Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Minimalism, Margaret Atwood and crazy mothers
Robert Pirsig's Zen And the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
is not for the faint-hearted but complex, ambitious, moving and outstandingly original. Still groundbreaking decades after its publication, yes it actually has motorcycle maintenance in it and no that does not make it boring. It's an impressive narrative device that both illuminates and speeds along this mind-opening mystery/travel memoir/work of modern philosophy.
‘Books must pass from person to person in order to stay alive’ – Margaret Atwood (Photo: Dominic Ronzo)
Margaret Atwood's On Writers and Writing
is actually a rounded-out version of a series of lectures Atwood gave on this subject, this is a must for anyone interested in Atwood, Canadian writing, or writing in general. Gives a rare and witty insight into the early life of one of the world's most beloved writers, while musing deeply on the nature of books and the poor saps who write them. Packed to the gills with quotes - worth it alone just as a collection of quotes on writing. A fast, beautiful, inspiring and entertaining read. I got mine at Boffins. Was previously titled Negotiations with the Dead.
Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
I know, I am the last person in the universe to read everything and I should really just give up on back catalogues and read new stuff, especially since Winterson recently released a new work, a 'cover' of Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale. But I'm working my way slowly through the Winterson canon, one of the only bulk collections to survive the Curing of a Bibliomaniac. The most amazing thing was that I didn't know until I'd heard this podcast interview with Winterson that the reason her books are crazy and awesome and unreal and Biblical in epic proportions, peopled with fantastically grotesque matriarchs, was because that was actually what her childhood was. And right down to the exorcisms, this book tells the story of her childhood and unbelievably crazy mother. If you're a fan it's required reading (and the podcast required listening). If you're not, get out of my face.
Minimalism?
As you know, I'm always up for a new challenge and these books have just been given to my excellent friend Jess, who has just returned home bookless and footloose after time abroad, and who I thought of as I read every one of these recently. They're right up her alley but the gifting was also part of the 30-Day Minimalism Challenge I've just embarked on with my brother and sister-in-law, to the general bemusement of everyone else, especially the poor StuMo, who guards like a dragon the few possessions he's got left after I blitzed through his life leaving destruction and empty rooms in my wake.
Because I don't know when to stop, I'm also doing Dry July with my awesomely supportive family. Donate to me (and thereby to support Solaris cancer support service in WA) here. Thank you! It's a damned good cause.