A book meme, a bit about birthday presents and, of course a
kitten. Look out in our next instalment for
Morris Men and a Museum…
Book
Meme
A book meme from Simon T of Stuck in a Book.
1. The book I’m reading
Guy Gavriel Kay “Lord of Emperors” (2000)
A wonderful mixture of fantasy and history, blended in a way that
only Kay seems to have achieved among all the fantasy writers I have read.
Guy Gavriel Kay began his writing career working with J R R
Tolkien's youngest son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, on the
editing of JRR Tolkien's great central work of mythology, The Silmarillion,
first published in 1978. Born and raised in Canada, Kay is still based in
Toronto, although he now does most of his writing in Europe. He is described in Fantastic Fiction s ‘An author who transcends the limits of
labels or genre. His books have increasingly blurred the boundaries between
history and fantasy, creating fictional worlds that are unique and richly
realised, yet at the same time draw recognisably on the resonances, culture and
folklore of medieval and earlier times.’
In ‘Lord of Emperors’ Kay takes the traditions of Byzantium and
the Empire of the East and refashions them piece by piece to form an intricate
tale of drama, adventure, and politics. Continuing the saga of the world
created in "Tigana” and "Sailing to Sarantium", the empire of
Sarantium is beset to east and west but Valerius II wishes to take back the
western lands which gave birth to the empire he now rules. The master
mosaicist, Caius Crispus, is called upon to play a role. He wants to concentrate on his art and like
Rustem of Kerakek, a physician, is on a journey of self-discovery. But no man
may withdraw from society that easily, and both men soon find themselves drawn
into the deadly webs of Sarantium.
2. The last book I read
Michael Popek “Forgotten Bookmarks” (2011) – a bookseller’s
collection of odd things lost between the pages. A bit of a disappointment. I’m not sure what I expected but somehow it
fell short. The format is good – an illustration
of the item and the book it was in.
There is a ‘translation’ where the writing on the item is not overly
clear but I was disappointed that there were some poor ‘translations’ and
obvious errors. I would recommend it to
anyone who has worked in a library or bookshop and has themselves found things
in books and would be interested to hear the views of others as to whether they
enjoyed it more than me.
3. The book I’ll read
next
Either the answer to Number 5 or Chris Lavers ‘The Natural History
of Unicorns’ (2009). A scientific quest
into the origins of a species with real, living relatives.
4. The last book I bought
The Summer Tree (1984)
(The first book in the Fionavar Tapestry series)
A novel by Guy Gavriel Kay
Because of the answer to 1, I aim to work my way through all the
Guy Gavriel Kay books.
5. The last book I was
given
“Ferney” by James Long (1997) – a gift from
Friend-über-special. I have yet to read
it and don’t want too many spoilers by reading reviews but I do know it has a
mixture of history, romance and adventure.
Sounds like just my sort of read.
Birthday Presents
It’s a couple of weeks since my birthday now and I haven’t
mentioned my presents. Needless to say most of them were books but there are a
couple that were somewhat different and may be of interest to you.
One of my presents from Richard was a desk light – or so it
appears.
But it isn’t.
It’s a tiny booklight that can be taken off its stand and put on a
boojk. How sweet is that?
Another present was a much wanted hose reel from GB. (I say much wanted and I mean it but at the moment the last thing the garden needs is more water!!)
What wasn’t clear in the instructions was whether I have to wear a
pink shirt and white shorts to use it as per the illustration. I know GB does when he’s gardening but they
aren’t quite ME!
Ivy
I know I wouldn't be forgiven at the moment if I didn't include our kitten in a rambling blog posting..
Excuse me but that's my chair!
And that is Partner-who-loves-tea's pillow....
I haven't read a book in quite awhile. I think all my artsy crafty obsession has distracted me from books.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, CJ, maybe you should try it -- you might look fantastic in a pair of white shorts and a pink shirt. By the way, Robin went to an all-boy's school where the colours where pink and grey and he wore a pink shirt for years. (Maybe that's why he wouldn't be caught dead in one now?)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the photos of Ivy. Wouldn't it be great to be able to relax as completely as she does? Just sort of dissolve into the pillows.
Have a great day. Love, Carol
I love receiving meaningful gifts, especially for my birthday.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy them both.
My hose reel stores my so-called "Non-Kink" hose which kinks all the time!!
Love that kitty! Interesting bit about Kay working with Tolkien's son. Didn't Tolkien's books begin as bedtime stories for his children?
ReplyDeleteYes, Bibliophiliac, The Hobbit was begun as a bedtime story for his younger children. Christopher was his youngest son and after his father's death worked on a number of the unfinished Tolkein works.
DeleteUseful gifts are the best! And the bloke on the hose box looks like he is directing the water not at some plants, but at someone who is standing nearby. Pity we can't see the entire picture!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Guy Gavriel Kay. Just now I think I have enough worlds going without adding yet another. That Unicorn book sounds interesting though. And somehow reminds me that I've got a Swedish book about Dragons still unread...
ReplyDelete