What I'm reading ...

I have started The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi.

This is another book that I'm not sure I would have picked up on my own. It's the next Bookclub selection. It is described as a "comic novel" and I can see that it is humorous, but I think some of the Indian culture is wasted on me. I came across a simile that I rather liked: "Dad liked to stand out like a juggler at a funeral".

Gridlock - by Ben Elton

This really is a very unlikely story. A CP sufferer invents a revolutionary engine, which could change the world. The story is of his conflict, aided by his wheelchair-bound girlfriend and black traffic-warden mate, with the automotive industry. An additional thread covers the downfall of a government minister, who gets embroiled in the affair.

For all its unlikelihood, it is a cracking story and I enjoyed it a lot. It has lots of funny and/or surreal moments - that is Elton's style. I am not quite sure what we learn about his attitude to the car industry, the government, public transportation and the environmentalist movements, but I'm sure he has one ...

A greeting

Not much to do with my reading, but relevant nevertheless. I enjoyed this greeting which is used by the BookCrossing community:

May your shelf never be empty;
May your heart always be full;
May you never lose your place,
In life or in your book.
May your friends list grow.
And may the next story always
Be more enchanting than the last.

My book

Not strictly to do with my reading activities, but a book matter nevertheless ...

A book, that I've been working on over the last year, was finally published recently - details here. It is very nice to hold it in my hand after living with it for so long. Earlier in the week I, was at a trade show, where I was invited to do some signing at the publisher's booth. It seems that it was their best selling book at the show. All I need now is a few Amazon 5* reviews ...

What I'm reading ...

I have started Gridlock by Ben Elton.

As I have commented on previous occasions [here and here], I never really expected to like Elton's books, but I was wrong. His writing never fails to impress me. And, so far, this book has not disappointed me. It's an unlikely plot, with extreme characters and outrageous jokes, but I like it a lot. The most interesting facet is the lead character suffers from cerebral palsy - he refers to himself as a spastic. Controversial eh?

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith

On the surface, this is a series of stories about Precious Ramotswe and her detective agency. And they are charming, often funny, stories that interweave all through the book. But it is also about Mma Ramotswe's history and its parallels with her cases. Furthermore, it documents the current state and recent history of Botswana.

I really enjoyed the book. The stories engaged me and I like the mix of short ones, that are covered in a single chapter, and the longer ones that reappear and progress from time to time. I was constantly given a clear vision of the people, their lifestyle and sound and colour that characterizes Africa.

I look forward to reading more.

What I'm reading ...

I have started The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.

I have been meaning to start off on this popular series for some time. After just reading a couple of chapters, I'm hooked. It is amusing and engaging and the African voices speak to me very vividly. I have a plane journey tomorrow and look forward to reading more ...

Le Grand Meaulnes - by Alain-Fournier

This story is essentially about a close friend of the narrator, who has the nickname "Le Grand Meaulnes". He has a rather unlikely [it sounded to me] adventure, which results in his meeting the love of his life. Later on he ends up marrying her and then abandons her while she is pregnant to go on another unlikely quest. She dies soon after the baby is born and he returns later.

Maybe I'm missing something. Perhaps there are some essential metaphors that I'm not seeing, but I found the story unconvincing and a bit dull. Win some, lose some.