2020 has drawn to a close, and I surprisingly found myself having read half the number of books I read last year, despite the extra “free time” ostensibly available.
I read intensely in January and February, then only one book March-May, at the height of the UK lockdown. With the restrictions in place, I spent much more time making sure I moved, taking care of our little garden, baking sourdough bread (yes, really) and generally trying to move around whenever I wasn’t at my desk.
As I was allowed into the gym again, my reading also picked up. With London now back in lockdown (#3), I’m again mindful that I keep moving but also to keep reading this time!
The Overstory – Richard Powers (USA)
A reminder of the sheer beauty and majestic presence of trees.
The Man with the Compound Eyes, Ming-Yi Wu (Taiwan)
An allegory of environmental destruction, loss, and love.
The Memory Police, Yoko Ogawa (Japan)
A discombobulating story of collective memory and grief, evocative of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and uncomfortably close to our society’s ecological shifting baseline syndrome.
Redemption in Indigo, Karen Lord (Barbados)
A pure bundle of fire-cracking joy, reminding me of how much colour and life you can pack into black and white paper pages.
Taking recommendations for 2021!
Cecilia Isvén 