An excellent patch of reading here, kicked off by a book which, half way through I was certain would be my favourite this year. Maybe I didn’t love the way it ended, but boy, what a ride it was. Eileen (2016) by Ottessa Moshfegh was amazing – a self loathing young woman is drawn into a crime, the reader being blind-sided (mostly). I won’t say any more, but I’d recommend it to anyone really – 4.5 stars.

Last Man in Tower (2011) by Aravind Adiga (author of White Tiger) was solid, too. Fairly dense and long, I was pulled along easily by the sanctity of Masterji, and the coercive and duplicitous residents of the soon-to-be-developed Tower A of the Vishram Co-operative. The ability of money to bring out the worst in people, gave this book a depressive feeling, but the characters were well fleshed out and it’s all pretty believeable. 4 stars.

My god I loved The Woman in White (1860) by Wilkie Collins (and not just for the divine 1980 Penguin paperback cover). Published serially with sometime collaborator Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities in Dickens weekly publication All the Year Round, both novels were smash hits at the time. At 650 pages, who knows how many editions were needed to get through it. Italian Count Fosco is the star character, but “the first great detective novel” featured quite a few memorable types, such as the eccentric, hypochondriac Mr. Fairlie, the mysterious Mrs Rubelle and the wonderfully pragmatic Mrs Catherick. A month or two later, I can still recall large sections of it, which is surprising. I couldn’t help but feel for poor Marian, who seemed to spend half her time cheering up various parties and who never seemed to get lucky in anything herself. Masterful – 5 stars.

Australian true crime history written by Gideon Haigh, with a recommendation by Gerald Murnane? – Yes please. Certain Admissions (2015) was the first non-cricket related one of his I’d read, but I had no doubts, and wouldn’t hesitate to read his “The Office: A hardworking History” or other dry ones he’s done to date. Towards the last third of the book, I did get a bit mixed up between some of the characters, as the cast (and additional cases) grew, but this 1959 story of the Albert Park beach murder of a girl had the customary research Haigh is famous for, keeping me interested despite the limited scope. John Kerr was eventually released from Pentridge in 1962 as “innocent” but I left the book think that high powered Lee Murray outdid himself lobbying and harrying to have a guilty debonair dresser exonerated. We’ll never truly know. 4 stars.

I remember almost nothing of Beginners by Raymond Carver (a series of 17 short stories, restored to their longer pre-edited original selves from 1981). I know I enjoyed it, but I’m only giving it 3 stars. Haha.

Once I heard it on a podcast, I then found similar references in other places too. I simply had to read Agatha Christie‘s “best novel” Endless Night (1967), and this silly compulsion drove me to purchase a very poor copy for wait-for-it $8 at the longstanding Magpie Books in Woolgoolga on hols. On the whole, it was pretty easy to like, and the big surprise, when it came, was probably massive for its time. I don’t think I’ll be reading her whole back catalogue though – 3.5 stars.

Peter Carey‘s A Long Way from Home (2017) was something Kim found in the laundry at Woolgoolga in great condition, although with it’s terrible front cover (containing a mispelling of “Trial” on the side of the car) I had low expectations. I hate to be the sort of person who says (like another reviewer) that once the 1950s Redex car race around Australia was over (i.e. the action bit), it morphed into an entirely different novel, but I absolutely felt this too. Part of me felt embarrassed that when the novel really honed in on the time when Willie left the race, and found his aboriginal history (and stayed) it became a bit forced and heavy handed. I loved many of the earlier sections but the earnest last quarter soured it a little for me. 4 stars.

Probably the only full price book I’ve bought in a few years (after all the Op Shop bargains that have come my way), it was baffling to me that after 104 pages I put The Sun Walks Down (2022) down. There are 4 and a half pages of superlatives for this Fiona McFarlane 1880s Australian novel, not including the front and back covers, and I felt almost nothing about any of the characters (or the plot or mood within). The writing was bland. This was straight after reading Peter Carey, who got my attention effortlessly. Mad! 2 stars.

