tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065886397409989822024-03-18T16:04:07.704+13:00This Fluid ThrillA blog about books and writingCraig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.comBlogger466125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-40529027155995137802024-03-05T22:03:00.006+13:002024-03-05T22:15:45.359+13:00Consumption Diary: Jan-Feb 2024<p><b>MUSIC - February</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/1sBEhBiUZtgngKbvfMjKHU?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p><b>Right Story, Wrong Story: Adventures in Indigenous Thinking by Tyson Yunkaporta</b> (non-fiction, audiobook, Australia, 2023) - A worthy successor to Sand Talk, but I'm worried I might come across as one of the wrong kind of fans of Yunkaporta's books (who Yunkaporta addresses in this latest book).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ng52bqdm-XZX4rPnsyqfFOod1cKyLrXKP4I4zkcmwtjD6SWVIaR4jtyKrWJFlsI1U_wPWOLsmx232TvEEnLjIQCE2djNRl4vz0T1xWK79_CSxCuYYKSj65zwBDdUjPPCf39Akdbo9diyVHMR9lHD4n4Q8853zFC6KOqB3OXwnR0JYUbdrwoYpv51tKA/s1200/Shes_a_Killer__26418.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="789" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ng52bqdm-XZX4rPnsyqfFOod1cKyLrXKP4I4zkcmwtjD6SWVIaR4jtyKrWJFlsI1U_wPWOLsmx232TvEEnLjIQCE2djNRl4vz0T1xWK79_CSxCuYYKSj65zwBDdUjPPCf39Akdbo9diyVHMR9lHD4n4Q8853zFC6KOqB3OXwnR0JYUbdrwoYpv51tKA/s320/Shes_a_Killer__26418.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>She's a Killer by Kirsten McDougall</b> (novel, physical book, NZ, 2021) - Holy Moses this was great. This seems weird to say, and only just occurred to me several weeks after reading it, but it's like a grown-up <i>Fight Club</i>. The disaffection. The bifurcation. The sardonic wit. But without the empty nihilism and cheap shocks.<br /><p></p><p><b>Madness is Better Than Defeat by Ned Beauman</b> (novel, audiobook, UK, 2017) - So long. Too long. Lots of Pynchoneering. But about three-quarts of the way through it starts to reference how long it is and then it starts to get really good. </p><p><b>Happy Place by Emily Henry </b>(novel, audiobook, US, 2023) - The third (I think) book I've read of Henry's... not as good as Beach Read, better than You and Me on Vacation. Perfectly acceptable summer holiday fare.</p><p><b>Shy by Max Porter</b> (novel, audiobook, UK, 2023) - The usual Porter: lyrical, Alan Garner-esque, get-in get-out before you can be accused of dark tourism (grief, depression, despair)... but probably his most affecting (very short) novel to date.</p><p><b>The Bee Sting by Paul Murray </b>(novel, audiobook, Ireland, 2023) - The Irish Franzen? As if anyone would deliberately set out to do that, but when pitted against Sally Rooney's sparser, more caustic vision of young people in Ireland, perhaps Murray had to go generational? </p><p><b>Border Districts by Gerald Murnane </b>(novel, physical book, Australia, 2017) - I don't read a lot of physical books due to eye/brain/life issues. I can't decide if this kind of book is perfect for people like me or a bad idea: it's so interior and meandering that it works well in 3-5 page spurts. It's clear he's a genius, turned an an oblique angle from most of the rest of us, but I'm not sure the angle is particularly... interesting??? Or am I making the mistake of reading this as fake fiction (a.k.a. autobiography without a fact checker)? Guess I'll have to read another Murnane and report back.</p><p><b>Baumgartner by Paul Auster </b>(novel, audiobook, US, 2023) - Auster can be hit or miss. And sometimes he can wedge the dart right in the frame of the dartboard, like with this book, which is kind of neither. </p><p><b>World Within a Song by Jeff Tweedy</b> (non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2023) - meh. I didn't like the Dylan book where he tried a similar thing of using individual songs to anchor each chapter (but with more brio), so maybe it's just a bad approach?</p><p><b>I am Homeless If This is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore </b>(novel, audiobook, US, 2023) - I love Lorrie Moore. Nothing will change my affection for Birds of America and Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? and Self-Help and A Gate at the Stairs, but IAHIFINMH was kinda forgettable, sad to say.</p><p><b>Sure, I'll Join Your Cult by Maria Bamford</b> (non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2023) - felt too much like stand-up, not booky enough, soz.</p><p><b>Death and the Conjurer by Tom Mead</b> (novel, audiobook, UK, 2022) - nope.</p><p>*</p><p>Checking in on my semi-random reading targets for 2024:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>At least ten single-author poetry collections: 0/10 (fear not...)</li><li>At least one book from every continent: 3/6 (Asia, South America and Africa to go... may also need to read a book about Antarctica for completeness)</li><li>At least four books in translation: 0/4</li><li>At least four books by Australians: 2/4</li><li>At least five different genres of novel: I'm going to say a conservative 3/5 (romance, mystery, and lit-fic), but pretty confident there'll be some hard sci-fi and detective fiction coming down the chute. Maybe I should have aimed higher, or set a more specific target? Oh well.</li></ul><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>PRODUCTIVITY INTERLUDE</b></p><p>From December I've been participating in a Creative Impact Lab focussing on climate change. You can read more about it <a href="https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/honohono">here</a> or <a href="https://www.op.ac.nz/about/events/honohono/">here</a> (I'm guessing these event-based links might break one day). It culminated in a group exhibition at Tūhura Otago Museum (my first time having "art" [text-heavy video works] exhibited) and a few public events (like <a href="https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/creative-impact-lab-otepoti-panel-discussion">this one</a>) in support of it. May potentially go a bit further (exhibiting elsewhere, and maybe a supporting publication/book). </p><p>It's been great to be thrust out of my comfort zone, but in a really supportive environment. </p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzMt8Xp5NaCAUKr1zp_ZFJdSVhRUnmkaeScoJPZSsOJbDqn83gXjG36TrQXgqC-vSB9cw-2RR4w41z4GwAKizy9R4yCFqBY9oL0rX9_fjZND19fAjHEF5lee7xgHPh5pAZdk7Fo1WBS0-ldyZh9fjdF7BpNgJFSaHg0_I51wy8oxzX0KnQVoDCA6_dRzM" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzMt8Xp5NaCAUKr1zp_ZFJdSVhRUnmkaeScoJPZSsOJbDqn83gXjG36TrQXgqC-vSB9cw-2RR4w41z4GwAKizy9R4yCFqBY9oL0rX9_fjZND19fAjHEF5lee7xgHPh5pAZdk7Fo1WBS0-ldyZh9fjdF7BpNgJFSaHg0_I51wy8oxzX0KnQVoDCA6_dRzM" width="171" /></a></b></div><b><br />Carol and the End of the World </b>- Season 1 - So good. Watch it! It's slow-thrilling like Better Call Saul, has a couple of episodes to rival "Forks" (The Bear) as best standalone, self-contained masterpiece episode of 2023, while being this deadpan, dry-as-cold-toast animated <p></p><p><b>Fargo </b>- Season 5 - I have a hard time differentiating seasons 1-4, and maybe 5 will get put in the memory blender shortly, but right now it stands out for leaning less into the strong female cop and more the strong female suspect/victim/hero. Super enjoyable, but also frustrating (John Hamm is so good at being baaad).</p><p><b>The Curse - </b>Season 1 - gave up after 3 episodes (it's deliberately cringy, which isn't my favourite genre) but returned after I caught wind of a crazy ending. And yep, the second half of the final episode sure is crazy. Verdict: worth it.</p><p><b>One Day -</b> Series 1 - good sound track, middling execution (my wife didn't realise the premise of the show was each episode was the same day in successive years until I mentioned it in episode 4 - and I totally can understand how), some good acting, but ultimately *spoiler alert* let down by making cycling seem unsafe (LOL) and revealing that the show (and the novel) had a main character and it was the one you cared less about.</p><p><b>Curb Your Enthusiasm </b>- Season 12 (still in progress)</p><p><b>Spaceman</b></p><p><b>Mister Organ</b></p><p><b>Sleeping with Other People</b></p><p><b>Paper Planes</b></p><p><b>Leave the World Behind</b></p><p><b>The Other Guys</b></p><p><b>I Love You, Beth Cooper</b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC - JANUARY</b></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2p90vnaUlnSgIEMRxbTI8h?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-25132509199041988582024-01-11T19:00:00.004+13:002024-01-12T09:16:39.472+13:00This Fluid Thrill Awards: Best Music of 2023<p>I'm going to divulge my top ten albums of the year (those released on 2023) with some honorable mentions, plus hand out some additional bouquets to individual songs that took my fancy during the calendar year.</p><p>I've done this (or something similar) many times previously: 2021 <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2022/01/this-fluid-thrill-music-awards-best.html">albums </a>and <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2022/01/this-fluid-thrill-music-awards-best_01899513055.html">songs</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/12/this-fluid-thrills-best-music-of-2020.html">2020</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/01/best-albums-song-of-2019.html">2019</a>, 2018 <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2019/01/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-albums-of.html">albums</a> and <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2019/01/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-songs-of.html">songs</a>, 2017 <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2017/12/this-fluid-thrill-end-of-year-awards.html">albums</a> and <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-mop-up-more-from-this-fluid-thrill.html">songs</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2017/02/this-fluid-thrills-belated-2016-music.html">2016</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2015/12/best-albums-of-2015.html">2015</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2014/12/best-albums-of-2014.html">2014</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-favourite-albums-on-2013.html">2013</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-best-music-i-discovered-in-2012.html">2012</a>.</p><p>Here's a playlist to listen along while you peruse.</p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/5ogKt8RF9N8GuHh6rKm5jZ?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Best Albums of 2023</span></b></p><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YGOSA5cQLx9SE6WH7m1f55ju_zpmpnU8ZKifPhRTRbDHAE-G7cT1sPYZ4Svh-7NRjA0ZpeW3WI5QFldU5b5r-Jdt1FkKzw633ibTgsNXs3t8XHTCvPrQqdY6iitXowquhbMnMXw2EWWYQIMu9ZFlfb5eJM6lpWRU9Dqsc6klGVkWXPSsoHxAgx2pVmI/s640/hawk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YGOSA5cQLx9SE6WH7m1f55ju_zpmpnU8ZKifPhRTRbDHAE-G7cT1sPYZ4Svh-7NRjA0ZpeW3WI5QFldU5b5r-Jdt1FkKzw633ibTgsNXs3t8XHTCvPrQqdY6iitXowquhbMnMXw2EWWYQIMu9ZFlfb5eJM6lpWRU9Dqsc6klGVkWXPSsoHxAgx2pVmI/w320-h320/hawk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />"Angel Numbers" by Hamish Hawk</b><br /><br />Morrissey without the cringe factors. The Editors without the fake Joy Division crooning and with a sense of humour (so, um, nothing like The Editors, I guess).<div><br /></div><div>I first noticed this album around March when doing my first trawl of Album of the Year sites and "Angel Numbers" was ranking highly (everyone who reviewed it, liked or loved it, but it wasn't that widely reviewed). Subsequently, it got some blowback (who is this guy? the algorithm is broke!), but actually, it worked for me! And Mr Hawk! Hurrah!</div><div> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyR-kbjhNSft2z5A_MbithcgI3HFimzHMQwgjq78leRQr3aD4bkigA-LU42kRK6aJuTYzViptGw64I4442Oz_wdcYKQEqufyOpnVWXXrdiv9F0_FGSZOXj_-gap2l4gkTFLff3EF0WMRDsPfEmv7SqK7F1a5s07yIdA5VdV-Dv2BrUUyU24i2MJqYsq9s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyR-kbjhNSft2z5A_MbithcgI3HFimzHMQwgjq78leRQr3aD4bkigA-LU42kRK6aJuTYzViptGw64I4442Oz_wdcYKQEqufyOpnVWXXrdiv9F0_FGSZOXj_-gap2l4gkTFLff3EF0WMRDsPfEmv7SqK7F1a5s07yIdA5VdV-Dv2BrUUyU24i2MJqYsq9s" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b>"Suburban Legend" by DURRY</b><br /><br />Do Americans call a cigarette a durry? I don't think so. This durry, sorry, DURRY, is simply the last name of the brother-sister duo from Minnesota. The brother, Austin, used to be in the band Coyote Kid, which describes itself on its Spotify bio as a "Cinematic Indie band. We use our albums to tell the sci-fi fantasy adventures of the Coyote Kid. We use a unique mix of dark looming presence, cinematic scale production, high energy western rock'n roll, and a touch of the macabre to give an immersive listening experience."<br /><br />Um, DURRY is nothing like that.<br /><br />During the pandemic, Austin moved back home and started sharing some of his new musical ideas with his sister Taryn, 7 years his junior. And thus, DURRY was born. It's not cinematic or macabre or dark. It's world-wearing yet upbeat. So many catchy songs, so many funny lines.<br /><br />Is it time for a revival of 90's arch pop-rock? Count me in.</div><div> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIBEGozUhh0MKMZpyGj8-9BMehS4A-HXpdyA8jbUqqwBesIpRJTjGGTNmATr1mi94p0s5NkHaCbTIYCclV55fu5CAWCZ2a9hEtV8chY-vos-HFErY76mnKPWzeQESDipfnsDvTJbGsMmZDx0ZXoSPvLf9waBaUnoexmxqHGqLsC736AD1NHMCrB-aEvEU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIBEGozUhh0MKMZpyGj8-9BMehS4A-HXpdyA8jbUqqwBesIpRJTjGGTNmATr1mi94p0s5NkHaCbTIYCclV55fu5CAWCZ2a9hEtV8chY-vos-HFErY76mnKPWzeQESDipfnsDvTJbGsMmZDx0ZXoSPvLf9waBaUnoexmxqHGqLsC736AD1NHMCrB-aEvEU" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b>"Turn the Car Around" by Gaz Coombs<br /></b><br />I'm not sure how to phrase this, but let me try. This album, from the former frontman of Supergrass, sounds like what I'd hope a new Arctic Monkeys album would sound like. As in, I get the thread Alex Turner is pulling, and while it may not be as wordy and propulsive of their 2006 debut or anthemic as "AM", it's pretty cool, I guess. <br /><br />Then comes Coombs, sounding like he's strung out after a trip to the Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, sitting on the floor strumming his guitar with a Thousand Island Dressing stare.<br /><br />Coombs wrote "Turn the Car Around", his fourth solo album, while performing reunion shows with Supergrass, and that is such a vibe. Like, didn't we all feel as if, in the year of our Lord twenty-twenty-three, that we were doing something that we used to do, and everyone else seemed happy with it, but deep down there was... something else? Somewhere new to be heading.<br /><br />This is the sound of that feeling, the stepping towards and the attainment of that new somewhere.<br /><br />Such a special album.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKxy56yurN7xNceoGBjhyuhBrHSeiG9rBpFCvAu59UqFNb78qDBi-rbMyQPoRXlSe_PLWJbacBDbmbrCceLjoOev8JcJUqZ5jKtYMXXiQsT1HvUW9eta5q1WiozPnix9zt3YDWKMZyF2ajirQZrAHwS6N2CNm22m39fJ9h0FiQHa4AtlzaOkrwg6e0KdE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="2800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKxy56yurN7xNceoGBjhyuhBrHSeiG9rBpFCvAu59UqFNb78qDBi-rbMyQPoRXlSe_PLWJbacBDbmbrCceLjoOev8JcJUqZ5jKtYMXXiQsT1HvUW9eta5q1WiozPnix9zt3YDWKMZyF2ajirQZrAHwS6N2CNm22m39fJ9h0FiQHa4AtlzaOkrwg6e0KdE" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><p><b>"Strays" by Margo Price</b></p><p>I didn't have alt-country songstress Margo Price dropping an album that sounds like Monster Magnet on my Bingo card this year. And I freely admit this might be a niche impression. Some might think of The Doors when the album starts with a bass drone, tambourine rattlesnake and organ key jangle, but not me. And then the driving riff starts. I'm fully expecting the New Jersey growl of Dave Wyndorf to deliver the lines, "I got nothing to prove, I got nothing to sell / I'm not buying what you've got, I ain't ringing no bells / I got a myth in my pocket, got a bullet in my teeth / I've going straight in the fire, I'm gonna talk to the high priest."</p><p>I genuinely searched online to see if Wyndorf was a co-writer, collaborator or was at least name-checked by Price, but alas. The best I can find is that Price and her husband wrote this album while on a six-day magic mushroom bender. Which also makes a lot of sense.</p><p>As someone who has never taken a psychedelic substance but has listened to a lot of music created, in part, thanks to these drugs, this Margo Price album has convinced me I'd like my first trip. If psilocybin is able to teleport Price from "Midwest Farmer's Daughter" and "That's How Rumors Get Started" to 'Been to the Mountain' - that is, from perfectly good but not necessarily my cup of tea to "this is the Monty Python Holy Grail mug I ordered online and used religiously while writing my last novel, then lost, then found, then broke, then repaired and still use for special occasions" cup of tea.</p><p>This is not to diminish the agency of Price or her collaborators here. I really love the quieter, less psych elements on "Strays". It's all great. I'm a fan. But I love it when a song starts off in a kind of Daisy Jones and the Six, languid, Eaglesy vibe, then Mike Campbell plugs in the electric guitar and Price sings "Light me up, burn me up, boil from the inside / Deeper than the ocean, get me higher than the tide..." </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXilY6Rm4ZeFmD1_MtGVGrYsu_jBbTtqSRykyN2QSjwuCko1HHHxLf-k00M3XrhEqEH-9Oin4YWPpxnxd7i3Z-sHRustEfeDQPW1JlLk4t-1-ax2Z6zs8_ka_1YTac4zyRRZRkmXaNiMyX8TYTbT69cydr-UzuoD9z6GRh_i0iQUNYd6lCWgEMoNU6LJQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXilY6Rm4ZeFmD1_MtGVGrYsu_jBbTtqSRykyN2QSjwuCko1HHHxLf-k00M3XrhEqEH-9Oin4YWPpxnxd7i3Z-sHRustEfeDQPW1JlLk4t-1-ax2Z6zs8_ka_1YTac4zyRRZRkmXaNiMyX8TYTbT69cydr-UzuoD9z6GRh_i0iQUNYd6lCWgEMoNU6LJQ" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b>"The Land, The Water, The Sky" by Black Belt Eagle Scout</b><p></p><p>The twelve songs on this album roll over you like a heavy sea mist. Katherine Paul's noisy electric guitar and softly chanted lyrics are the backbone of everything. Some songs build out the sound over time, with more guitar tracks or epic solos, propulsive drums and clanging cymbals, creating something epic, like moving from a photograph to an entire landscape. Others, like 'Salmon Sinta', pare it right back, to the point the lyrics end up being just "ba-ba, ba-ba", like moving from a photograph to a memory, or the sense of a memory.</p><p>This is amazing music live, and also amazing music to write to. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-pP59RrOtxx91dsVswTLoFCESbI7-hOW8bj_rR0Vxwn1sn9QYjJJySzVo7QGtqmQjrxT0zR8To7ArwHjR06teAXiq9xCV4E87B1ySqGOu0VjWVnNZR67-GbU2DFlYY5B9Q72oS0x7bhgeqvhW1NE3-o0it3ABPmNDZvxam8itdl92zSYinyeMpp81AFM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-pP59RrOtxx91dsVswTLoFCESbI7-hOW8bj_rR0Vxwn1sn9QYjJJySzVo7QGtqmQjrxT0zR8To7ArwHjR06teAXiq9xCV4E87B1ySqGOu0VjWVnNZR67-GbU2DFlYY5B9Q72oS0x7bhgeqvhW1NE3-o0it3ABPmNDZvxam8itdl92zSYinyeMpp81AFM" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b>"The Window" by Ratboys</b><p></p><p>I hadn't heard of Ratboys until 2023, despite them releasing albums since 2015. At times they sound very much of this era. The country-fied twang of Waxahatchee or Big Thief, with the accompanying willingness to get a little loud, a little unpretty, a little loose. But Ratboys also sounds old. Like something that might have come from the same stable as The Breeders in the 90's. Maybe they sound like the Breeders covering the New Pornographers? </p><p>This is all to say that they sound like many good and virtuous things, while still being new and their own thing. From the power pop of 'No Way' to the unerring groove of 8 minute and 34 second 'Black Earth, WI', this feels like a statement of intent. </p><p>I look forward to what new sounds drift through the window.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5M5b_XSKbmaBFuQt2xbT7uoy7TcqaCLGfSBR5Db-OFB3XBMWaNnOlXMPT3MGt9Ox3Dqc12cI11YBublduIoCdO-0TJ1JHR2gaknmpiUydJdW9fPTWKfisb8ytBtfC30fUKdJqNrjZ2yuUJYSYAt-gVgd4-AtmLjiYvRDoegZH1MY-OpUoKEHJG6ORF5A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5M5b_XSKbmaBFuQt2xbT7uoy7TcqaCLGfSBR5Db-OFB3XBMWaNnOlXMPT3MGt9Ox3Dqc12cI11YBublduIoCdO-0TJ1JHR2gaknmpiUydJdW9fPTWKfisb8ytBtfC30fUKdJqNrjZ2yuUJYSYAt-gVgd4-AtmLjiYvRDoegZH1MY-OpUoKEHJG6ORF5A" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b>"3D Country" by Geese</b><p></p><p>There are some songs I put on just to annoy my son. He's eight. His brain is at least a decade from fully forming. He never likes songs he hasn't heard before. He has to have heard it two or three times on the radio before he can open his heart to a song. And, as his diet is determined largely by the radio station playing in the car when one or other parent ferries him and his sister to sports or cultural activities, or to beaches or forest walks with the dog, he has modern pop sensibilities. He doesn't like boring intros, but even worse are confronting ones.</p><p>"3D Country" is basically a whole album designed to get my son to complain. From the discordant jangle and drunken vocals of album opener '2122' to the tuneless trumpets, broken glass and violins on closer 'St Elmo', there's a lot of provocation going on. Which is rock, I guess. But it wouldn't be worth a damn if there weren't songs beneath the posturing.</p><p>And there are.</p><p>This album, more than any other in 2023, made me feel like there was still a place for noise and denim in somewhat-popular culture. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiejgEKphQTSrLZ57zXgp9SxjTlbpy-SudlRHNBPf6fyd3FbFXiNx_GaFpFZgx3r8i-KisWXU7w2QVaZ_sZISvrpcF-os4YCYCSNIVTZXBihVnBV2agBbSqMNkLEmd0zGTaHnr3GNsBjjamJMQ9nZbfvDD5OHAb7jUEMNiqREUe5etYz2vjW8sFj07_srI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiejgEKphQTSrLZ57zXgp9SxjTlbpy-SudlRHNBPf6fyd3FbFXiNx_GaFpFZgx3r8i-KisWXU7w2QVaZ_sZISvrpcF-os4YCYCSNIVTZXBihVnBV2agBbSqMNkLEmd0zGTaHnr3GNsBjjamJMQ9nZbfvDD5OHAb7jUEMNiqREUe5etYz2vjW8sFj07_srI" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b>"Blondshell" by Blondshell</b><p></p><p>Is Nu-Grunge having a moment? This album sounds like it was recorded in Olympia, Washington, slumped back on an unmade bed, looking to the ceiling, strumming an okay guitar and singing to the light fitting. Big Cobain energy, with hints of Sabrina Teitelbaum's earlier poppier incarnation (BAUM).</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu2kfztlrO6z_OPHfVofJW_XC6VCWhKsy5YNlbaBKEGeIXvBhIGxO1wCXNrHf7X3Psi8K3xV8_9wyvO434bC3eBkwE9gtb23V1njnncrAg9_AKMQ25uBQVKhNqzt7kScM0NvGAldv8n758e4RV2hKEtNOT0n-Zb11YVUlx9i_M1lTnQeaZfCu2BStXyvo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu2kfztlrO6z_OPHfVofJW_XC6VCWhKsy5YNlbaBKEGeIXvBhIGxO1wCXNrHf7X3Psi8K3xV8_9wyvO434bC3eBkwE9gtb23V1njnncrAg9_AKMQ25uBQVKhNqzt7kScM0NvGAldv8n758e4RV2hKEtNOT0n-Zb11YVUlx9i_M1lTnQeaZfCu2BStXyvo" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b>"Somebody's Child" by Somebody's Child</b><p></p><p>We seem to have reached the self-titled album stretch of our list. Irish one-man-band Cian Godfrey's debut album sounds immense. It sounds like a massive hit. It should've been bigger. It'll have to make do with making this list.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh055Jx-6McS-j6vexR_lTFnwGxYBznX7UZx6tDlkrToT47HvPmsy3BA-KbWCC2-0guFwizCwQoRG8AOZyqzWgtai-k3ptxfHFb_snjqaDW9Y9U9sosb5vKyi9XaKGjp43eHDfdcl-18s7SFl5dlCGGpOK1VITyRIUDq4IQYYrCXrstzXf4prbUuPriO6g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh055Jx-6McS-j6vexR_lTFnwGxYBznX7UZx6tDlkrToT47HvPmsy3BA-KbWCC2-0guFwizCwQoRG8AOZyqzWgtai-k3ptxfHFb_snjqaDW9Y9U9sosb5vKyi9XaKGjp43eHDfdcl-18s7SFl5dlCGGpOK1VITyRIUDq4IQYYrCXrstzXf4prbUuPriO6g" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b>"The Rise & The Fall" by The Rural Alberta Advantage</b><p></p><p>Oh Canada! How do you do it? The RAA have been releasing albums since 2009 ("Hometowns", it's vvvvvv good, check it out), but I only dove into them in 2023.</p><p>"The Rise & The Fall" is a great album, up there with their previous records, and perhaps buoyed by this back catalogue, claims my tenth spot for 2023.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Honorable mentions from 2023</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Lucky for You" by Bully<br /></li><li>"Noise for No Reason" by Pyrex</li><li>"Do Ya?" by meija</li><li>"I am the River, the River is Me" by Jen Cloher</li><li>"Emotional Contracts" by Deer Tick</li><li>"The Rainbow Wheel of Death" by Dougie Poole</li><li>"Haunted Mountain" by Buck Meek</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Older albums I didn't hear until 2023 that would have cracked the top ten otherwise</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Wunderhorse" by Cub (2022)</li><li>"Everybody's Heart Is Broken Now" by Niki & the Dove (2016)</li></ul><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Other, but by no means lesser, awards</span></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Artist I completely missed the first time around, but got way way into in 2023</b></p><p>Superdrag. They were amazing. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Old song of the year</b></p><p>"Give me back my man" by The B-52s. I wrote about it in <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2023/06/may-consumption-diary.html">June</a>. Still an earworm. Still on my roadtrip playlists.</p><p>Other contenders for this esteemed award:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Fucking Ada" by Ian Drury</li><li>"Tush" by ZZ Top</li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>And finally... Song of the Year</b></div><p></p><p>As in previous years, all albums in the top ten are ineligible to also have the top song (one gong is plenty, fellas!). And it has to have been released in 2023.</p><p>Normally, it's some one-off piece of indie pop brilliance full of nonsense syllables and not-quite-a-hit-but-still-a-wonder verve.</p><p>This year, I'm tempted to give it to Mitski's 'Buffalo Replaced', a short album track from a good-but-not-great album (incidentally, this song has the 2nd least plays of the 11 tracks on Spotify). It's kind of unpindownably good. But it doesn't really fit the mold.</p><p>Something more catchy, but probably too catchy, was Robbie Williams Xmas collab with Rod Stewart, 'Fairytales'. It's one thing to be formulaic, but to triumph within such constraints should be acknowledged. A wonderful car-ride singalong.</p><p>I really loved Car Seat Headrest's single-without-an-album (yet?) 'We looked like Giants' - very much my sort of indie rock - and Cory Hansen's 'Housefly' - very much my sort of alt-country - and 'Salt' by Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and the Grogans - very much my sort of Aussie rock... but they didn't ever quite separate themselves from the pack.</p><p>So I'm giving this most illustrious mantle to <b>"Blame Brett" by The Beaches</b>. It's catchy. It's funny ("I'm done dating rockstars / From now on only actors / Tall boys in the Raptors" - look-out Scottie Barnes!). It's kind of self-effacing, kind of a feminist anthem (depending on what wave you think we're up to now). And it's Canadian!</p><p>*chef's kiss*</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq6bHFXKyFoJFLpLMxPhXX2XmfUat-NiYuEa0yM6vPFsdGYJBj9CLtuwahXp2BGvFbALmaMXOT-RYj8MNR8jP7MQpyIf0fYOgdEA2ASZvv5o-Auw5EVVyxmF7N9VcvpephXnjfy1cGboeAOlsji48GZVtRbiPr9hCAsd2iebwcxxVaWeThrN5A2tY2WzU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq6bHFXKyFoJFLpLMxPhXX2XmfUat-NiYuEa0yM6vPFsdGYJBj9CLtuwahXp2BGvFbALmaMXOT-RYj8MNR8jP7MQpyIf0fYOgdEA2ASZvv5o-Auw5EVVyxmF7N9VcvpephXnjfy1cGboeAOlsji48GZVtRbiPr9hCAsd2iebwcxxVaWeThrN5A2tY2WzU" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-22323491350012512632024-01-03T16:05:00.000+13:002024-01-03T16:05:09.412+13:00This Fluid Thrill Awards 2023: Best Reading<p>This list is all about the best books I read in 2023, not necessarily those that came out this year.<br /><br />I've done this before. See: <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2023/01/this-fluid-thrill-book-awards-2022-best.html" target="_blank">2022</a>,<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px;"><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2022/02/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-books-i.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2021</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px;"><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-fluid-thrill-book-awards-best.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2020</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif">, </span><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2019</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif">, </span><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2019/01/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-books-i_13.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2018</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif">, </span><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2017</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2015/02/belated-best-reading-2014.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2014</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2013.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2013</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2013/01/best-reads-of-2012.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2012</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-books-i-read-in-2011.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2011</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif">, & </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-of-2010-reading.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2010</a></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.3px;">.</span></p>I read 59 books in 2023. The first time since 2018 that I didn't crack 60. But close to the average of 62 per annum from 2010 (if you exclude 2013-2016 when I didn't keep great records, in part because I wasn't reading or blogging as much).<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8-WripPSImXBuS2lhKn44UGO311ncseGDodDhvOlh2H4ySXUA2Di9NCp2N4aSdytTD_zXPWNMS8OJ6YItsMdzKJgdjil3OwwHZehhnnEgWrGIBxtuHC91ES3nLX9VIPGkdyVkCW6_I9oUm4nbctJ4Gt1ZjtV8g-v0HGRsSMlVHsTY0wBpM20CzKye5Gk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="870" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8-WripPSImXBuS2lhKn44UGO311ncseGDodDhvOlh2H4ySXUA2Di9NCp2N4aSdytTD_zXPWNMS8OJ6YItsMdzKJgdjil3OwwHZehhnnEgWrGIBxtuHC91ES3nLX9VIPGkdyVkCW6_I9oUm4nbctJ4Gt1ZjtV8g-v0HGRsSMlVHsTY0wBpM20CzKye5Gk=w474-h284" width="474" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>More graphs and junk later. Let's get to the top 10!!</span><div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ7a_-hqhA3NGRrOLOvIJjl0dZe1HpgV8Yx3_hWix0FiEIRhhbxm1bYSdViwbxNIYkDgTftazha3_txr4jbXJQuZnTLAoSQhOjivLyb6T2-MQ75lzx4UhorFtj3qmTw9XmcGitu9810RrzlvlmvzYHyCLL_EsV30bx63bzNrWDnipWfLFW5-h1Rm2Tv9s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2766" data-original-width="1814" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ7a_-hqhA3NGRrOLOvIJjl0dZe1HpgV8Yx3_hWix0FiEIRhhbxm1bYSdViwbxNIYkDgTftazha3_txr4jbXJQuZnTLAoSQhOjivLyb6T2-MQ75lzx4UhorFtj3qmTw9XmcGitu9810RrzlvlmvzYHyCLL_EsV30bx63bzNrWDnipWfLFW5-h1Rm2Tv9s" width="157" /></a></div><br /></span><b>Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton</b> (novel, physical book, NZ, 2023)</div><div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2023/02/january-february-2023-consumption-diary.html" target="_blank">in February</a>:</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">Potentially the best book I'll read this year and it's only Feb. If you loved </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">The Luminaries</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">you'll love this. Don't let the thriller billing lead you astray (though it does get thrilling) - this is a novel that revels in moving fully rendered, psychologically complex characters around the stage and getting them together at opportune/inopportune times (or, excitingly, for me at least, alone: a couple of these lonely, quiet moments seem to act as tent poles for the three act structure). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">If you are one of the people who talk openly about never finishing <i>The Luminaries</i>, when in the last 10 years did you start admitting this like it was a badge of honour? Go take a hard look at yourself in the mirror, then read <i>Birnam Wood</i>, though you might find it too slow as well. In which case, I've got nothing for you. I guess you don't need to be devastated as deeply as I do. </p></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"></p></div><div>Nothing further, your honour.