Revisiting a book and opinion

 

Comet In Moominland by Tove Jannson /Translated by Elizabeth Portch (Puffin Books)

Over the weekend I got in to a discussion about the Moomins with some other readers - and they seemed surprised that I find them freaky and scary. Others joined in the conversation and wondered if (like in their partner's case) I was actually thinking of the 1980s cartoon rather than then books.

As I've loved lots of Jansson's other work for adults I did wonder if perhaps it was the cartoon that had scared me so I did go back and read one of the Moomin books.

I can now say that while I also don't like the cartoons I also don't like the books - for some reason they do just give me the bad type of goose bumps when I'm reading.

The plot idea behind Comet in Moominland was really interesting and probably the first brush a lot of readers have with sci-fi  but even that couldn't save it for me. 

It was a quick read, and a good escape from the weekend's bad weather but I won't be reading the rest - however after reading Jansson's Notes from an Island earlier in the autumn I do wholeheartedly recommend that!

World Book Night 2021: Book One

 

The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi (Pan Macmillan)

Borrowed from the library

I'm not saying I am a sucker for marketing but it did seem right to start this challenge with a book that would fit into the traditional "New Year, New You' book promotions.

I have to say that this one really wasn't for me, I do occasionally borrow books like this from the library looking for hints or tips on how to make alterations in my life (and usually forget them pretty much instantly) but in this book I didn't find anything that resonated with me at all. Possibly because it is a book you need to work through slowly and annotate as you go and that isn't something you can do in a library book!

As I've long been vocal in saying that schemes like World Book Night and Quick Reads need more non-fiction options I do feel bad in finding this one so disappointing but not every book can be for everyone so on to the next book...