Train Dreams (2002) – I think I only read this very short 116 page book by Denis Johnson to quickly get my pile smaller, but it was quite a gem. It’s the story of a Washington lumberman in the early 1900s who is widowed and begins to feel his body age due to his working history and lifestyle. There are gentle digs at progress and civilisation, but at its heart is reflection and loss and it was really powerful. Loved it. 4.5 stars.

I had to flick back through a few of these, since as usual, I drew a bit of a blank, only a month or so since finishing them. It really isn’t the best way of summarising my thoughts on them, but I don’t have the motivation to do a quick review on the fly. Written at the age of 81, Strangers (2009) by Anita Brookner was a short, sharp delight – this time her characteristic internal monologues came from a somewhat lonely, retired Englishman (has she ever done this with a male voice previously?) and yet it was superbly convincing. In his early 70’s he is tossing up an imagined future life with one of two idiosyncratic women, the first adventurous and flighty, the other an-ex lover – familiar and yet weary, a little dismissive of him and with medical issues. Whilst some people find Brookner dreary, repetitive or depressing, I call her wise, thoughtful and very human. I thought this was a cracker. 4.5 stars.

It was time to try a classic from a new (to me) author Henry James – Washington Square (1880). A beautiful front cover and being less than 200 pages helped its case. I don’t know why the publishers choose to place a spoiler (they call it an Introduction) at the beginning of these classics. Reading it instantly gives away so much of what to come – I’ve stopped reading them now. This was another captivating read for me – the text revolving around the 4 main characters – Catherine, her protective father the Doctor, her suitor Morris and her most interesting widowed aunt (Mrs Penniman). Set in 1840s New York, it details the attempts by Morris to marry Catherine (and her significant future fortune) to the displeasure of her suspicious father, who considers him a “bounder” (!). Mrs Penniman delights in the drama and romance of it all and prolongs the courtship for a good 20-30 years, long after the Doctor has passed. I enjoyed the tense standoffs and restraint of it all, and none of it was a chore to read. 4 stars.

Although deemed an “important” book by Antony Beevor, this prizewinning work of non-fiction East West Street by Philippe Sands is pretty narrow in its scope – at its heart a book about two competing legal minds that influenced the charges brought upon high-ranking Nazis at the Nuremberg trials of 1946. One, pushing for inclusion of a new concept “genocide” and the other for “crimes against humanity”, which was more about impinging on an individual’s rights, as opposed to a whole race or sub-group of people. Much of the drama focused on wartime events in the town of Lviv in modern-day Ukraine, which was the birthplace of the author’s grandfather. Although fairly grippng, the book went on a little long, and some of the minutia of the court procedings was tedious, as was the many behind the scenes international lobbying efforts of Lauterpacht and Lemkin. A very niche topic – 3.5 stars.

Cold Spring Harbour (1986) by Richard Yates is the story of a chance encounter between a young freshly- divorced Evan Shephard and Rachel Drake, living with her mother, the wonderfully unhinged and down at heel Gloria, in 1940’s America. A short novel, the tension comes when, for financial reasons, the couple are forced to move back to Rachel’s family home, where a claustrophobic atmosphere nudges Evan out into philandering, resentment and blame. An easy read which I loved – 4 stars.

Everytime I start a Murakami book, I worry if I will like it, yet I always come away happy I did, despite in this case, the 1960’s student, coming of age theme which was not appealing at all to me. This novel: Norwegian Wood (1987) was apparently a huge hit and made him a global star. Nearly every character in the book seems to be right on the edge of suiciding as most practical alternative to their life not working out, it’s pretty shocking in that sense, and there’s a real bluntness and honesty about the dialogue and relationships that you rarely get in a western novel. It’s very endearing (also long) and serious as a result. Mesmerising and sad, I can see why he has such a cult following – a real original here. 4 stars.

