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#55. On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle for Denmark *** A tricky one. I read this as a book group choice - I hadn't intended for this to be my Danish novel, but, shortlisted as it was for the International Booker, it seemed a good one all the same. And in many ways it was. But, but.... (and be warned, I've tried not to spoil, but inevitably some of my comments might work that way for some) The idea is both an interesting and a familiar one: the narrator, Tara Selter, an antique book dealer, finds that she is trapped in November 18th. It's reminiscent of the film Groundhog Day, although the author says that she had the idea long before it appeared. Life constantly repeats, and yet it also doesn't. Whilst time never moves on, she does - a burn that she incurs on the first Nov 18th gradually heals, some objects stay with her (eg some books she purchases on the first Nov 18th), but others don't. She experiments at trying to keep her husband Tomas awake through the night to see what happens, and early in the morning he goes through a reset, and suddenly wonders why she is in the house and not away (as she is on the first Nov 18th). So, whilst the day repeats itself, some things, even people, move with her. But (that word again!), and this was the start of my problems with this book, what does and what doesn't move seems to be pretty random. In fact, the only consistency appears to be that it suits the author that they move (or don't!). Well, maybe, or maybe this is part of what Balle is addressing - our relationship with time. Even so, it's the randomness that bothered me. However, one thought that cropped up in the book group is that maybe, somewhere in there, there is a consistency, and perhaps that's part of what we might found out later; it may even be part of the resolution (if there is one). Tara herself, not the most empathetic of characters even initially, becomes ever more self-orientated as the book progresses, almost inevitably I suppose, but other characters recede as a result, not least Tomas himself, who becomes more and more just a series of sounds, a 'ghost'. We see things very much from her perspective, so Tomas 'forgets' at the end of the day. Er no, he doesn't, he's moved on to Nov 19th and the Tomas she sees at the start of the day hasn't yet known the things that she sees him as having forgotten. Meanwhile Tara sees herself as a 'monster', not least because the food (and other items?) she consumes is not replaced - gradually the supermarket is being emptied of the goods she favours. This may well partly be a take on our consumerism, but again, I found the logic somewhat illogical, especially as some items do revert, and again felt events were being fitted to the author's needs/wants, not the author coping with the 'reality' of recurring time.

#54. A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam for Bangladesh **** The story of a widow's efforts to keep her family intact as her two children (and as a result, she herself) become embroiled in the 1971 War of Independence. I knew next to nothing of this period, only being aware (as a 13-year old at the time) of the change from 'East Pakistan' to 'Bangladesh'. Of the horrors of the war and genocide - absolutely ignorant. The story itself was a fairly standard if enjoyable family saga, with no real narrative surprises but enough character, plot and sense of place to keep me engaged through to the end, even if none particularly stood out. Rehana, the mother, is young(ish?0 and naive in the ways of the world, but has a certain steel when it comes to her children, and builds in strength and character as the narrative progresses. It was certainly good enough for me to look to read the sequel A Good Muslim (just ordered). Some reviews do comment negatively on the accuracy of the background (although I have to say that the tenor of the complaints suggest some sort of agenda - and they are often not accurate in themselves), but that's a subject about which I don't know anything like enough to comment. However, whatever else this book did or was, it had me going off to read up more on the subject (ongoing!), so in terms of helping improve understanding and knowledge, - and helping open my eyes - this was a definite success, and I can see why it won Best First Book in the Commonwealth Writers' Prize.