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Foster by Claire Keegan</b> (novella, audiobook, Ireland, 2010)<div><br /></div><div>I read three very short books by Keegan this year. <i>Foster </i>was the first to be published by the second I read, and here's what I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2023/05/march-and-april-consumption-diary.html">in May</a>:</div><div><blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">It's probably only a short story, but it's packaged as a standalone book, much like </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">Small Things Like These</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">. Loved this one. Every books should be this short.</span></blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"></span></div><div>But, but, but! I didn't like <i>So Late in the Day</i>, when I read it toward the end of the year, and felt it didn't work as a standalone book. So maybe only great books should be this short.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson</b> (novel, audiobook, US, 2020)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2023/05/march-and-april-consumption-diary.html">in May</a>:</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><blockquote>Another kind of novel that doesn't care much for things like character development or careful observation at the micro-level. This is all about the macro: what if poor performance against the Paris Agreement meant there was a Ministry for the Future to try and drive intergenerational justice (and what if that needed to be complemented by a dark-wing to get stuff done without bureaucracy). I got very depressed to begin with (I deal with this shit every day, so nothing was a surprise, it was more like: why I am listening to this while I work in my garden?!) but it kind of justified this depression through the journey it goes from this launching point. </blockquote></span></div><div>To which I'll add: it's the kind of book people who've read bring up in conversation (and maybe even some of those who haven't read it). I think it's even influencing the framing of some climate solutions, and/or reporting thereof. Who says fiction has lost its power?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lioness by Emily Perkins </b>(novel, audiobook, NZ, 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div>I listened to this audiobook while in Europe. Specifically, lying beside the pool at the house in the Algarve we'd rented with our friends from Germany. So: not normal life (and not wholly consistent with my admiration for Kim Stanley Robinson and my day job tackling carbon emissions). But it felt appropriate to be living like the 1% while immersed in Perkins story of a rich man's second wife and the slow unravelling of everything. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just who is the lioness? Is it Therese/Theresa, or her more forthright neighbour, Claire? Can there be only one?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Don't Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You by Lucinda Williams </b>(memoir, audiobook, US, 2023)</div><div><br /></div><div>This is another audiobook I listened to on my trip (hence no contemporaneous micro-review to quote here). I love Williams' album, <i>Car Wheels on a Dusty Road</i>, but couldn't profess to knowing her full back catalogue or anything much about her life before reading this book. And it served to both point me to albums and songs I should listen to intently (hello, 'Pineola'), and, more importantly, leave me with a strong impression of the human being behind the words, her musical family, her prolonged naievty, her relationships with men, some of whom are equally lauded musicians. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov76ql1tmMoAvy5LpwyggQC2PVBXC2YI7AY_uGpbWqc7AwPFDHPfe-SF9K4bbJddP3452N9QDYBMIfraE-E_u4Bm2cL959-OJ7-wakH0p_DOvXPuU5ePiD1Gpd3XIrxT7GKAgMHtTLHCLQ2vLfRdcGh8nM_Dke1Qbw1IxhBz73dlTLszL0e8mf4Mw6B0/s2339/Dressler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1488" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov76ql1tmMoAvy5LpwyggQC2PVBXC2YI7AY_uGpbWqc7AwPFDHPfe-SF9K4bbJddP3452N9QDYBMIfraE-E_u4Bm2cL959-OJ7-wakH0p_DOvXPuU5ePiD1Gpd3XIrxT7GKAgMHtTLHCLQ2vLfRdcGh8nM_Dke1Qbw1IxhBz73dlTLszL0e8mf4Mw6B0/w127-h200/Dressler.jpg" width="127" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Martin Dressler by Steven Millhauser </b>(novel, audiobook, US, 1997)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2023/06/may-consumption-diary.html" target="_blank">in June</a>:</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><blockquote>To read Millhauser is to flirt with fables and the fantastic, but never quite cross over. It's fascinating. I think I prefer his shorter works, where you spend more time - proportionately - on the knife's edge.</blockquote></span></div><div>Yes, but, actually, in hindsight, this was one of the novels I remember most vividly from my reading this year. And part of this is from the accumulation of detail, the slow edging away from diecast reality, that only a novel can deliver. </div><div><br /><b>Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel</b> (novel, audiobook, UK, 2009)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2023/02/january-february-2023-consumption-diary.html" target="_blank">in February</a>:</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><blockquote>Yeah, okay, I get it now.</blockquote></span></div><div><b>Audition by Pip Adam</b> (novel, physical book, NZ, 2023)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>A sample of what I said about it <a href="https://landfallreview.com/massive-miscreants-in-outer-space/" target="_blank">in my review for Landfall</a>:</div><div><blockquote><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 11px; padding: 0px;">Both structurally and thematically, the closing seventy pages feel akin to the nocturnal swim in <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The New Animals</em>—we are pulling a thread of strangeness and following wherever it may take us. Sometimes psychedelic, sometimes just plain stoned, but always surreal. Free of earthly forces and pre-eminent Western ideologies, might there be a chance for Alba, Drew and Stanley to remember and reconcile the past, heal, and move beyond?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 11px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Audition</em> remixes the tricks and conceits of Adam’s earlier books in such a way that it’s hard not to think about it as a kind of capstone... </p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 11px; padding: 0px;"></p></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid</b> (novel, audiobook, US, 2019)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2023/05/march-and-april-consumption-diary.html">in May</a>:</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"><blockquote>I grew up with a father who loved rock documentaries so I enjoyed this. Spent a lot of time wondering why others who might be less of an anorak when it comes to music would enjoy it - the love triangle never quite joins up, which means it skirts around the worst cliches of these kinds of tails but it doesn't really have a huge amount of tension to drive the narrative forward. </blockquote></span>Shortly thereafter, I read Jenkins Reid's <i>Carrie Soto is Back</i>, which, despite also liking sports stories, I enjoyed less. I haven't seen the <i>Daisy Jones</i> TV show, but I did enjoy the album. Will it make my top ten albums of the year??</div><div><br /></div><div>(Spoiler alert: No, it won't, but it would definitely make my top ten albums by a fictional band list.)<br /><br /><b>The Bell by Iris Murdock </b>(novel, audiobook, UK, 1958)<br /><div><br />One of the last books I read in 2023, and one of the earliest written. There's definitely a contrast between the depth and complexity in a book like this and, say, something by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The thing I sometimes forget, when reading mostly contemporary fiction, albeit across a range of genres, is that writers now held up to be literary greats are, so often, funny. And it's true that a brand of non-LOL humour provides the little bubbler outboard motor that kept things moving in <i>The Bell</i>. All the characters are faintly ridiculous. Murdoch is also a great teller. The opening of the novel is an onslaught of telling (as opposed to showing) and it's an absolute hoot. You can show me the glint of the moonlight on the blade, but I'll enjoy it more if you've told me how she got married to the wrong man, became estranged and has now decided to return to him in a rollicking dozen pages first.</div><div><br /></div><div>---</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">2023 reading year statistics</h2><div>Some years I set targets for diversity for the reading year ahead. Others I just wing it. I winged it in 2023 and my reading wasn't that diverse...</div><div><br /></div><div><div ccp_infra_copy_id="" ccp_infra_timestamp="1704250122880" ccp_infra_user_hash="3556114525" ccp_infra_version="3" data-ccp-timestamp="1704250122880" data-clipservice-ccpid="2748c636-0cf9-446f-b79b-b21a77267584" data-clipservice-client="XLO" data-clipservice-count="1" data-clipservice-dc="PAU1" data-clipservice-type="chart" data-clipservice-version="3" data-pkey="a013ce1f-323f-46ee-8493-43f74fe3d7b5" data-timestamp="Wed, 03 Jan 2024 02:48:42 GMT"><div ccp_infra_copy_id="" ccp_infra_timestamp="1704250152840" ccp_infra_user_hash="3556114525" ccp_infra_version="3" data-ccp-timestamp="1704250152840" data-clipservice-ccpid="d38653c5-20f4-41cf-9a73-e6e68f43956a" data-clipservice-client="XLO" data-clipservice-count="1" data-clipservice-dc="PAU1" data-clipservice-type="chart" data-clipservice-version="3" data-pkey="57f1e4dc-a082-4317-af15-cfc9f428baa9" data-timestamp="Wed, 03 Jan 2024 02:49:12 GMT"><img 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" 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Aks3fcLvln3VsAVufaIlRXKk7lWHZxPIQ6YdOhXMKhbHTwyomnoB8IIQpoAhTik02ce50+dP4K3F4/DuYIzAQdVmRCLHvElNdtg/s6vfZ4MFrBjQaqAPeLAwD5/dya6teLbmgKjyL0DIUAhDoQe9w2YgM1uQ3hYOL5Y/S/pUaNANrm3GxF+cahx58n1SIxNRd3Ehs6qzTQsLYKiEAfSaoD2TZPw6v1tAquEe5NAAAQoxAHA467qEFh1YC6+XPOaOpVZsBYKceBJHzusCYb2Tgu8ItZAAn4QoBD7AY27qEcgO/+0NEv6zIVj6lVqsZooxIEnvHZKDKY82A41k6IDr4w1kICPBCjEPgJjcXUJ+LN6lroehH5tFGJ1cji8TzrEO4y5kYDWBCjEWhOnPSeB9YcX49OVk0kkQAIU4gABKnZ/bWxbtGuSqF6FrIkEvCBAIfYCEouoTyC/+ALe/P0fEO8Z5hYYAQpxYPyUe/donYrnxrSC3Q6EhalXL2sigcoIUIjZPnQhMGPjVCze/YMuts1mlEKsbkYfvbkZBnaprW6lrI0EKiFAIWbz0JzAyfOH8crce1FqL9XcthkNUojVzWpG3Thp4lb12Ah1K2ZtJOCBAIWYTUNzAj9t/hALdn6juV2zGqQQq5/ZUVc2wJ2DLj57rr4F1kgCFwlQiNkaNCVwruAsXp3/V+QWZmtq18zGKMTqZzc6KlzqFTetV139ylkjCbgQoBCzSWhKQCwt+fPmjzS1aXZjFOLgZJiPMwWHK2utSIBCzFahGYESW7HUGz6Re0gzm1YwRCEOTpZT4qPw/mMdIH5zI4FgEqAQB5Mu6y5HYNm+XyEW8OCmLgEKsbo8lbXdd31j3NAnPXgGWDMJAKAQsxloRkA8N7zvzFbN7FnFEIU4eJlu0SAeb/+9ffAMsGYSoBCzDWhFYMORP/HJiue1MmcpOxTi4Kb76Tta4rJ2NYJrhLVbmgB7xJZOv3bB/3fZP7Hl2ArtDFrIEoU4uMnu3a4G/nlHy+AaYe2WJkAhtnT6tQl+16kNePeP8doYs6AVCnHwky6Gp8UwNTcSCAYBCnEwqLLOcgS+XP0qVh2cRypBIkAhDhJYRbV8lCn4jK1sgUJs5exrEPvpC8fwwm+jNbBkXRMU4uDnno8yBZ+xlS1QiK2cfQ1iX7L3Z3y7/m0NLFnXBIVYm9zzUSZtOFvRCoXYilnXMOYPlz2LzceWaWjReqYoxNrknI8yacPZilYoxFbMukYx5xScwTOzRmlkzbpmKMTa5Z6PMmnH2kqWKMRWyrbGsa48MAfT17yusVXrmaMQa5dz8Z5i8b5ibiSgJgEKsZo0WVc5Ap+ueAHrj/xBKkEmQCEOMmBF9ek1YvHpxE7aGaQlSxCgEFsizdoHmVeUiyd+vlF7wxa0SCHWNuni9YiZjRK0NUprpiZAITZ1evULbt3h3/HZyhf1c8BClinE2ib77iGNcFO/etoapTVTE6AQmzq9+gXHYWnt2FOItWMtLHVpmYLJ92Rqa5TWTE2AQmzq9OoTXHFpEcbNvE4f4xa0SiHWPunfT+qGhLhI7Q3ToikJUIhNmVZ9gxITtESPmJs2BCjE2nBWWnl2dCv0bJOqvWFaNCUBCrEp06pvUByW1pY/hVhb3sLa0N5pGDusifaGadGUBCjEpkyrvkE9/P0gfR2wmHUKsfYJr1czFp88zseYtCdvTosUYnPmVbeojubsw7/m36+bfSsaphDrk/WPxndEg9rV9DFOq6YiQCE2VTr1D2bNwQWYtvoV/R2xkAcUYn2SLYamxRA1NxIIlACFOFCC3L8cgZ82f4gFO78hFQ0JUIg1hK0wxceY9OFuRqsUYjNmVceY3l/yJLafWK2jB9YzTSHWL+dzX+uln3FaNg0BCrFpUmmMQP45ayTOFZw1hjMW8YJCrF+iv3iqM2onx+jnAC2bggCF2BRpNEYQFwpz8OQvNxnDGQt5QSHWL9n/fqAtWjdO1M8BWjYFAQqxKdJojCB2nVqPd/+YYAxnLOQFhVi/ZE+8tQWu6FBTPwdo2RQEKMSmSKMxgvh99wz8sPF9YzhjIS8oxPol+55rGmHEFXwBhH4ZMIdlCrE58miIKKaveR0rD8wxhC9WcoJCrF+2r++dhge4wpZ+CTCJZQqxSRJphDBeX/AgDmXvMoIrlvKBQqxfunu2TsWzY1rp5wAtm4IAhdgUaTRGEI/+cA1KbSXGcMZCXlCI9Ut203rV8d4/LtXPAVo2BQEKsSnSqH8QJ3IP4aW59+jviAU9oBDrl/TE6lH47rmu+jlAy6YgQCE2RRr1D2LHybWY+udE/R2xoAcUYn2T/vNLPRATFa6vE7Qe0gQoxCGdPuM4v+noMny0/FnjOGQhTyjE+iabL3/Ql78ZrFOIzZBFA8Sw9tBCfL7qZQN4Yj0XKMT65vzle1ujY/NkfZ2g9ZAmQCEO6fQZx/nl+2fjq7X/No5DFvKEQqxvsh+5qSkGda2jrxO0HtIEKMQhnT7jOL949w+YsXGqcRyykCcUYn2TfdtVDXH7wAb6OkHrIU2AQhzS6TOO8/N2fIVftnxsHIcs5AmFWN9kU4j15W8G6xRiM2TRADHM2vop5m6fbgBPrOcChVjfnFOI9eVvBusUYjNk0QAxiGFpMTzNTXsCFGLtmSstUoj15W8G6xRiM2TRADGIiVpiwhY37QlQiLVnTiHWl7nZrFOIzZZRneL5bOWLWHf4d52sG8lsGCIjohAZrvhx+T9C+i5SKhMhfVf2d9nnju8dn5f721lP+c+b1+4oAbjykSVGAmEZX9gjtkyqgxYohThoaK1V8QdL/4mtx1doGnR4WESVohcZEe0URUnUPIrkRXGLKBNGSShl0YxQ/K343J1ohoWFacpBNkYh1gU7KMT6cDeTVQqxmbKpYyzvLB5XTuQqF72yHl9VIil6hG56gbJQ6hiuV6btdsAOwG63l/0GbHY7bDbH71LxYwNKbeK3HSVlv4tL7SgptaNYfFZqQ5H4u8Qu/S4qsUk/9VNi0KFhgtOP0lI7Bo1b6pVfLKQuAQqxujytWBuF2IpZN1HMQuiEygmpk4TPLkTOIX7itxA78dtWJnKS4AkBLHWIoBA/SfSkH5v0u0j8LhO+wjLhKyyxo7CkFIXFdhSU2FBQfPEnv9iGwmKbsy4hssHaasZH4Y6edcuJsLB17EwBbp+8JlhmTVvvf8d1QEadOCm+dbuyMW7qFunvOwY1xM396ksXPW99txfz1pz0yIBCbNrmoVlgFGLNUJvb0PnCUofYCfFTil5Zj0/07Bw9PIXw2Rw9PFn0ioXolQrBc/T6xG9J8KTfdhQUlyK/yAYhfOJ7q23t6sdLIlwnMfpi6EL0w8Kwens2Hv/AISLcvCPwyn2tcfxsIV7/ejeEINdKjpFEt90liejSMgWiPSbFR1GIvcPJUgEQoBAHAI+7XiTwv5Un8PPGM0QSJAKD2qTi1u51K9RevG81ohp3xpfzDuPjXw8Eybr5q1UKsdz7dfeZOxLsEZu/fQQ7QgpxsAlbpP5fN53BFytOWCRa7cKMCA+TesH9WqZUMGo7ewS2C2cR2aAtxr+/BWt3ZmvnmAksDehUGw/e0ARxMRHSSM3/FhzGp7MPOiOjEJsgySESAoU4RBJldDeX7snBuwuPGN3NkPKvQWoM7uiZhpZ1HfcwkbcViMt0/G234dwHo5Fw+zsIi43no0sBZlaIbr2a1cqJMYU4QKjc3WsCFGKvUbFgZQS2HL2AF2dxaFStVtKtSaLUE06MjXRUufVmIPN/zuoL185E/sL3kfzILBQV2zBkwjK1TFuynn+MaIrB3erg1xUnpHvGYqMQW7Ip6BI0hVgX7OYzeiSrEOO/22O+wHSIaFiHWrihUy2H5dILwLoeQOeNTk9s2ceQ/foQRDXtIfWIT2YVYtTzq3XwNLRNvvtwe6zYliUNR4uJW22bJPnVI35kRFMM6sbXIIZ2a9DXewqxvvxNY13Mmr7v8x2miUePQOJjIqRecI9Lkhzmc1cD67oBl+UDYWUzpe125H58D4r3r0Vsj5GIG/wo1u/OwWPvbdbD5ZC2qbxHLAKRe8Pyo0uRERcXZlE+2uQa9BsPtEWbxokhzYLO60uAQqwvf1NZv3/aDuQWlJoqJq2CaV4nThLhjBqxDpMHJwP7ngBazwBqDnW6UbT+F5z//inp/+rXTkRMl//Dt78fwfs/7tfKVdpxIfDNs12RHB9FLiTgNwEKsd/ouKMrgce/24NDWYUE4yOBy1uk4M6edeHsgW0aApydBaTdDTT/wFmbLecEsl8b7Pw/ccwHiGzUCU9/vA3LNp/10SqLq0EgvlokZjzfTY2qWIeFCVCILZx8tUN/6dcD2HzkgtrVmrq+Ud3qYHDbGo4YS7KANR2Bgv1AdDrQQzkL3Y7cT+5H8d6VTh7J4+YiPL4GBo9fhhILLnBihIbRKiMBb/6tnRFcoQ8hTIBCHMLJM5rr7y06giW7c4zmliH9qZUQhTt7pqF9g3iHf9mLgA1XXPS1b/llMos2zcb5byY6vw+PT0XyuHnS6k9Xj+eMab2SfGXn2hh3SzO9zNOuSQhQiE2SSCOE8eWKE5i1iatrVZWLSxuIpSrTIMRY2vY8Ahx+3aMI286dQvarA8tVK4akxdD0mZwi3PzcqqpM8vsgERg9OAMjB9QPUu2s1ioEKMRWybQGcS7cnoUP/zymgaXQNXF12xoYKT/qYi919IJz/rgYUK+zQGQKNm/ejDZt2kif534+FsW7yvd6xSQtMVlr875zePjtTaELJMQ9f+r2lujTvuzWQojHQvf1I0Ah1o+96SzvP1OAJ2fsNV1cagQklqoc3SsNl7dIdlRXdBxY3QYoVowgtJwG1BmFY8eOIT4+HgkJCSjaMg/nvxpXwQXx2JJ4fOnHJcfw1vdkrkaO/Knj/UcvRZO06v7syn1IwEmAQszGoCqB0R9vk14lyO0igYY1YqVZ0eIRJWk78yOw+fryiGrfArT6EufPn8emTZvQo0cP2M6fRvYrV7lFKRbyEAt6vPD5Tixaf4q4dSIw6+UeiIoM18k6zZqFAIXYLJk0SBzP/LgPu0/mG8Qb/d0Qi3OI54PFYh3Stv0O4MRn5R2LaQh0P4DS0lL88ssvuO6666Tvc6f9DcU7/3QbRPI/fkF4chpueGoFzuWV6B+oBT2okxKDaU92tmDkDFltAhRitYlavL5Plx7H3K18plU0A7FMpViuUtpshcC67sD59RVbSNkM6Xnz5qFLly5ISkpC0baFOD/9EbetKSymOlKe+AOlpXYMGrfU4i1Ov/A7tUjGS39prZ8DtGwaAhRi06TSGIEs3pmN/yw+agxndPIiITYCd/ZKQzd52UPxXPDKFoC9yKMIL1smngUuwWWXXSa92jD75QEevY+s3xaJf/kUWbnFGPHMxeeKdQrXsmav752GB4Y1sWz8DFw9AhRi9ViyJgCHswoxwcIvfxCvLLyjVxoapMQ42sOJz4Htt7tvG90PATH1IQ7C1atXY+TIkVK53C8fRvH23z22p5gO16H6sGew/WAuHpxy8WUQbIDaEnh8VHP061g24qGtaVozGQEKsckSaoRw/vrFTpzLt959y36tHEtVhoeVvSxg83XAmZ/cp6T5VCDtXpw6dQpz587FoEGDkJqaiqIdf+D8Fw9Vmsa4q/6G2N53lntlnxHybjUffnihO6rHlt37t1rwjFdVAhRiVXGyMkHgldkHsfHweUvBuK17XQxsk+qIuTQXWNMByPfwWsga1wFtZqKgoAA//PAD0tLS0LdvX9jzspH1Ur8qucWPfAPRLfvita92Y/bKE1WWZwH1CYi3LYm3LnEjATUIUIjVoMg6yhH4atVJ/LThtCWo1E6IxuheddG2ftlSlXlbgVWVTOCp1gzouhN2ux0//fST9LiSPCR9/n+Pomjrgiq5JT00AxE1MqR3EIt3EXPTnsBdQzJwcz+uqKU9eXNapBCbM6+6RrVi7zm8teCwVz68/H+XoF6y437qkexCjP/WQy/Sq9q0LdShYYKfz4UPAAAgAElEQVQ0FF1DfgXekTeB3ZUMK4dFAX0cE7bmz5+PEydO4KqrrkLNmjVRvGspcj9/oOoAwiOR+sxK2Gx2DHyMM6arBhacEv95tAMap5U9Fx4cE6zVQgQoxBZKtlahHj9XhEe/3l2lucevzkCLunH4ecNpfLsmtBaluKZdDdzctY4jRrFU5cYBjhc3VLaVPaa0atUq7Nq1C3Xr1kW/fv1gzz+HrBcvr5KXKBBRtwWS/jod5y6U4IanV3i1DwupS6Bh7Wr4cHxHdStlbZYmQCG2dPqDF/yzP+3HrhN5Hg1kplfH/X3rIa+4NKR6weKdwWN6paFP87KlKotPO4aii09WDrPLNiCuJfbv34+lSx09WeeQ9FfjUbRlrlfJiG47CPE3TsbuIxdw/+tunkn2qhYWCoQAH1sKhB73dUeAQsx2ERQC4h6xuFfsaevdNEl61jY26uLygEYfms6oESutF920djVHWLmrgLVdq+Z3yWtA/X8gOzsbs2bNksr3798fderUQfGeFcj99P6q6ygrUa3ffah2+V8wb81JvPzlLq/3Y0H1CDx/dya6tUpRr0LWZHkCFGLLN4HgAKjqeWJZiPecyseLsw7g7svS0btZkmGHqXuKC4eedREXXfa4yoFngf3PVA2vxrVAmx9RXFyM7777DjabDbVq1cKVV14Je0Eusib3rboORYn4ES8jus2VeHvGXszkm658YqdG4ZT4KHz9rBcXX2oYYx2WIUAhtkyqtQ+0sseYZCE+c6FYGpo2shDf2Lk2rr+0pgOgWKpyfS8gd03VQKu3ATo7XlEoZkjn5uZKfzuHpL+diKKNs6uuR1EiaexXiKjTDHf/ax0OHPc89O9TpSzsNQGxgIdYyIMbCahJgEKsJk3WVY7AvK1Z+GSp5/cTixnTcVEReO/3I5LQXVKrGj5Zcgx/7s4xBMnE2AiM7p2OLo0SHP4UHnIsVWnz4qUWEfFAb4fwyjOkxd+XX3450tPTUbJvNc59/Bef45RmTIdFYOCjnDHtMzwVdnj0pmYY2LW2CjWxChK4SIBCzNYQNAKit/vYN3tQVGJza0N5n7jEZjfUsHSrtDjpHrb8aBWyFwIbql5swxlo2Qxp8UpD8SM255B04QVkvXCZz9wjamYg6W8zcD6/BMOe5IxpnwEGuIN4p/TnT3RCrbLH7QKsjruTgJMAhZiNIagE3l5wGMv3nguqDbUrHyCWquyVdrHa3X8DjrzlvZmOq4GETjh69CgWLbr4SJM8JH3huydRuMExacuXLbpVP8Tf8ir2HcvDX15d58uuLKsCgW6ZKXj+rkwVamIVJFCeAIWYLSKoBJbszsF7i44E1YaalYt3B1+ZqVyqsjOQv9N7E42eAzKewoULFzBz5kznfn369EH9+vVRcmAdzn14l/f1KUpW6zMG1QY8gN/Xn8bzn+/wqw7u5D+BJ29rgb7yXAH/q+GeJFCBAIWYjSKoBPKLbHj0m93IMfhLIOokRmNM7zS0Tq/u4JG3HVjVyjc2tf4PyPwGpaWl+Oabb6QZ0mKrXbs2BgwYAHtRHrKe7+1bnYrS1W+YhJj2Q/DBz/vx9cLQubjxO2AD7diiQTze/nt7A3lEV8xEgEJspmwaNJYP/zyGhduzDOod0LFhAkb3TkNKXKTDx9MzgC3DffM3oRMghqRdZkiL/51D0jP+icJ1Ht7G5IW1xHs/R2S91nhgygbsOGitl2p4gSeoRcYOa4KhvRW3K4JqjZVbjQCF2GoZ1yHetQdz8fqcQzpYrtrkte1r4qYuZbNgxVKV228DTk6vekdliagaQE/HSy4WL16Mw4cvrrPdq1cvZGRkoOTQRpz74E7f6nUpnfLkn0BUHK56dElA9XBn3wjUSYnBfx7rgLgYvvLQN3Is7S0BCrG3pFguIAL/nLkPYvEOo2xREWG4q7djERFpE0tVrm4HFHl+3Mqj72UzpMXBtHq1o1cstotD0vnIer5XQKGHJ9VF8iOzkFdYiusnLg+oLu7sG4FRVzbAnYMa+rYTS5OADwQoxD7AYlH/Cfy5KwdTfzfGfc1GNWOl9aKb1JKXqlwNrO3iX3CX/g4k9cHp06cxZ86ccnU4h6R/eA6Fa3/wr/6yvaKa9ULCbW/h0Ml8jHl5bUB1cWfvCcREhUO8aSm9Zqz3O7EkCfhIgELsIzAW95/AS78ewOYjF/yvQIU9ezVNktaLdq5xffwjYId/s5iR8QTQ6HkUFBTg+++/L+ddjx490LhxY5Qc2YJz798WsOexPW9F3KB/YOnms/jnx9sCro8VeEdgSPe6+PuNl3hXmKVIwE8CFGI/wXE33wmsOZCLN+bqd694RJfauK69YqnKzdcAWfN8D0TsUXsU0GqaNDNazJAWM6XlTbzMQbzUwV5cgKxJPf2r32Wv6tc/hZhOw/Dp7IOYpiNDVYIJoUreeKAt2jRODCGP6WooEqAQh2LWQtjnKfMOYdV+x9KPWm2J1SJxV+80dMpQLFW5KhMo9XPmcWJPoINjwtTPP/+Mc+fKL1jiHJL+8QUUrv5OlTAT7/oIkRmX4tH3NmODQZYAVSUwA1fSq00qnhnt4yNsBo6HrhmXAIXYuLkxpWdbj17A5FkHNIstM6269Hxw3aRoh83sBcCG/v7bj04Hejjuda9atQq7dpV/FWHXrl3RtGlTlB7djpypI/2347JnyoQFCItLxpWPcMa0alCrqOifd7ZE77Y1tDJHOxYmQCG2cPL1Cv0/i49i8c7soJsXK2SJlbKc26F/AXvHBWa3bIb0/v37sXRp+RcvyEPSKCnE2ed6BGZHsbcQYCHEBUWluPZxzphWDWwlFWU2SsCUB9tpYYo2SAAUYjYCzQnsO12Ap2fuhd0ePNPi3cEDlEtVrusFXHC8fMHvre0vQOrVyM7OxqxZFdeKloek8356EQWrvvHbjOuOkY06IXHMBzh6ugB3vOjF6xdVs2zdih69uRkGys+XWxcDI9eIAIVYI9A0U57A58uO47ctZ1XHIoagxf3gVmkBLFXpzquyNaSLiorw7bffVijRuXNnNG/eHKXHdyLn3ZtVjSu26wjEXTMBq7ZnYeIHW1Wtm5VVJMB3DrNVaE2AQqw1cdqTCBzPKYJY5ONC0cXZxoGiEZOxxP3gpGryUpXfA1tuCLRaoO4YoMWHsNvt+Prrr8vNkBaV161bF/369QNKinD2ue6B23OpIW7IeMR2uwn/W3AYH/6i3f111QMJgQqT46Pw+ti2aFC77BnzEPCZLoY+AQpx6OcwZCP4ds1J/LDOsTRkoJt4LEk8niRtYqnKfROBQ68EWi2QfAXQfoFUj1iwQyzc4bo5h6R/eRkFK74K3KZLDQl3TkVUk6546sOtWL7VuGt2qx64DhVyTWkdoNMk7xGzDehHQLyZafKs/RD3jP3doiPDpaFosVCHtBWfAtZ0BAovrvfsb92IbQx02yvtvmnTJunHdevQoQNatWqF0pN7kPP2jX6bqmzH5EdnIzyxNgY9thSltiDeWA+K96FTaY/WqXhuDB9XCp2MmcdT9ojNk8uQjGTDofP4128H/fK9cc1Yab1osWSltOUGsFSlOw96nwciquPo0aNYtGhRhRJpaWm44oorgNISnH22q18xVLVTWHQ1pDy5BEXFNgyZsKyq4vzeTwLRUeF4/a9t0aJhvJ81cDcS8J8Ahdh/dtxTJQL+DFGLlzWM6Z2O6IgwhxfHPwR23K2SRwAyvwZq3Yjc3Fz89FPFVxeGhYXhlltukezlzXoVBcu/VM+2oqbIem2QeO9nOJFViFufv/hCiaAYs3ClowdnYOSA+hYmwND1JEAh1pM+bTsJvPDLAWw75t061OK1heL1hdJmKwR23Qcc/0Q9mk1eBhqMQ0lJiTQ5y93mHJI+tQ85b6kwIcyD9zEdrkP1Yc9g/a4cPDZ1s3oxsiYngfZNk/Dq/W1IhAR0I0Ah1g09DSsJ7DqRh+d+3l/ps8ViNvRdl6WhY0N5qcqDjlcXluSoBzP9fqDZu1J9QoSFGLtuziFpWwnOPhOcIWnZZtzAhxHb6zZ8v/go3pu5T704WZOTwCv3tUEH+XWY5EICOhCgEOsAnSbLE7DZ7QgPC8MvG89g+soTbvFkpleXJmXVSZSXqpwPbBhQsax43rfheCAsGijNBXaNBU587h3y1EFA21+lsn/++ScOHqx477rckPRvb6BgiZd1e+dBhVIJt76JqOa98fznO/D7enVmmPvpiil3u7lffdw1JMOUsTGo0CFAIQ6dXFnC09fmHMS6g+VfxlBxqcpXgL3jK/KocxvQcAKw60Eg+XKHIGf/AWx0I9iue8e1BLo4Xi+4fft2rF3r/p2/ziHp0/uR8+bwoOck+e8/Ijy1PoY9uQLn8yv2zoPugIkNNK8fj9cfaAvxzmFuJKAnAQqxnvRpuwKBw1mFeObHfSgotknf3dkrDQNapTjKiR7u1hHA2dlVkxOi3OwdoPAQsKp15eXDY4DuB4Go2jhx4gTmz5/vtnx6ejouv/xywFaKs890qdqHQEuEhSH12TUoLrHh6vGcMR0oTtf9nx3dCj3//xuWuJGA3gQoxHpngPYrEJi3LQu/bT4jzYpulRbn+D5vG7C6DWB3CHSVW4v/AnXv8m42dZuZQI3rkJeXhx9++MFt1eHh4bjxxhsRERGBvDlTUPDnp1W6EGiBiDpNkTT2a5zOKcItz60KtDruryDAhTvYHIxEgEJspGzQF2myVlgYcK6gFImxEQ4ip31cqlLuDZecA7bf7nj1oaet6b+Beg9Jy1Z+9ZXnVbE6duyIli1bovT0AeS8OUyTTEW3HYj4G1/E5n3n8PDbAb6wQhOPQ8MI7wuHRp6s5CWF2ErZDrVYpaUqHwfE6wu93ZL7AS0/AyITq56oVf/vwCVvSDXPnDkTFy64f3zKOSRttzlmSXvbK/fWZw/lqvX/K6r1vRs/LzuOKd/uCbA27i4IXNm5Nsbd0owwSMBQBCjEhkoHnSlH4PwmYMtQoMCxzKRXW5ctQEyDqkW45vVAa8cw9MqVK7F792631Yuh6OHDhyMqKgp5895GweKPvHJDjULxN7+K6Mx++Nf/dmHOqpNqVGnpOi6pVx1vPtgOYhUtbiRgJAIUYiNlg75UJJA1F9h4lXdklI8uyXu4e4Qpvj3Qab1UQrzWMDo6GsePH8eCBRWHsDt16oQWLVrAduYgsqcM9c4PlUolPfgtImo1wS2TVuF0dpFKtVq3mk8ndkJ6jbLlUK2LgZEbkACF2IBJoUsuBE59DWy9SR0sEYlA5/UQL3Sw2Ww4e/YsUlNTcfLkyQpCXK9ePfTt2xfixvXZ57pJa0pruYkZ0yU2YPC4pVqaNaUt8WrDtk0STRkbgwp9AhTi0M+hNSI4OhXYdX/gsbadDaQOREFBAb7//nu0a9cOmZmZFYRYDEkPHToUMTExyJ//LvJ//2/gtn2oISK1AZL+PhNZucUY8cxKH/ZkUVcCj49qjn4daxEMCRiWAIXYsKmhYxUI7B3n28Qt1wqavQek3we73Y7p06dL33oSYueQ9NnDyP73dZonI7plX8SPfAM7Dp7HA1M2aG7fLAaHXZaOvw5tbJZwGIdJCVCITZpY04a1oR+QvdD38BqMB5q8JO03Z84cnD7tWC7SnRArh6SzJvWAvUT7+7PV+oxBtQEPSJO0xGQtbr4TaNkwAW891M73HbkHCWhMgEKsMXCaU4HAn4mOVba83WqNADIdzwiLpSvFEpby5irEkZGRuOaaaxAXF4f8BVORv+g/3lpRtVz8/72A6HaD8dZ3e/Dj0uOq1m2Vyua+1ssqoTLOECdAIQ7xBFrW/aW1gGIvXoKQ0BXouELCdODAASxZsqQcMlch7ty5M5o3bw5b1hFkv3GtbniT7v8SEWktcdfL63DwZJ5ufoSi4cS4SHw3qVsouk6fLUqAQmzRxJsi7NXtgQsbPYcSVQvouAqIzUB2djZmzZpVruyQIUOQlJTk/EysriUmaYkta1JP2IsLdMOU8vQy2MOjMfAxzpj2JQn1alXDJxM6+rILy5KA7gQoxLqngA4ERGDTYM8vgWi/UHoLk3hW+Ntvv63UjBiSvvrqqxEfH4/8RR8gf8F7AbkVyM7hCbWQ/NhvOHehGDc8zRnT3rJslZGAN//Ge8Le8mI54xCgEBsnF/TEXwI7xMsdXFa8avERUHe0NENaPKZUWFhYae3OIenso8h+/Rp/PVFlv6hLuiPhjnex58gF3Pe6Y+ERbpUT6NoqBS/cnUlMJBCSBCjEIZk2Ol2BwP6ngAPPOz7OeBpo9Kz0p3iloXi1YWVbgwYNcNlll0lFsp7vBXtRvq6AY3uMQtzgR7Bo3Wm8MG2Hrr6EgvEBnWph/MjmoeAqfSQBtwQoxGwY5iFw9D3g3DLHSx8AbN68GRs3VnIPGZDWkB48eLBjSPr3D5E//x3deVS//mnEdBqK//y0H98sOqK7P0Z2YHifdNx/PZ8TNnKO6FvVBCjEVTNiiZAgYAcQ5vT06NGjWLRoUZWed+nSBc2aNYMt+xiyXx9SZfnKCiTcORVRTbrCdu4kLnz/FIr3+vcO4cR7PkFkg3YY++8N2HnofEA+mXnnOwY1xK1XNjBziIzNIgQoxBZJtDXCdIhxfn4+Fi5cKM2UrmwrNyT9wmWwF7p/DaI37GLaD0G1Kx90Fg1EiFMm/g7ExOOqRzlj2hP7B4c3wXW90rxJDcuQgOEJUIgNnyI66A+BvLw8afGOgwcPut293JD0H58gf+6b/phx7iPelCRvYTHxfveIw6olIuXxRTifX4JhTzqef+Z2kUDd1FiMuToDV3SoSSwkYBoCFGLTpJKBuCOwYcMGbNmypcJXziHpnOPIfu3qgOBV63c/YnuMRMGyLxHduj8CEeLIjA5IvOtDHDiRh7tfWReQX2bbeVDXOhg9uCFSE6PNFhrjsTgBCrHFG4CZwxePLoWFhUkraq1Zs0Z645LYGjZsiN69e0t/Z03uC3uBD8tlugEm94Zz3vo/iL8DEeKYLjeg+rVPYMmmM3jmk4tLcZo5T1XFVq9mNdx2VQP078Q3KFXFit+HJgEKcWjmjV77SCAnJwerVq2S7hsPGjRImiVdsORT5P02xceayhePatIF1YdPQnhi7XJflJ7aCyHMvm5xQ8YhttvN+HT2QUybe8jX3U1XfkiPurhzUEMkx0eZLjYGRAIyAQox24KlCOzevRtNmzaF7dwJZL86WPXYA+0RJ4x+H1GNu+CRdzdh455zqvsXKhU2rBMn9YIvv5T3gkMlZ/TTfwIUYv/Zcc8QJpA77W8o3vmn6hEEKsTJ4+YirHoNXPVo+ZdTqO6ogSsUs6HvGNgQidUjDewlXSMB9QhQiNVjyZpCjEDRhlkoWPUNSg5uMITnYZHRSHl6OfIKS3H9xOWG8ElLJ5qkVcetVzXAZe1qaGmWtkhAdwIUYt1TQAd0IWC3AWHhgK1UEuPCFV+j9PR+XVyRjUamt0LifV/gyKl83PnSWl190dr48MvScdvABoivxl6w1uxpT38CFGL9c0APdCXgWATEnpeNgpXfoGD5dOlvPbaYS69B9eHPYeX2LDzxwVY9XNDcpngk6ZqeddGiQbzmtmmQBIxCgEJslEzQD0MQKD1zUOodF6yYDtiFSGu3xV31EGJ734Hp8w/jo1kHtDOsg6UrO9fGNT3qIrNRgg7WaZIEjEWAQmysfNAbgxAoObJF6h2L+8habQm3vomo5r3xxH+3YuW2LK3MamqnX8dakgC3bZKoqV0aIwEjE6AQGzk79E0nAhdfIFG8awkK1/6Ioi1zg+5L8j9+RnhyujRjWuPOeNBj69u+pjQEfWnTpKDbogESCDUCFOJQyxj91YVA6cm9khiLH/F3MLbU59aioMiGax9fFozqdamzV9saUg+4c4tkXezTKAmEAgEKcShkiT4aioAkyJvnqdpLjqjVRFoe8/jZQtz2wmpDxeurM+FhYejaKkXqAXdrleLr7ixPApYjQCG2XMoZsFoE1OwlR7cegPibXsG6XdkYN7XiSyrU8jlY9VSLiUD3zFR0bJ6ELi1TUIMvZggWatZrQgIUYhMmlSFpQEB+DrnMVKC95GpX3Avx893io5g6c58GAQRuIiUhCr3b1kCn5sno1CIZsdERgVfKGkjAggQoxBZMOkMOHgG5lyxmXZce2QLbBe9mP4vesOgVT/psOxZvOBM8BwOsWbwPWIhv99YpaH8JJ14FiJO7k4BEgELMhkACwSJgK0HJka2QRbnk8GaI55TdbUkPfoeIWo0x9IkVuFBQEiyPfK43LAxoVi9euucrJl41rVfd5zq4AwmQQOUEKMRsISSgIQGxjKYkzIc3o+TQJpQcdaygJWZMF5XYMGS8fjOmoyLC0LR+PJqJn3rVpb9dhffig10aQqMpEjA5AQqxyRPM8AxEwFYKhJe/j2q7cFYS5agWfXAqpxD/mr4Lp7KLkJVbhAsFpUFzXtzPbVa/uiS6QmzF70Z144JmjxWTAAl4JkAhZusgAb0IuEz4cudGUbENp3KKcCq7EKdzCpGVW4yc88XILvspLrUjNiocMdHhiImKKPvt+DtW+qz8d6Js7ZQY1K9VTa+oaZcESMCFAIWYTYIESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCRAIdYRPk2TAAmQAAmQAIWYbYAESIAESIAEdCQQ8kJ84MABTJ48GcOGDcOgQYMklBs3bsTq1asxZswYVdAKGz/99BPuuecexMTEqFKnayUfffQRtm7diqeeegpJSUkoLCzEBx98gGuvvRYZGRmq2BQ2OnfujBYtWqhet7cOity89NJLUvHbb7/dmTNv9w9mOWW7kVm1a9fOb5M5OTmYNGmSFGcg9fjtgIcdRWzz5s2Tvk1ISMDEiRNVa2Nq++ptfbNnz8Znn32GCRMmlGMt56B27dp46KGHgnb8Cvui/QTThpKFHFdmZqbzPKf2eUpuJyNGjIAQCnF+9aYd69Hu1T7ne9vu1CpnCiH+8MMPER4ejocfflgSMbWTonYDd5c80ej379+Pnj17Sg3ejEIsDtA33ngDo0ePlk78M2fOxOWXXy7heP/993HvvfdK+dNrU0OIxQlZbPJFoV6xVGZXeZEhYhY++yMgRopV+LJ06VI0atSo3AW4+Hz37t0SjmBeSGudZ/lYstlsuOuuu6TjSc3zlKjfl2NS67bg6p/a53yt82kKIRa91fr16+Ps2bPSQahMihC0KVOmYP369RJbccXs2iNUJnXZsmXSlbXYBgwYINWnZgP3lGBxcmzatCkWLFggCVXdunXL9VqVPclLL71UOnHu2LGjXM9fPhh69Ogh9cSOHj1arsfjrkcs/BEjCrm5uU4+3lz1+tNQXYVY1CFfPQtfxSb3kuUejmsevvrqK+Tl5eH8+fO44YYbsG3bNueJ193JQFm/3PsTbF3bhIjZkxDLoy6CUXp6unPUwvXz3r174+uvvy6HRtnjdJdDUViMfIhNCIkWPVSlECvbvohHHq2Q25gYAXLHUHCXjxPBZNy4cc7YRRziuNm+fbtT/IJ9ohS5LygowOHDh52jSPLFrJxbWYiVIwJye5MvSE6ePCkdN+LYF3GJGJU5d8dCiKBr2xH5FKMOwRr1kfPWvXt3LF++XDofHD9+vNzIXVXHkDj5K/MsN1zXY1L+XB5t0LLdu+OdnJzsPL/J5wyRo8WLF0vnBnGul8/d4vuqOIhziTwS6c95TY19DC3EVz6ypEKMc1/rVe4zWSTF8Mm7774riZhInjw0LQ46kSTRQxFlP/74Y6nnLARXbOJz+SDq37+/dDK85ZZbpO/kE5bopQUyNH326Y7lfE59bm2FuGRb4iQgfkaNGuUUYlFY9lv4IsckBFe+ao2NjXWWFzGInrXrVfIXX3xR6dB0oBccX375Zbm4Ro4cWSFO+aBQHijurm7lXpqoQIimyJOIXVw0jB07VhoiU+6njF85lK/Mv+yMpzYh4le2G3kYX3AToq8cbRH5kf1SXrgoLwaUoxqecnjFFVdI9dSsWVMSL7G/yL/ft1V+DyvPvK/dY1uTBUrYHD58OKZNm+YcVVIymj59utv2tHDhQucxJF/wynG4jugEMtR/63+3Vohh2t2Z5T6Tucsfyse7fCzIx6+4eBV8XUedRFt65513pGF6+UQvD/vKLORcyUO0ytEE5UWxKH/69Gm/Rhlk/x/+3nGbTd7eGO4YaZE3ue3feeed+OSTT5zHhzLOqo4h0SFx14aFDddjUnkRr1W7l9uUO97iokvZYxe5UOZPHnkTsXg6pyvPJRUamMYfmEaIxdWuODGIg0ycQMUJVZwslSdRT+IqC5T4Xu4RyHkQV7StWrXSTIiFiIhGJERszpw50tW9OCjkk4fwSymYsu/yxYLwd+rUqc4RAFFevqL/7rvv3Aqxsofg7grZ2zbpjRArxVC+Jy4+Ux5U4gQifJYFTnmh5HpBVNnFkjiQXfPv7jO5DuGHqxCLfMijC7LvgpG44BO+iDamnDfgSYg95VDkS/S65LkAgV4MwUshlu8Ry21D2HXXxiprT8qLWXe3UpQjNL4Mc7q2N1+EWHmsuh4b8jlC7snLdkRPT5l711iUcYhjSM65spzrxb84BwUysuStEIvbOSJ3wsehQ4dK5ww5Tm+OITk2wU0eGRMXyeLCU5kz+RgRx3sTeIkAAAQKSURBVIOSgcwwGO1eMPXEW1wsuQqxcl6Q8pgOxjnd23Oit+VMJcTiKkmImDhRimFq18akFGJ5eLpPnz5SIxYNWnliUQIM9OToS49YHLzK+1riBC2GAcUm33dU+iNfiYuDTmzKXrLr/VZ3Q9PKE0igcfoixHIuhN+uPrv2nioTYvk7OX7lvVl397ncfVaZEHsaDfHEytMJyVMO9RJiV6FwHdaX47vpppuk0Rh39+89xSqPSMh1dO3aFZs3b/a7l++LEIteqxjqVx7X2dnZzgtpWZxdRdL1dpZyoqRSrJQXgkYRYjEaJHqpzZs3l4bmhRC7xunpGPJ0b9dTj9jT8RCMdu96jCl5eyvE8i0v1zkbgZ7rvBVYb8uZSohFz8R16NPTMKRoUK4TPJRD10oRCzRpvgqxfF9E3JMUQ2Viczc0LRqXu0kb7oZj3V2EyL1t+UoykIk7ov6qhFhwlIeJlMNO4sTtenXraVjNtUfsLn5l41djaNrdUJzrsFlVPQNPOZSFQ+sesasQu7Z9JTdP7akqIZZPnPv27cMdd9zhdw/RFyEWx4R8DpDvz7peuMptSzmS4Y0Q+zI0rWWPWL5lInp+yvkj3hxDvgqxp+Fsf27JKC923J1jfR2adtcjFmyU5075OA30nO6twHpbznRCLIuYfH/HdeKB8vEGedKBfM9RQFPe2JcnzojPtbpHLF+pCz9mzJjhfLRE6Zfr8LHrPSnXmOX7se56xMqJD2lpaWjcuLHfs0urEmL5YkAeFlXeJ5aHx+WTp3K4vKpJc5Xdk/NmsofcJryZrCViUJ7g5eE8eYhX9L7EZ6LtyBOYZJF1l0NRX1UnJG8PZqmcl0PT7oTCUxvz1J7k48ddrMoLE5HvQCbD+CrErpMCXU+6yralHJqXT+Sehqbl+85yzl0n4rne1tBqaFp+3FFcMIpNngHvzTHkqxCLmNxNXgxWu1facp3IqDxniDy6E2J5hFG+HaHWOd2nY9KLwoYWYi/8ZxEScE5eM/IjQ1ZNkzjRBzT5zKrgGLelCFCILZVu8wXr7p6v+aIMzYiC8Sx8aJKg1yRQOQEKMVsICZAACZAACehIgEKsI3yaJgESIAESIAEKMdsACZAACZAACehIgEKsI3yaJgESIAESIAEKMdsACZAACZAACehIgEKsI3yaJgESIAESIAEKMdsACZAACZAACehIgEKsI3yaJgESIAESIAEKMdsACZAACZAACehIgEKsI3yaJgESIAESIAEKMdsACZAACZAACehIgEKsI3yaJgESIAESIAEKMdsACZAACZAACehIgEKsI3yaJgESIAESIAEKMdsACZAACZAACehIwCnEO3fuXGi32y/X0ReaJgESIAESIAHLEQgLC1v0/wDyCo6eK6dJhQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" 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" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>And only 9 of the 59 books I read in 2023 had non-white authors. Interestingly, no Australians, which must be a first, no Asian or African or South Americans, either. Sheesh.</div><div><br /></div><div>For 2024, I'm going to set some reading targets:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>At least ten single-author poetry collections</li><li>At least one book from every continent</li><li>At least four books in translation</li><li>At least four books by Australians</li><li>At least five different genres of novel.</li></ul></div><div><p></p></div></div></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-23638150430929464582023-12-31T08:28:00.007+13:002023-12-31T14:57:22.764+13:00Consumption Diary - September-December 2023<p>Four months. </p><p>Dog dramas, kid conundrums, my own health hobblements (lingering costochondritis). </p><p>A depressing election result and ever-more-depressing as the coalition of cut-backs moves into delivery (or de-delivery... livery?). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsIDKDdgYTGcUxtTW6rSDA-VHU1vElJTdXN8WvK2byG4xGrQc9FmtLydrxdADfThPM1c6MfxyYtZwgkATXNNEkJwQl9BqLyUHOrN5eMO79tkQOdyjXskxdJIAygUrS-r8tqcheIx4mhG8iOJDtQqjMTx-z9Kyct8nbDekAiAAFotvdulvi-PKY6VA-Sw/s344/Untitled.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="344" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsIDKDdgYTGcUxtTW6rSDA-VHU1vElJTdXN8WvK2byG4xGrQc9FmtLydrxdADfThPM1c6MfxyYtZwgkATXNNEkJwQl9BqLyUHOrN5eMO79tkQOdyjXskxdJIAygUrS-r8tqcheIx4mhG8iOJDtQqjMTx-z9Kyct8nbDekAiAAFotvdulvi-PKY6VA-Sw/s320/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I am looking forward to making my best of 2023 lists, which means revisiting good stuff and wielding (imaginary) power. My sense is that it was a very good year for albums and post-prestige TV, but it will be slimmer pickin's on the reading front. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check back in early Jan (promises, promises) for the actual, official, lofty-but-also-wholesome-and-grounded, This Fluid Thrill 2023 awards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>MUSIC - SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER</b></div><p>Speaking of awards: best gig of the year was Black Belt Eagle Scout w/ Mount Eerie at the end of September. The official billing was BBES was supporting Mount Eerie, but BBES was who I was excited about and they didn't disappoint (despite being limited to a two piece due to the cost of gigging crisis). And then said two-piece formed the backing band for Mount Eerie (normally just Phil Elverum) and they rocked out way more than I expected.</p><p>Also, pour one out for <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/133174851/iconic-music-venue-to-close-after-alleged-water-bill-stoush">Dive</a>, just one more Dunedin venue to fall by the wayside.</p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/79KqlbQ3xtAFKILKW62iZM?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>
<iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/1F25gQng34B9WkGNjj2z8D?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></p><div><b>BOOKS</b><div><br /></div><div><b>Exit Stage Left: The Curious Afterlife of Pop Stars by Nick Duerden </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)<br /><br /></div><div><b>Bodies: Life and Death in Music by Ian Winwood </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>This Is Memorial Device by David Keenan </b>(novel, audiobook) <b>- </b>been on a bit of a music book kick lately.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Fifth Season: The Broken Earth, Book 1 by N. K. Jemisin </b>(novel, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSWtASLvoy3TiO5QU8-FUID6-qDDhaVBBw3525S_vzn7Uf28zGlxvKWZ-V_l8czZnvnBOh9at3kvDILevjSM0ilMNk4z5985_DOKJDIFILUZz-l9ZXLQF4sejy300CriXNhqk8ScRUWrR65YKrVeQKXuFHoTXnF-XJc_veFcINa8OfvPQuZJElk_yqFhE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSWtASLvoy3TiO5QU8-FUID6-qDDhaVBBw3525S_vzn7Uf28zGlxvKWZ-V_l8czZnvnBOh9at3kvDILevjSM0ilMNk4z5985_DOKJDIFILUZz-l9ZXLQF4sejy300CriXNhqk8ScRUWrR65YKrVeQKXuFHoTXnF-XJc_veFcINa8OfvPQuZJElk_yqFhE" width="240" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention by Johann Hari </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>I put off reading Hari's previous book, <i>Lost Connections</i>, which was about depression, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/07/june-july-consumption-diary.html" target="_blank">for almost two years</a>, but when I did it caused a minor breakthrough in my own personal life. I noted the changes I made when I put <i>Lost Connections</i> in <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-fluid-thrill-book-awards-best.html" target="_blank">my top ten reads of 2020</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>(Interestingly, I had forgotten Hari's book had any role in the decisions I made in 2020/21 until I went back and re-read the two posts linked to above.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I did a similar thing with Hari's next book, <i>Stolen Focus. </i>It took be about a year to start listening to it, and then I had to stop after two chapters because it felt too close to the bone listening to this as an audiobook while doing dishes, cycling or some other activity that probably should be an opportunity for meditative reflection. About ten months later I returned to it, mainly because I plan on cancelling my Audible subscription (dirty ol' Amazon) and felt obliged.</div><div><br /></div><div>Am I going to quit social media now? It's not like I'm massively online. But I do think I'll download Freedom app to cut off the internet for designated periods. </div><div><b><br />So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan </b>(standalone short story, audiobook) - I loved <i>Foster</i>. I liked <i>Small Things Like These</i>. But <i>So Late in the Day</i> wasn't for me. It's a short story. Why is it a standalone book? It's not enough. It's too on the nose. It needs to be surrounded by sibling stories that complement and contrast and round off some of the nosey edges.</div><div><br /><b>The Bell by Iris Murdock </b>(novel, audiobook) - Loved it.</div><div><br /><b>Jewish Space Lasers by Mike Rothschild (non-fiction, audiobook)</b><br /><br /><b>The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (novel, audiobook)</b></div><div><b><br /></b><div><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>The Hard Way (10th Reacher novel) by Lee Child (novel, audiobook)</b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b><br /></b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>High Heat by Lee Child (standalone short story, audiobook) - </b>After reading another Reacher novel, and falling out with Claire Keegan, I checked out a standalone Reacher short for comparison. Funnily enough, I have more vivid recollection of this story than <i>The Hard Way</i>.</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b><br /></b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman </b>(umm, audiobook) - sorry, I just can't get into the work of someone who signs off as Neil Gaiman, visionary.</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b><br /></b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>Āria by Jessica Hinerangi </b>(poetry, e-book)</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b><br /></b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>Classic American Poetry by various authors </b>(poetry, audiobook)</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b><br /></b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>Dear Girls by Ali Wong </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b><br /></b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach </b>(novel, audiobook)</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>Fungi of Aotearoa: A Curious Forager's Field Guide by Liv Sisson </b>(non-fiction, physical book) </li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">My Christmas present to myself. The first few chapters felt repetitive, perhaps worsened by the fact I'd previously read many of the books Sisson uses for reference (Robin Wall Kimmerer, Melvyn Sheldrake, Michael Pollen, plus work on Hua Parakore). </li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">And when I got home after my trip to Queenstown, it had clearly been a wet week in Dunedin and my lawn was sprouting 'shrooms... though I couldn't find them using this field guide :( </li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Might have to go back to those early chapters!!</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut </b>(novel, physical book)</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggidILhNlRf0KHehBWfI9nSi3oRVWh9Z5-HlYhxmMQv5I23n7P9DrJEehSg6BkcDTXkHtGL2mxGmNT-S484TlLUj0LI_Pi0D7dAh1dpRBgKuJxblgHFGcXYzK2jruTspwwp3f0GYlsMGbYLtH5h5Iuq_4F-7s5Q685lZUdpAWiP6Y3zVo4Jj3cNykC9-4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="802" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggidILhNlRf0KHehBWfI9nSi3oRVWh9Z5-HlYhxmMQv5I23n7P9DrJEehSg6BkcDTXkHtGL2mxGmNT-S484TlLUj0LI_Pi0D7dAh1dpRBgKuJxblgHFGcXYzK2jruTspwwp3f0GYlsMGbYLtH5h5Iuq_4F-7s5Q685lZUdpAWiP6Y3zVo4Jj3cNykC9-4" width="148" /></a></div></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li>My final read of the year was my first re-read (and one of only a couple of physical books). It was on the shelf at the house we rented in Queenstown between Xmas and New Years. I'd recently rediscovered the mini-essay I wrote for the Iowa City Writers Festival in 2013: <a href="https://iwp.uiowa.edu/sites/iwp/files/CLIFF_Vonnegut_ACBF13.pdf">The Vonnegut Effect: Entering the Potato Barn</a>, when Academic.com wanted to add it to my profile (LOL). So of course I dived back into the world of Rabo Karabekian.<li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">The thing that stood out to me this time around was the pacing, specifically the way new characters are introduced throughout the novel. It's so measured. And there's no wasted characters (Sam Wu, Celeste, Fred Jones). It'd be cool to graph all of the character mentions, like Ngrams, and visualise way the supporting cast are rolled out...</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>FILM & TV</b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">A Murder at the End of the World - I loved the OA, for all it's rough edges and over-reaches. A Murder at the End of the World was not it. Bad dialogue. Obvious big bad. </li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Squid Game: The Challenge - Season 1</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Bodies - Limited Series</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Last Stop Larrimah</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Taskmaster UK Season 16</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Taskmaster Australia Season 1</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Welcome to Wrexham Season 2</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Alone Seasons 7-9</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Stavros Halkias: Fat Rascal</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">T2 Trainspotting</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Rudy</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Music and Lyrics</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">The Lost City</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Sport (basketball, rugby and cricket world cups, start of another NBA season: GO KINGS, and some NFL)</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>PRODUCTION INTERLUDE</b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">I'll be taking up a 3-week mini-residency at the Michael King Writers Centre in Auckland at the start of winter next year.</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">My review of Pip Adam's <i>Audition</i> was published in November. (Minor disappointment: they didn't use my suggested title: "Grow, Don't Tell").</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">In December, I took part in a Creative Impact Lab on Climate Change, hosted by the Otago Museum and funded by the Leonardo Institute/US Embassy. It runs through to February, so we'll see where it goes...</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;">Oh, and the story the opens my debut (and thus far only) short story collection, 'Seeds', was included in the <a href="https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/the-penguin-new-zealand-anthology-9781776950539">Penguin New Zealand Anthology: 50 stories for 50 years in Aotearoa</a>. Must be time to corral a second story collection and give the anthologists some new options!</li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96Xkv14Jf6RfjZ9-HUtLj1Kk5UD-zNWpqn26aeD5mFzH4s7Z93ZXh_hfJEYdGhjVK8xzJh8oWuashjSAsi4EAwPITZlTtl8NkwWeY2bWVO8A600I5IQTuFp3PP9m_T_eL_J4ttH1kPvGCL0aJlXVmuHF8lSyTx1Biz0ehwpT1o0-QS7JjSJQ5x1f7n38/s612/penguin%20anth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96Xkv14Jf6RfjZ9-HUtLj1Kk5UD-zNWpqn26aeD5mFzH4s7Z93ZXh_hfJEYdGhjVK8xzJh8oWuashjSAsi4EAwPITZlTtl8NkwWeY2bWVO8A600I5IQTuFp3PP9m_T_eL_J4ttH1kPvGCL0aJlXVmuHF8lSyTx1Biz0ehwpT1o0-QS7JjSJQ5x1f7n38/s320/penguin%20anth.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><b>MUSIC - NOVEMBER & DECEMBER</b></li><li class="bc-list-item bc-spacing-s0_5" style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 4px;"><br /></li></div></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/3r9bvHbJgtnzVI9oDzNjXW?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>
<iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/26kB2StOGjOvx4gFJINEf5?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-15321527005576056902023-08-31T19:30:00.001+12:002023-08-31T19:30:00.143+12:00June, July, August 2023 consumption diary<p><b>MUSIC - JUNE</b></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2gV4bH3Sm0iRIzuBjG6lQl?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></p><p>Maybe it's more appropriate to call this three-month update an emissions diary, as my family of four flew to Europe and back in June and July - perfectly timing our stay with family in Italy to coincide with the heatwave (what were we thinking?), then got a puppy (what the fuck were we thinking?).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh668WpzhIJ7y__AjrgEddwYE-tDvkwMXbfb1TeVjGaOCtw9WqQHIhNsoOySbIbw1b0pnij_M_ed_5pOHKC_edIMkYCWy0V-mZjMsdM40TMQ4pdw-gzM32vAy9fk4kejs66tiBxWFcFFZnHgqvZOKF0Mr37K9zqybYElJOStVq7XpnY-_6HxwYXpTONiuM/s4000/IMG_20230815_151715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh668WpzhIJ7y__AjrgEddwYE-tDvkwMXbfb1TeVjGaOCtw9WqQHIhNsoOySbIbw1b0pnij_M_ed_5pOHKC_edIMkYCWy0V-mZjMsdM40TMQ4pdw-gzM32vAy9fk4kejs66tiBxWFcFFZnHgqvZOKF0Mr37K9zqybYElJOStVq7XpnY-_6HxwYXpTONiuM/s320/IMG_20230815_151715.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As I said in my last post, I rationalised the trip as it stacked business travel for my wife to the UK and Portugal with downtime in the the Algarve with our friends, then said family time in Northern Italy. My daughter (10) hadn't been overseas since she was 11 months old (coming back from our semester in Iowa) and my son (8) had never left the country. And we aren't planning on going anywhere else anytime soon, financial and environmental limitations being aligned in this respect.<div><br /></div><div>But I still felt fuckin' bad about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then we're over there and people are fainting in the heat and getting burns from the footpath and the next day it's hailing and ice floes are careening through Milan and people are spouting conspriacy talking points about the 15 minute city and not believing cows contribute to climate change until they see the research (fuckin' LOOK) and the there's fuckin' Dubai, where we spent a couple nights on the way back to break up the trip home, which is like Total Recall-style, massive infrastructure spend to support life and luxury in an inhospitable place, built on the back of the fossil fuels that (ruminant animals aside) have fucked the rest of us... And so I get back to my desk at the University of Otago as the Net Carbon Zero Programme Manager, trying to get our 30,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent in 2022 (down from 49k pre-pandemic), down below 20,000 by the end of the decade, and keep these gross tracking down and down beyond 2030, while connecting with others so that what we're doing can have a ripple effect and maybe 10x our impact, or 100x, but whatever-x we do, others are probably going to take advantage and choose growth over justice, profit over planet, now over next. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then I'm supposed to pick up by doctorate, looking at sustainability cultures within government organisations and how they response to the dictates of the Carbon Neutral Government Programme...</div><div><br /></div><div>And I think maybe writing a pissant short story isn't such a daft thing to do while Rome approaches melting point.</div><div><br /></div><div>And maybe as we approach melting point it's time to finally let the walls between booky-me and worky-me dissolve and coalesce and just do what feels right at the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p><b>Cousins - Patricia Grace </b>(novel, audiobook, NZ)</p><p><b>Flux - Jinwoo Chong </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>A Thousand Ships - Natalie Haynes </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Don't Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You - Lucinda Williams </b>(memoir, audiobook)</p><p><b>Getting Lost - Annie Ernaux </b>(memoir, audiobook)</p><p><b>Everything is Beautiful & Everything Hurts - Josie Shapiro </b>(novel, audiobook, NZ)</p><p><b>Golden Days - Caroline Barron </b>(novel, audiobook, NZ)</p><p><b>Lioness - Emily Perkins </b>(novel, audiobook, NZ)</p><p><b>Nothing to See - Pip Adam </b>(novel, ebook, NZ)</p><p><b>Audition - Pip Adam </b>(novel, physical book, NZ)</p><p><b>Poor People with Money - Dominic Hoey </b>(novel, audiobook, NZ)</p><p><b>Sellout: The major-label feeding frenzy that swept punk, emo, and hardcore 1994-2007 - Dan Ozzi </b>non-fiction, audiobook) - the rightful heir to Michael Azerrad's <i>Our Band Could Be Your Life</i>, which was a foundational book for the failed novel I wrote during my MA in Creative Writing about an indie band that all individually want/need to become famous but can't admit it to each other and thus must connive their way to infamy behind each others backs... This book slots in between the pre-Grunge alternative scene of Azerrad's book and the late-90s/early00's slacker indie (think Pavement) of my manuscript (written in 2006). I can't say Ozzi's scene is my favourite musically speaking (At the Drive-in, Jimmy Eat World and Green Day were the only bands that get full chapters I've ever had much time for), but it's a great book.</p><p><br /></p></div><div><b>MUSIC - JULY</b></div><div><br /><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/7KQGhvP16APkTq9G9BjfeB?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></div><div><p><b>Film & TV</b></p><p><b>The Bear - Season 2</b> - sometimes who and how you watch a show has a big influence over how you react to it. Season 1 I watched with my wife who really dislikes shouty shows. Season 1 was A VERY SHOUTY SHOW. (She also dislikes ranty books, an example she'd give is Phillip Roth). So I watched Season 2 myself (sometimes on the TV while she was doing a puzzle, sometimes on my phone in bed while we took turns sleeping downstairs in the first fortnight of having the puppy and needing to be handy if it needed to pee in the night). I was swept up in the feast of the seven fishes (ep.6). I cried at the end of Richie's episode (#7). I listened to The Watch podcast's 3-part breakdown of the series as I made it through each chunk, then their interview with co-showrunner Christopher Storer, who spoke about how Season 2 needed to be lighter (incl. visually) and less shouty than Season 1. I communed with the content. I loved it. I might go back and rewatch Season 1 then get my wife to join me next time through Season 2 (maybe closer to Season 3, whenever that may drop).</p><p>Colin from Accounts - Season 1</p><p>Black Mirror - Season 6</p><p>Alone - Seasons 7,8, 9 (all those available on TVNZ+, though I just noticed Season 5 is on Netflix...) - the TV version of whale song or ambient rainfall while I make the kids' lunches in the mornings</p><p>Quarterback - Season 1</p><p>Muscles & Mayhem: American Gladiators - Season 1</p><p>The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin Keystone Collection and Chaplin (biopic starring Robert Downey Jr) - there was a Chaplin collection on Emirates in-flight entertainment</p><p>Inside Man</p><p>John Wick 4</p><p>Dune</p><p>Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond</p><p>David Brent: Life on the Road</p><p>The Brothers Grimsby (abandoned midway)</p><p>Champions (Woody Harrelson bball coach flick)</p><p>Taskmaster NZ - Season 4 (eps 1-4 so far)</p><p>The History of the Minnestota Vikings (Dorktown) - eps 1-5</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>MUSIC - AUGUST</b></p></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2kwyfFK2yXS09A6cJcDNfm?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-81076153042404028842023-06-05T19:40:00.002+12:002023-06-05T19:59:08.999+12:00May consumption diary<p><b>MUSIC</b></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/6HOXXsrSmWX1QHd13ufJXb?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></p><p>So I heard 'Give Me Back My Man' for the first time in May 2023. The B-52's had always seemed a novelty act to me. 'Love Shack' being trashed in the Fat Ladies Arms when I was 18 probably didn't help. But holy hecka, this song. It's like the sort of thing I'd go crazy over if you said it was the Bush Tetras or something similarly obscure. But the B-52's?</p><p>Blink 182 was wrong. I guess finding out bands you'd dismissed your whole life are actually amazing is growing up.</p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p><b>Boxer by Ryan Pinkard</b> (non-fiction, physical book, 2022)</p><p>I love Bloomsbury's 33 1/3 series. I pitched to write the book on Monster Magnet's <i>Powertrip</i> back in 2018, but didn't make the cut. Hard to know whether it was their view about the potential audience for any book about Monster Magnet, or their view about the version of the book I pitched (with two sample chapters), or both. </p><p>Boxer is one of my favourite albums. I trashed it during my year of a million words (2008), when I wrote most of my first book, <i>A Man Melting</i>, and book and album have become entwined since then. Pinkard's book is a pretty straight-forward account. There's one intrusion of the "I" voice in a footnote during the book, and an I-forward epilogue... I guess I still prefer these pocket-sized books to be more than biographies of an album thanks to the challenge of having less words to play with.</p><p>As another aside, it did make me feel bad for falling out of live with The National after <i>High Violet</i>. The reason <i>Boxer </i>was so important to me in 2008 was because it was such good writing music, and I was writing a lot. The album was a grower. While I'm probably still right that The National haven't gone far enough into new territory in the last 15 years, I haven't listened to new albums 5, 6, 7, 8 times in close succession. It doesn't help they got super popular and it kinda feels too true-to-label, normcore, beardy dad to like The National... I always think of the kid in the Seattle grunge doco, <i>Hype, </i>who has cotton buds (or cigarettes?) stuck up his nose and bemoans everyone is starting to like the bands he liked so now he needs to find something else.</p><p><b>Bel Canto by Ann Patchett</b> (novel, audiobook, US, 2001)</p><p><b>Brief Interviews with Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace </b>(short fiction, audiobook, US, 1999)</p><p><b>Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility - Edited by Rebecca Solnit & Thelma Young Lutunatabua </b>(non-fiction, audiobook and ebook, 2023)</p><p><b>I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel </b>(novel, audiobook, UK, 2022) - I was not a fan.</p><p><b>M Train by Patti Smith</b> (non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2015)</p><p><b>Martin Dressler by Steven Millhauser </b>(novel, audiobook, US, 1997)</p><p>To read Millhauser is to flirt with fables and the fantastic, but never quite cross over. It's fascinating. I think I prefer his shorter works, where you spend more time - proportionately - on the knife's edge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5ruJVhSaouQFztQZPY8o5iEEPiB3j9KFU9DTMvKxHiY9YAN9BjLg-xongZr03MUO4IVVnFhqlrrwYdeWqyRzxfAQBwjOXrd8B0lcNzhnRl5BjZh9x3q3v8TZ2n9u44Ybirh6wqey9XzBO6X4OjyDHgwrV2KAskPmKlCPtJYH8iNnBeRHLidWMz9W/s2339/Dressler.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5ruJVhSaouQFztQZPY8o5iEEPiB3j9KFU9DTMvKxHiY9YAN9BjLg-xongZr03MUO4IVVnFhqlrrwYdeWqyRzxfAQBwjOXrd8B0lcNzhnRl5BjZh9x3q3v8TZ2n9u44Ybirh6wqey9XzBO6X4OjyDHgwrV2KAskPmKlCPtJYH8iNnBeRHLidWMz9W/s320/Dressler.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>BIOGRAPHICAL INTERLUDE</b><div><br /></div><div>The nuclear family is going to Europe in three weeks. We're trip-stacking (wife is going for a conference in UK and site visit for work in Portugal; we're meeting friends from Germany in the Algarve who we haven't seen in person since our co-honeymoon in NZ; then taking the kids to meet their cousins in Italy and connect with that part of their whakapapa)... but it still feels WRONG. Like, our household carbon will be about 4x higher this year than last year because of this trip. And it's insanely expensive. Like, double what it might have been five years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>The cognitive dissonance is worse than normal since I just audited an Australiasian version of the Carbon Literacy Trust's carbon literacy training, AND had to do an exercise on household carbon footprints for my DBA.</div><div><br /></div><div>But it does provide a nice break between finishing up the last of my papers for my DBA and going full thesis (or pulling the pin if I can't face my own research project when I get back).</div><div><br /></div><div>The challenge is the opportunity cost of doing another 2 years on my doctorate is writing any more fiction.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've toyed with ways to combine the two (sci-fi futuring workshops... deconstructing the lone hero narrative... using cathedral thinking to drive a story...) but it feels like taking a baby elephant to calf club day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have three novella (or long short story or short novel) projects I want to finish (the short novel I wrote last year that centres around the COVID mandate protests at parliament, but continues forward in time multiple years), a story about climate refugees reshaping life in Māori Hill for the better (a kind of reverse prepper manifesto), and something that I might publish under a pseudonym so better not say much more about it (coded message for future sleuths: books read this month and last month are part of the inspo, but it's an idea I've had for years).<br /><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Woman at War</p><p>Bo Burnham: Inside and Inside Outtakes - couldn't get past 10 mins when it first came out, perhaps because it was "too soon", but genuinely very good. </p><p>Succession - Season 4</p><p>Avatar - rewatched, this time with kids. Best parts: all the things that made sense on big screen 3D but not so much streaming on Disney+</p><p>I think you should leave - Season 3 - I gobble up each new season in 90 mins then wait 18 months of more, tided over only by the NBA x ITYSL memes on Twitter</p><p>The Pez Outlaw</p><p>Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain</p><p>Ugly Delicious - Season 1</p><p>The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker</p><p>White Men Can't Jump (2022) - turrrible. </p><p>The Gone - Season 1 - turrrible title, decent Kiwi-Irish crime noir</p></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-12402575983868402292023-05-02T08:02:00.000+12:002023-05-02T15:04:01.321+12:00March and April Consumption Diary<p><b><br /></b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/7esjPGnRPOc007ISPU8UYB?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><p><b>BIOGRAPHICAL INTERLUDE</b></p><p>It's the first of May as I start this. I have COVID for the second time. Last year it went through my house at the start of the Easter school holidays. This year it was at the end of the holidays. Like last year, I was the last in my family to succumb, so my isolation period will be longer. Unlike last time, I'm not putting the finishing touches on the first draft of a novel. That first draft remains unimproved. Instead, I'm preparing for a presentation on my doctoral research proposal. I started my doctorate in July last year and the first twelve months involve upskilling each cohort to be able to go off and complete their research and thesis in 2-howevermanyittakes years.</p><p>Oh, and the Sacramento Kings lost in Game 7 to the Golden State Warriors this morning. Stephen Curry scored 50 points and the Kings imploded in the third quarter when they couldn't grab a defensive rebound. It was a fun season and Kings fans haven't felt this feeling in 17 years... actually longer. It's more like 1999-2000 when the last great Kings team was on the come-up, but needed to experience adversity to toughen them up for period like today's third quarter. </p><p>So now I have more time to think about non-basketball things... maybe, even with my doctorate, I'll have time to return to last year's novel...</p><p>Oh, I'm going to Europe with the family at the end of June (health and geopolitical stability willing). So maybe not?</p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6DljNacmOBWC8Vjm_ZhdhNGzRgn3gh55Dx75d15f_xNsMP0APBMxSOe2j7aAbHhMYSFmEN1w7MXuLwqzypEcLM953z5y5YG_BQ9OsuFKwT1ONNDpwgMq9cgPQRF48t1mQBUKWk85G54xZE-ZEPucV6lwI5HJSBEBT7wdQPhW3E97ChBEU14n3eYGV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="2550" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6DljNacmOBWC8Vjm_ZhdhNGzRgn3gh55Dx75d15f_xNsMP0APBMxSOe2j7aAbHhMYSFmEN1w7MXuLwqzypEcLM953z5y5YG_BQ9OsuFKwT1ONNDpwgMq9cgPQRF48t1mQBUKWk85G54xZE-ZEPucV6lwI5HJSBEBT7wdQPhW3E97ChBEU14n3eYGV=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><b><p><b>Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid </b>(novel, audiobook, US, 2019)</p></b><p></p><p>I grew up with a father who loved rock documentaries so I enjoyed this. Spent a lot of time wondering why others who might be less of an anorak when it comes to music would enjoy it - the love triangle never quite joins up, which means it skirts around the worst cliches of these kinds of tails but it doesn't really have a huge amount of tension to drive the narrative forward. </p><p><b>Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid</b> (novel, audiobook, US, 2022)</p><p>From rock stars to sport stars, in this case tennis. More of a straightforward first person narration with occasional "implags", the interest here was whether the story was going to use Carrie's position on the Autism spectrum as a "twist"/big reveal. It didn't. I was glad. Again, I'm a bit puzzled by how this worked, when the outcome of every tennis match described was easy to forecast and the description of said matches was often something like: "I served, she returned, I returned, she returned, I returned, she missed... Then it was match point and I won with a forehand slam."</p><p><b>The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson </b>(novel, audiobook, US, 2020)</p><p>Another kind of novel that doesn't care much for things like character development or careful observation at the micro-level. This is all about the macro: what if poor performance against the Paris Agreement meant there was a Ministry for the Future to try and drive intergenerational justice (and what if that needed to be complemented by a dark-wing to get stuff done without bureaucracy). I got very depressed to begin with (I deal with this shit every day, so nothing was a surprise, it was more like: why I am listening to this while I work in my garden?!) but it kind of justified this depression through the journey it goes from this launching point. </p><p><b>Quit by Annie Duke</b> (non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2022)</p><p>I didn't know about Mohammed Ali's late career exploits. Great way to start a book about why gritting it out isn't always the best approach. </p><p><b>Better the Blood by Michael Bennett </b>(novel, audiobook, NZ, 2022) </p><p>My brain enjoyed this, but I didn't really feel it elsewhere in my body, if that makes any sense.</p><p><b>Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy </b>(novel, audiobook, US, 2022)</p><p>All talk. Madness... Genius.... Where's the line? I think McCarthy is possessed of both, so maybe there is no line.</p><p><b>Foster by Claire Keegan </b>(novella, audibook, Ireland, 2010)</p><p>It's probably only a short story, but it's packaged as a standalone book, much like <i>Small Things Like These</i>. Loved this one. Every books should be this short.</p><p><b>These Precious Days by Ann Patchett </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2021)</p><p>Essays penned during the pandemic. Manages to avoid being intolerable. Patchett is smart and kind. I've enjoyed her novels in the passed. Convinced me to go back and read <i>Bel Canto</i>.</p><p><b>The Story of Art without Men by Katy Hessel</b><b> </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, UK, 2022)</p><p>Listening to an audiobook about art isn't the best experience, but it helps to know what you don't know much about (so long as you keep asking questions).</p><p><b>Remote Sympathy by Catherine Chidgey </b>(novel, audiobook, NZ, 2020)</p><p>There's always a hump to get over when a novel is set in Nazi Germany, especially when it's a NZ author's second book set there (though it's a standalone tale), but I got sucked in and bowled over. Good stuff.</p><p><b>The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2022)</p><p>I enjoyed the playlist I found on Spotify of the songs mentioned in this book more than Dylan's parsing of the lyrics or hepcat word associations (and don't get me started on his version of making America great again).</p><p><b>Nonzero by Robert Wright </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, US, 1999)</p><p><b>Culture and Sustainability by Janet Stephenson </b>(non-fiction, PDF, NZ, 2023)</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Down in the Valley (40 for 40) - great watch on the eve of the NBA playoffs</p><p>The Matrix Resurrections</p><p>Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel</p><p>Men - I vow never to watch another Alex Garland thingamee</p><p>Emily the Criminal</p><p>Nope</p><p>Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now</p><p>Mindhorn</p><p>Beef - Season 1 - I mean, how could I not fall for dialogue like, "I thought I was Webber, but I might be Stojaković, right?" </p><p>The Last of Us - Season 1 - gave up after 10 mins of the pilot (zombie is my least favourite flavour of apocalypse) but was lured back in by raves. The Ron Swanson-Armond romance episode was sweet. I liked the way the season dealt with time (...three months later...). So yeah, worth watching.</p><p>Succession - Season 4 (first half) - sometimes you just want to hang with characters from the bottom right corner of the D&D moral alignment chart</p><p>Chad and JT go deep - Season 1</p><p>Cunk on Earth - Season 1</p><p>Taskmaster UK - Season 15 </p><p>The Night Agent - Season 1 - I kinda hated this for being so fucking basic, but I devoured it like a stupid idiot anyway</p><p>Barry - Season 4 (1st half) - feels like a real drag... Like the writers got sick of the characters, or gummed up by what happened in Season 3...</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>MUSIC - APRIL</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/4tBDAJRcVvCGbL0oX5trHJ?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-57840977242744542242023-02-27T19:30:00.001+13:002023-02-27T19:30:00.186+13:00January & February 2023 consumption diary<p><b>MUSIC - JAN</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/70mYtJBv0FXN9toeTfD9mB?