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Book List
Non-Fiction:
- 25/2/22 "Ancestors: The Prehistory of Britain in Seven Burials" Professor Alice Roberts
- 27/3/22 "The Bad Girls Guide to Better" Casey Beros
Biography:
- 30/1/22 "Reasons to Stay Alive" Matt Haig
- 4/3/22 "The Wisdom of Tea" Noriko Morishita
- 13/4/22 "Intimations: six essays" Zadie Smith
Fiction:
- 13/4/22 "Intimations: six essays" Zadie Smith
- 8/4/22 "Summer Water" Sarah Moss
- 11/4/22 "Just Like You" Nick Hornby
- 18/4/22 "Death of a Nurse" M C Beaton
- 22/4/22 "Fragile Things" Neil Gaiman
Book Reviews
"Summer Water" Sarah Moss
This book was recommended by a friend, and is a collection of short stories told by different people staying in a remote Highland holiday village of dilapidated wooden chalets. An insight into the everyday misery and boredom of ordinary people and families. There is, however, a darker undertone threading through the book to the last chapter; I could only skim read this as I stupidly read the last paragraph and couldn't bear to read the chapter properly! I would recommend this book.
"Fragile Things" Neil Gaiman
I had clearly wanted to read this collection of short stories and poems badly enough to own two copies! The collection did not disappoint; written in Gaiman's trademark twisted style, many stories either had a dark twist part-way through or left you guessing right until the end. "Monarch of the Glen" was a novella from the "American Gods" story and well worth reading.
The poem "The Day the Saucers Came" was lovely, and sadly believable. A book to be read again and again, with each part a standalone gem.
Critique a review
"The Wisdom of Tea: Life Lessons from the Japanese Tea Ceremony" Noriko Morishita
The review I chose is this, from Amazon UK:
From United Kingdom
5t4n5 Dot Com
5.0 out of 5 stars If i could Tea lessons i'd start tomorrow after reading this bookReviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 August 2020
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If you enjoy reading about Japan and its culture then this book will be very much for you. In The Wisdom of Tea Norika tells us about her first 25 years journey learning all about Tea and in so doing gives us a wonderful view inside this part of Japanese culture that most of us would never have gotten to see.
Starting at 20 years old, Noriko is badgered into going to Tea lessons by her mother and cousin and only agrees to go so that she can go to a cafe with her cousin afterwards to hang out and be 20 year olds. Little did she know at the time that 25 years later she would still be going to the same lessons every Saturday and writing a book about her experiences in the Tea room.
What looks from the outside to be a fairly simple thing, as Noriko takes us on her 25 year journey she makes us realise many of Tea’s facets and depths as she slowly learns that Tea is a life long learning experience that will only end when we end life itself.
After reading this book, all i can say is that if i knew where i could get Tea lessons near me i’d be signing up tomorrow.
Well worth a read for everyone interested in Japanese culture, Zen and other such things.
I agree with much that this reviewer says, in that it is an enjoyable read about Japanese culture and how ancient and modern ceremonies and expectations collide. The story unfolds slowly and we gradually learn more about the narrator and how learning the rituals of tea ceremonies is about a much deeper knowledge of oneself and the world that takes years to realise. The only point I disagree with is signing up for Tea lessons as I doubt I would have the patience! Well worth reading.
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