How could I not take a crisp copy of this beautifully covered 1937 novel The Cheltenham Square Murder by John Bude home from the Op Shop, despite my patchy record with crime. Spoiler alert: there are two murders, both by bow-and-arrow (!) and the limited number of local residents able to have done it reminded me of a game of Cluedo. There were a few moments when the narrative felt over-complicated and a little clunkier than what a modern crime reader would expect, but on the whole it was a solid read for an 85 year old book. 3.5 stars.

I’m really not sure how I hung on and finished this book (Your Band Sucks) by Jon Fine. I have to give him credit because he does paint a transparent picture of his (usually) poor behaviour whilst in late 1980s band Bitch Magnet. When I borrowed this book from the Op Shop, I thought it was more of a general book on the post-punk scene in the U.S, but it was a lot more specific than that, and thank goodness for the writing, which was generally fairly decent. I feel no compulsion whatsoever to listen to a single song by this seemingly loud, angular, math-rock, sometimes guitar-smashing band, and feel sure I would dislike them. I’m glad he got it out of his system, because he sounds more settled, less driven and selfish now – I’m sure he was a nightmare back in the day. 2.5 stars.

How could I not read Lives of the Monster Dogs (1997) by first time novelist Kirsten Bakis, with its preposterous premise of 150 specially bred, upright (2 legged standing), wealthy, formally dressed, long living “monster” dogs which infiltrate New York in the 1990s and seek to become part of society. It’s original, fever dream stuff and yet much of it works pretty well and I quickly accepted the concept. There were parts when I got a bit bored (the Opera devoted to their origin story and uprising, and the never ending sadness and regret of dog-ally Cleo, who is the only human allowed to infiltrate their ranks), but it was short enough to push through. An imaginative, novelty of a novel which is surely a cult book. 3.5 stars.

I just have no tolerance once a book becomes religiousy anymore, certainly not if it extends for a chapter or more. And the further back you go with books, the more religious elements form the central themes. I remember getting a bit worried during Patrick White’s Riders in the Chariot, and the same with Life of Pi, or stuff from Umberto Eco. So, Forest Dark (2017) got the heave-ho 100 pages in once Nicole Krauss began moving into a theological direction, citing the Kabbalah, The Tree of Knowledge and Jewish themes. No doubt it’s cerebral, clever and insightful, but I felt tricked into reading a thesis on a topic with no interest to me. 2 stars.

I have a vague recollection I tried another Stanislaw Lem book about 25 years ago, and abandoned it, so I was nervous about this one, his “classic” Solaris (1961). For the most part, I didn’t need to be worried – providing I skimmed the occasional dense section on Solaristics. The planetary exploration elements provided a diversion from the mental challenges and traumas affecting those on the ship. Original, intriguing and pretty hard to make a film of, I would have thought. Not so says Twentieth Century Fox. 3 stars.

The Little Misery (1951) by Francois Mauriac, was indeed mostly misery for all involved, including me. An unloved young French boy, despised by his family, finds hope in a recently-arrived village schoolteacher, who then falters in the face of possible scandal. Utterly depressing, but at least short and sharp. 2 stars.

Good lord this book was long, way longer than needed. Winner of the 2023 Booker Prize, Paul Murray‘s The Bee Sting has plenty of detractors as I found out. Apparently many of them due to the ambiguous ending, something a modern era reader deems unacceptible, needing certainty and THE FULL FACTS in their novels, since they don’t get it in real life. To me, it had the perfect finish – and tons to like along the way; a cast of memorable characters, flawed all, and an open, warm writing style, although it felt Franzen-like and at times I thought it was set in America. A blackmailed Dickie (the closeted second favourite son), seeking escape from a mismatched marriage to his dead-brother’s wife Imelda, becomes involved with a local doomsday prepper and builds a hidden, forrested bunker, with terrible consequences. 4.5 stars.