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p><b>Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton</b> (novel, physical book, NZ, 2023)</p><p>Potentially the best book I'll read this year and it's only Feb. If you loved <i>The Luminaries</i> you'll love this. Don't let the thriller billing lead you astray (though it does get thrilling) - this is a novel that revels in moving fully rendered, psychologically complex characters around the stage and getting them together at opportune/inopportune times (or, excitingly, for me at least, alone: a couple of these lonely, quiet moments seem to act as tent poles for the three act structure). </p><p>If you are one of the people who talk openly about never finishing <i>The Luminaries</i>, when in the last 10 years did you start admitting this like it was a badge of honour? Go take a hard look at yourself in the mirror, then read <i>Birnam Wood</i>, though you might find it too slow as well. In which case, I've got nothing for you. I guess you don't need to be devastated as deeply as I do. </p><p><b>The Mirror Book by Charlotte Grimshaw </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, NZ, 2021)</p><p>A different kind of devastation. Bold, sure. No one comes out looking good. The way certain phrases (mostly one's her father used in his work or interviews) keep coming back, unrelentingly... I couldn't decide if it was artful or unhinged (like Coach Mosley's church deacon-esque tirades in<i> Last Chance U: Basketball</i>).</p><p><b>Radical Uncertainty by John Kay & Mervyn King</b> (non-fiction, audiobook, UK, 2020)</p><p>I don't put everything I read for my doctorate up here, but this felt general fiction-y enough to qualify as a book "consumed". </p><p><b>Haven by Emma Donoghue</b> (novel, audiobook, Ireland, 2022)</p><p>I enjoy bleak survival tales, especially when they're largely self-imposed. Monks, eh?</p><p><b>This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub</b> (novel, audiobook, US, 2022)</p><p>I enjoy family dramas told via time travel, especially when they get the level of meta-ness right. This did.</p><p><b>Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel </b>(novel, audiobook, UK, 2009)</p><p>Yeah, okay, I get it now.</p><p><b>Brightness Reef by David Brin</b> (novel, audiobook, US, 1995)</p><p>My first sci-fi for the year, if you don't count Straub's time travel lit-fic. </p><p><b>1979 by Val McDermid</b> (novel, audiobook, UK, 2021)</p><p><b>1989 by Val McDermid</b> (novel, audiobook, UK, 2022)</p><p>I saw McDermid speak at an event in the tail end of last year and she mentioned how her Allie Burns series was her way out of writing her autobiography. I enjoyed 1979. 1989 felt more of a pastiche, with perhaps too many big events from that year being brought into the narrative. Or maybe I'd just read it too soon after its predecessor??</p><p>--</p><p>Tracking stats: 78% female, 100% white, 100% anglophone, 78% fiction</p><p>On pace for: 54 books read in 2023 (if you don't count the three other books I'm partway through, 2 physical and one audiobook).</p><p><br /></p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Andor Season 1 - I haven't watched any of the Star Wars shows since season 1 of The Mandalorian (snoozefest) but kept seeing people rave about Andor... And gosh, this was right up my street. I loved the stretch where Andor was in prison. The closed world, the arcane routine. And it came after a heist that felt like it might be the climax of a normal season, and before another big showdown. All with minimal faffing around with The Force or reliance on Skywalker family ties. </p><p>Star Wars: Rogue One (rewatch)</p><p>The Banshees of Inisherin</p><p>Poker Face Season 1</p><p>Top Gun: Maverick</p><p>Last Chance U: Basketball, Season 2</p><p>The Menu</p><p>White Noise - one of my favourite novels... didn't like this film. Too faithful to DeLillo's dialogue. It seemed to be <i>about </i>the dialogue, as if that's what made it great. It was like someone adapting Roald Dahl and depicting every cruelty as it is described (or dashed-off) in the book. (I guess adapters will have issues with that now that Dahl's been watered down... This is not a statement for or against the literary sanitation dept... Whatever I say can and will be used against me in my public shaming).</p><p>ANNNND...</p><p>The Sacramento Kings keep lighting the beam, baby! On Saturday my time they won a double OT thriller against the stacked Clippers in the 2nd highest scoring game of all time, which isn't a knock on the defence: both teams were trying, but the Clippers in particular were locked on, and the refs were very suss... Incredible that heart and superior chemistry got the Kings over the line and they're closer to 2nd place in the West than 4th. They've been the healthiest team in the league this year, though, and they're young and inexperienced. They can't keep this up for another 24 games and win a first round playoff series, can they?</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC - FEB</b></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/7eUwQFneNyxHvnkfBGxwJ9?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-39812470193472089892023-01-12T21:10:00.003+13:002023-01-12T21:13:26.446+13:00This Fluid Thrill Awards: Best Music of 2022<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">You can find a playlist at the bottom of this post if you want to listen while you read.</span></p><p>You can also find previous editions of my yearly music lists here: 2021 <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2022/01/this-fluid-thrill-music-awards-best.html">albums </a>and <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2022/01/this-fluid-thrill-music-awards-best_01899513055.html">songs</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/12/this-fluid-thrills-best-music-of-2020.html">2020</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/01/best-albums-song-of-2019.html">2019</a>, 2018 <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2019/01/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-albums-of.html">albums</a> and <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2019/01/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-songs-of.html">songs</a>, 2017 <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2017/12/this-fluid-thrill-end-of-year-awards.html">albums</a> and <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-mop-up-more-from-this-fluid-thrill.html">songs</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2017/02/this-fluid-thrills-belated-2016-music.html">2016</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2015/12/best-albums-of-2015.html">2015</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2014/12/best-albums-of-2014.html">2014</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-favourite-albums-on-2013.html">2013</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-best-music-i-discovered-in-2012.html">2012</a>.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><b>Best albums released in 2022</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Spanish Villager No.3 by Ondara</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguPhd2MQV8mBz3DsT7H2Fdpyw3PI39a-MnRUMTdFYB_hZ96ZP-QEKz__75nLQxJD1mi6MdZpOn8jA2b-3EMfP9-xb7gCm292hhwDkDaSau4QrCKPR2o6ba9AwAV5NlARtT7DK5DJ91r9-V36nuDxp1ekK_BXLN25z41NGfPv6j15f5KaAcVAGSx2LT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguPhd2MQV8mBz3DsT7H2Fdpyw3PI39a-MnRUMTdFYB_hZ96ZP-QEKz__75nLQxJD1mi6MdZpOn8jA2b-3EMfP9-xb7gCm292hhwDkDaSau4QrCKPR2o6ba9AwAV5NlARtT7DK5DJ91r9-V36nuDxp1ekK_BXLN25z41NGfPv6j15f5KaAcVAGSx2LT" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />The Kenyan Bob Dylan. Kind of a reverse Paul Simon's <i>Graceland</i>. My discovery of the year. So good.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Ghost Woman by Ghost Woman</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp18vYcqr4pnluTPq8KZal2t_nn2X5XNwPKeKj3biZibdiQL5aOSlNJaCUuQOObmDr7FchEy5Gh76V8Px9W4QWPrPoZo7A_ce5VzLj_UFH-h4TNTC_Sl_v6BC9AKjP7JDaMZMWGyj8LnJaKaZOJBzLjplOa6iqoWRVbUP7fO9o-RGXKHxIm6zhLF0e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp18vYcqr4pnluTPq8KZal2t_nn2X5XNwPKeKj3biZibdiQL5aOSlNJaCUuQOObmDr7FchEy5Gh76V8Px9W4QWPrPoZo7A_ce5VzLj_UFH-h4TNTC_Sl_v6BC9AKjP7JDaMZMWGyj8LnJaKaZOJBzLjplOa6iqoWRVbUP7fO9o-RGXKHxIm6zhLF0e" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />New-psych at its finest. I honestly need to listen to this again now.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Teeth Marks by S.G. Goodman</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvJTC_Ng84sRlKfp1KQMTuvuK5GqFLhMQDX1YP5EudGganK9xCP3TnhFZnxOF29i4fkArt5a4bae0jZ0BSa9gfuEPoJpsvCUjeSNZcU0V4uvoYt_qLAZnL6WN7Z8YHe4m-c_mjwi-OuPSoceIRFiLb7M9RQorkg3wEvjryUntAzWlZ0hmwJGusGq8X" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvJTC_Ng84sRlKfp1KQMTuvuK5GqFLhMQDX1YP5EudGganK9xCP3TnhFZnxOF29i4fkArt5a4bae0jZ0BSa9gfuEPoJpsvCUjeSNZcU0V4uvoYt_qLAZnL6WN7Z8YHe4m-c_mjwi-OuPSoceIRFiLb7M9RQorkg3wEvjryUntAzWlZ0hmwJGusGq8X" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />Gutsy, country-fied rock from this female singer-songwriter. I added two songs from this album to my monthly playlists twice, and then, when listening closely just wanted to keep adding new track to the list. So good.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Leave the Light On by Pillow Queens</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQu9U0_7erRidEnLxJzU-DqaFidBnKUaXPLI4Ip5xq7j3H9C7Qnmss5vuUA7_ikGbpX8tdAdh8cGRetgkaQIrIYUQZX5o51Tiz3KAl4NJhAoIVhYG7G5fmXfWFqypAcxWR0YM6-TS83gIcsImzIJBEazCqm2UffsLCpJjXKbibLs5xrKSY2MwynRV-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQu9U0_7erRidEnLxJzU-DqaFidBnKUaXPLI4Ip5xq7j3H9C7Qnmss5vuUA7_ikGbpX8tdAdh8cGRetgkaQIrIYUQZX5o51Tiz3KAl4NJhAoIVhYG7G5fmXfWFqypAcxWR0YM6-TS83gIcsImzIJBEazCqm2UffsLCpJjXKbibLs5xrKSY2MwynRV-" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />Best Irish rock album of 2022 (sorry Fontaines DC). Go Queens!</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Gemini Rights by Steve Lacy</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM_QzhSWiHKrs64xg_-EGheWjhgknS0_RpHBgCl6XhzU0mL5LO2h2M1OroNObsgl9S2MsSQvPd7HWImHQbN8rriqZ83agWJ_QROJGfJ-wyqFZZp1c4gRUG7Gl6DEL9i2GN-M2oMOQ2rStqpbm8iucIhaQU5vcxjREm010z6mKq7h7_cxmnbqV_zgoY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM_QzhSWiHKrs64xg_-EGheWjhgknS0_RpHBgCl6XhzU0mL5LO2h2M1OroNObsgl9S2MsSQvPd7HWImHQbN8rriqZ83agWJ_QROJGfJ-wyqFZZp1c4gRUG7Gl6DEL9i2GN-M2oMOQ2rStqpbm8iucIhaQU5vcxjREm010z6mKq7h7_cxmnbqV_zgoY" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />'Bad Habit' could have been the song of the year, but the rest of the album continues the zany, lo-fi indie rock-with-hip-hop-vibes deal, and propels <i>Gemini Rights </i>into my top ten.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You by Big Thief</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZJQrpiD82m3up2-C_lm0IpZJ87iQpWCGm47ORSlQZEqlMNBTkU0bYoqVD1FowK9OmJu_wlX7pvSXeGLZ3uQVmImdaj_bpoJ1kAzCtaLNiLr36rLXBcVIZ5GOfiDNZfBlDFXPc7pn9_Nz-iBArjCj_7J1VW7useOTICDvNXghDyvw1h4RXF8xjxW3f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZJQrpiD82m3up2-C_lm0IpZJ87iQpWCGm47ORSlQZEqlMNBTkU0bYoqVD1FowK9OmJu_wlX7pvSXeGLZ3uQVmImdaj_bpoJ1kAzCtaLNiLr36rLXBcVIZ5GOfiDNZfBlDFXPc7pn9_Nz-iBArjCj_7J1VW7useOTICDvNXghDyvw1h4RXF8xjxW3f" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />Longer blurb for a longer album...</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">I had tickets to Big Thief in Wellington in March 2020, but COVID nixed that. They finally came down to NZ in 2022 (with the size of the venue increasing twice to reflect the growth in their popularity) and despite having moved to Dunedin and being a reluctant flyer for climate reasons, I had to make an exception. It was totally worth it. Big Thief have to be the most dynamic, vital, hard working band on the planet right now.</span></span></p><p>I listened to <i>DNWMIBIY</i> a lot in 2022, but I also listened to Big Thief's preceding four albums (and Adrienne and Buck's solo albums and pre-Big Thief collabs) as I'd picked them as the soundtrack to the short novel I was writing in the first half of the year, and was swotting up for the concert in December.</p><p>I think <i>Dragon Long-title</i> has too many songs on it. Classic double album failings. Reminiscent of 2019 when they released two great albums (UFOF and Two hands): so much content, with many of the songs as slow burners, that it's hard to see the whole picture at once. Let alone the fact that these albums followed albums in 2017 and 2016, plus Buck Meek's solo debut and Adrienee Lenker's <i>Abysskiss</i>, both released in 2018. </p><p>Case and point, 2022 was the year that I finally paid attention to, and fell in love with, their song 'Mary' from their 2017 album <i>Capacity</i>. Some things take time.</p><p><i>Dragon </i>has plenty of songs with instant appeal, like 'Capacity' and 'Time Escaping' and 'Spud Infinity' and 'Simulation Swarm' and I'm confident there are other favourites that will emerge over the years. </p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Laurel Hell by Mitski</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcmgefqWjwtb7aOOMxaKX2NhcZvRwKD4WGZxrBALi1ENNEoBmI9m-SEpQmmVl_6niWv2pPHPKzxlNRismdkbQNeXFgxoDvolOKgV1lWnwAuBNCQeWzbUX8Oa6hBWFqrzsPwYelL989-HYCgGZWD2xrjEzUY4x7lTc7Q1MDWI0zT13HZX-7drx0IKqe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcmgefqWjwtb7aOOMxaKX2NhcZvRwKD4WGZxrBALi1ENNEoBmI9m-SEpQmmVl_6niWv2pPHPKzxlNRismdkbQNeXFgxoDvolOKgV1lWnwAuBNCQeWzbUX8Oa6hBWFqrzsPwYelL989-HYCgGZWD2xrjEzUY4x7lTc7Q1MDWI0zT13HZX-7drx0IKqe" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />I was cooling on Mitski. There just didn't seem to be much in the way of evolution with each album. But I heard the single </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">'The Only Heartbreaker', which hinted at a more up-tempo/raucous</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> sound so I queued up her new album and went outside to mow the lawn. </span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Unfortunately, on this first listen, the first five tracks didn't really stand out. Track 6 was the song I'd already heard, followed by 'Love Me More', which was even jauntier, though still pissed off and angular in the way that most Mitski songs are, 'There's Nothing Left for You' and 'Should've Been Me'. After this stretch of four songs I'd completely changed my mind. It's such a killer run and lends a glow to what comes before and after. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">The whole album rocks... you might just need to wait a while to find the key that unlocks its rockingness for you.</span></p><p><b style="color: #444444;">Boat Songs by MJ Lenderman</b></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuplkEpfWw2cSQ5DYWnATZSgUY6YhN3522CdM-RWqOV6XdH8zY39jZ5epmjTe-_hDmkRtL6Gy5HFHA1bcrFefkw080fanJl0kuRAZA3WZI0sXRmZwlbfQK0nSSA9Ua_gKDf7NcUWVbUruVY2prV3tFxPz50c8VrzbGv0ZsuUty0CLQPg8Ke4L20w18" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuplkEpfWw2cSQ5DYWnATZSgUY6YhN3522CdM-RWqOV6XdH8zY39jZ5epmjTe-_hDmkRtL6Gy5HFHA1bcrFefkw080fanJl0kuRAZA3WZI0sXRmZwlbfQK0nSSA9Ua_gKDf7NcUWVbUruVY2prV3tFxPz50c8VrzbGv0ZsuUty0CLQPg8Ke4L20w18" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />"Jason Molina with a subscription to The Athletic". I can't trace the original provenance of this description of MJ Lenderman, but it's so apt. Not just the way that Lenderman is clearly inspired by Molina's sound and references a lot of sports, but the exclusiveness of those two signifiers (I'm not sure many of my friend group would know who Jason Molina or Songs: Ohia are/were -- if that's you, go listen to 'Farewell Transmission'!; or the Athletic, let alone what kind of sports fan they cater too).</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">The album opener, 'Hangover Game', is a clear standout and the best example of the Molina+Athletic vibe (it's about Michael Jordan's infamous flu game).</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">I've since been back through the MJ Lenderman back catalogue - his EP Knockin' is vvvvv good - and it's now time to return to 'Boat Songs' for another thrashing.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>If I never know you like this again by SOAK</b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaguYtNQCbh3dSp4EMEmN77RBseeOHfvtFs622ZMDFRl-3vqGy3-GsOuytGJXYhIelT5rC7hIbO04chiBmMHtqhHsaAj9A3XkYhmC1c05HPnYj77Or48OS6ozsFnDDaudUv34gnor16sozEdWVR5es7HD4k8akTPUntpFkL0ZIKP7pD-65j_mK6_2h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaguYtNQCbh3dSp4EMEmN77RBseeOHfvtFs622ZMDFRl-3vqGy3-GsOuytGJXYhIelT5rC7hIbO04chiBmMHtqhHsaAj9A3XkYhmC1c05HPnYj77Or48OS6ozsFnDDaudUv34gnor16sozEdWVR5es7HD4k8akTPUntpFkL0ZIKP7pD-65j_mK6_2h" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div></div><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another Irish album! Oh, I mean, a Northern Irish album. I guess you could call it rock... it has guitars. It's more atmospheric indie pop? Whatever it is, it's gold.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>The Overload by Yard Act</b></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHUhDiKGwNh1AF67WenOa2-om0JPQWgrDEhhHyb_GdR5jC6rOuBlaVCfjLR5tmwstD2P55WykNAQKI17qFUtjRsm5FwQcGNIZPac-rpyAHXB0lbdCAeoaAisx01hguLj3OCUp9LDga3F3fo-hvKOGdyv7onXQtPHqF24Bnkm2j7sUiARiE370Tn6B-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHUhDiKGwNh1AF67WenOa2-om0JPQWgrDEhhHyb_GdR5jC6rOuBlaVCfjLR5tmwstD2P55WykNAQKI17qFUtjRsm5FwQcGNIZPac-rpyAHXB0lbdCAeoaAisx01hguLj3OCUp9LDga3F3fo-hvKOGdyv7onXQtPHqF24Bnkm2j7sUiARiE370Tn6B-" width="240" /></a></div><br />I feel like this album came out 5 years ago (though it was Jan 2022). And it's on Yard Act's debut. This year's Dry Cleaning - though I rate <i>The Overload </i>over Dry Cleaning's sophomore album which dropped in '22. More please.<p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Dishonorable mention</b></span></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chris by Ryan Adams - Mr Adams is a dick, at best. He withdrew from the public eye for a while, then released a bajillion albums (okay 4) in 2022. I was curious what all those songs, presumably written and recorded while nursing his narcissitic, self-inflicted wounds, would sound like. Just the sheer volume of them! And dammit, there's a lot of songs that are right up my street. <i>Chris </i>has the highest strike rate of the lot. But, there's still, the fact he's a dick, at best.</span></span></li></ul><p></p><p><b style="color: #444444;">Honorable mentions</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Warm Chris by Aldous Harding</span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Pray for me I don't fit in by Melt Yourself Down</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lucifer on the Sofa by Spoon</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Weather Alive by Beth Orton</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Barn by The Long Lost Somethins</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Havasu by Pedro the Lion - an important piece in David Bazan's ongoing autobiographical suite, but the songs are a little... boring at times. </span></span></li></ul><p></p><p><b style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Best albums from past years I didn't encounter until 2022</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Shallow Bed by Dry the River (2012)</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">No Medium by Rosali (2021)</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Due North by Liam Kazar (2021)</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">People in Cars by Curse of Lono (2021)</span></span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Each of the 2021 albums would have made my top ten this year if they'd been released in 2022, or in 2021 if I'd heard them then. Interestingly, there weren't many more 2021 albums nipping at their heels.</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw9kKpzH2z6L04pOZPElW-QM1o1ApHO_9S0zpZ1YJkYCDolKscCVrEuzEWTkdxjCokuFoWRfOgPL5gI7JtuUZe3D0b0_SFk-F1vYrOi4DKxX_4BgzI85QLLRC9E1xAHnxRD0LnrStbTD6YRm5C3yhBw6XHvP0K1pQyj4lkWKlhbQRWfwXuppgm75Nh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw9kKpzH2z6L04pOZPElW-QM1o1ApHO_9S0zpZ1YJkYCDolKscCVrEuzEWTkdxjCokuFoWRfOgPL5gI7JtuUZe3D0b0_SFk-F1vYrOi4DKxX_4BgzI85QLLRC9E1xAHnxRD0LnrStbTD6YRm5C3yhBw6XHvP0K1pQyj4lkWKlhbQRWfwXuppgm75Nh" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />As for Dry the River, they appeared in my ears while I was gardening and the album I'd been listening to ended and Spotify autoplayed songs in a similar vein. I think I'd been listening to Local Natives, but I might be wrong. The thing is, DtR don't sound much like Local Natives (besides there's the higher pitched vocals and the emotionally vulnerable lyrics). There's a Fleet Foxes/Animal Collective orchestral/choral vibe, but the Dry the River is more muscular and direct. There's an earlier britpop vibe, or maybe even The Bends-era Radiohead, but when I try to pin down where, it evaporates. It's like someone made a venn diagram of all the music I like and created a band than sat at the area of greatest overlap (well done Spotify!), only to find out they've long since broken up and there isn't much beyond <i>Shallow Bed</i> available. Better to have loved and lost, and all that!</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Best song of 2022</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">After eliminating artists whose albums appeared above, there was a clear winner. It doesn't feature nonsense syllables like many past Songs of the Year winners, but it's very much a singalong in the car kind of tune.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Stick Season by Noah Kahan</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-EHvsPOTAPopW4VObfea3qI9Wr23s6oYel5ery0Hz7xXNw3GQ7ZduoORO-PHSLxEYHQMpc8mkibFHerqaC-r7nKzBvurpm4sj-9NYij7Nlpx9kXjZdCltYkSbgFZBeYr4bN2hJAK09vy-7img8KQnIhyuhWzWnFCsyxGYrWAjlbpP6qk8FSJK0Js7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-EHvsPOTAPopW4VObfea3qI9Wr23s6oYel5ery0Hz7xXNw3GQ7ZduoORO-PHSLxEYHQMpc8mkibFHerqaC-r7nKzBvurpm4sj-9NYij7Nlpx9kXjZdCltYkSbgFZBeYr4bN2hJAK09vy-7img8KQnIhyuhWzWnFCsyxGYrWAjlbpP6qk8FSJK0Js7" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />This one might've been spoiled slightly for the seven people who looked at my 40 songs for 40 years playlist two days ago... So be it!</span></span><p></p><p>I like the songyness of 'Stick Season'. It's like a really good Greek statue. It's got enough detail to place it within an exact time and place ("Doc told me to travel, but there's COVID on the planes"), while being timeless (dude reduced after breakup; sad sack singing over jangly music).</p><p>If <i>Die Hard </i>is a Christmas movie (it is!), then 'Stick Season' is a Christmas song!</p><p>I concede that this will probably sound like Mumford & Sons when the glow of its newness has faded, but right now I DON'T CARE.</p><p><b style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Best songs not from 2022</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chemtrails over the Country Club by Hayley Mary (2021) - a rocking cover of Lana Del Rey - would have been a real contender for song of the year if not for chronology... it's have to settle for being THE GREATEST COVER OF ALL TIME (maybe?)</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult (1977) - no, I can't be bothered with the diaresis. Delved into BOC's back catalogue this year and discovered this silly ol' gem, which my kids also love.</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Hocus Pocus by Focus (1971) - fun to say, fun to listen to. Another one my kids request to hear.</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Pills Won't Help You Now by the Chemical Brothers (2007) - featuring Tim Smith from Midlake (original lineup) on vocals, this was the next best thing to a Midlake reunion (NB: Smith-less Midlake is pretty good, but with-Smith Midlake is god tier).</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">My Pal by God (1988) - I'd heard this song before, but it wasn't until I heard Bad//Dreems' cover (2020) in 2022 that I went back and listened to God's stuff and really appreciated what an amazing teen punk treasure 'My Pal' is. </span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Goodness Pt.1 by The Hotelier (2016)</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Wasteland of the Free by Iris DeMent (1996)</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Headlines by Charlotte Cornfield (2021)</span></span></li></ul><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/6jvSmTU87uR7PS2m7Z1RHN?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-87907276950018228312023-01-10T17:30:00.005+13:002023-12-31T15:50:48.654+13:00This Fluid Thrill Book Awards 2022: Best Books<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">This list is all about the best books I read in 2022, not necessarily those that came out this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">I do this most years, see: <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2022/02/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-books-i.html">2021</a>, </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-fluid-thrill-book-awards-best.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2020</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2019</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, </span><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2019/01/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-books-i_13.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2018</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, </span><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2017</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, (...), </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2015/02/belated-best-reading-2014.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2014</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2013.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2013</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2013/01/best-reads-of-2012.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2012</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-books-i-read-in-2011.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2011</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, & </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-of-2010-reading.html" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2010</a></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">And, like most years, I'm going to delve into some stats first.</span></p><p>I read 66 books in 2022, down from 90 in 2021, but the same total as what I read in 2020. A reversion to the mean? Probably. Sure, the additional reading I did for my doctorate and judging another writing competition likely took a dent out of my reading/listening to audiobooks for pleasure time, but there's always something. If I can hit 70 books in 2023 I'll be satisfied.</p><p>On that read/listen point, the trend continues: 3 physical books (all NZ authors) and 63 audiobooks (incl. 7 NZ... which is probably a record... hold that thought). Eye-issues plus busy life plus the fact almost 20 years of listening to audiobooks has sufficiently wired my brain to "read" for enjoyment and/or read critically through my ears.</p><p>My publisher is bringing out an anthology next year featuring one of my stories and I asked if there'd be an audiobook version (buoyed by the appearance of the likes of Noelle McCarthy's memoir and Coco Solid's novel in audiobook format in 2022). The response was... not encouraging. I wonder if it's because their business model does not adequately capture value from listeners who use library services like Libby? I know the Public Lending Right in NZ has some catching up to do in this respect also. </p><p>My reliance on audiobooks influences my reading across every dimension:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Where I'm reading:</b></li></ul><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglet6NrZfuNQHcP8HDJH9QjLdIRo0d2Za3NK9Moo8OWqosLyuGTVDgeqxsGpQIDR_unpUEI240mFZn8OAVfiIPFONZNMFEwsiV4-tRl2Zi6gCq2E4q_6hXbV363gAv_tRMSMQ1xBUJePeyWSYdqkYF4-NqS0mA4g1oaxDUID_jawYdHr_VfL5BUJMJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="752" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglet6NrZfuNQHcP8HDJH9QjLdIRo0d2Za3NK9Moo8OWqosLyuGTVDgeqxsGpQIDR_unpUEI240mFZn8OAVfiIPFONZNMFEwsiV4-tRl2Zi6gCq2E4q_6hXbV363gAv_tRMSMQ1xBUJePeyWSYdqkYF4-NqS0mA4g1oaxDUID_jawYdHr_VfL5BUJMJ" width="320" /></a></div><br />So many Americans! Some years the US and UK are neck and neck. Kinda stoked to see NZ beat the UK for once.<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>What I'm reading:</b></li></ul><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1BVbljVSahFeqmlZuXB_A8nLYurdP35sm5yj2BXJgEFQ_WEHXNWkFOIg_fNMv4xzuBv4LsDQFsKSnpj2ZjSrZmCf5lpEvBBU0MJw-jVwMmZmKMqQcsn47HZyE-kSKLKRyYOBF1eAeroqa7F-V1rcmGqFQ5g3MLO11nwCQ3uUWJWBEndyZVUKpfcgA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="836" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1BVbljVSahFeqmlZuXB_A8nLYurdP35sm5yj2BXJgEFQ_WEHXNWkFOIg_fNMv4xzuBv4LsDQFsKSnpj2ZjSrZmCf5lpEvBBU0MJw-jVwMmZmKMqQcsn47HZyE-kSKLKRyYOBF1eAeroqa7F-V1rcmGqFQ5g3MLO11nwCQ3uUWJWBEndyZVUKpfcgA=w398-h218" width="398" /></a></div><br /></div><p>No poetry collections! For the first in a long time. I borrowed some as e-books, but never got around to reading them (there was always an audiobook that was due back in a couple of days). For shame! I might need to do something silly like set aside a month to just read poetry... Poetray? Poetruly? Sepoetry?</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>When I'm reading:</b></li></ul><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTk4k6ycVlAZLWPM8OGKuTdW0wSdfMRyIuKUssWV8iN6LNsOZlj8fpEF9GSnrgMEnqTnmtFp2VYR1FjsBmTOfC83YZSix8p9KF70rX5UhLXmnpQKpbqvBhGcVE1tdO0BEv5mEjfkwaCxrEZxFs6DEnRF-gpXa3IP8bFnwdH0brRrkabEny2o7tGAS6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="942" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTk4k6ycVlAZLWPM8OGKuTdW0wSdfMRyIuKUssWV8iN6LNsOZlj8fpEF9GSnrgMEnqTnmtFp2VYR1FjsBmTOfC83YZSix8p9KF70rX5UhLXmnpQKpbqvBhGcVE1tdO0BEv5mEjfkwaCxrEZxFs6DEnRF-gpXa3IP8bFnwdH0brRrkabEny2o7tGAS6=w402-h153" width="402" /></a></div><br />The limited (but expanding) pool for audiobooks means I'm always lurking in the deep end for new additions, which tend to be recent releases. The long tail indicates I do go into the back catalogue for authors/books that take my fancy if I can find them, but I wouldn't say I put a lot of effort into reading outside of my era in 2022.<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Who I'm reading:</b></li></ul><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIgL6hVjaonKfWUO9cvLg64bTQ-TEApwCi0ckp-EYMXIiwD1n_EjkSKnKd3sPmfJdC5T_kLqf6GcbcLKwN1c-rIV3c13FgLAdHb8zstVb3x2yTawFK3aK_tKGi-EjGnO8tgvqosolLHMvHJd0tLQvrGRjbK_rDf20VHw064FK-iq-KDiY-2P_irPZ0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="563" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIgL6hVjaonKfWUO9cvLg64bTQ-TEApwCi0ckp-EYMXIiwD1n_EjkSKnKd3sPmfJdC5T_kLqf6GcbcLKwN1c-rIV3c13FgLAdHb8zstVb3x2yTawFK3aK_tKGi-EjGnO8tgvqosolLHMvHJd0tLQvrGRjbK_rDf20VHw064FK-iq-KDiY-2P_irPZ0" width="283" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWIGpLfWOYYwYURLNIGkWCRVauMwIbvQxYZP9Ux230Ug4kNPesECk4NTPkQcVx1Fz4idt5144lh94VXZVKXkGiDSdfZCrQmduZAc37wuZOnta_x0W4TLXWdcT4WWBIKI5nLFCieBNBCh9_SS0f5OXWIHo7HxtH72LS0qAwpQUczdpRe8LWJ9lryeqx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="602" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWIGpLfWOYYwYURLNIGkWCRVauMwIbvQxYZP9Ux230Ug4kNPesECk4NTPkQcVx1Fz4idt5144lh94VXZVKXkGiDSdfZCrQmduZAc37wuZOnta_x0W4TLXWdcT4WWBIKI5nLFCieBNBCh9_SS0f5OXWIHo7HxtH72LS0qAwpQUczdpRe8LWJ9lryeqx" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>These are rough measures of diversity. I haven't researched the family tree of every author or the intricacies of their gender identities, but it gives a fair representation of the audiobook marketplace (if you factor in that I'm conscious of the biases in said marketplace and try to read diversely... which is even more depressing).<div><div><br /></div><div>Interestingly, the splits for both the above graphs were the same in <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2022/02/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-books-i.html">2021</a>. Spooky. </div><div><br /></div><div>The percentage of books in translation dropped from 8% in 2022 to 6% in 2022. Rounding error.