrow of King Zog and it's 'descent' to a Stalin-esque way of life, with echo's of North Korea but maybe not quite as extreme.

The author is a professor of political science in the UK, and I did find that the political side of things was explained and debated (by her family - although you'll understand why around 3/4 of the way in) a bit too much for me and would have preferred more focus on the events and general living in such a place prior to the overthrow.

Gave up or rather chose not to persevere with re-reading Big Sur by J. Kerouac - started off ok but found it / him increasingly annoying - whether it was the prose or the auto-biographical actions .... maybe a bit of both.

59. Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay -l

Not really a post-apoc book, more a potential End of the World type thriller that moves along at decent pace. The focus is on one (well two people) person's plight which is unusual in this genre. Had me sucked in, although partly due to expectation of events ramping up which didn't happen.

60. Gwendy's Final Task (Gwendy's Button Box Trilogy) by Stephen King -k -l

Enjoyed the first, not had chance to read the second but this was ok. Just ok though, the Dark Tower link (not really a fan of his fantasy stuff) I found a bit forced and unnecessary. As was the forcing of his own politics in this from a very basic viewpoint.

61. Our Man in Havana (Vintage Classics) by Graham Greene -l

Doesn't really need a review does it ? 3.5 stars explains how I felt about it.

62. Wrote For Luck by D. J. Taylor -l

The review on the page on LT by HelenLiz sums it up perfectly. It's those short stories that are more a slice of life that anything that happens (that can often in the wrong hands irritate) but here the author adds a touch of melancholy and his language and phrasing is humorous and clever at times.

The stories for the most part though seem to involve upper middle class literary types which did start to grate a little.

63. The Villain: The Life of Don Whillans by Jim Perrin -r

Re-read before charity shop donation - a well told, but sad tale in the second half of a pioneer in decline, primarily thanks to the 'failing' of his own character.

64. Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls by Sedaris, David (2013) Paperback by David Sedaris -l

One of the few DS book's I hadn't got around to reading, good and still amusing but not one of his best. Few laugh out loud moments rather than constant ones.

65. The Long Knives (The CRIME series, 2) by Irvine Welsh -l

Review on LT page.

Oct.

66. Remainders of the Day: More Diaries from The Bookshop, Wigtown by Shaun Bythell -l

Review here: https://www.librarything.com/work/28258400/reviews/226341530#

67. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn -l -k

Considering I'm the most cynical person I know, even I was taken aback from some of the reviews for this - both on Amazon and here on LT.

Some really great nature writing and Ray's prose captures the landscape perfectly. There is a gloss over the circumstances that led to their situation which I would have liked a bit more of and the last section of the novel after their break isn't as well written or as descriptive - although that could reflect the change in landscape from rural to town. Have to be a true heartless soul not to get something or be moved from this book.

68. At the Chime of a City Clock by D. J. Taylor -l

Readable but ultimately un-inspiring. Set in 30's London it catches the atmosphere well (I assume?) but the plot is basic and doesn't really resolve after meandering around.

69. Pour Me: A Life by AA Gill -l

Despite having apparently some of the most extreme Dyslexia that you can apparently have (all his prose/columns are dictated and then copy written, as even the spellchecker can't fathom what he's on about), AA Gill became the highest paid columnist in the whole UK I believe, writing for the Sunday times on a variety of subjects.

He spent his 20's as a raging alcoholic - maybe not raging in the Dylan Thomas sense though - and only started writing when he was sober (hence the AA in his name) and joining the paper in his 30's. As he points out, he had no writing experience but compared to the fresh faced out of Oxford colleagues, he had actually lived.

I've yet to read some of his compiled writings but this book showcases his skills (mostly).

It's autobiographical but starts in his alcohol days and here he shows how be can write. Regarding a down at heel boozer ' the walls dripped with nicotine and despair' ... reminding me of pubs that I have frequented in my own boozy past.

Once he starts recounting his life properly, I started getting bored though- his time at Art college wasn't really of interest apart from bookmarking artists/paintings that I need to check out and once he gets onto his early journalistic days, whilst better in terms of entertainment and the writing, it still lacks the punch of the opening chapters - although tbf - keeping that standard throughout would have been some achievement, and only a fellow drinker could possibly relate to the depth of his prose.

