Who’s Reading What: December 2009
18 December, 2009
Well, last month I managed to debut my first Who’s Reading What post. I like knowing what people are reading and am forever peering into my friends’ bags and checking out their bookshelves whenever I visit.
This month, my sis and two dear friends on the other side of the globe are reading:
Watching the Tree by Adeline Yen Mah
A Happy Marriage by Rafael Yglesias
Out by Natsuo Kirino
Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday
Of these I’ve only read Out.
What about you?
20 December, 2009 at 1:53 am
I’ve not read any of the titles, though I’ve read Wild Swans by Jung Chang, and quite enjoyed reading that.
I’m reading The Bonesetter’s Daughter and I Am A Cat at the moment, planning to read When We Were Orphans next.
You?
21 December, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I really liked When We Were Orphans because of the setting – it is such a romantic period, simultaneously unsettling and nostalgic, on the cusp of modernity (however, my favourite Ishiguro is still Remains of the Day!) I’ve heard many good things about Wild Swans, but haven’t gotten around to trying it yet (mainly because of its size – I know, I shouldn’t be daunted, but I feel I need to put aside a chunk of my time to do it justice.) I’m thinking of giving I am a Cat a go for next year’s Japanese Literary Challenge plus a couple of Shusaku Endo’s books. How are you enjoying it?
Currently I’m reading The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (of the dark comedy The League of Gentlemen’s fame) which I’m enjoying, Unseen Academicals which I haven’t properly started yet and think I’ll save for Christmas and trying to finish We Danced All Night: A Social History of Britain between the Wars.
22 December, 2009 at 9:31 am
I Am A Cat is quite enjoyable. I rather think you’ll be able to appreciate it when you do pick it up.
Your choice of books are always so different from the ones I normally see, but are interesting all the same. I’m coming by to make sure I don’t miss out on interesting titles.. =)
20 December, 2009 at 2:15 am
I’ve read Out and the memoir of Adeline Yen Mah (Falling Leaves). Both were great! 🙂
21 December, 2009 at 7:15 am
‘Out’ was great, in a disturbing way….. Grim yet quite realistic in the way the author describes characters and situations – the whole plot could be happening somewhere in Japan right now! Looking forward to reading ‘Grotesque’.
21 December, 2009 at 11:59 am
You are going to be even more disturbed with ‘Grotesque’… Have you read any of them in Japanese? I wonder how they would compare.
24 December, 2009 at 4:06 pm
I loved Adeline Yen Mah’s Watching the tree… it was very informative too…and infact all her books..waiting for her to release a new one.
24 December, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Guess whose favourite book choice that was? Your other favourite person in London! You have similar taste!