This is my current book pile as of the 4th June 2025. These books are placed in size order not preference or hierarchy of how I will read them.
The oldest book on the pile is
Its a compendium of Merwin's poetry who is almost unknown in the UK, but a much lauded man of US literature. This goes from his earliest work through to quite recent. It is vast. The poetry varies in length and accessibility. Some of this poetry is absolutely wonderful, and some is just too long and far too opaquely written. I can find it, as a book, a bit overwhelming, so I take breaks, and pare it down into smaller manageable chunks. Hence it's lingering there at the bottom holding everything else up. It is not unloved, just unwieldy.
Ordered through Holt Bookshop
Mountains & Rivers Sutra - Teachings by Norman Fischer ( Half way through reading this)
Its an edited selection of lecture / ruminations on a text by Dogen, which Kuya Minogue has added suggestions for practice based on the teaching. The latter I think just got in the way for me. So recently I just started to read the teachings as they are, which are brilliant and motivating when left alone, so I've found.
Its an edited selection of lecture / ruminations on a text by Dogen, which Kuya Minogue has added suggestions for practice based on the teaching. The latter I think just got in the way for me. So recently I just started to read the teachings as they are, which are brilliant and motivating when left alone, so I've found.
Ordered through Holt Bookshop.
The Roots of Goodness - Dogen / Uchiyama
I've bought it because it is by Dogen, with a commentary by Uchiyama, translated by Thomas Wright. All of those three things, based on previous positive and beneficial experience, made this a must have purchase.
I've bought it because it is by Dogen, with a commentary by Uchiyama, translated by Thomas Wright. All of those three things, based on previous positive and beneficial experience, made this a must have purchase.
Second Hand online purchase.
On Reflection - Richard Holloway
I've read quite a few books by Richard Holloway and often found them helpful in putting some much needed perspective around the religiously non-aligned viewpoint I have felt myself in over recent years.
I've read quite a few books by Richard Holloway and often found them helpful in putting some much needed perspective around the religiously non-aligned viewpoint I have felt myself in over recent years.
Stumbled across this in Book Hive, Aylsham.
Ceilings - Zuzana Brabcova
I was in my favourite independent bookshop, I got to a point where I'd quickly reached choice fatigue. Husband found this book and thrust it before me, saying I think you might like this. I read the synopsis and thought, he may well be right.
I was in my favourite independent bookshop, I got to a point where I'd quickly reached choice fatigue. Husband found this book and thrust it before me, saying I think you might like this. I read the synopsis and thought, he may well be right.
A Book Hive Norwich purchase.
Giovanni's Room - James Baldwin
I read Baldwin's first novel Go Tell It On The Mountain a couple of years ago. I thought maybe it was time to read Goivanni's Room his famously ground breaking 'gay' novel. I find Baldwin, as a writer really deep and compassionate, as an activist, well, what an orator, what a fluent intelligence. But boy is he an intimidating figure.
I read Baldwin's first novel Go Tell It On The Mountain a couple of years ago. I thought maybe it was time to read Goivanni's Room his famously ground breaking 'gay' novel. I find Baldwin, as a writer really deep and compassionate, as an activist, well, what an orator, what a fluent intelligence. But boy is he an intimidating figure.
Purchased from Waterstones in Norwich, a freeby on my loyalty card.
Ocean Vuong - On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
Saw Vuong being interviewed on Dua Lipa's book podcast and found him a really interesting thoughtful figure. Hearing the title of his first novel made me feel - I just have to read this right now.
Saw Vuong being interviewed on Dua Lipa's book podcast and found him a really interesting thoughtful figure. Hearing the title of his first novel made me feel - I just have to read this right now.
Second Hand online purchase.
A Short History of Tomb Raiding - Maria Golia (Just started reading this )
I've been a huge long term enthusiast for Egypt and Egyptology since my childhood. Again its the title that sold this to me.
I've been a huge long term enthusiast for Egypt and Egyptology since my childhood. Again its the title that sold this to me.
A Book Hive, Norwich purchase
Devoured - Anna Mackimin
I saw the stylish cover of this book, and read the synopsis. Its set in a Norfolk commune and is a black satire on an idealistically driven style of living and how it can all go terribly wrong very quickly. Looking forward to reading this immensely.
I saw the stylish cover of this book, and read the synopsis. Its set in a Norfolk commune and is a black satire on an idealistically driven style of living and how it can all go terribly wrong very quickly. Looking forward to reading this immensely.
Bought from Book Hive, Aylsham
BOOKSHOPS
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