The Great Automatic Grammatizator and Other Stories by Roald Dahl

Short stories are just right for the tube. These ones were so enjoyable I kept reading them while walking along the street. Most of these tales have wicked twists and turns, a satisfying darkness. Must go and find more now!

The Constant Gardener by John Le Carre

My first Le Carre book, which I borrowed from the library because I remembered I'd enjoyed the film. Glad I did - I might even read another one now! Very good and enjoyable read, following the widowed husband around the world as he follows in his wife's footsteps to try and find out what she had discovered before she was murdered. Can see why someone thought it would make a good film.

I've now finished the ten or so books I took out from the library at Christmas - need to update my blog though!

That Thing Around The Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi

This collection of short stories has been an enjoyable companion on my tube journeys this week. The stories have a variety of settings, although most of them touch upon relationships, good and bad. One thing that struck me was the sympathetic portrayal of a number of gay characters, at stark odds with the vehemence and vitriol seen in some African countries at the moment; especially happy that these characters are not portrayed in any particular political light, just characters like the writer, the abandoned girlfriend, the new wife. The stories often seem to peter out; there is often no real climax or conclusion. But life is a bit like that, so the endings fit. Yes, it is acceptable to end a story like that, as one character asks.

The Cypriot by Andreas Koumi

Very moving and interesting book - highly recommended. I really didn't know anything about Cypriot history before reading this book - now I find myself noticing things in the news or in our local community that make me think about Turkish and Greek Cypriots, and what they might have experienced. Glad I read this one.

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

I've read it because I wanted to find out what happened next ... Fine, but a bit clunky for me. Wonder what the film is like? Of course, I have to read the final story in the trilogy now to find out what happens to all the characters.