January Reading

I've been pretty slow on the reading this month, to be honest. Not 100% sure why I've lost my concentration. So as I do when that happens, I dip back into comics. I got two from a street library by a prolific writer I've never read.

I mentioned Aussie, Actually in this post so I won't repeat myself.

By it's Cover - I took this on holidays to read while in Venice. I tried to check that I hadn't read it before, but once I started reading it, I had. It didn't matter as I'd forgotten it all, but it had that familiar feeling as each new fact was revealed. I enjoy the familiarity of the streets and locations as I am in them, both in the book and in real life. 

Under the Net - we did this for book club. I loved it. I thought it was rollicking existential fun. Our book club was split - we either thought it was funny and delightful or they hated it. So I don't know what to tell you. Iris Murdoch writes very cleverly, and there were a number of quotes I noted for discussion. I feel it was a little like Marty Supreme but funnier and charming (with a much more satisfying ending). I really enjoyed this book!

When in Rome - I read this when I was in Rome - it's fun to have the characters touring about some of the sights I was. As a mystery, very much like Agatha Christie. Very hilarious descriptions of drug use and antiquated descriptions of homosexuality (warning it might be offensive - I did find it really weird to read some of it, but the drug talk was equally weird so it just seemed old fashioned and a bit daft but I'm mindful it's not personal to me so I might be being a little clueless - It was published in 1970).

I got these two comics out of the street library, so I was unfamiliar with the writer.

i love this part - This is a short sweet love story, of young people who can't stay together. I will admit I'm probably too old for it and it means a lot more to a teen. LBGT themes.

Spinning is more accessible. A tween/teen moving cities, fitting in, LBGT themes. Again, as an adult, I find it so sad that the world is unnecessarily difficult for these kids. I do think by now it shouldn't be. But again, that is the adult lens reading the book, rather than someone feeling that teenage angst. I liked Spinning, and I think young teens would really like it. It covers broad themes that a lot of teens feel re isolation, fitting in and friendships, bullying and so on. (I've still a little to go so will amend this review if any trigger warnings are needed - the adult reader is a little uneasy)

When I was a kid, my parents were mad for I, Claudius, a BBC series based on the book. They would talk about it with friends at dinner parties and we'd have to be home to watch it on Sunday nights. I decided to listen to it before going to Rome, and it was fun to know all the Emperors and some of the stories that came up in the tours. It is a crazy history, you wouldn't believe half the stuff except the guide is telling you, and a lot of that comes up in the book, except it's recounted in the first person by Claudius. It's funny and entertaining. 

Just started Prophet Song for bookclub. So far so good...but we shall see. I believe it gets hard going.