DORIS MOUSDALE TELLS ME OF HER RECENT READING
Everyday Drinking Kingsley Amis Allen and Unwin $34.99I read this with Miracles of Life by J G Ballard Harper $24.99 and reread the brilliant Low Life by Jeffrey Bernard Macmillan as they knew each other and the trio of books is a perfect encapsulation of the 60s and 70s.
Outliers Malcolm Gladwell Penguin $38
Read this with Counter Knowledge by Damian Thompson
These are two books to keep the brain cells active. Perceptive and inspiring
The Great
Lover Jill Dawson–she wrote Fred and Edie- this is one to spend the gift tokens on as it comes out early next year. Rupert Brooke’s unknown illegitimate daughter makes contact with the maid at Grantchester who knew Brooke-excellent portrait of literary life at Cambridge.
Love All by Elizabeth Jane Howard Macmillan $37.99
Read this cover to cover in one sitting- or rather laying in bed. It’s a dilution of a family home passing into another’s hands and how one feels for the house and grounds. The rest of the group of characters play musical chairs with each other in a fairly sombre, emotional way. She must be in her eighties (and of course was once married to Kingsley Amis) and I think it is the life and experience that allows her to write a novel with a not so happy ending where the pieces of the jig-saw just don’t all fall into place- bit like real life really.
Memoirs of a Master Forger William Heaney- Orion - $34.99
Minor government official makes fake first editions of Jane Austen and donates the money to the homeless. Modern day Robin Hood with politics. Very nice production, small hardback with faux marbled binding and leather corners quite collectible really.
Extreme Measures Vince Flynn Simon and Schuster $29.99
Pulls you into an action-packed hunt and chase until the last word on the last page.
FOOTNOTE:
If others would like to share their recent reading I'd be pleased to hear from you.
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