Hi all, I hope you are well. We are staying near the beach and there have been some gorgeous sunsets. We have been enjoying family get-togethers with my Dad and brother (and hopefully soon with my niece and nephew-in-law too). We’ve done a bit of shopping, bike riding, reading, football watching, and of course dog walks. We still have to put up the tree! That’s what happens when you travel you do things on the fly. But we are gearing for the holiday and plan to see the boat parade here this week, which is always fun and colorful, and maybe take in a movie. I hope you are able to enjoy the holidays with friends and family.
Have you decided what your first book of 2025 will be? Okay, let’s hear what it is. I haven’t decided mine yet, but I plan to over the weekend. I think first reads of the year should be a bit special, so I will look for something. Isn’t it fun that soon we will have a clean slate and new year for reading. Perhaps many of us will have new reading challenges, or changes to our reading that we want to try. I sort of want to boost my nonfiction next year but don’t I always say that? And I’d like to have a few books always going at once instead of just one print and one audio at a time. I need to open it up a bit more. But first, I want to finish at least two more books by the end of the year and then turn my thoughts to next year. How about you?
And now I’ll leave you with a review of what I finished lately.
Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie / Random House / 224 pages / 2024
Much of this memoir seems brave. Not only for Rushdie’s stands past and current against terror and fatwas, but also for the health recovery he details and his openness on talking about things that are personal, the changes he faces, and his thoughts going forward. It’s a memoir that’s a bit here and there and I preferred some parts more than others, but still it gave an encompassing picture of the tumultuous life-altering event he and his family endured due to the brutal assassination attempt on his life in 2022 when he was horrifically stabbed at a public event numerous times.
The chapters on all his health recovery and rehab post-attack are daunting and tense, but I preferred the other chapters more about his thoughts about the world, where his life and work are, and how his loving family and wife poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths came to be his stalwarts. His personal life after several marriages seems to have settled with Eliza who appears to be his rock since their marriage in 2021. And he molds much of the memoir into a story about love conquering evil, which is pleasing. The book’s other part is his trying to understand what happened and why.
One segment goes into an imaginary interview Rushdie has with his assailant, which I thought was worth while … as well as his thoughts about religion. It seems frustrating trying to reason with people who don’t have much reason behind their acts to others, or who do things for incredibly absurd or incorrect assumptions. Rushdie has long been a beacon of freedom of thought, expression, and religion and that still burns brightly here.
I listened to the audio version read by the author, which was insightful to hear him read it.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read this one and what did you think? Have a great week.
What a stunning sunset! Wowzers! I’m glad you’re having a good time in CA. Which town are you staying in? Looks like the dogs are enjoying their beach time, too. 🙂
I’m not sure what my first book of 2025 will be since I just started a chunkster and it will probably take me into January before I finish. I’m going to look at my TBR bookcase (all 9 shelves!) and make a stack of the books I want to read with the idea that it may be my last year of reading. It won’t be, of course, but I want to go into the year reading everything I would be disappointed to miss out on if, say, I lost my vision. How’s that for bleak? Lol!
Not sure if Knife is my cuppa, but I do love a good memoir… maybe the audio is the way to go with this one.
Hi Lesley, the sunset is one of the best ones I’ve ever seen in the OC. Some shots after were like a ball of orange fire. I think I might have said in that email where we are … and it’s my parents’ old cottage too, many memories here. 🙂
Sounds like your TBR is as big as mine. I like you’re thinking about what not to miss with your reading. I should take some of that approach.
Not sure Knife would be for you — it could be more a 3.5 that I rounded up. But in the end I’m glad I listened to it for his thoughts. What a health crisis to go thru, how brutal. Wishing you & Rod a very happy Christmas.
Ah, you did mention your location. I read through that part of your email too quickly! Fun memories there, I’m sure.
Merry Christmas to you and Robert!
All good Lesley. My parents got the cottage in 1983 and so many memories here and not much has been changed, lol. We are trying to do some fix-ups while here. There’s no end to those. Hope you see some sun at the Cove this week. Looks like it snowed back home a couple days. I look forward to hearing about the chunkster book you’ve picked up. My head is a bit scattered for reading these days. Cheers!
I am so glad you’re having a good visit with family. My daughter comes home tomorrow and I am really looking forward to seeing her.
My first book is going to be Tommy Orange’s Wandering Stars. I have tickets to hear him speak in January so it seems fitting to have his second book be my first of the year.
Happy Holidays! I really need to go watch some sunsets.
Hi Helen, that’s great that you’ll be seeing Tommy Orange speak, yay. I will wait to hear what you think of Wandering Stars. I liked There There but the ending was so bleak that I haven’t picked up W.S. yet.
So nice that your daughter will be home soon. We are enjoying our time here. Hope you have a fun & happy holiday season!
