Book 54 of 2024: The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke

Just read this, for my book club. It's an incredibly short read. It took me just 11 minutes to read the main story in the book, and 4 more minutes to read the author's afterword.

There were elements I liked. The illustrated small hardback book (and I lucked out by chance getting a signed one) is a gorgeous item. The illustrations are beautiful. And there is a sense of magic and winter running throughout. Some very nice animal elements in the book.

But it feels like the first draft of the start of a story that needed much more depth and especially length. I think if it had been improved in that way it could have been something incredibly special. As it is it is disappointing me and the other book club members who've read it.

The author's afterword is interesting, and worth reading. But if anything it just highlights how slight the main story is. For example the afterword discusses other wintry stories in the lyrics of Kate Bush songs. And those sounded far more interesting than what I just read ...

I am glad I read it. But equally glad I still have loads more to go in my first (and leisurely) read of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Because I'm enjoying that way more than I did this.

Rating 2.5/5, or generously rounded up for Goodreads purposes to 3/5.

Hoolie in the Hydro recordings on BBC ALBA (and iPlayer)

Our current viewing. Hoolie in the Hydro, recorded live in Glasgow just the other night. Fab traditional Scottish music line up, including Capercaillie, Mànran and Talisk among others. I think BBC ALBA are airing it in two parts, last night and then the rest between Christmas and the New Year. Here is the link to part 1.

Decaf Project

Starting our week of decaf coffee taste testing with James Hoffmann's Decaf Project. Have our beans (natural + 3 types of decaf processing, all same coffee originally) ready from an Aberdeenshire roaster. And going to be trying over 4 nights. Big YouTube live video on Sunday. We're going to make my usual style of coffee with our Hario Switch machine. And because we have a spare backup Hario Switch (!), that will be in operation beside it, making a coffee for Martin too. Who rarely drinks coffee, but is keen to take part in this decaf tasting. We are starting with the natural caffeinated beans, then working through Swiss Water, Ethyl Acetate and CO2 decaffeinated versions. Aiming to be done by Friday, one way or another!