What I'm reading ...

I have started The Campus Trilogy by David Lodge. I read and enjoyed Changing Places many years ago and went on to read some other books by the author. I do not believe that I read the other two books in this trilogy. The recent sad death of the author made me decide to return to the work. Here’s the blurb:

The plot lines of The Campus Trilogy, radiating from its hub at the redbrick University of Rummidge, trace the comic adventures of academics who move outside familiar territory. Beginning in the late 60s Changing Places follows the undistinguished English lecturer Philip Swallow and hotshot American professor Morris Zapp as they exchange jobs, habitats and eventually wives. Small World sees Swallow, Zapp, Persse McGarrigle and the beautiful Angelica Pabst jet-set about the international conference scene, combining academic infighting and tourism, esoteric chat and romance. And finally, the feminist lecturer Robyn Penrose swaps the industrial novel for a hard hat in Nice Work as she shadows the factory boss Victor Wilcox. Sparks fly when their beliefs and lifestyles collide.

Getting Better - by Michael Rosen

Another enjoyable read. I expected this book to be mainly an autobiography. It does indeed tell much of his life story up to and beyond his time in hospital during the pandemic. The title suggests that it might be very focused on the latter part of this timeframe and I guess it was really. However, the book is also something of a self-help manual. The author offers a number of ideas for “getting better” in both sense of the phrase: recovering from being unwell and generally improving in life. 

What I'm reading ...

I have started Getting Better by Michael Rosen. Although I have read other work by this author, he is best known to me as a radio presenter. I look forward to reading his insights before we all forget totally about the pandemic and its impact. Here’s the blurb:

In our lives, terrible things may happen. Michael Rosen has grieved the loss of a child, lived with debilitating chronic illness, and faced death itself when seriously unwell in hospital. In spite of this he has survived, and has even learned to find joy in life in the aftermath of tragedy.

In Getting Better, he shares his story and the lessons he has learned along the way. Exploring the roles that trauma and grief have played in his own life, Michael investigates the road to recovery, asking how we can find it within ourselves to live well again after - or even during - the darkest times of our lives. Moving and insightful, Getting Better is an essential companion for anyone who has loved and lost, or struggled and survived.

The Life Impossible - by Matt Haig

Another book that did not leave me disappointed. The story might be described as sci fi, but I feel that would be understating it. It reminds me a little of Star Trek, where sci fi is used as a vehicle to tell a story with deeper meanings. In this book it is all rather “meaning of life” stuff, but I’m good with that.

I enjoyed the information about Ibiza and feel attracted to idea of visiting and exploring the island. I also liked the snippets of Spanish, many of which I could easily understand; others taught me things like how to swear. 🙂

What I'm reading ...

I have started The Life Impossible by Matt Haig. I have enjoyed a couple of other books by this author, so I was interested to see this recent publication. Here’s the blurb:

When retired Maths teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the Balearics Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.

Making It So - by Patrick Stewart

This book, as I hoped, was a very enjoyable read. It is well written and has a good pace. Stewart’s story is interesting, as he started from very humble beginnings and has overcome numerous challenges. There is an honesty about the way it is written which makes me feel that I actually know something about the man.