The novel I’m reading is Paul Yoon’s Run Me to Earth, chosen because I so enjoyed his short story collection. It follows three young Laotians, recruited to help at a makeshift hospital during the American bombings in the ‘60s, who become separated when they’re forced to evacuate speedily. I’m not very far in but I’ve been struck by the same thoughtful writing that characterised The Hive and the Honey.
The short story collection I’m reading is Jem Calder’s Reward System which has started well with a lengthy almost novella length piece about a young woman who lands a job in a hip restaurant and is drawn into an ill-advised affair with her boss. It’s the first of six linked stories, a structure that always appeals.
What about you? What are you reading?
Discover more from A Life in Books
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Plantar fasciitis–ugh! Poor thing! These all sound like interesting reads
Thank you. That was a naked plea for sympathy!
Oh, I understand!!! I haven’t gone barefoot in over a decade since my last p.f. inciedent. I highly recommend Addidas slides in the house.
Thank you. I’ve had a good day today but must try not to get ahead of myself. I like to walk barefoot round the house in the summer but those days are over!
Unfotunately they are.
I had to look up Plantar fasciitis, and now that I have you definitely have my sympathy. Yoiu’d better milk it at home for as long as you can too. It would be the only consolation. The first two now ordered from the library. As to the third. Not just now. Not in the mood for a doorstopper. I don’t rule it out though.
Thank you! Small victory this morning as I made it to our local cafe for a coffee. Hope you enjoy them.
Hooray for small victories!
Hoping for another tomorrow but we’ll see…
These look brilliant!
Sorry – this was supposed to be a comment on another blog! And I can’t delete it. I’ll read yours now.
Sorry about the plantar fasciitis. A couple of friends have had this so I know it’s painful. Hope you’re better soon.
Thank you. I’m just back from our local cafe and thrilled that I made it. Good lesson in patience for me. I hope your friends have recovered well.
They found shockwave therapy very good. Available at some physiotherapists.
Thankfully, mine isn’t as severe as that but I’m glad they found some relief. Mine is becoming a little easier each day.
Ahhhh fasciitis is the worst – I’ve had it too for the last month. Physio exercises and gel insoles in supportive shoes have been my saviours. Hugest sympathy!
And to you! It’s miserable isn’t it. I had no idea how common it is. The physio gave me enough exercises for if to become a full-time job but I’m sticking with them. Hope you’ll be fully recovered soon.
If we arrange ourselves carefully on the sofa, we should all be able to share the same cushion, save our carers the extra work by rotating houses, and we can pass good books to the left as we finish! Being able to read and watch films is definitely an upside-side, but congrats on the coffee shop excursion (S) and insole workarounds (E).
Reward System sounds like just my cuppa.
Excellent idea! I’m sorry you’re suffering, too, Marcie. Hope you enjoy Reward System if you get to it.
Good on you – it really is worth it. And thank you!
Oh no, sorry about the plantar. Keep doing the exercises I’m sure they’ve given you. Of these, I’m most interested in High, as I worked on a book about a Nepalese climber a while ago. I’ll look forward to hearing how you get on with it!
Thanks, Liz. Physios are the unsung heroes of health. That sounds an interesting project. I’m still in the foothills so I expect it’ll feature in next month’s snapshot.
Reward System appeals. I love interlinked short stories.
I read another today. He’s very sharp!
When our body starts acting up it’s time to go easy and read. Mine has been a frozen shoulder for months. Physio is helping a lot. Currently reading The Names by Florence Knapp. In the early stages but an interesting premise. Have to start a new short story or essay book and think it might be Rebecca Solnit’s No Straight Road Takes You There. Still reading Paul Durcan’s poetry anthology. And isn’t it interesting that Flesh won the Booker this week. I haven’t read yet, the story not really appealing to me. I was hoping Miller would win.
Much sympathy with the frozen shoulder. I know that can be grim. I hope it’ll be better soon. The Names is on my list and I’ll probably read Flesh but, like you, I was sorry The Land in Winter didn’t win.
So sorry to hear about the plantar fasciitis! A colleague had it and I remember how painful it was for her. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Interlinked short stories are always so appealing, I hope the collection works well!
Thank you. It’s much better than last week. It seems to be a common problem, unfortunately.
I’m just about to read another Reward System story.
I like the sound of that Paul Yoon novel. I visited Laos a couple of years ago and have been meaning to read more books about the country and its history.
I think you’d find the Yoon interesting and there’s the added bonus of some excellent writing.