Love those beach pics! That’s where I wish I was right now. I’ve only spent a few Christmases at the beach, but they were some of my favs. And I’m hoping to read more nonfiction next year, too; in fact, Knife is on my list. 😀
Hi Lark, thanks. The beach is sort of a different place to spend Christmas, lol, I think I’m more used to white Christmases but this winter break is quite nice too. Let’s see if we get to more nonfiction in 2025. It’s always a goal but then fiction prevails, Yay. Happy holiday season to you.
That is a gorgeous sunset! Happy to hear you’re having a nice time busy with activities and family! Looks like the dogs are enjoying the trip down south, too! I don’t remember reading about Rushdie’s attack and didn’t know the history behind it, so I just read a little on it. How awful for him! I’m happy he’s okay despite losing sight in one eye and the use of one of his hands! The reasoning behind attacks like this just boggles my mind! I would guess it’d be hard to be on guard from a bunch of crazy zealots 24-7.
I never thought of my first read of the year being particularly special. I’ll give a little more thought on my choice! Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip, Susan!
Thanks Rachel. It’s been fun being here and there’s so many good sunsets!
The attack on Rushdie was horrific in 2022. Luckily he survived multiple stab wounds. He comes out after (according to his book) pretty strong & well thanks to his family & wife’s support. His recovery seems better than expected. So glad too. And I like to think the first book paves the way for the new year, ha, even if it’s just wishful thinking. Wishing you a happy holiday season!
I seldom read nonfiction unless it relates to birds or Nature so I’m unlikely to read “Knife” but I appreciate your review of the book. And I appreciate the courage of Rushdie in carrying on with his life and with writing the story of the horrendous, hate-filled attack that almost killed him.
Happy holidays to you and your family. And the dogs! (But then they are part of the family, aren’t they?)
Hi Dorothy, ha yes the dogs are very much family … and seem to be with us most everywhere. I wasn’t expecting to pick up Knife but then I did. And I wasn’t sorry I did. Rushdie was strong in this and I liked the parts that he stands up for his beliefs which haven’t changed. He talks abut it — which were my favorite parts. Happy holidays to you.
What a beautiful picture of a beach sunset! That gorgeous red, omg! Love to hear that you’re spending time with your family, I hope you all have a wonderful time together. I haven’t thought about my first book for 2025, but now I will. I hope you have a great one in mind!
Hi Haze, thanks. Great hearing from you. The winter sunsets here really are amazing; we are glad to take a snow break. I think we’ve been busy & I’m feeling scattered so I haven’t thought of my first book of 2025 either. I will have to give it some thought. Enjoy your reads & happy holidays!
I agree with analysis of Knife. As far as a memoir goes the tone was odd. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. But his meditations on his recovery, his insights into political problems not only here in the US but also in other parts of the world were spot on. I found myself very interested in his imaginary conversation with his would-be murderer. I liked the way his meditations always led back to literature and the role it plays in our future.
Hi Anne, good to hear your thoughts about Rushdie’s memoir. I agree with your thoughts about it. Interesting what he says about stories & literature, which can outlast such murderers. I found those parts the most interesting in the book — as well as his imaginary interview of the person he calls A and his thoughts on religion. Thanks for your thoughts. Happy holidays.
I hadn’t really considered reading Knife—I thought on first glance that it would be too depressing—but your review leads me to think that it’s a story of person who dared to speak his mind and is dealing the consequences of doing so in a strong manner. So maybe…
Two nonfiction books you might consider, one I’ve read and one I haven’t but plan to read for my first book of the year, that people urged me to read over and over are Born a Crime (read) and The Day the World Came to Town (2025 First Book of the Year).
Enjoy your beautiful holiday with family!
Hi Deb, I hadn’t expected to pick up Rushdie’s book at all but for whatever reason I did — and I’m glad now. The memoir is quite emboldening and life-affirming … and his message that love & stories win out in the end was nice. His message is one of love, but it is sad our world is getting so crazy & violent.
Thanks for the tips on the two nonfiction books. These look good. I will put them on my TBR. & glad to hear of your first book! I look forward to your thoughts on it. Happy holidays to you too. 🙂
Stella and Willow look very happy sitting on the beach. Having family time is nice and I bet you are having a blast.
Things got hectic, don’t want to say overwhelming, so right now I’ve retreated to a reread; a comfort fiction by Lissa Evans to chill out. I already have some challenges set up, started the classics challenge and read one book on that list so far. First book of the year for me has a few contenders and I am thinking about Andrew Cotter’s book about his dogs Olive and Mabel. We will see what my mood is by January.
Good review on the book Knife. Looking forward to our buddy read of Elena Ferrante’s book The Story of a New Name. If I don’t get to chat with you beforehand have a wonderful and fun Christmas. Ear rubs for Stella and Willow!
Hi Tina, thanks, things have been busy but fun here too. Much to do & perhaps little reading ahead.
I can understand you needing a quick comfort read in hectic days. My mind is quite scattered lately so I could use something light – after Knife. You will have to tell us about the dog book Yay. Not sure what month you want to do the buddy read but I’m pretty open. Maybe March? Hmm.
