Yes, let's completely ignore Christmas and instead take a ramble through what is on the Book Piles this time. What is being read, either slowly or quickly? Does it seem good so far? Does it seem dreadful? This is one of my favourite varieties of post, so let's get cracking.
'The Columbo Collection' (2010) by William Link
This is the second time through 'The Columbo Collection', and it's a similar reaction. Sometimes it feels quite good, and sometimes kind of fluffy and inconsequential. It's probably due to the muddling influence of the Columbo revival episodes, where everything was much softer and fluffier. Having said that, there are genuine some things in here that I don't think they ever did in the tv shows. It's interesting.
'The Code Of The Woosters' (1938) by PG Wodehouse
Ah, my first 'Jeeves & Wooster' novel, and it's a great delight. In fact, the only bad thing is that it is so close to the television adaptation that I know exactly what's coming. However, if that feeling of familiarity can be overcome, then it's recommended for all! Very, very clever, and wonderfully witty.
'The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer' (1876) by Mark Twain
The curious relationship with Twain's novels continues. My progress was quite good, and then stalled after a foolish reading of the introduction. 'Never read the introduction' should be a dictum taught to all readers of books. At the very least, it should be saved until after reading the story, so as to not ruin it all. It seems like a nice story, but so historically and culturally distant as to be an entirely different world. Ah, the old Mississippi, and the old South. The problem with Twain is that you are always worrying that he might mess up the narrative by trying to make a point. Time will tell.
'The Devil In The White City' (2003) by Erik Larson
This is a wildly curious non-fiction book written in novelistic style, and it mainly popped into the collection since it's partly about the now legendary Chicago World's Fair, and also about the serial killer that lurked during that time. When I get further in, there will be more to say, but for now it could go very well or very badly. The fair is a much more interesting thing to me than the killer.
'The Voyage Of The Beagle' (1839) by Charles Darwin
Not much progress with the Beagle again, due to the usual problems with getting into non-fiction. Yes, it's fascinating, but it's not as likely to draw you back in as 'The Code Of The Woosters' or 'The Belgariad'. An effort must be made! It's fascinating, after all! This was first published one hundred and seventy eight years ago? Wow...
'Galileo's Daughter' (1999) by Dava Sobel
No progress at all with 'Galileo's Daughter'. It's no reflection on the book, just a result of having such large book piles.
'Histories' (440 BC) by Herodotus
This has sneaked (snuck?) back into the piles after an abortive attempt back during one of the last two degrees. I forget which. It's the foundation of history, and definitely deserves to be taken seriously.
Sneaking back into the piles soon: 'The Belgariad', 'The Big Over Easy', and 'Cities In Flight'. Oh, and the next part of 'Journey To The West'.
O.
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