Posted by Katrin on March 29th, 2007 — Posted in Literature
I have been away for quite some time now. Not really physically away, but writing your final thesis takes its toll… Life turns out to be quite unexciting when you are hiding behind your desk, trying to make some sense out of the 50 books you have just read and not being intimidated about the next 50 to come. Most of my time I have spent at the British Library. A lifesaver if you ask me! Pick the tiniest subject (believe me I had one) and they will still have most of the books you need. Or if you want to look at old and rare books, this is certainly the place to go. Besides all this the British Library is an architectural site in itself.
I loved going there as it felt like going to work in a stylish environment, rather than getting stuck in a mouldy and musty place stuffed with old books.If you happen to be in the area, I recommend a quick look inside. In order to use the reading rooms you need to get a readers pass, but the entrance is free. Already the first step into the Library is quite impressive as you find yourself in a huge hall. Have a look at the beautiful square glass pillar in the back. Behind the glass you see rows and rows of books and it actually does serve as storing room: The staff can enter the pillar, shift the shelves and take out the books that have been ordered.
A few steps down the stairs will lead you to my favourite site. It is a picture of rows of shelves filled with books, but as you walk past it you realise that it is moving with you, leaving you with the impression that you actually are walking past these shelves and not just past a picture.
Although it does not take long to figure out why this is the case I couldn’t help but look at it every time I passed it. Makes you feel a bit dizzy though…
British Library
St Pancras
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
Opening Times
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Posted by Katrin on October 7th, 2006 — Posted in Literature
Back in the days when I was working for a wonderful bookstore in Cologne, Germany I learned a lot about literature (which was the main aim of the store, besides Theater, Film and social sciences) and the business surrounding it. Authors came and read from their books, authors well known and unknown, from various countries and all kinds of backgrounds. Publishers came to talk about the coming up season and decisions needed to be made which books to stock.
I was in the middle of it all, slowly learning to appreciate what literature can do for you. It makes you laugh, it might make you cry but it hopefully touches you in some way so that you will pick up the next book with curiosity and joy.
Since then I do like to go to reading events every once in a while, mainly if I know the person already or even have read something from him or her which I liked. Therefore I was delighted to find out that Frank McCourt was coming to London to read from his book “Teacher Man” which has just been published as a paperback.
He has written two other books before: Angela’s Ashes, which has also been made into a movie, and ‘Tis.
I have read them both and liked them a lot. Angela’s Ashes a bit more, so if you want to get to know him choose that one.
It was a great evening and I was delighted to find out that he is not just a fun-to-read author, but also somewhat of an entertainer.
He talked mostly, reading just some small passages out of his new book. This was a very pleasant way to learn more about the content: his career as a teacher in New York High Schools. After he wrote about having a tough childhood in Limerick, Ireland (Angela’s Ashes) and immigrating to New York to find work there in various places including the docks and later starting college (’Tis), Teacher Man focuses on his teacher career and goes on where ‘Tis has left the reader wondering what will happen next.
It is funny and heartwarming and tough at the same time. He writes very straightforward, just as life has not always been an easy ride for him. I am looking forward to start this third volume of the story of his life soon.
The event took place at Brunei Theater at the London University and was organized by Waterstones. They do quite a lot of events so have a look at their website. You can also choose the store location you are interested in (they all have different events).
Waterstone’s
82 Gower Street
London WC1E 6EQ
020 7636 1577
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Frank McCourt
“Teacher Man”
Harper Perennial
£ 7,99
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Posted by Katrin on September 14th, 2006 — Posted in Literature
If you are looking for a good book to read that will not be forgotten after just a few days this might well be the right choice!
After having had trouble in the beginning getting into it, I soon was not able to put it down. It is the story of Kathy and her friends, set in an England of a not specified time. It is a different world from what we are living in now, but not in obvious ways. One needs time to figure things out, they are not clearly pointed out from the beginning, which might lead to the problems I had. I simply thought that it was my English (or lack thereof) , not realizing that I had to get used to a different kind of setting than what I expected. Ishiguro just takes for granted that you know this world like you live in it yourself which makes it even more real and touching.
It is a tale of friendship and love, told by Kathy herself. Even though the subject matter is not entirely new it grabbed me through the way how Kathy is narrating the story in a very calm and collected way. Somehow always knowing and accepting what lies ahead for her. For me it was not so much about what it is about, but how it is told.
Kazuo Ishiguro
Never let me go
faber and faber
£ 7,99
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