Posts have been rather sporadic of late. It’s been an extremely busy and school trip-laden approach to half term, and the worst cough/sore throat I’ve had for years and years laid me low all last weekend into the beginning of the week. First one I’ve had for years, literally. Managed to squeeze in a flu jab yesterday, but I’m too young for this year’s Covid booster sadly, so fingers crossed there (still haven’t had it). But I’m feeling much better know, if a little weary from all the coughing though. But I’m off for a fortnight, so here’s to getting some good reading in!
With thoughts turning forwards the coming weeks: on Monday, the next year-themed reading week hosted by Simon and Karen will be books published in 1962. It so happens I’ve already read quite a few from that year, listed below with links to my reviews where they exist. I’m sure there are many more to add to that list, particularly of more obscure SF authors who don’t appear in the published lists of 1962 lit.
- Eric Ambler – The Light of Day aka Topkapi
- J G Ballard – The Drowned World
- Anthony Burgess – A Clockwork Orange
- Ian Fleming – The Spy Who Loved Me
- Hammond Innes – Atlantic Fury
- Shirley Jackson – We Have Always Lived in the Castle
- Ken Kesey – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
- Alastair MacLean – The Satan Bug
- Penelope Mortimer – The Pumpkin Eater
- Mary Renault – The Bull from the Sea
But what am I going to read next week? I have plenty of candidates including:
- Ray Bradbury – Something Wicked This Way Comes
- Philip K Dick – The Man in the High Castle
- Lionel Davidson – The Rose of Tibet
- John Le Carre – A Murder of Quality
But I shall opt for comfort. Having just finished slogging through 531 pages (in hardback, more in pbk!) of Orhan Pamuk’s unncessarily drawn out The Museum of Innocence for book group, I need to return to my favourite genre – the spy novel. So it shall be, the also relatively short, The IPCRESS File by Len Deighton. I can’t believe I’ve never read the book, although I’ve enjoyed the film many times, and the more recent TV adaptation.
Hope you’re feeling better soon! Looking forward to your thoughts on the Deighton.
I can’t tell you what a relief it’ll be to read Deighton after the Pamuk!
Sorry you’ve been feeling unwell, Annabel – and school trips…. (shudder – I don’t go on them but I know what they can be like!) Some great ideas there for 1962 and will look forward to your thoughts on Ipcress! 😀
1962 is a great choice of year. I’ll look forward to all the other reviews.
Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell – I’ve been struggling through a month of Covid / post-Covid and had to cope with the blogging side of things by doing round-ups of short book reviews. I’ve read Stella Gibbons’ “The Weather at Tregulla” for 1962Club and have David Kynaston’s “On the Cusp” which is about 1962!
It does take it out of you doesn’t it! I hope you continue to get better too!
I spotted the new Kynaston, and now he’s into my era, I’d be really keen to read him, so I shall watch out for your review in due course (it’d also be great for Shiny should you feel inspired – but no pressure)
Ooh, could definitely review it for Shiny, good idea. I really want to read it soon, maybe for Nonfiction November!
Oh you poor thing. That sounds dreadful. Hopefully the Deighton will set you up right!
I’ve heard of all but one your ‘read’ books but so far read none myself. However I *have* read three of your candidates but not the Tibet one. Hope you’re better soon and that school trips ease up before half term!
Unable to comment on your site – is anyone else having problems with WordPress and Blogger commenting lately? Anyway I’ll try in Reader – I’ve read the Jackson, Bradbury, and Renault, and am interested to see what others have to say about them. I’m thinking of trying something completely different, maybe the Le Carré as I’ve never read him (and almost never read thrillers). Enjoy your choice!
Hope you feel better soon Annabel! Like you, I’ve never read The Ipcress File although I liked the film and the tv adaptation. I’ll look forward to hearing how you find the book.
Hope you feel better soon! I’m half way through Something Wicked at the moment and really enjoying it. Hope the Deighton does the trick