Books are a perennial topic on here (or they used to be). Since starting in 2013, I’ve kept to my book diary and 2018 was a top year with 18 books read. Now that might not sound like a lot, but for me that marked a real gear change. 2019 slowed a little, in part due to the big city move (more on that another day). But as I enter 2020 I see no reason not to ramp right back up, so here are my first few picks for the year.
Not quite out with the old
First off, I have to finish the last book I was reading in 2019.
This is the third Roth I have read, having been turned on to him after he died. The subsequent flurry of editorials and radio programs about him streamed forth and piqued my curiosity. I started with American Pastoral and loved it. And while I was perhaps a bit grossed out, I raced through Portnoy’s Complaint. I had heard about that one on the New Yorker Radio Hour podcast. It talked about how annoyed Roth was that his fame came from that book simply because of its sexually explicit content. How can you resist a story like that?
Anyhow, wanting to continue along the Roth Road, I picked this one a while back and having started about four books at the same time last year, this one remains the one I need to finish. And I am doing so with gusto.
The big one
Next is this beast. And I have to thank the New Yorker Radio Hour again. Catching up on about 20 episodes over the summer, I listened to an interview with Robert Caro, talking about his book, On Writing. During the episode I learned that he is one of - if not the - most respected and revered non-fiction writer in America today. I felt pretty ashamed I’d never heard of him. Still, you live and learn.
Immediately I bought and read On Writing, but it was such a tiny glimmer - I needed to know the substance of which he wrote. I managed to get the fourth volume of his Lyndon Johnson biography from the library and it was thanks to that book I got back on the reading wagon post-move. It was like classy gossip. Meticulously researched and detailed, but at the same time a real page-turner.
And so for Christmas I asked for the book that goes back to the source (The Power Broker was his first biography and is about on of my first loves, New York). And thanks to a shared connection with New York (best trip ever!) my mum got it for me. And this is where I will head when I leave Roth.
A laugh with a legend
I’ve wanted to read Louis’ autobiography since it came out in September, but I had a decision to make. I had the budget for one book at the time and coming out at the same time was Patti Smith’s Year of the Monkey. Patti won out.
But - thanks to my kind sister, I won’t have to wait too much longer to find out just how Louis got ‘Theroux’ this. (It might be a Marmite title - but I bloody love it). I’ve always loved his documentaries (who hasn’t?) and having read his other book, The Call of the Weird, I knew he had the ability to put pen to paper without losing his charm. Looking forward to a laugh with this one.
The latest by one of my greatest
Finally - we get back to some fiction. This was also on my Christmas list, but you can’t get everything you ask for. That said, wait a few more days and you might just find it’s half price in the post-Christmas sales. Huzzah!
Scarlett Thomas is one of my favourite authors. Starting with The End of Mr Y, I have since worked my way through most of her fiction books and her Monkeys With Typewriters on the art of writing is sat on the shelf ready for when the mood takes me. And exciting news, she had a new book out in November - Oligarchy. I have to admit, the blurb alone wouldn’t have grabbed me, but she hasn’t disappointed yet, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this one.
What about you?
And what is everyone else reading at the start of a new decade? Any top tips? Or now we’re in the roaring 20s, is everyone like, so over lists? (…doubtful).