Sisterland was new to me. I borrowed it from the library a while ago. Saw it there on my lunch break, realised I'd left my purse at the office. I asked the librarian if there was anyway she could help me; she offered to sell me a new library card, the cheeky cow. I realised, as I was on my way back to work, that had she bothered to look up from her book for more than a minute, she could simply have looked up my library card number. I could have typed that manually in to the self-service machines; since I know my pin, all I needed was that number.
Anyway, I went back after work and got it then. No lazy librarian is keeping me from my books.
I quite liked it. It's about twin sisters, both of whom had a vague psychic gift. One has suppressed it and become a suburban mom, the other has embraced it and become a complete hippy. The latter makes a public prediction of an earthquake to hit St Louis, triggering various plot shenanigans. I didn't like it as much as Prep, which I read in late 2006/early 2007.
Couch Fiction was another library book, one I picked up along with How to be a Heroine, The Rosie Project and some sheet music when I returned Sisterland. It's a graphic novel showing a therapy session, with little footnotes and thoughts on what both therapist and client are thinking, and possible issues which are raised. Incredibly interesting. I realised I do the opposite of what the client does; instead of suppressing emotions and ignoring any hint my childhood wasn't idyllic, I suppress emotions and ignore any memories of my childhood that weren't relentless abuse or misery. I find it hard to feel like the good bits count, in light of the rest. And I guess if I acknowledge that there are good bits, that means something must have changed, which my mother says is my fault.
The Secret of Platform 13 is an old favourite, which predates Harry Potter by three years. I mention that because it involves a secret door opening in King's Cross station. The author has said she is not going to sue Rowling. Behind the door is an idyllic island kingdom. They lose their prince on the surface, wait nine years for the gump (the secret opening) to reopen, and then mount a rescue mission. It's lovely.
How to be a Heroine is a book about reading. It's written by a woman who loved various literary heroines in her adolescence and went back and re-examined them as an adult with a feminist consciousness. Very interesting. I'd read about half of the books she mentions, and I'm enthusiastic to read the rest now!
The Rosie Project is about a Sheldon Cooper style character meeting a manic-pixie dream girl. I am in admiration of Don (Sheldon Cooper)'s organisation skills. I make a fortnightly meal plan with shopping delivered every fortnight, and lots of meals made in advance and frozen. He made a weekly meal plan long ago and hasn't varied it, allowing him to perfect his weekly shop and the time it takes to prepare food. I tempted to try this. I am aware that I am missing the point of the novel.
Finally, Jingo. Jingo was the second Discworld book I ever read, after Colour of Magic. I have a bit of a soft spot for it, and for Vimes specifically. I listened to it as an audio book this time. Not sure I quite see a Scottish Detritus and an Irish Sergeant Colon, but it works okay.
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