And, at last, with just 2 days to the end of the year, I'm up to date! 71. Great Granny Webster by Caroline Blackwood *** A profile of a largely dysfunctional fictional Anglo-Irish family, whose misanthropic matriarch is the ubiquitous GGW. Shortlisted for the Booker even if barely long enough to count as a novel, this is widely regarded as a hidden classic. As a character, or family, portrait, this works. As a collection of scene setters, this works. But as a novel it barely gets off the ground, and the continual misery, whilst classically gothic, just felt unrelenting and pointless. There is humour, but it's of that black sort that just doesn't grab me; funny this is not in spite of what some reviews claim. After a promising first quarter, nothing really developed (other than the misery), and I was left well before the end with a growing sense of ennui, however good the quality of the writing. 72. The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett **** A fun, light piece of Christmas froth that suited me perfectly for the time and place. Rattled through this in a couple of hours on Christmas Eve, and even found myself giggling more than once (not a common reading occurrence). Great literature this was not, but who cares? 73. The Nativity by Geza Vermes **** A book that I've read before, but of which I could remember little. Seemed a good choice for Christmas! This is an examination of the Nativity story as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which also led to me rereading the opening chapters of all 4 of the gospels. I hadn't realised quite how different the two accounts were (almost incompatibly so), and how much the traditional Nativity story was a merging of the 'best bits' of the two accounts. And 'story' looks to be the right word, with so much likely to bear little relationship with what actually happened. Given the issues of 'fake news' today, this book proved to be surprisingly topical. A fascinating read. 74. Seascraper by Benjamin Wood ****** Longlisted for the Booker. I'm completely bemused why I'm writing that - at the very least this should have been shortlisted, and it certainly knocked the winner itself out of the park; we're not even talking the same league, although admittedly that wasn't difficult IMO. Deeply atmospheric - the scenes on the fogbound sands were utterly gripping. Wreaking of time and place, and with such superbly rounded characters, this was a genuine one sitting read. Just glad it was Boxing Day and had the time to do just that, as this was that rare beast, a book that just kept getting better and better. I can't fathom some Booker juries, and this was one of the most unfathomable. 75. Through a Glass, Darkly by Helen McCloy **** One of Penguin's 'Mermaid' series, nicely produced paperbacks (with those lovely French flaps!) of "unjustly neglected works of popular mid- to late-twentieth century fiction". This was originally the eighth in the author's Dr Basil Willing (psychiatrist) series of mysteries, and has a distinctly gothic feel to it. An intriguing premise, nicely set up (I was certainly hooked when browsing!), that sustains the interest and pace for most of the way. I found the last 10% or so slightly unsatisfying although it would make for a good book group discussion, but this was thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless, and I wouldn't be averse to reading more from Helen McCloy. 76. The Moviegoer by Walker Percy **** Read for Louisana in my Tour of the USA. This was nothing like what I expected, even after reading the blurb. Far more philosophical, far looser plotted. Also, in many respects, a far harder read. Indeed, in places this felt almost incoherent, shooting off and coming in from tangents. Perhaps if I was more familiar with the place and vocabulary, some of this would have made more sense. However, the descriptive writing, both of character and place, was superb, and there was enough that made sense to anchor me sufficiently and keep reading! By the end, I felt I was getting sufficient grip, but how we got there, I wasn't too sure about!

starting the new year with Wuthering Heights (always wanted to read it but admittedly i'm reading it now because that new movie looks kinda hot lol) and Sea-Witch by Never Angeline Nørth. really enjoying both so far.

I want your love - Chic

eyes rolling like ball-bearings

I Want To Break Free ~ Queen

The Heart You Break May Be Your Own - Patsy Cline

Thank you

I like this one, I've always thought that this was the best of the Perez books, I don't think they ever filmed this one. Enjoy!

After my epic adventure with all kinds of vampires (my 80th book of the year!) I wanted something completely different, so it’s Blue Lightning by Ann Cleeves.

Breaking up is hard to do - Neil Sedaka/others

putcheen, the Irish whisky

Sunless Solstice edited by Lucy Evans Another set of stories in the British Library Tales of the Weird series. This collection has stories based around the Christmas season and the solstice. There are stories from Frederick Manley, Lettice Galbraith, Elia Wilkinson Peattie, W J Wintle, E Temple Thurston, Hugh Walpole, Margery Lawrence, H Russell Wakefield, Daphne Du Maurier, Murial Spark, Robert Aickman and James Turner. The stories span 1893 to 1974. AS you would expect, some are stronger than others and some of the usual ghost story tropes are present. There is one tale told around a fire by a group of friends (Thurston). A couple are about vengeful wives: the one by Du Maurier (The Apple Tree) is particularly strong. There are mysterious encounters and a séance with a sceptical group of acquaintances. There is some benevolence: the tales by Walpole and Peattie, although even these have an edge. Wintle’s tale involves a vengeful black cat. There is a mountaineering tale (Wakefield), which is chilling in more ways than one. A good read for dark nights and the Christmas season. 7 out of 10 Starting The Haunted Library edited by Tanya Kirk

the after effects of

heard Santa wailing about

Ippenbury: Graveyard of Ambition is a historical fiction novel by Anthony Clifford, published in July 2025 by Austin Macauley Publishers. What do we really know about the lives of others? The villagers of rural Ippenbury in 1913 puzzle over their new schoolmistress, as Adele reveals very little about herself and almost nothing of her past. Telling her story, using her letters and journals, she recounts the enormous changes in the village during the Great War, including her responses to wounded soldiers recovering in the old mill hospital. She keeps her own life and loves private, but we can follow their twists and turns, even if it is only later that we begin to understand what has driven her reaction to these challenges and the tragic epidemic that followed. Her life in Ippenbury may have been her graveyard of ambition, but her story could be true of many others during these turbulent years, or indeed now. This provocative and compelling exploration of life, passion, love and ambition may leave you questioning how much we really understand about those around us. Has anyone else read it? I found it very thought provoking to think about the lives of people at home during world war one.