Will see how his collected travel writing that I also borrowed from the library pans out. Both certainly popular judging by the amount of stamps on the takeout page.

Good haul from my new local library who have continued their 50p sale for some time. A Theisger biography, book of Seamus Heaney's poems and a couple of cookery books.

Also had from 1942; an Everest expedition book, which must have been lying around in some dusty storeroom for some time! Almost purchased purely for the excellent old library stamp at the start, but my overflowing bookcase limits in my new abode have made me very strict in the manner of new acquisitions.

70. A Lie About My Father by John Burnside -l

A sad and moving tale from the poet/author John Burnside growing up in the 50's/60's in deprived area of Fife in Scotland with an alcoholic father. It's not Shuggie Bain hopelessness/grimness - his dad never misses a day of work ever (as this is seen as something a REAL man would never do) but a different sort of painful childhood upbringing.

The threat of violence rather than it's actual delivery, and the failed dreams of the father (and the lies he told) wearing down both his wife and family.

There's a poignant scene in the final chapter at his father's wake, where his barfly friends either don't wish to question the dead mans lies or choose to actually believe them. Questioning them would reflect badly on them though, so they become gospel.

It's ironic, that people talk about the present generation as presenting one image (online) with the actual reality and that it's a new thing. For the males of that era and class, an image/story must be presented constantly regardless of the facts or the reality, and after a while it absorbs the lie element and becomes the truth.

I personally thought Shuggie Bain was very over-rated and certainly not Booker prize winning material (discussing this with my local librarian, she agreed completely but said admitting that at her work was sacrilege!) but this, would be a far better choice for something in that vein, and certainly better written.

Holiday reading

71. Fante: A Family's Legacy of Writing, Drinking and Surviving (P.S.) by Dan Fante

Too much about his dad I thought, and I see know that his novels are basically autobiographical. Still enjoyable with his prose allowing a quick read. Would have also liked a bit more about his own writing career when it actually took off as opposed to the build up to it. An eventful life the man has lived (and not in a good way) - some worse than rock star alcoholic memories especially the quitting process.

72. Last Night in Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel -k

How did this get published ? I've enjoyed S11 and another of her books but this is like something an 18 year old would write. The criticisms on the LT reviews say it all - the language is ok and the idea of lost words from dying languages was interesting, but the plot twists and character behaviours is ludicrous frankly.

73. Teenage Degenerate: A Memoir that Explores the Depths of Methamphetamine… by S. C. Sterling -k

A year in the life of a meth addict from first hit to bad addiction. Readable but pretty poor overall.

Nov.

74. The Vessel by Adam Nevill -k

Review here - very disappointed offering from one of my favourite authors'.

https://www.librarything.com/work/29043403/summary/228464255

75. Sefira and Other Betrayals by John Langan -k

Had previously given up on The Wide, Carnivorous Sky and Other Monstrous Geographies which has acclaim from a lot of quarters as none of the tales inside seemed to go anywhere and failed to grab my attention.

But gave Mr Lanagan another go and whilst these were well written, all way too long. The stories are of darkish/horror themes but in each one, the payoff is minimal and could have been brought in around 50% earlier.

Less is more John.

>47 Ignatius777: Congratulations on reaching 75, Ignatius!

>48 FAMeulstee:. thankyou.

Congrats!

>50 drneutron:. thx

76. Apt Pupil (Different Seasons) by Stephen King -l -r

Saw this by chance in the library yesterday and been a while since I've read it (as part of the excellent Different Seasons collection) that I used to own and gave away in one of my many clear outs.

A good, unique if disturbing tale and tightly written (esp for SK) - having read nearly his entire output apart from the fantasy novels, I've always said that he's a better short story/novella writer as doesn't/can't get carried away.

77. Sierra Leone: Deliver A Blow: The True SAS Story of Operation Barras by Andy Pacino -k

Very readable tale (take from various soldier's accounts) of a SAS operation with quite possibly the vilest 'enemy' on the planet. Harrowing in places - not the operation itself, but the accounts of the perpetrators atrocities.