Stella & Willow are spoiled with pats this break … You have a Merry Christmas too. Hope to chat before then. Pats to Loki.
Gorgeous pic of that sunset! I’m glad you are enjoying time with family and making time for fun at the beach as well. Stella and Willow seem to be enjoying themselves too; they are usually so serious. 🙂 I want to carryover all the books I didn’t have time for to read in the new year, but I haven’t thought of which one I’ll read first, probably Martyr!, which I haven’t picked up again since the first week of December. BTW, I watched Maria and Small Things Like These. I’ll be watching Conclave and Emilia Perez tomorrow. Merry Christmas for you and yours (if you don’t post sooner). Enjoy the warm weather and the beach.
Hey Carmen, great hearing from you! Thanks. I couldn’t believe the sunset; it was one of the best I’ve seen. Stella & Willow are happy to be here, and the walking is easier for Old Stella as she isn’t falling in the snow. It’s nice to see the sun!
What did you think of the movies? We watched Maria as well. We liked it but perhaps not overly loved. Still the shots are pleasing, and it’s a bit sad. I guess Emilia Perez is racking up a lot of praise. We haven’t seen it or any others yet. Wishing you too a very Merry Christmas. I hope we can both get on a reading track come January. Cheers.
Thanks, Susan! I did like both Maria and Conclave a great deal (4*), Small Things… less so (3*) but I wasn’t crazy about the source material either. Both Conclave and Small Things… were very faithful to their respective source (a plus). I couldn’t watch Emilia Perez today but perhaps tomorrow. Hopefully by the end of this month I will have watched a few movies in contention for awards.
Great Carmen. I’m glad you liked these, especially Conclave, which was interesting. I haven’t seen Small Things around. The Return apparently is playing near here. I think we’re limited in our streaming while here, argh. I look forward to your thoughts on the E.P. movie. Happy holidays.
Hi Susan,
The beach sunset is stunning and being by the beach in the fall and winter is such a nice experience. It’s not crowded and you can admire the sea and the sand.
I am thinking my first book for the New Year is going to be A Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger. I was quite taken by the movie that I saw years ago, particularly the fishing village of Gloucester MA and I would like to find out more.
Great review of Knife. I just feel so bad for what Salman Rushdie has been through. Itr not fair. He has a bravery that very few people have and I compare him to Alexei Navalney. Both men did nothing wrong and they deserved to live a life in peace. I am very glad Rushdie’s family has given him strength.
Hope you and your family have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thanks Kathy, it is nice & quiet at the beach right now and it should be a good Christmas. And wow The Perfect Storm is a good one. I liked the book & the movie. I hope you enjoy the book which will give more context.
Perhaps I will read the Navalny book — the Rushdie one was quite eye-opening. We watched the documentary on Navalny which is very good. So tragic. I wish he’d never gone back to Russia from Germany.
Wishing you a great Christmas!
Sounds like you’re having a wonderful time by the beach! Those sunsets must be stunning. Enjoy the family time and all the holiday activities. I’m also excited about picking my first book for 2025. There are so many great options to choose from. I’m a mood reader, so who knows? Happy reading and happy holidays!
Thanks Lux. It’s been fun to be here. I too am a mood reader, so I’m deciding pretty late about my first read but it might be something I’m getting for Christmas, lol. I look forward to checking your site for your first read. Enjoy & happy holidays too!
Amazing picture!
We had an unexpected 4+ inches of snow last night and it is freezing. I like the idea of a walk on the beach with the dogs, although not in this climate.
I think I will plan a nonstop day of reading and perhaps cookie baking on New Year’s Eve. I have a new Louise Penny waiting for me! I don’t have any time off except Christmas, which will be hectic, so I will be very ready to relax.
Hi Constance, thanks, the sunsets have been terrific here.
And wow sounds like you might have a white Christmas there. How festive.
I like your idea on New Year’s. Enjoy the Louise Penny, cookies, and relaxation. A perfect combo.
Happy holidays.
I love the photo of the dogs on the beach.
I do enjoy starting a new year of book reading. I don’t know why it makes any difference but it does. I don’t know what my first book of 2025 will be, but I plan to do a Japanese Literary Challenge in January and February so it might be a Japanese mystery.
I have heard good things about Knife by Rushdie. I don’t gravitate towards memoirs, but it is short so seems worth a read. I got it on kindle at a good price which surprises me.
Hi Tracy, thanks – the dogs have been loving the beach. And I plan to post another photo of the dynamic duo next time — so stay tuned, ha.
Good to know about your upcoming Japanese Lit Challenge … I like hearing about these authors and also hope to read Yoko Ogama’s novel Mina’s Matchbox sometime soon. So that would work. Is that at Dolce’s site?
And that is surprising you got Knife at a good price since it’s fairly recent. See what you think of it. It’s a bit meandering but I enjoyed some parts of it.
Cheers & happy reading this holiday.