November '08
| I appreciate that I have an opportunity to recommend the work of other authors- so here, by request, is the current reading list... some of the titles I've either just read, am reading or am about to read. I used to read lots of classical fiction but now I read more non-fiction firstly because I'm a non-fiction writer myself secondly because I find real life fascinating and thirdly because I think some of the most interesting titles can be found in non-fiction. When you go into a bookshop you are being directed to buy new fiction. Please look beyond the 3 for 2 tables. |
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November '08 |
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1. Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama. This book, which is not ghosted, was written when he was 33 years old long before he had any thoughts of a political career. In it he explores what is means to have a black African father that he never knew and a whilte American mother and seemingly to belong no-where. As he grows up he has to discover what it means to be black while being raised by white parents and, while doing so gives the reader a gentle and loving education into the issues of race. As a white 'middle class' girl these are not issues that I have ever had to consider. It's easy for me to say 'I don't see colour, I only see people' as I have never had to see colour, I have never been reminded of my colour or had assumptions made about me based upon it. But the book isn't just about colour - it's also about our inheritance, whatever that may be, it's about our personal history and having a sense of it, about understanding our parents and being able to forgive them because of that understanding. And about embracing and celebrating our inheritance. It is a deeply moving book and I found myself crying more than once despite the fact that it is not written in a way that manipulates emotion. I would give this book ten stars even if it were written by an unknown author who never wrote another word. The fact that it is written by a man the man who is now Mr President is purely an added pleasure. If a truly great book is one that alters us in some way and enables us to see the world around us differently - then this book succeeds on every level. |
| 2. A Year in Tibet by Sun Shuyun. I have the privilege of knowing Shu - so that may have enhanced my enjoyment of this book but I think I would have loved it anyway. A Chinese film and documentary maker decides to spend a year living in Gyantse - which I visited when I traveled in Tibet. She wins the trust and friendship of the local Tibetan community (very easy unless you are Chinese) and learns about their culture and sees for herself what Tibetans have to live with. A wonderful book - which I highly recommend. Sad too of course - but then you'd have guessed that much. Makes you want to go to Gyantse and stay. |
3. And when did you last see your father? by Blake Morrison. I recommend this book SO much. Anyone that wants to improve their relationship with their own fathers (alive or dead) should read this book. As for me - I never had a father of any kind... and as his father bossed him, domineered him and was still telling him what to do at 40 - I just cried with envy. I would make this books compulsory reading. In fact maybe I'll make a list of books to make us more human - or authors to teach us humanity. Blake would be at no. 1. If you would like to know how to love your own father better - despite whatever his faults may be Click here to go to the amazon page |
4. The Islamist; Why I joined radical Islam in Britain, what I saw inside and why I left by Ed Husain. This is not only a brilliant explanation of how gentle God fearing Muslims are turned into angry and murderous fanatics it is also very readable (I was so gripped that I read it in 3 days) and, ultimately, inspiring and touching. Husain writes about the person that he was when he hated all non Muslims, and the person that he is now with the greatest honesty and humility. It was a privilege to spend three days listening to this story. Everyone should read this book as we all, Muslim and non Muslim, need to understand what is happening in the UK and how it is happening.. then we need to find a way to play a part in reversing it. Click here to go to the amazon page... |
5. As Used on the Famous Nelson Mandela: Underground Adventures in the Arms and Torture Trade. Naive? I was. Gullible? I was. I had NO IDEA what our Government gets up to, that the UK is the second biggest arms dealer in the world or of the levels of corruption and lack of even basic ethics that sometimes (or should I say 'Frequently' Mark?) occur at Westminster. All this and he's funny too. Brilliant narrative non fiction. Don't be put off by the cover. x Click here to go to the amazon page... |
6. I love Haruki Murakami A friend recommended 'Kafka on the Shore' having read that I then read Norwegian Wood and I may go on to read others before I can tear myself away from him. He is does something to my soul but I'm not quite sure what it is. Maybe he consoles it - maybe he eats it. |
7. Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie. Rushdie was awarded the best Booker of the last 25 Booker prizes for his book 'Midnight's Children'. I haven't read any Rushdie before and a friend that has read all his books has recommended I start here. I have mixed feelings about this book and all of them pretty passionate. After ten pages I was in love with him by page 106 I hated him. By the end of the book I both love and hate him. He writes with astounding beauty, sets up the lives of all his characters, makes you fall in love but then, in this book at least, destroys them. Ultimately he is teaching compassion, empathy, sensuality, everything that I believe in. It takes emotional stamina to read this book -but if you have it and you want a challenging, emotional and rewarding read... Rushdie is you author. Click here to go to the amazon page |
8. Will Storr vs The Supernatural. My recommended best piece of narrative non-fiction since 'The Game.' Utterly brilliant - intelligent, compelling (it ruined my weekend as I just didn't want to put it down) genuinely scary and, I believe, very important piece of writing - Fan Bloody Tastic. And if you don't believe in ghosts before you start you probably will by the end. Don't read it is you are of nervous disposition and live alone. Really! Click here to go to the amazon page... |
9. The Brothers Karamazov; Dostoyevsky. A time machine - pick up this book and you are inside the minds of people that lived in Russia 130 years ago. And Dostoyevsky writes in such a way that it's easy to forget that these people never actually existed. 900 pages and requires concentration... but considered by many to be the greatest work of 19th Century fiction. If you don't own it then I advise that it's worth buying the hardback Everyman edition Click here to go to the amazon page... |
10. True Notebooks by Mark Salzman |
And some others that are not narrative non-fiction but are never far away...
| 1. It's a Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection by Bill Waterstone. Comic Strip. This is my daughter and my favourite bed-time reading - and essential for anyone young or old or sick or healthy. Click here for amazon... |
| 2. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Fiction. (Except not really) First published in 1958, Achebe is described as the 'The founding father of the African novel in English' The book that Mandela chose to give as a gift to Geldof. Almost agonising in the beauty of the writing. Click here to go to amazon page... |
3. Rumi: Selected Poems - Penguin Classic edition. |Poetry/ Philosophy/ Spirituality |
| 4. Captain Correlli's Mandolin. Louis de Berniers - I fell in love with this book and with the author from the moment that the goat ate the Doctors work at the end of the first section. The characters overtook my world and I went around thinking about them all. To say that the film didn't do it justice in an understatement. So don't see the film but, if you're looking for a good novel then do read this wonderful modern classic. Click here to go to the amazon page... |
| 5. Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian. 600 recipes and ingredients from all over the globe. If you only ever buy one cookbook... Click here to go to the amazon page... |
| 6. Unlimited Power - Anthony Robbins. And if you only ever buy one self-help book - or have never bought one and wonder what the genre is all about then this is the one. Nothing like having the world's number one motivational speaker always to hand in the corner of your room. If I catch myself feeling depressed I pick this up. It's a kick up the backside extraordinare... Click here to go to the amazon page... |
| 7. Wild Swans - Jung Chang. The history of modern China in compelling personal narrative. Learning about the world can be easy and enjoyable. The most memorable opening of any book and if you've read this you remember how it opens don't you? Click here ... |
| 8. The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. If you're looking for a birthday present for someone and you know that they don't have a good quality hardback book of quotations then this is a wonderful gift. I refer to this book more than any other and the on-line quotations services don't come close. Here's a favourite -'I never read a book before reviewing it; it prejudices a man so.' Rev. Sydney Smith 1771 - 1845 Click here ... |
| 9.The Art of Sexual Ecstasy; The Path of Sacred Sexuality for Western Lovers by Margo Anand. My copy is rather dusty but if you have someone to read it with life is too short not to explore this book. Click here ... |
| 10. Peace in Every Step. The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life. Thich Nhat Hanh. And when it all goes wrong there is always Thich Nhat Hanh - and the breath... Click here ... |
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