The shoes on the table and the errant salt shaker are what lured me into buying this mercifully short $30 new book (People who Lunch by Sally Olds) – I’m not totally regretting it, but the term “academically eclectic” comes to mind, and not in a great way. It’s high on analysis and low on entertainment, veering into coldness and self disgust in parts. There’s a great brain at work here and topics like Polyamory, Cryptocurrency and Clickbait headlines promise a lot, but presented so clinically, much of the appeal is lost. 3 stars.

Here’s another book: The Heart of the Matter (1948) by Graeme Greene about a highly moral officer of the English Army, living in West Africa, who is heavily impacted by his religion and what it demands of him. His wife, eternally disappointed by his lack of ambition, is miserable. His pity for her and others allows a brief moment of weakness, which cascades and brings his decline. For someone supposedly so tortured, he is pretty flatly written in most of the novel – perhaps it’s the age though. Engrossing to the end, I enjoyed it a lot. 4 stars.

Reading 2 Sci-Fi books in a calendar year – what is happening to me! A $2 Op Shop internal dare to myself, I swung into it (The Best Australian Science Fiction Writing – 2004 A Fifty Year Collection by Rob Gerrand) with enthusiasm, and then slowly regretted the 600 page odyssey over the next few weeks. I guess I’ve never been a huge fan of the genre besides some early English stuff like Hoyle and Wyndham etc. I only skipped one tedious story from Stephen Dedman, and the best was The Diamond Pit by Jack Dann. David Lake’s Re-Deem the Time was good too. The rest? hmmm. 3 stars.

A major gap in my Australian reading has been Christina Stead, and although I was fearful of the theme, I chose a very foxed 1975 paperback of the 1940 “classic” The Man who Loved Children, which at 480 pages was about 250 more than I recalled from childhood library shelves (not that I read it then). I hadn’t realised that most of her working life, Stead had been in Europe or America until returning to Oz in her 60’s and had assumed it was a “Sydney book” as opposed to one set in Washington and Baltimore. Being a book of this length, the insights into societal life, familial debt / poverty and household economy are extensive and genuinely jaw dropping in parts. It’s a world away from the modern reader and their luxuries. The in-your-face element of the book is the many squabbles between an ill-matched husband and wife and their adaptive gaggle of children who know no different. I increasingly found myself aware of the flaws of both parents, and their characterisation alone by Stead was wonderful. Less tolerable was the tedious baby-talk of the husband to his kiddy widdies and so on – there are many paragraphs that are mildly sickening in that regard, though it does paint a picture of a man who will do anything to have his children on his side (and be his friends), even if it means stifling their personalities and wanting 100 percent conformity. Caught in the middle is his only daughter to a former wife, the sullen Louie (14) who operates as a defacto housekeeper, and who is old enough to see motives the younger children can’t. The decline of the family’s fortunes brings shameful poverty and a wretchedness to wife Henny, who seeks regular escapes to the city for trysts and monetary loans to put food on the table. There were moments reading the book that I questioned I’d finish due to repetition but I’m glad I did. I’m not going to spoil anything here; I find myself thinking about it a lot today and want to read summaries of it tonight. That’s a good sign – 4 stars.

Fancy me reading a cricket book! I’ve struggled to be interested in the sport ever since the rotten, mean-spirited Glenn McGrath days really, but this Peter Roebuck biography Chasing Shadows had enough intrigue, and the legitimacy of Tim Lane helped. I’m glad I read it, though there are plenty of discomforting moments where I was conflicted between the various trains of thought (people took advantage of his generosity and blackmailed him vs. he had made too many enemies and was killed vs. he knew he’d be crucified for his sexual indiscretions). A brilliant, driven and compartmentalised man, whose battlescars eventually got the better of him. Wonderfully done – 4.5 stars.

The Glass Pearls (1966) by Emeric Pressburger was a delight – the German “Karl Braun”, living an anonymous life in post-war London becomes increasingly paranoid about pursuing Nazi-hunting agents. I loved the insights into his co-workers and odd, miserly housemates – especially the business-minded, deal-making Strohmayer. Compelling and enthralling till the end. 5 stars.

