My Struggle

Friday July 18, 2008 in books read 2008 |

I’m struggling with Kate Atkinson’s One Good Turn. The novel is perfect for holiday reading, and last Sunday I breezed through a couple of hundred pages as we sat by the swimming pool during our trial day at the local sports club. No sports for me, just lazing and reading. However, One Good Turn isn’t suitable for ordinary life, for which I mean overcast days and work. It isn’t gripping enough for quickly snatched lunch breaks and bedside reading. If I’m too tired and too distracted Kate Atkinson isn’t good enough for me. Sigh.

Perhaps my problem is that I need to keep away from the three for two tables. Writing about books means sharing the experience of them, and there might be no point in sharing the experience of popular books. I don’t mean being deliberately obscure, but finding a comfortable middle ground; sharing books that others may have heard of and who may be looking for some thoughts before they take the plunge. Bestseller lists or three for twos might not be supplying the best titles?

Bestseller lists and 3 for 2 definitely are not the way to go, Read chartroose’s recommendations—she has excellent taste.

Oh, and I didn’t enjoy “One Good Turn” as much as “Case Histories” either. OGT was just average, or maybe slightly above.

chartroose    Saturday July 19, 2008   

I have no objection to three for two tables per se – it’s just that generally I can’t find three books that I think will interest me sufficiently.

If I can, then I will, but as I’ve said before, I kind of get put off books that everyone else (Richard & Judy, Booker shortlists etc) tell me I’m supposed to like…

JackP    Sunday July 20, 2008   

Yup the thre for twos are becoming too distracting for me. Back to the charity shops for a while.

As for OGT, I was very let down with this one. Below average for me I’ll have to say.

The Book Tower    Monday July 21, 2008   

your_ip_is_blacklisted_by sbl.spamhaus.org

|