Book 2: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
This is a slightly overwhelming book, particularly if like me you're not able to pick up much of the allegorical relevance to Stalinist Russia. But even without that dimension it's worth reading - dark and freaky and certainly unique.

16:49

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I'm going to try and do the 50 Book Challenge this year. The 50 Book Challenge is um, a challenge, to read 50 books in 2005. And discuss or blog them. Since I read 3 or 4 books a month I reckon, I shouldn't have to push myself TOO much further. Or I could cheat, by beginning with a book that I actually started reading on Boxing Day 2004:

Book 1: Brick Lane by Monica Ali
I enjoyed this immensely and I hope she writes more despite the burden of hype placed on her debut. It's about the Bangladeshi community in London over the last 25 years, and specifically Nazneen, a woman torn between the demands of family and self. Emotionally involving and very well-constructed.

14:01

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Happy new year!

Christmas was good, although the lardiest for quite some years I think. Couldn't QUITE finish all the chocolate in the house before New Year's Day, so my resolution to eat better and exercise and stuff had to wait a few days before being actioned... NYE was fun (I gave up trying to make it the biggest party night of the calendar a few years ago, because it invariably ended up being crappo). This time four friends came round and we drank many bottles of cava and played the game where you put famous names in a hat and guess them. Trying to mime 'Benjamin Disraeli' repeatedly while drunk is not something I plan to do again.

I seem to be back at work today, which is odd. Not actually DOING any work though, mustn't run before I can walk after all. Anyway, only two more days here and one at uni before I go to Amsterdam on Monday woo!

11:31

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