Thank you as always for books, thank you for this group and thanks for you. Have a lovely day, Ignatius.

>53 PaulCranswick:. Thankyou Paul.

78. Sacculina by Philip Fracassi -k

and it stared off so well .... A recommendation from Adam Nevill had me reading this, and the 1st half didn't disappoint of this novella. Decent characterisation; even if the sea captain was a bit of a cliché .. but then just as things were getting good ... it's the dreaded 'dream sequence' :(
I personally loathe these, Mr King has a LOT to answer for making these a stalwart of so many horror tales. However this was pointless in regards to the plot and just an excuse for an OTT descriptive scene. Whilst there was a point - of sorts - to the protagonist falling asleep for the plot development - a simple, 'drained by the events of the day and the beers consumed, sleep came quickly' would have sufficed you know ? Post nap though, things went very strange, illogical actions abound and the whole pacing fell apart as did the plot. It actually felt like it was written by a different author such was the change. Will check out the author's other works though and hope this was a one off.

Also read 'The Rejects' by the above author from Kindle Unlimited which was a short story - decent(ish) but could have been expanded on in my view a bit further.

79. The Mountains are Calling: Running in the High Places of Scotland by Jonny Muir -l

I'd read an earlier book of Mr Muir's and whilst readable was hardly great literary fare (his first book). This however is in a different league of writing although as a English Teacher now, it's maybe not un-expected. It could be said to be a Scottish version of the book that brought fell/hill running into the more mainstream of sports writing - the award winning 'Feet in the clouds'. At the heart of that book was the author's attempt at the Bob Graham Round and here it's the Scottish equivalent 'the Ramsey Round' interspaced with interviews/races and the changes in the author's life in regards to his relationship with the hills and mountains.

Feet in the Clouds had interviews/chapters with the old-skool greats: Billy Bland/Joss Naylor/Kenny Stuart/Helen Diamantides ;this has the new breed focused on the Scottish contingent - Colin Donnelly (from a slightly older time) and the modern legends that are Finlay Wild/Jasmin Paris.

It's not just the races/records and gruelling feats of stamina thought that makes this book special - there's elements of Robert Macfarlanes nature writing (the good bits ...) and love of the wild landscapes that comes through.

If you aren't an outdoors runner, this should inspire you leave the treadmill/roads and unforgiving surfaces behind to em... charge down unforgiving surfaces on a mountain. You'll maybe get injured but you'll have a hell of a lot more fun doing it ...

Dec.

80. Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence by Gavin Francis -l

A small, sensitively and well-informed written book on recovery from a Scottish GP. A lot of forgotten advice from the history of medicine that people should take more account of.

81. George Orwell's 1984: The Graphic Novel by Matyáš Namai -l

Not a genre I usually if ever read, but this was well done and would be a good introduction to Orwell/1984 for a younger reader who might be put off by the normal novel. To be fair - on re-read, I skipped a lot of the newspeak appendixes which whilst interesting linguistically did drag on.

82. The Age of Decayed Futurity: The Best of Mark Samuels by Mark Samuels -k -r

A re-read of a sort of best of collection. Had a kindle unlimited binge on this author last year after discovering his dark/horror short stories ( horror in the Ligotti sense but a very British take in places).

Some dark themes explored here, esp in the last story which I hadn't remembered the details of and was built up to a disturbing conclusion.

83. Allen Carr's Easy Way to Better Sleep: Allen Carr -l

As a chronic insomniac I thought I'd give a go but it's rubbish frankly. I'd read his stop smoking book and understand his methodology (although it's repeated ad nasueam) but his 'method' can't be applied here, at least not to me.

Bit of cash in, in my view - awaiting these no doubt to be published in 2023 - Allen Carr's Easy way to paying bills/cooking pasta/doing press ups ....

I've have noticed that a lot of these types of books could be around 25% of the length without losing any of their message.

