Reading temptations

My temptations of the moment around books and reading.

The Booker Prize was recently awarded to Samantha Harvey for Orbital.

The editor’s summary: A team of astronauts in the International Space Station collect meteorological data, conduct scientific experiments and test the limits of the human body. But mostly they observe. Together they watch their silent blue planet, circling it sixteen times, spinning past continents and cycling through seasons, taking in glaciers and deserts, the peaks of mountains and the swells of oceans. Endless shows of spectacular beauty witnessed in a single day.

Yet although separated from the world they cannot escape its constant pull. News reaches them of the death of a mother, and with it comes thoughts of returning home. They look on as a typhoon gathers over an island and people they love, in awe of its magnificence and fearful of its destruction.

The fragility of human life fills their conversations, their fears, their dreams. So far from earth, they have never felt more part – or protective – of it. They begin to ask, what is life without earth? What is earth without humanity?

I have not yet read the book but it seems a very meditative read and those readers who love this style have been leaving amazing reviews. More a poetic look at the Earth than an action novel definitely. The author speaks about her book here.

Christmas is coming soon and I have spotted a few cooking books I am definitely putting on my list. I loved the Hairy Bikers and, like many of their followers, I was very sad when Dave Myers passed away. Si King has created a tribute to all these years of friendship and cooking together with this new book The Hairy Bikers: Our Family Favourites. I think many of us will want to have a look at this one and just enjoy the recipes, the memories and nice pictures. John Torode and his wife Lisa Faulkner have also put together a mouthwatering book, John & Lisa’s Kitchen where chef and home cook create lovely dishes. And I have not yet had the pleasure to read the latest Ottolenghi, Comfort, a collective book full of wonderfully looking comfort food recipes.

And finally, I heard Richard Osman talk about his new book, We Solve Murders. I loved the Thursday Murder Club. I was pleased that there is a new series of books coming up and they are travelling a bit further in the world. So that is definitely another one on my list.

I better stop before I pile up even more. But with Christmas coming up, I am full of hope that Santa will bring me a few of them.