Book List

Sometimes I read alot, other times I read nothing. Recently I've been reading a lot. Brought on by being away and returning to the long and dreaded commute. It's only saving grace is the time it provides to lose myself in a book.

Tracey Chevalier, Falling Angels. Very much liked Girl with a Pearl Earring. Enjoyed this too but not as much. Interesting because it is written from the first person from all the major characters in the book. Viewpoints of the story.

Elsa Schiaparelli, Shocking Life: the autotbiorgraphy of Elsa Schiaparelli. Birthday present from SH who went to the Surrealist Exhibition before coming to my party. Schiaparelli writes in a mixture of 1st person and 3rd person. Doesn't concern itself with dates and analysis, more a flavour of life.

Manju Kapur, Home. Wished I had read this when on holiday in India. Gives a good sense of the country and Delhi and a woman's family life there.

Rachel Cusk, Arlington Park. On the back is a quote by James Lasdun of the Guardian, "a gripping, at times funny, often rather beautiful book". This is not an 'at times funny' book. This is a depressing hate-filled book of unfulfilled women who hate their partners. It is relentless in its gloom and a chore to read.

Jane Harris, The Observations. Liked it, a bit too much speed towards the end.

Isabel Allende, Portrait in Sepia. Passionate, engaging.