Best Reading in 2010

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

 I have reviewed this in Kiakahakl already. I had been wondering about the hype for this author and I discovered it's well deserved. Unquestionably my favourite of the year and next year I am looking forward to reading his 2010 release Freedom.

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

I knew nothing about this novel when I started it, except that it made Oprah’s choice a few years ago. Fair play to Ms Winfrey, many of the books that make her Book Club are excellent reads and this is no exception. Its a fantastic cross continental, intergenerational yarn that had me totally hooked. Furthermore it crossed into territory that is challenging to the reader, something I think good literature should always aspire.

 

Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
Reviewed here. War literature as good as it gets.

Paris Trance by Geoff Dyer

Dyer’s novels are an excellent ‘go to’ choice for me. I am a big fan of his style, and the capturing of contemporary nuances within his writing is outstanding. This is by no means an outstanding novel, ‘Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi’, reviewed last year was better, however it was still a joy to read.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Also reviewed this year. This guy is an incredibly talented writer and I also had the pleasure of reading an earlier work Number9Dream. Next year, his latest release, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is on my list.

Olive Ketteridge by Elizabeth Strout

The writing here is gorgeous. Strout is a class act using a central linking figure, Olive Ketteridge, who lives in a small town in Maine. From this she moulds together a collection of stories that will charm the pants of you.

Also enjoyed in 2010: Tinkers by Paul Harding and Far North by Marcel Theroux

Cars

Cars are everywhere in this town. But the extraordinary thing to me is the not the number of vehicles that are clogging the dozens of freeways, bypasses, junctions, Jalans, Lorongs, and toll ways in the Klang Valley. It’s not the ones moving that interest me, for their purpose is clear. It’s the ones that aren’t being driven that interest me.

Although I have no reliable stats to back this up, for every car I see on the road, I see another couple in driveways, carports, garages, roadsides, mall car parks, street corners, curbs, grass verges, double parked half on a curb and half on a grass verge, and on yellow lines whilst double parked outside a police station blocking the driveway. You name it, it’s been parked there. Cars here are like litter. A mess of trashy, rusted Protons, their windows having stopped descending years ago, apparently abandoned, under trees, brown mouldy leaves clogging the windshields.

Brash and beasty Porsche 4 wheel drives are squeezed onto the pavement to make way for the 4 other cars already parked in the driveway. When it comes to the resale value of your house, lots of driveway space will increase it significantly.

Strangely enough however, cars are expensive here, particularly foreign cars, which are taxed heavily to protect the domestic automobile industry. I assume that buyers are taking advantage of the 3% car loans that are available. I don’t blame them.


In Naples, Italy, it is not uncommon to see a narrow one way street blocked by a parked car, its owner ignoring the honking and abuse as they leisurely sip on their expresso in the cafe. The KL, Malaysian version of this occurred to me the other day. I was driving past Tanglin Hawker stall near Lake Gardens, home of reputably the best Nasi Lemak in KL. My progress along the narrow lane was halted by a mighty Proton Waja. The Malay driver flashed me a quick wave and smile as he abandoned the vehicle, scurrying to secure his place in the queue. I was in no hurry, and after all, who am I to deny a man his breakfast. So I waited for his return, holding a plastic, styraphome wrapped delight. Another wave and we were on our way through an obstacle course of badly parked metal.

Star Wars Action Figures

Its a big step I know, but I have decided that Isaac is old enough for the bequeathing of my treasured original Star Wars actions figures (there is also a Buddha that he thrown in there to make the play even more interesting).

For sci fi geeks out there you will also note in the photo, a wing from Darth Vaders tie fighter. Readers will note its distinctive shape making it distinguishable from standard imperial tie fighters.

Also, my pride and joy, a landspeeder as ridden by Luke, Obi Wan, C3PO, and R2D2 in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope.

Bought for Christmas 1977, they have already taken quite a battering in the hands of a new generation. Luke Skywalkers head has broken off and subsequently been superglued back. Overall though, Isaac has been taking great care with my nostalgic items and has been enjoying them as much as I did 33 years ago.