Well, I've been home with the flu a few days and I managed to finish three books I thought I'd tell you about.
1. Alan Bissett - Death of a Ladies Man
This scottish boy wonder is inventive, political, gripping and clever. On the surface this is the story of Charlie Bain, a school teacher, losing the plot. Only slightly deeper in it's the story of how men and women act towards each other, and why. Incisive, no less. Also - loved his novel Pack Men. Can't wait to see what he does next.
2. Gabrielle Zevin - The Collected Works of A. J. Fikry
This lovely, endearing homage to bookshops and the real values of life lands somewhere between 84 Charing Cross Road and Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society if Alan Bennett had been holding the pen. Well, you get my drift
3. Matthew Specktor - American Dream Machine
Epic sprawling tale of the people surrounding a talent agency in Hollywood. Comparisons to the fantastic What Makes Sammy Run and, well, any multigenerational tale of sons and fathers. Jonathan Lethem loved this. I enjoyed it greatly.