Book worms

As a writer, I am also obliged to read a lot which I don't mind in the least as reading is one of my very favourite things of all time next to Brazil nuts, cats and a good strong Cheddar. I have read eight books so far this month and have another four on the go at the moment. They are: the Diaries of Kenneth Williams; a socio-political tome called Affluenza by Oliver James; Friday Nights by Joanna Trollope and Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth. I like to think I've broadened my reading spectrum in the last few years and moved away from the works of Enid Blyton and this latest batch certainly seems to indicate a swing in the direction of the eclectic. (And yes, I did eat a dictionary for breakfast. They are a very low calorie yet highly nutritious food for the brain. I also had scrambled eggs on toast made from an 'experimental' bread recipe I tried yesterday. It wasn't a wholly successful experiment but once toasted and covered in scrambled egg, butter and black pepper it was okay.)

I am afraid to say that Kenneth Williams is starting to grate. He was clearly a depressed soul who strove to achieve the best by his art. He also looked after his family and had many friends but he is also coming across as a hypochondriac egolomaniac who could be rude and waspish and developed an annoying religious cant as he tried to make sense of the dichotomy between his own beauty as a human being trying to do his best in the world and his homosexuality. And quite frankly, I want to slap him. He wrote his diaries for thirty plus years on a nearly daily basis and it got me wondering about my own diary keeping. I've kept a daily record for nearly five months now and I wonder 'Will people think the same about me when I am dead and my diaries are published?' 'Corr,' they might say,'didn't she go on about the weather a lot?'

The Oliver James book, which is also a thick tome has required much concentration on my part. It's not the sort of book you can read with half an eye on the telly, or with 'Round the Horne' on in the background and Kenneth Williams singing a song as Rambling Sid Rumpo. It's about how we, as a Western Society, have been infected with the Virus of Consumerism and how it is causing us to become sick and unhappy. It's very good but there's a lot of evidence from various global studies to plough through. Luckily, this is mixed with anecdotal interviews that Mr James has conducted in various countries (Denmark, it seems, has remained relatively unscathed - Hurrah for Denmark!) so as a book it remains generally digestible.(Unlike the dictionary I had for brekkie. I've just burped up the word 'scurrilous'). I've just reached the point where he is offering anti-dotes to the Virus which basically boil down to 1) stop buying 'stuff' 2) do things that make you happy and 3)find enjoyment in things that are free (I presume he means things like rainbows, kittens, the warm sun on your face as you watch your chickens frolicking in the garden etc). I feel happy that I might just be one step ahead of this race already!

The Joanna Trollope was purchased a) because it was half price and b) because I had read one of her novels previously and quite enjoyed it. I wish I could say the same about this one. All I keep thinking is, 'If she can get this tripe published, then I can get some of my tripe published too.' Of course, it helps with her that she's written so many books she can probably sell her shopping list to a publisher no questions asked but where's her artistic integrity??? And she's got a character in it called 'Blaise' which is irritating me for some inexplicable reason. I think it's because I associate it as a man's name so it startles me when I read things like 'Blaise strode across the room, red stilettoes clipping the floorboards.'

I am reading Shadows of the Workhouse because I liked the first of Jennifer Worth's books 'Call the Midwife.' It also provides a counterbalance for my rose-tinted viewings of 'The Darling Buds of May' complete series boxed set DVD Andy gave me for Christmas. Both set in the '50's and conveying the lives of working class people they offer stark contrasts between what it was like to live in the towns and cities and in the countryside. I know which I prefer. Jennifer Worth also happens to be the cousin of a friend of mine so I am hoping some publishing- by- association magic might happen!

So that's what I'm reading at the moment. I've got the latest Rose Tremain lined up but I'm a little scared to start it. This is because the writing group I've joined seemed split down the middle in their opinions of it. It's like Marmite - they either love it or hate it. But I like Marmite, so perhaps I'll just be brave and plunge in regardless. And there's always Enid Blyton if things get a bit too heavy.