Naked Reading 2023 XXXIII and XXXIV
I've updated my Naked Reading 2023 page with two more self-portraits featuring novels I read in 2023 (still got a fair few to catch up on before completing the series for the year!)
Here are my mini reviews for each!
The World of Pooh. This omnibus edition includes both of the original A.A. Milne Pooh novels, Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, illustrated charmingly by E.H. Shepard. Both books are essentially a series of short stories, sharing the very funny, very sweet, and nature loving adventures and everyday ponderances and wonderings of an utterly delightful cast of characters. They're stories I knew well as a child, and probably adore even more as an adult. Perfection.
The Idiot Gods. This book is an astonishing tale of an orca who learns to speak to humans. In doing so he and we explore many facets of human nature; our beliefs, our culture, and most of all our willingness to destroy each other and the planet. It features world building on par with any great sci-fi, except the alien featured here is a familiar species already, shown to have a depth of culture and understanding of the world far beyond our own shallow interests. A truly fantastic book which should delight anyone with an interest in nature, linguistics, philosophy and more!
As ever I've also written more extensive thoughts on my book review blog:
And as usual as a little bonus for my Patreon supporters, I have shared a few alternate takes of both of these self portraits on that platform too!