Tuesday, 9 February 2016

Thomas Asbridge, The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, the Power behind Five English Thrones, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Boyhood Island, Tristan Gooley, The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs

 The last in the list was a bit infuriating. Lots of lore about how to navigate by the stars or the trees which basically amounted to immensely complicated ways to work out which way north was, and then the smug author impressing various indigenous tribesmen with his ability to predict there was a volcano round the next bend by the shape of leaves. I do wish I knew more about the natural world, but I just want to be able to tell one tree from another really. New Year's Resolution to go out with a Collins Guide and identify trees maybe? Once they have leaves on to make it easier, obvs.

Another volume of Knausgaard, which has become very moreish without really having a plot or events. It's just one person laying himself bare, and s many of his neuroses and awkward feelings strike a universal chord. William Marshal was great fun, the Angevins really deserve a GoT style mini-series. 'The Lion in Winter' with its one set just doesn't cut it these days.

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