<br /><p></p>Okay, so that was my reading landscape... Now for:</div><div><br /><span><b style="font-size: large;">My favourite books of 2022 </b>(in a semi-thematic order rather than a merit ranking)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5plws1QMR_nEZPfYm79ygnzFxYM5xwluw5gH_A5oN7l1Cdc57ahX_0kUfHDyglGclF9EFoa3KLF9bGd6RLUAThV4ZXklJ5XuwzGyUHjKc20MJATMZ3_pk4S8mJN-YT3MRo4OyRjM807GlhIxKvxDiJzgor8wmVMOBmENLiEWEDbbcMZehsl8kZOGm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5plws1QMR_nEZPfYm79ygnzFxYM5xwluw5gH_A5oN7l1Cdc57ahX_0kUfHDyglGclF9EFoa3KLF9bGd6RLUAThV4ZXklJ5XuwzGyUHjKc20MJATMZ3_pk4S8mJN-YT3MRo4OyRjM807GlhIxKvxDiJzgor8wmVMOBmENLiEWEDbbcMZehsl8kZOGm" width="157" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div>A big, raucous, uneven slab of speculative fiction. Powerful people with vested interests in low-lying locales <u>not</u> being swallowed by the sea (see: real estate values) get embroiled in a plot to re-engineer the climate. Not usually the sort of people I'd want to spend 15 hours / 720 pages with, but Stephenson has a way of telling stories populated by adequate vessels for the plot, and plots that don't deal in moral absolutes or media black and whites.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRYtTkt8rNjiJckBG7o6DC0-JPmrpZcucpuq_wWm3i2vCYa0tdpXjnEqVKhEauO3i3CLR7WF8eay0ka80E2nz4if4yGPKS5206YPEbRqfO9hWsuj-KfVQMU3yPH_dcE3MCePk4mIuirLAQc4Na2q8D-gO5mNcbrm2aFySTkJQmcfDql-ksdLz6s4BQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRYtTkt8rNjiJckBG7o6DC0-JPmrpZcucpuq_wWm3i2vCYa0tdpXjnEqVKhEauO3i3CLR7WF8eay0ka80E2nz4if4yGPKS5206YPEbRqfO9hWsuj-KfVQMU3yPH_dcE3MCePk4mIuirLAQc4Na2q8D-gO5mNcbrm2aFySTkJQmcfDql-ksdLz6s4BQ" width="159" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div>As with <i>Termination Shock</i>, the geek quotient is high here, as you'd expect from the author of <i>The Martian</i>. <i>Project Hail Mary</i> starts with the less-than-promising trope of the amnesic astronaut, and there's a fair amount of hard sci 'watch me do calculations', but this one goes somewhere new and unexpected (for this occasional tourist in outer space, at least). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Liberation Day by George Saunders</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtz64xIU5OIl4poSSZDr4LNKxemmLt7vsDmbAUpyihiJqawuMCmMbxA6upTacetdJ8GGHCS9gP7GmWAejClwKQQL5eTx2upjJgWglF89yvJLByt3wCtouXXDYMphVE3x_Ryo381JAUpYFCDweQBPZH1navzLxqn13p4pRMSW19UfGAODaiHFc_HuDX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="568" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtz64xIU5OIl4poSSZDr4LNKxemmLt7vsDmbAUpyihiJqawuMCmMbxA6upTacetdJ8GGHCS9gP7GmWAejClwKQQL5eTx2upjJgWglF89yvJLByt3wCtouXXDYMphVE3x_Ryo381JAUpYFCDweQBPZH1navzLxqn13p4pRMSW19UfGAODaiHFc_HuDX" width="156" /></a></div><br /></b>Has it really been 9 years since <i>Tenth of December</i>? In that time, Saunders won the Booker with an over-hyped, under-whelming novel and wrote an amazeballs non-fiction book about Russian masters of the short story. </div><div><br /></div><div>I approached <i>Liberation Day </i>with trepidation. It sounded like a George Saunders title, but also a Fox News chryon. The title story opens the collection and is an amalgam of 'Escape from Spiderhead', 'Pastoralia' and 'The Semplica Girl Diaries'.<i>.. </i>and it's not the only story you can reformulate using 2 or 3 stories from Saunders preceding collections...</div><div><br /></div><div>BUT each of them works. More than works: each is better than the best of its antecedents.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I'm still under the spell of <i>A Swim in a Pond in the Rain</i>... 'Liberation Day' seems to be directly in conversation with what Saunders-speaking-as-Saunders has said about fiction. The story is about the act of writing, yet avoids all the pitfalls that come with being meta. How? How!?</div><div><br /></div><div>I was prepared not to love this collection. But it left me undone in the best way.</div><div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZM5e2SIksogM1HH-9-zGkf9eTPtVYFrPTJegGE-kmce5_6nwUTQeyjPch2FZ0CFIid1fNSikwJos-7AkflXgkmF5-nhYgn1YYnPp5UeLM1QI5xzWvVsbEWyEKgUFA5sT1ukJ3VTNqn6u6nkzqr-uMvKWsrP-qOLYnsovPeiflZFAqjh3kpBl4fnBm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZM5e2SIksogM1HH-9-zGkf9eTPtVYFrPTJegGE-kmce5_6nwUTQeyjPch2FZ0CFIid1fNSikwJos-7AkflXgkmF5-nhYgn1YYnPp5UeLM1QI5xzWvVsbEWyEKgUFA5sT1ukJ3VTNqn6u6nkzqr-uMvKWsrP-qOLYnsovPeiflZFAqjh3kpBl4fnBm" width="156" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div>In what is becoming an almost annual occurrence, Strout strides into the top ten with another book that's probably better than the last. <i>Oh William!</i> is the third in the Lucy Barton series, and has already been followed up with a fourth (<i>Lucy by the Sea...</i> which bookmakers have given short odds to appear in the 2023 This Fluid Thrill book awards!).</div><div><br /></div><div>It's interesting to compare Strout and Saunders, two writers at the height of their powers. My fear with Saunders is always that the fireworks will explode while still in his hands. With Strout, it's that she decides to leave the matches at home and enjoy the dusk in peace. But she's too canny for that. One mustn't mistake New England restraint for a lack of narrative drive. </div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1qnoFohElAFvoTGmndVW3Imd4dzuSpIPUBb5vbVDp2ZNqnHK-juNBHwA074y_6NF-yJz-Ve5sHHTt7kx3gcjf0z3akj4M0HfCjmclWxRam3RxrOwyGZjle-4qo95kzZINs72TSDWW9xl6kwFciedpOZDWbvjlZI0CKuIduPpqIehVNcNNFAm81Z3S" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1qnoFohElAFvoTGmndVW3Imd4dzuSpIPUBb5vbVDp2ZNqnHK-juNBHwA074y_6NF-yJz-Ve5sHHTt7kx3gcjf0z3akj4M0HfCjmclWxRam3RxrOwyGZjle-4qo95kzZINs72TSDWW9xl6kwFciedpOZDWbvjlZI0CKuIduPpqIehVNcNNFAm81Z3S" width="158" /></a></div><br /></b>I was prepared to actively dislike this memoir. The title was a little reminiscent of the novel <i>How to Kill Your Family</i>, which stands out as one of my reading lowlights in recent years. I didn't really know who McCurdy was, and don't think I'd ever stumbled across an episode of iCarly, the Nickelodeon kids show that made her famous as a teen. But I didn't need to.</div><div><br /></div><div>The magic here is in the voice of McCurdy, which manages to be both frank and entertaining (see the tightrope-walk title). There's enough raw material for a full-on misery memoir here, but McCurdy doesn't belabour individual instances of her mother's narcissism and child-abuse-in-hindsight. She incriminates herself in every step down the staircase of an eating disorder, and even when absolving her childhood self of these actions, it's still not black and white.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Grand by Noelle McCarthy</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMDIw_XSs13R9JQ8QHDncZvJkJCFeiBZ8sYLQXaWVlhv1mwRauvNdDlFWtbGT4twn2CstjhwQUftCz32p0gd5GZ6EnzcRW-pkqKEfbynMK68l8cxllIZSycElu-9yvb-kjrUw_CM2cKrv1vjAs2yhgtyqAysE0lsM1O5nop7Gx7lzhMBIEhcUYgHd-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="1594" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMDIw_XSs13R9JQ8QHDncZvJkJCFeiBZ8sYLQXaWVlhv1mwRauvNdDlFWtbGT4twn2CstjhwQUftCz32p0gd5GZ6EnzcRW-pkqKEfbynMK68l8cxllIZSycElu-9yvb-kjrUw_CM2cKrv1vjAs2yhgtyqAysE0lsM1O5nop7Gx7lzhMBIEhcUYgHd-" width="154" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div>Another memoir that revolves around a media personality and her less-than-stellar mother. This time, it's Irish ex-pat / NZ radio personality McCarthy and her alcoholic mother. While this relationship centres much of the telling, this book is about so much more: childhood in Ireland, emigrating to NZ, the author's own boozy past and near-misses, and becoming a mother herself. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Grand</i> feels finely crafted, as if each chapter is expertly placed and counterbalanced, each chapter in turn comprises of its own set of smaller, complimentary pieces, like the felt-lined compartments of an apothecary's cabinet. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm excited to read what Noelle McCarthy publishes next.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Loop Tracks by Sue Orr</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix7IgRVfUyOlP_Hr8CwjtlpW-dnRrpguHy7m6DYaZTsBJs1432tzABWslcMmpQD0S5x-94yvVQ-EbZJDeZNrmkrM12Cj431k9qvFt03WXL7v2S39DFrZcv1tcNScACCx3nILi40FYXo7vBBKa1iTNWoCK8hDF_UlsVuny23dUXkicQKk-2xQ63-VVf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2482" data-original-width="1631" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix7IgRVfUyOlP_Hr8CwjtlpW-dnRrpguHy7m6DYaZTsBJs1432tzABWslcMmpQD0S5x-94yvVQ-EbZJDeZNrmkrM12Cj431k9qvFt03WXL7v2S39DFrZcv1tcNScACCx3nILi40FYXo7vBBKa1iTNWoCK8hDF_UlsVuny23dUXkicQKk-2xQ63-VVf" width="158" /></a></div><br />When the audiobook of this dropped in 2022 I leaped at the chance to re-enter this world. So much of the coverage when <i>Loop Tracks </i>was released in New Zealand in 2021 focussed on the extended opening scene where a pregnant teen is due to fly to Sydney for an abortion (illegal in NZ at the time). </div><div><br /></div><div>But this is also a lockdown novel, a neurodiversity novel, even a hooking-up-with-the-guy-next-door novel. It's the kind of book that reflects different lights from different angles.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fantastic stuff!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Halibut on the Moon by David Vann</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjexGBCANiNJ8TUmKN2o4Hhogyx1bARfdtV73H6LhBnaPDNIEehhQ0MypKEROiVVN43xy94C1XWofnS0-dx5FXaqfcDotFdy7DhsfJUtJKJw-L7usOVxf_ZeINk7Tgmq5Umz4o00G8h-LcGzlvKDwlQVwfAEDdYdMteFyimrqVP7kRD1OQDGpUbDrpH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="1807" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjexGBCANiNJ8TUmKN2o4Hhogyx1bARfdtV73H6LhBnaPDNIEehhQ0MypKEROiVVN43xy94C1XWofnS0-dx5FXaqfcDotFdy7DhsfJUtJKJw-L7usOVxf_ZeINk7Tgmq5Umz4o00G8h-LcGzlvKDwlQVwfAEDdYdMteFyimrqVP7kRD1OQDGpUbDrpH" width="157" /></a></div><br /></b>Another NZ-ish novel I read behind the times due to my audiobook crutch. This is quite literally the third or fourth time Vann has written this book, but hells bells, this is up there with <i>Legend of a Suicide</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>(It's probably better, but I'm a sucker for the narrative tricks Vann pulled that first time out and was far more impressionable when I read it.)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Adversary by Emmanuel Carrere</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxIWkvkeOeg319NjiewvSbg6icbJLvnAihmjwaJJt1nqFqvgpP75-EEiseYxS8UXAMYQbY4Xam7DGteI30Sn2O4LBTSqtfcpUhufCO2f8U2eA919NTNxIZCagNQSiA9NzXIIKWBclsX6HMlV2YG3oqNF8xtLeRGbXsMQsjO7ZTU2xn2x065Wle9Ozp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2149" data-original-width="1400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxIWkvkeOeg319NjiewvSbg6icbJLvnAihmjwaJJt1nqFqvgpP75-EEiseYxS8UXAMYQbY4Xam7DGteI30Sn2O4LBTSqtfcpUhufCO2f8U2eA919NTNxIZCagNQSiA9NzXIIKWBclsX6HMlV2YG3oqNF8xtLeRGbXsMQsjO7ZTU2xn2x065Wle9Ozp" width="156" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div>This is Carrere's non-fiction account of a man who killed his family, but that's just the start of it (the subtitle is: a true story of monstrous deception). Carrere is very much part of the telling, including why the case first interested him, his thwarted attempts to make contact with the accused, his decision to write a novel about it instead, then finally striking up a dialogue with the murderer. </div><div><br /></div><div>For this kind of writer-in-the-midst tale to work, the author's own circumstances and insights must be as intriguing and rewarding as the retelling of the 'monstrous deception'. Carrere does seems to come from a similar Francophone misandrist mold as Michel Houellebecq, but is somehow less creepy and thus eminently more successful.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH3vLUnDf3GfK71tOpebmfNDgBmqknNa4lmvba2xNWRdYpak_BW_FNpAVvgYsparytM3YpRqevPlP1mcPCq3YqnSWKC-wFC51lJDPYjd06GqmaabZQUvhMrCiNFPbN9VQRej7RDDn10Vib3SknN2jR8sEuHH_Ym5fKfvM3iv6bqWGLtiKpwOFJ_CeF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="2550" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH3vLUnDf3GfK71tOpebmfNDgBmqknNa4lmvba2xNWRdYpak_BW_FNpAVvgYsparytM3YpRqevPlP1mcPCq3YqnSWKC-wFC51lJDPYjd06GqmaabZQUvhMrCiNFPbN9VQRej7RDDn10Vib3SknN2jR8sEuHH_Ym5fKfvM3iv6bqWGLtiKpwOFJ_CeF" width="240" /></a></div><br /></b>This was another case of my preconceptions being confounded (I guess my natural disposition is: hater). Turns out I'm a snob about YA authors and YouTubers, despite enjoying many YA novels and many, many hours of YouTube content. But even the smartest, most engaging thinkers can struggle with wide-ranging topics and the 'I'm just picking what interests me' approach (see Chuck Klosterman's <i>The Nineties</i>). </div><div><br /></div><div>But Green manages to pull it off. From plagues to the QWERTY keyboard to Diet Dr Pepper, this book is both good company and enlightening.</div></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-60313244446122360092023-01-10T15:10:00.004+13:002023-01-10T15:10:52.140+13:0040 songs at 40<p>Hiya folks. It's my birthday today. I had some cake with friends over the weekend. None of my male friends in attendance have turned 40 yet, and I was asked if I'd made my 40 songs for 40 years playlist yet? It seems to be a thing, though each had different rules that might apply. </p><p>I'm never one to turn down the invitation to create a playlist, so here's what I whipped up last night.</p><p>I've tried to pick one song released from each year from 1983 to 2022, though sometimes year of release can be a bit of a vague concept, especially if you consider when things might have actually been popular in NZ in the days before the internet. Each artist can only appear once. I've tried to pick songs that have some kind of resonance with me in the year of release, while also (obviously) still having appeal to me today. My annual music awards on this blog were useful in jogging my memory for songs over the last decade!</p><p>I could probably produce another three 40-strong lists without repeating any songs that might be better listens / better memoirs-in-mostly-rock, but this is my current time capsule.</p><p>I'll be back tomorrow with the best books I read in 2022, and the day after that with my 2022 music awards.</p><p>Until then, it's the hits of the eighties, nineties and today, here on Fluid Thrill FM:</p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/5i3jmjYsTasZADKZYlxHfj?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-40804766790818681092022-12-20T15:54:00.006+13:002022-12-28T15:08:45.243+13:00August to December 2022 consumption diary<p><b>MUSIC - AUGUST</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/1BV0SAcbe8jMYuictz9exA?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><p><b>MEA CULPA</b></p><p>Well shit, things got away from me, didn't they. I started my Doctor of Business Administration in July and this is probably why nice-to-haves like a monthly consumption diary fell by the wayside.</p><p>It's safe to say that the novel I drafted in the first half of 2022 has not been touched since. But it's still there, gestating. As soon as I have the right solution to the mysterious death the second draft will write itself.</p><p>I did start a short story in, like, October? Great idea. Impossible to execute... so far. </p><p>May 2023 be the year of insane productivity across all domains (paid work, study, creative endeavours, consumption of books, music and film/TV for joy and cataloguing said consumption).</p><p><b>MUSIC - SEPTEMBER</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/7clddrq3GtUie2WDBWEnuu?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p>24 books over (almost) 5 months (I'll add any I read in the days of Dec as we go). No, I'm not going to write in-depth about each one. So sue me.</p><p><b>Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p><b>Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p><b>No One Writes to the Colonel and Other Stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez</b> (short stories, audiobook)</p><p><b>Vladimir by Julia May Jonas</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Less</b>* and <b>Less is Lost</b> by Andrew Sean Greer (novels, audiobooks) - re-read the first in preparation for the sequel, which suffered from sequelitis.</p><p><b>The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen</b> (novel, audiobook) - good, often great, but strange. I think I appreciated the note at the end explaining the origin of the story, but it didn't quite excuse the abrupt end to the narrative which made it feel like half a novel.</p><p><b>Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer</b> (novel, audiobook) - I will never read another book by JVM, sorry.</p><p><b>A Brief History of Equality by Thomas Piketty</b> (non-fiction, audiobook) - could have been less brief, perhaps?</p><p><b>The Overstory by Richard Powers</b> (novel, audiobook) - overlong.</p><p><b>Leviathan by Philip Hoare</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC - OCTOBER</b><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/08r3EGdc4zXAH16EbIVI7z?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></p><p><br /></p><p><b>BOOKS, continued</b></p><p><b>I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy</b> (non-fiction, audiobook) - tremendous. </p><p><b>Send Nudes by Saba Sams</b> (short stories, audiobook) - if I didn't have the aid of my Libby and Audible histories, this is the book I would have the most trouble remembering to include on this list.</p><p><b>Gabriel's Bay by Catherine Robertson</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>How to Loiter in a Turf War by Coco Solid </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Good Behaviour by Molly Keane</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Good Pop, Bad Pop by Jarvis Cocker</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p><b>Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p><b>Ngā Kete Mātauranga: Māori Scholarship at the research interface</b>, Jacinta Ruru & Linda Waimarie (Eds)</p><p><b>The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida</b> <b>by Shehan Karunatilaka </b>(novel, audiobook) - made me wish I chose to read Chinaman first.</p><p><b>Home Before Night by JP Pomare</b> (novel, audiobook) - not his best work.</p><p><b>Liberation Day by George Saunders</b> (short stories, audiobook) - might be his best work, though it suffers a bit from Murakamism (feels like the same stories, but retold better and weirder)</p><p><b>Wawata by Hinemoa Elder </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p><b>Grand by Noelle McCarthy </b>(non-fiction, audiobook) - v v v v good</p><p><b>Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Either/Or by Elif Batuman </b>(novel, audiobook).</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>MUSIC - NOVEMBER</b></p>NA - available via HR system 1.2<p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Hacks, Season 2</p><p>The White Lotus Season 2</p><p>House of the Dragon Season 1</p><p>The Rehearsal Season 1</p><p>Industry Seasons 1 & 2</p><p>Derry Girls Seasons 1-3</p><p>Taskmaster NZ Season 3 and UK Season 14</p><p>Mr Harrigan's Phone</p><p>I Came By</p><p>The Redeem Team</p><p>Plus: every piece of Sacramento Kings content I can... LIGHT THE BEAM!!</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC - DECEMBER</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/55w7YO5rBnqPRq0p5dnXx7?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-11481805829970472502022-08-07T15:18:00.003+12:002022-08-07T15:20:42.441+12:00Consumption Diary: May, June and July 2022<p><b>MUSIC: MAY</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/1v6urGLL7rGnm0OHq334YL?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><p><b>CAPTAIN'S LOG</b></p><p>So last time I was not-so-quietly pleased with myself for having knocked out a first draft of a short novel. I haven't done much with it since then, because life. As in:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>post-COVID frailty and winter cold and flu season meant my kids missed 3 weeks of school each last term</li><li>I started my doctorate (DBA), which involves 6 papers in the first 12 months and then 2 years full-time on the thesis after that, which means lectures and assignments for the first time in *checks notes* 18 years!?</li><li>I needed to let the novel sit anyway. I still haven't quite figured out how to re-up the ending to make the payoff match the set-up AND the twist. </li><li>While letting it sit/stew, I did some research for some of the characters, like reading Jordan B Peterson and watching all of Lost.</li></ul><div>Some of the above reasons/excuses/humblebrags (Lost is loooong, dude) help explain why I haven't done one of these consumption diaries for 3+ months, too. So I haven't gone to any lengths to write about the books individually. And the film & TV list is incomplete as I don't take notes as I watch things and, unlike Libby, Audible or physical book shelves, streaming apps such at helping you remember what you watched and when... by design?</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, now that I'm studying again, I'm reading a lot of journal articles and using Endnote... but don't expect any of that consumption to make it into these entries, though some of my fave books from last year (Braiding Sweetgrass and Sand Talk) are definitely part of my research area.</div><p></p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5QtTl9sFrH3G4jaXtxyscamTwkR-A-zE-4x7tAjDVr27LpO2BBq_lMIIoWGP6liGpXdlT5ATYlyJVBNp8x0cwDh-xrz1aBKUXa4Eii_-J8FBo6DovJj5XJMrOFLzD3lU1W5967S9fKqqnWxsZLjjGD-Gf_Kuo6vOXgo7wGrUr-LcL-0OEODWn66Y/s614/adversary.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5QtTl9sFrH3G4jaXtxyscamTwkR-A-zE-4x7tAjDVr27LpO2BBq_lMIIoWGP6liGpXdlT5ATYlyJVBNp8x0cwDh-xrz1aBKUXa4Eii_-J8FBo6DovJj5XJMrOFLzD3lU1W5967S9fKqqnWxsZLjjGD-Gf_Kuo6vOXgo7wGrUr-LcL-0OEODWn66Y/w130-h200/adversary.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><b>The Adversary by Emmanuel Carrere </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)<p></p><p><b>Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Vladmir by Julia May Jonas </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan </b>(novella, audiobook)</p><p><b>Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>The Snow Leopard Project and other adventures in warzone conservation by Alex Dehgan </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p><b>Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Something New Under the Sun by Alexandra Kleeman </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>Lean Fall Stand by Jon McGregor </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p><b>12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)... research for a teenage character, I swear!</p><p><b>Rat King Landlord by Murdoch Stephens </b>(novel, physical book, NZ)</p><p><b>Down from Upland by Murdoch Stephens </b>(novel, physical book, NZ)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC: JUNE</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/42sIGUxnYj2gLh5uL8TNLy?utm_source=generator&theme=0" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><p><br /></p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Lost, Seasons 1-6</p><p>Parks & Rec - Seasons 3-7*</p><p>Hacks, Season 1</p><p>Better Call Saul, Season 6</p><p>Barry, Season 3</p><p>The Pentaverate, Season 1</p><p>The Peanut Butter Falcon</p><p>Midsommar</p><p>Hustle</p><p>The Reader</p><p>Those Who Wish Me Dead</p><p>Spiderhead</p><p>Space Jam: A New Legacy</p><p>Zombieland: Double Tap</p><p>Old</p><p>The Gray Man</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC: JULY</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2GoZ1wYXLNuyCbygq4NPg1?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-35535167532334990202022-04-30T20:53:00.000+12:002022-04-30T20:53:03.738+12:00March & April Consumption Diary (with writing update)<p><b>MUSIC - MARCH</b></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/0J9BkRJ9kC9qeKE68TfXnV?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><br /></p><p><b>WRITING</b></p><p>On the 4th of March I started work to expand my short story, 'Ambient Ecstasy', which I wrote late last year and was published in <i>The Listener </i>as part of their summer reading series, into a short novel. By short, I was picturing 40,000 words. The short story was about 1,200 words.</p><p>On 25 April, I finished the first draft, which clocked in at 32,180 words.</p><p>Disclaimer 1: I was on day three of testing positive for COVID, so the final days of drafting were a little cloudy.</p><p>Disclaimer 2: I knew at the time that there were some additional scenes/chapters I'd need to write as part of the 2nd draft, but I'd made it to the end and would need to go back to the start to figure out where these additional bits went. The second half has a different narrative form to the first, with multiple narrators, so there'll be quite a bit of moving chunks around between now and settling on the final form.</p><p>Right now, I'm mid-way through a full read-through. This involves noting down things to add in, or sections that need to be sped up, or spruced up, or made consistent with later chapters, and also making some quick tweaks as I go.</p><p>The aim is to be done with the 2nd draft by mid-May... and we'll see what's left to do when I get to that point.</p><p>16 days into the first draft I released what needed to happen in the second half, and stopped to write a short essay about the realisation and how I'd reconceptualised the book. I'll have to return to that, too, when the book is a little closer to its final form.</p><p>It feels good to be writing again, even if it is in 500-700 word chunks every morning before the kids wake up and my days get hectic. And writing through COVID (my daughter caught it first, then my wife, then my son, and I was almost done with my 7 day isolation as a household contact before I tested positive). Day two was the worst: body aches and it felt like I was going to run a big fever, but then day three I felt almost normal, only to get a massive head cold that lasted the next three days. I just have a dry cough now. My brain is slightly muddled, but I figure that's 2 weeks of house arrest with other sickies, while working in between the stat days.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ-kfPdaw3w3faFNC85KAfpDO7kPxgMa7wdZsVw2l08GhockByVIYr2zM50KT5AMspTuFj1uVRXsSyXBb5nPxsCD4mheAbtEwZwqdEb8Pu-3Te_go6FUxpoINnq4IeqgPokImOZgNqmzuRT6UsQCjcJVmUsFtM4lc84Z-HWuTJxFZcvBbYb7sbT4A/s1200/My%20project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ-kfPdaw3w3faFNC85KAfpDO7kPxgMa7wdZsVw2l08GhockByVIYr2zM50KT5AMspTuFj1uVRXsSyXBb5nPxsCD4mheAbtEwZwqdEb8Pu-3Te_go6FUxpoINnq4IeqgPokImOZgNqmzuRT6UsQCjcJVmUsFtM4lc84Z-HWuTJxFZcvBbYb7sbT4A/w400-h209/My%20project.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson</b> (novel, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Classic Stephenson.</p><p>A big, glorious, only-slightly-ludicrous (giant hogs vs meth gators!) examination of what might happen when certain low-lying territories take climate action into their own hands. Goes deep into the science and doesn't do the same for the morality, though this isn't completely shirked. </p><p><b>Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir</b> (novel, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Another long, hard-leaning sci-fi that I just lapped up. Similar to <i>The Martian</i>, but also different enough. Which do I prefer? Maybe this one?</p><p><b>Loop Tracks by Sue Orr </b>(novel, phys/audiobook, 2021)</p><p>I started reading this as a physical book but anyone whose read one of these consumption diaries knows I struggle with physical books these days. The act of reading sends me to sleep, regardless of the content.</p><p>So I restarted this as an audiobook when it appeared on Audible and man, it was so great. </p><p>Lot's of the coverage focussed on the early section of the novel when abortions were illegal in NZ but not Australia, but the later sections, set amid the first nationwide COVID lockdown in 2020, were a triumph in their own right. I think in twenty years, it'll be interesting to see which parts people focus on.</p><p>As an aside, man I wish more NZ books were available as audiobooks!</p><p><b>Halibut on the Moon by David Vann</b> (novel, audiobook, 2017)</p><p>Oh, what's this? Another NZ book? Well, it qualified for the Ockhams in 2020 and made the fiction short-list, by virtue of a) Vann being an NZ resident and b) the book being crazy good. It didn't win (Aue by Becky Manawatu did), and probably wasn't a great look for our biggest book prize to go to something set in the US by a US national... But as I say, it's very, very good.</p><p>David Vann has written this book a few times. From the amazing story collection <i>Legend of a Suicide</i> to <i>Caribou Island</i> and I think a few others (honestly, I got a bit tired of it all for a while there)... but <i>Halibut </i>manages to traverse the same ground (retelling the author's father's suicide, this time sticking only to the father's perspective) in such a sharp, manic way. He feels like Thomas McGuane or Barry Hannah protagonist. And knowing how this story has ended before, and the rug that was pulled in <i>Legend</i>, there's an incredible extra-textual tension.</p><p>I still probably rate <i>Legend </i>higher, for the way it plays with the story collection form, but if you prefer novels, you might want to start here.</p><p><b>Clothes clothes clothes music music music boys boys boys by Viv Albertine</b> (memoir, audiobook, 2014)</p><p>Really enjoyed this. I remembered The Slits cover of 'Heard it Through the Grapevine' but that's about all I knew of Albertine's career in punk. It was facinating how connected she was with acts like The Clash and the Sex Pistols, and what happened after the Slits broke up, and her return to music after the housewife interregnum.</p><p>Great stuff.</p><p><b>Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff</b> (novel, audiobook, 2015)</p><p>I wanted to like this more than I did. Maybe I just don't have much love left for the kind of epic, smartypants American novels (think Donna Tartt and Jonathan Franzen)? So much of it just felt false. Sometimes I like false. Even inside the book, the falsest part (Lancelot becoming a famous playwright) was the most interesting. But as a whole... </p><p><b>Your Ad Could Go Here by Oksana Zabuzhko</b> (short stories, audiobook, translated, 2018)</p><p>Yes, I thought I should read a Ukrainian book and landed on this after some research. And maybe it's impossible to be <i>that</i> book people go to for the wrong reasons. Like, say NZ was invaded by Chile (sorry, Chilenos, just an example!), which book should people read? That's the kind of question that can power a decent podcast, but it's not something that actually has an answer. The answer to which book is always the next and then another and then another.</p><p><b>Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen </b>(short stories, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Didn't pick this to read a Chinese novel (someone recommended it to me), and I kind of forgot it was short stories at first. The first story feels like the start of a novel, but not a particularly good one. And then it ends in a non-good way. The next couple of stories are much stronger, but whenever the stories get too journalistic, I lost interest.</p><p><b>The Fell by Sarah Moss</b> (novel, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Really interesting to compare this lockdown-UK-style novel to <i>Loop Tracks</i>. This is the third of Moss's novels I've read after <i>Ghost Wall</i> (2018) and <i>Summerwater </i>(2020), in part because they are short and audiobooks are readily available. I'm in love with the idea of short novels (see "Writing" above) but none of these quite hit the mark for me. The further removed from <i>Ghost Wall</i>, the more I think it'll end up being my favourite of hers.</p><p><b>Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler</b> (novel, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Meandering and dull. Felt like the first draft. The get it all out, all the stuff that actually happened and the big thing I invented to make it fiction, so I can then unearth what the true point of it is. </p><p><b>How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie</b> (novel, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Really disliked this book. And it's not the sort of thing you want to Google. Just keep moving.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MOVIES & TV</b></p><p>Our Flag Means Death - Season 1</p><p>Biography: WWE Legends - Season 1</p><p>Winning Time - Season 1 (ongoing)</p><p>Abbott Elementary - Season 1</p><p>Moon Knight - first 3 eps of Season 1 before abandoning</p><p>The Bubble</p><p>Nightmare Alley</p><p>Heat</p><p>Motherless Brooklyn</p><p>Soylent Green</p><p>Parks & Rec - started re-watching from Season 2 (ongoing)</p><p>Lost - first 2 eps of Season 1 (thinking of rewatching - never watched all the eps first time around...losts of hints of Damon Lindelof's later shows, but also lots of network elements... and 25 eps a season... Season 1 is almost as long as the full run of The Leftovers!)