Nick Hornby!

"What can I possibly say about Nick Hornby’s essays on his reading that I haven’t said before?" My thoughts exactly. A few years ago, when Nick Hornby's previous book of articles came out, I linked to things mean a lot and dubbed us "Hornby groupies". Today, she reviews Hornby's latest collection of articles, More Baths, Less Talking, and the result is the same: she loves Hornby even more with this volume, an emotional response similar to my own. She writes that

His columns appeal to me even when they’re about books I’m not likely to pick up myself because they’re never just about that one specific book. Like all the best writing, they use a particular reading experience as a point of departure to discuss, well, Life, the Universe and Everything. Hornby does this unassumingly, and his thoughtfulness and insight go hand in hand with a wonderful sense of humour. In short, I’m kind of in awe of his writing: he does everything I’ve always aimed for as a blogger, only a hundred times better.

Once again, she captures what it is to be a fan of Nick Hornby. He is of the people, "the people" being readers, as well all are. Sure, we like to read about writers, and are interested in what they have to say about writing, but we love to read what readers have to say about reading. This is also why Alberto Manguel's The Library at Night is the easiest book recommendation I can make.

I will end this post as I ended the previous post: "Go get this book so that you either a) know what I'm talking about or b) don't have to listen to me prattle on about Nick Hornby." 

Review: All Men Are Liars

All Men Are Liars by Alberto Manguel is an interesting book - well written, clever, suspenseful and thought-provoking. The book is about a writer of minor acclaim, and a journalist is trying to find more information - each section of the novel is a different speaker contributing a perspective of the writer's life. Furthermore, and as the title indicates, none of the accounts agree on exactly what happened; throughout, the reader must ask, "who is actually telling the truth here?"

My only pet peeve was the first section, which was told by a character named Manguel, who was a writer from Argentina who now lives in the South of France. Yes, Manguel wrote himself into the novel. It's an interesting premise, and some authors have done it well - Life of Pi immediately comes to mind - but it is a tricky thing. I am not convinced that Manguel has pulled it off here, but the other sections are compelling and drive the narrative well.

Overall, a quick and interesting read - three secret manuscripts out of five.

Scotiabank Giller Longlist Announced September 4th

On September 4th, the Scotiabank Giller Prize Longlist will be announced. It made me think about the best Canadian books I've read this year. So far I've read The Headmaster's Wager by Vincent Lam, which I liked a lot, and I've started All Men Are Liars by Alberto Manguel, which I am enjoying thus far. As far as I can tell, the prize is wide open! Check out the news about the award and the eligible books at the Scotiabank Giller Prize homepage.

Neil Gaiman's Bookshelves

Wouldn't you want a room in your house like this?





















Neil Gaiman's bookshelves

This reminds me of Alberto Manguel's awesome ode to the library, The Library at Night: "I live among ever-increasing bookshelves whose limits begin to blur or coincide with the house itself". Someday, dear wife, this, too, shall be our reality.