Before I settled on some other reading projects for 2020 (more on that tomorrow), I entertained the possibility of making a simpler goal than usual: choosing half of my reading from my own shelves and half from the library’s shelves.
The idea being that I have tended to read more from the library over the past year than planned, having settled out my habit of over-borrowing in the years prior.
But witness how I have skillfully talked myself out of this plan! Because this pair neatly illustrates the importance of choosing from both sources.
Over time, I’ve collected quite a few novels by Australian writers (thanks to early membership in an online reading group which focussed on their works, when internet book groups were something new to celebrate), which have been neglected on my shelves for ages. And I have considered Tove Jansson’s books on many occasions, but there are very few copies in the library and they are consistently in demand (i.e. with a waiting period and, then, not renewable).
Pulling from my shelves and the library’s shelves allows me to participate in both the Australian Legend’s Australian Women Writers (Third Generation) reading event this week (January 12th-18th) and in Bookjotter’s ongoing Tove Trove event.
Jessica Anderson’s Taking Shelter (1990)
This slim novel has been nestled against Tirra Lirra by the River since I first read and loved that other slim novel, a couple of decades ago. There were other options on my shelves, with this reading week in mind, but I liked the look of the prose in this one.
The rhythm of it reminds me of what Elizabeth Taylor observed about her own preferences for reading and writing in Contemporary Novelists: “I write in scenes, rather than in narrative, which I find boring. I am pleased if the look of a page is interesting, broken by paragraphs or dialogue, not just one dense slab of print.”
At the heart of this novel is Beth’s yearning to connect. There’s one man who’s willing to marry her, who seems decidedly removed from her. Another man who is more emotionally available but more about the present-day than building a shared future. Against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic and an emerging idea that one does not need to pursue someone else’s idea of happiness.
But despite the bold characterization and the passionate declarations, there’s a fragility to all of this. And even though the older generation seems to have gotten it all wrong – “A mistaken marriage to an unspeakable tomcat of a man. She had the patience of an angel, but it got too much at last, and now they’re divorcing.” – there’s little evidence that the next generation has it all figured out.
(For a more detailed consideration, check out Lisa’s review at ANZLitLovers. I share her frustration with the excerpts from the dream journal, and agree that it’s an interesting technique which might please other readers. Certainly readers would have been more receptive in the era of publication, when dream journals and little pillows with scented herbs were becoming popular.)
Tove Jansson’s The True Deceiver (1982; Trans. Thomas Teal, 2009)
The prose in this Jansson novel is just the kind that would have deterred Elizabeth Taylor: chunky with scattered dialogue. But the book is short, the margins wide, and chapters only a few pages long: the language is simple and the syntax propulsive:
“Towards the end of August everything went quiet again, back to normal. And by and by came winter.”
Between these two statements, a season changes. The world looks one way and, then, it is transformed. It’s unrecognizable. This is what happens in the narrative beyond these sentences too. And it’s just as quiet as the end of August, the transformation which is at the heart of this slim novel.
Along the way – or perhaps I should say ‘by and by’ – what is normal also shifts dramatically. For better. And for worse. At the same time. And if that kind of discrepancy troubles you, Jansson’s story likely isn’t for you. There is a sibling relationship, a relationship between two women, and a relationship between a woman and a dog – all against the backdrop of the web of relationships that exist in a small coastal community in Finland.
The story unfolds in a time when nobody locks their doors, not at night and not ever. The doors do not even have locking mechanisms. But the nature of the adversary in this story – if, indeed, there is such a thing – isn’t the usual sort. Certainly not the sort that can be barricaded through the use of a lock. The matter of deception – its twinned theme of betrayal – stems from a different sort of power. Though the fear one can experience in the face of it, that’s the usual kind of fear.
There are more works by both of these authors on the library’s shelves. With Anderson, there are seven books from which to choose, but only one is a circulating copy (a Text Classics edition of The Commandant). With Jansson, there are Moonintrolls, in comics and stories, along with a volume of non-fiction and two collections of stories.
Thanks for the mention, Marcie:) Good point about the era’s fad for dreamology (I think I just made that word up, Spellcheck wants to change it to dermatology).
If it’s not a word, it should be! I remain hopeful about actually getting to more of the Australian authors on my shelves this year. crosses fingers, makes lists
Glad you are finding a way to balance your books and reading piles. I fear I rarely use the library these days. I really want to read True Deciever. I have only read a couple of Tove Jansson books, having come to her quite late. I didn’t know about the reading event which I am probably too late for now which is a shame.
It’s not too late: it’s an ongoing event. #ToveTrove This novel wasn’t at all what I was expecting, so that threw me a little, but I think I actually am even more interested in her work now.
It is definitely hard finding the right balance between library books and books you own, new books and old ones, ones for specific challenges and ones you pick up by whim. I’m trying to do better this year! I figure that if even a third of my reading comes from my shelves, that will make significant inroads into my number of unread books. Half would be even better. What usually stops me from achieving that is review copies and free e-book downloads, thus me cutting down on both severely this year.
I discovered Jansson’s Moomins books as an adult and loved them (I have a Moomins calendar this year), but haven’t gotten on with her books for grown-ups quite as well.
That 50/50 project still tempts me. But I love the variety of the multiple projects. I’m interested to see how your plans to reduce the ARCs play out. It’s a hard habit to shift (but i found it oh-so satisfying).
I’m thinking about trying the Moomins later this year, maybe after I finish another series or two. Did you start with the first in the series? I think I remember reading that the first is really best enjoyed later on and isn’t necessary as a launch for the series?
Happy Reading in 2020! I too, found it hard to balance library books and books on my own shelves in the past. This year I plan to focus on tackling my shelves. I hope joining the Start on Your Shelfathon challenge will help me out with my goals.
Thank you so much for the mention, Marcie.
Thanks for hosting and encouraging us to give her a try!
It is a balancing act, isn’t it, trying to read our various books? I haven’t read that Tove yet – really must soon…
Everyday! It is a remarkably quick read…although lots to think about afterwards.
Glad you found a nice compromise! I read Jansson’s Summer book a number of years ago and really liked it and have always meant to read more of her work but you know how these things go. But you have reminded me, so maybe I will get to one this year 🙂
There are just too many good books at the library for me to put any hard limits on it! Yes, I understand all too well. And I was actually thinking of reading The Winter Book next, but it’s in considerable demand these days. 🙂
Random question-what is that loaf thing with the green thingy on it?
It’s black cake. And, look, I even found you a recipe! (Here – though the one I’m eating wasn’t made with eggs or dairy – same otherwise.)
Ohhh yummy!!!!