RISING UP MY BOOK PILE - August 2025

 

Began my new policy of buying fiction second hand or borrowed from the local Library. Invariably there is something that takes my interest. Currently have four books I'm trying to read, which is probably too many, in actuality it means only two, the others are pending. 

Fractured - Jon Yates

I saw Jon Yates being interviewed on The Sacred podcast, and the guy has a decent assessment of what is happening to out society and how we might mend its parlous state.
A Birthday Present

The Less Dead - Denise Mina
One of the Scottish noir writers of detective fiction. Denise Mina is probably one of the best such writers around. Looking forward to reading this one.
Bought from a Charity Shop

Migration.- W S Merwin 
Its a compendium of Merwin's poetry who is almost unknown in the UK, but a much lauded man of US literature. Not made much further progress with it yet, maybe writing about its state every month might reignite my interest,
Ordered from Holt Bookshop
Currently Reading

The Mystical Thought Of Master Eckhart - Bernard McGinn
In my reading of Christian history and literature  I've been meaning to investigate the mystic traditon, of which Eckhart seems pretty central. This book has a favourable reputation as a broad introduction to his thought.
A Birthday Present

Zombies In Western Culture - Vervaeke, Mastropietro & Miscevic

A slim volume of what I suspect is more an academic outline than a fully fledged book. But I've heard John Vervaeke talking about this and its seems an interesting suggestion. That the dominant presence of zombies in our popular culture is a reflection our unease with our cultures loss of meaning. 
A Birthday Present
Currently Reading

Poetic Diction - Owen Barfield
Subtitled -A Study In Meaning, Barfield was one of the 'Inklings' along with Tolkein & Lewis. An influential thinker whose ideas and theories about poetry and language are probably more wide ranging than I realise. Want to read this to see if I can get a grasp of what the fuss is about.
A Birthday Present

The Devil You Know by Dr Gwen Adshead & Eileen Horne
Again someone I've seen being interviewed on The Sacred podcast.  I'm always fascinated by people whose job is to interact with the darker vile and unacceptable people in our society. Adshead is a forensic Psychiatrist whose patients are serial killers, arsonists, stalkers. Basicly the sort of folk the tabloids would label 'monsters'.
A Birthday Present

Trading Game by Gary Stevenson

After seeing him talk on TV and You Tube I sort of admire the guys bravery to keep extolling the necessity for wealth taxes. This autobiography sounds interesting.

Bought from Book Hive, Alysham

On Mysticism - Simon Critchley
A general introduction to mysticism as a phenomena. All part of my intention this year to read more about this area. 

Bought from Book Hive, Aylsham

At Work In The Ruins - Dougald Hine

Saw this guy on The Sacred podcast and he has some brilliant ideas. He takes the view we are already done for,so its now more important to work out what we save and work with in the ruins of our civilisation. Its more hopeful than you'd expect.
A Birthday Present
Currently Reading

The God of Small Things - Arundhati Roy
The Booker Prize winner from 1997 is a book I've been meaning to read for a while. I've started reading it. Its taken a little while to tune into. But its beginning to feel like its quite a charming book with a huge undertow of sadness.
Bought from a Charity Shop
Currently Reading

BOOKSHOPS

Book Hive, Norwich

Book Hive, Aylsham

Holt Bookshop