The Blazing World (2014) by Siri Hustvedt is a book I would have finished in my 30s when I was more patient (and forgiving), but boy, did those 186 pages before I stopped test me. Reading the Goodreads reviews afterwards, I was very happy I gave in at the half way point. Based on a wonderfully cynical premise about the nature of the art-collecting world, a female artist passes off her maniacal and obsessive art installations as the work of various other suitable male counterparts to prove industry biases. It was dense, cerebral and overly serious, which started to become repetitive and harping at a certain point. Well written, but 3 stars.

It took me a while to warm to the short, farcical, spy thriller Pigeon Pie (1940) by Nancy Mitford, but I eventually got there. A shallow societal madam in London realises almost too late that her husbands’ friends are Nazis and are planning evil deeds. A satire on between-the-wars society with a quirky premise that only just works. Still a fun read – 3 stars.

A third of the way in, the chunky, overspaced and simple novel Clarke (2022) by Holly Throsby had me annoyed by it’s lack of anything much. With chapters that alternated between two damaged neighbours in the small town of Clarke, there was an overplayed hopelessness about them which was tedious. I’m still not convinced it’s a very good book, but gradually the mystery of their investigation of a missing neighbour (based on the real-life story of Lynette Dawson) was uncovered, and the co-detectives were somewhat healed and I conceded I’d been won over. 3.5 stars.

I had a sense of deja-vu when reading The Fraud (2023) by Zadie Smith until I realised that I’d heard her discuss the novel on a podcast not long ago. On the whole, it was an interesting read, and the strong willed but flawed (and trapped) Scottish widow Mrs Touchet (the Targe) was likeable and complex (she bedded her brother in law and fading author William Ainsworth and his wife separately!). There was a mid-section (Volume 6) where I got distracted and a bit lost in the backstory of Bogle in Jamaica, but after that it was pretty much all about the adjacent real-life Tichborne Trial (1873) where a Wapping butcher Arthur Orton (by way of Wagga Wagga) made a claim to the Tichborne baronetcy and estates. Beautifully done – 4.5 stars.

A bit of a mixed bag this Cleveland Anthology (second edition) – put together by Piiparinen and Trubek. I had been putting off reading it since acquisition in 2018 on my sports trip to Ohio, and decided it was now or never. There were some great pieces in here, plus the expected, earnest, I-grew-up-in-Ohio-and-moved-away-but-I’ll-always-think-of-Ohio-as-home ones. What I didn’t expect was that it would make me want to revisit the city, since I thought I’d rid myself of any general U.S related travel-related interest thesedays. I don’t know if “Rust Belt Chic” is still a thing, but I bet there are still plenty of affordable places to buy and rough neighbourhoods to gentrify a little. Just like the need for wetpour patch repair in many of the city’s playgrounds, Cleveland’s charm is hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered and revitalized. That city brings out a weird, latent property renovator/speculator version of me – so much history and charm in the housing and neighbourhoods of Cleveland just waiting to be found and loved. With the help of wetpour repair, they are able to maintain safe and durable playground surfaces, ensuring that children can enjoy their playtime without the risk of injury. 3 stars.

Now for my annual crime novel (courtesy of the Op Shop like most of these) with the awkward title of Blues for Outlaw Hearts and old Whores by Massimo Carlotto. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the hardboiled style, where I get overwhelmed by the complexity (x double-crossed y who was working secretly with z who then had x investigated and tortured. He then revealed he worked with a, whose boss was b who struck a deal with z to get y and a exonerated but meant the end for a and x. It was dizzying at times trying to figure out who was in cahoots with whom, but along the way there was an unlikely Italian/Austrian love story which seemingly motivated an entire gang to kill a bunch of people so the couple could ride off into the sunset, only to have her leave him at a later point because that is just how things go. The author had a weird obsession with lyrics to blues songs, but generally the writing was sound and it left room for future escapades. 3.5 stars.