Time to analyse the contorted brain that drives EBL. The Daily Post has suggested (and I am infinitely suggestible when I choose to be) that it might make an interesting post if a person is suffering from Bloggers’ Block to perform some pop-psycho-analysis based on the last five books I read. To be fair, Bloggers’ Block sounds like something fairly serious and I doubt even antibiotics would suffice, so I hope to make it to the end of this post and see you on the other side.
Most of my reading these days is based around your lovely blogs and the occasional foray into Facebook World to catch up on the memes, and occasionally some humans to whom I have linked. Otherwise I read knitting patterns, because they tell me what to do and make me feel better, or look at pictures. The pictures may be moving on a screen, or static in a magazine, and in either case, they transport me to other worlds far more absorbing than my own daily grind.
You are not about to get a series of book reviews. I have included Amazon links so you can look them up if you want to.
I would like to think I read an eclectic mix of material, and looking at my last five books was certainly a reasonably typical selection. My reading of choice tends to be science-fiction. It is a love affair that never grows old, in part thanks to the invention of time travel and a very special theory of relativity. In reverse order then….
1.Neil Gaiman’s “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”
I always say I like science fiction and not fantasy, but the first item on the list gives that the lie. Anything by Neil Gaiman is OK with me. I love his style, in pretty much every sense of the word.
What does this book tell you about me? It’s a fable. It involves demons and mythology and the human condition.
Conclusion: Likes fairy stories because she never grew up.
Defence: I would say grown ups need to read more fairy stories. We might remember that courage and kindness matter more than riches and fame, that you can’t judge someone by how they look, that dreams and promises are important, and that life is full of wonderful mystery,
Moving on.
2. “The Fifth Science Fiction Megapack”.
I keep this one on my Kindle for train journeys. It’s a collection, and I can start and stop easily which suits train journeys. Currently I am re-reading H Beam Piper’s “The Fuzzy Papers” in it. I loved H Beam Piper when I discovered him as a teenager. He was an antidote to the Cold War mentality and expressed joy in the possibilities of alien life and compassion in dealing with it.
Conclusion: Does too many train journeys, and likes to be prepared. Overly logical and structured at the expense of spontaneity.
Defence: reading something half way decent on a train journey is what keeps us civilised and prevents mass murder.
3. “The King in the North” by Max Adams
Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while will be aware that I like my Old English prose and verse, and I am interested in the period historically. Oswald was the real life king upon whom Tolkien based Aragorn and he is fascinating. The cult of St Oswald was a huge influence in early medieval Europe. The links to pagan mythology (the Silver Hand etc) are really intriguing, and he is an interesting blend of pagan and early Christian. Given that his conversion appears to have been genuinely based on his own belief and not a politically expedient move as in the case of many other rules of the period.
Conclusion: Likes to appear intellectual / lives in an ivory tower and is unfit for normal human interaction. Avoids intimacy.
Defence: Yes, indulge me. It makes me happy and hurts no one (except the tree which produced the paper). Intimacy is over-rated. As Linus (I think) says “I love mankind, it’s people I can’t stand.”
Do I enjoy well-crafted sarcasm and a bit of murderous mayhem? Why, yes I do, thank you for asking. And this fits the bill. I came across it because Sigoth has very very clever friends, one of whom recently published her first novel. We were invited to the book launch and met some other first-time authors there, including Alfie Crow. He did a reading from his book and it was love at first hearing.
Conclusion: Not afraid of a bit of gore and indulges in dark humour, probably as a way of deflecting personal insecurities.
Defence: it’s a fair cop, guv. Does it surprise you that one of my favourite films (after “The Princess Bride”, which is the Best Film Ever, obviously) is “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”? Vinnie Jones makes me laugh out loud. “Don’t effing swear in front of the effing kid!”
And finally, I am currently indulging myself at the end of the day with a bedtime story.
5. “The Inimitable Jeeves” by P G Wodehouse
When I was little I listened to Radio 4 every night after tea with my dad. At 6.30 after the boring news bit they have a comedy or quiz show for half an hour before The Archers. I grew up listening to Hancock’s Half Hour, ITMA, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, The Navy Lark, The Goon Show, Round the Horne and What Ho! Jeeves. I adored them all, even the ones I didn’t understand (honestly, I was quite shocked when I learned some actual Polari!). I thought Jeeves and Wooster were hilarious. I particularly liked the aunts. It was all very silly.
Conclusion: Both nostalgic and escapist while satirical and elitist. The perfect summary of all of the above.
Defence: Indeed.
Well, there you have it. A brief tour of the EBL bookshelves and mental apparatus. What have you learned? Do you read books? What were the last five?
Namaste
Electronicbaglady's Bag of Bits 
I have been unable to finish a book for more than a year. The last one I tried was Seven Years in Tibet, by Heinrich Harrer. While a fascinating story, poor Mr. Harrer, however, was an adventurer and mountaineer, not a writer and this book proved most boring. There are others that have been written about the same subject and I hope to try one of those.
I can’t remember the many other books I have tried to read. The only ones I have been able to get through are Christopher Moore’s. Fabulously funny author and a very easy read. Nothing intellectual about him. Which is just what the doctor orders for Reader’s Block. His newest book comes out this month, though no date has been announced. I wait eagerly. My brain needs input!
Not that reading blogs doesn’t provide mental stimulation, it’s not quite the same as reading a novel. If I get on a run after reading The Serpent of Venice, by Moore, I will try one of your suggestions. The King of the North sounds very interesting, but possibly difficult to read. I’ll put it on the list of books to read before I die.
The king of the north was quite academic and a bit heavy. I enjoyed it but not a light read. It’s a matter of finding something gripping. I hadn’t been able to read for a while then got the Gaiman and now read more again.
i like your all posts….. 🙂
You are so kind! Any ideas for more topics?