Christmas break
Just finished reading Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom while recovering from the grindingly tedious flu that’s doing the rounds. It was an engaging book – and actually could have been longer to flesh out all the characters properly. Not the Great American Novel but still very satisfying and gripping.
Moved straight on to Alexandra Harris’s Romantic Moderns published by Thames and Hudson – it’s a fascinating and very handsomely produced book – since reading so much on the Kindle I’ve rediscovered the physical beauty of some books.
This book reminds me of why my tastes are what they are – growing up in Brighton and the Sussex countryside has had an ongoing influence on my aesthetic outlook – the dialogue between modernity, nature and the ancient past is always meaningful to me.
Listening to Jason Moran’s 10 on Blue Note – very exciting new life for the jazz piano trio and what it can achieve. I love hearing the endless permutations and rhythms possible – the sound of surprise.
Watched Toy Story 3 last night with the kids – heartening that such a beautifully animated and intelligently written film can still be made. Wholly entertained and captivated by it.
