From Craggy Island to Caledonian Road

Here's what I've read so far this year and what I plan to read next

Although my last newsletter of the year is always a rundown of the previous 12 months of reading, I thought I’d pre-empt it a bit by having a quick hop through what I’ve logged so far since January 1 (with a few comments), plus what’s already waiting patiently on the ‘to read’ bookcase.

The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen - a fascinating stroll through the world of moleskins and much, much more. Strong recommend.

A Question of Upbringing by Anthony Powell - The first of the Dance to the Music of Time dodecology which we’re reading on this site as a virtual book club (please do joine us - it’s not too late to catch up!)

A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge - Recommended by my friend Daniel and a very enjoyable cathedral-based story from the 1930s, leaning towards slight Victorian melodrama at times.

Acts and Omissions by Catherine Fox - Also recommened by Daniel. Also heavily clerical but in a modern day setting, this one unfortunately was not my cup of tea.

Picnic on Craggy Island: The Surreal Joys of Producing Father Ted by Lissa Evans - Hilarious and an absolute must if you are a Father Ted fan. Some fabulous grainy black and white photos too.

A Buyer’s Market by Anthony Powell - see above

Out There by Jamie Mackendrick - This is why I keep a record of what I read because I can’t remember a single thing about this. Bought because he went to my old school (a few years before me) and we have a mutual friend.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Bettany Hughes - a very readable whizz through the architectural stars of the distant past and their histories since their heydays. I enjoyed this.

To Be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers - a sci-fi novella focusing on four astronauts documenting life on four faraway planets which rather reminded me of Eric Frank Russell’s superb The Great Explosion (1962).

Blossomise by Simon Armitage, illustrations by Angela Harding - a short collection from our Poet Laureate - the haikus felt stonger to me - with Harding’s beautiful illustrations (front cover above). Would make a very nice present.

The Acceptance World by Anthony Powell - see above

Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au - I found this a bit too slow and introspective, though it garnered universal praise so it’s probably just me being grumpy again.

Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón - My first encounter with Limón. I didn’t dislike it, but it just wasn’t really my cup of tea

Minnow on the Say by Phillipa Pearce - Another Daniel recommendation (I do have other friends, honest), a children’s adventure story with river-based shenanigans. Delightful, if perhaps a teeny bit farfetched, and the illustrations by Edward Ardizzone are a Brucie Bonus.

Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan - A real headscratcher this. His Mayflies a couple of years ago is one of my favourite reads but lots of this lengthy and rather bitty ‘state of the nation’ novel felt quite bizarre. Again, tip top reviews all round so feel free to ignore me.

At Lady Molly’s by Anthony Powell - see above

Come Christmas by Eleanor Farjeon - a gently amiable collection of poems with a Christmas theme. One to reread nearer the time. My first edition (bought in St Andrews’ secondhand bookshop and discounted for being slightly foxed) includes evocative woodcut illustrations by Molly McArthur

The Crucible’s Greatest Matches by Hector Nunns - Read following my annual trip to the snooker world championship in Sheffield. Great if you like snooker, not quite so marvellous otherwise.

Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant by Anthony Powell - see above

Bookish: How Reading Shaped Our Lives by Lucy Mangan - the follow-up to Bookworm continues Mangan’s very readable life in books (always good to find a fellow Gawain and The Green Knight enthusiast), though the subtitle is odd as it’s actually quite the opposite, how university, childbirth, lockdowns, etc, have shaped the author’s reading choices.

And coming up over the next few months will be:

• The Postal Paths: Rediscovering Britain’s Forgotten Trails And The People Who Walked Them by Alan Cleaver

• The English Path by Kim Taplin

• On the Calculation of Volume (1) by Solvej Balle, translated by Barbara J Haveland

• Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated by Sophie Hughes

• The Card by Arnold Bennett

• Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius by Nick Hornby

• Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane

• Eric Satie Three Piece Suite by Ian Penman

• Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture: Pools, Piers and Pleasure around Britain's Coast by Kathryn Ferry

I’d be delighted to hear what you’ve been reading and/or are planning to read in the comments below. Especially if it’s my latest book ‘While There Is Tea There Is Hope’.