I don't know; turn your back for a moment and Christmas sneaks up on you. I've only been away for a week, but I've returned to discussions about the best books of year and recommendations for Christmas presents. Sam Jordison's Reading group are getting in on the act too, busy as they are picking their faith-themed December book. So far there has been a wide range of suggestions, from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the poetry of Patrick Kavanagh, to Terry Pratchett's The Hogfather and Philip Pullman's The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ.
There's still time to add your suggestions to the mix, but whichever book is chosen by the festive hat (all suggestions are picked out of a hat), there's bound to be a great discussion.
Closer to home, here are some of the books you were reading last week:
I have just started Bruce Chatwin's The Songlines, which starts wonderfully but I'm only 10 or so pages into it.
Up next will be a le Carre a colleague has lent to me. It will be my first foray into this territory, and I don't know what to expect.
The Vorrh by B. Catling. About 150 pages in, and absolutely bowled over by Catling's world-building. It's really dragged me back to fantasy.
I've just finished Miles Davis' autobiography which was a really good read, although a lot of time is devoted to the endlessly revolving cast of his band which can get a little wearing if you aren't totally on top of jazz. I've also started Great Expectations for the first time (and am enjoying it) and working my way through Vanity Fair, where I've committed the cardinal sin of leaving it too long between reading sessions so that the narrative cools off in your head and it all turns into a bit of a slog.
And just before we move onto this week's review list, I'd just like to say: I don't believe it! One of the few weeks I'm away and there's a love-in about my favourite author, Anna Kavan! The odds of this happening again are as rare as picking up a first edition of her bizarre, fabulous novel, Sleep Has His House. That'll teach me for going on holiday. richardpierce, Mexican2, LauraOliver, I'm very glad you enjoyed Ice so much, what's everyone reading this week?
This week's review list is a little, well, little because – I as said earlier – we're all about Christmas and looking back over the year. Get your pens at the ready; there may well be lots of titles add to your present wish-list.
Non-fiction reviews
• Bruce
• Bruce Springsteen and the Promise of Rock'n'Roll
• The Richard Burton Diaries edited by Chris Williams