Very apt and very true.

intoxication inducing-I once

unpleasant, and frankly quite

Don't Go Breaking My Heart ~ Elton John and Kiki Dee

Seventy up! 67. Jane Austen, A Brief Life by Fional Stafford ***** Both a brief account, and an all too brief life. What would she have achieved if she'd lived a fully three score and ten? Read to mark Jane Austen's 250th birthday. This was an illuminating and eminently readable biography (almost unputdownable!), focusing mainly on her writing development, and providing a useful framework on which one can then hang more detailed biographies such as Claire Tomalin's. It also made we want to read all Austen's novels again! Perhaps not immediately, but certainly a change of plan, and will move on to her last novel, Persuasion, the only one that I've read just the once. Perhaps the others in the new year. 68. Persuasion by Jane Austen ****** Read as a follow up to Fiona Stafford's biography. It's the only one of the big six that I've read just the once, at which time it wasn't one of my favourites (although I have loved them all, with perhaps Northanger Abbey being the only one rated below six stars).And it still doesn't quite mix it with Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, but it's not far off, and Anne Elliot is definitely one of the great 'heroines'. I'm not quite sure why, but it could be something to do with the overcomplex genealogy perhaps, or the more straightforward romantic plotting. There's no doubting though the glorious Austen writing or her needle sharp character development. It was, for this unashamed Austen fan, a wonderful wallow, and I could have just started it all over again straightaway. I must read the others again in the New Year. (And I'm going to watch the BBC adaptation too, currently available on I-Player). 69. L'Etranger by Albert Camus **** I have read this once before, but only as a studied text for French Literature AS-Level, way back in the mid-70s. Needless to say, I barely remember it other than being a tedious translation effort. It's long overdue another go (particularly after reading and enjoying La Peste a couple of years ago), and as The Meursault Investigation seems to be a good choice for Algeria in Reading the World, now seems as good a time as any! So...it's easy to see why it's a classic. It's good, very good. It's seen as an examination of Absurdist philosophy, and I get that. The satire on French justice in part II (or is that 'justice' in general?) is vicious. To me, however, what came over much more strongly, was Meursault's autism. This was the grim, realist, side to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (and no, I'm not compariing them as literature, there is no comparison). I was fairly amazed that I'd never heard this before as it seemed screamingly obvious, so was relieved to find a note about just this right at the end of the book's Wikipedia entry that showed that this has been recognised (I'd begun to doubt myself!). But I can't say I was wowed. For me this is a book more to be admired and respected than enthused about (in contrast to, for instance, La Peste) I found it an interesting read certainly , but I never felt it reached far beyond simply doing what it says on the tin, the raison d'etre always more important than the novel itself. Animal Farm, amongst a number of other classics, had the same effect on me. But I am intrigued to read the Daoud take now! 70. The Meursault Investigation by Kamel Daoud ***** Read as both a follow-up to L'Etranger and as the book for Algeria in Reading the World. This was a fascinating counterpoint to Camus's classic. I was glad to read it immediately afterwards as I might well have missed some (many?) of the points of contact otherwise, and I really enjoyed picking these up! Overall. I was surprised, if anything, to enjoy this more than the original. This felt more human and more deeply rooted in place. There was a colour that Camus's lacked. All of this was obviously deliberate on the part of both authors, but the later book did chime more with me (although it of course needed the earlier work to build on!). Perhaps it would be fairer to say, that they worked really well as a pair, both contrasting and complimenting each other; a case of the sum being distinctly greater than the parts.

It wasn't much more than a passing mention - very positive - in their end of year review of their favourite books. It's not one where I listen to every episode as there are others which do command most of my (fairly limited) listening, but enjoy it selectively (such as their serious of Virginia Woolf centred pods earlier this year).

Colourfields: Writing About Writing About Science Fiction - Paul Kincaid [Kindle] [Started 2025] Short Shrift - David Langford [Kindle] [Started 2025]

I Don't Hear You - George Jones