Our most recent #FictionFriday edition mentioned the pitfalls of recommending books. That is why this edition is precisely about that :). We like to inspire you with the delight of reading books, particularly fiction, which I hope you have come to appreciate. Reading fiction for us is an ongoing joy. In fact, it keeps us going. Many people have more time to read - or take more time - during the holidays, to go through the pile of books that have been put aside to read when there is finally time.
This summer is so different. Corona is still among us, some countries we can travel to, some we cannot or should not. The delight of laying down at the beach, reading that thick historical novel or sitting beside the pool with that juicy romance might be very different this time around or not possible. You might need that book to transport you, to take you to the places that you cannot visit right now.
That is what I am doing by reading Nicole Kraus’ Forest Dark, that takes me to Israel. Having just watched ‘Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich’ (if you have not, it is worth watching), it was challenging to read the opening line ‘At the time of his disappearance, Epstein had been living in Tel Aviv for three months.’ Kraus writes powerfully, inviting me to a mysterious journey of life, addressing issues like metamorphosis and self-realisation.
I intend to keep continuing with Ali Smith’s quartet. I am yet to finish the second one, Winter, and maybe I should ‘hurry up’ as the fourth and last novel in the quartet, Summer, will be out in stores on 7th August. In fact, I am parallel reading, if that’s the right expression; multiple books at the same time, depending on the need I have or the mood I’m in.
I just rediscovered Elena Ferrante’s four part series, the Neapolitan Novels, on my Kindle. I devoured those books a couple of summers ago, taking me to Naples, describing a deep friendship between Elena and Lila that changes whilst the city and country transform.
Chiara is currently reading The Witches Are Coming, a nonfiction book by Lindy West, and the Dutch translation of Decamerone by Giovanni Boccaccio. She would recommend to not only look ahead at new books being published, but also browse older books long forgotten, such as Cat’s Eye (1988) by Margaret Atwood. Both of us, Chiara and I, were transformed by this book, both having read it in our early twenties. Do not let this mislead you, the book is also amazing when reading it at a later point in life.
(ABC ARTS: Michelle Pereira)
Plenty of media have shared their summer readings. You might want to check out:
BBC takes you on a list per country: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5FPfYtz5WCcM1yW1tkXGlFg/your-ultimate-guide-to-summer-holiday-reads
The Guardian’s Great Escape: 50 brilliant books to transport you this summer: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/20/the-great-escape-50-brilliant-books-to-transport-you-this-summer
FT Summer books of 2020:
https://www.ft.com/content/222c3574-b156-11ea-a4b6-31f1eedf762e
Voor de Nederlanders, check de Groene Amsterdammer, voor het betere optimistische lezen:
https://www.groene.nl/artikel/het-zonnige-zomerlezen
of de 49 goede boeken door NRC:
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/07/09/49-goede-boeken-om-deze-zomer-te-lezen-a4005187
Wishing you a good summer, full of reading. Our next #FictionFriday edition will be in September. Stay safe!