Books

If you'd like to take part in my idea of a blipfoto virtual book group (skip to bottom for more details) this months read will be;

A year of magical thinking by Joan Didion

Simply read & note your thoughts on 10th Aug next month!

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Spent the day with Henry (Hoover) cleaning flat as my partner was supposed to be returning from Africa (Zambia) after three months but pilot strikes have grounded him for another 24hrs or so :-(

My second emergency blip after flowers is books so here's one of my many bookcases.

Top shelf is all of Terry Pratchett's Disc world novels (a comedy fantasy world that takes place on a disc sitting on the back of four elephants standing on a giant space turtle, involving wizards, witches & all manner of magic. It's as crazy as it sounds but hilarious, thought provoking & a great read. He has a wonderful habit of translating the madness of ourselves to this fantasy world & despite the craziness of disc world our own flaws are lampooned excellently).

Beneath these are a number of Robert Rankin's fantasy comedy novels about Brentford which are even more loony than Pratchett's creation!

Despite this I'm not a huge fantasy fan (I've still to read J K Rowlings books perhaps because I've seen the films). I like the idea that things are at least possible & fantasy novels far too often (despite their subject matter) take themselves too seriously hence my love of Pratchett & Rankin who lampoon our own madness through their creations.

I like Sci Fi but again with a pinch of comedy or Sci Fi that tells us something about ourselves.

Philip Jose Farmers Riverworld series was such an excellent concept (everyone who has ever lived throughout history from yourself to Neanderthal man is reincarnated on the banks of a river which twists and turns itself across a whole planet. Mark Twain is one of the characters who decides to find out why. I won't spoil it by telling you) that I was immediately hooked.

Ray Bradbury (most famous for Fahrenheit 451 about a dystopian future where books are banned & burnt) is such a beautiful wordsmith that even if your not into Sci Fi or fantasy his novels are exquisite!

I have all of Gerald Durrell's books. He was a conservationist & although I never met he he had a huge impact on my childhood & when I visited Jersey Zoo (a captive breeding programme) long after his death I actually wept. His most famous books about his childhood on Corfu are simultaneously hilarious & stunningly beautiful. If you've never read it read 'My family & other animals'.

Interspersed with these are various books about the paranormal, philosophy, science & religion. Colin Wilson's 'The occult' is a great romp through the fringes of knowledge & Charles Forts works (if you have an open mind there's an great magazine devoted to his philosophy - Fortean Times) are brilliant but his style takes some getting used to.

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BLIP PHOTO VIRTUAL BOOK GROUP

I thought about starting a blipfoto book group.

Like any other book group members have a month to read the book and share their thoughts at end of the month. We then take turns to photo a new book & perhaps create a blipfoto inspired by the book itself.

To start the ball rolling I'm going with 'The year of magical thinking' by Joan Didion described as a beautiful & devastating book by Zadie Smith (she wrote White teeth) as a fellow blipper yearofhappy lent me this & it will prompt me to actually get around to reading it & returning it!

If you'd like to take part simply read the book & write your review or thoughts about it & if you like post a photo inspired by the book on the 10th August 2011

The book is available through Amazon, Waterstones, scour your local charity shop or borrow from a friend as I did.

If you've read the book already add your thoughts now if you like!

The next book after 'The year of magical thinking' will be decided by the first blipfoto book group member to suggest a new title by commenting on 10th August 2011 & posting a picture of it on their own profile.

Let me know if you'd like to participate & if you have any ideas for the group (save book suggestions however & post these on 10th Aug, as suggested, first to post on 10th Aug is the next book we will read).

Good idea?