84. The Fisherman by John Langan -l

I had some slight concerns about reading this, a bit of a marmite book and had seen some less than flattering reviews about the third part - but whilst I understood whilst reading the bit that got certain reviewers ire, that it was a bit eye rolling inly cringey - there is a play off from this in the very last page which adds another level of horror.

The plot - although most would say horror - it's not; it's about loss and the pain of it, and to a degree the passing of time wrapped up a supernatural-ish slight Lovecraftian tale, where fishing plays a redemptive part for the protagonist(s).

Stealing a line from another Amazon reviewer - the 1st part (there are 3 and all very separate to a degree) has one of the most well written and homely voices outside Stephen king - certainly the part that he does exceptionally - this sets the tale and the role of fishing in it. Part two gives a backlog to the story which could have had a fair number of pages lopped off. This is my only criticism; it is a bit over-written in places - I found the same in his short stories. Certainly a literary tale though in the manner of MR James and the old weird tales authors of that ilk.

In the afterwards; the author tells us that publishing houses thought the same - too literary for a horror novel, too much horror for a literary novel. I'm glad though that someone decided to ignore that and publish it.

Def. Recommended though.

85. Small Things Like These: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2022
by Claire Keegan -l

A small novel; more an extended short story perhaps, covering a fuel owners discovery of potential abuse at a convent (based on real life sadly) in rural Ireland at Christmas time.

It's very well written without a word wasted and catches a theme of a deep melancholy almost ingrained in the people/land that I find in a lot of Irish writers that I've read recently - Donal O'Bryan, Kevin Barry.

Personally don't think it's that amazing to be shortlisted though, but then I thought Shuggie Bain was extremely over-rated in literary terms.

86. You Can Sleep Too!: Put insomnia to bed with the gold-standard method. by Joseph Pannell -k

Started off promising in the 1st half of the book debunking a few myths/strategies but the second half just was flat and I couldn't really see what he was getting at. Only picked up due to flattering reviews on Amazon.

Gave up on "We" - Yevgeny Zamyatin around 1/3 in.

Had wanted to read this for years and whilst enjoyed the start (to a degree) around a 1/3rd in though .. just found it not so much annoying but just couldn't be bothered with it anymore. Quite profound for it's time though. Was a library book and needed to return a load before Christmas which might have influenced my decision as opposed to having bought it where I might have preserved.

87. The Machine Stops (Penguin Modern Classics) by E M Forster -l

A very small book containing two short stories - the first is quite remarkable as in some ways as predicts the internet (a an entity/concept called The Machine) and the way that society is going to a degree (for da young un's more than older generations) around 100 years ago in a dystopian tale.

Also read Shirley Jackson's short story The Lottery as heard much about it - worked out play off at the start - but still quite brutal - bit more background to the reasoning behind it would have been useful.

88. Stoner: A Novel (Vintage classics) by John Williams -l

No need to add another review really as the ones on LT explain it all - exceptionally well written, but I do take a certain umbrage with such weak male leads - nearly gave up on Us by David Nicholls as the protagonist seemed to have no self awareness and he just irritated me. Stoner himself annoyed me, not so much by his stoicism (not a bad thing) but in his destroyed relationship to his daughter - and her consequent personality decline -which he did nothing about.

Def. worth reading though.

89. Previous Convictions: Assignments from Here and There by A.A. Gill -l

Fantastic travel writing in the second half of this book as good as anything I've ever read, but with a unique angle that was thought provoking and at times hilarious too read. The first half was a struggle though - some interesting articles but others that just meandered out and shouldn't have been included. I'm a very recent convert to Mr Gill's writing having only been aware of this food criticisms previously, but will be borrowing his other works from the library - esp travel related as these were so entertaining.

90. The Testosterone Optimization Therapy Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Living… by Jay Campbell -k

A very in-depth but not too challenging (with the science) read which I would say all men should read regardless of their age. Covering a number of areas and how to stay healthy in regards to our utterly unhealthy world (and this was written a few years back as well). More important now than ever before and would appreciate an update from the author. There is a large section on TRT obviously but the rest - should that not be of interest - is equally important.

21 Re-reads
41 Library Books
39 Kindle Reads