Read: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead ★★★★★📚
Lighter than The Nickel Boys.I was expecting something akin to Chester Himes but this was gentler, more thoughtful & a more absorbing read. Politics handled lightly. I hope Ray, keeps out of trouble, if not I want to read about it.
Kind: Notes
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Read Painting Time by Maylis de Kerangal ★★★★☆ 📚
An introduction, for me, to a strange artistic world painting trompe-l’œil. Lovely long sentences. The heroine has a ‘lazy’ eye looking two ways at once. The eye recalls Dory Previn – The Holy Man on Malibu Bus Number 3
Read: Miss Ranskill Comes Home by Barbara Euphan Todd ★★★★☆ 📚 This 1946 novel is a lot of fun. Miss Ranskill Returns from a desert island to war time Britain. Confusion and poking fun ensue.
Watching cop 26 play out in my home town. The most positive thing, as a Glaswegian teacher, is seeing how confident and articulate some of the local young activists are.
Read: Birdsong in the time of silence by Steven Lovett ★★★★★ 📚a metaphor filled recount of bird listening in lockdown along with many diversions into memory & natural history. Like many I spent a bit of time with birds during the first lockdown. This is a deeper dive.
I just donated to Pl@ntNet. It is an amazing app for identifying wild flowers. Pl@ntNet is also a amazing research and educational initiative on plant biodiversity. It is supported by donation, no ads. donate
My Class had a lot of fun and a little maths with Balloon Car Racing. Here on the Banton Biggies’ Blog:
Read: The President’s Last Love by Andrey Kurkov ★★★☆☆ 📚 life story of Ukrainian President Bunin. Simultaneously recounting three different time periods. Slightly surreal, satirical with hints of Bulgakov with out going the full “Heart of a Dog”. Gentleness too.
Plenty of water in the Black Linn today.
I do not generally post about music but this is lovely and I know the artist. Empty Room by Michael Timmons. Sound fills your head and a west of Scotland voice.