Maylin

Just loving this - do I rush into the third volume knowing I need to wait until April for the fourth ( already ordered) Or take a break and read three and four together? Excited there is more to come at any rate. Best thing I've read so far this year.

A copy of On the Calculation of Volume, volume 2 by Solvej Balle lies next to a latte on the counter of a coffee shop. The cover has a blurry vase of yellow flowers in the process of tipping over.

Another day, another coffee shop, another volume of this mesmerizing series. For a novel where each chapter starts on the same day, SO MUCH happens. Vol 1 had a sadness, especially over the widening gulf between Tara and her husband; in Vol 2, I was almost envying her her travels and studies.

Enjoyed your review. I love The Forbidden Zone but have not read any other of Borden's work although I have a few of her novels on the shelves somewhere.

A copy of On the Calculation of Volume, Volume 1 by Solvej Balle, translated by Barbara J. Haveland shows a slightly blurred image of a woman turning away from the inside of a window, so we only see the back of her head and shoulders. Next to the book lies a half-filled cup of coffee.

Wasn't sure what to expect - was thinking it might be a bit Jeanne Dielman-ish but l'd compare it more in tone and mystery to Clarke's Piranesi, also a book I loved. For a novel about time, repetition and the minuitiae of life, I found this a gripping read - can't wait to see what happens next.

Ordered my copy this morning - looking forward to reading it

Great review - will have to get a copy. Like you, I've only read his non-fiction which I enjoyed very much

An indie one unfortunately - Safe Haven Books

I've just finished a recently published book where a character called Guy Cavanagh is also called Cavendish - twice in the same chapter! Book also riddled with typos. Completely off-putting

I wonder how many publisher rejections are generated by AI

Loved Perfect Days - will check this out, thanks for the recommendation

What great memories this has brought back. Truly a special week. I look forward to seeing your design xx

So looking forward to Cathedrals!

Great round-up. Especially interested in the Uwe Wittstock books

;-)

#WinterOlympics #Olympics #milanocortina #Olympicgames #Cumbria #bobsleigh

Such a rich colour. Gorgeous!

Biathalon and simple stockinette in the round for me

The sprints were so exciting - best event so far though the ice dancing will be be fab tonight

Loved Brian, so looking forward to reading this.

Curling match between Canada and Great Britain on television. In the foreground a cup of tea in a mug shaped like a curling stone.

Curling mug in hand, settling in for a good match-up and plenty of great events to come. In my happy place for the next two weeks.
#winterolympics2026

Agree - have yet to see Blue Moon but very much enjoyed Nouvelle Vauge and the talent needed to re-create bits of such an iconic film

The movie poster of Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague with Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Goddard in black andcwhite in front of scenes from the movie Breathless.

Re-watched Breathless last night in preparation for seeing Linklater's homage and chapeau to him for recreating those iconic scenes. Really enjoyed this movie, seen in a double bill with In The Mood For Love. Two movies set in the sixties resplendent in everything that makes cinema so magical.

Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro - beautifully written emotional novel about a mother with Parkinson's, trying to find out how her daughter died. Just a gripping read

My kind of bookshop and I'm heading to London in February - will definitely pop in

Missed this in the cinema, alas, so good to read your review - hoping to see Linklater's Nouvelle Vague when it opens this week

A photo of four guys playing a fiddle, accordian, guitar and banjo on a stage backlit with green.

Great gig last night at Liverpool Philharmonic's Music Room - Rum Ragged from Newfoundland and Labrador. Fiddles, jigs, stories, great music. They are touring around the UK - definitely catch them if you can.

A garter stitch vest with a folded collar hangs on a hanger against a white wall. The vest is in three blocks of colour, grey, brown and red.

Finished my Riggies Vest by Gudrun Johnson. Perfect layering piece. Had fun with my colourblock version using up some stash.

A copy of Julian Barnes' new novel Departure (s) sits on a window sill with a plate of mini madeleines.

Had an enjoyable double bill of reading this new novel, making some madeleines (Barnes argues with Proust), and eating them while rewatching the movie 45 Years. Both (re)examining memory, time, and that middle bulk of years in your life. The ending of this book was really beautiful.

Just finished Departures and while not his best, was still a good read. I agree, he has always been entertaining throughout his career while others have been hit and miss.

Ha - just did it in small batches of knitting at a time. It's a very soothing pattern with no long floats. As it got bigger, I knit it while lying on top of the bed with it spread out on my knees. That took all the weight off. The hardest thing was I was knitting it in the middle of summer.

Proud Canadian. Great speech with stark honesty and guts