(End of) summer reading


Summer reading has slipped into end of summer reading.  Three library books and two bought ones this time.  

Being British, one is meant to look forward to Wimbledon as the essence of summer sport.  That, or cricket.  I used to be an avid tennis watcher, but in recent years I've found it edging towards tedious.  It's been replaced in my affections by the Tour de France.  Already I'm counting the weeks until next July.  Three weeks of drama, extreme sporting endeavour, baroque tactics, and glorious French countryside.  To compensate for the end of the Tour this year, I tracked down a couple of books in the library.  First up, the autobiography of the British/Isle of Man sprinter, Mark Cavendish.  A fascinating account of the life of a professional cyclist.  I can't begin to imagine going from race to race, living on the road, staking everything of split-second decisions in a crush of other cyclists.  I daresay he couldn't imagine the tedium of my day-job in front of a computer.



One of the things I particularly like about the Tour is the ironic commentary by Gary Imlach, Chris Boardman, and Ned Boulting. Ned's book about what goes on behind the scenes of the Tour was in the same vein.


Getting serious now, my attempt to learn some Albanian.  I'm going back to Kosovo in the autumn, and want to be able to say more than 'thank you'.  However, you will notice the pristine condition of the book.  I have signed up for an evening class in another language, so I may have bitten off more than I can chew right now.  When I was younger I soaked up new languages, but I can actually feel the language-learning part of my brain grinding and protesting.


My current read, a book about the wonder of the night sky and natural darkness.  It's a subject about which I'm passionate.  I need properly dark nights.  When we drive north in the winter up through the central highlands, I feel something in me relax at being surrounded by the night.  And on the return journey, it affects me physically every time as we come within sight of the orange skyglow of the central belt of Scotland.  Read this book, visit the Campaign for Dark Skies website, or just go outside and notice how little of the night sky you can see.   


I didn't mean this juxtaposition, but it so happens that a satellite image of North Korea at night will show only a faint point of light where the capital is, and the rest of the country is in darkness. 




And finally, my failure of the summer.  I could not make headway with this book.  It was acutely perceptive, and was indeed 'a majestic work of scholarship', but it was just too heavy on the literary criticism for my summer mood.  I have to admit that I read the first chapter and the last, and was very sorry to have stalled on any book by Francis Spufford, but I did not have the stamina for it.


What should I do now?  Get another pile of books, or hunker down with Albanian?

Comments

  1. The main reason I keep the Outdoor Life channel is to watch the Tour de France. Avidly, the whole thing is watched (mostly I admit, for the scenery).
    I'm at the moment reading that book about the night sky - I am so with you on that issue. I have no problem with electric lights (indeed am grateful for them) but do we really need so many of them on all night long and do they need to be so bright?
    As for the Albanian - well, good luck.

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    1. The Tour is one long scenery-fest, isn't it!

      I agree - electric lights are good, but we don't need them all night and when we already know we need to cut carbon emissions, why are we using electricity illuminating facades of nondescript buildings and bits of our back garden. The thing that really struck me was the lack of evidence to show that more lighting = less crime. In fact good 'insecurity lighting' gives a burglar the chance to sort out his tools.

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  2. If you will be traveling, possibly hunker down with the Albanian. Though that might not be fun!

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    1. Yes, I really need to do my homework. As always, getting started is more than half the battle.

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  3. Get another book!! You have good taste in reading material. I used to. Not so much anymore. I read novels mostly now although I did read Boy Racer - or MOST of it! Rosamund Pilcher and her son, Robin, are Scottish writers. I have read every word they have ever written! Shell Seekers, September, Coming Home, Winter Solstice....and more. Loved every one. She retired from writing in 2000.
    Amber's favorite is on the opposite end of the spectrum - Stuart McBride. He is an author from Aberdeen and writes mystery novels set in Aberdeen. That may be why she loves them so but they are a little gritty for my taste.
    Sometimes I struggle through a book simply BECAUSE! Then I wonder why? Life is too short to be bored when you read!

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    1. I did get another book, Linda. The Francis Spufford one was due back at the library today, and I somehow picked up another two.
      I love Rosamund Pilcher - have read September and Winter Solstice. Must track down the others. However unlike Amber I can't do gritty!

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  4. A dark sky is one of the reasons we now live where we do. Viewing the night sky from here is like a magic carpet ride, full of mystery and beauty.

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    1. That's a beautiful description of the night sky, Susan, and it's exactly what it feels like to be able to see the Milky Way across the whole sky. I have only ever once seen it like that, when we were camping in Brittany. I got out of the tent in the middle of the tent and stood awestruck. Then I wakened up the rest of the family, who were less impressed I have to admit.

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  5. Albanian is my favorite language! Unfortunately the resources for Albanian in the US are few. Do you like that book? (What you've read of it, ha ha) I've thought about buying it, but wasn't sure if I'd like it.

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    1. It has realistic set-piece conversations, which attracted me to it. Also a CD so that I can train my ear. It was quite expensive, tho, so I'd better get my money's worth.

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    2. We live in a Dark Sky area, in a remote area and within a circle of 57 mile radius with allowable light guidelines. We have a Darkness Enforcer who talks nicely to offenders to entice them to change their ways. Before we moved here I couldn't imagine always knowing what the moon is up to, nor that the milky way moves across the sky with the seasons, barely visible as it circles the horizon in May, starting each night risen higher as the summer advances. I imagine that a silver lining to decreasing energy/increasing cost might be a return to a darker night?

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  6. I'm going to have to read The End of Night. My friend Jason recently wrote a review of it on a site we share: http://ingreencanoes.blogspot.com

    I've started a Psychology course and have so much subject literature to read that I haven't done any pleasure reading for a month. It's weird for me. I think I need to find a book so compelling that I have to read it regardless of time constraints and tiredness.

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  7. Hi Vince, I read your friend's review. It's a really captures the essence of the book.
    If you're ploughing through your course literature I don't wonder that you haven't turned to reading as a relaxation. Good luck with the course!

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