Today there is nothing more I want than what I have
Whilst pootling about with a poetic curiosity this week I stumbled across the following, it’s a diary entry from author, and all ‘round good egg, Michael Palin, published in the first volume of his diaries (‘The Python Years’) covering the decade from 1969 to 1979. At the time of writing this entry he was 34 years old. Although not a poem, it is a beautifully poetic piece of writing – full of empathy and self-awareness, and a gratitude notable for two things – his relatively young age, and also the way of the world at the time in which he wrote it. I remember the mid/late 70s being challenging – petrol rationing, industrial action, power cuts and reading by candlelight – and the weather always seemed to be grey!
Sunday, November 13th (1977)
Today, helped no doubt by the hard, bright freshness of a cool, sunny November morning, I have a feeling of completeness. The world makes sense this Sunday morning. Even the weather seems to be resting, peaceful and mellowed after the angry squalls of the last two days.
There’s a smell of beef and Yorkshire pudding and from where I write I can see the chimney letting out wisps of smoke from the fire in the sitting room.
Yesterday I read through the novel so far and was greatly heartened. I saw much that worked and I also saw clearly what didn’t work. I can see the way ahead and I can’t wait to get going again tomorrow.
I just feel very happy and very content at this moment. Nothing is expected of me today except to be here at home. I am perfectly well aware that around the borders of my life are problems, difficulties, painful decisions, even human tragedies demanding my involvement. I know I cannot live in a continual vacuum of happiness – but a day like today restores energies, tops up the batteries, rebuilds whatever faith one has.
Today there is nothing more I want than what I have.
When the noise needs turning down a bit, it’s beautiful writing like this which can soothe and warm the soul.
Halloween and Bonfire Night have passed, and we’re officially in full Christmas mode. If Christmas shopping isn’t on your mind yet, then it should be (this is more of a note to myself than anyone else!). Our top fiction pick of the week is one that I’ve personally read and can recommend with raving reviews; Johana Gustawsson’s Yule Island is a captivating gothic thriller about an art dealer who finds herself wrapped up in solving a murder on a remote nordic island. This is eery, dark, and a perfect read for these wintery months. Our non-fiction favourite is Dr Gareth Moore & Laura Jayne Ayres’ The Murder Mystery Club Puzzle Book: Murder in the Village. This is great for any crime lover, with over 70 puzzles to solve to catch the culprit of this grisly fictional murder.
Fantastic new fiction includes Janice Hallett’s The Christmas Appeal, which features a murder at the Christmas Pantomime. The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong is a cosy fantasy for fans of Legends and Lattes about a fortune teller in search of a lost child, who ends up meeting some charming friends along the way. John Connolly’s Night & Day is a collection of haunting short stories that is bound to keep you reading late into the night. Whilst, Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Alien Clay is now out in paperback, this is the thrilling story of an alien encounter.
Wonderful non-fiction includes Simon Jenkin’s A Short History of British Architecture, which takes us on a journey through time from Stonehenge to the Shard. The Father of crime fiction, John Grisham, teams up with Jim McCloskey to bring us a foray into true crime. Katy Beskow’s Vegan Pantry is the staple cookbook for new and established vegans alike. Whilst Rachel Shabi’s Off White: The Truth About Antisemitism takes a look behind polarising headlines at antisemitism; from contingency of whiteness, Judeo-Christian mythmaking, pro-Israel antisemitism, and the Palestinian struggle against colonialism, Rachel Shabi lights a hopeful way forward.
Lastly, for children aged 9+ Cariad Lloyd’s The Christmas Wish-tastrophe is about a young girl who makes one simple Christmas wish, which accidentally snowballs into a wish-tastrophe! And for Young Adults The Murder Hypothesis by Sarah Wishart: science-obsessed Grace’s fresh start with her dad in Devon is derailed when the smart speaker in their new house comes alive at midnight and says: I’m going to murder you. And after Grace begins to investigate, she uncovers four mysterious deaths – all supposedly accidents – that are linked to the device. But only Grace knows that one of those deaths was actually a murder – and now she must identify both the victim and the killer, before she ends up dead herself…
As always, if you have any questions, or you want anything ordering in, do let us know!
From Amber
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