What are you reading at the moment?

Digimonkey said:

Once a month? - I.

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Missoni said:

The final reviews of this challenge - Review 6,7 & 8

Haruki Murakami IQ84 Books 1, 2 & 3

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I have enjoyed all of Murakami's books, such a wonderful, laid back, chilled-out writer. Despite his simple, pictorial writing style his books just transport me to another world, they are so immersive and enthralling. IQ84 is his blockbuster book from 2011.

A complex story alternating between two main characters, a fitness instructor named Aomame whose name means green pea, and Tengo, a maths teacher and writer. Each enter a world dominated by a group of "Little People". The novel transforms itself from a fairy tale with kindly spirits into a love story. Throughout, there are references to Western music, literature, film, and philosophy, and Japanese culture is depicted as misogynistic and repressive.

A few choice Murakami quotes from IQ84:

“I'm a very ordinary human being; I just happen to like reading books.”

“Once you pass a certain age, life becomes nothing more than a process of continual loss. Things that are important to your life begin to slip out of your grasp, one after another, like losing teeth. And the only things that come to take their place are worthless imitations. Your physical strength, your hopes, your dreams, your ideals, your convictions, all meaning, or then again, the people you love: one by one, they fade away. Some announce their departure before they leave, while others just disappear all of a sudden without warning one day. And once you lose them you can never get them back. Your search for replacements never goes well. It's all very painful – as painful as actually being cut with a knife.”

“Everybody feels safe belonging not to the excluded minority but to the excluding majority. You think, Oh, I'm glad (that's) not me. It's basically the same in all periods in all societies. If you belong to the majority, you can avoid thinking about lots of troubling things.”

@Scotshave @Missoni @patw @Barry Giddens @Ferry-shave @Blademonkey @RussellR5555

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Missoni said:

I recall the film; does it compare?

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Missoni said:

Review 2
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This is one of the few books that I immediately re-read after finishing and have returned subsequently. The last re-reading being in 2012/13 when I was based in Baghdad and part of an ex-pat, book reading club; there were not many entertainment options at the time!. Some will find the book shocking and indeed I think in some countries the book has been re-categorised as homoerotic fiction which denies the, holistic themes this book tackles. The book tells the story of a bi-racial, bi-sexual boy known as "Out in the Shed" or Shed who lives with his mother, a working woman, at the back of a brothel. Set in the American mid-west of the 1800's. The author Tom Spanbaur employs a "dangerous writing style" a style of fiction he himself has coined and advocated. He explains: "Dangerous writing means putting a piece of yourself in a work, going to the 'sore spot,' and discussing taboo topics, particularly sex and violence. It means writing for yourself, a concept that in the literary world was thought to make you go broke. It means exposing yourself to the tiger, not physically, but mentally." The book also features a writing style Spanbauer calls "going on the body" which has been described by others as involving the reader on a gut level. I will not give a plot synopsis but rather say that the book is a terrific read and at the very least will not leave you without some reaction. The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon was a finalist for the 1992 Stonewall Book Award and won the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award. The book, has gone on to acquire cult status; being a slow burner at first, probably because of some of the themes, before achieving wilder acclaim; acclaim that I believe is entirely justified. I think the book will ahieve even greater recognition with the progress of time and that appears to be happening - a classic in the making for sure .

@Scotshave @Barry Giddens @Ferry-shave @Missoni @Blademonkey @patw @RussellR5555

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Digimonkey said:

I was buying some books for myself tonight - I thought to re-read your review of this one - it had stuck in my mind - I have just ordered it - challenging yourself - with books - to a large extent - is why you ought to read - thank you - I.

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Ferry-shave said:

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I never got near the 7 books in 7 days, but as a belated review I offer Under pressure: living life and avoiding death on a nuclear submarine.

I have had an interest in the Royal Navy and in the forces generally, for as long as I can remember. I was interested to see a book about the ‘Silent Service', written about the author's experiences, rather than a commentary on operations; this did not disappoint.

A relatively short book, where the author (Richard Humphrey's; a bookseller since he left the Royal Navy) walks through his basic recruit training, and his first posting, on a Boat (I forgot that submarines are referred to as boats) the Polaris sub HMS Resolution.

In my view, Under Pressure is a beautifully told story; Humphrey's skilfully and plainly shares his memories and experiences – it was clear that he found his time in the silent service physically and mentally demanding. Having spent 5 years on HMS Resolution before leaving “at the top of his game”, leaving on a high, seemed to be a good time to move on, to try new things (university).

I liked that the story started with a sense of purpose and determination; Humphrey was attracted to the Royal Navy and wanted to be and serve with the best – in that sense both his fellow sailors and working and surviving in one of the most complex machines man has ever built and operated.

Each chapter reads like a short story; an each is beautifully named; Chapter 16 ‘Porn', speaks for itself, what was the more shocking was that Das Boot, was shown on board, and was relatively popular!

I recommend Under Pressure; insightful, open, honest and above all a good view of humanity from the most secretive of worlds.

Now the winter nights are with us, I am going to make more of an effort to watch less TV and read more.

All the best,

Chris

@Digimonkey @Scotshave @Barry Giddens @Blademonkey @patw @RussellR5555 @Missoni

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Digimonkey said:

Looks good - on the list C. thanks - funny you should recommend this particular book - as I had just listened to an excellent radio treatment of the same subject - the show is called 'The Forum' - it broadcasts on the World Service - you can access their archive via the BBC app - the format is a bit like 'In Our Time' - take some experts and then they discuss the subject for an hour. It covers the history and development of the boats - strategic use and the experience of submariners. I think it would interest you - cheers - I.

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