5. Women and Power - Mary Beard

I was expecting more of a manifesto.
 (or am I mansplaining?)

2 & 3 & 4 Dragonslayer series - Jasper Fforde

 

I did say that I don't read as much as I should. I actually start reading a large number of books but after a few chapters I lose interest or I slow down and the books join a pile my bed and it gradually becomes increasing obvious that I will never finish them.  Then occasionally a book will grab my attention, I will race through it then I will read other books by that author.  Well, I have done it again.

-The Last Dragonslayer
-The Song of the Quarkbeast
-The Eye of Zoltar

I romped through these three books, perhaps because they are aimed at 'young adults'.  I can well imagine that they would be ideal for teenagers who have read Harry Potter and have yet to go on to Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams.  Like the previous Jasper Fforde book they are based in an alternative UK - the unUnited Kingdoms - and the characteristics of the British are again lampooned, perhaps less subtly than in Shades of Grey.

1. Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde

I am not a great reader and have always felt I should be reading more.  I thought that this new year's resolution should be to read a book a week, perhaps 100 books in 2 years.  My wife thought that this was far too ambitious for me and I should set a more realistic target of one a month.  I had thought I would re-read old favourites as well as catching up on classics I have managed to miss in my sixty-odd years.

As it happens, the first month has slipped past and I have just read one book.  I came across it in a Brexit thread on Twitter when some-one referred to 'the great leaps backwards' as technology was removed from society. I enjoyed the book - I love new worlds and this one describes a dystopian future where people are classified by their colour perception and where social rules are rigid.  I shall be seeking out more of Jasper's work.