@mrjamesob.bsky.social how big is your mug?!? It’s even bigger than the Sports Direct ones

Question for #booksky (let’s see if this works)

I’m a literary nerd who wants to be able to record what I’ve read with some brief thoughts (and perhaps poke around what other people are reading).

However, I am terrified of Earth becoming owned by Jeff Bezos. Are there any apps you can recommend?

I recently finished The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk published by @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social.

It’s smart, sharp and eerie, with a great sting in the tail.

I think it’d be a great introduction to her work. You could warm up with this and then set a month aside for the Books of Jacob. 😉

#booksky

Double book, as I forgot about Bluesky…

I recently finished “It Can’t Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis, in which an ambitious populist backed by a shrewd political scientist takes over the United States.

As a novel, it felt a little dated. I’m worried that it works better as prophecy. #booksky

Just finished “The Question of Palestine” by the great Edward Said.

It is heartbreaking to see how the fair, reasonable and compassionate case made in these essays has been utterly ignored.

It should be required reading for everyone, especially Zionists.

I hope things change.

#booksky

Finished “Flights” by Olga Tokarczuk.

A kaleidoscope of travel stories using bodies, into bodies and without bodies.

But it just didn’t cohere in my imagination. Maybe I’m missing something. I loved and re-read Books of Jacob and Plow.

I trust her, so will try again one day.

#booksky

Just finished “Off White” by @rachelshabi.bsky.social.

I thought it was a clear-eyed, plain-spoken and compassionate call for education, conversation and unity.

Finally, another Arab-Jewish voice gets a platform. There are so few of us. #booksky

Also, United won the derby. 🥹

Finished “The Netanyahus” by Joshua Cohen. I admired it, but I’m not sure this is one for me. Maybe a question of timing.

I liked the Zionist vs diasporist satire, though. There were some very memorable set-pieces. Also, I imagine this book irritates the Netanyahus and that must be a good thing.

Finished ‘Outline’ by Rachel Cusk.

Loved the lucidity, precision and mercilessness of it. It’s frosty but not because it’s cold.

But something about it stops me from fully embracing it on its own terms.

Something to do with how middle class it is? Want to read more Cusk now, though.

#booksky

I just finished reading Minor Detail by Adania Shibli. ‘Haunting’ gets used a lot to describe things but this actually was. A box cutter of a book. I want to read it again. #booksky

I am a damn fool. I went into The Comments. Don’t go into The Comments.

I’ve just finished reading “The Years” by Annie Ernaux. I am bawling. I didn’t expect to move me so much. One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read. #booksky