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC - APRIL</b></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/0Y7Bnvsxg6AzFnzrQsdt0W?utm_source=generator&theme=0" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-89147819158895031952022-02-27T09:19:00.004+13:002022-02-27T09:19:36.698+13:00January & February 2022 Consumption Diary<p>MUSIC - JAN</p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/35GhmYAh3kZvRvs8814QP3?utm_source=generator&theme=0" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><br /></p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p>14 books in 9 weeks. Not on pace for 100. Cae Sera.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN7tdhNiux9PkpHwoYJbNbnLemTbgsh9x4vbqc8Qm00CXeTS0BUuPtL9eSJXS-dAb_f3pqiNNZoKup_z9tZV2fyV7CWCr_xmoBteQ03VZd-b7ytZknj1_Qgp5FzIVg9Pf7Ijo6JmCKMr5Xm2fDOgymToshVCMwAVbKNZZ6m9i7YBm63Fx2IQiF0AMz=s2550" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="2550" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN7tdhNiux9PkpHwoYJbNbnLemTbgsh9x4vbqc8Qm00CXeTS0BUuPtL9eSJXS-dAb_f3pqiNNZoKup_z9tZV2fyV7CWCr_xmoBteQ03VZd-b7ytZknj1_Qgp5FzIVg9Pf7Ijo6JmCKMr5Xm2fDOgymToshVCMwAVbKNZZ6m9i7YBm63Fx2IQiF0AMz=w527-h350" width="527" /></a></p><p><b>The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz</b> (novel, US, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Absolutely hooked by the first half (struggling mid-list author and creative writing teacher takes plot from deceased student, becomes best-seller, receives anonymous messages threatening to out him). Let down by the second (obvious twist thanks to there being no other candidates).</p><p><b>The Proof is in the Plants by Simon Hill</b> (non-fiction, Australia, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>This was the book that helped rationalise what I wanted to do with my diet anyway. We've been getting Green Diner Table (vegan food boxes) for the last month, and at least one of the kids is up for it. Still very much in the flexitarian category: if it has been cooked and would go to waste, the sins of refusal outweigh the sins of moderate consumption... for now.</p><p><b>A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib </b>(non-fiction, US, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Good, if uneven, essay collection on black creativity which is perhaps better remembered as a topic-driven memoir.</p><p><b>When I was a Child I Read Books</b> (non-fiction, US, audiobook, 2012)</p><p>A topic-driven memoir that just never grabbed me. Perhaps its the Christian underpinning? I kinda let it gloss over me, TBH.</p><p><b>The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green </b>(non-fiction, US, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>I didn't have high hopes from this survey of recent human endeavour from the author of popular YA novels that spawn somewhat popular movies... But I really enjoyed it. There's something stupidly delicious about giving things like plagues (book was written amidst the first wave of COVID) and the QWERTY keyboard a score out of five like a YELP review. Despite the title, it doesn't set out to do more than it actually achieve. Two ticks.</p><p><b>Lifespan: The Revolutionary Science of Why We Age - and Why We Don't Have To by David A. Sinclair </b>(non-fiction, Australia, audiobook, 2019)</p><p>I'm still not sure I will, or want to, live to 120, but I'm a little more optimistic for my kids. Published before COVID swept the globe, it's got some portentious comments on the risk of viruses undoing much of the gains in human lifespan discussed in the book.</p><p><b>The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman </b>(non-fiction, US, audiobook, 2022)</p><p>Unlike Green's book, Klosterman's is supposed to be more timebound, but it feels rougher and more superficial. The bad kind of book-written-in-lockdown. Lots on presidential elections. Very little personality, which is weird for Klosterman. Disappointing.</p><p><b>The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood </b>(novel, Australia, audiobook, 2015)</p><p>It was odd reading this after Wood's book on craft (The Luminous Solution). It destablised my foundations. But will I think much about this book (plot or craft) much in 12 months?</p><p><b>The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World by Lewis Hyde</b> (non-fiction, US, audiobook, 1983)</p><p>A long, fulsome examination of gift economies and how this might apply to the act of writing (particularly poetry), with two extensive case studies/counter examples of Walt Whitman and Ezra Pound.</p><p>The last chapter left me dumbfounded. The way it summarised my nascent feelings about writing, particuarly the question "Why write (with no guarantee of readership or financial reward)?" I suspect I will return to that chapter multiple times over the coming years.</p><p><b>Binge by Douglas Coupland</b> (short stories, Canada, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>60 very short stories, read by a range of narrators in the audiobook version, from the aging don of finger-on-the-pulse-itude. Coupland still has no qualms about hopping into different identities (though he is perhaps more constrained when it comes to race), and a less generous reader could probably find fault in most of these tableau, but it's Coupland. There's enough connection between the stories that it could have been sold as a novel-in-stories (heaven forbid), but it's just a rollicking good time amid the opioid crisis, a global pandemic and the kind of information overload he's been preaching since I was in primary school but finally WE ALL GET IT.</p><p><b>True Crime Story by Joseph Knox</b> (novel, UK, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Risked being too fancy by half. But succeeded with this reader. Looking at some of the reviews and engagement with Knox on social media, not everyone got it (it's a novel presented as non-fiction, based mostly on the work of Knox's female writer friend with some of his own additions after her death).</p><p><b>The Writer's Crusade: Kurt Vonnegut and the Many Lives of Slaughterhouse Five by Tom Roston</b> (non-fiction, US, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>Opens with the claim that Vonnegut and a fellow POW may have hunted down and killed one of their guards from the camp in Dresden. Even as Roston relays this theory, he distances himself from it, saying ultimately he doesn't believe it happened. But without it, the book is a little flat. And with it, the book is lacking integrity.</p><p><b>Treacle Walker by Alan Garner</b> (novella, UK, audiobook, 2021)</p><p>So this is who Max Porter's ripping off :) </p><p><b>The Regional Office is Under Attack! by Manuel Gonzales</b> (novel, US, audiobook, 2021) </p><p>Loved the first few chapters. It felt like the very close third person of a George Saunders short story. But that self-correcting, multi-clausal, sweary mode can really start to drag after a while. And the back and forth structure (and yes, the more fantastical elements, which are never really my bag) didn't help keep me hooked.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Station Eleven: Season 1 - Makes me wanna re-watch The Leftovers.</p><p>Yellowjackets: Season 1 - yessir, we 90's kids are officially the target market for nostalgia</p><p>Starstruck: Season 2</p><p>After Life: Season 3</p><p>Boyhood</p><p>Motherless Brooklyn</p><p>Home Team</p><p>The French Dispatch</p><p>Chaos Walking</p><p>Heathers</p><p>The Masked Singer (US): Season 5 + I Can See Your Voice: Season 1 - the kids enjoy these...</p><p><br /></p><p>MUSIC - FEB</p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/35GhmYAh3kZvRvs8814QP3?utm_source=generator&theme=0" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0Dunedin, New Zealand-45.8795455 170.5005957-70.595207013058342 135.3443457 -21.163883986941656 -154.34315430000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-11978775108679010872022-01-31T18:42:00.000+13:002022-02-05T18:49:42.315+13:00This Fluid Thrill Awards: Best Books I read in 2021Not the best books that came out in 2021, just the best books I read in that calendar year. Same story as for <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-fluid-thrill-book-awards-best.html">2020</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html">2019</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2019/01/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-books-i_13.html">2018</a>, <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html">2017</a>, (...), <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2015/02/belated-best-reading-2014.html">2014</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2013.html">2013</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2013/01/best-reads-of-2012.html">2012</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-books-i-read-in-2011.html">2011</a>, & <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-of-2010-reading.html">2010</a>.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I first tweeted out my 2021 top 10 (with GIFs!) in December, which kinda took the heat out of me actually doing this post. But when I finally got around to it, I realised my list of 89 books read was missing one. <div><br /></div><div>And that book should have been in my top 10. <div><br /></div><div>Shit. I mean, THIS BOOK WAS MY NUMBER ONE.<div><br /></div><div>How did this happen? I must've read <i>this book</i> over the crest of two months, thereby leaving it out of my monthly/bi-monthly consumption diary, which I used to create my Excel list of titles for ranking and statistical dissection.</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's start with #1 and taiho on the pie charts for a tick.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>1. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason</b> (novel, audiobook, NZ, 2020)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMi4PQxRUx_iVhBiyS8YHhP9szDoAdwEbvV6udmXKlZTsKJySV9qrOinEv87W252UY__xTRkGo3jD2MmXn2l6CLjq9FJdfN1nHeJj3COoH-dWjXGXaHjrJUG1iVN6GLA6QF9WziFeRRAsUO4hYdgSxEbxhCIZltCNQaWHvzptkc8M5738nLv7w5LZQ=s648" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="424" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMi4PQxRUx_iVhBiyS8YHhP9szDoAdwEbvV6udmXKlZTsKJySV9qrOinEv87W252UY__xTRkGo3jD2MmXn2l6CLjq9FJdfN1nHeJj3COoH-dWjXGXaHjrJUG1iVN6GLA6QF9WziFeRRAsUO4hYdgSxEbxhCIZltCNQaWHvzptkc8M5738nLv7w5LZQ=w209-h320" width="209" /></a></div><br /></div><div>This novel is funny. This novel is dark. It's like a perfectly weighted handgun. Like someone you hate saying the quiet part loud. Like the thrill of having your stitches pulled and the anticipation of whether your flesh will hold. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's a caesura at the centre. An illness afflicts the narrator, Martha. It's mental, it's genetic, it explains a lot... only it's referred to as "--"in the physical book and "x" in the audiobook. It's not meant to stand in for any one particular real-life illness. In the wrong hands, this vagueness, this game-playing, would cheapen everything. But Martha is so completely rendered, so real, such good company on the page, that we feel this diagnostic void as she must have in all those years before its absence, and even since. What power does naming have over chemistry? Over years of interpersonal muscle memory?</div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to read it again immediately after finishing it. This is a thing people say, but I rarely ever feel.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to read it again now. For a raft of reasons, both to do with the book and events in the lives of friends and family.</div><div><br /></div><div>None of this has anything to do with the fact Meg Mason was born in Foxton, but that, too, is awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivubRSMuE29QuXGUu6zZipbhOJM008sBkeQSpQHWVz1vVYZwsKWsEkOEylgXi-RWzJZ6ka7SMzT56HKre8Ez2xIOJRm-f3w8Ep3hqIGc3MV-ZryN-MPGX-czwLtHxrg0n2h7LiArLTaNzkHQ5yZDt3LoIGwumNcx2G71t9gHS3gl-PVyJaafBMFtss=s2621" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="1630" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivubRSMuE29QuXGUu6zZipbhOJM008sBkeQSpQHWVz1vVYZwsKWsEkOEylgXi-RWzJZ6ka7SMzT56HKre8Ez2xIOJRm-f3w8Ep3hqIGc3MV-ZryN-MPGX-czwLtHxrg0n2h7LiArLTaNzkHQ5yZDt3LoIGwumNcx2G71t9gHS3gl-PVyJaafBMFtss=w124-h200" width="124" /></a><b>2. Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan</b> (novel, audiobook, UK, 2020)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/10/september-october-2021-consumption-diary.html">in October</a>:</div><div><br /></div><i>So good. A top ten book of my reading year for sure. Friendship, youth, music and loss all intertwine. 1980's Glasgow and Edinburgh shine through, as does this novel's winning heart.</i><div><br /></div><div>The best book about mates, mortality and music I have read.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLKm7U9_bFYtelwDA-b7oUPVWDrXPNy8wXCEfRmGlel7UZxCFNm0NYLlwjEbYm415tmj1pwkbjW211XRgzhOs5usCjPEjEQAzI9v9F8azfPB1Py0AB7JTTIKAjfFTSZ7o4AyqOMlvY7EcsLBMtqjzN8EbUhALY_mncnOcB_5LS6V48XWP1XL0O68ZQ=s800" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLKm7U9_bFYtelwDA-b7oUPVWDrXPNy8wXCEfRmGlel7UZxCFNm0NYLlwjEbYm415tmj1pwkbjW211XRgzhOs5usCjPEjEQAzI9v9F8azfPB1Py0AB7JTTIKAjfFTSZ7o4AyqOMlvY7EcsLBMtqjzN8EbUhALY_mncnOcB_5LS6V48XWP1XL0O68ZQ=w125-h200" width="125" /></a><div><br /></div><br />3<b>. A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2021)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about in in August:</div><br /><i>SOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD.<br /><br />Maybe I'm starved of down-to-earth literary criticism, but this book was probably the biggest encouragement to start writing again of anything I've read, done, seen or heard this year</i><br /><br /><div>A degustation menu with an avuncular, expert guide. The slow food revolution for the short story. Read me more, Daddy!<br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizr5aJUPAjB5Ff53ASmbSEjxpzCrFO0h0SO-Ga0mHZIXp0E2HBeIOJ7gN5GzwGi9jGbyvZe-vrOHgbY5JgDNucb8lrfNZbiQTZiK1fOvmKBLI-Ps7wNEZNUstOjwDggsdIOjiJfPNwUESg2hyu6X3F00ev2a-HlTlmpM7PujPmdLkhAE8NYlDAJGcW" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizr5aJUPAjB5Ff53ASmbSEjxpzCrFO0h0SO-Ga0mHZIXp0E2HBeIOJ7gN5GzwGi9jGbyvZe-vrOHgbY5JgDNucb8lrfNZbiQTZiK1fOvmKBLI-Ps7wNEZNUstOjwDggsdIOjiJfPNwUESg2hyu6X3F00ev2a-HlTlmpM7PujPmdLkhAE8NYlDAJGcW" width="93" /></a></div><br />4. Earthlings by Sakata Murata</b> (novel, audiobook, Japan, 2020)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about in <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/02/january-2021-consumption-diary.html">January</a>:</div><br /><i>A gem. I loved it from the first sentence. I worried for a bit that it was going to swerve too much into the territory of </i>Convenience Store Woman<i>, but it remained enough of it’s own thing to be a triumph!</i><br /><br /><div>Go weird into that good night! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>5. No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood</b> (novel, audiobook, US, 2021)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlwe4WOKExyw3V2wYZMJgMcbXk4bBfATsMpZTu28iUUN4VT-ZjT_weA11FrKy6LKjp_AW8h--uTjepaETmtappa65D8Uovyso7-xcqmezd69q7eSRv9MrTYeK8ZRnawcu8cVNM-fVoug0rilI2UI5SjsRn_9PdFtboZtTVrhjXUFufqvMI2x5wqT_5=s475" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlwe4WOKExyw3V2wYZMJgMcbXk4bBfATsMpZTu28iUUN4VT-ZjT_weA11FrKy6LKjp_AW8h--uTjepaETmtappa65D8Uovyso7-xcqmezd69q7eSRv9MrTYeK8ZRnawcu8cVNM-fVoug0rilI2UI5SjsRn_9PdFtboZtTVrhjXUFufqvMI2x5wqT_5=w124-h200" width="124" /></a>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/07/june-consumption-diary.html">in June</a>:</div><br /><i>Gonna call it now: this is the funniest book I will read all year. <br /><br />Is it a novel? Is it another autobiography, veiled this time by the third person pronouns? Is it longform poetry?<br /><br />Answer: it is the natural end result when language and attention and logic come out the other side of being "extremely online".<br /><br />Buy a ticket, buckle up and enjoy the ride.</i><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMRhmsgc078s9RPZ2JzDHm_4PMEATTeDZJKxv7_cNhLRim_X2yUbqe5TW9M5-y1NqDx15bVxM_jVo1GRsu6B3VbUpcidima8vSMFmIByhF9RpeJCPfmw9L3qNO358no4Fvc3OpMjBjq3bgZFv82BLzMc5I360M7Mo5h30OrMWPTAVbKF9MYvj3xcT9=s4682" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4682" data-original-width="3052" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMRhmsgc078s9RPZ2JzDHm_4PMEATTeDZJKxv7_cNhLRim_X2yUbqe5TW9M5-y1NqDx15bVxM_jVo1GRsu6B3VbUpcidima8vSMFmIByhF9RpeJCPfmw9L3qNO358no4Fvc3OpMjBjq3bgZFv82BLzMc5I360M7Mo5h30OrMWPTAVbKF9MYvj3xcT9=w131-h200" width="131" /></a><br /><br /><b>6. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2013)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/07/june-consumption-diary.html">in June</a>:</div><br /><i>Right book, right time. One test of a book is how often you bring it up in conversation and I've been able to refer to, and evangelise about, </i>Braiding Sweetgrass<i> often in the weeks since reading it.<br /><br />It ranges widely - and does drift in parts, being rather long - but the topic is so broad (see that subtitle) and the process of decolonising the thinking of a reader such as me when it comes to plants takes time.<br /><br /></i><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVS6VxNLBe8dH_TnLL2IA2XgrcwW_c3bg0Dtu_bSG4ZtUfIviiwJcL0ziY7h060jkGm-iLtOCb40ltSbzW9kE_O5LQd0GMh-Pnk2dZ7dD-0MDV-d7agfdqum9bIsLlwXl_0ytm0F6njIdfVz83naCGrwV4mzx9Ql23LIdpOAEQjEHvflcBvjPPR3A8=s2764" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="1807" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVS6VxNLBe8dH_TnLL2IA2XgrcwW_c3bg0Dtu_bSG4ZtUfIviiwJcL0ziY7h060jkGm-iLtOCb40ltSbzW9kE_O5LQd0GMh-Pnk2dZ7dD-0MDV-d7agfdqum9bIsLlwXl_0ytm0F6njIdfVz83naCGrwV4mzx9Ql23LIdpOAEQjEHvflcBvjPPR3A8=w131-h200" width="131" /></a><b>7. Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, Australia, 2019)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/12/november-december-2021-consumption-diary.html">in December</a>:</div><div><br /></div><i>Wow. Read this immediately after reading <a href="https://literaryminded.medium.com/writing-and-reading-towards-climate-action-12db7b692741">this piece by Angela Meyer</a>. Thank you Angela and thank you Tyson (and thank you Audible and I guess, grudgingly, Amazon, for making this book free to all members so hopefully many more will read/listen to this and extend the yarning).<br /><br />Books like this raise interesting questions about form. As an audiobook narrated by the author it more closely resembles the kind of yarning and sand talk at the heart of the culture Yunkaporta shares, but the listener misses out on the sand talk symbols as visual things (my brain, at least, cannot follow extended descriptions of unique symbols). In the end, all books are imperfect and incomplete in whatever form they take, and it's the work of the reader to complete the circle.</i><br /><br /><div><br /><b>8. Islands of Decolonial Love by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson </b>(short stories, audiobook, Canada, 2013)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcAM86wl7jHuE7SYAeqYB6x5_zH9buxapDcLvtVRq3FBoTYUqiLA-RkgaPdRn3mkemUKjtuhcCsVre0-W5NkJwte5QmXhi9jz0Oenb9Rq4I9vJEtlnmi21-fd0zvtemrc9wRUaNgaIYkjFkIglOM74pakCbG_2Hj8R1GLEKv02CB6cj_FwQMa6GDK7=s1379" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcAM86wl7jHuE7SYAeqYB6x5_zH9buxapDcLvtVRq3FBoTYUqiLA-RkgaPdRn3mkemUKjtuhcCsVre0-W5NkJwte5QmXhi9jz0Oenb9Rq4I9vJEtlnmi21-fd0zvtemrc9wRUaNgaIYkjFkIglOM74pakCbG_2Hj8R1GLEKv02CB6cj_FwQMa6GDK7=w131-h200" width="131" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/05/april-consumption-diary.html">in May</a>:</div><br /><i>Wow. This book is exciting. It starts out with short stories in a recognisable, North American mold. It felt a little like a first nation's </i>Jesus' Son<i> - and then the stories lean more into Nishnaabeg modes and language. Another bad comparison: it felt like the bait and switch in David Vann's </i>Legend of a Suicide<i> where the death (the dyer?) in the second half is unexpected and makes you re-evaluate everything. This time, it's like: where those first stories good on their own terms or were they bait to lure me in.</i><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHbbLv1UIINQwM7I3YUqKC6w1vzRMJolGrt1GCL3iBXJmnOrGR-db1852DgbvlMP6JVjCXBg0b9OxkqXMi41B_IyRS4V2RdvSHl22rCnLmFbaBCgwDvk2Zjen_SD0K9ch4xIxEUDf6P05q5DgLjvColIzZp51XKsIq6Hsz7JcY16FPSDAT-6BQzHZC=s253" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="166" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHbbLv1UIINQwM7I3YUqKC6w1vzRMJolGrt1GCL3iBXJmnOrGR-db1852DgbvlMP6JVjCXBg0b9OxkqXMi41B_IyRS4V2RdvSHl22rCnLmFbaBCgwDvk2Zjen_SD0K9ch4xIxEUDf6P05q5DgLjvColIzZp51XKsIq6Hsz7JcY16FPSDAT-6BQzHZC=w131-h200" width="131" /></a><b>9. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary </b>(novel, audiobook, UK, 2019)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/07/june-consumption-diary.html">in June</a>:</div><br /><i>Okay, so, hear me out. I enjoy reading romance...<br /><br />The set-up (a male hospice nurse who works nights rents out his flat 7pm to 7am to a junior book editor so he can pay legal fees for his brother, and the two flatmates only converse through post-it notes...) is super hooky. <br /><br />Sometimes the beats felt like they came with signposts: THIS IS A BEAT.<br /><br />But I devoured it. I like romance. It only took me 38 years. </i><div><br /></div><div>...</div><div><br /></div><div>Which brings us to the 10th spot... Which I'm making two white dudes share because they made my Twitter list and I can't decide who to boot... This is also the point where those of you playing along at home realise that, I've put a romance novel in my top 10 by not Marcel Proust. Yup. <i>Swann's Way</i> came in at 27th, beating 2020's Booker Prize Winner but not the latest Stephen King. Good thing no one is paying that much attention, eh?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfoCZplvWx-Yq7oKwwt1FXHSCm5h4Lhvq59zx6GuEkuT7RZUMxavLa90HqX9emwByx5byQlD51AedKmK3eI3WoMzPuIcEqYWZhF6tpwCr8hPlGjbB591_Tj2CI182eBv_ZPP3Y3PP-peOyfCwt8MQgO23RQWqxTwar4_RqoLtN8JtDsYQa-qL9lWhK=s500" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfoCZplvWx-Yq7oKwwt1FXHSCm5h4Lhvq59zx6GuEkuT7RZUMxavLa90HqX9emwByx5byQlD51AedKmK3eI3WoMzPuIcEqYWZhF6tpwCr8hPlGjbB591_Tj2CI182eBv_ZPP3Y3PP-peOyfCwt8MQgO23RQWqxTwar4_RqoLtN8JtDsYQa-qL9lWhK=w133-h200" width="133" /></a><b>10th= </b><b>Pulphead by John Jeremiah Sullivan </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, US, 2011)</div><div><br /></div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/05/may-consumption-diary-with-extras.html">in May</a>:</div><br /><i>Published in 2011, collecting magazine pieces from even earlier, but it didn't feel dated. Sullivan was tapping into the racial, religious and economic discontent that would propel Trump into the White House - that's part of it. But his voice is so clear, distinct. I really want to read a collection of his essays from the last 10 years...</i><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFDqV0WFHT-7m3WcWAwlFnnn1xL4VF8_swUvlTeohLTeV-c2qEwWx680dPRy-Gd0IUVL9wml-V3yKZqyA41Hswht0LDReV_bhvOry3yiFRtOEURMGqgIZlWVmdl7jPRVf9-BNUXo1gqtNinhIQgRAUaewS1k4EozxkH8IV2NMpu7EuAlyxE9XP4kQr=s354" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFDqV0WFHT-7m3WcWAwlFnnn1xL4VF8_swUvlTeohLTeV-c2qEwWx680dPRy-Gd0IUVL9wml-V3yKZqyA41Hswht0LDReV_bhvOry3yiFRtOEURMGqgIZlWVmdl7jPRVf9-BNUXo1gqtNinhIQgRAUaewS1k4EozxkH8IV2NMpu7EuAlyxE9XP4kQr=w124-h200" width="124" /></a><b>10th= Notes from an Apocalypse by Mark O'Connell </b>(non-fiction, audiobook, UK, 2020)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said about it <a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2021/07/june-consumption-diary.html">in June</a>:</div><div><br /></div><i>This is the book I thought I was going to read when I picked up End Times by Bryan Walsh in May. I wasn't sure if I was ready for more apocalypsia so soon, but O'Connell's book lived up to my (deferred) expectations. Maybe it's homerism, but I enjoyed the section set in NZ the most. Often, that would be the part where the hollowness of the European correspondent rang through, but not here. </i><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>CHART TIME!!</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO_ozxgh2fzXlE4nNTm9sx2dGVezJliWLG3xLhy4whhSprgasrKmvITHR0qPY3LgekCZqRzEwiE-jihKPBuhSVlzaybXnReqahPBzjeRiYGZG02g6uBhnoI7QlYrwhhLdUkevzn19oQCo7QNNBUqmNQeOq_FQpQmGB49IdOnXHv4nSkTeK-FkGLkZl" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="447" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO_ozxgh2fzXlE4nNTm9sx2dGVezJliWLG3xLhy4whhSprgasrKmvITHR0qPY3LgekCZqRzEwiE-jihKPBuhSVlzaybXnReqahPBzjeRiYGZG02g6uBhnoI7QlYrwhhLdUkevzn19oQCo7QNNBUqmNQeOq_FQpQmGB49IdOnXHv4nSkTeK-FkGLkZl" width="290" /></a></div><br /><b>Interpretation:</b> My eyes suck. I've worked hard for nearly two decades to be a good reader with my ears. This enabled me to read 90 total books this year, a significant step up from 66, 61, 42, and 66 in the preceding years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifa5s5iiX4RpUUBYdnlpqChnB7tClJ9jPnEZVyKybw7yHvXAYMqwr3jdfUbA-mc7uSQSMWLokN6G_CajfSQGSL8-kOWPQ6BuhNWByoXgDLlPpHHVliOXYREXGYz_e1so2gw7k63aB-rCk84qwu9jrFJ6TTmFK1v5Rn4rM2FALxiMixuLRCZNAEUBhM" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="444" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifa5s5iiX4RpUUBYdnlpqChnB7tClJ9jPnEZVyKybw7yHvXAYMqwr3jdfUbA-mc7uSQSMWLokN6G_CajfSQGSL8-kOWPQ6BuhNWByoXgDLlPpHHVliOXYREXGYz_e1so2gw7k63aB-rCk84qwu9jrFJ6TTmFK1v5Rn4rM2FALxiMixuLRCZNAEUBhM" width="297" /></a></div><b>Interpretation:</b> Nothing to see here. Novels were 56% of my reading the year before. Moving on.</div><br /></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJGyLGF7ahb1DKioiV2Cqew8SwWXPIGQlSPuT64kyQdKeLpco4btVog-lkdNUUcPO0viJIWJKZSV-2nKU5OxX7uwKn84mq-4cnatMH5T6DuxLTGz6rU08UgsOWbEIdTg3Ss0ottYMKFf-DsNNxmRSfrhAAMFRK8PBKBVSNkQ-QdeulZmssgUGpUlEN" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMWc8gJhlTmRBzXeI4M-G8UIoamAdwsTGQ7W6gCAEM9tNdnSR-97ajL_NweqtV5fTT_ioF08QRkplMDQ6RoEz0ap3Wtu3hu9kPZCRkTjo9yfd737TtF0z8HVuBvfBYez7cLxU3l4o5593J-mmNKnhJB6OKVwsZjcv3J2wKmsfgiG1DQ5fU7Aijab6D" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="454" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMWc8gJhlTmRBzXeI4M-G8UIoamAdwsTGQ7W6gCAEM9tNdnSR-97ajL_NweqtV5fTT_ioF08QRkplMDQ6RoEz0ap3Wtu3hu9kPZCRkTjo9yfd737TtF0z8HVuBvfBYez7cLxU3l4o5593J-mmNKnhJB6OKVwsZjcv3J2wKmsfgiG1DQ5fU7Aijab6D" width="317" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJGyLGF7ahb1DKioiV2Cqew8SwWXPIGQlSPuT64kyQdKeLpco4btVog-lkdNUUcPO0viJIWJKZSV-2nKU5OxX7uwKn84mq-4cnatMH5T6DuxLTGz6rU08UgsOWbEIdTg3Ss0ottYMKFf-DsNNxmRSfrhAAMFRK8PBKBVSNkQ-QdeulZmssgUGpUlEN" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /></div><br />Interpretation: </b>Backslid from 2020 when on 41% of authors identified as male (52% the year before that).</div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj8vOLiruDSo4CWIXV3plrUSqdxiSC_IHHMDNvwp-DsQfEiOJ2YS9Ypriy7aGplfRIST9-36O7Bfe0D3dO2Zb0W2AowOxlaZYJ3mDrX_DRtZpyR0DjBTtjEaU_gfgz-ReDr3AkTSqFDSi7OLHxNkIPQ8jjdjdvA_uE7XUugpRSBaceBtEJHsqVJoqO" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="388" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj8vOLiruDSo4CWIXV3plrUSqdxiSC_IHHMDNvwp-DsQfEiOJ2YS9Ypriy7aGplfRIST9-36O7Bfe0D3dO2Zb0W2AowOxlaZYJ3mDrX_DRtZpyR0DjBTtjEaU_gfgz-ReDr3AkTSqFDSi7OLHxNkIPQ8jjdjdvA_uE7XUugpRSBaceBtEJHsqVJoqO" width="272" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Interpretation: </b>Still a 'work on' (the same old saws about audiobook availability etc etc). 18% in 2020.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIDcTPeL2zkdVfQmru7wjKzROpQ6idp_CrBKjs7zCUr6EEkFi9Ct29FiucYayYELtaiT0oyQn5WguruuEl73NgntS2ggXbWyoNiRs9tcatmls2Skh4jqQp_giZBlK4QW4gL11tVjpqrc0k5s-D3fHqQU7Z1rT9M3MIul4oCHY6jv3GTvpZH6Pm1FLw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="739" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIDcTPeL2zkdVfQmru7wjKzROpQ6idp_CrBKjs7zCUr6EEkFi9Ct29FiucYayYELtaiT0oyQn5WguruuEl73NgntS2ggXbWyoNiRs9tcatmls2Skh4jqQp_giZBlK4QW4gL11tVjpqrc0k5s-D3fHqQU7Z1rT9M3MIul4oCHY6jv3GTvpZH6Pm1FLw=w429-h213" width="429" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Interpretation: </span>In 2020 UK and US tied as most common countries of origin with 20 titles each. US more than doubled its count. Wha' happened?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5SbeotHGExoV-TJGKN7zyiLCvBvBk6WfhjvmTm--NyZOWCeIipeBgpmbTjC3XkzDCLr1mZvjnlayV9e3owB2Rp2Nv6_-FmrFGzQi24Boh-_R-ucCpNGF07zxd2VbJw8aYguhyslBQaiouPJBY3h7-CjLCU5PB1wATTjWj_SfH0HMZG9Cq8fnExWbM" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="420" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5SbeotHGExoV-TJGKN7zyiLCvBvBk6WfhjvmTm--NyZOWCeIipeBgpmbTjC3XkzDCLr1mZvjnlayV9e3owB2Rp2Nv6_-FmrFGzQi24Boh-_R-ucCpNGF07zxd2VbJw8aYguhyslBQaiouPJBY3h7-CjLCU5PB1wATTjWj_SfH0HMZG9Cq8fnExWbM" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: center;">Interpretation: </b><span style="text-align: center;">Kinda follows from the above levels of diversity. Page count might've been different thanks to Proust!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8L96-lTNgd35oVPGgUb2HCmoXjTUu4xgLqIL9_kYe5cjzRQ28AJc9CatQiKtAoZxtCoErAppQXqedR0r0yo-AlQJVDCtbJcsyPeLcfMt_YqW_93jT2iB154ucYFW0uoamoMebGOs5swaWhsoAUZAJJy7CQ0XC_7BhttN1xqpHu6PmS7K-GEHYcNF2" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="531" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8L96-lTNgd35oVPGgUb2HCmoXjTUu4xgLqIL9_kYe5cjzRQ28AJc9CatQiKtAoZxtCoErAppQXqedR0r0yo-AlQJVDCtbJcsyPeLcfMt_YqW_93jT2iB154ucYFW0uoamoMebGOs5swaWhsoAUZAJJy7CQ0XC_7BhttN1xqpHu6PmS7K-GEHYcNF2=w420-h223" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Interpretation:</b> A stab at intersectional analysis. To help decide my top ten list, I rank every book I read out of 100 in a not-very-scientific way (for reference, Sorrow and Bliss got a 95 and Is This Anything by Jerry Seinfeld got 60). But it shows that non-white females out-perform the average. And women edge men in general. There may be some selection bias (perhaps I only read "diverse" books I really think will be good, while I'm more willing to read dudes without knowing much about the book?) or maybe I give these diversity titles a higher score to make me feel like a better person when I'm making my list? Am I really that sad? The jury is still out.</div></div></div></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-2806482986667327472022-01-11T19:56:00.001+13:002022-01-11T19:56:00.216+13:00This Fluid Thrill Music Awards - Best Song of 2021<p>I did albums <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2022/01/this-fluid-thrill-music-awards-best.html">yesterday</a>. Anyone who got in the top 10 for that list can't make this one.</p><p>Before I get to my fave songs released in the year of false hope, here are two songs from 2020 that would have made the list if not for chronology:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>'Glenfern' by Kathleen Edwards </li><li>'Big Wheel' by Samia </li></ul><div>And here's a sprinkling of progressively older songs I didn't discover or properly fall for until 2021:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>'Edge of Town' by Middle Kids (2018)</li><li>'As the Earth Caves In' by Matt Maltese (2018) - even better slowed down for use in memes</li><li>'Ballad of Big Nothing' by Julia Baker (2016 - from an album of Elliot Smith cover songs, Say Yes!)</li><li>'Be Forewarned' by Pentagram (1994) - thanks to Monster Magnet</li><li>'A Penny More' by Skydiggers (1992)</li><li>'I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight' by Richard and Linda Thompson (1974)</li></ul><b>Best songs of 2021: Highly commended</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Cluster 1: Great artists with great new songs... waiting for that next great album</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Time Escaping by Big Thief</b></li><li><b>Old Peel by Aldous Harding</b></li></ul><div>Is Big Thief morphing into tUnE-yArDs? Will Aldous actually release an album in 2022 or just tour (will she even get to tour?)?</div><div><br /></div><div>All this and more will be revealed in the year of hope's faults.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Cluster 2: Songs that I can see all the arguments for NOT listing, and yet...