Ollykin > Recent Status Updates

Bookclub pick. I usually enjoy CM, but actually not enthusiastic for this one - which may be due to a legitimate reason, and may also just be down to 'not digging the vibes.'

Trying the whole listen and read together thing. Though this is abridged radio play - it's a fantastic rendition. I'm sick so this absolutely counts as long as I am also reading the book right?

I have read every one of these so far translated. This is a re-read. I don't usually include my LN and Manga reading in GR because it significantly bumps my Reading Challenge count and biases my suggestions, but Apothecary Diaries is a long time favourite. It gets a pass.

I'm finding a lot of value in this. Theres no small amount of insight into Literature and Politics, and quite a few stage reveals of glittering irony. There is a wonderful ode to cats for the feline lovers, and an entry on the stupidity of phrases relayed to the aging. As a disabled person I can relate to her feelings on that. Those feelings amounting to a far more eloquent version of "Shut up Margaret".

Long time lingerer in my TBR pile and never forgotten. Its a blue songbird whenever I look towards it. It doesn't dissapoint - and has to be one of the more hopeful books i've read. In a world thick with difficulty and becoming more insular and fearful every day - I can't help but wonder if more Glissant would help.

Sometimes after a few 5 star reads I can't choose anything to follow up with. The only safe bet was a book that couldn't possibly dissapoint and did not need all of my brain cells to engage with. This is like pizza when you're exhausted and can't cook - fucking yummy.

I am actually enjoying this - but I had to get it on my phone to read and I loathe reading on devices. So I'm going to finish it when i get my hands on a physical copy. 😒 In abayance it goes! The pile of come back to or dip in and out of books.

Enchanting enough that a small moment reading the first few pages hijacked my attention from the two other titles I have been reading (on my phone so im reluctant to finish them until I have physical copies.) Vesaas has suspense and anticipation so well mastered and I have so many questions about this story already.

Quite a bit better than I expected. I'm surprised that I like it as much as I do and yet - here we are - this might have been the book Kingsolver was working up to. I don't feel so bad about it's involvement in a certain Christmas book wrapping mistake now.

I expected not to enjoy this - I rarely enjoy Kingsolver and haven't been able to feel her work grip me in the past for reasons I am not clear on.

So far I'm invested in this one. Ramshakle trailer park dynasty and childhood shenanigans? Struggling, sober single mum under 30? It's quippy but not overbaking cleverness. I care, and this time I'm curious enough to go along for the ride.

I am actually trying to write and finish something. However I made a fatal mistake by reading into the symbolism, references and language choices of a favourite poet; Dylan Thomas references this specific book over and over in his work. And unfortunately he isn't alone in my favoured writers list to do so. Jeanette Winterson and T. S. Eliot also turn to gush on it. So naturally I have not written much today...

So far this is an insightful portrait of nostalgia narrated through a man looking back to his childhood summers from the aftermath of his wife's diagnosis. It is made of his surly and sexual gaze toward the women and girls of the Grace family, and his disdain for older men. I'm fascinated by Banville's writing style but I abhor the predatory male gaze - so not sure how my milage will go. It's beautifully written.

Swallow the magic words and keep them lodged against your cheek. Sew them in place of a tooth, or an appendix. Replace your un-needed organs with the insistent and luxurious treasure Cixous implores you to seek. Have them installed when grief knocks against your shaking heart or as you read - let the reading wound you - and stitch it loosely. Suture it to reopen and spill secrets and mysteries.

I'm deeply impressed and affected by Zupančič on the basis of this work. It's pertinent, questioning, easy to engage with and respond to, and it reveals ideas about contemporary socio-political concerns with clear examples and contextual theory. It leans right into knowledge, authority, capitalism, and 'denial' vs disavowal in ways I think are incredibly important to take in and allow to percolate. Especially now.

Yes this is a book worth reading and yes, I didn't know that for sure until Chapter 3 and yes, yes I have cried now reading it and yes, yes there is Gay Sex in this book in detail, and there is sadness and pain, and yes, there are beans and sauerkraut and a deep questions posed about of the state of community.

Thundering along now! Redemption of the novel arc. I'm here and I am comitted to the project. Chapter 3 onwards and now chapter 2 makes sense. Now pleased I didn't stop reading earlier and decided to give the novel just a little longer. I was close to putting on the DNF pile with a sad dissapointed look- and here it is, whapp! No need.