A Writer only begins a book…A Reader finishes it.

Samuel Johnson

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks. I arrived home this past weekend after spending a fun week in Sydney with two of my closest friends. There are a few photos floating around on Instagram and I’ll pop a couple at the end.  

My computer completely bit the dust the day before I left. I run it into the ground really with all the software for editing photos and hammering emails to family and friends. It was time, so off it went to the Apple dealer to be destroyed and sent off to recycling. I was happy that Apple computers turned in after their use by dates do not go into landfill but are recycled into other goods. 

I read an interesting little book on the plane. A little hardcover of The Gentleman from Peru by André Acimen.  

A group of young people staying in Europe at a resort while the boat they are travelling in receives repairs. They notice an older gentleman who observes them daily. They invite him to join them and it turns out he has quite a relationship with one of them. It involves sunny days, young people enjoying themselves, a very pleasant European air. Then the mystery increases and some time travel emerges. . I read it in two sittings. I would have finished it but the two hour flight from Sydney wasn’t quite long enough. 

I mentioned earlier I had begun Yellowface awhile back by Rebecca Kuang. If you remember the protagonist wasn’t quite the writer compared to her friend who is a success with her writing. While at lunch the good writer chokes to death and the less successful writer steals the finished manuscript her friend was about to submit. Of course, it is a runaway hit and from then on the proverbial hits the fan. I picked it up again and finished it off. It is overall just an average read, I think. A bit predictable and I would have edited it more tightly if I had a chance. I got bored towards the end. There are quite a lot of repetitive thoughts occurring with our protagonist however I love the concept of the story but believe it’s been done before. 

The other book that has just entered my life might be more of a challenge. Adam, of the Fullers book group has just announced our book for February. Not only February but also March and April. The book of 900 + pages is one I’ve not heard of. It is called: 2666 by Chilean author Roberto Bolano. It’s a long book but is actually comprised of five shortish novels. Bolano was working on it when he died prematurely in2003 at the age of 50.  He was ill for awhile and was working on 2666 as a way to ensure his family’s financial security after his death. Initially, he wished for it to be published as five separate novels, but the decision was taken by his executors and publishers to consolidate the five books into one volume.

We will read parts 1, 2 and 3 for February. Then part 4 in March and part 5 in April. I have no idea what it is about and the cover is bizarre but I look forward to exploring new territory. I will get started on that soon.

I downloaded it on my Kindle scribe as I’m sure the book will be big and heavy with small print. My eyes don’t cope with small print anymore. I had a pleasant surprise a couple of days ago when I received an email that people who own a Kindle Scribe can now write and draw on the pages. They turn the writing into a note on the same page as the text and then move the text to accommodate the note. I love to scribble in margins. The email also stated that they are planning on increasing the size of the margins so there is more room to write. There is also a tab at the top of the page and if you click on it a page pops up with all the notes taken through the book. I think it will be great for book group as I can pop that page up and have all the notes in chronological order at a glance. You gotta love technology advances.

On that note I will move along here. Not much else exciting is happening this week. Maybe my trip to the dentist tomorrow but hopefully not too exciting. Our neighbour’s dog is coming over for the day as they have workmen at their home and they work so we are watching their labradoodle, Missy. She is quite active and I hope she wears my two terriers out completely. They will love it.

All the best for the rest of the week.

Sydney Harbour