</b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>'See the World' by Brett Dennen</b></li><li><b>'That Funny Feeling' by Bo Burnham</b></li></ul><div>Dennen sounds like Tom Petty, which is a good thing but doesn't make him original or current or whatever. Also, a retiring ESPN journalist quoted the line 'Now I'm planting trees I'll never climb' as she bid adieu. I should hate this song. But I'm not hip enough, I guess. I love it. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>I tried watching Burnham's Netflix special but quickly got bored, so I'd never heard his version of 'That Funny Feeling' until Phoebe Bridgers covered it. Burnham's supposed to be funny, while Bridgers is walking a knife-edge between po-faced and wry... but Burnham's version is the only one that hits. It's like James Taylor doing 'We Didn't Start the Fire', with lyrics rewritten by Patricia Lockwood. It's the <i>Don't Look Up</i> of popular music. And it's singable as all hell.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Top three</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Every time I come back to this list I change my favourite, so for the first time ever I'm not naming one song of the year and copping out with a top three. Maybe it's because none of them rely on nonsense syllables - more's the pity.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>'Andy Sells Coke' by Declan O'Rourke</b></li></ul><span>There's something incredibly earnest about this song, from the jangly Cat Stevensy guitar intro, to way the first line echoes the title and the general big brother looking down on younger fuckup tone ("What kind of life has he got? Maybe none soon if he doesn't stop being something he's not"). </span></div><div><br /></div><div>But then fissures start to open in the 2nd verse. Who is the singer in all this? Might he be Andy singing in the third person? "He'll be dead in five years if he doesn't change something" hits different in that context.</div><div><br /></div><div>But then Andy disappears from the third verse and it's all about the "I"</div><div><br /></div><div><i>How did I end up at the party?</i></div><div><i>I'm the fool who passed out in the chair</i></div><div><i>Just came up to the smoke for the weekend</i></div><div><i>Got a wife and a baby down there</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>And I wake up to these three fucking ghosts</i></div><div><i>Fumbling round for a five in my coat</i></div><div><i>More fool I to be thinking that I could still drink</i></div><div><i>Like I did twenty years ago</i></div><div><i>Flirting with my ego</i></div><div><i>The only thing I need is a one way express out of here</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I'm too old in the tooth to be around this shit</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>(some outro strumming and end song)</div><div><br /></div><div>Typed out like that, it looks as if the "I" of the song is back where he started, holier than thouing despite a minor slip. But the more you listen to the song, the murkier it gets. Both versions of aging are fucked: the guy who never got it together and the guy who did but the veneer is so thin it cracks within hours of hitting the big smoke.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>'Heroes' by Natalie Hemby</b></li></ul>Natalie Hembry is a Nashville singer songwriter who has written for lots of big names, including a song on <i>A Star is Born</i>. She was also part of the Highwomen in 2019 with Brandi Carlile & others. So when she sings:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho49jbEogKwW3xSIu3VPM9_hAMjyoGUv1801NMuaJtOpYWQfLto7OwuzDZeWVsdQZSa453yWMGzEYSEwtMaPqHmQ6i_qqGxUH98eHpfTRrpV8DV4pJzPfwtfIItOG0xpFEj-xU6WQU-9BjuFKqNhqc6Is8TVcqauL85qL5uAJbmDINek1cKnkmTyFU=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho49jbEogKwW3xSIu3VPM9_hAMjyoGUv1801NMuaJtOpYWQfLto7OwuzDZeWVsdQZSa453yWMGzEYSEwtMaPqHmQ6i_qqGxUH98eHpfTRrpV8DV4pJzPfwtfIItOG0xpFEj-xU6WQU-9BjuFKqNhqc6Is8TVcqauL85qL5uAJbmDINek1cKnkmTyFU=s320" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>I don't wanna meet my heroes<br /></i></div><div><i>I just wanna be a face in the crowd</i></div><div><i>If I ever meet my heroes</i></div><div><i>They might let me down</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>There's a lot going on. I think the first is a sense of irony. SHe's not going for Carlile and probably not Lady Gaga or Sheryl Crow. It's probably about dudes (the versus refer to male superheroes like Superman and Spiderman). Which starts to sound very #MeToo, as in lots of the big stars are creeps or worse. Maybe it's a 2021 version of Liz Phair's 'Soap Star Joe'? And there's something BIG about the song sharing a title with one of Bowie's biggest singles.</div><div><br /></div><div>But she doesn't want to cancel her heroes, just not meet them and thus avoid being let down and facing the conundrum. Is this the Schrodinger's Cat of pop culture consumption? If I don't get proof he's a creep, I can still enjoy his music / films / comedy?</div><div><br /></div><div>There's too much irony at play here, all of it couched in the catchiest, slicked production you'll find (for starters: if you want to remain a face in the crowd, stop sounding so amazing! I catch my six year old son singing the chorus sometimes!), for any one reading to win out over another. </div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>'I Wanna Make Promises (That I Can't Keep)' by Whitehorse</b></li></ul>I love song titles with parentheses. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love couplets like: "Let's argue in Ikea, make a scene, go home and fuck / On unassembled furniture fresh off a moving truck"</div><div><br /></div><div>(This song comes from an album called, <i>Modern Love*</i>). </div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*What is it with these possibly inadvertent Bowie references?</span></div></blockquote></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>I love how dark and 2021 this love song is. We're done pretending the rules apply. The parenthesis drop away. We'll say it to each other's face, "knowing that we slowly die / with each and every breath". </div><div><br /></div><div>But let's still promise to love each other forever, especially if it sounds like this.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">---</div><div><br /></div><div>And with that, I give you... A PLAYLIST:</div><div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/4Q7nZS1EsdBBuBl4p02FTf?utm_source=generator&theme=0" width="100%"></iframe></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-24620082755185206262022-01-10T21:10:00.002+13:002022-01-10T21:10:54.615+13:00This Fluid Thrill Music Awards - Best Albums of 2021<p>This annual tradition has lasted long enough [<span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14.3px;"><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/12/this-fluid-thrills-best-music-of-2020.html">2020</a>, <a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">2019</a>, </span><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2019/01/this-fluid-thrill-awards-best-books-i_13.html" style="background-color: white; color: #21bb55; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2018</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14.3px;">, </span><a href="https://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html" style="background-color: white; color: #21bb55; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2017</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14.3px;">, (...), </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2015/02/belated-best-reading-2014.html" style="background-color: white; color: #21bb55; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2014</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14.3px;">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2013.html" style="background-color: white; color: #21bb55; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2013</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14.3px;">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2013/01/best-reads-of-2012.html" style="background-color: white; color: #21bb55; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2012</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14.3px;">, </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-books-i-read-in-2011.html" style="background-color: white; color: #21bb55; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2011</a><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14.3px;">, & </span><a href="http://thecraigcliff.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-of-2010-reading.html" style="background-color: white; color: #21bb55; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2010</a><span face="Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.3px;">] </span></span>it deserves a nickname... </p><p>The Fluidies? Ack! </p><p>The Thrillies? Better, but still no.</p><p>Maybe a statute? I'd be tempted just to print this image of the fluid thrill test on some perspex and mount it on a stand:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bWGjuJqV1ts/YdeuUKWUiEI/AAAAAAACg30/8N6W0QgClQIBD2qYiDhPypvuuSSvpBc9wCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1004" height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bWGjuJqV1ts/YdeuUKWUiEI/AAAAAAACg30/8N6W0QgClQIBD2qYiDhPypvuuSSvpBc9wCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />I mean, it IS musical. From the percussive nature of the test itself (the doctor taps part of the abdomen and listens for the sound of the fluid rippling elsewhere) to the soundwaves (or perhaps the patient has been marked up ahead of an elaborate sawing-in-two) to the cock-ward point of the patient's hand (rock'n'roll, baby!).<p></p><p>Okay, yeah, let's just do another blogpost like it's <a href="http://yearofamillionwords.blogspot.com/2008/12/2008-year-of-eight-hundred-thousand.html">forever 2008</a>.</p><p><b>BEST ALBUMS</b></p><p>Last year I floated the idea of doing a rolling two-year list so that I could consider 2020 music I'd missed, reconsider 2020 albums I may have over- or under-rated, and pit them against new music from 2021...</p><p>But it's actually quite tricky. Looking back at my 2020 list, I haven't really listened to many of these albums again (except Dua Lipa on family roadtrips). I feel like cueing up Lo Tom's LP2, which is a good sign, and I don't have any 'Really?' reactions to the others. It was a solid list. </p><p>Along side of this, I'd add short list of 2020 albums I didn't get into until 2021, but really rated:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Will Butler - Generations</li><li>Blake Scott - Niscitam</li><li>Uffe Lorenzen - Magisk Realisme</li><li>Kathleen Edwards - Total Freedom</li><li>Big Wheel - The Baby</li><li>Ghost Woman - Anne, If (which appears to have disappered from Spotify)</li><li>Liza Anne - Bummer Days</li></ul><div>As for 2021, here's my top 10 albums released in the calendar year, presented in an order I've picked more for the sake of the flow of the resulting playlist rather than the comparative virtues of the albums...</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Monster Magnet - A Better Dystopia</b></li></ul>2020 and 2021 were a golden age for covers as artists were locked down, short of audiences and inspiration but big on time to jam. So it's only fitting that I kick this list off with an album of covers.</div><div><br /></div><div>MM's covers have always been one of my favourite things about them. Dave Wyndorf has this incredible, off-kilter taste which means every cover song sends me off discovering a new original. There are 13 tracks if you count the bonus (I do!) and they all felt new to me. That is, I must've heard the original version of 'Death' because I had The Pretty Thing's S.F. Sorrow on my iPod back in the day, but I didn't recognise it. And, maybe I'd heard the Hawkwind song (Born to Go), but it didn't ring any bells beyond sounding like it could have been a Hawkwind song.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only this this album send me down Pentagram and Poobah and Scientists wormholes, but the covers themselves are good and the album hangs together as a twisted, grungy pysch affair that was perfect for its time and place.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Like a Stone - Remember Sports</b></li></ul></div><div>I like to think I have a reasonably wide-ranging musical tastes. But I have my weaknesses. For example, if you take muscular guitar-driven indie rock, add an idiosyncratic female vocalist and produce songs that get you dancing while you vacuum, I will have A LOT of time for that band.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember Sports follows this formula. Sometimes there's a strong Hopalong vibe. Other times, it's Cayetana or Bully or Camp Cope. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've enjoyed RS's previous albums All of Something and Sunchokes without them ever quite sticking out as TOP TEN MATERIAL (whatever that is). </div><div><br /></div><div>But Like A Stone finally cracked it. Or cracked me. Or I cracked. One of those. </div><div><br /></div><div>And now I listen to older songs like 'Clean Jeans' and I'm like, 'How was this not my favourite song of 2016?'</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Slothrust - Parallel Timeline</b></li></ul><div>I loved Slothrust's last album (The Pact, 2018), but came to their new album (released in Sept '21) late and it almost missed this list... but now I've corrected my omission and can't stop listening to it. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Harkening back to "the formula" above, Slothrust is rockier than Remember Sports, and the singing more tuneful, the lyrics less angular and look at me, and I am here for it!</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg</b></li></ul><div>Speaking of angular, look at me lyrics... This band sounds a bit like Life Without Buildings (who only released one album, but 2001's Any Other City is *chef's kiss*) or Arab Strap. So not great for housework dance sessions, but unbeatable when walking to work.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can never decide if they sound retro (as old-making it is to consider music that came out when I was at university retro), or very <i>now</i>. Either way, here's hoping they aren't another one-and-done outfit.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Allie Crow Buckley - Moonlit and Devious</b></li></ul><div>Same vibe as ACB's amazing EP <i>So Romantic</i>, with more songs. Who's complaining!?</div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Middle Kids - Today We're the Greatest</b></li></ul>I heard 'Edge of Town' from their 2019 album at the end of an episode of the UK show, <i>Defending the Guilty</i> and not long after Middle Kids dropped their new album and they were periodically the greatest in my books.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><b>James McMurtry - The Horses and the Hounds</b></li></ul>Son of Larry 'Lonesome Dove' McMurtry has been releasing albums for three decades but I only started listening to him in 2021. His song, 'Just Us Kids' from the 2008 album of the same name is one of those <i>Straight to the pool room </i>tracks that you keep finding excuses to crowbar into playlists.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for 2021's The Horses and the Hounds, it's classic McMurtry country-fried story telling with politics that subverts the red-state twang. Think Drive By Truckers. Think Alejandro Escovedo, Chuck Prophet, Joe Ely. And he often put me in mind of a certain era of Warren Zevon.</div><div><br /></div><div>So yeah, goddam fantastic.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><b>Foxing - Draw Down the Moon</b></li></ul>I had a big Foxing phase this year. 2014's The Albatross is crazy good. Like Local Natives go Emo. There are two more albums between that and 2021's Draw Down the Moon, in which time Foxing morph into... Manchester Orchestra? Unknown Mortal Orchestra? MGMT? The National? Vendetta Red (remember them?)?</div><div><br /></div><div>They are all over the shop and I can't decide if it's their taste or mine that's dubious*, but all of it is glorious.</div><div><br /></div><div>* Who am I kidding: it's definitely mine. Vendetta Red? </div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><b>Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime</b></li></ul>The Tuareg guitar god and his band "rip a new hole in the sky" with this album, according to the blurb they posted on Spotify. I love that. It's so cool that Saharan Africa is transmuting rock and taking the mantle of prog, glam and metal blowhards along the way. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can listen to Moctar's music for hours. The only thing that can convince me to stop is when I picture a white guy with dreads who busks in Noosa with a strat and an effects pedal and probably loves this shit as much as I do.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><b>The Weather Station - Ignorance</b></li></ul>I have issues with the boring quotient of band name + album name + song titles, but I am working through them.</div><div><br /></div><div>'Atlantic' was the only song I put on two different monthly playlists in 2021. It's a hell of a song, only disqualified from song of the year consideration because the rest of the album is almost as good and artists can be on both lists.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rules is rules.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HIGHLY COMMENDED</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Two other albums deserve special mention:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Assertion - Intermission - sorry lads, there was only one boring band name + album name slot available this year, but that's for the year's best straight-ahead rock album.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor's Version) - I am now a bigger fan and Taylor than my 9 year old daughter. I stan what she's doing with the rerecording. I concede there's a bit less pep in her new versions of 'I knew you were trouble' and 'We are never ever getting back together' but this is more than made up for in the chutzpah of 'All Too Well (10 minute version)(Taylor's version)' [greatest song title with parenthesis ever?] and more unlost gems than we mortals deserve.</li></ul><div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/3aLSsREd78iAKD3aJYRecp?utm_source=generator" width="100%"></iframe></div></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-113211343134232152021-12-31T10:32:00.006+13:002022-01-05T09:57:25.462+13:00November & December 2021 Consumption Diary<p><b>MUSIC - NOVEMBER</b></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2Bgh36mcxCdrzMfWHQ21Ky?utm_source=generator&theme=0" width="100%"></iframe></p><p></p><p>The space bar on my laptop went on the fritz as I was battling a deadline earlier this month. Met the deadline (short story submission) but my space bar is still unresponsive for the 2/3rds of its length, as if it had a stroke. The working side sometimes adds two spaces for one touch as if that'll make up for it. FML.</p><p>...</p><p>Now I am in Christchurch typing this on my phone in the week between Xmas and New Year's to finish this post. I miss my shitty laptop.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOfGiqM4GgBgmpMXfHGzuybXgtMfiD2ptzD7tvqgsC8NFiQfhRIlOH-fz_lQjIzewvkxirucZSJ8rdGEEFAE62l-aSWdZMe88YwDWdU7yr8nh6-C8iu0JKW8m0abqYC76XAcDmLgLuVXMJbwl128PKNwjy_P0TOndmQOQ6vm4-OAo6G2abQ7aBCXMy=s2550" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="2550" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOfGiqM4GgBgmpMXfHGzuybXgtMfiD2ptzD7tvqgsC8NFiQfhRIlOH-fz_lQjIzewvkxirucZSJ8rdGEEFAE62l-aSWdZMe88YwDWdU7yr8nh6-C8iu0JKW8m0abqYC76XAcDmLgLuVXMJbwl128PKNwjy_P0TOndmQOQ6vm4-OAo6G2abQ7aBCXMy=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Don't Cry by Mary Gaitskill</b> (short stories, audiobook)</p><p>Mary, Mary, quite contrary. Reading Gaitskill is always a good reminder of how much you might be self-censoring yourself and how much braver you can be.</p><p><b>Billy Summers by Stephen King</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>Retiring hitman must pretend to be a writer to pull off one last job... I enjoyed this quite a lot. It was perhaps overlong and there was less of a final payoff than a winding down, but King still delivers plenty from this half-familiar premise.</p><p><b>Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World by Tyson Yunkaporta</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>Wow. Read this immediately after reading <a href="https://literaryminded.medium.com/writing-and-reading-towards-climate-action-12db7b692741">this piece by Angela Meyer</a>. Thank you Angela and thank you Tyson (and thank you Audible and I guess, grudgingly, Amazon, for making this book free to all members so hopefully many more will read/listen to this and extend the yarning).</p><p>Books like this raise interesting questions about form. As an audiobook narrated by the author it more closely resembles the kind of yarning and sand talk at the heart of the culture Yunkaporta shares, but the listener misses out on the sand talk symbols as visual things (my brain, at least, cannot follow extended descriptions of unique symbols). In the end, all books are imperfect and incomplete in whatever form they take, and it's the work of the reader to complete the circle.</p><p>I'll be reading a lot more on this topic from a Te Ao Māori perspective next year and keen for recommendations... Knowing full well there won't be any audiobook versions anytime soon.</p><p><b>Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>More singular in focus than RWK's Braiding Sweetgrass (which will be in my top 10 for the year), but still wider ranging than any tretise on moss has any right to be. More please!</p><p><b>The Meaning of Trees by Robert Vennell </b>(non-fiction, NZ)</p><p>My bedside reading. So nice to dip in and read about a tree or two before bed. Makes me want to start and edible natives garden, but being in Dunedin isn't the best climate for a lot of the more intriguing species.</p><p><b>Double Bind by Edward St Aubyn</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>Find this thrilling to begin with (contemporary, unafraid to be intellectual) but the story never truly coalesced and the characters never rounded out.</p><p><b>Soundtracks by John Acuff</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>Acuff makes his living as a speaker (and selling books) that leans heavily on comedy. I found his humour worked well in what is essentially a self-help book about overthinking. Reminded me of John Hodgman, which is a compliment. There's something in the tone and tenor of these dudes I'm trying to unlock...</p><p><b>No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>There's a sub-genre of literary fiction I'm slowly diagnosing that just doesn't do it for me. Seems to all come from the US. Reads like carefully crafted MFA-workshopped text. Has a supernatural aspect but it's withheld and suppressed and generally never allowed to have a payoff, so that one is left wondering if the writer lost faith in their ability to hold a reader's attention with the realism they actually care about...</p><p><b>Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>The perfect palate-cleansing sorbet after reading something that feels overcalculated and dead on arrival.</p><p>I think I'm going to extend the short story I mentioned above into a short novel that is a bit Brautigan, a bit Jenny Offill & Patricia Lockwood & Ali Smith, and a bit Kurt Vonnegut... We shall see.</p><p><b>The Storyteller by Dave Grohl</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>I think this book has a bad title. Dave Grohl isn't a good storyteller. Stories in the 2nd half of the book revolve around meeting other famous people and good versions of these stories would have some reversal of fortune (Paul McCartney is rude to Dave's daughter rather than the lovely bonus uncle who teaches here piano) but everything keeps coming up Dave. </p><p>The early life and career bits were engaging, but the caginess post- Nirvana leaves a lot of drama unspoken. </p><p><b>The Luminous Solution by Charlotte Wood</b> (fiction, audiobook)</p><p>Written as a series of prices on craft and pulled together during the pandemic, I found this really great, but a little disjointed (there's a lot of references to Wood's The Natural Way of Things, and every mention feels a like a circling back rather than a new path). Would still recommend other writers seek this out.</p><p><b>The Rings of Saturn by W.G. Sebald </b>(novel, e-book)</p><p>Broke my run of audiobooks because I knew the photographs would be a big part of this one. Another antidote to the Caldwell Turnbull's of the world of books.</p><p>Was interesting reading this after Proust a couple months earlier. </p><p>Still processing tbh.</p><p><b>The Knowledge by Lewis Dartnell </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>Finishing off the year with yet another apocalyptic book. This one is presented as a how to manual of sorts for a rebuilding society after a massive event that leaves fewer thank 10k people to repopulate the earth.</p><p>In fact, it you often forget this and it's just a really well-told basic primer on industrial chemistry and mechanics. I feel smarter having read it but no more prepared for, or excited about, being one of the survivors...</p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Get Back (parts 1-3)</p><p>Curb Your Enthusiasm - Seasons 1 & 11</p><p>Succession - Season 3</p><p>Sex Education - Season 3</p><p>Home Sweet Home Alone</p><p>No Time To Die</p><p>Nobody</p><p>Enlightened - Season 1</p><p>42</p><p>Die Hard</p><p>Happy Gilmore</p><p>Don't Look Up</p><p>Arthur Christmas</p><p>Greyhound</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC - DECEMBER</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/5F81kMQceddoeXCQe9J5SS?utm_source=generator&theme=0" width="100%"></iframe></p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-35283703520411039402021-10-31T09:03:00.000+13:002021-10-31T09:03:00.851+13:00September & October 2021 Consumption Diary<p><b>MUSIC - SEPTEMBER</b></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/1crLkONn2N1A5npKb4YWdK" width="100%"></iframe><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrx_7kTCPzA/YX2kgxDOOEI/AAAAAAACe_A/xgEIlhjuAFY_nLuIvnwmDUIVDTTS7HO1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/My%2BPost%2B%25286%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrx_7kTCPzA/YX2kgxDOOEI/AAAAAAACe_A/xgEIlhjuAFY_nLuIvnwmDUIVDTTS7HO1gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/My%2BPost%2B%25286%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Swann's Way by Marcel Proust </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>So I've now read Proust. Not all of <i>À la recherche du temps perdu</i>, but the first volume feels like enough. I enjoyed the first, second and fourth parts, but found the longest section focussed on Swann and Odette's romance tedious and uneventful. Which could probably be levelled at the other sections, but the humour was different (yes, Proust is funny, who knew?). There's a kind of peril involved in the narrator's subtle digs at members of his family and their circle, but that thrill evaporates in Swann's tale.</p><p><b>Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>So good. A top ten book of my reading year for sure. Friendship, youth, music and loss all intertwine. 1980's Glasgow and Edinburgh shine through, as does this novel's winning heart.</p><p><b>A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit </b>(essays, audiobook)</p><p>I read this after reading <a href="https://lithub.com/rebecca-solnit-when-the-hero-is-the-problem/">Solnit's amazing 2019 essay, 'When the Hero is the Problem', </a>which describes something I've been mulling for the better part of three years (I wish I'd found the essay sooner!!). Nothing in <i>Field Guide</i> showed out in quite the same way, but it was good all told.</p><p><b>The Quiet People by Paul Cleave </b>(novel, NZ, audiobook)</p><p>A Christchurch husband and wife crime-writing duo are embroiled in a true life crime that could have sprung from their imaginations... or did it? Lots of twists and the depiction of Christchurch and the dubious morality of writing kept me engaged.</p><p><b>Lockdown by Peter May</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>Written in response to Avian Bird Flu but rejected by May's publisher as too outlandish... then released during the COVID-19 pandemic... Thing is, the bits he got right weren't really things I wanted to relive and the bits he got wrong hit like bum notes. In the end, just a middling detective tale with a prescient premise.</p><p><b>You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>I really liked Henry's previous book, <i>Beach Read</i>, and thought I was becoming an undiscriminating fan of the romance genre... but this one didn't do it for me.</p><p><b>Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>Um... this book felt like it was produced by an AI trained on Ishiguro's oeuvre. The artificial friend seems like a premise rejected before he settled on clones in <i>Never Let Me Go</i>. The slow reveal of genetic modified children and [spoiler] is <i>Klara</i>'s version of the fascistic elements in <i>Remains of the Day</i>. But mostly, the clouded, fuggy feel of the <i>The Unconsoled</i> hangs over this one - less of an intentional artistic choice and more a sign this isn't the writer operating at the height of his powers.</p><p><b>Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>Rather than dive into Rooney's new book with the terrible title, I went against the grain and read her first novel. It was aight. I felt her short story 'Mr Salary' had more in it in less space. </p><p><b>Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump </b>(novel, NZ, audiobook)</p><p>The book that the film <i>Hunt for the Wilderpeople</i> was based on. I read this one to a) see how closely the film followed the book (I'd say the resemblance is two-thirds, with the new third being the injection of Waititi's zany humour), b) to see what a Barry Crump novel was like (a lot of hunting and bush-bashing hung over the wire-frame of a plot) and c) to see what the quality of the audiobook was like from newish local producer Audiobooks NZ (it was good... maybe even flawless).</p><p><b>Ice Station by Matthew Reilly </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>I read this book because a) it was the free book from Audible for October, b) someone's dad once raved about it and I really didn't rate their opinion but I'm all about testing my prejudices (see my journey with the romance genre this year)... Turns out this was exactly what I thought it would be, which is NOT MY CUP OF TEA.</p><p><b>Heart of Darkness by Josef Conrad* </b>(novella, audiobook & ebook)</p><p>I re-read this because I wanted to write a novella and thought maybe I could use a frame narration similar to what Conrad used in <i>Heart of Darkness</i>, which I studied in high school. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kenneth Brannagh and read along to the ebook on my phone... it was interesting to come across all the phrases I'd highlighted or been spoonfed by my English teacher and then regurgitated in essays and exams. In the end, I abandoned the frame narration idea and started writing the novella (though I might still come back to frame narration, it's early days, but there's no reason to deliberately echo <i>Heart of Darkness</i>).</p><p>But man, could Conrad write!?</p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Ted Lasso - Season 2 - like many, I missed the unremitting niceness of Season 1</p><p>Only Connect - about 5 seasons' worth (my go-to YouTube content while washing dishes & making school lunches)</p><p>Squid Game - Season 1</p><p>Free Guy</p><p>2040</p><p>Point Break (remake)</p><p>Quite a bit of NFL (for the first time in a decade I seem to be interested) and NBA (the Kings are 1 game above .500 baby!)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>MUSIC - OCTOBER</b></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2CEUAdXLvpGPIqN478euCj?theme=0" width="100%"></iframe></p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-25143696252866167192021-08-29T14:52:00.005+12:002021-08-29T14:53:45.200+12:00July & August 2021 consumption diary<p>The two biggies since the last diary:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>we moved house</li><li>we went back into nationwide lockdown.