the lacuna

About a week ago I finished reading Barbara Kingsolver's new novel, The Lacuna, and I was left feeling quite bereft. It was such a good read that I didn't want it to end. A friend who was reading it at the same time said she felt the same way. But it did eventually end (like all good things, hey?) but I can live in hope that Ms Kingsolver will keep pumping out great novels like she has so far (think The Poisonwood Bible). If you love Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera's work then you'll be entranced by this story. It's a good long 507 pages if you buy the hard back version like I did. I suggest the paper back version if you like carrying your books around with you. My copy was like carrying a large brick. But a very fascinating, wonderful large brick at that.

making and reading

I'm going to make some new pajama pants from this fabric over the weekend. With any luck I'll be using a simple pattern from my Japanese sewing book.

I've just finished reading a novel by Kim Edwards: The Memory Keeper's Daughter and I loved it! The kind of book you can't put down. The artwork on the cover fits the tale so well - so ephemerally fragile and beautiful.


What are you up to over the next couple of days? Any plans? Reading anything good at the moment?

let the great world spin

I'm really loving this book. For many reasons really. One being that it's a collection of stories set in and about New York in 1974 and I'm still swooning from my visit there last year. And the 70's were a really interesting decade for that city. Another being that Irish born Colum McCann is a brilliant story teller who deserves to be praised at any chance. One more reason to love this book is because it's a collection of short stories, a form I find really portable and accessible when I'm busy and can't keep my head in a traditional novel.

If you'd like to read a review, here's one from the Guardian.

And if you'd like to watch a 6 min video with the author take a look here. It's very inspiring.

books, books, books

I love a good read and Marina Lewycka is a sure bet. I'm halfway through her new book, We are All Made of Glue, and am really enjoying it. It's not outrageously funny like her previous novels A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian or Two Caravans are (even though they raise some serious issues about immigration and exploitation) but still so readable. She's got a knack of writing about everyday issues along side bigger more complex stuff. It works for me. There's a review here if you'd like to know more about the plot.

Have you noticed there's been a bit of rush of interesting fiction coming out lately? I'm almost beside myself with happiness. Though the stack of books beside the bed threatens to topple over and knock me out while I'm sleeping if I add any more to it.