Reading priorities for June 2004
This has taken me a while to decide, but here's what I'm reading next:
- The Birds and other stories by Daphne du Maurier – Halfway through the six short stories in this book and, like Daffers' oeuvre in general, they really are excellent if a touch on the dark side. There's a very gothic feel about this little volume, so if that's your thing, get reading.
- [2008 update: read this, liked it a lot, was moved to seek out more of du Maurier's short fiction which is almost always experimental, difficult and nerve-touching, quite different from her novels.]
- Hey! Nostradamus by Douglas Coupland – the not-insignificant last chapter in my well-documented bid to get back on top of the works of one of my formerly favourite authors, in danger of slipping if not taken in hand.
- [2008 update: the great Coupland challenge finally grounded on Eleanor Rigby which was such rubbish that I vowed never to read another of his new books. I'm totally out of patience with this author now.]
- Do Not Pass Go by Tim Moore. This is a history of London and its society masquerading as a history of Monopoly, and I am assured by Mr Random that it is excellent. In exchange for my reading this, he has agreed to read Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, although why he should need persuading is beyond me.
- [2008 update: tried it, could not get into it, abandoned it. Took Mr Random years more to read His Dark Materials but, eventually, he loved it.]
- Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey. A classic I understand, and also a Bookcrossing book from Basingstoke (what humorous alliteration). I had a go with Illywhacker once and got precisely nowhere – in pre-bookcrossing days, I think I donated my copy to the local library. But in the spirit of the enterprise, I am willing to give Carey another try.
- [2008 update: another book I spent years meaning to read - and finally sent on its Bookcrossing way. I fear life may be too short for Peter Carey]
- The Birthday of the World by Ursula le Guin – having finished the Earthsea books it's time to venture onto new territory. I found this in a second-hand bookshop and have been saving it up to read. Last but definitely not least.
- [2008 update: Still haven't read this. And not so keen on the author any more, after her recent behaviour in collaborating with the Science Fiction Writers' Association of America in trying to suppress legitimate online reproduction of her work.]