</li></ul><div>It feels like more has happened, or at least I've had even less mental capacity than normal. I finished a business case and my kids have been sick for the last two weeks (right now, my wife has taken them both to the doctors for testing, which is hopefully just a big mid-lockdown adventure for them and nothing more), and I'm sure if I sat here I'd come up with more. </div><div><br /></div><div>But who cares.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can feel the creative dam nearing bursting point. With thanks to George Saunders (see below), I'm going to write short stories. And maybe some short non-fiction things. Before Christmas. This Christmas.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>MUSIC - JULY</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/22fZabwQ6kFS0tRhKO4Ijb" width="100%"></iframe><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>BOOKS</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ry2K9NNZic4/YSr2Ua93irI/AAAAAAACdGE/NnzXPkhh6dstdrTeWRmTpibRwoqp5SdqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/My%2BPost%2B%25285%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ry2K9NNZic4/YSr2Ua93irI/AAAAAAACdGE/NnzXPkhh6dstdrTeWRmTpibRwoqp5SdqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h209/My%2BPost%2B%25285%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b>The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>Translated by David Mitchell... feels a little over-translated, making Higashida sound like the narrator of Black Swan Green or the start of The Bone Clocks... </div><div><br /></div><div>But really useful/interesting/enriching to get a window into the workings of at least one mind on the autistic spectrum. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>We are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>JSF buries the lede (this is another stop eating animals book), but is upfront about this tactic when he finally removes the veil. </div><div><br /></div><div>And it kinda works. </div><div><br /></div><div>I like the idea of no animal products before dinner time, and how just that could make major inroads into our overshooting planetary boundaries. But like JSF, who tries to be fully vegan but admits to scoffing hamburgers in moments of weakness, it's not as easy as waving a magic wand. And being in lockdown with sick, fussy kids doesn't help.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>All Adults Here by Emma Straub </b>(novel, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>Strong Elizabeth Strout vibes (beyond the shared initials). I enjoyed the novel but it never quite achieved escape velocity from its peers and influences to become it's own, truly memorable <i>thing</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Luckiest Guy Alive by John Cooper Clarke </b>(poetry, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>The kind of poetry the excels in the ear rather than on the page. Really enjoyed spending a hour with JCC and his relentless, wry, rhythmic rhyming.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler </b>(novel, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>Part one of: sequels that are hard to get into after loving the first book(s) in the series.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Lila by Marilynne Robinson </b>(novel, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>Part one of: sequels that are hard to get into after loving the first book(s) in the series.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Is This Anything by Jerry Seinfeld </b>(non-fiction I guess?, audiobook)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>After being subjected to the Bee Movie at least 15 times, Jerry's work has wormed its way into my heart in an unexpected fashion.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was intrigued by how basically cutting and pasting old comedy routines into a book would work. Even odder as an audiobook read by Seinfeld, so it's just amputated stand-up. Kinda served to show how thin & time-bound his schtick is.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Agency by William Gibson </b>(novel, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>AI, intrigue, future-present. It had all the makings of classic Gibson but to me it just lacked... verve.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Unsheltered by Clare Moleta </b>(novel, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>Climate refugees within Australia's borders. A separated family. Harrowing, in part because it's so plausible.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Year of Less by Cait Flanders </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>Based on year when a blogger gave up spending on non-essential items, but teased that something would happen during the year that was so life-altering that she didn't share it on the blog...</div><div><br /></div><div>If parents split up.</div><div><br /></div><div>And it was amicable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Only kept listening because I thought maybe one day I'd write a romance under a nom de plume about two bloggers on conflicting quests...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Tweet Cute by Emma Lord</b> (novel, audiobook)</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of romances & quests, this YA novel did the job. Maybe there wasn't enough development of the alternative male love interest (Landon), so it all felt quite inevitable. But it was sweet. Like, series 1 of Ted Lasso sweet.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders </b>(non-fiction with bonus Russian short stories, audiobook & e-book)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>SOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I'm starved of down-to-earth literary criticism, but this book was probably the biggest encouragement to start writing again of anything I've read, done, seen or heard this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>A lot of Saunders' aphorisms I've heard before, though I can't recall exactly whether through podcasts or non-fiction pieces he's written on craft. But it's so good to have it all together here and have him apply these ways of thinking about writing to close reading of some really interesting stories -- and not all of them are totally obvious choices (I'd only read 'The Darling', 'Gooseberries' and 'The Nose' before).</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>MOVIES & TV</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div>The Olympics (!)</div><div>Untold: Malice at the Palace</div><div>Fantastic Fungi</div><div>Inventing David Geffen</div><div>I, Tonya</div></div><div>The Big Year</div><div>Crackerjack</div><div><div>Baby Done</div><div>Bellbird</div></div><div>Ted Lasso - Season 1</div><div>I Think You Should Leave - Season 2</div><div>The Movies that Made Us - Season 2</div><div>Taskmaster NZ - Season 2</div><div>AP Bio - Season 1</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>MUSIC - AUGUST</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/28tgMnf2YBK6l63b4Ku9sW" width="100%"></iframe></div>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-45826101892553838742021-07-03T08:27:00.002+12:002021-07-03T08:28:38.874+12:00June Consumption Diary<p><b>MUSIC</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/7D146c64nZaxXRevhuimry" width="100%" height="380" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe><br /></p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><p>So midway through the year and I've read 53 books... On track for 100 in a year for the first time since I started counting. Probably ever. Not all of them have been stellar. Some have been mercifully short. Others I'm not sure how I finished. While others have been such a joy. I am richer for having entered their worlds. So... reading.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_JExHbc86I/YN917aVNr5I/AAAAAAACZ28/xxZoS9PXa4chYbjt_5vu2ghTzuVYWsrlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/My%2BPost%2B%25284%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_JExHbc86I/YN917aVNr5I/AAAAAAACZ28/xxZoS9PXa4chYbjt_5vu2ghTzuVYWsrlwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/My%2BPost%2B%25284%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>Right book, right time. One test of a book is how often you bring it up in conversation and I've been able to refer to, and evangelise about, Braiding Sweetgrass often in the weeks since reading it.</p><p>It ranges widely - and does drift in parts, being rather long - but the topic is so broad (see that subtitle) and the process of decolonising the thinking of a reader such as me when it comes to plants takes time.</p><p>Embodies the gift economy. Kia ora, RWK!</p><p><b>No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>Gonna call it now: this is the funniest book I will read all year. </p><p>Is it a novel? Is it another autobiography, veiled this time by the third person pronouns? Is it longform poetry?</p><p>Answer: it is the natural end result when language and attention and logic come out the other side of being "extremely online".</p><p>Buy a ticket, buckle up and enjoy the ride.</p><p><b>Motherland Fatherland Homelandsexuals by Patricia Lockwood </b>(poetry, ebook)</p><p>Okay, so this actually is poetry :)</p><p><b>Notes from an Apocalypse by Mark O'Connell </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>This is the book I thought I was going to read when I picked up End Times by Bryan Walsh in May. I wasn't sure if I was ready for more apocalypsia so soon, but O'Connell's book lived up to my (deferred) expectations. Maybe it's homerism, but I enjoyed the section set in NZ the most. Often, that would be the part where the hollowness of the European correspondent rang through, but not here. </p><p>Kia ora MO'C!</p><p><b>The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>Okay, so, hear me out. I enjoy reading romance, at least this kind (blame Emma Lord). It would be stretching things to call this a rom-com as it's not super funny. It's tone is breezy, but then the main female character is recovering from a toxic relationship (and gets stalked by the gaslighting ex) and the male lead's brother is in prison for a crime he didn't commit. </p><p>The set-up (a male hospice nurse who works nights rents out his flat 7pm to 7am to a junior book editor so he can pay legal fees for his brother, and the two flatmates only converse through post-it notes...) is super hooky. </p><p>Sometimes the beats felt like they came with signposts: THIS IS A BEAT.</p><p>But I devoured it. I like romance. It only took me 38 years. </p><p><b>Their Lost Daughters by Joy Ellis</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>Speaking of genres, one I've not had as many hangups about is crime. No doubt because it's coded as more masculine. But this one was only <i>meh</i>.</p><p><b>My Year Abroad by Change-Rae Lee</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>Speaking of genres, this was NORTH AMERICAN LITERARY FICTION. How can you tell? It's at least twice as long as it needs to be. Fixates on a particular bucket of imagery (food & gustation). Is told over two time periods (with one being more interesting that the other). It became a game of diagnosing its cliches and flaws - and that got me through to the ridiculous climax.</p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/books/review-my-year-abroad-chang-rae-lee.html">This review from the NYT</a> does a pretty good job of capturing how I felt: "this long and draggy book is a 'controlled fllight into terrain'."</p><p><b>Real Life by Brandon Taylor</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>Speaking of NORTH AMERICAN LIT FIC. This was so: I spent time at the Iowa Writers Workshop. Yawn.</p><p><b>The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo</b> (v. short novel, audiobook)</p><p>Nope. I am still to find the fantasy that converts me to the genre.</p><p><b>The Garden Jungle by Dave Goulson</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>The bumblbee guy tries to branch out, but doesn't bring anything new to the conversation.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Line of Duty - Seasons 4-6</p><p>Mare of Easttown - finished season 1</p><p>We are the Champions - Season 1</p><p>The Masked Singer NZ - Season 1 - the kids really got into it, for some reason</p><p>Feel Good - Seasons 1 & 2</p><p>Sweet Tooth - Season 1</p><p>Long Time Running</p><p>Breaking Boundaries: the science of our planet</p><p>Framing John DeLorean</p><p>This Town</p><p>Love Birds</p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-81419398550863388782021-05-30T17:12:00.004+12:002021-05-30T17:12:56.485+12:00May Consumption Diary (with extras)<p><b>MUSIC</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/6AJLZNxxHC3eZePsyifGXK" width="300"></iframe></p><p><b>EXTRAS I</b></p><p>I got <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/smarter-travel-%E2%80%98net-carbon-zero%E2%80%99-move">a bit of media coverage</a> after a session I ran for the Otago Energy Research Centre, which was followed by <a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/otagobulletin/news/otago828771.html">this piece by Uni comms</a> about me and my writing background and how it links in with being their Net Carbon Zero Programme Manager.</p><p>Work is equal parts fun and daunting at the moment. Every week brings new connections, which bring new opportunities and obligations. Right now it feels like things might start to settle down about 2024 or 2025...</p><p><br /></p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4q2Dp1fc3ho/YLKqkM2A64I/AAAAAAACZB8/3HzxQDgC3JoFrVXm6IMcK8keehFTg2KyACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/My%2BPost%2B%25283%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4q2Dp1fc3ho/YLKqkM2A64I/AAAAAAACZB8/3HzxQDgC3JoFrVXm6IMcK8keehFTg2KyACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/My%2BPost%2B%25283%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Pulphead by John Jeremiah Sullivan</b> (essays, audiobook)</p><p>Published in 2011, collecting magazine pieces from even earlier, but it didn't feel dated. Sullivan was tapping into the racial, religious and economic discontent that would propel Trump into the White House - that's part of it. But his voice is so clear, distinct. I really want to read a collection of his essays from the last 10 years...</p><p><b>You Have a Match by Emma Lord</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>YA high school drama and romance... A couple of years ago I would have turned my nose up at such a thing. But I really enjoyed it and Lord is excellent at pushing a plot forward with the right amount of challenge and comfort. Highly rated.</p><p><b>The Heap by Sean Adams </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>A bloated <i>Crying of Lot 49</i>. A very white writer dude novel. Bold. Nuts. Shoddy. But bold!</p><p><b>New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>A different kind of bloated. I couldn't help comparing this unfavourably with Neal Stephenson's <i>Seveneves</i>. Like, kudos for the melding of imagination and scholarship, but then again: that's all you managed to say in so many pages?</p><p>Maybe I was grumpy because it seemed to accept so blithely 100 years of piss-poor climate action from our present to the present of the novel. </p><p>Maybe it was because the characters all seemed to be experts in (American) history 1970-2020, which would be like me or you knowing all about the gunfight at the OK Corral, the economics of the dustbowl or the early days of photography (without Wikipedia!).</p><p><b>Aimless Love by Billy Collins </b>(poetry, audiobook)</p><p>Listening to Collins read these selected poems made me wish I was listening to Hera Lindsay Bird instead. Or Mark Leidner. Or anyone with a pulse and a sense of humour (dad jokes don't count).</p><p><b>Ghost Species by James Bradley </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>Maybe I was still grumpy from like, three books ago, but this seemed undercooked.</p><p><b>American Blood by Ben Sanders </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>Strong Reacher vibes. Attempts at Elmore Leonard-y dialogue. Just lacking 900 volts of originality to really stick out. </p><p><b>End Times by Bryan Walsh</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>I thought this was going to be <i>Notes from an Apocalypse</i>, but it wasn't. It read like a run of Time Magazine cover articles, the annoying uncle of dinosaur media that delights in telling you about the Drake equation, Moore's Law and R values as if you didn't know about that shit already. </p><p>And yeah, I was super pissed off by Mr Walsh's chapter on climate change, which a) is downplayed as an existential risk and b) he reckons the only answer is geo-engineering... without sufficiently considering the risks (when it made messing with nature ever go wrong??) and the inequitable distribution of those risks.</p><p>But his chapter on pandemics, written before COVID-19, is pretty fucking prescient, down to the risk Trump would pose if something like H5N1 or H1N1 ever kicked off while he was in the White House.</p><p><b>No one is too small to make a difference by Greta Thurnberg </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>The Liver Cleansing Diet to Walsh's three cheese lasagna. Basically Ms Thurnberg reading a bunch of her speeches, with a bunch of repetition. But rather than grate, her taglines hit like sitcom catch phrases. Oh no she didn't!</p><p><b>Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World by Fareed Zakaria</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>Hey, this was quite good. Except for the fact it could probably have been written pre-COVID. And can I remember any specifics from it? Hold on, I'm sure I can... I mean, beyond the fact it didn't make me want to shove a Phillips head in my ear, and I felt kind of worthy listening to it... </p><p>Hold on... </p><p><b>In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>For a more successful way to use the constantly restarting/reframing technique, see:</p><p><b>250 Ways to Start an Essay About Captain Cook by Alice Te Punga Sommerville </b>(non-fiction, physical book)</p><p>Funny. Scathing. Frank. Smart. But really funny. </p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>EXTRAS II</b></p><p>Oh, and we managed to buy a house in Dunedin this month. We put unsuccessful offers on three houses and attended an auction for another where the bidding went mad early so I never technically got to bid/offer, but still had to go through the rigmarole of having finance and insurance sorted just to sit in a room and watch a woman burst into tears when a property investor kept out-bidding her and her husband...</p><p>So when you win a tender, you're like: Oops. Should I have offered that much? Did I just leave someone else in tears? </p><p>At least we're going to use it as our family home. We'll make memories and compost and cider there. There's a park across the road with the biggest pear tree I've ever seen, so I guess that'll be pear cider. I might even write a book or two. One of them will probably be about how problematic golf is. All that private land parading as public utility green space. All that water. The selfishness of the sport itself. But, o, the glory of it. The simplicity... </p><p>Which may just be a self-deceiving scheme to let me play a round or three at the local courses here...</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>Mare of Easttown (Season 1 - up to episode 6) - so good</p><p>Starstruck - Season 1</p><p>Line of Duty - Seasons 1, 2 & 3</p><p>The Masked Singer NZ - the kids are weirdly obsessed, even though they don't know who the celebs are</p><p>A Fish Called Wanda</p><p>The Trip to Greece</p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-86402416357320585852021-05-01T07:30:00.007+12:002021-05-01T07:30:54.948+12:00April Consumption Diary<p><b>MUSIC</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/3cZDAWA9g8Y29IdJLhnfeM" width="300"></iframe></p><p><b>INTERLUDE</b></p><p>I started writing a short story yesterday. I took my laptop to a different building at lunchtime and wrote for 30 minutes surrounded by studying students. It felt good.</p><p>Now I woke up at 6am on a Saturday to continue working on it, but instead I'm doing this consumption diary.</p><p>Baby steps.</p><p><b>BOOKS</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBeS9WhpkLk/YIxahh3YYsI/AAAAAAACYO0/vv8CTeM2eFoKnL4KPoMQzyPuY_gQTHUfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/My%2BPost%2B%25282%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBeS9WhpkLk/YIxahh3YYsI/AAAAAAACYO0/vv8CTeM2eFoKnL4KPoMQzyPuY_gQTHUfgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/My%2BPost%2B%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><b>A Short History of the World According to Sheep by Sally Coulthard</b> (non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>I view these topic-specific history books are as a kind of palatte cleanser between books. A way to reset and may learn a thing or two in the process, or see things in a different way. This was okay in that respect. The second half is very Anglocentric. Oh well.</p><p><b>How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p>Written during the first half of Trump's first term, when the spectre of a second was very real (as was impeachment or implosion before the election). Pretty spot on in it's diagnosis of the authoritarian traits of Trump and a reminder, as Biden pushes through some pretty good policies on things like climate change, that we are no longer on the darkest timeline.</p><p><b>Two Stories by Sally Rooney </b>(short stories, audiobook)</p><p>Should I count this as a while book? Probably not. But I have a 20+ hour Kim Stanley Robinson novel queued up for next month so I will, so there.</p><p>The first story was so good. The second less arresting. Hard to judge without another six or so stories to bounce off.</p><p><b>A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p>I will always love Millet for the jolt her novel <i>Oh! Pure and Radiant Heart </i>gave me when I was letting my dream of writing seriously slip away as a twenty-something living in soulless Brisbane.</p><p><i>A Children's Bible</i> takes just as bold risks, but is completely different. It'd be interesting to read this after Parable of the Sower, rather than before. I think I would have enjoyed this take on climate-induced partial apocalypse even more.</p><p><b>Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion</b> (essays, audiobook)</p><p>A collection of previously uncollected essays, reviews and columns from across 5 decades of Didion's writing. Didn't feel bitsy. I enjoyed it.</p><p><b>Islands of Decolonial Love by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson </b>(short stories, audiobook)</p><p>Wow. This book is exciting. It starts out with short stories in a recognisable, North American mold. It felt a little like a first nation's <i>Jesus' Son - </i>and then the stories lean more into Nishnaabeg modes and language. Another bad comparison: it felt like the bait and switch in David Vann's Legend of a Suicide where the death (the dyer?) in the second half is unexpected and makes you re-evaluate everything. This time, it's like: where those first stories good on their own terms or were they bait to lure me in.</p><p>Lots to mull over. Lots to learn from.</p><p><b>A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>YA romance notable for two things:</p><p>1. How absolutely unremarkable it is within the world of the novel that the romance is between two male sixteen year olds. Literally unremarkable: no one bats an eyelid that person A is gay, or person B is gay, or that A and B would be a couple. It's cheering that there's these representations out there and that LGBT youths might experience total acceptance from the get go - in some spheres / at some point in the future.</p><p>2. How badly this thing falls apart in the second half. It felt a bit like taking the set up from an early season of the Simpsons and resolving it with in the many of recent seasons (or <i>Rick and Morty</i>). </p><p>Oh well.</p><p><b>Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p>If this is Science Fiction or Fantasy, then they need to build a bigger church, because a bunch of stuff written by dudes that manages to avoid the SFF label definitely deserves it. From the <i>The Road </i>to anything by Michael Crichton, and even Lawrence Wright's <i>The End of October</i>.</p><p>But who cares for labels, anyway?</p><p>I really enjoyed Parable of the Sower and am looking forward to reading the follow-up, <i>Parable of the Talents</i>. I did feel frequently wrong-footed by where I thought the novel would go and where it went. Again, approaching this from an SFF perspective is partly to blame.</p><p>And it's hella prophetic. See: <i>How Democracies Die</i>, et al.</p><p><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p>The Gulf - Season 1</p><p>Cremerie - Season 1</p><p>Last Chance U: Basketball - Season 1</p><p>Defending the Guilty - Season 1</p><p>Shtisel - Season 1</p><p>Juliet, Naked</p><p>Instant Family</p><p>Bad Neighbours (yes, that's 3 Rose Byrne movies in a month)</p><p>The Merger</p><p>Love and Monsters</p><p>Sisters</p><p>The Blue Max</p><p>Bill & Ted Face the Music</p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-22554236320213092112021-03-31T07:00:00.009+13:002021-03-31T07:00:04.215+13:00Feb & March 2021 Consumption Diary<p><b>MUSIC - FEBRUARY</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/0EZdKbUdHnb21HGZzzC2n3" width="300"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>BOOKS</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7xZgNSSjIoo/YF-WgI-m69I/AAAAAAACXPs/-QIuAV03Nnc6JvIdbT42kJYKJMlSGiYsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/My%2BPost%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7xZgNSSjIoo/YF-WgI-m69I/AAAAAAACXPs/-QIuAV03Nnc6JvIdbT42kJYKJMlSGiYsgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/My%2BPost%2B%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><b><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The End of October by Lawrence Wright</b> (novel, audiobook)</div></b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Foresaw an influence pandemic and the disintegration of life as it was known in the US. Unfortunately, assumed this would play out the same way everywhere and the US would save the day. A good piece of speculation - and kind of absorbing - but on reflection: not a very good novel (later characters in particular are 2-dimensional).</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Ferrante through and through. Very good. How does it compare to the Neapolitan Quartet? Similar pretence of extreme self-divulgence from first person narrator. Same world. Less expansive, obviously (hard to compare a standalone novel to a quadrilogy). </p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>The Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Richard Flanagan</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm beginning to think I'm just not on the Richard Flanagan wavelength.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Reality & other stories by John Lanchester </b>(short stories, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">A classic case of stories being fine in isolation, but when piled on top of each other in a collection the strengths get drowned out by the weaknesses. Like <i>Black Mirror</i> without the edge. Like Steven Millhauser without the imagination. A very normcore kind of twist-in-the-tale short story, rinsed and repeated.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Not gonna lie, this felt long. Starting when Shuggie is on his own as a teen and then flashing back to when he's an infant and then staying in this flashback for 95% of the book is probably one factor. By then last 20% I was invested, and I think overall it's a good book. An instant classic, though? I'm not sure it brings anything new to the table, besides its fully realised characters.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Silver by Chris Hammer</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">There's an event near the midpoint of this thriller, the sequel to <i>Scrublands</i>, that ratchets up the death toll. It felt exhilarating at the time. "Oho, the stakes are through the roof!" But each aspect of this event are unpicked relatively quickly and simply so that the narrative can return to the much less interesting, but precipitating death that occurred in its first pages. So: structural issues, but not definitely not "red stickered". Two books in and you can count me as a Hammer fan.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Fabular in mode, mildly futuristic in setting. Suffers from the classic fable flaws of a lack of depth and the clash of science/tech and magic.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>How to Pack for the End of the World by Michelle Falkoff </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Good YA. Love the title. Enjoyed the book. But the title could lead you to expect some bad shit to go down on a global scale. Not here. Bad stuff = worrying about all the ways apocalypse might happen and standard high school hijinks. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>A Short History of Russia by Mark Galeotti </b>(non-fiction, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Too short. Lesson learnt.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>The Secret Life of Mr Roos by Hakan Neeser </b>(novel, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Weird. Structure again. This is the 3rd inspector Barbarotti novel, but the inspector doesn't show up until halfway through the novel, when he's introduced to the case we've spent 200 pages with from the two suspects' perspective. Hard to establish or maintain much tension like that. But interesting to see someone try!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Intimations: Six Essays by Zadie Smith </b>(essays, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">I really liked Smith's essay collection, Feel Free, but this one felt rattled off, responding directly to events in the first half of 2020. I'm interested in the tension between the ever-moving news cycle and how a book (with all the inertia the publishing industry applies) can interact with this. Six Intimations felt stuck in the middle. Too late to be contemporaneous, too insubstantial to be enlightening. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Strange Flowers by Donal Ryan</b> (novel, audiobook)</p><p style="text-align: left;">A mixed bag. Promising premise: a couple's daughter goes missing for five years and then returns. Ryan steers head-on into Irish racism but gets the speed wobbles. Failure of nerve, imagination or research? Dunno. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>FILM & TV</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Taskmaster UK - Seasons 6, 7 & 10</p><p style="text-align: left;">Solar Opposites - Season 1</p><p style="text-align: left;">Made You Look: A True Story about Fake Art</p><p style="text-align: left;">Big Trouble in Little China</p><p style="text-align: left;">Shazam</p><p style="text-align: left;">Rushmore</p><p style="text-align: left;">The Darjeeling Limited</p><p style="text-align: left;">Taken 1</p><p style="text-align: left;">Taken 2</p><p style="text-align: left;">The Watch</p><p style="text-align: left;">Moxie - impossible to not compare unfavourably with Book Smart... one of it's flaws is the way it uses 1990s Riot Grrl / zine culture as the inspiration for a 2020s teen's feminist awakening, rather than something organic from contemporary culture (the seams really start to show when the film tries to be meaningfully intersectional inside of a bloated-feeling but still inadequate 1:50 runtime)... BUT it does mean - in isolation - it has a killer soundtrack. TopLady isnt on Spotify (so not on one of the playlists here) but check out <a href="https://toplady.bandcamp.com/track/green-light-red-light">Green Light Red Light</a> from 2015 on Bandcamp!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>MUSIC - MARCH</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/4CIOUUObVERrRhvlZXVt2t" width="300"></iframe><br /></p>Craig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.com9