April’s snapshot includes an exposé of jaw-dropping fraud in the art world, a short story collection from a writer whose novels I love and a novel set during the pandemic in a once grand Egyptian hotel about a mischievous octogenarian who meets her match in an eight-year-old boy.
The non-fiction book I’m reading is Orlando Whitfield’s All That Glitters, his account of his own not particularly successful career in dealing art which led to a breakdown plus that of his friend, Inigo Philbrick, who ended up in jail convicted of fraud. Whitfield’s book is both 
The short story collection I’m reading is Katherine Heiny’s Single, Carefree, Mellow the titular story of which includes the death of a dog, something frequently clumsily handled in fiction, but Heiny portrays it so touchingly and with such gentle humour it works. After enjoying 
The novel I’m reading is Christopher Bollen’s Havoc which is slow going thanks to the tiny font in my paperback edition. I’m not very far in but aside from the font, I’m enjoying the shenanigans of Maggie, the Wisconsin widow who can’t seem to resist interfering in other people’s affairs.
What about you? What are you reading?
Discover more from A Life in Books
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Tiny font? No chance, which is a pity, as you’ve made your choice of reading sound enticing. I wonder if the hardback’s better? Your other two choices sound worth a punt. I’ll need something lighter as I emerge from reading the brilliant Ian Buruma’s Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939 – 1945. Horrifying, and in these troubled times not as inconceivable as I might once have found it.
I have to admit I’m avoiding serious non-fiction plus films but I know Buruma has a fine reputation. I don’t know why HarperCollins chose that ridiculous font. You may be right about the hardback.
I’m avoiding Serious to a large extent too, but the Buruma was so well reviewed. I’m not sorry to have read it, but I’m glad I’m nearing the end. It makes the London Blitz look a walk in the park!
I salute you! Maybe in a few months…
Oh I loved Havoc! Picked it up at random as an ARC and it was a really pleasant surprise.
Definitely enjoying it! That font’s not goingto beat me.
Art? And fraud? I’m in!
Thought you might be! He’s currently learning to be a conservator which is fascinating.
Did you see the documentary about the fraud issue in All That Glitters? Interesting on many levels. I love Heiney’s writing. I am reading non-fiction – really good book by Hannah Kent Always Home, Always Homesick. Dipping into Anne Enright’s essays entitled Attention. And reading a poem a day from Seamus Heaney’s 100 Poems.
I didn’t. Thanks for alerting me to that, Lucy. I wondered about the Kent having read both her novels. Adding it to my list.
I think small font in paperbacks has become a thing, probably for readons of economy. Although having said that I’m reading a 1961 copy of Thunderball by Ian Fleming (a Book Club edition) for the #1961Club and the text is really small too. It’s entertaining though.
Glad you’re enjoying Thunderball, Cathy. Very entertaining, I imagine. I’m sure you’re right about cost-cutting, particularly with doorstoppers, although I’ve not come across print this tiny in some time.
I’ve got the hardback of Havoc on my shelves, let’s hope the font is a bit bigger in that format.
Fingers crossed! It’s enjoyable enough to make it worth persevering.
Just borrowed Havoc as an audiobook from Libby; typeset problem beaten!
Smart! Hope you enjoy it.
You know I love a hotel (and apartment and restaurant) setting! The others sound good as well. I’m trying to finish a few things that I had planned to have finished in March. (Slowly recuperating.) One that you might have previously enjoyed is an early Helen Dunmore, The Siege… ?
Oh, me, too! Lots of room for character development. Yes, The Siege is an old favourite of mine. I hope you’ll be fully back to yourself soon, Marcie.
I just came across your blog recently and I am such a fan! You have such interesting taste in books. I’ve been making a list of some of your suggestions. Thank you for all the work you do creating these reviews. I am looking forward to reading your suggestions.
How lovely! Thank you so much, Alexandra. I hope you find lots more to interest you.